» Church history

What Kind of God Do We Have? (2)

NRCC — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:51:30 +0000

Last week, we looked at how our different views of God affect the kind of Christianity we live. Today we take a deeper look at the implications for spiritual fervor in the emerging worldview.

Have a listen,
Doug

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The Ancient Practice of Watchfulness (2)

NRCC — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 11:26:40 +0000

About 1000 years ago, the Christian Church split into the Eastern Orthodox church and the Western, Latin church. There were a lot of political squabbles behind the split (called The Great Schism), but the main reason had to do with two fundamentally different approaches to spirituality. In simplified terms, the West had a cerebral, philosophical approach to the spiritual journey, while the East had more of a heart approach.

It was a tragic divide, because we need both. It was akin to splitting the human brain into one hemisphere or the other. We need them both!

We in the West need to hear what our Eastern brothers and sisters have to say about spiritual practices… particularly abouthe spiritual discipline we introduced last week; “watchfulness of thoughts.”

Have a listen,
Doug

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Who Comes to NRCC: The Religious Deconstructionist

NRCC — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:13:24 +0000

This is lesson in between lessons. It is more for people who are part of NRCC than those of you who listen online (though you’re welcome to listen). Also, it won’t be a proper lesson. It won’t paraphrase and comment on a particular scripture or scriptural principle. No, it will be more of a look at who we are as a community with the intent of helping us draw closer to one another.

Recently, the man in our community who helps people find us on the web asked me for help. To help him design Google campaigns, he wanted me to define the people for whom NRCC is a fit. “Who comes here and stays,” he asked. ”What kind of people find NRCC good for their souls?” So for an hour or so, he asked me questions and feverishly typed out what I said. Together we came up with four personae (plural for “persona…” who knew?) who find Life at NRCC…

The Community Seeker
The Religious Deconstructor (and it’s companion the Religious Constructor)
The Disillusioned Church Veteran
The Wilderness Wanderer

These are precious people, and this lesson will help us understand each other, and help us help one another move forward on our journeys.

Have a listen,
Doug

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Thanksgiving 2010 (part 2)

NRCC — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 16:36:18 +0000

Continuing where we left off last week, we consider how gratitude, expressed in good works, is manifest in our lives. Continue reading →

Reconsidering Prayer (part 3)

admin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:50:30 +0000

As we’re rethinking prayer as opening ourselves to truth and freedom, we turn now to some of the foundations of the practice. We are easily distracted by small truths and by lesser concerns, to the point that we suffocate out the big thoughts, the life-making thoughts that transform us into Divine likeness.

So we begin look at the prayers of the desert fathers and mothers, and the prayers of the ancient Celts.

Have a listen.

Doug

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Don’t Waste Your Time Going to Church (part 3)

admin — Sun, 02 May 2010 16:01:07 +0000

We’re looking at the exercises we’ve been doing together on Sundays for centuries and centuries. As anything we do for an extend period, they can become rote, and we can begin to practice them without understanding or without a vested interest.

So we’re thinking together about the ancient practices, the ancient spiritual exercises.

Today, we think about the radicalized version of hospitality practiced in the first few centuries of the church, and how it served as political and social dissent against the norms of Roman society.

Have a listen.

Doug

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Good Power vs. Bad: Humility

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:49:25 +0000

by Doug Hammack

In this second installment of our lesson on Good Power, we look first at how necessary humility is to exercising good power, and second, how we develop humility in our souls. (Sorry, no nifty picture this week.)

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Introducing our 2009 Meditation Practicum (part 2)

admin — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:03:41 +0000

by Doug Hammack

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In 2009, NRCC is embarking on a one-year experiment in integrating the ancient Christian contemplative practices into our lives. This “Meditation Practicum” will be three 11-week sessions of learning, practicing, and supporting one another. Today’s message gives some introductory practicum to our experiment. It’s worth a listen even if you’re not at NRCC.

Introducing our 2009 Meditation Practicum (part 1)

admin — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:06:39 +0000

by Doug Hammack

A Practicum on restoring apophatic prayer.

[Download MP3]

In 2009, NRCC is embarking on a one-year experiment in integrating the ancient Christian contemplative practices into our lives. This “Meditation Practicum” will be three 11-week sessions of learning, practicing, and supporting one another. Today’s message gives some context to our experiment. It’s worth a listen even if you’re not at NRCC.

Another Story About Stewards: Luke 12 – Rich Farmer

admin — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:21:20 +0000

by Doug Hammack

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