Rethinking Abortion

June 10, 2010
by Rodney Olsen
2 Comments

Abortion is an incredibly divisive topic. People on both sides of the issue are so passionate about their own perspectives that it can be difficult to conduct a balanced discussion that takes all viewpoints into account.

Unfortunately, whenever anyone from either the ‘pro-life’ or the ‘pro-choice’ camps raises the topic they can be very quickly shouted down or misreported before anyone has the opportunity to evaluate what they’re really saying.

Western Australian Liberal MP and Member for Southern River, Peter Abetz, recently ignited debate when he suggested that women seeking an abortion should be shown a 3D colour ultrasound image of their foetus before being going ahead with the procedure. He also called for a 48 hour cooling off period from when a woman books an abortion to when the procedure could take place.

He called for the 3D ultrasounds and a cooling off period during a recent rally at Western Australia’s Parliament House marking the anniversary of the 1998 liberalisation of WA’s abortion laws.

He states his main concern is that women should be given as much information as possible about abortion before making a decision. No other medical procedure is done without providing the patient with the maximum possible amount of available relevant information.

Peter Abetz recently joined me on 98.5 Sonshine FM to talk about his views and what he is hoping to achieve. You can hear what he said by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.

Please take the time to hear what he’s saying and then leave your thoughts in the comments section of this post.

While I don’t agree with abortion, I cannot support those who only pour condemnation on women who have undergone abortions. I believe that abortion is a very sensitive issue and that while we may have strong views one way or another, we should still show respect to those with opposing views.

[audio:http://mpegmedia.sonshinefm.ws/feeds/MOR060810_1501.mp3]

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Consumerism and Spirituality

June 9, 2010
by Rodney Olsen
1 Comment

Am I the only one who feels a little uncomfortable when people joke about retail therapy?

Did anyone else feel uneasy about the masses lining up for days to get their hands on an iPad as soon as they went on sale?

Is our happiness really dependant on the power to buy items that will soon be outdated or superseded?

I don’t have a problem with the iPad and would probably enjoy using one if I could afford it, but I was quite concerned by the hype that drove people to stores around the world to participate in a buying frenzy. The latest I heard is that they’re still selling at one every three seconds. They may be quite wonderful but they’re not the answer to the world’s woes.

Whether it’s shoes, clothes, electronic gadgetry, food or whatever else, we seem to repeat the process of purchasing as much as we can, growing dissatisfied with it, then going out and doing it all over again in the hope that the next purchase will bring the contentment we’re seeking.

To a great degree it doesn’t even matter what we’re buying. Consumerism is all about the purchasing. We gather together to worship at shopping centres that have become our cathedrals.

We need to purchase a variety of items just to live our lives but we can so easily cross the line and let that purchasing process become an end in itself.

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

Today we talked about consumerism and the way it is affecting so many lives. We live in a world where millions are dying because they don’t have enough, yet just as many are dying due to excess.

If you want to hear what Ross had to say about the spirituality of consumerism just click the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.

It’s hard not to get caught up in consumerism when we’re surrounded by it constantly but I’m working towards the kind of attitude that Paul talked about in the Christian Scriptures.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. – Philippians 4:12

What we own or what we can buy shouldn’t define who we are. Satisfaction, deep satisfaction, doesn’t come from consuming more and more. Purchasing will never add more meaning to our lives.

Are you ready to fight back against the lie of consumerism?

[audio:http://mpegmedia.sonshinefm.ws/feeds/SPI060910_1056.mp3]

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Christian Carnival 327

May 12, 2010
by Rodney Olsen
2 Comments

christian_carnival_lion.jpgWelcome to the 327th edition of the Christian Carnival. There is some great reading here and I’m sure you’ll enjoy working your way through the list of posts.

The weekly Christian Carnival is an opportunity for Christian blog writers to share their best posts from the previous week. The topic of the post doesn’t necessarily have to focus on Christianity but it must reflect a Christian worldview, and the writer must be Christian to qualify.

As always it’s a real honour to be able to present such a diverse range of great posts.

Please take the time to read through each post … it’s worth it. You might also like to link to this week’s carnival so that your blog readers can enjoy the variety of styles and thought. Another way to spread the word about the Christian Carnival is to click any of the buttons below this post to share the carnival on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon or any of the other sites represented.

Starting things off this week is FMF presenting Channeled Tithing at Free Money Finance, a post about being surprised by God when we remain faithful.

Can we still stand up for morality? Ronnica has started a great conversation at Ignorant Historian with her post Taking Liberties with Liberty.

