tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85195930685563808502024-03-13T23:24:12.120-07:00Tom Johnston's BlogTom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-75546310326969671012018-12-13T13:07:00.000-08:002018-12-13T13:07:27.019-08:00Selecting the Present that will Open New Horizons ... Your Comments ... I WANT ... I WANT ... I WANT ... G K Chesterton, Scepticism and Spiritualism ... Website Changes? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Horizons.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At this time of the year I think that
our 5<sup>th</sup> Principle “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Personal
Responsibility”</i> should be at the forefront of our minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take personal responsibility and not succumb
to the brainwashing on a commercialized Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Resist being told to buy the biggest and the
best that will put you into debt that may not be paid off until late the
following year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have said many times over the years
there should have been an 8<sup>th</sup> Principle, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Common Sense”.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am now at
a stage now where I feel that a 9<sup>th</sup> would not be out of place, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow</i>”. Many
a simple gesture takes wings and flies to success. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Take time to think of whom you are
looking for a present for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tailor it to
suit their hidden talents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hidden talents
that only those of us who are aware will notice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small insignificant present may end up being
more treasured than an expensive one and be in use far longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even ask for a little guidance from spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A few years ago, a group of us decided
to do just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Isobel and I were
thinking of a small minding for a young lad who had several health issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of a sudden, we both said in unison a
small bird feeder. We were surprised that we not only thought of this at the
same time, but we had thought of such a thing at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On thinking it over the youngster spent most
of his time sitting looking out the back window so this would be ideal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did we realize how much this feeder
and two packets of wild bird food would change this little boy’s life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He livened up as he watched many
different of species of birds come to his back garden to feed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
took so much interest in the birds that his parent’s birthday present for him
the following June was a bird table. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was followed the following year by a
neighbour building three nesting boxes for Jack. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this brought Jack out of his private
little world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a different young man these days showing
much more interest in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something he
does not know yet is that his parents have ordered an aviary for his next birthday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14pt;"> <b> Th</b></span><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14pt;"><b>e Spiritual
Association of Great Britain’s Seven Principles</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
believe in an Infinite Intelligence, who governs all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
believe that personal identity and all sentient forms of life survive physical
death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
believe that continuous existence and eternal progress occur for all in the
Hereafter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
believe in communications with the spirit forms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
believe is spiritually linked<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
believe that in the Hereafter, all must account for their actions on earth and
will judge themselves accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
believe that all are responsible for the way they conduct their earthly lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <b>Your Comments</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">RFM <i>– “Tom, your “Everlasting rose bushes “meant
a lot to me. Starting in the early 1940s my grandfather planted a rose bush for
every family member that passed away.
This tradition was passed on to my father and now I am the custodian of
our family memorial rose garden. There
are rumours that our cottage that has been in the family for four generations
might be demolished to make way for a new massive development. I am distraught
with worry that our beloved roses will flower no more. Your article gave me a little hope as if your
roses could be replanted elsewhere at such an age ours could too.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> <b>I WANT ... I WANT
... I WANT...</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Every day you hear
people saying what they want. Well, this is what I want.</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I want people who
are sick to be healed...</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I want children with no families to be adopted...</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I want people never
to worry about food and shelter and heat...</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Most of all I would
like to see people start to care for each other...</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Anon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>G K Chesterton,
Scepticism and Spiritualism, Illustrated London news 1906.</b></span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The name G K
Chesterton rang a bell in my mind and it suddenly dawned on me a friend told me
recently that after an operation he could hardly move and the only book within
his reach was quotes by G K Chesterton. It was not his kind of book
us as there was nothing else within reach, he thumbed through it and nearly
burst his stitches laughing. The quotes were thought provoking but
John could also see the funny side to them.</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> “Just going
to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage
makes you a car.”</span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“The Bible tells us
to love our neighbours, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally
they are the same people.”</span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“A good novel tells
us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its
author.”</span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I believe in
getting into hot water; it keeps you clean.”</span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Do not be so
open-minded that your brains fall out.”</span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“There's a lot of
difference between listening and hearing".</span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Journalism largely
consists in saying "Lord Jones is dead" to people who never knew Lord
Jones was alive.”</span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Taken from the Internet.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">“<i>No conceivable number of false
mediums affects the probability of the existence of real mediums one way or
another. This is surely obvious enough. No conceivable
number of forged bank-notes can disprove the existence of the Bank of England".</i></span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060;"><a href="https://www.chesterton.org/author/unclechestnut/"><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; text-decoration-line: none;">G.K. Chesterton</span></a></span><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 18.6667px;"> ****</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> <b>Website Changes?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This website has
now been online for seven years and has had over 37,000 hits. There may have to be changes to the site in
the future as the site host’s premium is becoming extortionate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Wishing everyone A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.</span></span></div>
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<br />Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-157968662743005012018-10-13T13:07:00.000-07:002018-10-13T13:08:34.913-07:00Success / 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<br />
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <b> Success.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Earlier</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">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 <span style="background: white;">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.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>An </b></span><b><span class="spellver" style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span hptip="Eighth, Eighths, Eight, Eighty, Eighth's, Edith, Earth" title="">Eighth</span> </span><span class="spellver" style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span hptip="Principle, Principal, Principled, Principles, Principe, Prickle, Princely, Principle's, Princelier, Principals, Principally, Sprinkle, Prickly, Wrinkle, Principal's, Principe's" title="">Principle</span></span><span class="spellver" style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></i></span></b></div>
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Over the years I
have constantly said in my address that I am surprised there was not eight
principles.</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The eighth one being ‘Common
Sense’.</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I saw this on
Facebook and I felt I had to add it to this page</span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">An Obituary
printed in the London Times....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">Today we
mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">been with us for many years. No one knows for sure
how old he was, since</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">his birth records were long ago lost in
bureaucratic red tape. He will be</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">remembered as having cultivated such valuable
lessons as:</span></span><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14pt;">Knowing when to come in out of the rain;</span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">
<span class="textexposedshow">- Why the early bird gets the worm;</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">- Life isn't always fair;</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">- and maybe it was my fault.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">Common Sense
lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more<br />
than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in<br />
charge).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">His health
began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but<br />
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy<br />
charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended<br />
from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for<br />
reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">Common Sense
lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job<br />
that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">It declined
even further when schools were required to get parental consent<br />
to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform<br />
parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">Common Sense
lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and<br />
criminals received better treatment than their victims.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">Common Sense
took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a<br />
burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">Common Sense
finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to<br />
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her<br />
lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">Common Sense
was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his<br />
wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">He is
survived by his 4 stepbrothers;<br />
I Know My Rights<br />
I Want It Now<br />
Someone Else Is To Blame<br />
I'm A Victim<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> With More than a Little Help from Spirit</b></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">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. </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">In front of me was; -</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Divine and loving parent we gather here in your name, which is
love.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We gather here, some knowing, some hoping that when we leave
this physical body a new dawn will await us.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At this time, we send our thoughts out to those who are
suffering, whether it be mind, body or spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That someone takes time for those that are lonely. Even though it is only the briefest smile.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All those suffering from addiction – are given the strength and
courage to overcome their difficulties.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We sent a special thought out to the children of this planet.
Especially to those who are abused and those who are unwanted.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can never end our prayers without a mention of the animal
kingdom. May they receive the food,
shelter and apace that they need.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All this we ask in your name which is love”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“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.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May we ask that every head bowed here has a safe journey home”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After all these years, I still use these words at the beginning
and end of our services.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>SNU to take part in the National Remembrance
Sunday event at the Cenotaph.</b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">At long last</span><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Spirit in action”?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(239 , 241 , 243); color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">W</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">hen the SNU became part of the Interfaith movement I was
sure it was only a matter of time until our wish was granted. However, s</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">hould we not have
been doing more than “<i>just 'asking'?</i> 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.</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">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. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #eff1f3; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: #eff1f3; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<b style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Controversial,
what is E.G.O.!</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span class="uficommentbody">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. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span class="uficommentbody">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?</span></span><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #002060; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/rayterrancekane?fref=gc&dti=822686647937637" target="_self">Ray Kane Foulkes</a></span></span></span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-49285153423602008152018-09-11T13:28:00.001-07:002018-09-11T13:28:54.789-07:00Everlasting rose bushes ... A Comment by Wendy Stokes ... Sunday Afternoon Services ... Your emails on “Freewill Offering or Pay at the Door” ... Moving Forward. by Bob MacKintosh. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVgbw71hvGw/W5gbDsA4ayI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/mpNEqKrMHLAsUjI99IDFjXQLwylMg1YwgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/P1060487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVgbw71hvGw/W5gbDsA4ayI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/mpNEqKrMHLAsUjI99IDFjXQLwylMg1YwgCK4BGAYYCw/s200/P1060487.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpr4_IytmOs/W5gZ6KiwAWI/AAAAAAAAB3k/TtFRt4NiIWsW1N7ZWBZumxAjCstgzdyHgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/P1060834%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpr4_IytmOs/W5gZ6KiwAWI/AAAAAAAAB3k/TtFRt4NiIWsW1N7ZWBZumxAjCstgzdyHgCK4BGAYYCw/s200/P1060834%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk38WxEQvms/W5gaXEvL_bI/AAAAAAAAB34/D9Uc7shsAR4o8CsNWNY7KBFeBnuxpWJCACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/P1060491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk38WxEQvms/W5gaXEvL_bI/AAAAAAAAB34/D9Uc7shsAR4o8CsNWNY7KBFeBnuxpWJCACK4BGAYYCw/s200/P1060491.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Everlasting rose bushes <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the early 70s an old neighbour gave me ten rose bushes, telling me that
they were his fathers and were 75 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The photos above are the three remaining roses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we moved to this house we took them with
us and for the past decade I have neglected them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from pruning them and a little feeding
in the spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, having seen around
one-hundred-twenty summers they still give a wonderfully colourful
display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jock’s father would never have
thought for a second that all these years later his roses would still be
blooming and giving pleasure to all who walk past them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Half of one of the bushes has went back to its wild state and has a
display of wild and cultivated flowers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A lesson for us all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows how
far our words and deeds will carry on. So, let’s make sure they are beneficial
and not a hindrance to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> **************</span></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: #385623; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Comment by Wendy Stokes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"Four seeds in a row, one for the rook and one
for the crow, one to wither and one to grow! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I learnt this rhyme as a child so please
remember it when taking blackberries, fungi or whatever from the wild places.
Leave some for other species. I live close to the forest, and within just a few
years, pickers have stripped the forest bare!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If we all adhered to this old saying and
Wendy’s comment, Planet Earth would not be in the state it is in today. We
would be helping mother-nature right the wrongs that are destroying our
planet".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> *****</span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Continuing on with Wend's comment.; -</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I was young an old neighbour lived for his
garden and soft fruits were his speciality</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. He covered them with a net until they were ripe enough to
eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he picked the fruit, he
divided his pickings between two pails and left some on the plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The contents of one pail were for the family
and the other for the children in the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said that was for the kids not stealing his prized fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fruit left on the bushes were for the
birds and insects to build them up for the winter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Keeping the cycle of
nature going means a better planet and a better life for all species who
inhabit planet earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And every single
one of us can play part in that cycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Planting wild flowers to attract the insects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One lady I know who cannot get out of the
house came up trumps with her plan to keep the cycle of life going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She phoned a garden centre asking them to
send her two outdoor potted plants that would attract insects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are sitting on her window sill and she
is amazed at the number of insects that are drawn to the plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where there is a will – there is a way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Not just helping Mother
Nature, but continuing in the same train of thought in our everyday lives to enhance
our spiritual growth and in turn help others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> *******</span></div>
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<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Sunday Afternoon
Services</span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Largs/Ayrshire church is the
only spiritualist church that I know that has a service on a Sunday
afternoon. There are many especially our
older members who do not like travelling in the dark winter’s night. So, could this be the answer to our dwindling
attendances?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> *******</span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Your emails on “Freewill Offering or Pay at the Door”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Anon “<i>I had to close the door
of my church for the last time because of poor attendances. Switching from a collection plate to paying
£2 at the door made matters even worse.
If I had dropped the address I am sure we would have survived. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>KL - The reason for poor attendances I put down to
too many psychic nights in the area”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Morgan – “<i>My job takes me all
over the country and I try to get to two spiritualist churches a week. I am not there to get a message, but to see
how different mediums work with spirit.
My experience shows that paying at the door has almost caught up with
the collection plate”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">VE – <i>“To keep our church in
the black would have meant charging £4 to £5 at the door. That is too much
to ask anyone to pay for a service”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jessie “We found pay
as you enter the solution to all our problems.
