I don't think it is a coincidence the building that now houses our sanctuary sits on Midway Road. It was one of the first confirmations I had concerning the purchase of this property. Our congregation is not all black, nor all white. We are not all gay, nor all straight. We are not all old, nor all young. We are and represent a multitude of cultures and religious backgrounds. The most important thing, and the thing I am most proud of as a pastor, is that we do not allow our various labels to separate us.

I have come to believe that religions are not destructive in and of themselves. Religious leaders who become extreme are destructive. In every religion you will find radicals and rationalists; fundamentalists and moderates; literalists and spiritualists. Many contradictions exist in the Bible as well as other holy scriptures. What we must do is learn to interpret them from the perspective of the middle way; to find the balance in it all; to realize that truth is held in tension between opposites. Then it will be possible to allow our similarities to unify us rather than our differences to divide us.

Buddha taught his followers to avoid the extremes of both pleasure and self-mortification. In an effort to show that many religions contain similar truths, the following is a Buddhist teaching called The Eight-Fold Path backed up by Christian scriptures.

1. Right Speech ~ You speak it and then it becomes a part of who you are. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. 12:34). Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Prov. 18:21).
2. Right Action ~ He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
   but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
3. Right Livelihood ~ How you make your living must match what you believe in your heart. Don't bend your principles just to make money.  Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God (I John 3:21).
4. Right Effort ~ Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me (Phil. 3:12).
5. Right Mindfulness ~ When what is in your heart and what is in your head are two different things, your heart will always win out. But how wonderful it is when they are on the same page. For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Prov. 23:7).
6. Right Concentration ~ Maintain a mental attitude and culture of focusing on the positive. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).
7. Right Understanding ~ Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).
8. Right Thinking ~  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

I Don't Know...The Way of Knowing 

by D.E. Paulk

 

I Don't Know is the required confession needed to be granted admission to the path of enlightenment and to The Way of Knowing. I Know is conclusive, ending, finite and therefore devastating. I Know is an enemy of immortality and nemesis to The Way of Knowing. We are all infinite spirits and the offspring of the Infinite Creator. When we discover the I Don't Know within we unleash our Infinite nature and unearth the Endless Us! Are you ready to put on immortality?

All Truth flows to us from One Divine River . From that One River many wells form and are fed. We might call these wells religions, cultures or philosophies. All wells sustained by the One River contain beauty and truth. However, we make a grave mistake when we declare any particular well as being the One River. I Don't Know dissolves religious division, bridges cultural chasms and dodges philosophical divorce originating from the I Know. I Don't Know is the Repairer of the Breach. In a day when the I Know is to be charged with so much human suffering - I Don't Know shines brightly as an ancient idea whose time has come of age.  $20 ($30 for two)  

 

The Holy Bible of Inclusion - click image for details

The Holy Bible of Inclusion

by D.E. Paulk

If you are like me you have struggled to accept the modern Christian church's portrayal (or betrayal) of God, depiction of the devil and description of hell. Many god-fearing people and good-hearted preachers alike have long harbored unspoken thoughts of a more loving, merciful and masterful Creator. However, just about as many who subscribe to this grander vision and version of God also admittedly and even ashamedly lack the ability to reference the Bible and specific passages of scripture in order to publicly validate these privately held higher concepts of God.

If you are looking for chapter and verse that will both quickly and completely rescue a big God from the smallness of fundamentalism,THE HOLY BIBLE OF INCLUSION is precisely the tool you need!

THE HOLY BIBLE OF INCLUSION will scripturally, extensively and even exhaustively confront theological myths, misrepresentations and mistranslations of the Bible and its Origins - Universal Salvation - the devil - the Purpose of hell and the Fire of God - Sexual Orientation and many others. Join me on this worthwhile and rewarding spiritual journey as we research, rethink, recover and then re-present the awesome and awe-inspiring God of the universe.  $20 ($30 for two)   

Weekly Eureka     © 2008-2012 D.E. Paulk

Site sponsored by Spirit and Truth Sanctuary (formerly Cathedral of The Holy Spirit)     www.mytruthsanctuary.com 

Please note: The Weekly Eureka is a ministry of and sponsored by Spirit and Truth Sanctuary (formerly the Cathedral of The Holy Spirit) and D.E. Paulk. When you donate, you are contributing to Chapel Hill Harvester Church, Inc. and your donations are tax deductible.

Contact us at info@mycathedral.org or (404) 243-5020 to order your copy today! $20 ($30 for two)

I Don't Know...

The Way of Knowing

is also now available for sale on Amazon.com!  Click Here to purchase.

Contact us at info@mycathedral.org or (404) 243-5020 to order your copy today! $20 ($30 for two)

 The Holy Bible

of Inclusion

is also now available for sale on Amazon.com!  Click Here to purchase.