I’ve enjoyed reading HARMLESS THOUGHTS for years. This time around Matt Harmless presents an interesting look at Abide in Christ, a book by the great Christian writer Andrew Murray in the post Abide in Christ.

Barry Wallace has presented a challenging post asking us What Part of the Gospel Is Optional? Check out the post with a very thought provoking video at who am i?.

Have you ever heard of the myth of chronic uniqueness? Deb W. explains what it’s all about in Myth of Chronic Uniqueness & God’s Word at All Things Being Made New.

The growth of atheism is something that is causing some Christians concern, but if we trust an almighty God there’s no need for us to worry. Andrew presents a thoughtful post titled The answer to atheists at Rely on God in your personal development.

Richard H. Anderson presents his post about Continuing Revelation at his blog dokeo kago grapho soi kratistos Theophilos.

Singing when times are good and the sun is shining is easy but what about when times are difficult? Violet N. has written an excellent post titled Singing through your stress test. Check it out at Other Food: daily devo’s.

Sarah has been thinking about the way that some people make plans and talk about future events without leaving room for our sovereign God. her post Not When, But If at This is what Sed said gives us some great food for thought.

A great reminder from Ridge Burns that Ministry Is Hard at Ridge’s Blog.

Weekend Fisher takes on one of the big faith issues, that of evolution and creation, with the post Controversies in the church: Creation at Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength.

Diane R. has written a short but pointed post that should generate some interest. I think I’ve finally figured it out can be found at Crossroads: Where Faith and Inquiry Meet.

To finish this week Jeremy Pierce helps us get to grips with some would perceive as a conflict in Scripture. Read Proverbs and Wives at Parableman to see what Jeremy has to say.

If you’re a Christian and you missed out this week, how about choosing something to contribute for next week’s edition? It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, just a post that outlines your point of view or is designed to get others thinking. Being part of the carnival could be a great way to gain a little extra traffic at your blog.

The easiest way to get involved is to submit your article through the Blog Carnival Submission Form. Otherwise, you can email the submission address.

Thanks for reading. Don’t forget to spread the word. Feel free to click any of the buttons below to share the carnival on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon or any of the other sites represented.



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Christian Carnival Returns

May 7, 2010
by Rodney Olsen
2 Comments

christian_carnival_lion.jpgWould you like the opportunity to have your blog promoted? Have you published a post over the last week that you’d like read by a wider audience?

I’m having some friends drop in next week. They’ll be visiting from all over the world and you’re invited to join us. The next Christian Carnival is being hosted here at RodneyOlsen.Net.

The weekly Christian Carnival is an opportunity for Christian blog writers to share their best posts from the previous week. The topic of the post doesn’t necessarily have to focus on Christianity but it must reflect a Christian worldview, and the writer must be Christian to qualify. You may wish to consider that the readership of the Christian Carnival will be more varied than your usual readership, and you might do better contributing a post with broad appeal.

I’ve already received a number of contributions and I’m looking forward to offering readers of this blog some great links when the carnival is published.

If you’re a Christian and you’ve never contributed before, or if it’s been a while since you have, how about having a look through your posts for this week and choosing something to contribute. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, just a post that outlines your point of view or is designed to get others thinking. Being part of the carnival could be a great way to gain a little extra traffic at your blog.

The easiest way to get involved is to submit your article through the Blog Carnival Submission Form. Otherwise, you can email the submission address.

The deadline for submissions is Tuesday evening at midnight, Eastern (US) Standard Time. That means it’s midday Wednesday here in Perth, Western Australia.



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Shroud of Turin

May 4, 2010
by Rodney Olsen
4 Comments

Shroud of TurinThere has been plenty of debate over many years regarding the Shroud of Turin.

Is it really the burial cloth of Jesus or an ancient painting depicting what happened to him?

Opinions are divided but many theologians and other experts believe that the shroud has great significnace for people of faith. Testing seems inconclusive on many levels but the possibility that this piece of cloth played a part in the most significant event in human history.

The Shroud was recently placed back on public display for only the 18th time in its history, in Turin, Italy. On Sunday the pope visited the shroud and said, “This is a burial cloth that wrapped the remains of a crucified man in full correspondence with what the Gospels tell us of Jesus.” It’s not only Catholics who beleive the shroud to be authentic. A number of evangelical Christians have stated why they believe the shroud to be an important part of the Christian story.

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

Last Wednesday we talked about the Shroud of Turin and discussed the evidence for and against it being what many claim. We also asked the question of whether we really have a need for such items to strengthen our faith.

You can hear what Ross had to say by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.

[audio:http://mpegmedia.sonshinefm.ws/feeds/SPI280410_1559.mp3]

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