I Already Know This Stuff

June 23, 2010
by Rodney Olsen
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I’m about half way through Berni Dymet’s book Unlocking the Power of Prayer. It’s not a difficult read and most of the time, instead of learning something new, I’m just nodding my head in agreement. It’s stuff I already know.

So why would I waste good reading time on stuff I already know? I wouldn’t and I won’t. That is to say that it’s not a waste of my time. It’s a valuable reinforcement of things that I know but I need to be reminded to put into practice.

Do you ever find yourself reading stuff that you already know? Are you tempted to simply skip large sections and get on with learning something new?

One of the things I’ve appreciated so far in reading Berni’s book is that when he quotes scripture he gives a warning not to skip reading the full passage. He knows that he’s quoting well known stories and that the reader will be tempted to just move ahead but he asks us to take the time to read through what we already ‘know’. He understands that we can become so familiar with a passage that we no longer handle it with enough care. We no longer expect God to speak to us from those particular pages because we’ve been over that stuff too many times already.

Slow Down

Maybe I can join Berni in encouraging you to slow down and spend time on the things you already know. There is so much value in revisiting basic truths and meditating on what they mean for us. Sometimes we need to spend a little bit of time relearning things we’ve let slip over the years.

I’d love to hear about the things that you’ve seen with new eyes years down the track of life. Are there areas of your life that have become stale? Do you need to return to things you thought you learnt years ago?

Berni Dymet

As for Berni Dymet, he’s the Director of Christianity Works in Australia. He has a passion for helping people to connect with God amidst the realities of life. He has an ability to communicate deep, life changing truths in a way that makes sense.

I spoke to him on 98.5 Sonshine FM many months back about his book. You can hear our conversation by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.



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Happy Birthday Mum

June 23, 2010
by Rodney Olsen
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I miss my mum …. a lot …. especially on days like today.

If mum had lived she would have turned 90 today. She passed away on the 28th of February, 1987, at the age of just 66.

Please excuse me if I’m a little bit distant from time to time today or if I act a little odd. Well, odder than I usually act anyway.

They say that time heals but I’m not completely convinced. I think the truth may be a combination of healing over time and the the fact that time helps us learn how to cope with missing a loved one.

Memories continue to fade yet a word, a sight or a sound can bring back vivid recollections and a sadness that mum’s not here anymore.

Thankfully we had a good relationship so there are no regrets of things left unsaid or undone.

The best news of all is that we will meet again one day in a place where there will be no more tears and no more pain. I’m not so keen on hastening that day but I do look forward to it …. and it makes me smile.



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1 sleep until Toy Story 3

June 23, 2010
by Rodney Olsen
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It’s just 1 more sleep before Australia starts heading to cinemas to see Toy Story 3.

No toy gets left behind.

I’ve seen some great reviews from those who have already seen the movie, including Rove McManus saying on Twitter, “Go see Toy Story 3. Seriously, you will love it…even if you have no child..no heart…hate animation..and cinemas give you hives. Just go!”

The movie opened in the US on the weekend and took a record $109 million. Toy Story 3 became the first Disney/Pixar release to top $100 million in its opening weekend.

The creators of the beloved Toy Story films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody, Buzz and our favourite gang of toy characters in Toy Story 3. Woody and Buzz had accepted that their owner Andy would grow up someday, but what happens when that day arrives?

In the third instalment, Andy is preparing to depart for college, leaving his loyal toys troubled about their uncertain future. Lee Unkrich (co-director of Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo) directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award®-winning screenwriter of Little Miss Sunshine, brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings.

We’ll be heading along sometime soon. The Toy Story movies never dissapoint and many are saying this is the best yet.



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