May, 2004:

The Passion of the Christ continues to have an impact around the world.

This article from Christianity Today tells us a little of its continuing influence.

By Holy Week, The Passion of the Christ had become one of the highest-grossing movies ever to hit American cinemas. The film’s greatest impact, however, may be via pirated DVDs in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia; and crowded theaters in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates.

“This film is generating so much interest in Jesus and the Scriptures,” one missionary in the region said. “Every Christian we are talking to seems to have a story or two.”

Meanwhile, here in Australia, we’re starting to gear up for the official DVD release on the 1st of September.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

It seems there is still time for me to go back to school if I should ever decide to upgrade my eduacation.

A 90 year old great grandmother who returned to high school seven decades after taking her last class, has graduated.

“I studied and studied, and then I learned I actually passed,” Uceba Babson said. “A lot of it was memorising. You had to remember the rules and at 90, it’s hard.”

This article gives the bigger picture.

Of course it makes you wonder if Uceba took part in the usual extra curricular activities of high school students. Did she get caught behind the bike shed making out with another class member? Did she try out for the cheer leading squad?

At almost 41 I sometimes feel as if my decisions up to this point in life have already mapped out my future. Not that that’s a gloomy thing. I have a wonderful wife and two incredible kids. However, it’s good to remind ourselves that it’s never to late to change our circumstances for the better. To some extent our decisions today will determine what happens tomorrow. Add to that the fact that we serve a God who can turn things around in miraculous ways and life takes on an exciting new dimension.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

Here are five questions that you may choose to answer in the comments section below, or on your own blog. Feel free to point other bloggers to the questions. My answers are below.

This week I’ve focussed on growing up.

1. Did you have a favourite teddy bear and what was its name?

2. Who was your first ‘best friend’?

3. What did you want to be when you grew up?

4. What do you miss most about your childhood?

5. Where did you live during most of your childhood?

1. Yes. His name was Fred.

2. My first best friend was Lynnette Smith. She lived across the road from us.

3. I had the idea that I wanted to be a doctor when I was quite young then settled on the idea of being a radio announcer. I got to work as a radio announcer but don’t ask me to help you with your hacking cough or broken leg.

4. School holidays.

5. I grew up in Scarborough, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Our old house is one of only a few ‘old’ ones still standing in that street. I don’t think anyone lives there and it looks like it’s falling down. Most of the other houses have been demoloshed to make way for bigger, better houses or units.

Posted by Rodney Olsen