jodiemcneill.com

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!

Isaiah 1:1-2:4 Sermon – Facing failure

Jodie — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:35:38 +0000

Failure’s often a dirty word. But failure’s far more positive than we often paint it.

In this sermon from Isaiah 1 we see failure upon failure. We see the failure of God’s people to love God. We see the failure of God’s people to love one another. And we even see what seems to be failure of God, himself.

Yet, despite this apparent failure, there is hope.

Listen to this sermon originally preached on 1st May 2011 at Sylvania Anglican Church where I highlight the hope found in the fulfilled promises of God.

Matthew 6:13 Sermon – Lead us not into temptation

Jodie — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:27:57 +0000

It’s easy to see why our world glamorises temptation. But, when it comes down to reality, temptation is really just another way of showing that we’re not satisfied with what God’s given us. It’s about doubting God’s goodness, his provision for us. It’s about wanting more than what God’s given us.

And so this is why we pray that it won’t happen. We ask our Father to “Lead us not into temptation, but (to) deliver us from evil.”

Listen to this deeply-personal sermon on this phrase in The Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6:13 where I talk about a number of temptations that affect us, and discuss practical ways to survive them. Preached at Sylvania Anglican Church on 28th November 2010.

Matthew 6:10 Sermon – Let your kingdom come

Jodie — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:55:56 +0000

Probably the most dangerous request ever made by anyone is the simple sentence, “Let your kingdom come, let your will be done on earth as in heaven.”

In the second talk from a series on The Lord’s Prayer, we look at what this phrase means, and why it’s so dangerous. And hopefully, by the end of the talk, you’ll see why it’s such a great thing for us to pray to God.

Listen to this sermon on Matthew 6:10, the second phrase from The Lord’s Prayer, as preached 6pm on 31st October 2010 at Sylvania Anglican Church.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Sermon – Be alert but not alarmed

Jodie — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:37:58 +0000

The ‘Day of the Lord’ is just around the corner.

What will that day be like? Should we fear it? How can we prepare for it?

Listen to this sermon on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 preached 6pm 26th September 2010 at Sylvania Anglican Church.

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

Can I TWIST your arm?

Jodie — Tue, 31 May 2011 03:34:13 +0000

In my mind, what makes a great church band is one that both understands the idiosyncrasies of playing in a band with fluid membership, and short and frequently-under-cooked rehearsals, yet also recognises the need to share the common vision of serving the congregation as they join together in one voice to praise their great God in the assembly of his people.

For this reason, I want to TWIST the arm of the congregational leaders in our churches. I want to TWIST the arm of the rectors, assistant ministers, wardens, and anyone who has a key role in our churches.

I want to TWIST your arm to encourage your church musicians to be a part of one of the TWIST (‘The Word in Song Together’) music events this year run by Emu Music and Youthworks.

To read the full sydneyanglicans.net article, click here.

For more details about TWIST, click here!

The joy and pain of change

Jodie — Mon, 23 May 2011 22:54:50 +0000

It is amazing to see the way that doing hard things can bring growth.

If we think that it’s easy to be an excellent athlete without pain and struggle, then we’re deluded.

For some of us, we make the choice to take on a challenge. We might decide to train for a marathon, or study a new language, or learn a new musical instrument.

But for many of us at many stages, the challenge to grow is not one that we choose for ourselves.

In the letter to the Hebrews, the readers are reminded about how some of the great and often painful difficulties we face have come from our heavenly Father.

Read the rest of this article at sydneyanglicans.net

Laughing in the face of disaster

Jodie — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 22:32:56 +0000

As we deal with the disaster fatigue that comes from our 24-hour exposure to news coverage, we tend to seek refuge from this through finding fun. The pagans seek to “eat, drink and be merry”, and we in youth ministry are often tempted to follow a similar strategy.

Yet, the right thing for us to do in our youth groups right now is to lead our kids through a sober reflection on the global crises facing us, and to show the students how to respond appropriately to these events.

So what is your youth group going to do this weekend in the light of the Japanese disaster?

Read my further thoughts (and contribute your comments) in my latest article at sydneyanglicans.net

Rites of passage

Jodie — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 06:02:46 +0000

I’ve just had posted an article on sydneyanglicans.net about the whole idea of a Christian male rite of passage.

Should we run some sort of wilderness experience where we get fathers and sons to learn about manhood and to mark the occasion of a boy turning into a man?

Read the article (and join in the controversial comments) by visiting http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/ministry/modernministry/rites_of_passage/