Hi Folks,
Not sure this is the way to promote discussion but I will give it a try this way. If as Rev. Guy tells us the bible was taken literally only since the 19th century what was burning Joan of Arc about and what was the Inquisition about? Why were they taking things so literally? If these actions were merely in response to church dogma who was reading the bible metaphorically at that time? Any thoughts?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Judith P. Pando
Metaphysical Bible I
October 3, 2009
The Metaphysical Story of Jacob
The story of Jacob is one of transformation; a change in consciousness. He was born the 2nd twin to Rebekka and Isaac. As his brother Esau was leaving his mother’s womb, Jacob held on to his heel, and thus he was named Jacob, which means, according to Fillmore’s Metaphysical Bible, “heel catcher, lier in wait, supplanter, leaving behind, bringing to an end, recompensing and rewarding”. Esau, Jacob’s brother by a few moments, was hairy and rough. Jacob was smooth and soft. The two brothers could not be more different. In metaphysical terms, again according to Fillmore, Esau represents the body or physical vigor. It is an immature, animal consciousness, moved by desire. Appetite and passions are satisfied despite the consequence. Jacob, on the other hand represents the mentality or understanding. Esau was the favorite son of Isaac; but Rebekka favored Jacob. As the brothers grew, their differences became more pronounced. Esau was a good hunter and outdoorsman; Jacob “was a plain man, dwelling in tents”.
According to the custom of that time, it is the eldest son who gets the blessing from the father, as well as all the worldly inheritance. This did not seem a fair to Jacob and Rebecca. And Jacob finds an opportunity to use his mental abilities against Esau. Esau, representing the “lower consciousness”, the natural man, sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of pottage, immediate gratification over long term consequences. Despite the promise made by Esau, Isaac still favored the elder son, and when Isaac lay dying in his bed, he called for Esau to come to him to give the blessing, but first he asked Esau to prepare a meal for him. While Esau was hunting, Rebekka and Jacob conspired to deceive Isaac which results in Jacob getting the blessing instead. This may signify the idea of the spiritual gaining supremacy over the physical. When Esau returns, he is angry and told by his father that he will serve his younger brother. Jacob flees fearing for his life.
Charles Fillmore: “When read in the light of spiritual understanding or considered as part of the history of unfoldment of the individual soul, the incident loses its aspect of duplicity and we find that it is a description of the subtle working of the soul in spiritual evolution, under the guidance of Diving Mind. The soul is progressive. We must go forward. The soul must meet and overcome its limitations.”
Jacob leaves his home and moves to “the people of the east”, the land of his mother’s family for 2 purposes, to find a wife and to stay away from Esau. On the way, he stopped for the night, took stones as pillows and had a dream. In this dream, he sees a ladder to heaven. The symbolism is pretty clear; the ladder is the step by step process whereby one enters a higher state of consciousness. It opens a window to heaven. Jacob heard the voice of God and is afraid. Jacob had a numinous moment. He is told that God is with him now and always and everywhere he goes; that this land is his, and that his family will be blessed. Jacob may have been afraid because there was no going back to old way of being and thinking. Jacob was most probably awestruck at the enormity of the new ideas. Jacob trusts all things to Spirit and vows to tithe 10% to God. This was Jacob’s first attempt at making a covenant with God. Jacob then declares the spot upon which he slept to be holy ground and consecrates it and names it Beth-el, house of God.
Jacob then continues his travels to Haran, which means exalted, mountain to live with Laban, his mother’s brother. Laban means white, clear, shinning, gentle, and noble. There he meets Rachel, and instantly falls in love. He weeps and kisses her and asks Laban if he can marry her. Rachel means migrating, journeying in droves, ewe, lamb. She is “The feminine, receptive or soul phase of the pure natural life…This phase of life that Rachel represents is a transitory state (migrating). It is fruitful only on the higher, spiritual plane of ideas.” Rachel is the younger daughter of Laban. Jacob agrees to work for Laban for seven years in exchange for having Rachel for his wife. The number seven refers to fullness in the world. It always refers to the divine law of perfection for the divine-natural man.
