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The Power of Disconnecting


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No matter which words you use to describe the current times and culture, the word ‘connected’ keeps popping up. This day and age, we are constantly connected to others via cell phones, social media and whatnot, often in more than one way at the same time.

Some of us can handle being constantly connected better than others, but I think we can all agree that it has changed our lives considerably. The fact that we have become ‘available’ almost 24/7 has had an enormous impact on our lives.

You just need to go out for dinner to see examples: dad is checking his email, while mom is texting a friends and the kids are playing with their iPads. Being connected has in some ways harmed our real life connection to other people. [Read more…] about The Power of Disconnecting

The App John Piper Loves


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As previously mentioned by Eric Dye, John Piper has some challenging things to say about smartphones and the distraction of technology. Around the time the iPhone 5 came out, I was getting ready to get my first iPhone ever. So naturally, I decided on the iPhone 5. Then, this old sermon clip was republished and it almost made me purchase the 4s. I guess the keyword is almost, but it was at least food for thought!

So, when I stumbled upon a video in which he talked about an app that “blew him away”, I most certainly took notice.

[Read more…] about The App John Piper Loves

Ingress: Google’s Real World Adventure.


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Sounds like Google is mastering the art of building up excitement by controlling releases, much like Apple. The next big thing that has people painfully panting is Ingress, a real-world styled MMO which aims to meld the physical world with an imaginary plot.

The brain-child of Niantic Labs reportedly involves a worldwide mind control plot. Since resistance-themed shows are all the rage, it makes sense that players will be allowed to join one of two factions: the Resistance, who fight to retain humanity as-is (or more accurately, as-was), and the Enlightened, who look to leverage the power. Using locales and landmarks as receptacles, people (yes, you and I) use GPS-enabled smartphones to find and gain energy, connect points and tip the scales in favor of their respective factions. The side with the most area connected wins the world.

It’s like geo-caching for Jack Bauer.

[Read more…] about Ingress: Google’s Real World Adventure.

How I Switched from iOS to Windows Phone, Back to iOS


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Before I begin, let me give you my excuse up front: I was sick. I’m talking high fever, achy muscles, shakes, chills, and possible delusions. Okay, not that bad. During this “fever fog” I did something either that was, a) incredibly brave or, b) completely moronic. I’ll let you be the judge.

For now, I blame part of this on the fever fog. That, or delusions of a green dragon named Elliot that sings with Mickey Rooney in a lighthouse (Yup, that was a “Pete’s Dragon” reference. Bam).

This weekend I switched from iOS to Windows Phone 8, then back to iOS. Many of you will not be surprised by that. But here is my story…

[Read more…] about How I Switched from iOS to Windows Phone, Back to iOS