» discernment

Toxic Hurry: The High Price of the Unexamined Life (3)

NRCC — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:54:14 +0000

Philosophical pragmatism was hammered out by a bunch of really smart guys in Cambridge, Mass. in the late 1800′s. It has become such a successful, American philosophy that it often bleeds out of the area in which it is so fruitful and effective, into other areas of our humanity in which it is decidedly not helpful – in fact, quite the opposite.

As Americans, if we would heed the warning in Jesus’ parable about not getting caught up in toxic hurry, we have to know what will derail us. Philosophical pragmatism will do it!

Have a listen,
Doug

[Download mp3]

Toxic Hurry: The High Price of the Unexamined Life (2)

NRCC — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:51:22 +0000

Pragmatism: if it works, it must be good. Who would argue with that? However, when we think about making it the central organizing value in our lives (as many Americans do), there are some pretty negative, unintended consequences. If we want to not miss the party Jesus invited us to last week, we do well to rethink how deeply we allow pragmatism to go in our value system. Continue reading →

Don’t Waste Your Time Going to Church (conclusion)

admin — Sun, 16 May 2010 15:54:46 +0000

Today, we conclude this lesson on the ancient exercises we do together on Sundays. We look at the exercise that includes stilling our hearts, becoming attentive, interpreting, and discerning.

This may be one of the only times you’ll ever hear a minister tell you to argue with him or her.

Have a listen!
Doug

[Download MP3]

New Year 2010

admin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:09:23 +0000

by Doug Hammack

As we come to another New Year, we look again at how human beings best change. We all have areas of growth before us in the coming year, areas originating in the heart of God. Today’s lesson talks about discerning the purposes of the Divine, and partnering with them in our own transformation.

[Download MP3]

Good Power vs. Bad: Insiders and Outsiders

admin — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:00:11 +0000

by Doug Hammack

Continuing our look at good and bad power, we turn to how one comes to be a user of the former. How do we become good-power people? Jesus had a lot to say about power, and critical to his teaching was an understanding that successful people, in-group people, tend to become so inwardly focused, they miss the big issues, and trip into the use of bad power. Have a listen.

[Download MP3]

Good Power vs. Bad: Definitions

admin — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:42:17 +0000

by Doug Hammack

As we’ve been looking at the ancient pathways that tend the soul’s well-being, we’ve seen that many of those practices involve interacting with other people. Consequently, the issue of power comes into play. In these Advent lessons, we take a side excursion into thinking about good power and bad, and in this lesson in particular, we define what good and bad power are (in spiritual terms).

[Download MP3]

New Year: A Time to Examine Our Lives

admin — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:58:10 +0000

by Doug Hammack

The Examined Life

[Download MP3]

The turning of the calendar invites us to look at our lives, our values, and the habits that accumulate over time. Are these habits serving us well? In this lesson we talk about how one goes about shifting from one way of being alive, to a new and improved one.

The Earth: Are We Owners or Renters? (part 2)

admin — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:50:01 +0000

by Doug Hammack

[Download MP3]

Striving, Driving, Manipulating, Conniving

admin — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:03:06 +0000

by Doug Hammack

Add synopsis

[Download MP3]

Awakened to the Dance: Uncomplicating Our Lives (part 2)

admin — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 01:19:50 +0000

by Doug Hammack

Add synopsis

[Download MP3]