I found your book, A Night in Gaza, a very captive read. I felt a close connection to the lead character bearing my name. For me, there were several parellels between this character and my own life. Initially in the book I felt as if you must have known me. Then I became engrossed in the journey printed out for the "Dan Hayden" in the novel. You captured so much of each individual involved in the book that I felt as if I really had ties with each one. I reached a point where I couldn't put this book down. There were a few places where I found myself weeping and other times other emotions took over. It was a very thought provoking read. I have just ordered more copies to send to friends.
I wish you well . . .
- Dan Hayden
Author's note: The name "Dan Hayden" was selected at random because I just liked the sound of the name ... strong and meaningful. Later, through a mutual friend, I was put in contact with a real "Dan Hayden." I look forward to meeting him and becoming personal friends.
BECOMING THE CHRIST
In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son into the world to be born of a woman. Why?
Christ was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. What?
Are we talking about two different entities? Apparently it is a point of confusion to many ... two separate appearances of Jesus Christ.
As I have pointed out in other writings, according to the scripture that has come down to us through the hands of man, many different versions and interpreted by scores of different people, man was alienated from God in the Garden of Eden.
He disobeyed and ate the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Until this time, man didn't know right from wrong. Apparently that was the way God intended it to remain. Why else would He have forbade them to eat of that tree? For whatever reasons, God wanted man to remain in a state of ignorant bliss or else He would have told them to eat of any tree in the garden, including the forbidden tree.
The serpent came along, according to the story given us and told Eve that if they would eat of the tree, they would become like God. This was unnecessary because we were also told in scripture that we were already created in the image and likeness of God. Even as we bear the natural DNA of our mortal forbears, even so we bore the spiritual DNA of God as His "children." We were already "like God."
And so, it seems that because of this act of disobedience, man "fell from grace." God, Who is a Spirit ... the Spirit of Creation, the Spirit of Love, The Spirit of Goodness in the universe, had to find a way to reconcile man back unto Himself because of this estrangement man had brought upon himself.
Let's think about "the foundation of the world." Exactly when did that occur? As much as it boggles our human and finite minds to imagine, there never was a time when there was no God. Man thinks in linear terms. There has to be a beginning and an end. God knows no beginning and no ending. So, in order to communicate with the finite mind of man, the Infinite Mind says that Christ was slain at the foundation of the world. That places it in a linear mode we can relate to. But what was the time-line for this founding of the world? There is no way our finite mind can calculate this occurrence. In His wisdom, God knew this.
And so a couple thousand years ago in Bethlehem, in a stable God reenacted this event of ultimate sacrifice for the purpose of giving man something tangible and historic that he could relate to.
However, the over- riding purpose was that God, a Spirit, not a man, could through this human advent, understand the finiteness and mortality of man. Simply put, God, the Spirit, found a way to understand man, the human.
We use the phrase "totally man and totally God" to describe the personage of Jesus Christ. Methinks we often underestimate the human factor of the man Jesus. We focus on the fact that He was sinless and "knew no sin." That's fine and wonderful but the fact that is important to me here is that He was indeed a man and as such was capable of human feelings and even sin. And even as Jesus the man, He obviously had to deal with his own emotions and culture. Consider the woman who came to Him for help and he would have turned her away, comparing her to a dog not worthy of His attention. It was when she stated that even the dogs were given the crumbs that fell from the table that His God-nature kicked in and He helped her.
The Word said that he was tempted in all points even as we are yet knew no sin. Now, in my mind, that has to be one of the all-time great miracles. A human man able to overcome all sin. Wow!!!
The account of Jesus as a man is at best sketchy. I've often wondered why the details were spared. Certainly details weren't spared when it came to cataloguing the "begat's" and other biblical historical events. They are recorded ad nauseam.
But about all we know about the man Jesus was that he was born in a manger and there were three wise men, and an angelic host in attendance. Then he surfaces again at 12 years of age in the temple and then again at 30 and for three scant years before his death performs miracles and states His philosophy to the world of His day.
For Jesus to be probably the most famous person ever born on earth, there just isn't that much written information about Him.
We do assume He was celibate as there is no direct record of His having a wife, although there has been some speculation that Mary Magdalene and He had some sort of relationship. As far as I'm personally concerned, I think I would have rather he been married in order to have a full range of understanding about man's miseries and joys of marital bliss! Though I appreciate and respect the Catholic clergy, I have always believed they would have been better prepared for marital and childhood counseling had they been married and had children.
Be that as it may, the point is, we have little written history about Jesus the Man/God and yet we revere and trust Him not only as a Divine Being but as a human being as well.
