Saturday 13 October 2018

Success / An Eighth Principle / With More than a Little Help from Spirit / SNU to take part in the National Remembrance Sunday event at the Cenotaph. / Controversial, what is E.G.O.! by Ray Kane Foulkes




                               
                                                               Success.
                                    
Earlier in the year I mentioned how a few of us were going to use our talents, gifts, interests to help others less fortunate than ourselves.  Without being boastful we have all succeed in giving some meaning to the lives of those we have helped.  My contributions have been to frame my paintings/photographs and passing them on to charities and individuals.   My latest venture has putting bedding plants in small troughs/baskets and giving them to those who have been going through rough times at the moment. The latter has been a far greater success than I expected.

With our long dry spell those receiving the plants did not only look out on the colour and beauty of the flowers, but had to get involved with watering them. This has encouraged some to take a greater interest in planting a few of their own.  I decided to take this venture a stage further by planting bulbs and primroses in the troughs to have flowers in bloom all through winter and spring.  

This plan was knocked for six as the summer flowering plants are still in full bloom.  I don’t like to discard a plant that is still flowering.  Also, I would be doing more harm than good if I pulled out the summer plants at the moment. Those who received them would be up in arms. So much has it changed their lives.  As one lady said “These little flowers are my friends - my only friends”.  And as the little girl said which got me thinking about the power of flowers “Flowers are God’s little angels sent down to cheer us up”.




An Eighth Principle.


Over the years I have constantly said in my address that I am surprised there was not eight principles.  The eighth one being ‘Common Sense’.  Act upon ‘Common Sense’ as well as our other seven principles and we would be further along our spiritual path. Spiritualism would be stronger and our communities/world would be in a better place than they are in at the moment.


I saw this on Facebook and I felt I had to add it to this page

An Obituary printed in the London Times....
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has
been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since
his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be
remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more
than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in
charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy
charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended
from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for
reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job
that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent
to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform
parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and
criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a
burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her
lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his
wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim


                          

                                     With More than a Little Help from Spirit


One thing that I found difficult and still do to this day, is saying prayers.  I worried more about the prayers than the address or clairvoyance. 
Then spirit came to my assistance.  As I was sitting at my computer listening to some hits of the 60s.  I suddenly looked at my monitor and I had typed with assistance of Spirit an opening prayer.   In front of me was; -

“Divine and loving parent we gather here in your name, which is love.

We gather here, some knowing, some hoping that when we leave this physical body a new dawn will await us.

At this time, we send our thoughts out to those who are suffering, whether it be mind, body or spirit.

That someone takes time for those that are lonely.  Even though it is only the briefest smile.

All those suffering from addiction – are given the strength and courage to overcome their difficulties.

We sent a special thought out to the children of this planet. Especially to those who are abused and those who are unwanted.

We can never end our prayers without a mention of the animal kingdom.  May they receive the food, shelter and apace that they need.

All this we ask in your name which is love”.

I was shocked when I read what I had typed and suggested to spirit that they assist me with a closing prayer.  At that my fingers started to move over the keyboard and the following took shape.

“Divine parent we thank you.  We thank you for your presence here this evening.  And also our spirit friends for proving there is no end. And when it is our turn to mover over to the other side of life – they will be there to greet us.
May we ask that every head bowed here has a safe journey home”.

After all these years, I still use these words at the beginning and end of our services.

  


  
SNU to take part in the National Remembrance Sunday event at the Cenotaph.

At long last A very proud day for Spiritualism, we have asked so many times to be included only to be turned down, now the door is open and we will proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with other faith leaders in respect of those who gave so much in the name of freedom. Spirit in action.
“Spirit in action”? 

When the SNU became part of the Interfaith movement I was sure it was only a matter of time until our wish was granted.  However, should we not have been doing more than “just 'asking'?  For several years I have felt the SNU should have been more active in trying achieving this.  Encouraging all its members to constantly bombard Government and Members of Parliament with letters and emails. Many small spiritualist churches have overcome prejudice and hostility to lay a wreath at their local cenotaph by involving the community to help them achieve their aim.

In October 2008, Steven Upton of The Spiritualists' National Union started an online petition, on the Number 10 web site, to allow a representative of the Spiritualists' National Union to place a wreath at the Cenotaph.  I believe 1,900 signed the petition.  Why did the SNU follow up this by asking its members to regularly contact their elected representatives on this matter. Asking year after year and meekly accepting a “NO” lacks ambition to succeed.



                                           

                                               Controversial, what is E.G.O.!


 Controversial, what is E.G.O.! Everyone has it to some degree: but it should be kept in check. Especially when working for the sprit! My personal view is working for spirit is not about self: because we are the mere voice of greater intelligence. ''We'' as an individual should not be important, ''as I state always'' It does not matter who the medium is, or their name, as long as the message from spirit is fully understood and appreciated by the recipient of any given message. 

The medium is secondary to the greater truth. Again, this is only my opinion, but it is my opening gambit every time I work, call my what you wish, as long as I connect for you, and you receive the relevant proof and information you require. I leave the rest to more powerful benevolent spirit's who have a greater, more refined clearer overhaul knowledge than I will ever understand. 
My theory is ego is a need to feel important, and to feel the need to impress. Spirit always impresses without the need to try, they have nothing to prove, as the proof is awaiting us all after this physical journey ends. E.G.O. To Elbow God Out. I would not dare try, would you?