The congregation and the committee are happy with the present set up”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> *******</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Moving Forward.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Often
throughout this blog, I have read articles which showcase the contemporary
issues that beset modern day Spiritualism; churches becoming sanctuaries, the
‘celebrity’ culture among some mediums, the lack of appropriate dress
code/platform ethics, the lack of philosophy – the list goes on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
the early days it was thought the unification of the myriad spiritual bodies
into a single body - powerful enough to lobby and facilitate change, would be a
force for good. The purpose was laudable but, divisions began to surface within
some of the larger bodies, which led to the growth of many ‘independent’
organisations. Doubtless, where bodies of people are involved boundaries can
become muddied and divisions arise – resulting in the wider movement becoming
fractured. At worst outright hostility can fester. Despite our differences,
there is a common goal. What can we do on an individual level?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">For
many of the reasons mentioned earlier, I prefer not to badge myself as a
Spiritualist but, rather, as a spiritual being. There is much to celebrate in
the communion with Spirit, but first, on an individual basis we have to return
to basics to see the figurative wood from the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">For
those blessed to work as mediums, the hard work never stops. Constant review,
study & dedication are required to become a polished instrument for the
other world to play a fine tune on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">From
my own journey, I feel my soul re-awakened and a fire stoked in my belly.
Although I have learned much and moved towards a much better
understanding/appreciation of the world around me – I am mindful that I still
have a long road yet to travel, one no-doubt with twists and turns. We are all
on the same boat in this respect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
well as healing, comforting the bereaved and giving evidence of survival -
spirit communication is a Divine blessing which allows us to unlock our true
potential and invites us to look within and should never be taken for granted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
we awaken and open our minds, let us do so in love; for ourselves and our
fellow creatures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Moving
forward into the 21<sup>st</sup> Century, may we play our own small part of
driving the truth of life eternal forward, devoid of any personal gain or party
politics. Let us free ourselves of any chains that bind. As Robert Burns once said ‘Mony a mickle maks
a muckle’. Let us be agents of change – we owe that much to the pioneers of the
past and those still to come!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bob MacKintosh.</span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-26743832964353552452018-07-23T06:28:00.001-07:002018-07-23T06:30:08.992-07:00The Wisdom of White Feather. “A freewill offering or pay at the door”. Feedback on Platform Dress Code. Let us not forget. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4bZePec0cw/W1W58rckymI/AAAAAAAAB10/rxrBOQLE4McUhPYliPxgps6D-12Tiuk5QCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/ilfra%2Bgarden%2B154.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4bZePec0cw/W1W58rckymI/AAAAAAAAB10/rxrBOQLE4McUhPYliPxgps6D-12Tiuk5QCK4BGAYYCw/s200/ilfra%2Bgarden%2B154.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <b>The Wisdom of White Feather.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"When you speak of that which you know to be true, be prepared for
some that disagree and do not want to acknowledge what you have offered. They
will either ignore you totally or deride what you have said. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Furthermore, be ready for attacks that call into question the very
essence of your being and the good that you endeavour to do. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet never forget, that if you are overlooked, ridiculed, despised or
belittled as a result of speaking out it is probably because your words have
threatened the very comfort of those who prefer to remain blissfully unaware of
what lies unseen by their vision, even though it is right before them. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Never apologise for saying or doing what you believe to be right. Do the
right thing because it is the right thing to do. " <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<em><span style="background: white; color: #2f5597; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-style: normal;">White Feather speaks through
Robert Goodwin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Robert Goodwin (1954 -) is a trance medium and
philosopher. He is the author/co-author of nine books, the latest being Light:
The Divine Intelligence, the follow up and companion to Transcognitive
Spirituality - cutting edge science and spirituality at its best. His books of
spiritual philosophy, received through world famous spirit guide White Feather
have also been compared favourably to some of the finest spiritual teachings to
appear in print.</span><i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<em><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">Words that have brought strength and comfort to so
many.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;"> ***</span></em></div>
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<span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “A
freewill offering or pay at the door”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“A freewill offering or pay at the door”. This was subject opened up in social media
this week. We also made it the theme for
our small spiritualist discussion group.
Some interesting comment from both groups; -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“There should never
be a door charge for a Divine Service”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Maybe a mix, pay at
the door one week and a free will offering.
On saying that it could cause a lot of confusion.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Some Churches need
a pay at the door system to survive.
This means that a church with such a system is a no-go-area for those with
no money or only a few pence on that night”.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“In many areas there
is a glut of Spiritualist churches and it may be an idea that those who cannot
manage on a free will offering close their doors. Hopefully their members would move to another
Spiritualist church in the area making it a stronger force in the community”. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Two churches in
this area were struggling financially and they were reluctant to have an entry
fee. It was either that or go to the
wall. Or was it? They found a way to keep the door charge at
bay. The presidents of both churches
explained the situation to their congregations and their freewill offering
increased just enough to keep the wolf from the door. So being honest with your members may be all
that is needed”. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Some churches hold
one or two special nights a year and that helps to keep their finances in the
black”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I feel that many
attending our churches do not realise that rent or council tax, the medium’s
fee and travelling expenses have to be paid”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“It angers me that
there are those who will only put a few low denomination coins into our plate yet
think nothing of paying £20 plus or more to see certain mediums”. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Does a medium need
a platform fee? Sensible travelling
expenses, coffee, cake, sandwich or a meal if they have travelled far. That should be all”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“My local church had
pay-at the-door and some weeks as I had only coppers I did not attend. My position has not changed and as the church
has now closed the nearest S Church is further away. As I could not walk to
this church and the return ticket on a bus is £3.60. I just cannot win.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">My view?</span><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I see both sides of
the debate.</span><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">All comments make sense and
it is for each church or area to sort what is best for them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet I think pay- an entrance fee for a divine service should be
taken as a last resort. It does not do
our image any good and more importantly it can stop those in need of our
sanctuaries coming through our doors. Some churches have got around this to keep
going by dropping the address. No
address, no divine service. Doing this
is weakening the religious aspect of Spiritualism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On the other side so much has changed since I started out in
Spiritualism over quarter a century ago.
Rents for the use of community halls have gone through the roof and that
is the main problem today. I am lucky
that I am on the committee of a church that has its own building and not in
dire straits as finances are concerned.
Yet, keeping a graded building up to scratch takes a lot of money. If I was in the committee of a small church
that rented out a community centre I would do everything possible to keep the
wolf from the door. Two special nights a
year to help with our bank balance. If
that failed, then I would prefer to see the church close rather that have an entrance
fee. Especially if there was another
Spiritualist church close bye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet, all is not doom and gloom as I have great faith in our
members. Once they know the financial
situation many have that can afford to put a little bit extra in the collection
plate have done so. There are also the
mediums who should not be out of pocket but should ask for sensible expenses
and if they can forgo a platform fee they should.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #073763;"> Feedback on Platform Dress Code.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">I knew I would get plenty of feedback on
my comment on ‘platform dress code’.
Here, it is; -<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Tom <i>“I
think you lived in an era that is older than dinosaurs. With almost every comment you want
Spiritualism to be part of the ancient past”.
G<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">“What does it matter what the platform party are wearing? The aim is to get an accurate message from a
loved one in Spirit to a loved one here.
It would not matter if the platform group were naked if we achieved our
aim”. Anon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“Our church has no problem with the platform dress code. If a medium turns up not dressed to the SNU
code we say nothing and let them on the platform. Then, we never book them again. No use having an argument and lowering the
energies before the service”. </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> A<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="background: rgb(239 , 241 , 243); font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“</span><span class="uficommentbody"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Tom, I have to say in all the years I have been going to
spiritualist churches I have never seen anyone medium dressed inappropriately
on platform. After reading all this I thought jeez......bit of a contradiction
between Miriam's Beautiful Writing about how progressive Spiritualism is and
yet the rules imply otherwise. How can we stand and preach to congregations
about non-judgement of others and acceptance of others when within the very
organisation there are contradictions? Things like wearing a suit is a bit
outdated now.... some shirt and trousers are what most men choose to be smart
in now and comfortable and as for us ladies......well some of us have hot
flushes and hot feet so sandals are an ideal way to keep comfy. I don’t believe
things should be forced on others, people should have the freedom to dress as
they want. What they are wearing isn’t going to stop spirit working”. YL </span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">“News readers and mediums are the only people I see wearing ties
these days”. BB.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">“Tom, in our early days on the platform we would not have been
on the platform if we were not dressed according to the dress code. So much has
been let slip in the past few years and I fear where it will end”. BS.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">“As you say the tail wags the dog and today the mediums call the
shots not the churches”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">“The only time I do not wear a suit on the platform is when I
take a service at a church in a deprived area.
Too many attending a suit is the sign of authority and many in the
congregation may not have a good experience with authority. So, at these other churches it is a sports
jacket and the tie I wear”. T.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">“Like any other organization you obey their rules or you go
elsewhere”. ZB.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">“Many spiritualists have a lot of talk, but no action. If guides are as good and helpful as you tell
us they are then surely they will keep the mediums cool in a warm church and
comfortable in a cold church?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">“A church I was serving for the first time told me their strict
dress code. No problem as I always
dressed that way on the platform. On the
day the chairman had no jacket and was wearing a polo shirt”. B.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">"<i>Garth Southgate England manager and
several other managers had a tie in the blistering heat in Russia. No Spiritualist church has ever been as warm as the temperatures at the World Cup. VP<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Finally, an email from “ER” which may
have been sent tongue-in-cheek or even have a sarcastic slant towards
spiritualism.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">However, it may be closer
to the truth than many of us will think at first reading.</span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">“You spiritualists say one thing and do the others in so many
areas of your so-called religion. You
talk about the great help and assistance you gertfrom the spirit world. You often refer to your mediums as
‘ambassadors of spirit’. Ambassadors
working for governments, industry etc. are well looked after the best is only
good enough for them. So, surely it is
not too much for spirit guides to keep mediums cool in an extremely warm church
and comfortable in an extremely cold church?
Has air-con not yet been invented in the spirit world yet?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“ER” – </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In my experience they
do just that. If there are extremes of
temperature in a church I never notice until I sit down at the end of the
service.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Let us not forget.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As the world rejoices at the rescue of
the twelve young lads and their football coach.
A team of rescue workers from around the world risked life and limb to
safely bring out the thirteen victims trapped in the gigantic cave system. Let us take a minute out from rejoicing and
think of </span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Saman Kunan, Mr Kunan a former
navy Seal diver who died while taking part in the rescue mission. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0070c0; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13pt;">Maybe we should take time in
our prayers to say a few words for those who gave up their lives in helping
others.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0070c0; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0070c0; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13pt;">Especially those who may never
get a mention as they are working undercover for their country or whatever.</span></div>
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<br />Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-16902802885228117722018-06-13T16:17:00.000-07:002018-06-13T16:17:29.782-07:00 My Diary … Platform Dress Code … What Can I Do? … Betty Higginbottom's Spiritualist Church Experience … Your emails... Community, Spirit and our SNU Churches. By Miriam Farrell Fitzgerald …<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHihpYoifug/WyECfL7MRQI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/A-NLtp7jGXcdiWeJNkc9qp-omgzBfSGqgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHihpYoifug/WyECfL7MRQI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/A-NLtp7jGXcdiWeJNkc9qp-omgzBfSGqgCK4BGAYYCw/s200/003.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> My Diary.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25<sup>th</sup> – Coatbridge Spiritualist Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">30<sup>th</sup> – Saltcoats Spiritualist Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">24<sup>th</sup> - Arbroath Spiritualist Centre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A big thanks for all three churches for inviting me along to take their
services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bmtkoVO9GBY/WyGjfA8owzI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/67qLlH5Nz9UrZTT5Z3KBeziYAv-GUYVsQCLcBGAs/s1600/20180613_171424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bmtkoVO9GBY/WyGjfA8owzI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/67qLlH5Nz9UrZTT5Z3KBeziYAv-GUYVsQCLcBGAs/s200/20180613_171424.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Platform Dress Code.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many older Spiritualists are becoming unhappy with the attire of those on
our platform, the medium and chairperson.
JB emails, <i>the rot is setting
in. It started slowly and as nothing has
been said to those dropping the standard of the dress code soon it will be
anything goes on our platforms”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">JB – here is the SNU Platform Dress Code; -</span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">All platform is asked to remember that they are
representatives of the church and the SNU.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">For the men the ideal dress; A suit a shirt and a tie</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">Smart jacket, dress trousers, shirt and tie.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shoes suitable for a formal occasion.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">In extreme hot weather, with consent of the chairperson the
jacket can be removed.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">For women ideal dress;</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">A dress and jacket.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">Smart trouser suit.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">Smart two-piece outfit i.e. blouse and skirt/trousers which
should be of a suitable length.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">All fabrics should be of a density that is not
transparent.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">Suitable shoes, not sandals.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jewellery should be kept to a minimum.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">For chairperson;</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ditto as above.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">The chairperson having the responsibility to ensure that
professional standards are achieved and maintained during events, all being
representative of the church and the SNU<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14pt;">Yes. This is the SNU dress code and in my experience most
independent churches and mediums have adhered to this code.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14pt;">In recent years I have heard churchgoers say
that the dress code is being neglected by some churches and mediums.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14pt;">Mostly by men.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14pt;">Surely it is not too much ask to keep to the
above dress code and show a little respect for spirit, our religion and the
church? </span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14pt;">The chairperson is in charge but
needs the full backing of the committee if they stop a medium going on the
platform when they are not suitably dressed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">As I have said before the tail seems to be wagging the dog
as far as Spiritualism is concerned. The
mediums do as they please and few committees will stop them in their tracks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">I know I am going to get a lot of feedback which I will put
on my July blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HaO-RBmavw/WyE-CufgsbI/AAAAAAAAB0k/bxiVoQJZTdYdsrbWoEVaBMm_s4wBeVXBQCLcBGAs/s1600/patter%2Bgarden%2Bflowers%2B009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HaO-RBmavw/WyE-CufgsbI/AAAAAAAAB0k/bxiVoQJZTdYdsrbWoEVaBMm_s4wBeVXBQCLcBGAs/s200/patter%2Bgarden%2Bflowers%2B009.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> What Can I Do?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How often have we said and heard others saying “I wish I could do
something to help, but what can I do?”
