jodiemcneill.com » Technology

The harmful effects of “Nature Deficit Disorder”

Jodie — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:27:20 +0000

Ever heard of Nature Deficit Disorder? It’s a term coined by Richard Louv in his 2005 book ‘Last Child in the Woods’.

For a powerful explanation of the effects of this disorder on our society, check out this great Youtube video:

All the more reason to get outdoors!

The coming relationship crisis

Jodie — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:15:01 +0000

We are on the cusp of a coming relationship crisis.

Since people can download podcasts from great Bible teachers, and since people can access great libraries of theological books and articles at their digital fingertips, it is more important than ever that our small groups enable people to connect with each other as a context for enjoying and understanding their connection with God.

People need people more than ever.

Find out my solution by reading today’s blog here at sydneyanglicans.net

Should Christian kids play soldiers?

Jodie — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:48:20 +0000

Many people like the idea of using laser skirmish to provide a technological ‘upgrade’ to classic wide games such as ‘Capture the Flag’. However, some people have raised concerns at the idea of promoting shooting games in a Christian environment.

I’d consider the idea of creating a purpose-built laser skirmish battlefield at Youthworks Outdoors with the latest simulation weapons for those who might like to take advantage of it, and to offer an alternative activity for groups whose leaders or teachers find this unappealing.

But, would it be grossly unpopular and potentially offensive to the majority? Would you let your school or youth group dress up in camouflage and play war games in the bush? Or would you find the very notion to be antisocial and insensitive?

Read the full article at sydneyanglicans.net and get on board with the comments!

Beyond Powerpoint

Jodie — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:22:55 +0000

Now that PowerPoint has become passé, what is the next big thing we should use to display our song words?

Check out my latest post at sydneyanglicans.net and give me your thoughts as to what you think is the Next Big Thing.

jodiemcneill.com now has a podcast with iTunes

Jodie — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:37:37 +0000

I’ve finally got around to hooking up with iTunes to produce a podcast.

To listen to my latest Bible talks and ministry training, subscribe to my Podcast at iTunes. It’s free!

Or, you can subscribe using the URL www.jodiemcneill.com/podcast if you use a different method.

Special thanks to MightySeek for providing the excellent podPress WordPress plugin that makes all this podcasting work so seamlessly.

Big changes at jodiemcneill.com

Jodie — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 05:33:11 +0000

Over the holidays I’ve been busily nerding away on a major overhaul of my website.

It’s been nearly three years since I updated my installation of WordPress from 2.0.5 to the latest 2.9 release, and it’s only months away from the ten-year anniversary of jodiemcneill.com.

However, with this major update to the core ‘engine’ of my website, it was necessary for me to change the appearance of the website, given the fact that the template I previously used was not compatible with some of the features of the latest version of WordPress.

So, one thing led to another, and the result is that many new features have been added, plus some nice improvements in appearance and functionality.

For those who get excited about these kinds of things, here are some of the changes:

Added an RSS feed of my weekly ‘Modern Ministry’ blog at sydneyanglicans.net in the sidebar
Added a funky Flash word cloud of my popular categories
Installed a new Twitter widget that displays my latest Tweets
Re-organised my categories into ten top-level categories
Removed the event calendar
Added a large option of icons to enable the easy sharing of my posts with social networking sites
Updated my list of links, including an ‘Affiliations’ list
Created a Picasa account, and have provided access to my albums from the ‘Photos’ page (and a fancy ‘Latest Photos’ sidebar widget)
Enabled automatic tweeting of new posts

If you’re reading this on a FaceBook note or by an RSS feed, then drop by jodiemcneill.com and check it out.

What do you think of the changes? Any other suggestions for improvements? Let me know in the comments.

Should you Twitter?

Jodie — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:52:54 +0000

I’ve been trying to hold off, but for no longer. This weekend I signed up for Twitter, the latest trend in online social networking.

My blog on this new Internet phenomenon is now live at sydneyanglicans.net. Have a read, and join in the discussion.

On team with Deer Park

Jodie — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:00:39 +0000

This week I’m spending three solid days ‘on team’ with the Deer Park Outdoor Ministry team. Check out my up-to-the-minute micro-blog at twitter.com/jodiemcneill (or just look to the left of the screen on my website.

Should you do an autocue?

Jodie — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 04:33:49 +0000

Ever wanted to have that seamless, face-to-face delivery for your next Christian event that only a professional news reader can present? You need an autocue. But how do you get one without breaking the bank? Read the secret in my latest article at your.sydneyanglicans.net

Perils of pornography

Jodie — Sat, 26 May 2007 02:44:28 +0000

It was only a matter of time before the secular media began to affirm what Christians have been saying for years (if not decades) that pornography is harmful. In her incisive and challenging article in today’s SMH, Adele Horin mounts the case for concern in the ever-rising popularity of Internet porn.

Listing case study after case study, and compounding the evidence with a barrage of statistics, Horin demonstrates the effect of porn on marriage and relationships. At its best, the viewing of explicit material leads men to choose the internet instead of intimacy. At its worst, the attendant secrecy breeds distrust, and marriage failure.

Sexuality is a beautiful gift from God, for enjoyment and procreation in marriage. The sooner people wake up to this fact, the sooner marriages will be stronger, and God will be glorified.