Written in the stars?

October 17, 2007
by Rodney Olsen
2 Comments

If you read horoscopes in many newspapers or magazines you’ll generally find patronising advice that could easily apply to anyone who reads it, no matter what ‘star sign’ they claim to have. But what about those who take astrology seriously?

There are astrologers who treat astrology far more seriously who can chart out your life based on the time and date you were born. They’ll come up with all kinds of advice and warnings based on a number of factors to do with the stars.

Of course just because something may work, it doesn’t necessarily follow that it is always helpful for us.

My regular Wednesday morning guest on 98.5 Sonshine FM is Ross Clifford who is the Principal of Morling College in New South Wales and current President of the Baptist Union of Australia. Each week we chat about a range of issues relating to spirituality and belief.

Ross has been asked a number of times recently whether he believes that astrology is compatible with the Christian faith. Can a person hold to Biblical Christianity and still dabble in astrology? Did you know that some prominent Christians of the past used astrology for guidance?

In the end, although astrology can sometimes work, Ross believes that we’re settling for a counterfeit if we’re worshipping the stars rather than the one who created the stars. He believes that any connection we may have once had with the stars was corrupted with the fall of man back in the Garden of Eden.

It’s very interesting to hear Ross talking about his understanding of astrology and the warnings we find in scripture about relying on the stars.

You can hear what Ross had to say using the media player below.



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Thumbs Up! Edition Ten

October 16, 2007
by Rodney Olsen
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We’ve finally hit double figures. Time for Edition Ten of Thumbs Up!

Thanks to those who have taken part this time around. There are a couple of wonderful posts to highlight. (Sorry that I’ve posted Thumbs Up! so late this week.)

If this is the first you’ve heard of Thumbs Up! and you’re wondering what it’s about you can read the details here.

Romi presents a post about fellow blogger, Sharon, posted at Romi’s Journal. According to Romi, “Sharon is a person of prayer: she always prays for her family and friends, and for people she has never seen as well. Whenever I post my prayer requests to the group, Sharon emails me her prayers and encouraging words.”

Have you ever had that sinking feeling when you realise you’ve lost something or left something behind? Isabella Mori has and so she tells us why she was so Grateful in Seattle over at her blog change therapy. Isabella’s story is a real feel good Thumbs Up!

I don’t think I’ve left anyone out but if you did post a submission this week and you can’t see it here, please email me so that I can add your post. If you missed out on being a part of Thumbs Up! this week, get posting now and submit for next week.

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New Improved Election '07 …

October 16, 2007
by Rodney Olsen
1 Comment

… now with 97% less spin.

By now all of us living down under know that we’re heading to the polls on Saturday the 24th of November. We get to choose who’ll lead Australia over the next few years.

If you want to keep up to date with what’s going on in the lead up to the election, head to Election ’07 Norg. You’ll find links to stories from the mainstream media but you’ll also have the opportunity to have your say.

As well as being able to comment on the stories at Election ’07 Norg, you can become a ‘CitJ’ or Citizen Journalist and write your own commentary on the battle for power. It’s essentially people powered news.

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The Idea of North

October 15, 2007
by Rodney Olsen
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Have I ever mentioned how much I love my work at 98.5 Sonshine FM?

I had the opportunity to chat to accapella group The Idea of North this morning. They’re a group of singers that are hard to categorise but very easy to listen to.

They’re in Perth for a number of shows with their final local appearance at the Charles Hotel tonight.

While they were in the studio we talked about their music and the enjoyment they get from performing. I played one song from their latest CD, Live from the Powerhouse, (their first ever live recording) and even got a live performance as part of the interview.

If you’re still trying to get an idea of what The Idea of North is all about here’s a bit of bio info.

Now regarded by their peers as undeniably unique and one of the best live musical acts in the world, they have reinvented a cappella and taken it to new heights.The Idea of North’s incredible sound and superb arrangements, coupled with their relaxed presentation and endearing sense of humour have made them a live act which goes well beyond the extraordinary quality of their recordings.

Their live performances in concerts, at festivals, corporate events and clubs small and large contain an absorbing diversity of songs from jazz, pop and contemporary standards and ballads, liberally mixed with original compositions and all superbly arranged in the group’s unique style.

Each performance is specifically and carefully tailored to suit the wide variety of audiences that regularly attend their largely sold out shows.

If that’s still not enough to get an understanding of Idea of North, listen in to our conversation using the media player below.



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Book Give Away

October 15, 2007
by Rodney Olsen
18 Comments

Big Bang or Big God?

Is the earth many millions or only thousands of years old?

If you’re interested in looking for reliable answers on creation versus evolution you might want to win a copy of The Creation Answers Book. I’ll tell you how to win in just a minute.

Dr Carl Wieland is in great demand as a speaker on the scientific evidence for creation and its relevance to Christianity. He has lectured extensively in Australia and internationally and is Managing Director of Creation Ministries International. He has also authored numerous articles, and co-authored several books.

Although his formal qualifications are in medicine and surgery he hasn’t practised in the medical profession since the mid eighties.

I recently spoke to him about his views on the origins of our planet and of those of us who inhabit the earth. You can hear my discussion with Dr Carl Wieland by clicking play on the media player at the bottom of this post.

In a limited amount of time we could only really scratch the surface but the book, The Creation Answers Book, goes into a lot more detail and seeks to give answers to some of the tough questions regarding the origins of our world.

Can we really believe that God exists? What about the evidence for creation taking six days? Is carbon dating reliable? Where do dinosaurs fit in the Bible? If we all descended from Adam and Eve why are there so many races? Doesn’t the physical evidence point towards evolution?

These and so many other questions are tackled and answered in this book which has been put together by Don Batten, David Catchpoole, Jonathan Sarfati and Carl Wieland.

Even if you’re an evolutionist who wants to see how young earth creationists explain their beliefs this book could be worth a look.



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