But He did indeed have His own mind as a man and it apparently did not always totally coincide with that of God the Father. Consider this: when He came to the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed "not my will but Thine be done." That infers that He had his own will and it was not exactly correspondent with the Father's will. Had it been the same as the Father's, He would have prayed something like, "Your will, with which I agree, be done." He, in fact begged that "this cup" ... or His impending death ... be taken away. He in His human flesh did not want to die.
I think this is the significant moment when the historical Jesus, the mortal man, in fact became The Christ. It was then He acquiesced to His greater mission, the mission in fact that in spirit He had already been assigned and accomplished at "the foundation of the world." At that moment in Gethsemane, the man Jesus accepted His ultimate role as The Christ, the Ultimate Reconciliation for mankind. His humanity then faded into obscurity and He became the embodiment of The Christ.
Now here is where theology gets sticky for a lot of people. They focus on the historical Jesus and fail to realize that The Christ has ALWAYS been on the earth.
I happen to believe as someone once said that "God don't sponsor no flops." When The Christ was slain from the foundation of the world it was a completed work then and there. All men for all time were reconciled back to God. This act of sacrifice was lived out on earth at Golgotha at Calvary. But that work had already been accomplished by The Christ at the foundation of the world. The historical Jesus served as the human embodiment of The Christ. But now our worship should be focused on The Christ.
It is symbolic and nostalgic and is in no way inappropriate to travel to "the holy land" and "walk today where Jesus walked" and visit the birth site and the place of crucifixion. But we should not confuse that with our worship of The Christ. The historic Jesus should merely serve as a reminder that God was made flesh in the form of Jesus and dwelt among men. But The Christ transcends that story.
Today, I believe that many people through their actions and even words continue to focus on the human Jesus as the One to worship. I believe that Christ is far more than a babe in a manger. He is more than a body hanging on a cross. These are reminders of Who and What He really is ... the ultimate reconciliation of all mankind for all time.
His earthly life and death was only a visible event we could focus on. But the act of death and reconciliation took place at the foundation of the world. Either that or we don't believe what the bible really says.
More and more I have come to believe that the work of Christ "from the foundation of the world" was sufficient for the ultimate reconciliation of all men for all time. Otherwise, we "trample underfoot" the efficacy of the blood of Jesus. We in effect say that what happened to Adam was more powerful than the blood shed at the foundation of the world for our reconciliation.
Calvary became the touchstone for us. It was that tangible reminder for mankind that Jesus the man had become Jesus The Christ.
The Spirit of The Christ has been present in the universe since the beginning of time. It is the Ultimate Source for our reconciliation to God the Father. Otherwise, the Word of God is a hoax!
Our finite minds for some reason cannot wrap itself around this truth and we go through life groveling and begging God to reconcile us to Him.
He has ALREADY done that! We don't need to beg Him to do that. We trample underfoot His blood when we do that. We say Adam was more powerful than Christ.
We are already SAVED from the foundation of the world. What we must do now is have an epiphany or an awakening to this fact.
Well, there's my heresy for today. I won't argue with you about it. Everyman has to work out his own salvation. I base mine upon this theology. If you feel compelled to grovel and scream and cry and beg for God's ongoing mercy, then sobeit.
When my son DE was a little boy, occasionally he would do things that he shouldn't do. I corrected him and "forgave" him for his "sin." But he was still my beloved child. I never stopped loving him. I never relegated him to a place of eternal estrangement from me. He was always welcome at my table and in my house.
Now he is 37 years old. What if he still came to me daily begging for my forgiveness? At some point I would begin to wonder about his ability to understand me and accept my fatherly love.
But he has "put away childish things." He has become a man and thinks and acts like a man. He has put away childish things.
Isn't it time for us to put away our childish theology and become men?
Selah . . .
* * * * * *
AN OPEN LETTER . . . .
This is written to anyone who has ever been a member or friend, has ever visited or has ever even thought of attending or has heard about Gospel Harvester Tabernacle, 846 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA; or Chapel Hill Harvester Church, 4636 Flat Shoals Rd., Decatur, GA, or the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA, or 2600 H.F. Shepherd Dr., Decatur, GA, from a period from 1960 until 2010. That should about cover those for whom this letter is intended!
During these years, literally hundreds of thousands of people have been impacted by the ministry of this church in some way, either through the ministry of the local church, conferences, guest appearances, Alpha, Overcomers, Life and Growth In The Spirit, weddings, funerals, baby dedications, TV, books, recordings, articles, personal visits, word of mouth, or missionary visits. I think it safe to assume our church has left its imprint on the face of the earth.