Jacob worked with his uncle raising and selling livestock. Eventually, he becomes successful and prosperous. When he has worked the seven years, he claims Rachel to be his wife. Now the trickster is tricked for instead of Rachel, he was given poor unloved Leah (somehow Jacob didn’t notice the switch). Leah means weary, exhausted, faint, sluggish; but according to Fillmore, she also represents the human soul. Leah is described in the text as “tender eyed”, which could mean that she is weak, or it could mean that she had light colored eyes. When Jacob realizes that he has the wrong woman, he goes back to Laban and confronts him. Laban explained that it is customary for the eldest to marry before the younger. He set a price for Rachel of seven more years of work and Jacob complies. During this time, he becomes even more skilled and prosperous and grew Laban’s flock beyond all expectations. In the interim, Leah gave birth to 6 sons; Rachel was, of course, barren (as was Rebecca and Saha). Later in life Rachel gives birth to 2 sons and between her, Leah, and 2 slaves, Jacob had 12 sons.
But Jacob knew that he had a past that needed to heal. He decides to leave and take with him all his wives, children and a large number of Laban’s flock. Laban was not pleased with the idea of losing his sheep, but when he catches up with Jacob, the strike a deal and all is well with the in-laws. Jacob knows that he must finally face his brother so he retraces his steps and heads west. Along the way, he has another numinous moment. According to the text, he wrestles with ‘a man’ all night and refuses to let him go until ‘the man’ gives him a blessing. This wrestling could be seen as Jacob’s wrestling with himself with his past errors, with his sense of right and wrong. The result of this was that Jacob was a changed man. The God within him gave him a new name, Israel. Israel means who prevails with God, a prince with God, rulership with God.
As Jacob nears his home, he gets word that Esau is on his way to meet him with 400 of Esau’s tribe. Jacob sends his wives and children away, divides his livestock as an offering to Esau and Faces Esau alone. The brothers reunite, and Esau does serve his younger brother. Metaphysically, this represents the mind and the body uniting, but with the mind ruling the body both work in harmony.
This brief overview of the story of Jacob is not the entire story, nor is it the end of the story, but Rev. Guy asked us to personalize it, and I believe that I can relate to some of the lessons the story of Jacob demonstrates. First lesson, God keeps his promises. Throughout Genesis, there is a recurring story of barren women who pray to God to give to give them a child. After waiting for what must have seen a very long time, the precious children are born. I believe that this could be an allegory for reaching any goal that one may strive to attain. My inner wisdom will ensure that the goal will be achieved, but it may not happen as quickly or in the same manner as I would like. God also promised to protect Jacob on his journey. I think God protects all us in our spiritual journeys. Lesson two, the soul is progressive (and productive, at least in the case of Leah). The soul must meet and overcome its limitations. We must move forward. Lesson 3, the mind and the body must work together on this plane of existence. My body is indeed a temple, it should be cared for and healed, but my mind must be in charge and they must work in harmony. Lesson 4, the ladder represents a step by step process that all on a spiritual path must climb in order to learn the Truth. Lesson 4, life is a journey where we encounter obstacles. When our human brain tries to figure out how to overcome them, suffering may occur. However, when we listen to our higher wisdom self, when we trust that God is on our side and there is really nothing against us, not only we grow spiritually, but we thrive. Lesson 5, when you wrestle with God, you may get hurt, but in a good way.
Metaphysical Bible I
October 3, 2009
The Metaphysical Story of Jacob
The story of Jacob is one of transformation; a change in consciousness. He was born the 2nd twin to Rebekka and Isaac. As his brother Esau was leaving his mother’s womb, Jacob held on to his heel, and thus he was named Jacob, which means, according to Fillmore’s Metaphysical Bible, “heel catcher, lier in wait, supplanter, leaving behind, bringing to an end, recompensing and rewarding”. Esau, Jacob’s brother by a few moments, was hairy and rough. Jacob was smooth and soft. The two brothers could not be more different. In metaphysical terms, again according to Fillmore, Esau represents the body or physical vigor. It is an immature, animal consciousness, moved by desire. Appetite and passions are satisfied despite the consequence. Jacob, on the other hand represents the mentality or understanding. Esau was the favorite son of Isaac; but Rebekka favored Jacob. As the brothers grew, their differences became more pronounced. Esau was a good hunter and outdoorsman; Jacob “was a plain man, dwelling in tents”.
