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Movie: The Nativity Story

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Mary, a teenage girl growing up in Rome-occupied Nazareth, is betrothed to Joseph, a modest but kind carpenter. An angel tells her she will bear a child from God and after negotiating the anger and confusion of her family and Joseph at how this could be, she then finds that she, Joseph and the boy growing inside her must make the 100-mile journey to Bethlehem, as a result of a census ordered by Caesar. Meanwhile, Herod is troubled by prophesies regarding a king who will rise up against him and three astronomers from Persia are stirred by an aligning of stars and planets, promising the arrival of something, or someone, very special. Although the movie "The Nativity Story" received a far from rousing reception on its original release, it cannot be denied that it has an important place in any Christmas Video Vault. After all, this is where it all started, this is why we celebrate this time of the year. But is the film itself any good? In a word, ...

Italy: Palermo to Cinque Terre

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Despite incessant praise, Italy continues to surprise and delight. If you get it right, travelling in the bel paese (beautiful country) is one of those rare experiences in life that cannot be overrated. Bella Vita In few places do art and life intermingle so effortlessly. This may be the land of Dante, Michelangelo, da Vinci and Botticelli but it’s also the home of Salvatore Ferragamo, Giorgio Armani and Gualtiero Marchesi. Food, fashion, art and architecture – you’ll quickly learn that the root of Italian pathology is an unswerving dedication to living life well. A surprising number of Italians care deeply about the floral aftertastes of sheep cheese, the correct way to cut marble and the nuances of a Vivaldi concerto. Lurking behind the disinvoltura – the appearance of effortlessness – is a passionate attention to life’s fine print. So slow down, start taking note of life’s details and enjoy your own bella vita. Read more at htt...

My Words. Mis Palabras. Pablo Neruda

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Poem 5  by Pablo Neruda For you to hear me, My words Thin out sometimes. Like the seagulls draw lines on the beach. A necklace, a drunken bell For your hands smooth like grapes. And I look at my words from a distance They are yours more than mine. They go climbing over my old pain like ivies. They thus climb by the humid walls. You are the guilty one of this bloody play. They are fleeing my empty den. You pervade everything, everything. Before, they inhabited the solitude that you now enter, They are accustomed more to my sadness than you. Now I want them say what I want to tell you So that you hear them what I want you to hear from me. The wind of anguish still sometimes drag them. Hurricanes of dreams still at times tumble them. Listen to other voices in my painful voice. Crying of old mouths, blood of old pleas. Love me, companion. Do not abandon me. Follow me. Follow me, companion, in...

Ode to Summer - Oda al Verano

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Ode to summer Summer, red violin,  clear cloud,  the hum  of a summer or cicadas  announce your arrival.  The heavens  arch  to a smoothness,  lucent  as an eye,  and below your gaze,  summer, you are  an infinite sky-fish,  shameless messenger  of praise,  lazy,  sleepy-eyed one,  little bee belly,  mischievous  sun,  terrible paternal sun,  sweaty as a toiling ox,  and the scorchiing sun  in one's head  is like a  sudden blow,  sun of thirst  crossing the sand,  summer,  desert sea.  The sulfur  miner  drips  yellow sweat,  the aviator  maps,  ray by ray,  the celestial sun,  darkened  sweat  slips  down a forehead  into the eyes;  at Lota,  the miner  scrubs  ...

Soulful Relationship

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If you're not married yet, share this with a friend. If you are married, share it with your spouse or other married couples and reflect on it.  An African proverb states, "Before you get married, keep both eyes open, and after you marry, close one eye." Before you get involved and make a commitment to someone, don't let lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low self-esteem, make you blind to warning signs !  Keep your eyes open, and don't fool yourself that you can change someone or that what you see as faults aren't really important. Once you decide to commit to someone, over time his or her flaws, vulnerabilities, pet peeves, and differences will become more obvious. If you love your mate and want the relationship to grow and evolve, you've got to learn to close one eye and not let every little thing bother you. You and your mate have many different expectations, emotional needs, values, dreams, weakne...

Tikal, Guatemala

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Tikal is the largest excavated site in the American continent. It is Guatemala's most famous cultural and natural preserve.  Tikal possesses a certain magic... Like all puzzles without answers it fascinates everyone and we dare say... Tikal is so irresistible once you are here, you'll find yourself wanting to stay just a little longer!       This majestic archaeological gem comprises 222 square miles of jungle all around the ceremonial center.  It took the University of Pennsylvania 13 years to uncover about 10 square miles of structures at Tikal.  However, much of it is still left to be unearthed.  So, do take some advice...  Don't try to see all of Tikal in one day, even if you are in excellent shape!      Tikal remained a mystery for centuries, after being abruptly abandoned by the Maya over 1000 years ago and overgrown by a relentless jungle.  Only a legend survived among the Itza Maya pe...

If Jesus did not rise from the dead...

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In 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, St. Paul is addressing those who doubted, or even taught, that there was no resurrection from the dead. He states as the foundation of his argument a fundamental of the Christian faith – the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. If we believe and teach that Jesus rose from the dead, how can we think that the resurrection of the dead is not possible. If there is no resurrection of the dead at the end of time, then we must believe that Jesus did not rise again. What if Jesus did not rise again on the third day? What then? What does that mean to us and our faith? First, all that we have taught and preached is vain. If Jesus did not rise again, the Gospel has no heart to it. It is emptied of good news and becomes nothing more than a funeral dirge. It becomes a teaching of death for we only tell the story of a good man who once lived, but died…the end. If Jesus is not risen, our preaching is emptied of its power. It is only the history of a man who ca...

Bono and Faith

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Paul David Hewson (born 10 May 1960), most commonly known by his stage name Bono (/ˈbɒnoʊ/ bon-oh), is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his future wife, Alison Stewart, and the future members of U2. Bono writes almost all U2 lyrics, often using political, social, and religious themes. During their early years, Bono's lyrics contributed to U2's rebellious and spiritual tone. As the band matured, his lyrics became inspired more by personal experiences shared with members of U2. Outside the band, he has collaborated and recorded with numerous artists, is managing director and a managing partner of Elevation Partners, and has refurbished and owns The Clarence Hotel in Dublin with The Edge. Bono is also widely known for his activism concerning Africa, for which ...

The Poetry of Vulnerability

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Grace

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The Bible tells us to "Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." In Max Lucado's new book, Grace Happens Here, he reminds us that Salvation is God's business. Grace is His idea, His work and His expense. God's Grace is more powerful than sin. Keep reading and let excerpts from Lucado's book and Scripture help you start receiving the freely given Grace of Almighty God today...  Sometimes we get so caught up in our own works that we forget Romans 8, which says "nothing can separate us from the Love of God." You don't have to be perfect to receive God's Grace -- only willing. Lucado says, "To discover grace is to discover God's utter devotion to you, His stubborn resolve to give you a cleansing, healing, purging love that lifts the wounded back to their feet." Matthew 7:7 says, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Al...

The Road

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Huayna Potosi, Bolivia

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