In 1960 my brother and I and our families, along with our brother-in-law, Harry Mushegan and his family, embarked upon a journey that has led us on a circuitous route.
Our beginnings were small. We began in a small building, the old St. John's Lutheran Church in Inman Park of Atlanta. There were 39 people present. 12 of those were our own family members. We grew to where at one point we were one of the 10 largest churches in America ... one of the first what came to be called, "mega-churches."
For the record let me talk a little bit about my brother, the late Bishop Earl Paulk, who was along with me and my wife Clariece, a founder of the church.
I knew the man about as well as one man knows another man. We were brothers and worked together for almost 50 years. Yes, he had his faults, as we all do. Those "faults" led to many, many people leaving our church across the years. I was not without my own faults. They too, added to the human foibles that existed and were a part of who the Paulk brothers were.
In spite of the human weaknesses in our lives, so much has been accomplished for the Kingdom of God for these past 50 years. Indeed, it was his message that really brought to the forefront the "Message of the Kingdom" that has become accepted as foundational in the theology of the church today. When you think of the "Message of the Kingdom," you think of Earl Paulk.
Sadly, the "human factor" along with the inherent mistakes that accompany human weakness, became the focus in the eyes of so many people. Let me state right here and now for the record, for any hurts that have been inflicted through the many years by our shortcomings, I deeply apologize and on his behalf as well, I apologize. I know that will cause him to rest in peace a little better. I was with him in his final days and hours and listened as he recounted repeatedly to me how he deeply regretted how our actions had inadvertently detracted so many people from the truth that was being preached.
But the time has come to put the past in the past and move ahead. From now on, let us do as the bible said ... whatsoever things are pure and of good report, think on these things. I choose to remember my brother as a man of human traits but yet a man God used greatly to establish His Kingdom. I call for you to join me in this.
Time has moved on and now he has passed from this life. I now am retired and have passed the torch on to our son, D.E. He is doing an excellent job. I've heard preaching all my life and I can honestly say that I have never heard anyone with a greater gift of communicating with the hearts and minds of people as he possesses. What you see is genuine. I did not "call" him to the ministry. That was between him and God. If anything, I discouraged him by pointing out the many pitfalls and heartaches he would face in ministry. So what you see now is a young man whom God has given a burning message that will, even as Earls message did, change the face of the church.
Which brings me to the present ... 2010. We are now worshipping in a beautiful church facility. It is meeting our needs perfectly for the time being. I have the feeling, however, that very soon we will outgrow the building and need to find a bigger place. But first things first.
We have a great desire to reconnect with as many people from our past as possible. So what I am saying now is directed primarily at those who once shared fellowship with us but for whatever reason, chose to leave us.
If you did leave and have found a new church home that meets your needs, we are thankful to hear that and wish you Godspeed. However, I feel there are those who left but never really found a place that met the need they had as a church home. Whatever the case, we are inviting you to come home. If you are happy somewhere else, then come for one Sunday to a "homecoming." Or, come back and pick up where you left off. You will be as welcome as flowers in May.
If you left before DE grew up and became a preacher, you owe it to yourself to hear him preach. God has given him a message that will change the face of the church, even as Earl's did. Wait and see! Or better still, come and see.
We have designated this next Sunday, February 6th, as Homecoming Sunday. If you ever were a part of the church in any way, please come home for this occasion, even if only for the one day. I am so looking forward to seeing you again. And the invitation is for EVERYONE. Regardless of why you left or what may have been said in the leaving, that's all a part of the past. You are WELCOME to come back home next Sunday. We have no "enemies." There may be "estranged" friends, but no enemies. God's love and mercy has erased the bitterness of the past.
There will be only one service this Sunday which will begin at 10:30 AM. Yes, we still have a 9:00 o'clock Charismatic Mass but we are canceling it this Sunday in order that the whole family can be together for this one service.
Please consider being there for this event. I will be there in the narthex/lobby looking for you. If you haven't seen me in a few years, I'm totally gray haired now but hopefully you can still recognize me! If I don't recognize you, please be kind enough to remind me who you are. I want to hug your neck again and tell you how I've missed you and how I love you and hope you have forgiven me and my old dead brother for any hurts from the past.
It's an exciting new day! Come, let us move ahead into the future in this year of Jubilee. In the bible, every 50 years was a year of Jubilee in which all debts were forgiven and all crimes and sins were dismissed and there was a new start. This is our 50th year of ministry as a church.