According to the custom of that time, it is the eldest son who gets the blessing from the father, as well as all the worldly inheritance. This did not seem a fair to Jacob and Rebecca. And Jacob finds an opportunity to use his mental abilities against Esau. Esau, representing the “lower consciousness”, the natural man, sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of pottage, immediate gratification over long term consequences. Despite the promise made by Esau, Isaac still favored the elder son, and when Isaac lay dying in his bed, he called for Esau to come to him to give the blessing, but first he asked Esau to prepare a meal for him. While Esau was hunting, Rebekka and Jacob conspired to deceive Isaac which results in Jacob getting the blessing instead. This may signify the idea of the spiritual gaining supremacy over the physical. When Esau returns, he is angry and told by his father that he will serve his younger brother. Jacob flees fearing for his life.
Charles Fillmore: “When read in the light of spiritual understanding or considered as part of the history of unfoldment of the individual soul, the incident loses its aspect of duplicity and we find that it is a description of the subtle working of the soul in spiritual evolution, under the guidance of Diving Mind. The soul is progressive. We must go forward. The soul must meet and overcome its limitations.”
Jacob leaves his home and moves to “the people of the east”, the land of his mother’s family for 2 purposes, to find a wife and to stay away from Esau. On the way, he stopped for the night, took stones as pillows and had a dream. In this dream, he sees a ladder to heaven. The symbolism is pretty clear; the ladder is the step by step process whereby one enters a higher state of consciousness. It opens a window to heaven. Jacob heard the voice of God and is afraid. Jacob had a numinous moment. He is told that God is with him now and always and everywhere he goes; that this land is his, and that his family will be blessed. Jacob may have been afraid because there was no going back to old way of being and thinking. Jacob was most probably awestruck at the enormity of the new ideas. Jacob trusts all things to Spirit and vows to tithe 10% to God. This was Jacob’s first attempt at making a covenant with God. Jacob then declares the spot upon which he slept to be holy ground and consecrates it and names it Beth-el, house of God.
Jacob then continues his travels to Haran, which means exalted, mountain to live with Laban, his mother’s brother. Laban means white, clear, shinning, gentle, and noble. There he meets Rachel, and instantly falls in love. He weeps and kisses her and asks Laban if he can marry her. Rachel means migrating, journeying in droves, ewe, lamb. She is “The feminine, receptive or soul phase of the pure natural life…This phase of life that Rachel represents is a transitory state (migrating). It is fruitful only on the higher, spiritual plane of ideas.” Rachel is the younger daughter of Laban. Jacob agrees to work for Laban for seven years in exchange for having Rachel for his wife. The number seven refers to fullness in the world. It always refers to the divine law of perfection for the divine-natural man.
Jacob worked with his uncle raising and selling livestock. Eventually, he becomes successful and prosperous. When he has worked the seven years, he claims Rachel to be his wife. Now the trickster is tricked for instead of Rachel, he was given poor unloved Leah (somehow Jacob didn’t notice the switch). Leah means weary, exhausted, faint, sluggish; but according to Fillmore, she also represents the human soul. Leah is described in the text as “tender eyed”, which could mean that she is weak, or it could mean that she had light colored eyes. When Jacob realizes that he has the wrong woman, he goes back to Laban and confronts him. Laban explained that it is customary for the eldest to marry before the younger. He set a price for Rachel of seven more years of work and Jacob complies. During this time, he becomes even more skilled and prosperous and grew Laban’s flock beyond all expectations. In the interim, Leah gave birth to 6 sons; Rachel was, of course, barren (as was Rebecca and Saha). Later in life Rachel gives birth to 2 sons and between her, Leah, and 2 slaves, Jacob had 12 sons.