This is when we are being distressed at a situation in the family,
neighbourhood, nationally or internationally.
Well, we cannot meet with President Kim Jong un to try to get him to
adhere to the Human Right convention, although I would like to try. What we can do is use our talents abilities
and interests to make life a bit more bearable for those less fortunate than
ourselves. We all have something that
can benefit others. Even the briefest smile can mean so much to someone who is
lonely or depressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However, we can go further and use our talents / gifts to help others get
their foot back on the ladder of life. For
the past two years I have been framing my paintings/photographs and passing
them on to charities and individuals. Recently I have started a new venture. Putting bedding plants in small toughs and baskets
and giving them to those who need a little brightness in their lives. I have
enjoyed doing this and at the same time hopefully have brightened up the lives
of others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Others I know do similar things to help others. They included taking people out to a putting
green or a round of pitch and putt. Having a monthly coffee morning for the vulnerable
in the area where refreshments and entertainment is free. A friend who takes his dog to visit those
near him who are housebound. Offering to
do small DIY jobs for those who cannot afford a tradesman. Dog walking for those owners who are not fit
to get out. Cutting lawns and pulling
weeds for those who are not able to do this. Taking others for a day in the
country or at the seaside.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">And remember the old
saying “</span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Tall oaks from little acorns grow</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">”.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">In doing this it boosts our confidence in
ourselves and opens up new horizons for us.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Those we have helped hopefully start to take control of their life again
and many go on to help others.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: #eff1f3; color: #385623; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span id="goog_1112987061"></span><span id="goog_1112987062"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: #eff1f3; color: #385623; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Betty Higginbottom's Spiritualist Church Experience.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #385623; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #385623; font-size: 14pt;">I once got told off by a
4-Year-old </span><span class="highlightnode"><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">in</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #385623; font-size: 14pt;"> Church, she had been warned not to talk when the
Man was on the stage talking, Of course I got a message and every time I
answered the Medium she GLARED at me lol After he finished (And all credit to
him for keeping his face straight) she told me I was naughty cause I had spoken
when the Man was on the Stage. LOL. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Tom, when my father
died from cancer in the early 60’s a doctor said to me that cancer would be on
the run. Give it another decade as by then we will have many drugs available to
prevent and cure this sort of thing. How
wrong could anyone be?”. LH<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;"> “Our church has modern music with lyrics
written by our members”. </span></i><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">L<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">“It does not matter
whether it is modern songs or hymns it is the MUSIC that raises the energy in
our churches. Singing without music is a
no, no for me”. </span></i><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bess.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I agree flowers do
bring back memories. Most of my family
has moved on. On the date of their
birthdays I always but a bunch of their favourite flowers. Sitting in the lounge with the flowers in a
vase, a candle burning and listening to soft music the memories of that loved
on come flooding back”.</span></i><span style="color: #385623; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Cory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span style="color: #274e13;">COMMUNITY, SPIRIT AND OUR SNU CHURCHES <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #274e13;">When we look back on the long and colourful history
associated with our Religion we tend to do so with rose coloured glasses.
Spiritualist churches were packed to capacity in the past and those in attendance
participated actively in the services, as opposed to just coming to get a
communication from Spirit discarnate, which seems to be the reason many attends
today. However, “the past is a foreign country... as L.P. Hartley states...they
do things differently there!” We certainly did things differently in our past
because society was different. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #274e13;">One of the beautiful elements about our religion is its
progressiveness. We have long prided ourselves on our progressive nature and
its movement forward in keeping with the society we inhabit but sometimes we
need to look back to know where we have come from and then seek the best path
forward. Modern society today has shifted greatly through the advent of
technology and the exposure of evidential mediumship to the media has pushed
many in the drive toward the entertainment industry which can be devoid of
belief and reverence in favour of economics and status. As such our churches
have been lacking in those confident to deliver and discuss the value and need of
our philosophy, over and above those who readily attend to develop their
evidential mediumship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Our
principles which are displayed in our churches, stand as a testament to our
progressiveness. As the world continues to spin and society continues to evolve
we have entered into the paradox of our age, more technology to communicate but
less conversation or interaction on an individual basis. This can result in
feelings of isolation and alienation for individuals who find themselves in
need of a space to sit, to think, to be and to belong. Our churches therefore become a necessary safe
place, a sanctuary for those who need to hear their own spirit and communicate
with it without the chaos of the world around them, to what their heart, soul
and spirit actually need to hear. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Our churches are therefore more in
need today than ever because they are the locations where we can demonstrate
our connection to each other, build upon our sense of community, they represent
a beacon of hope in a very dark world. In this respect it is necessary we
support our churches, that we expand our sense of community. That we welcome
those from all walks of life without judgement. Our churches become the space
to communicate with the Spirit within and build upon and nurture that Spirit
before seeking validation from the Spirit discarnate. We have a wonderful
legacy, let us build upon it, embrace it and carry it forward and let us do so
in communion with our churches, our philosophy and our evidential mediumship so
that each aspect of our religion is supported equally and let us do so with
courage and pride but always with conviction.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-38817087670708927572018-04-27T16:01:00.002-07:002018-04-27T16:01:55.990-07:00My Diary ... Music for our services ... The Biggest Threat of All ... Now is the Time ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> My Diary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">March.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">2<sup>nd</sup> - 5<sup>th</sup> It should have been
five days at the Glasgow Association of Spiritualists, but inclement weather
meant that Friday’s Awareness Group, Sittings on the Saturday and the two
services on the Sunday were cancelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But as soon as the weather relented a little the Monday and Tuesday
services took place as normal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">18<sup>th</sup> – The Sunday morning service at the
GAS.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">19<sup>th</sup> -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A long journey, but it is worth it for the great Highland welcome at
Inverness Spiritualist church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">25<sup>th</sup> A much shorter journey this time to
the Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church. (SNU)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oGwWBU83Uac/WuN8JlzsOkI/AAAAAAAABy0/d0ULGmBWWpAegaEKYygrdHIuc0GqPWE6QCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Luss%2BBotanic%2BGardens%2B048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oGwWBU83Uac/WuN8JlzsOkI/AAAAAAAABy0/d0ULGmBWWpAegaEKYygrdHIuc0GqPWE6QCK4BGAYYCw/s200/Luss%2BBotanic%2BGardens%2B048.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> Music for our Services.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">After last month’s blog about the music in our churches I have had
a lot of feedback supporting the hymns with up lifting lyrics in our
Spiritualist hymnbooks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">GP - “<i>Plenty of spiritualist
church’s around so if you don’t like the music or format at one move to
another. A church cannot change what it
does for every person that comes through the door”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">T – <i>“I attend several our
churches and they all have their own ways of working which I accept”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">BB – <i>“Spiritualist are always
moaning. If it is not the music it will
be that the tea is not strong enough in the tea room”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Bert – <i>“Too many with their
feet hardly in the door are wanting to change Spiritualism for their own needs. They should be told to accept our ways or move
on”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><i>Here the top of the charts from the emails i received.</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> From our Hymn Books</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">“All Through the
Night”. “Amazing Grace”.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">“Into the
Garden”. “I
Hear the Angles Singing”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">“The Absent Healing
Hymn”. “One
More Step”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">“Keep the Beacon of
Light Still Burning”. “Morning
Has Broken”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">“Joy Illuminates
Everything”.
“I Walk In The Light”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">“I Danced in The
Morning When the World Was Begun”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">And the more modern songs that were suggested to be Ok for our services; -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">“I Can See Clearly
Now”.
“Love Shine A Light in Every </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">"Corner of the World”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">“I’d Like to Teach the
World to Sing”. “Any Dream Will Do”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">“Footsteps”.
“I Believe”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">"Wind Beneath My
Wings” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">The lyrics of all above are perfect for our services. Even just the music
of these songs being played while the congregation sits in contemplation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3zN2k6v0UU/WuOAb4Yys-I/AAAAAAAABzM/Ps7yhu8XfVMwF21j46_mpEyQ06aPZZzZwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/blossoms%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3zN2k6v0UU/WuOAb4Yys-I/AAAAAAAABzM/Ps7yhu8XfVMwF21j46_mpEyQ06aPZZzZwCK4BGAYYCw/s200/blossoms%255B1%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> The Biggest Threat of All.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 45.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I wrote the following in a magazine recently; -</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 45.2pt;">
<i><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">“Our biggest terror
threat does not come from a human with a gun or a bomb, but from a
disease. How many of us know of a family
that has been killed or maimed by a human terrorist attack? Few of us will. Now think of a family you know where cancer
has not struck. You will now see where
by far the biggest threat comes from”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 45.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 45.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">A reader commented “TJ, <i>I see
you are of the Spiritualist faith, so why are your spirit guides not pointing
scientists in the right direction to find a cure?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 45.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 45.2pt;">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">A good question if you know nothing about Spirit Guides. <span style="background: white;">A spirit guide, in western
spiritualism, is an entity that remains as a disincarnate spirit to act as a guide or
protector to a living incarnated human being.
They can guide us in different directions, to show us different angles
of situations around us, but they cannot take the final choice for us we have
free will to make the final decision.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #385723; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #385723; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Cancer has been a problem </span><span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="http://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/02/5-facts-about-the-fight-against-cancer"><span style="color: #385723; font-size: 14pt; text-decoration-line: none;">throughout all of human
history</span></a></span><span style="color: #385723; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">. A medical papyrus dating
back to 3000 BC mentions this disease.
One would have thought that 5,000 years later we might have found a
cure.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 14.1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<span style="color: #385723; font-size: 14pt;">When President
Richard Nixon declared a war on cancer in 1971, there were high hopes that
scientists were close enough to understanding the underlying causes that many
cures were within reach. Now we are at
2018 and <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Cancer</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> the name given to a collection of related diseases </span>remains </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/">one of the world’s biggest
killers</a>,</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><span style="color: #385723;">with approximately 14
million new cases and 8.2 million deaths a year. In Europe alone. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">American Vice-President Joe Biden said “<i>Our goal is to make a decade's worth of advances in five years. There's no silver bullet when it comes to
curing cancer, but a difference can be made in the incidence and management of
the disease, even in the poorer countries of the world, if the right
people <b>– </b>scientists, business leaders, politicians, data
analysts <b>– </b>work together”. Breakthroughs in the understanding
of DNA and genetic links </i></span><i><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> to cancer, screening programmes, less invasive surgical
techniques </span></i><span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="http://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/02/5-facts-about-the-fight-against-cancer"><i><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; text-decoration-line: none;">have contributed</span></i></a></span><i><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> to reducing the death toll.</span></i><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> Yet as the medical
advances have had success in cancer patients living longer the numbers being
diagnosed are on the increase so it could be said this is a no-win situation.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So, are we getting guidance from Divine sources, and more
importantly, are we listening? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I am sure many involved in looking for cures are being nudged in
the right direction, but are they aware of this?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Are they being allowed by the
pharmaceutical companies to go in that direction?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(That direction may be holistic and the big
companies usually steer clear of that area).</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">We will be guided also. Do
we listen to the little voice in our head suggesting that we stop smoking, cut
back/stop taking alcohol or be careful with what you eat? It is not easy these days with so many additives
in our food and the pace of life can make in near impossible for many to cook
from scratch. It is like everything else
we have to take responsibility for our own backyard and not to blame outside
sources for not doing the work for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk510191332"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="color: #385723;"> </span></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk510191332"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> Now is the Time.</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Over the years I have mentioned how ‘<i>God’s little
helpers</i>’ – flowers – have been a great benefit for so many that having
difficulties mentally and physically.
Well now is the time to start planning what flowers you are going to
plant in your gardens and baskets. Even
a few baskets and tubs filled with flowers in your garden can uplift so many
who walk past. Test have shown that Sweet
Peas and Lilly of the Valley with their lovely scents can evoke memories of the
past. The flowers that bring back
memories of the past to me are Cornflowers, Candytuft that I used to grow from
seed when I was about five-years-old. Often when I am on the platform get Lilly
of the Valley that is a sign a grandmother is coming forward. Even sprinkling
wildflower seeds on a bare patch in the garden and leaving them to their own
devices they will soon start grow and flower.
