Taking control of life

August 10, 2007
by Rodney Olsen
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Jodi Perkins is out of control.

According to this story at News.com.au, Jodi wants to give up smoking so much that she has begged authorities to lock her up. She’s prepared to go to prison to escape the habit that controls her life.

She smokes two packets a day and says she can’t breathe but she still keeps lighting up. I find that so hard to comprehend. She is suffering to the point of gasping for the very thing that keeps her alive – air – yet she keeps on lighting up.

Her ability to take control of her own behaviour is so impaired that she’s now trying to hand over her freedom to let someone else take control.

Smoking has taken such a grip on Jodi’s life that she is now prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to put things back in order.

It’d be easy to point the finger at Jodi and others who are addicted to cigarettes but I have to stop and look at my own behaviour and ask what are the things that prevent me from living life to the full. Are there habits and behaviours that I keep holding onto even though I know they’re not good for me?

The thoughts I let run free in my mind, the things I eat, the the daily disciplines that help me become the person I should be – do I have control over all those areas of my life? Am I displaying the kind of self-control that allows me to move forward as a person or am I still holding onto things that threaten my very life?

When the Apostle Paul was writing to the Romans he said, “I have discovered this principle of life – that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.” Around two thousand years later I’m discovering the same thing.

Are you taking control or are behaviours and habits controlling you? Are you taking steps to take back the reigns?

In some ways I have to admire Jodi. She’s prepared to put pride aside, make herself accountable to someone else and do whatever it takes to end her self destructive behaviour. How far are you prepared to go to make a positive difference in your life?

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Praying for South Korean Hostages

August 9, 2007
by Rodney Olsen
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Diana Thomas was as an aid worker in Afghanistan when she was kidnapped by the Taliban in 2001. After three months in captivity, Diana and her fellow workers were rescued in a dramatic night time raid by US Special Forces.

The story of her capture, imprisonment and release were told in the book, Escape from Kabul.

On the 19th of July this year, 23 South Koreans from a church group were kidnapped by the Taliban while traveling from Kabul to Kandahar to work on medical and other aid projects. Two male hostages have since been executed. Among the remaining 21 hostages, 16 are women.

Diana Thomas joined me this morning on 98.5 Sonshine FM to speak about the current crisis and to call for prayer for those being held.

You can hear our discussion using the media player below.



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Mastering Apetite

August 8, 2007
by Rodney Olsen
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I think I’ve finally mastered the art of the buffet.

One of Pauline’s sisters turned 40 yesterday so we were celebrating with the family at a wonderful all you can eat restaurant. I think I got it just right.

I managed to have a little bit of most of the things I liked but I didn’t have so much that I felt unwell afterwards. Have you ever had that feeling? You eat way too much because it’s all so good and you end up going home feeling quite seedy?

I certainly had a lot more to eat than I normally would on an average Tuesday night but I didn’t overdo it. There was the temptation to have more of the delicious curry and the magnificent roast pork but I resisted. I haven’t had a good bread and butter pudding for so long but I was content with a small serving so that I could sample a few of the other sweet dishes.

We had a tremendous evening of good food and great company.

By practicing some restraint I was able to head home feeling satisfied rather than regretting the last three or four dishes that I really didn’t need.

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New website set to handle even more traffic

August 8, 2007
by Rodney Olsen
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Traffic to the 98.5 Sonshine FM website has always been reasonably heavy but in the past year it has almost tripled.

A big part of the increase is due to the Audio On Demand service which was launched in January this year.

Audio On Demand gives listeners the opportunity to listen to interviews and feature segments online or via podcasts.

To better serve its visitors, the website has had a complete makeover. There’s lots more to see and explore at the site. It wouldn’t be hard to lose yourself in the site for quite some time exploring all the links and features.

Some of the added features include:

A comprehensive news section with local, national and international stories, together with the latest headlines, weather updates, petrol prices and web links.

Countdown to Como, where you can keep up to date on our new building and relocation programme.

An improved, faster Audio on Demand service providing you access to your favourite programmes and interviews.

Regular features such as photo galleries, on-air services and music programmes. If you do check out the photo galleries, try finding a much younger me with a mullet.

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Taking Poverty Seriously

August 7, 2007
by Rodney Olsen
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World Vision’s 40 Hour Famine is now in its 33rd year here in Australia.

Last year, nearly 300,000 Australians took part, encouraging over half a million supporters to give over $5 million to help World Vision’s vital aid work around the world.

This year’s famine runs from the 17th to the 19th of August, focusing on one of the world’s poorest countries, Laos, where 40% of children under 5 are malnourished and almost half the population lives below the poverty line.

Schoolgirl, Catherine Mah, visited Laos as the Western Australian Youth Ambassador in January this year, seeing the work of World Vision first hand. She joined me this morning on 98.5 Sonshine FM to talk about that experience.

The main focus of our interview was to raise awareness of the 40 Hour Famine. People all over Australia will give up food for a weekend to raise funds for World Vision’s aid projects in various places around the world. Instead of fasting, some will give up things like computers, furniture or mobile phones for 40 hours. Many kids will give up one meal or playing computer games for a day.

Catherine’s an articulate advocate for those living in poverty around the world and I’m sure she’ll continue to make a difference in her world.

You can hear our conversation using the media player below.



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