But Jacob knew that he had a past that needed to heal. He decides to leave and take with him all his wives, children and a large number of Laban’s flock. Laban was not pleased with the idea of losing his sheep, but when he catches up with Jacob, the strike a deal and all is well with the in-laws. Jacob knows that he must finally face his brother so he retraces his steps and heads west. Along the way, he has another numinous moment. According to the text, he wrestles with ‘a man’ all night and refuses to let him go until ‘the man’ gives him a blessing. This wrestling could be seen as Jacob’s wrestling with himself with his past errors, with his sense of right and wrong. The result of this was that Jacob was a changed man. The God within him gave him a new name, Israel. Israel means who prevails with God, a prince with God, rulership with God.
As Jacob nears his home, he gets word that Esau is on his way to meet him with 400 of Esau’s tribe. Jacob sends his wives and children away, divides his livestock as an offering to Esau and Faces Esau alone. The brothers reunite, and Esau does serve his younger brother. Metaphysically, this represents the mind and the body uniting, but with the mind ruling the body both work in harmony.
This brief overview of the story of Jacob is not the entire story, nor is it the end of the story, but Rev. Guy asked us to personalize it, and I believe that I can relate to some of the lessons the story of Jacob demonstrates. First lesson, God keeps his promises. Throughout Genesis, there is a recurring story of barren women who pray to God to give to give them a child. After waiting for what must have seen a very long time, the precious children are born. I believe that this could be an allegory for reaching any goal that one may strive to attain. My inner wisdom will ensure that the goal will be achieved, but it may not happen as quickly or in the same manner as I would like. God also promised to protect Jacob on his journey. I think God protects all us in our spiritual journeys. Lesson two, the soul is progressive (and productive, at least in the case of Leah). The soul must meet and overcome its limitations. We must move forward. Lesson 3, the mind and the body must work together on this plane of existence. My body is indeed a temple, it should be cared for and healed, but my mind must be in charge and they must work in harmony. Lesson 4, the ladder represents a step by step process that all on a spiritual path must climb in order to learn the Truth. Lesson 4, life is a journey where we encounter obstacles. When our human brain tries to figure out how to overcome them, suffering may occur. However, when we listen to our higher wisdom self, when we trust that God is on our side and there is really nothing against us, not only we grow spiritually, but we thrive. Lesson 5, when you wrestle with God, you may get hurt, but in a good way.
Friday, October 2, 2009
The challenging story of Jacob in Genesis as I see it this day so far.
Abraham who represents faith in the unseen God reveals to us that a person does not have to change his residence to enter a new country. We, or the soul, enter the new consciousness of real substance. The son Zimran represents the expression of joy, and harmony, the first conscious result of the awakening faith in Abraham. Jokshan represents the soul’s treacherous and deceitful tendency if we give way to it and see situations as difficult. The sons of Keturrah represent divided thought. Isaac is joy, the son of God and Ishmael is personality which struggles with error. The cave represents a higher awakening . Thoughts work in the conscious and subconscious mind. Ephron is a place that represents letting go of the old and receiving the new. There is an effort to bring forth spiritual possibilities. Rebeka is the beauty that snares. She is has as her father, Bethual who represents conscious unity with God and the Intellect. Her Brother Laban represents exalted ideas. Isaac’s two sons are twins, Esau and Jacob. The soul now must overcome its limitations. The struggle of who is first born is the soul’s struggle with his spirituality vs. his humanity. Esau represents the realm of animal forces. He gave his birthright to appease his hunger. I have been that hungry myself. This “man” is the first in man’s evolution. He is not wise. It is necessary to supplant and suppress him to move the soul forward. Hence the deception of Jacob and Rebekah. The natural man wants to kill the spiritual man. Intellect wins. The mental must gain prominence. Jacob goes to Haran where the soul enters a higher state of consciousness. Laban lives in Paddan-aram where the intellect is lifted. Esau marries Bismath out of Ishmael and personality becomes involved in error. On Jacob’s way to Haran he stops at a place where understanding is limited. The stone he puts under his head represents the contact of understanding with material conditions. In the dream he has, the ladder represents the step by step realizations of Truth. The angels symbolize pure thoughts going up and down in consciousness. God is in the highest step. The spiritualized thoughts of the mind become the seed and bless all the earth (body consciousness). The mind is startled to discover God to be an omnipresent principle. The body is the temple and the mind is the gate to harmony. Beth-el signifies house of God. Luz means separation; that which has seemed separate and apart is brought into unity. Keeping the law of giving and receiving is a step to spiritual development. Taking a wife symbolizes a unification of the I Am with the affections. The marriages point the way to unification with the love principle in its higher aspects. Bilba a handmaid given to Jacob has two sons which are judgment and strengths. He has 12 sons which represent 12 foundation faculties of man i.e. seeing hearing etc. all threefold in spirit, body and soul. Jacob tricks Laban out of most of his herd and Rebekah tricks Laban out his other valuables. Once again the soul triumphs over lesser tendencies. Now Jacob or the soul returns to Esau, the animal tendencies with trepidation The soul learns to make adjustments and promises are made to let each other go their own path. The union of mind and body in all the seven natural faculties is closer. Humility is born of surrender of the self and comes into expression. The body must be uplifted to share in the gifts of Spirit. Jacob which is the mind must go before Esau which is the body and direct the way. New ideas are established in consciousness. The body becomes a servant to the mind and they are unified in Divine mind.