An added bonus to this is the flowers will soon attract a multitude of
butterflies, bees and insects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">We Spiritualists should know to work with Mother
Nature to make life better for others, other species and ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> Hope on the
Horizon?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Normally I would not discuss political matter on this site, but
with what has been going on during the past two weeks I feel commenting on the
following topics is not out of place<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">In an extremely troubled world where so many incidents could quite
easily get out of hand, two glimmers of light have appeared. The fact that North and South Korean leaders
are talking and President Kim Jon un will soon meet President Trump is a miracle
in its self. I have said for many years
that the leaders of neutral countries should have been negotiating with NK a
decade or so ago. Let’s hope that the
current talks will be a success and step by step, starvation and torture in NK will eventually be
a thing of the past. There will be no
magic formula, but as long as one small step is followed by another small step a
new dawn will break over the Korean Peninsula.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">My next flicker of hope may only have been seen by few. Normally I am against military intervention
as so often it causes many more problems than it solves. The attack on alleged storage of chemical storage
depots in Damascus was like a surgeon using a scalpel to take out diseased
tissue and leaving other areas alone.
Russia and Syria were told the attack were going to take place and they
got their personnel out of the target area so there were no deaths. Hopefully all chemical weapons are now destroyed
and innocent men women and children will not have to suffer and die in such a
horrible way. The fighting, suffering
and death will still go on, but a chemical weapons attack is a step too far and
action had to be taken. Syria is hell on
earth at the moment and has been for seven-years. A different situation entirely from the
Korean stand-off. Presidents and Prime
Ministers from around the world must meet
face-to-face with President Assad. They
owe it to the innocent of that region. The cannot keep walking by on the other
side with their eyes closed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">I am sure the Divine Creator and the Spirit World will agree with
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-26364305124149542392018-02-28T13:28:00.002-08:002018-02-28T13:28:42.038-08:00<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: start;"> My Diary…</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">January….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">28<sup>th</sup> – 30<sup>th</sup> <span style="background: white;">Central
Association of Spiritualists, Glasgow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">February…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">6<sup>th</sup> – The Free Group Kilmarnock. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">13th – ASK, Neilston. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> Spiritualist
Churches and Pop Tunes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">“I am shocked to find that Spiritualist Churches even
Christian Spiritualist Churches are changing from hymns to pop songs. What
next, the prayer and the address to be cast aside?”</span></i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> John L.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">John – The modern
songs I have experienced while taking a service as a medium or chairing has
always been uplifting and the words just perfect for what we believe in. There
are also members of some churches who write their own spiritual lyrics to
popular tunes and I feel this should be encouraged. The more involvement we have with members the
better for our religion. I don’t think
we should dismiss hymns from our services completely as I find a great many of
the hymns in the Spiritualist Hymn Book cheery and uplifting. Maybe using both in our services or hymns one
week and the more modern the next week<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">I think one of the
reasons why the change to well-known music was because many of our churches
don’t have music to accompany the hymns.
This can be a bit problematic at times. That is why many churches stick to the same
few hymns the ones the congregation knows.
On saying that there is no need for a service to lack music these days
with so much on offer as far as the digital world is concerned. The SNU also have a CD with music for the
hymns in their hymnaries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">We notice the problems
of other religions dwelling in the distant past and we should learn from
this. We should move forward with a
tweak here and there to our services for a trial period. One change that several churches tried and
then most dropped was Healing during the Divine Service As a medium taking the
service I found it a great benefit and raising the energies for the rest of the
service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">As far as “What next,
the prayer and the address to be cast aside?” This is happening as far as the
latter is concerned. Many venues and I use the word 'venue' rather than
'church' because to be a church, part of a religion there has to be an address.
Philosophy has been pushed into the background yet a night of philosophy can
draw in a good number of people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As far as “</span><i style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What next, the prayer and the address to be
cast aside?” </i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is happening as
far as the latter is concerned.</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Many
venues and I use the word venue rather than churches, because to be a church,
part of a religion there has to be an address.</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Philosophy has been pushed into the background yet a night of philosophy
can draw in a good number of people.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">You would think the
prayer was safe in our churches, but the suggestion has been floated in the
past that we would have better attendances if we dropped the prayer. If we drop
the prayers it is time to move over to being part of the entertainment
world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Those Who Undo the Good That is Done</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">We Spiritualists and those of other religions constantly send out ‘healing
thoughts’ to those who are suffering mental and physically illnesses. Yet,
those who survive through our healing thoughts, medical treatment, and with
their own positive attitude are in for a shock as individuals and the
establishment make their life hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">A professional footballer who had to have an eye removed in 2006 and still
playing football has had to suffer abuse from fellow players and fans. Horrendous that fellow players should act in
such a way, but for fans to t<span style="background: white;">hrow fake eyeballs onto
the pitch in mockery of the player is the lowest of the low. Still staying with
football, the treatment of another player hit the headlines. A footballer who has suffered from depression
and tried to take his own life has been called ‘psycho’ and mocked for slitting
his wrists. The torment has again not
come only from fans, but also fellow players.
A team cannot vet everyone that comes through the turnstiles, but can
they remove a player from their payroll who acts in such a way. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">If
that is not bad enough we live in a society where those who have survived
cancer and other life-threatening diseases are treated like lepers. After suffering pain, stress and in many
cases severe financial hardship, their worries are far from over. When these
survivors should be looking forward to years they did not think they would
have, they are in many cases treated like </span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">pariahs.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Cancer
survivors needing a relatively simple dental procedure have to struggle to find
a dentist to treat them. And others
barred from receiving even the gentlest of spa treatments simply because they
had had the disease. Relaxing facial, massage or eyebrow wax has been deemed
out of the question. It has also been reported that a large number of spas have
rules banning staff accepting cancer patients.
The</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> blame for these refusals? Said to be on insurance policies and unproven
fears that treatment such as massages could worsen a patient’s condition.<span style="background: white;"> From travel insurance to problems obtaining a
mortgage, many people find their cancer has left them as second-class citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">We must
continue what we are doing but also go up a gear to help those I have
mentioned. Emails/letters to our
politicians and give donations if we can and even volunteer to groups who fight
such prejudice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">The other day I received an email advertising Ouija boards. As I looked down the list of boards for sale
I was surprised to see how many there were on the market from prices £10 - £120
+. I was just about to condemn the email
to the recycling bin when I noticed that some were aimed at children. On further investigation I found that toy shops
were selling this product with retailers and manufacturers recommending
suitable for 6-years-olds and upwards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">T</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">he Ouija board in itself is not dangerous if handled in the
correct manner and used by those who know what it is all about.</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Used in the wrong hands especially when those
participating are under the influence of drink, drugs and treating it as a bit
of fun, it can be most dangerous. With nasty situations coming to the fore many
years along the line.</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Many a time I’ve been asked to see someone who is being troubled by
spirit in one way or another. Asking my
usual questions trying to find a reason as to why Spirit is making themselves
known and acting the way they have been doing.
If a pattern is not starting to show I ask “<i>Have you ever used a Ouija Board?”</i>.
If the answer is <i>“No</i>” I
continue with further questions. If I am
still getting nowhere as to why this problem exists, I again ask about the
Ouija board, but this time go a little further with my question. “<i>Have
you ever been in a room where such a board was being used {abused) even if you
did not take part in anything connected with it?”</i> This time on many occasions the answer is <i>“Yes</i>” and is followed with “<i>That was when I was at university etc and it
was 30- 40 years ago.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Through time I noticed this new pattern starting to show. Even being in the <em><span style="background: white; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">periphery </span></em>of
this board being used (abused) can be enough to leave one open to problems with
Spirit in years to come. I am not trying
to scare anyone, but this is what I have found happening to some individuals
even after a considerable length of time.
In almost all cases the situations I have been involved with, they have
not been severe, but severe enough for the person involved. On the
two occasions I have had to deal with victims who had actually used the board
for fun their experiences were much more serious. With those not having taken part in such
experiments I look on the offending spirit as a <i>bully.</i> And as we all know
bullies in this dimension abuse their victim all the more if they see them
getting upset. It is no use telling the
victim <i>Just ignore what is going on”. </i>There needs to be help from those who know
what they are doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">So, targeting such a product at children and selling them in
toyshops is diabolical. Even having them
on sale for adults is not something to be desired. I am writing to my MP and MSP asking them
their views and will let you know what they say in my next blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Your Chance to Make a Difference</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">This is the time for our AGMs and I hope members of churches turn up in
great numbers and take things seriously.
Here is your chance to play your part and shape the future of your
church and religion. Don’t vote for your
friends vote on to the committee those you feel will be an asset to the church
and it’s future. Vote for the person who
will play an active part and not sit back proudly wearing the badge of
‘committee member’. Speak up at the AGM
let the committee know your likes and dislikes about the way the church is
run. This of course can be done at any
time of the year by talking to a committee member or putting a letter into the
suggestion-box. Something every church should
have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-17612902916966065912018-01-07T15:07:00.000-08:002018-01-07T15:07:42.688-08:00My Diary ... We Must Stop the Decline ... To Remember Me by Robert Test ... Bringing up a child the right way ...Lighting this Candle by Miriam Farrell Fitzgerald. <br />
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>October…</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">15<sup>th</sup>
– 17<sup>th</sup> –</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"> Glasgow Central
Spiritualist Church SNU, </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">64 Berkeley Street, Glasgow, G3 7DS.
2017 is a special year for this church as in October it celebrated its
80<sup>th</sup> anniversary.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">27<sup>th</sup>
– <span style="background: white;">Largs Spiritualist. The Brisbane Centre, Bath
Street, Largs, KA30 8BL. (Sunday 2.30pm). The only Spiritualist Church that I
know of in Scotland that has a Sunday afternoon Divine service.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">31<sup>st</sup>
–<span style="background: white;">A short journey to the Free Spirit Spiritualist
Church. The Masonic Hall, <em><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">London Road</span></em>, <em><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Kilmarnock.</span></em></span></span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-weight: bold;">12<sup>th</sup> – It is
always a pleasure to serve the Ayr Spiritualist Church. </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>1</b>0 Alloway Place, Ayr, KA7 2AA</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">14<sup>th</sup>
– <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Falkirk and District Spiritualist Church SNU, 8
Burnhead Lane, East High Street, <em><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Falkirk, </span></em>FK1 1UG. A church that has been opening its doors to
the people of Falkirk and district for over 50 years.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">26<sup>th</sup></span></a><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> - Taking the service at the Glasgow Association of
Spiritualists SNU.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">27<sup>th</sup> - </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Saltcoats Spiritualist Church, </span><em><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Argyll</span></em><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Community
Centre, Campbell Ave, Saltcoats KA21 5AG.
This is one of the first churches I served after coming out of
development circles and a church that I have always found to be busy</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>4<sup>th</sup> Taking the service at the
Glasgow Association of Spiritualists SNU. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">10th
- </span><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.kilmarnockspiritualistchurch.org/" title="kilmarnockspiritualistchurch"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; padding: 0cm;">Kilmarnock Spiritualist,
Church</span></a></span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; padding: 0cm;"> SNU. </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #002060; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0cm;">30 Old Mill Road, Kilmarnock
KA13AW. A short journey for my last service of the year. And another church that celebrated its 80<sup>th</sup> anniversary last month.</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> We Must Stop the Decline. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Spiritualist churches are on decline in
the UK as far as numbers are concerned.
We are now suffering the same fate of what other religions have been
suffering for many years. I find that
what is more concerning is the decline in numbers attending our churches this
year more than ever. Yet, a recent
survey showed that as each year passes more and more people are accepting life
after death and that there can be communication between our two dimensions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I emailed several Spiritualist who have
been part of our movement for many years asking them why they think
congregations are falling away – and here are their replies; -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Workshops, no matter the cost we usually reach maximum numbers,
but bums on seats at our services are few”.
