Weekly Messages
Born Again: What does that really mean?
Christians use the term "born again" all the time. In this lesson we take a look at what it means. It's pretty clear Nicodemus misunderstood Jesus when he used the term. In this lesson, I suggest that most of us Christians make the same mistake he did. Have a...
Let’s Follow the Right Example – David Williams
This week we had a guest speaker at NRCC: David Williams. He is the new Intervarsity Christian Fellowship leader for NCSU and Meredith. Prison letters from our spiritual forefathers are often their most poignant writings. In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul...
The Other Side of Power 5: Jesus’ Table Manners
Eating together is a primal thing we human beings do. Jesus used this visceral element of our humanity to undercut the divisions between people. At supper he brought together people that the social and economic upheaval of his day were alienating from one another....
The Other Side of Power 4: More on Renewing our Minds
We continue our lesson from last week on the importance of "meta-noia," that Greek word on renewing our thinking. I give some practical examples of how often we get stuck in the old thinking, and also, how we break free. Have a listen, Doug
The Other Side of Power 3: Renewing our Minds
"Meta-noia." It's a Greek word used in our ancient texts. It means to change our thinking, to go through one state or state of mind, and come out on the other side with another. It's an important spiritual concept, to leave an empty, lesser way of thinking, and...
7/24 – Dan Nelson
I prepare these posts the day before, so I can't write a synopsis of what Dan will be saying tomorrow. But I suspect it will be worth listening to. Dan is my friend, and more than about anybody I know, he cares about the people of our city. My hope is that we get to...
The Other Side of Power 2: Radical Underpinnings of Power
In Jesus's time, Jews under Roman rule had to continually compete for social standing by elevating themselves and putting each other down. Sound familiar? At the core of who we are, we feel that we are not precious. As long as we feel this way, we will be competing...
The Other Side of Power 1: Introduction
When Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, he was doing something more profound that is typically considered. He was radically upending the normative dynamic of human relationships. In this introduction to a new series on the "other side of power," we reflect on...
4th of July 2011
Have a listen. Doug
Abuse of Power 7: The Power of Naming
We conclude our lesson on Jesus' teaching about power and its misuse by looking at the power of naming. People are made in the image of God, our Story tells us. Consequently, the transcendent, ineffable, Divine image is the deepest and truest parts of us. When we...
Abuse of Power 6: The Limits of Common Sense
Theoretical physicists are imagining all kinds of wild mathematical formulations to explain the most fundamental nature of reality. When they do, they turn around and test their equations with super-colliders, and it turns out... they're right! How wild is that?...
Abuse of Power 5: The Power of Moral Imagination
We continue talking about why it's so difficult for us to hear and heed the teaching of Jesus on power dynamics. Our instincts run so counter to his teaching! Today we do a thought experiment together, and see how our ability to use our imagination is profoundly...
Abuse of Power 4: We’re On The Same Side, For Goodness Sake!
The idea of seeing ourselves as part of a whole rather than separate individuals has many implications if we would follow Jesus' teaching about loving our neighbors and our enemies. If we Westerners would love our enemies, the Muslim states come to mind. If we see...
Abuse of Power 3: Abused and Not Even Knowing It
We ignore the teachings of Jesus, Paul, and saints and sages from several religious traditions. Consequently, we are rooted in a worldview of separateness. We do not see ourselves as one with God, or one with other human beings. Our instincts and experience insist...
Abuse of Power 2: Oneness vs. Two-ness
As we begin to think about why power is so abused among us, a starting point is our very view of reality. We tend to think of ourselves as separate from one another, separate beings, separate entities, organized into separate categories. We feel this in our guts, so...
Abuse of Power 1: Not Just for Petty Dictators
In this introductory I tell a story about speaking to our teens about sexual power. In the Bible belt, sex curriculum is limited to "abstinence only," and teachers who wouldn't all choose to teach this way are forced to. Consequently our best efforts don't always go...
Life is Like Freecell – Robin Camu
In this message, Robin Camu shares with us some insights she has had recently on how living life and growing to personal and spiritual maturity are similar to the game of Freecell.
Are you feeling oppressed? – Will Graebe
Based on Exodus 1:8-14, Will (a member of NRCC) shares with us a message on what we can remember or do in times of personal oppression.
Easter 2011
Happy Easter. Doug
Who Comes to NRCC: The Wilderness Wanderer
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....
Who Comes to NRCC: The Disillusioned Church Veteran
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....
Who Comes to NRCC: The Religious Deconstructionist
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....
Who Comes to NRCC: The Community Seeker
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....
False Negatives – Robin Camu
Message by Robin Camu "Grace seems to create the very emptiness that grace alone can fill." - Richard Rohr We all begin our spiritual life as either a false positive or a false negative, but we don't have to remain there. Are you still a false negative of worthiness?...