. In Jabbock he gives up present ideas so he can receive new ones. This seems awfully repetitive but then so is my own learning throughout my life. I always have to learn things over and over and on different levels.
He wrestles with an angel. I guess he is struggling to evolve in some quantum leap. The blessing changes his name to Israel, son or prince of God. He named the wrestling place Peniel meaning coming face to face with God and prevailing.
Esau comes along and they were happily met and camped in Succoth. Their tent facilities represents the body is spirit i.e. temporary housing. Dinah who is intuition goes out to see what’s happening in town and gets ravished. This brings out the ideas of vengeance and punishment and evil. When man becomes more spiritual he sees not evil. The killing that follows represents man’s sensual worldly mind, stubbornness and foolishness. This doesn’t seem to resolve in any definite way or I missed it anyway.
Jacob is told by God to go to Bethal which represents Unity where Deborah who represents a sense of perception dies for some reason still a mystery to me. He goes from Bethel to a place of abundance. Now the soul knows abundance is available to the awakened. Israel is one who has power with God and goes to his father in Mamre where faith in God evolves vigor, and supply, spiritually awakening intellect.
Esau leaves finding the land could not sustain both animal instincts and roughness along with enlightenment.
Jacob has abson Joseph who has a spiritual sense of imagination. This talent brings out envy and he is persecuted by his brothers. Joseph has a successful time once his is bought by Egyptians with a faux pas or two during his stay. Higher thought has come to the darkness which Egypt represents. The wife of Potiphat represents sensual pleasure which locks up good, but higher will shows its God given power in time. Joseph teaches good stewardship with supply. He has two sons which symbolize denial and affirmation. When they are in harmony Divine Order is established. The brothers who betrayed him come along with a need for him to give them supply. Through many tests Joseph tries to reunite the 12 brothers. Joseph has been sent by God to prepare the way for others to come together. The soul is more cohesive at this point. Now Israel comes to Beersheba wherein the Spiritual transmutes the physical into spiritual thought and manifestation. They all live in the land of Goshen which symbolizes the unification of the “I Am” with all the faculties of the mind, life energies, and the substance of the whole man. Jacob adopts Joseph’s offspring of denial and affirmation. Rueben is rejected who represents something terrible I haven’t figured out. Simon and Levi for their anger are also rejected. Joseph is prince of the brothers and the 12 become the tribes of Israel. Jacob is buried in the Ephron which is letting go of the old. Joseph recognizes that God has used his brother’s faults for good so maybe all the rejection is forgotten. This is a major development that I have to remind myself of often, that God uses man’s faults for good.
The better parts of this came from Fillmore obviously. Those made on my own are very unwieldy.
. In Jabbock he gives up present ideas so he can receive new ones. This seems awfully repetitive but then so is my own learning throughout my life. I always have to learn things over and over and on different levels.