If those who attended the other events we put on came to our Divine
Services we would be full to capacity”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Once one has proof of life after death there is no need to
return on a regular basis. I know of
those who only attend our church at a loved one’s birthday or around the
Festive Season”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Many look on our churches today as places of learning so they
can go off and make financial gain from what they have learned”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“As far as the SNU is concerned they have more award holders
than they ever have had yet how many attend our churches on a regular basis?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Why attend a church where time is taken up by prayers, hymns
and an address when you can go down the road and get wall-to-wall clairvoyance
at a pub or club? That is the mindset of
so many these days”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Personally, the lack of good mediums put many off”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On speaking to several Spiritualists and
working mediums the main comment I got was </span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i>Everywhere
I attend it is always busy</i>”. That
may be so, but when you split the venues down to charity nights, cabaret
evenings, churches (?) which do not have a Divine services and churches which
do have a Divine service, the latter is where there is the decline in
numbers. We must do all we can to protect our Divine Services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">To Remember Me by Robert Test</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">A<b>t a certain moment a doctor will determine that my brain has
ceased to function and that, for all intents and purposes, my life has stopped.</b></span></em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b><br /></b></span></em></div>
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<b><em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">When that happens, do not attempt to instill artificial life into my
body by the use of a machine. And don't call this my 'deathbed.' Call it my
'bed of life,' and let my body be taken from it to help others lead fuller
lives.</span></em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b><br /></b></span></em></div>
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<b><em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Give my sight to a man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby's face
or love in the eyes of a woman.</span></em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b><br /></b></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but
endless days of pain.</span></em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b><br /></b></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Give my blood to the teenager who has been pulled from the wreckage
of his car, so that he might live to see his grandchildren play.</span></em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b><br /></b></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist from week
to week.</span></em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b><br /></b></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Take my bones, every muscle, every fibre and nerve in my body and
find a way to make a crippled child walk.</span></em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b><br /></b></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Explore every corner of my brain. Take my cells, if necessary, and
let them grow so that someday a speechless boy will shout at the crack of a bat
and a deaf girl will hear the sound of rain against her windows.</span></em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b><br /></b></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes to the winds to help
the flowers grow.</span></em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b><br /></b></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses and
all my prejudice against my fellow man.</span></em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b><br /></b></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Give my soul to God. If by chance you wish to remember me, do it
with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked,
I will live forever.</span></em><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Lato",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b>Walking along a street were there were several people begging, one
stood out an old gentleman. He looked so
sad and as I put my hand in my pocket to put some coins in his polystyrene cup
a little girl got between myself and the old gentleman. She handed the old soul a £5 note and an
envelope. The old man thanked the little
lass and as he opened the envelope to reveal a Christmas card the look on his
face was amazing. That card probably the
only one he would get this Christmas mean more to him that the money. As the little lass and her dad walked away
the left an old soul sitting on the pavement with tears in his eyes and almost
certainly feeling more like a human being than he did a few minutes
before. Small acts of kindness like this
can mean so much to those who have fallen on hard times.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aw5_RF75TCU/WIjF195WQiI/AAAAAAAABp8/VQkA2hpuBXIRNTkg8YymeAE624HM700dQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Helen%2Bdaffodill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aw5_RF75TCU/WIjF195WQiI/AAAAAAAABp8/VQkA2hpuBXIRNTkg8YymeAE624HM700dQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Helen%2Bdaffodill.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Bringing up a child the right way</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Walking along a street were there were several people begging, one
stood out an old gentleman. He looked so
sad and as I put my hand in my pocket to put some coins in his polystyrene cup
a little girl got between myself and the old gentleman. She handed the old soul a £5 note and an
envelope. The old man thanked the little
lass and as he opened the envelope to reveal a Christmas card the look on his
face was amazing. That card probably the
only one he would get this Christmas mean more to him that the money. As the little lass and her dad walked away
the left an old soul sitting on the pavement with tears in his eyes and almost
certainly feeling more like a human being than he did a few minutes
before. Small acts of kindness like this
can mean so much to those who have fallen on hard times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> Lighting this candle</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lighting this candle to send some love to the
world...this time of year as the material and consumer hype ramps up, we really
need to take stock of the things we have that money cannot buy! This is a
process we have consciously embraced in our home these past few years as we
remind ourselves consciously of the importance of love and values without a
price tag. In the last few weeks I have heard of and know of so many people
grieving. So many troubled terminal illnesses so ma</span><span class="textexposedshow" style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">ny
who have lost loved ones recently, many over the past few years who's passing
seems more keenly felt at this time of year. Christmas in this country is
extremely family orientated and the physical absence of loved ones is extremely
difficult to bear let alone to watch someone we love suffer. In addition it
appears whatever shift is occurring in the world is affecting workplaces,
relationships, families and communities at a collective and individual
level....please know if you are reading this and are feeling disorientated
please know that you are not alone...you represent light....you are the reason
someone smiles today...you may never know the impact you have on those around
you....and just as this candle represents light so do you however, small that
flame may be... the world needs your light... reach out....this lifetime is
fleeting and we need to support those struggling in whatever capacity
possible...send a text...make a call...lend an ear...a hand...a smile...listen
and hold the space....be someone's light and guide them home... above all
shine... however small because you matter ....I ask all my healing friends to
light a candle to support all those who need that guidance ....and should
anyone need to talk remember I am only a text/call away xxx</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow" style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span class="textexposedshow" style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Miriam Farrell Fitzgerald/</span></span><br />
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-83674816446111326822017-10-27T16:01:00.000-07:002017-10-27T16:04:26.443-07:00Over 30,000 hits… My Diary. We Should Have Listened to Gordon Higginson and Jock Brown. The Glasgow Association of Spiritualists International Week. Rochester Spiritualist Temple and the SNU. “Fifes Unknown Bairn"<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yah7DoP2GWY/WfOdLv4BiBI/AAAAAAAABvg/GX5BDhAzRKYMlx64IeBGEdKPEcokrSDdQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/patterns%2Boct%2B17%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yah7DoP2GWY/WfOdLv4BiBI/AAAAAAAABvg/GX5BDhAzRKYMlx64IeBGEdKPEcokrSDdQCK4BGAYYCw/s200/patterns%2Boct%2B17%2B1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">I started this site in 2011 and this is the longest gap in updating my blog since then. Thanks to all who asked me to continue with my comments. And speaking of this blog the other day it passed the 30,000 marks as far as visitors to the site is concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">My Diary…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">July…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">10<sup>th</sup> - The Glasgow Association. SNU. The Tuesday afternoon service is always a busy service<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">16<sup>th</sup> ASK Dunfermline.</span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Services are held in Touch Community Centre, Mercer Place, Dunfermline. This church was founded in 2004 and since then has been at the forefront of spreading the knowledge of<span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">August…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">22<sup>nd</sup> – ASK Cumbernauld – Services held Tuesdays at 7.15 pm Greenfaulds community rooms in Lochinvar Road. G67 4 AR. The is one of the busiest Spiritualist Churches in Scotland and has been since the day it opened its door ten years ago. I shared the service with fledgling Patricia Millon and was impressed by her address and clairvoyance. Patricia is sitting her one of the SNU exams and if the night we shared the platform was anything to go by she will do well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">September…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">8<sup>th</sup> – 12<sup>th</sup> – The Glasgow Association of Spiritualists. SNU. 6/7, Somerset Place, Glasgow G3 7JT. A busy time where the medium takes four services, a development circle and private sittings during their five days there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">16<sup>th</sup> =- Bon Accord Spiritualist Church Aberdeen. SNU - 37-41 Fraser Pl, Aberdeen AB25 3TY. There is always a great welcome from the committee and members of this church.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> We Should Have Listened to Gordon Higginson and Jock Brown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">A lot of the problems facing humanity today could have been avoided if we had stopped and listened to those who had the planet and its occupants at heart. Instead, those seeking power and were greedy won the day. In almost every part of life we have problems instead of success, peace and understanding. Even in our religion we are losing out as churches close and numbers drop. It is not as if no one saw was coming. Had we listened and taken on board what two true Spiritualists warned us about the dangers approaching our religion we might be in a healthier state today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Gordon Higginson wrote not long before he passed in 1993; -</span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><span style="background: white;">“<i>I fear for Spiritualism for the year 2000 and beyond,</i></span><i><br /><span style="background: white;">What is the point of me saying anything because you have your heads buried in the sand.</span></i><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">And from Jock Brown, medium, healer and co-founder of ASK Dunfermline.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> “</span><i><span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 19.26px;">Manmade rules? Just a thought.</span></i><i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 19.26px;"><br /><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 19.26px;"><span style="background: white;">There seems to be a lot of man-made rules concerning sitting in</span><br /><span style="background: white;">circles, demonstrating medium-ship in all is forms, healing groups and</span><br /><span style="background: white;">sitting for spirit in any way. It appears to me some people do not even</span><br /><span style="background: white;">listens to their inspirers' or mentors from the spirit world views on</span><br /><span style="background: white;">how to sit. I would have thought their wishes would be paramount and we</span><br /><span style="background: white;">should be sitting and working hand in hand with them. It seems the ego</span><br /><span style="background: white;">and lust for power has crept in, take healing channels for instance</span><br /><span style="background: white;">some seem to think they direct the power however this is not the case</span><br /><span style="background: white;">healing power is an intelligent energy and divine power and will apply</span><br /><span style="background: white;">healing to where ever it is needed. A healing channel supplies the</span><br /><span style="background: white;">physical energy spirit does the rest. Many organisations instruct their</span><br /><span style="background: white;">mediums how to give messages and attempt to instruct their</span><br /><span style="background: white;">communicators' also. Surely this cannot be, a medium should be able to</span><br /><span style="background: white;">work and blend with their inspirers to find the best way forwards after</span><br /><span style="background: white;">all we are all individuals' as our inspirers are we are not fodder to</span><br /><span style="background: white;">be cloned by any-one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 19.26px;">Had we listened to these two gentlemen our religion might not today be closing churches, being looked upon by many as entertainment and a money-making venture for many within the movement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-size: 18.6667px;">The Glasgow Association of Spiritualists International Week.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk488743972"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Glasgow Association of Spiritualists took on a new venture -
hosting “The Perfect Blending” with tutors Minister Janet Parker and Medium
Gordon Smith. Students from Italy,
Canada, Holland, Switzerland, Ireland, Scotland and England took part in the
course. Now we have dipped our toe in
the water who is to say what will follow for the Glasgow Association. <o:p></o:p></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Rochester Spiritualist Temple and the SNU.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk496342385"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk496342385"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">In this era of austerity, I am usually for using the money available to house the homeless, feed the hungry and get work training in place for the young. The likes of appeals to restore old buildings would be far down my list of priorities. However, there may be one exception The Rochester Square Spiritualist Temple, Camden. </span></a><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 20.6867px;">Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes and a proponent of spiritualism, donated £500 of the £600 cost of building the temple and laid the foundation stone in 1926. </span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Spiritualism has few buildings of historic interest so should an extra effort not be made to restore the Temple? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Developers have plans to demolish the building and build residential units and a gallery. Surely this cornerstone of Spiritualism in Britain which has hosted the likes on Conan Doyle, Helen Duncan and many other prominent Spiritualists over the years should be saved<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">The SNU hierarchy and the old members of the Temple could not be further apart as far as a fair solution is concerned. So many comments on social media many contradicting each other and it has now been taken up by main media outlets. All this is not showing our religion in a good light. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Not knowing what comments were true and what were not I contacted a senior member of the SNU’s NEC. I asked - <i>“<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Would you or someone else at the SNU like to give the SNU’s side of Rochester situation”? </span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">And the reply <i>“The SNU declines to comment and there is no church committee, the church closed two years ago so those holding out to be the committee have no legitimate status”. </i>A short and sharp comment and I would have expected more from the SNU. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">That comment is not good enough the SNU not only to declines to answer my question but the questions of many others. The lack of transparency from an organization that tries to attract members with the comment –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">“</span></i><i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Join the SNU Spiritualist Community and help us develop the voice of Spiritualism worldwide. Help us through our community to increase the awareness of our Religion and its Philosophy.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is only with the collective help and support of our Members as contributors and volunteers that we can continue to work towards bringing the knowledge of Spiritualism into the wider world as the 'World largest Spiritualist Organisation'. It is only by the strength of unity in a common goal that the voice of Spiritualism can grow.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">By joining the SNU, you will be able to:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Add your voice to our community<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Keep up to date with our movement<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Attend, speak and vote at District and National Meetings<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Gain discounts on SNU courses<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Become active within District and National Committees (Subject to qualification)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seek advice and support from the SNU about Spiritualism.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I always try to give both sides of any dispute and as the SNU were short and sharp with their side of the story supporters of keeping the Temple open were more forth coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Here are a few comments from them taken from the Internet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(253 , 253 , 253); color: #1f4e79; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 17.8333px;"><i>According to Psychic News Magazine, the Spiritualists’ National Union did not inform the president and committee of the temple, who were waiting for the church to be refurbished and re-opened after falling into disrepair, had told them the building was to be sold.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: rgb(253 , 253 , 253); color: #1f4e79; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 17.8333px;">H</span><span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ere Conan Doyle lectured as a pioneer of spiritualism</span><span style="color: #1f4e79;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><i>The owners, the Spiritualists’ National Union, have neglected this building and now seek to destroy this heritage to build a block of flats close to the Georgian homes of the square”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">It may be a bit late for both sides to get around the table. However,
if they do both sides should take a moment to ask those in the higher side
of life for guidance, compassion, and wisdom before they start to talk to each
other. Then give the full facts in writing to all who hold ’individual
members' status of the SNU. This nasty situation which would never
have happened in the first place if all had acted according to our
Spiritualist beliefs. Common sense failed to prevail.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> "Fifes Unknown Bairn"</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">May 1971, a postman found the body of a young boy washed ashore on Tayport Beach. After much investigation by police, his parents were never found and it was thought he may have come from a gypsy family. Tayport folk took the child to heart and donations paid for a funeral and headstone for him Every year since, flowers have been laid on the grave on the anniversary of the death of the lad who became known as "Fifes Unknown Bairn" A few years back. the postie himself died, and as per his wishes, he was buried close to the child.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">It caught my eye for two reasons – 1 - I worked for Royal Mail for 38-years. 2 - When I was small my parents took me a walk on a beach just as the body of a man was washed up on the shore. I did not see the body only a group of people around it. This incident has stuck in my mind ever since, especially as the deceased’s identity was never known. Maybe we should add these unidentified bodies to our prayers and also add the families who are missing a loved one.</span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-78861795751959033472017-07-16T05:03:00.000-07:002017-07-16T05:03:58.279-07:00 My Diary … An Opportunity Missed … Male v Female … Manchester Arena Attack by Minister David R Bruton … A Great Imbalance Within Spiritualism by Tracy Norton … Stop Worrying and Quit Going Over The Past by Mathew John Morris.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> My Diary…….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">May…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">3<sup>rd</sup> - <span style="background: white;">I take another class on <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk487916266">“Understanding Your Psychic Abilities” at the Glasgow
Association (SNU)</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">7<sup>th</sup> – Always a pleasure
to serve Perth Spiritualist Church SNU.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">8<sup>th</sup> – A short journey over the hill to Saltcoats Spiritualist
Church…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">14<sup>th</sup> – Coatbridge Spiritualist Church which opened its doors
for the first time in the
1940’s <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">17<sup>th</sup> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk487916293">- “Our Spiritual Experiences and
Discussion at the Glasgow Association SNU<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">25<sup>th</sup> –Over to the east coast to a good turnout at Arbroath
Spiritualist Church SNU.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">30<sup>th</sup> - Kilmarnock Free Spirit.