Let's start the next 50 years together this Sunday.
Selah . . .
* * * * * * * * * * *
REUNION TIME
Someone once said, "Parting is such sweet sorrow." Well, I've had about all the "parting" and "sweet sorrow" that I care for in my lifetime! Across the past few years I have seen so many people that I loved and I thought loved me turn and walk away from me ... and from the church.
Some are gone forever without so much as a "fare thee well." But then, I guess it really is difficult to just say goodbye and walk away from those you love. What can you say that will soften the blow? ... "I no longer love you?"
Well, that's in the past and I have to accept that. However, the good news is that separations often call for reunions. And we had a wonderful one at the Cathedral Sunday and I just wanted to make a few comments about it.
We sent out invitations to everyone we could find who had ever been a part of the Cathedral to come back to the Cathedral ... at least for a day. Obviously, not everyone came back but a number of people did and it was a glorious day at the Cathedral!
Are they back for good? Who knows? Maybe so for some and no for others. DE said a number of people told him they were coming back home. That's wonderful! I had some say the same thing to me ... "I'm glad to be back home." I was so grateful.
All I can say is this ... those who do come back are so very welcome. A part of the family has returned and we are thrilled. For those who just came back by to say hello, we were glad to see them as well and we wish them well wherever they may be at this time.
Personally, I was so proud of DE and the way he handled the reunion. I've heard many great sermons in my life and I have to say that what he said Sunday to me was beyound great. It was "timely." The time had come for us to reach out to some who had left in a state of confusion or misunderstanding or disappointment or being hurt. Whatever the reason, we wanted to clear up whatever possible.
And I thought DE did a wonderful job at that. He graciously welcomed people home for the reunion and admitted that he understood how there had been hurts and misunderstandings and confusion. And he did a masterful job of clearing the air and opening the door for those to return who would.
By head count, there were over 1,000 people in the service Sunday. And I don't believe I have ever been in a more powerful worship service than the one I experienced Sunday morning.
Let me take this opportunity to thank all of you who were there today ... and whether you have returned to stay or just dropped by to say hello, we are so thankful.
As Pastor DE said, the time you spent at the Cathedral was by no means wasted. You blessed us with your presence and hopefully we imparted something positive into your life.
It's a new day for the Cathedral. Some of those who led us in the past are no longer with us. We miss them. We especially miss my brother, the bishop. For whatever reasons, his "presence" seems to be even stronger among us now. We sense that "great cloud of witnesses" that hovers among us. We miss him ... I miss him greatly.
But I know that time will serve his ministry and even legacy well and good thinking people who understand the flesh that we all bear, will see the true greatness of the man who brought to us the Message of the Kingdom in a fashion that literally changed the face of the Christian church. As Pastor DE said Sunday, God uses imperfect vessels to spread His message because that way, He gets the glory, not we mortal beings.
And so we enter the 50th year as a church. Things have changed. The music has changed. The faces that lead us have changed. The location we meet has changed.
But some things never change. The God that gave us a mission will never change. We are called to be a peculiar people. The message we preach has been, is and always will be on the cutting edge. As the Bishop used to say, "We are not just another church sitting by the roadside." We are a people who understands that there is more than the status quo in church life. There is a message to be preached that will literally change the world. It is THE message that will save the planet. It will cause armies to lay down their weapons, races to learn how to co-exist, and people come to understand that God loves them and has no intention of sending them to an eternal torture but is a God of reconciliation and love.
I saw a preacher on TV the other day holding up the COEXIST sign many wear and show and ridicule it by saying, "People think that we can all get that warm, fuzzy feeling and learn to come together and love one another. But I'm telling you that won't happen. We are always going to live in a world filled with hate."
And if he has anything to do with it, he will indeed perpetuate hate on the earth in the name of God and religion. How sad! And yes, that's exactly what we want to do ... COEXIST and bring the warmth of love of peace between all people, all races, all religions.
That's what Jesus had in mind when He came to the earth ... to bring people together ... not scare the hell out of them, or scare them into hell!
We haven't figured hell out yet completely but I do know that God is a God of love and reconciliation. He's a lot better than I am and I wouldn't be so low as to send even my worst enemy to a lake of fire that burns throughout eternity. And I can't bring myself to serve a God that would do that. Perhaps that is the kind of God you perceive. But take another look at The Christ slain from the foundation of the world for our sins. It is a finished work.
Well, that's my say for the time being. Thanks to all who came out Sunday for the reunion. I hope to see you back next week as we continue to celebrate our 50th Jubilee year at the Cathedral.