He wrestles with an angel. I guess he is struggling to evolve in some quantum leap. The blessing changes his name to Israel, son or prince of God. He named the wrestling place Peniel meaning coming face to face with God and prevailing.
Esau comes along and they were happily met and camped in Succoth. Their tent facilities represents the body is spirit i.e. temporary housing. Dinah who is intuition goes out to see what’s happening in town and gets ravished. This brings out the ideas of vengeance and punishment and evil. When man becomes more spiritual he sees not evil. The killing that follows represents man’s sensual worldly mind, stubbornness and foolishness. This doesn’t seem to resolve in any definite way or I missed it anyway.
Jacob is told by God to go to Bethal which represents Unity where Deborah who represents a sense of perception dies for some reason still a mystery to me. He goes from Bethel to a place of abundance. Now the soul knows abundance is available to the awakened. Israel is one who has power with God and goes to his father in Mamre where faith in God evolves vigor, and supply, spiritually awakening intellect.
Esau leaves finding the land could not sustain both animal instincts and roughness along with enlightenment.
Jacob has abson Joseph who has a spiritual sense of imagination. This talent brings out envy and he is persecuted by his brothers. Joseph has a successful time once his is bought by Egyptians with a faux pas or two during his stay. Higher thought has come to the darkness which Egypt represents. The wife of Potiphat represents sensual pleasure which locks up good, but higher will shows its God given power in time. Joseph teaches good stewardship with supply. He has two sons which symbolize denial and affirmation. When they are in harmony Divine Order is established. The brothers who betrayed him come along with a need for him to give them supply. Through many tests Joseph tries to reunite the 12 brothers. Joseph has been sent by God to prepare the way for others to come together. The soul is more cohesive at this point. Now Israel comes to Beersheba wherein the Spiritual transmutes the physical into spiritual thought and manifestation. They all live in the land of Goshen which symbolizes the unification of the “I Am” with all the faculties of the mind, life energies, and the substance of the whole man. Jacob adopts Joseph’s offspring of denial and affirmation. Rueben is rejected who represents something terrible I haven’t figured out. Simon and Levi for their anger are also rejected. Joseph is prince of the brothers and the 12 become the tribes of Israel. Jacob is buried in the Ephron which is letting go of the old. Joseph recognizes that God has used his brother’s faults for good so maybe all the rejection is forgotten. This is a major development that I have to remind myself of often, that God uses man’s faults for good.
The better parts of this came from Fillmore obviously. Those made on my own are very unwieldy.
Psalm 72Psalm 72 was written by King David to his son Solomon. It may have been a dying blessing from a father to a son; from one King passing the torch to another. And how sweet and beautiful it is for David to ask God to endow his son with the wisdom and grace to know and do his duty. I too would ask of God that my ministry reveal decency, honesty, fairness and wisdom through me. My prayer is that my ministry prospers and grows as I advocate for those who may benefit from my service. I know that the principles that we teach and use will endure “…as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations”. And I love the gentile image of my service falling “…like rain on a mown field, like showers watering the earth”. Bringing peace and comfort to those dealing with illness and death, and those providing care giving is my calling, and it is my intention to allow Spirit to speak through me in such situations. I plan to use my ministry from “sea to sea” as well as to the desert (maybe Texas?), for wherever my ministry takes me, I will be. Psalm 72 is part prayer, poem, and prophesy, not only of King Solomon’s reign, but, it is said it is a prophecy of the kingdom of the coming Messiah. And I intend to use the Christ Consciousness in the delivery of my ministry. I have no expectation or desire to have anyone bow down to me or give me presents. I only expect to be of service. I will try to follow the example of the Master Teacher and learn to love my enemies. I will see with the eyes of Spirit that the ‘needy’ and the ‘afflicted’ are precious children of God, whole, perfect and complete, exactly as they are. I see oppression and violence as metaphors for problems that need to be overcome. I expect to use my talents, knowledge and SOM principles to help my clients to rise above their present circumstances, know that they are not alone, or at least, see things in a different way.And I trust that God will provide whatever is needed to ensure that this ministry will thrive. May people pray for me and bless me every day and to God goes the Glory.