–<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">June<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">4<sup>th</sup> - Stirling Spiritualist Church SNU<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">6<sup>th</sup> – Neilson Spiritualist Church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">7<sup>th</sup> - <span style="background: white;">“Understanding Your
Psychic Abilities” at the Glasgow Association (SNU)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">14<sup>th</sup> – “Philosophy Evening” at the Glasgow Association.</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">21<sup>st</sup> - Our Spiritual Experiences and Discussion at the Glasgow
Association SNU<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> An Opportunity Missed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">What a great <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk487971163">opportunity</a> the nation had to put
our Second Principle<i> – “The Brotherhood
of Man”</i> into action a few days after the Grenfell tower block inferno, but
it was missed. Pomp and tradition
blotted out <i>The Brotherhood of Man. </i>Four days after the inferno took lives,
scarred people for life and hundreds lost all they possessed, less than three
miles away the Trooping of the Colour took place. As one group marvelled at the extravagant
parade others were still walking about in a daze as the life they had known
came to an end. In my mind, how callous
that was. It would have been different
if the tragedy had been a terrorist attack, then the parade should definitely
have gone ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Other countries have shown more
concern for the victims of such tragedies. Russia observed a national day of
mourning in memory of at least 177 killed in three separate disasters within
days of each other - a mine explosion, a nursing home fire and a plane
crash. </span></strong><span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Kyrgyzstan
announced a national day of mourning after the tiny Central Asian state's worst
air disasters. Italy – earthquake victims.
Australia – bushfires. Chile -
mining disasters. In the UK, we held a
minute’s silence and got on with the show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">We are living in an age of despair Internationally,
Nationally and at a local level. So many
feel worthless, not part of society. Had
this parade been cancelled it would have let all society know that their
calamity was important to everyone in the land.
Our 2<sup>nd</sup> Principle </span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">the Brotherhood of Man surely means more than we
are all part of the universal creative force, one large human family in God.
Spiritualists try to understand the needs of others and aim to help all people
materially, emotionally, and spiritually.
And can I add – “<b><i>Actions Speak Louder Than Words.”.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">One last comment on the matter… I
wonder what God and the Spirit world think the decision the country took?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> Male v Female</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Ever service I have taken in twenty-five years there has
always been more women than men in the congregation. If men made up 33% of those in front of me I
felt it was a good average. The other
week at the Glasgow Association I was not the medium, but I noticed here was an
equal number of men and women in the church.
The following week the ladies were ahead only by one. Good to see more gentlemen taking an interest
in our religion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> Manchester Arena Attack <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">On behalf of Spiritualists everywhere let us unite
to send our thoughts, prayers and healing to the victims of this latest
senseless atrocity, their families and friends whose lives have being changed,
perhaps forever. As the events of last evening unfold and we try to come to
terms with yet another example of the effects of terrorism in our society, any
effort to target innocent people going about their lives and enjoying a concert
can never be justif<span class="textexposedshow">ied by any misguided belief or
doctrine.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">The people of Manchester and the wider community
will be hurting as they see their diverse and inclusive community rocked by an
act of hatred which has killed and maimed many innocent victims. Let us
demonstrate that these acts will never succeed by redoubling our efforts to
demonstrate tolerance, understanding, compassion and peace in our world. Once
again, the emergency services have worked tirelessly to help people and we
remember them and their efforts also in our thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">The Brotherhood of Man, our second principle seems
at times like this to be even harder to achieve in a world considered by some
to be broken, slipping almost from our grasp when we need it most. Our resolve
to create a peaceful inclusive world should be predicated on our own efforts,
actions and the teachings of God and the spirit world and this should in no way
be shaken or weakened by the acts of intolerance perpetrated by others.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f4e79; font-size: 18.6667px;">23rd May 2017</span><div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> A Great Imbalance Within Spiritualism </span></div>
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<span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">I am beginning to feel that
there is a great imbalance within spiritualism - I was always taught that the
work of mediums is to comfort the bereaved and be of service to mankind - when
I first started working as a medium many years ago, our Spiritualist Churches
were full of people seeking hope and the strength to go forward following the
loss of someone special. I felt as if I was making a difference to people, and
that the work I did was helping me and others. Nowadays, our Churches are
just filled with people who want to be mediums themselves, who often sit in
judgement of the medium working from the Rostrum, and have no need of any kind
of comfort from the presence of our spirit friends and helpers. </span><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If this
imbalance continues, with the emphasis being on teaching and unfoldment of
mediumship there will soon be no point to congregating in a Church to deliver
spiritual truths. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As we are all aware, imbalance is not desirable, and I think
this is being seen with spiritualism and is becoming apparent within our
churches. Unfortunately, Churches are trying to attract people for the wrong
reasons - by offering teaching to become mediums - however, in the long term
what is this going to achieve for spiritualism the religion? Surely it has to
be considered, that not everyone can become a medium? What would be the point
of that? Balance is needed, Churches need to attract people to them for the
true purpose of our religion, which is not to make everyone into a medium,
after a 6-week course, but for people to become more spiritually aware, for the
bereaved to be comforted and welcomed so that their own souls, once touched by
the spirit can begin to unfold, not as a medium, but as a spirit, a spirit who
is here to learn from life’s experiences. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There must be some consistency and
balance if Spiritualism is to regain its true purpose and if numbers are
falling within our Churches perhaps that is an indication that our religion is
not what it used to be, when people flocked to sit in congregations to discover
spiritual truths for themselves. One of our great Spirit Guides Silver Birch
stated: Life is always a polarity. If there were no darkness there would be no
light. If there were no trouble there could never be any peace. If the sun
always shone you would not appreciate it. Perhaps it would serve us all better
to remember these Spiritual truths.</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Tracy Norton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stop Worrying and Quit Going Over The Past<br /> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Almost 95% of psychics will say to you during a reading
"stop worrying " and " quit going over the past " ... Well
isn't that easy to say ...and also completely false , sometimes the past keeps
coming up because its time to look at it and for healing to take place ,
ignoring It will only slow your progress in life ... Sometimes we have to go
over and over something's until we come to a new understanding of the matter
heal the situation from within before we can truly let it go and move on with
our life if things keep coming ... Look at them and reach for enlightenment.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Mathew John Morris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-34896199500775429442017-05-24T14:27:00.000-07:002017-06-15T02:44:20.179-07:00My Diary - Minister Irene McGilivray. - Comparing Spiritualism’s Seven Principles, The Bible’s Ten Commandments and The Ten Native American Commandments - Assisted Suicide - A comment from William McFadzean Spiritualist Medium CSNU the morning after the Manchester bombing - Samantha Dean's Comments on Spiritualism…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bPE_EiMlBcI/WSXvhIHfc3I/AAAAAAAABtY/fhqxIKAlZNIi0SqmYlBs06X8jgQWqZLOACK4B/s1600/20170502_123509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bPE_EiMlBcI/WSXvhIHfc3I/AAAAAAAABtY/fhqxIKAlZNIi0SqmYlBs06X8jgQWqZLOACK4B/s200/20170502_123509.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> My Diary</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">19<sup>th</sup> –A short journey to
serve Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church (SNU)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28<sup>th</sup> ASK Cumbernauld.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">30<sup>th</sup> – The Pyramid Church,
Pollock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5<sup>th</sup> – I take another class on
“Understanding Your Psychic Abilities” at the Glasgow Association (SNU)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9<sup>th</sup> – It is always a pleasure
to serve the Ayr Spiritualist Centre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10<sup>th</sup> – My longest distance
traveling to churches these days and I received – as usual – a great Highland
welcome at the Inverness Spiritualist Church (SNU).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">19<sup>th</sup> - “Your Spiritual
Experiences and Discussion at the Glasgow Association.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> Minister Irene McGilivray </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was an honour for Isobel and I to be invited to the ordination
service of What a wonderful and moving service with almost
every seat taken at the Glasgow Association.
Not only with Spiritualists, but representatives of other religions in
attendance. We all should take heart after that service and be proud of our
religion, a religion may have been flagging a little bit recently<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What a wonderful moving service at the Glasgow Association
yesterday – the ordination of Irene McGillivray, now Minister Irene McGillivray.
Two-hundred attended the service and that include not only Spiritualists,
Irene’s friends, but also dignitaries of other religions. All Spiritualists
attending should take heart from the service and move forward with pride. Showing everyone that Spiritualism is a
recognised religion and has nothing to do with entertainment or financial gain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Minister Irene McGillivray
is a great inspiration to us all. Seven years of hard studying and still
finding time to help others gain knowledge of Spiritualism and be caring and
compassionate to all who crossed her path. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We should now strive to make friends with those in the other
religions that attended the service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Comparing Spiritualism’s Seven Principles, The Bible’s Ten
Commandments and </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The Ten Native American Commandments</span></a><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Spiritualism’s Seven Principles...</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1. The
Fatherhood of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2. The
Brotherhood of Man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">3. The
Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">4. The
Continuous Existence of the Human Soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">5. Personal
Responsibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">6. Compensation
and Retribution Hereafter for all the Good and Evil Deeds done on Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">7. Eternal
Progress Open to every Human Soul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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*****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> The Ten
Native American Commandments<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1. Treat the Earth
and all that dwell thereon with respect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2. Remain close to
the Great Spirit, in all that you do.<br />3. Show great respect for your fellow beings.<br />
(Especially Respect yourself)<br />4. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind.<br />5. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.<br />6. Do what you know to be right.<br />
(But be careful not to fall into self-righteousness)<br />7. Look after the wellbeing of mind and body.<br />8. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.<br />9. Be truthful and honest at all times.<br />
(Especially be truthful and honest with yourself)<br />10. Take full responsibility for your actions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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*****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Bible’s Ten
Commandments...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1. Do not have any
other gods before me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2. You shall not
take the name of the Lord in vain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">3. Remember the
Sabbath day and keep it holy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">4. Honour your
father and your mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">5. You shall not
kill<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">6. You shall not
commit adultery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">7. You shall not
steal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">8. You shall not
bear false witness against your neighbour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">9. You shall not
covet your neighbour's wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">10. You shall not
covet your neighbour's goods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> The - “<i>You
shall not</i>” is repeated seven times in the Bible’s Ten Commandments appears
to be harsh and dictatorial to me. <i>The Seven Principles</i> rather than talking
down to the individual is putting more emphasis on the individual taking
personal responsibility for their actions.
