Psalm 72 Thought Paper

Joanne O'Brien

Metaphysical Bible

Fall 2009

First Thought Paper

9/19/09

I must say first that I am open to being able to look at the Bible with new eyes as an outcome of this class. As for Psalm 72, I would be faking it if I said it meant anything to me at all. I have read it several times. I have scoured the internet looking for an interpretation that speaks to me in a language that I understand and can be applied to my life and come up with nothing. Perhaps I am looking in the wrong place.

This Psalm speaks to me of separation with the constant reference to ‘He’ as if someone else has the Power. It speaks of judgment, ‘saving’ as if it is someone else’s job to save people and violence in ‘crushing’ the oppressor. I can’t help but read so much of this and feel as though I am watching FOX news.

In order for this to relate to my ministry I would have to re-write the whole thing which would then make it NOT Psalm 72 but a Psalm written by Joanne which wouldn’t be a Psalm but an essay.

So, to answer the question, it speaks to my ministry in stating what ministry is NOT. It is not saving people, it is not judging people, it is not crushing anyone, it is not worshipping anyone, it is not righteous in the way that I understand that word. The only thing I can pull from this is that peace is abundant and will be as long as there is a moon and I assume since the moon is energy, it means eternally.

How Psalm 72 Relates to My Ministry


Thus far my ministry is revealed to be one of a teaching ministry. This psalm is at the core of some of the major ideas I would like add my light to for illumination. It addresses the evolution of man’s Spirit in the earthly form. At present it is my intention to facilitate the expansion of awareness of the true nature of us all through teaching. This expansion brings us forward into this evolution in a seemingly faster way when we focus our thoughts on staying awake and aware. The only desire for speed is the desire to replace the stress and strife in demonstration at present with something more pleasant. This evolution of awareness will bring us the demonstration of the peace and love and joy in the earthly kingdom in which we live right now.

When we accept the justice and righteousness of God’s Law as the absolute way in which we live we will be free of all ills. When we fully know the law of cause and effect as the demonstration of our conditions we can bring about heaven on earth. When we accept all men as our equals, when we take responsibility for the well being of our fellow man as though he was our very self then the whole earth will be well and happy. When we realize we are not separate, that we all have the same amount of God present in each of us, we will know that nothing is against us. When we perceive how much we are alike we begin to know brotherhood. When we shift our focus away from seeing only our differences we will be free of condemnation. When we see the Christ consciousness in our fellow beings we will be able to communicate love and there will be no need for prisons or wars. There will be complete fulfillment of all our needs and desires. With awakening to who we really are we will perceive no enemies.

This awareness will come down like clean pure water and wash all our doubts and fears away into the nothingness from which they came. All needs will be met. His seed will multiply and flourish. Prosperity and abundance will abound for all. Lack will have no existence and become an unknown idea. Duality will be unthinkable.

It takes only a few to grasp the truth and commit to the constant discipline of keeping it in thought and word and deed to change the world. “Where two or three are gathered in my name," invoking Jesus' promise in Matthew 18:20 that when Christians gather, "I am there among them." We are each vitally important and what we do and think and say affects the entire world. The world is a living organism. We are each necessary and we affect the whole.

Pat Willson

Psalm 72

Well that was not so hard, just cutting and pasting. As a new person to blogging, this is an adventure.

Thought Paper on Psalm 72

I had a great deal of difficulty with this assignment. After reading Psalm 72, I could not see a relationship between it and my ministry. This psalm was talking about an idealistic king blessed by God; it could have been David, Solomon or the foretelling of the Christ. This king was to rule over the people with righteousness, justice and peace. From this king people would receive goodness and fairness and they would live in peace. They would live in a world of health and abundance for all people. The king would defend the poor and the oppressed and he would eliminate all of the oppressors. He would become the universal ruler of all people. The king and all people were to bless the Lord God of Israel and in turn God will bless them forever.

After thinking about that this psalm for awhile it became apparent to me that there is a correlation between it and my personal ministry. Enough though I am not totally clear at this point in which direction my ministry will be going, I can see that no matter what direction I chose the qualities mentioned in this psalm are important for me to consider in ministry.

I see this psalm talking about the highest qualities of service that you can do in ministry. To bring a sense of righteousness or goodness and fairness in all your interactions with yourself and others is crucial. To help yourself and others to live in peace changes the world for everyone. Living in peace we create a more opportunities for abundance and for the healing of all. In ministry it is important to be an advocate for people, to teach and support them in creating the lives that they want. To help them let go of those things that are oppressing them. To give them the tools to transform their world through the use and practice of the Science of Mind, in recognizing that the power of God is within them. .
This psalm reminds me of the importance of staying in gratitude for everything in my world. I believe that the highest form of ministry is serving through teaching and living the Science of Mind philosophy.

Hi

Well I finally made it on. Soon as I figure out how to attach my first paper, I will.

I am finding the second paper a challenge.



Peace and joy all

Just letting you know that I am here now!

Hey Rev. Guy!!!!!!!!
I managed to get this toninght and I am now in the blog. I will figure more of this out tomorrow while I am travelling abroad! I will post my homework as you requested from the first paper. Don't see anything else there so hope I am doing this correctly. Lots of Love to everyone in the blog for this fabulous class! Taking all my stuff with me for this! Les

Hi all,

I am so sorry for the delay, I have had what I hope, is the end of the computer drama. Perhaps it is the Mercury Retrograde. Please encourage others to write if they haven't signed up. I am excited to start in the conversation.

many blessings,

Rev. Guy

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