September 27, 2009 2:07 PM
September 27, 2009 2:07 PM
Psalm 72 --- HEllo from Florence, Italy!
Regional Class: Metaphysical Bible I
Instructor: Rev. Guy Williams
Holmes Institute
Los Angeles Campus
Thought Paper on Psalms 72
Prepared by: Les DeMarco, RScP
It is interesting to see that there is a mix of messages between what is actually contained within the names located in this psalm. Though there may be ample truth to what I discovered in the names, I do not correlate anything towards a ministry except that if I were to glean anything from this psalm, it would only be through some definite searching for something that very well, might not be there. Upon first read it seems confusing and unmeaningful.
I reviewed the names within the psalm through research in the metaphysical dictionary, but this all seemed like it was talking about balance and manipulation.
I went further to try to uncover some hidden meaning that what I could find at a face value read and started trying to find any single word from the psalm in the dictionary.
As far as my ministry is concerned, this psalm reinforces that it would be served through clear thought, and peaceable justice. I also relates to the body of the ministry as well as my individual body. It is nice to see that there is reference to the body, and the body that I would view here, in context to a ministry is: What is the body of my church? Is it well nourished; bathed in truth’s light? How does the way I keep my body affect my ministry? Is the body of the congregation capable of understanding what I am saying and teaching? Do I turn inward often enough to support a vision of wholesome growth? Is there anything in me which battles with my consciousness for the right to maintain constant focus?
Certainly, I, if I can be called that, must be guided and guarded. Do I know that I could get up and raise a church up to see the kingdom of heaven, within themselves and those who may occupy a seat next to them on Sunday? Do we really know such a thing?
I like that there is so much reference to intelligence and faith in this psalm. And it is only through this right use of intelligence that faith is strengthened.
After reviewing every word that I could find within this dictionary, I discovered that all the words supported the definitions of previous words. I saw plenty of positive and negative energy, healthy and unhealthy body stuff, limited thinking and rightful thought, as well as soul-full actions and those actions that are less than desirable.How this relates to my ministry, is really challenging for me, seeing as I don’t even know what that looks like yet. I surely wouldn’t want to pretend that I know at this point.
Instructor: Rev. Guy Williams
Holmes Institute
Los Angeles Campus
Thought Paper on Psalms 72
Prepared by: Les DeMarco, RScP
It is interesting to see that there is a mix of messages between what is actually contained within the names located in this psalm. Though there may be ample truth to what I discovered in the names, I do not correlate anything towards a ministry except that if I were to glean anything from this psalm, it would only be through some definite searching for something that very well, might not be there. Upon first read it seems confusing and unmeaningful.
I reviewed the names within the psalm through research in the metaphysical dictionary, but this all seemed like it was talking about balance and manipulation.
I went further to try to uncover some hidden meaning that what I could find at a face value read and started trying to find any single word from the psalm in the dictionary.
As far as my ministry is concerned, this psalm reinforces that it would be served through clear thought, and peaceable justice. I also relates to the body of the ministry as well as my individual body. It is nice to see that there is reference to the body, and the body that I would view here, in context to a ministry is: What is the body of my church? Is it well nourished; bathed in truth’s light? How does the way I keep my body affect my ministry? Is the body of the congregation capable of understanding what I am saying and teaching? Do I turn inward often enough to support a vision of wholesome growth? Is there anything in me which battles with my consciousness for the right to maintain constant focus?
Certainly, I, if I can be called that, must be guided and guarded. Do I know that I could get up and raise a church up to see the kingdom of heaven, within themselves and those who may occupy a seat next to them on Sunday? Do we really know such a thing?
I like that there is so much reference to intelligence and faith in this psalm. And it is only through this right use of intelligence that faith is strengthened.
After reviewing every word that I could find within this dictionary, I discovered that all the words supported the definitions of previous words. I saw plenty of positive and negative energy, healthy and unhealthy body stuff, limited thinking and rightful thought, as well as soul-full actions and those actions that are less than desirable.How this relates to my ministry, is really challenging for me, seeing as I don’t even know what that looks like yet. I surely wouldn’t want to pretend that I know at this point.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A Psalm for Solomon
Please feel free to substitute “ Her “
rather than “He” when referring to God.