But – the best one of all for me is <i>The
Ten Native American Commandments</i>. It
covers more than the <i>Spiritualist Seven Principles</i>
making us aware of our planet and all that lives on it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I saw this comment on Facebook - “<b><i>An assisted dying law would not
result in more people dying, but in fewer people</i></b><i> <b>suffering”. </b></i>I totally
agree with this. With the right
structures and laws in place it would mean that few would suffer mentally and
physically before they pass over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many from other religions tell me that “<i>Life is for God to give and only for God to take back”. OK </i>– but - has God not given man the
ability to cure or hold off the severity of many diseases? Many people are alive today because of
medical intervention so mankind has interfered with nature. So, when the pain becomes so severe, the body
does not function properly, or an active mind is trapped in a body that will
not respond, surely the patient can request to end their suffering. Bar from
intervention by the medical profession may would have breathed their
last many years before. So, if we can
interfere with keeping them alive we surely can
assist the patient to pass over if they request it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I ask those who are strongly against ‘assisted suicide’ - What
right have you to make another suffer especially those who do not believe as
you do? What right do you have to
enforce your beliefs on them? Many are
quick to reply that doctors will give them medication to take the pain
away. Then, when I ask what about when
medication does not take the pain? What
about when the anguish of an active mind when someone is trapped in a body that
will not function? Usually when I ask
those questions those in front of me go silent and their eyes dull. This is
something they have not thought about before, they have accepted their
religions/teacher’s stance and went on with their life. Not thinking deep into the issue or
questioning those who preach to them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Politicians must look deeply into this issue and not be swayed by
the religious lobby. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">They should make a
decision on what is right for those suffering and they must not be influenced
in any way by any religion.</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">We are
sensible enough to put a structure in place that will not see patients
discarded because their family do not want them or they are costing the NHS too
much.</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have little faith in the
politician taking the step to allow ‘Assisted Suicide’ I feel the only way this
will come to pass in the near future is for a referendum and let the people
decide.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A comment from </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/wmcfadzeanmedium/"><span style="background: rgb(233 , 235 , 238); color: #002060;">William McFadzean Spiritualist Medium CSNU</span></a> the morning
after the Manchester bombing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
morning I feel we should all take a moment to truly think about who and what we
have in our lives and hearts. As last night’s cowardly attack shows we never
know the moment it can all end or be taken away. To harm innocent children in
particular is despicable. Do not give in to hate though as that means they win
and we empower the attackers. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk483415667">Perhaps a minutes silence
or a mass Prayer, something positive to show we will not be beaten. </a>My
heart goes out to all of the families and people involved. God Bless them all.
Xxxx<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">William has made an
interesting comment “Perhaps a minute’s silence or a mass Prayer, something
positive to show we will not be beaten”.
A minute’s silence or a mass prayer by all peoples and all religions
around the world could halt the evil that is encompassing our planet at the moment
and get it to retreat. We will never conquer
evil, but hopefully we can stop it running riot as it is at this moment in
time.</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Samantha Dean's</span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="background: rgb(246, 247, 249);"> Comments on
Spiritualism<b>…</b></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="background: #F6F7F9;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span style="background: #f6f7f9; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The people I often worry for is the people just starting out in then
movement. I've only been part of it really for about 4 years and I think I've
seen most of the ugly side in that time. There's so much beauty in
spiritualism, but unfortunately the human side has been allowed to override it
and spirit I fear has been forgotten over ego's, money and jealousy. We will
continue to do our best to prove that not every Spiritualist is like this to
our congregation. We don't put a penny in our back pockets, we open the church
every week with the hopes of nothing in return except to see the smiles on
people's faces when they hear from their loved ones in spirit.. We laugh
together, cry together and we build each other up as a whole church and we are
very blessed to say the least because of it. It's what we stand for and what we
will always stand for.. we just want to be left in peace to be able to do it as
we choose too x<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-40679632240601155822017-04-04T11:57:00.000-07:002017-04-04T11:57:32.615-07:00my Diary … In the past thirty-nine years … The suffering and death that is legal … The New Danger In Our Midst.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1K4pQsnbG4/WOPNiBXUkoI/AAAAAAAABsg/Syr8L5S6FFwjHBBWwxgp-rKey2B-2kQNwCK4B/s1600/P1050965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1K4pQsnbG4/WOPNiBXUkoI/AAAAAAAABsg/Syr8L5S6FFwjHBBWwxgp-rKey2B-2kQNwCK4B/s200/P1050965.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> My Diary…</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">February…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">26<sup>th</sup> - I took the morning service at the Edinburgh
Association of Spiritualists (SNU) at The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Centre, 25
Palmerston Place, Edinburgh EH12 5AP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1<sup>st</sup> – The
start of our new venture on a Wednesday evenings at the Glasgow
Association. I take a class on
“Understanding Our Psychic Abilities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3rd-7<sup>th</sup> - Four days at the Glasgow Association (SNU)
and that in includes four services, a development circle and private sittings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8<sup>th</sup> March –
Our Philosophy evening at the GAS. Both
Isabel and I enjoyed listening to a talk by Vice President Derek Connor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">11<sup>th</sup> – I
travel to Falkirk to take the service at Falkirk Spiritualist Church (SNU), 8
Burnhead Ln, Falkirk FK1 1UG. This
church has been running for many years and at this time could do with a little
more support. So, why not go along to
their services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">15<sup>th</sup> – Back
at the Glasgow Association to take part in “Our Spiritual Experiences and
Discussion”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">23<sup>rd</sup> – I
attended The Phoenix Spiritual Centre, Volunteers Rooms, Irvine KA12 0BA for
the first time. and I received a great
welcome from Anne Smith and those attending. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Its AGM time for our
churches and after being co-opted on to the committee last June I got voted in
last month to serve a two-year term.
Good news at our AGM, membership is up and those attending our healing services has greatly
increased. We have also followed on from
last year’s philosophy classes to have the same monthly class this year and
also evenings on meditation, understanding your psychic abilities and our
spiritual experiences and discussion. </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I<b>n the past thirty-nine years</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thirty-nine years on 19</span><sup style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
March that my mother passed to spirit.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">That made me think on what has changed in all these years.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Would my mother be in favour of the changes
or not?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>My mother died as the
result of that terrible disease cancer.
Even knowing that cancer is a group name for over 200 different
diseases, I wonder if we are as far forward in tackling this disease as we
should be? In the past four decades, we
have made progress in so many different areas in the treatment of cancers. Progress in understanding the disease,
detecting cancer, cancer care, surgery, radio therapy, chemotherapy, targeted
treatment, prevention and awareness.
Yet, have we done enough? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Almost on a daily basis
we hear of someone being diagnosed with this disease or having died of it. Very few walk past a donation box for cancer
charities without giving a donation, knowing that this illness could attack any
of us at any time. Vast sums of money
have been donated by ordinary people to fight cancer as has governments. But… has the latter done enough? Have they got their priorities, right? Governments around the world spend billions
on weaponry, space exploration and employ the top brains to work on these
projects. Even if a small percentage of
what has been spend on these areas had been targeted our biggest enemy of all –
cancer – then there would be fewer
casualties today<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">All is not doom and
gloom on the medical side.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Many diseases
have been eradicated or at least sufferers of long-term illness now lead a
better quality of life than then would have done 40-years-ago.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Transplant surgery has been come extremely
successful, yet many needing transplant surgery die because of lack of donor
organs.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Even worse, the donor’s family
not allowing the organs to be taken.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Surely in a loving and caring society there would be a glut of organ
donation offers rather than a deficit?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">That comes down to Spiritualism’s 5</span><sup style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> principle – Personal
Responsibility?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Maybe we Spiritualists
need to take personal responsibility and if the above worries us we should do
more about it. Stop all the in-fighting in our churches and organizations. Keep in constant contact with our local and
national politicians, health boards and keep these issues to the forefront in
our social media forums. Yes, we can
pray, but we need to do more on a personal basis. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <b> The suffering and death that is legal.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>In Britain, we like to be known as a
nation of animal lovers. Whenever we hear of dog fighting, badger baiting and
bullfighting we hold our hands up in horror. Yet, we have a so-called sport in
this country that is equally horrific and it is legal. This so-called sport is
horse racing and takes the lives of many horses every year. The wastage in this
so-called-sport is high. My main concern
are the horses that collapse and die during or just after a race. I look on this as they are being raced to
death. Eight of the forty-seven horses
that have died on the racecourse this year have been in this category</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I<b> do not look on horse racing as a
sport, but a massive frightening industry - which it is.</b></span><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Not only royalty, the richest people on our
planet are attracted to own a horse the ordinary man in the street can now
become a part owner paying only a few £’s a month through being part of a
syndicate.</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Even having a bet in a horse
race funds this industry via betting tax.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>I was not going to mention the range of
injuries that horses suffer on the race track not to upset anyone. But, I will as so much of the pain, stress
that these magnificent creatures suffer is swept under the carpet. The fatal injuries recorder this year on the
race course, broken legs, knees, necks, spinal injuries and of course collapsing
through suffering a heart-attack.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In my next blog – can we really be a
true spiritualist if we support this industry?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: x-small;"> Photo;
- Stephanie Wilson.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The New Danger In Our Midst.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before I entered the car for my first
driving lesson, my driving instructor – a retired army sergeant – told me the
following as he tapped the roof of the car.
<i>“This is a lethal weapon if it is
not maintained and handled correctly.
Every time you turn on the ignition you are responsible for what could
be a lethal weapon – as lethal as any weapon I used in my army days</i>”. Something I have never forgot when getting
into my car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The incidents of vehicles driving into
crowds in Nice, the German Christmas market and the on-Westminster bridge is
not what my driving instructor was thinking about, but it adds a new sinister
dimension to our everyday safety. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-43346799927284539682017-02-24T14:36:00.002-08:002017-02-24T14:36:38.569-08:00My Diary ... The Media Get it Wrong ... Our Services Become Question Time. ... The First Snowdrops Cause a Commotion. ... Your Comments. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FrUkKu0MUi8/WLCt2GRzFaI/AAAAAAAABrQ/fudLRDfneNo8gu9Du7XvH6DBiIuejFD1wCK4B/s1600/P1050931.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FrUkKu0MUi8/WLCt2GRzFaI/AAAAAAAABrQ/fudLRDfneNo8gu9Du7XvH6DBiIuejFD1wCK4B/s200/P1050931.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">My Diary<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">January…</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">29th - My first service of the year was to the welcoming and always busy Perth Spiritualist, 40 New Row, Perth, PH1 5QA. Tele; - 07724 411 922. Sunday – Divine Service 6.30pm and Healing Service 8.15pm. Wednesday Mediumship Service 7.00pm. It is good to see that President Ivy Campbell is now stepping out in her own right as a Spiritualist medium.</span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">31<sup>st</sup> – Only a twelve-mile journey to ASK Neilston Corresponding, Glen Halls, Neilston, G79 3NL. Service on a Tuesday evening at 7.30 pm.</span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">6<sup>th</sup> February – I attended the Pollockshaws and District Spiritualist Church, Langside Halls, 1 Langside Avenue, (Shawlands Cross) Glasgow, G41 2QR. Service on a </span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Monday evening at 7.30 pm.</span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">19<sup>th</sup>, 20<sup>th</sup>, 21<sup>st</sup> – Glasgow Central Spiritualist Church, 64 Berkley Street, Glasgow, G3 7JT</span></b></div>
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holding weekly classes from March to June on subjects that will interest most
Spiritualists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">March…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">1<sup>st</sup> – <i>Understanding Your Psychic Abilities</i> –
Tom Johnston.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">8<sup>th</sup>
- <i>Philosophy</i>
– Derek Conner.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">15<sup>th</sup> <i>- Our
Spiritual Experiences and Discussion.</i> - Tom Johnston.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">22<sup>nd</sup> – <i>Meditation</i> – Anne Strachan.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">All classes will begin at 7.15 p.
The tea room will be open after all classes. Tickets £3.00 will be available at the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The media will grab
hold of anything related to psychic, spiritual and paranormal incidents these
days as they draw in the viewers and readers.
But, do they sometimes jump the gun without looking at the facts?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Several showbiz
stars mention that they have visited a psychic and being told for example that
their spouse/partner is being unfaithful and that does come to pass. That maybe the psychic’s gift coming into
play or…? Look up the careers of those
in showbiz and you will see many having countless marriages and divorces.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then there was the
case of a psychic telling Teresa May she would be Prime Minister of the UK
years before it happened. That again may
be the psychic powers homing in to what is going to happen or…? It was around 2012 I was with some friends
when one, a semi-professional gamble who does not bet on horses and greyhounds,
but most other events when he feels he can make a profit. said he was thinking of having a long-term
bet on Teresa May being PM. He said she
was a down to earth politician who got on with the job without seeking
publicity. We all agreed that she
certainly could be a strong candidate if there was a lot of disruption in her
party.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am not having a go
at the psychics here I am suggesting the media has got its priorities
wrong. In the case of the lady and her
erring husband there was much better evidence given at the sitting. First class evidence also given proved there
was life after death to the sitter. I
suppose the magazine staff felt the headline would attract more readers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9OhkTl8g0AY/WLCxuAoZSeI/AAAAAAAABro/O6YAgmMTgsYC360Pwe79PITcMQYOk0teACK4B/s1600/April%2B16%2B073.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9OhkTl8g0AY/WLCxuAoZSeI/AAAAAAAABro/O6YAgmMTgsYC360Pwe79PITcMQYOk0teACK4B/s200/April%2B16%2B073.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> Our
Services Become Question Time.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">We hear at almost every
service from the chairperson <i>“If the
medium should come to you please answer in a clear Yes or No. If you don’t understand something say - I am not sure and the medium will go back and
ask for some clarification. Do not feed
the medium with any information.”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Yet, there has been an
increasing trend over the past few years for the medium to ask question after
question. Who is Robert, James,
Marion? The recipient will come out with
Father, brother-in-law, mother etc. Also,
why am I getting a ball of wool, a tennis racket, and the recipient will tell
the medium once again. If this is not
stopped it will become the norm and Spirit will be pushed out of our churches
being replaced with psychic links.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">There is a stark difference
between the mediumship of the mediums that have been on our platform in the
past and the new generation of today.
