In my research of Rob Bell and the Emerging Church i came over this link collection from solarcrash that i thought could be helpful for those wanting to know more about him.

Check out the links below

Very cute!

While I visited the Popes home in the Vatican city he decided to visit the US. During his visit, Pope Benedict XVI gave a consistent and prophetic call to U.S. Catholics that might have something to say to humans everywhere:

I want to encourage you and your communities to continue to welcome the immigrants who join your ranks today, to share their joys and hopes, to support them in their sorrow and trials, and to help them flourish in their new home. This, indeed, is what your fellow countrymen have done for generations. From the beginning, they have opened their doors to the tired, the poor, the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” These are the people whom America has made her own.

I cant really say movie of the year since it was released in 2003 but who cares.

Two pre-teen boys are shocked when their father returns home to them and their mother, after being inexplicably away for 12 years. He takes them on a road trip the next day. This movie is exceptional and is one of the most strikingly beautiful films I’ve seen in a long time. The child actors are so incredible it is almost discomforting. The cinematography is simply breathtaking. The film explores the fear and courage that results when children are suddenly faced with unknown horrors of the adult world.

Andrei Zvyagintsev is truly a gifted film maker and i will shortly write something about his newest movie “The Banishment” too.

St. Peter's Church

Not Long ago my Wife Johanna and myself were a few days in magnificent Rome.Preparing for a trip takes time and effort, and is part of the trip itself. It was enjoyable reading up on Rome. Books, Blogs and travel sites were all a part of the planning process.

Johanna,two pizza boys and myself

We decided to live just outside the City center in the Trastavere area. We found a wonderful place to stay, where Mother and son, Anna Maria and Mike rents out a part of their apartment. It was clean,comfy and very easy to get to from the Airport. The city center was 15 min by tram. Anna Maria was all one could desire in a host. A small, talkative Italian lady with  perfect English to compliment her very Italianishness.

The best part about living here was the sense of being alone as tourists. I actually didn’t see a single one in the area where we stayed. The prices and people were all very Italian.

Day one we settled in. We went to a resturante down the street and ate the first of many pasta and tiramisu dishes.