In this psalm the king asks God for advice
for His knowledge , and for his son
to receive God’s spirit of righteousness.
The king is a person of authority; someone who
is responsible, someone who has free will .
He believes in God , a God of Wisdom and justice .
He is powerful and generous for He can
and does give of His Spirit .
The king’s desire and his function is to follow
and use God’s wisdom and righteousness for himself and
for dealing with others .
Therefore his Will and God’s Will are one.
Those who apply the Law of God will be in awe ( in Love),
but those who don’t will be in fear .
Those who receive God’s spirit will extend it unto the earth.
They will be filled with spiritual consciousness ( Christ consciousness),
the Law will be fulfilled and there will be peace till the end of time.
They shall have dominion over the earth , but those who are lost should surrender,
and those who go against His law will not experience His gifts.
We also read in this psalm that God is loving, and compassionate.
He takes care of the needy, the poor, and the lonely,
and set them free.
The offering of gifts and praises also
shows that it is a loving relationship,
From this love miracles happen, there will
be abundance where there is scarcity.
We also read that God is omnipotent and eternal.
Even though i am not in ministerial school my life is my ministry .
Reading this psalm reminds me of the teaching of Science of mind
and of my responsibility as one of its practitioners to recognize
that there is a power that is Omniscient , Omnipotent omnipresent
that i call God and to have a loving relationship with Him,
to receive and to express God’s Will, to know Oneness and to live a loving
peaceful abundant life, to recognize that God’s Love,
God’s Law is the source of this miraculous life.
It is the law of cause and effect. When i entertain loving thoughts,
I am part of the kingdom , one with God filled with Spirit,
I have dominion over my lower thoughts, my fearful thoughts of
lack and limitation, of need and separation. I must be willing
to surrender these thoughts and replace them with new thoughts
like king David who bring his son to God and allow
myself to be filled with Spirit (the Christ Consciousness) that I may
have life abundantly.
It is my function to be loving , compassionate to care and to help
others.
Amen.
rather than “He” when referring to God.
In this psalm the king asks God for advice
for His knowledge , and for his son
to receive God’s spirit of righteousness.
The king is a person of authority; someone who
is responsible, someone who has free will .
He believes in God , a God of Wisdom and justice .
He is powerful and generous for He can
and does give of His Spirit .
The king’s desire and his function is to follow
and use God’s wisdom and righteousness for himself and
for dealing with others .
Therefore his Will and God’s Will are one.
Those who apply the Law of God will be in awe ( in Love),
but those who don’t will be in fear .
Those who receive God’s spirit will extend it unto the earth.
They will be filled with spiritual consciousness ( Christ consciousness),
the Law will be fulfilled and there will be peace till the end of time.
They shall have dominion over the earth , but those who are lost should surrender,
and those who go against His law will not experience His gifts.
We also read in this psalm that God is loving, and compassionate.
He takes care of the needy, the poor, and the lonely,
and set them free.
The offering of gifts and praises also
shows that it is a loving relationship,
From this love miracles happen, there will
be abundance where there is scarcity.
We also read that God is omnipotent and eternal.
Even though i am not in ministerial school my life is my ministry .
Reading this psalm reminds me of the teaching of Science of mind
and of my responsibility as one of its practitioners to recognize
that there is a power that is Omniscient , Omnipotent omnipresent
that i call God and to have a loving relationship with Him,
to receive and to express God’s Will, to know Oneness and to live a loving
peaceful abundant life, to recognize that God’s Love,
God’s Law is the source of this miraculous life.
It is the law of cause and effect. When i entertain loving thoughts,
I am part of the kingdom , one with God filled with Spirit,
I have dominion over my lower thoughts, my fearful thoughts of
lack and limitation, of need and separation. I must be willing
to surrender these thoughts and replace them with new thoughts
like king David who bring his son to God and allow
myself to be filled with Spirit (the Christ Consciousness) that I may
have life abundantly.
It is my function to be loving , compassionate to care and to help
others.
Amen.
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