The former may be heard to say “<i>Sorry,
I should not be asking a question</i>” if he/she does come out with a
question. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">It is easy to blame the
medium, but that may not be the full picture.
A lot of these bad habits could be the fault of their tutor (s) and the
training they received during their development. Or the mediums themselves leaping on the
platform before they have matured and they do not fully understand the
difference between a psychic and a spirit link.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">It is down to our churches
to save the day by not allowing questions to be asked from the platform. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DPThzztlL-0/WLCyrs7LvtI/AAAAAAAABrw/H_aQ7fjw5GctB0yKhJXTVCM_EjEgn4aQwCK4B/s1600/snowdrops_pe%2Blomo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DPThzztlL-0/WLCyrs7LvtI/AAAAAAAABrw/H_aQ7fjw5GctB0yKhJXTVCM_EjEgn4aQwCK4B/s200/snowdrops_pe%2Blomo.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> The First Snowdrops Cause a Commotion.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">When I see the first snowdrop flowering it always reminds me of a
friend who was going through a really bad time in her life. Both her husband and her father passed
suddenly within a few days of each other.
Then a few days after the second funeral she was told she would have to
go through a serious operation. Slowly
recovering from the operation, Anne was looking out of the window on a very wet
and windy January morning. She was wondering if it was really worth continuing
with this life. Then she noticed that two
snowdrops had started to flower in the garden. She said it was like a sign to her, a small
pin prick of light away at the end of a long dark tunnel. The snowdrops had battled through frost and
snow to let her know that a new beginning was in the offing. Spring would soon be knocking on the door
with warmer days and longer days. She
started to think that she owed it to her husband and father not to give in and
fight through the turmoil of the past year and come into a brighter state of
mind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">All of a sudden, a neighbour’s little girl appeared in her garden
and started to pick the snowdrops. Anne opened the door and shouted to the girl
to come back then told her off for picking the flowers. She was floored by the
little girl’s explanation. “<i>I</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>only
took one and it was for my Nan who I am going to visit in hospital this
afternoon. I was not stealing it I left 2p on your doorstep step for the
flower.”</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>As Anne looked down,
there were three snowdrops still blowing in the wind and two-pence on the
doorstep.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tom – <i>I loved the words of the Absent Healing Hymn
and have to admit although fifteen years in Spiritualism I have not heard it
sung”. BTT. <o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have had a few
emails saying the same thing. How about
it churches – why not give this hymn a try?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tom – “<i>I took your advice from you October blog,
Flowers of Hope. Soon after I planted
Daffodil and Hyacinth bulbs our family was hit with three nasty situations and
we are only just ketting back on our feet.
Corresponding with us getting over these issues we have a few hyacinths
and daffodils starting to flower. A sign
for me and hopefully the family also.
Thank you, Tom,”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-89938387979373353422017-01-25T08:38:00.000-08:002017-01-25T08:38:37.495-08:00Christmas Eve Silent Meditation … Should we allow Shamanic Drumming as part of our Divine Services? … Everyone has an Achilleas Heel … Communication between Spirit and the individual human being … No need to attend our churches on a regular basis … Your comments … <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aw5_RF75TCU/WIjF195WQiI/AAAAAAAABpw/I63z2cndEzkWp1v9r2pRM3kQcv3RslHvgCK4B/s1600/Helen%2Bdaffodill.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aw5_RF75TCU/WIjF195WQiI/AAAAAAAABpw/I63z2cndEzkWp1v9r2pRM3kQcv3RslHvgCK4B/s200/Helen%2Bdaffodill.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Christmas Eve Silent Meditation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Although the numbers were not high the Glasgow Association’s Christmas
Eve opening for an hour for a Silent Meditation was a great success. It gave those attending a time to sit in
total silence to allow time for reflection and contemplation. This allowed anyone who felt the need of the
Church just to sit in the quiet with their own thoughts of Loved ones passed or
maybe send out Healing Thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">This type of service could become more common with different
variations such as such a service taking place close to Remembrance Day. I
noticed on the York <span style="background: white;">Spiritualist Centre’s page;
“<i>Sunday night at York spiritualist centre
we have our peace circle.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>We join together sending our loving
energy for peace around the world. It is an evening of s<span class="textexposedshow">haring our thoughts our stories or readings this is a
night for all to come together as one and enjoy each other’s company”. Come and
join us starts at 6.30 pm </span><b><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><i> Should we allow Shamanic Drumming as part of our Divine Services?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A question asked on Facebook… </span><i style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Should
we allow shamanic drumming as part of our Divine services?”</i></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">I must admit I was concerned when I turned up at a church one
evening to find out shamanic drumming was taking the place of the address. I was soon won over as I felt spirit come so
close and the mediums had a great link with spirit later in the service. So, it looked as if spirit was happy with the
arrangement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">I also feel that we should make our divine services that little bit
longer and add hands-on healing during the service. Some churches have tried this and I felt with
the rise in the atmosphere at these services, I felt Spirit also gave thumbs up
to the change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">In both of the above we are not taking anything away from our
Divine Services we are adding to the service. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"> ****</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Everyone has an Achilleas Heel
and mines seems to be chairing at our services.
After all the services, workshops and talks I have taken over the past
twenty plus years one would thing chairing would be no problem to me. Over the years, I have gone out of my way not
to do such a thing and in the past only chaired twice. Since becoming a committee member of the
Glasgow Spiritualist Association chairing is now part of my duties. And I have to admit I never feel comfortable
when chairing. This is the next step in
my progression, to get over this fear.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; letter-spacing: 0.533333px;"> ****</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Communication between spirit and the individual human being has been in place as long as the human race has existed. Why now do we need the carnival to come to town with money making gurus making a good living.</span><span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 12.84px;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">To awaken our true abilities does not need to be as lengthy, as complicated or as expensive as many make it out to be these days</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdgNcp5LhoY/WIjI2eC8mLI/AAAAAAAABqU/2wJGFBKsPskD4qdHtWNSko8DxKwWiugsACK4B/s1600/Aug%2B14%2Bb%2B13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdgNcp5LhoY/WIjI2eC8mLI/AAAAAAAABqU/2wJGFBKsPskD4qdHtWNSko8DxKwWiugsACK4B/s200/Aug%2B14%2Bb%2B13.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">I was asked to meet with a group of five who at different times
came into our churches for a short period and then left. They did not leave for any negative reasons,
but because they felt their lives had been enriched by attending and it was
time to move on. There were some
interesting comments…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">“I felt at home in
the church met nice people. Then, after
fourteen weeks I got a message which was extremely accurate. The following week another message continuing
where the last left off. This put the
icing on the cake so to speak. I thought
it a bit strange after that as I started losing interest in the services. I knew my mother was still around with what
the mediums gave me, something only known to my mother and I. My lifelong fear of death was quashed. I started to think what I don’t get around
to doing in this life hopefully I will get done when I move over. So, I take more time for what I am doing and
enjoying the experiences.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">“I was dedicated
until I got real proof of life after death and then I felt that turning up
every Tuesday was getting monotonous.
Just like someone tediously turning up for the bingo never winning or
near winning each week. I got what I
wanted and it opened a new world to me.
I now work with several voluntary organizations”. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">“My few months in
Spiritualism made me look at myself and my life in a different way. I felt the Spiritualism had served its
purpose and now I am venturing where I would never have ventured before”. </span></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><b><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gmgQiXcfnkk/WIjL_PhcEdI/AAAAAAAABqo/5ZsaYVPvLjknFcQ7UzY4gqZxVDF0JmFbQCK4B/s1600/b%2Bjan%2B2e.gif" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gmgQiXcfnkk/WIjL_PhcEdI/AAAAAAAABqo/5ZsaYVPvLjknFcQ7UzY4gqZxVDF0JmFbQCK4B/s200/b%2Bjan%2B2e.gif" width="200" /></a></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> Your comments...</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Tom – my small
church has been running for many years with little or no hassle. When I started up the church I decided that I
was going to have no committee as in my experiences there was always strife in
committees. I am willing to listen to
the comments from the congregation and before any changes are made I ask
Spirit’s advice. I go with the flow and
the wee church has been flowing smoothly for many years. We average out at about twenty-five per service
and that with one special night keeps us in the black</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Ideally, I check out
a new medium to the church by seeing them at another church. If this is not possible I check their
Facebook page which usually is a good indication if they are suitable. When the time comes, I will be unable to run
the church I will close it down not handing it over. Someone may wish to start up another
spiritualist church in the hall on that evening, but I hope they choose a
different name, leaving the good reputation of my church intact.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">P.S. I have willing helpers to take over when I
need time off.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Such small independent churches can be extremely successful. And although many I am familiar with stick
roughly to SNU rules they can be a bit more relaxed to blend in with the
community. You are not the first president of such a church that has closed
rather than hand it over if there was no one suitable on the horizon. Long may your church continue. </span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; letter-spacing: 0.533333px;">****</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Comments on "We must act not to save our religion on my previous blog.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">TB “<i>Well done for speaking up
for what our religion should be like”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">C “<i>You are fighting a losing
battle. Your ways are the good old
days. What we have today is more
suitable for the present”</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Conway – “<i>I agree the focus
has now gone from religion to entertainment and celebrities”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">B – “<i>Tom, so much that you
have done in the past has changed so why do you want to encapsulate
Spiritualism in the past?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">L – “<i>As a booking secretary I
am given a free hand in whom I book. For
some time now I have overlooked mediums who advertise themselves on Facebook as
taking the service at our church. That sort of thing is up to me to draw
people’s attention too”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">BL – “<i>Whatever way we get
people to know what lies beyond their last breath is OK with me”.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">V – “<i>Piracy, the mediums have
taken over the running of the SS Spiritualism and we are heading into rough
waters.”. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">L McL – <i>“Those who prefer
large halls with no hymns or prayers are not looking for religion”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18.6667px; letter-spacing: 0.533333px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18.6667px; letter-spacing: 0.533333px;"> ****</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Several emails about Spiritualist of the year all shocked that
there is such a thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Mary commented “<i>A true
spiritualist would not accept such an award”.</i>By all means long-service
awards and churches acknowledging those <i>members
who work hard behind the sense. But, no, no. no to celebrity style awards
where there has to be a choice between spiritualists”. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Many of you were shocked that there is such a thing as Spiritualist of the Year.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mary commented “</span><i style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A true
spiritualist would not accept such an award”.</i><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Bye all means long-service
awards and churches acknowledging those </span><i style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">members
who work hard behind the sense. But, no,
no. no to celebrity style awards where there has to be a choice between
spiritualists”. </i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #1F4E79; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-18748237153980365862016-12-21T12:56:00.000-08:002016-12-21T12:56:31.621-08:00My Diary … 24,500 Hits … Spiritualism and Christmas … We Must Act Now to Save Our Religion … These Awards Must Go.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhvZQoaDTCA/WFrkN5IERZI/AAAAAAAABow/KXAVGitnXq4ud-Ii2pFSyHcgkXus28j-gCK4B/s1600/buisness%2Bdesign%2B7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhvZQoaDTCA/WFrkN5IERZI/AAAAAAAABow/KXAVGitnXq4ud-Ii2pFSyHcgkXus28j-gCK4B/s200/buisness%2Bdesign%2B7.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> My Diary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">20th - Dunfermline Spiritualist Church
SNU. 3 Lady Campbells Walk, Dunfermline,
KY12 0QH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">24<sup>th</sup> – ASK Dreghorn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">27<sup>th</sup> – Kilmarnock
Spiritualist Church SNU<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">December…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">4<sup>th</sup> ASK Dunfermline, <o:p></o:p></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">5 Mowbray House, Main Street, Halbeath, Dunfermline, Fife, KY11
8EE</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9<sup>th</sup> – 13<sup>th</sup>. The Glasgow Association of Spiritualists, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">6/7, Somerset Place,
Glasgow G3 7JT. </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A busy few days with four services, private sittings
and an ‘open development circle’.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is five years since I started this
website. I started it not to promote
myself, but to promote Spiritualism – the Religion. It has been extremely successful as in the
past five years it has had 24,500 hits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Spiritualism and Christmas…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have both Christian and non-Christian
Spiritualist churches and most mediums serve both. Recently I have heard comments that the
latter should not celebrate Christmas in our churches. Special services on Christmas Eve whether it
be a simple candlelit service, a few hours of contemplation or meditation is
out say some. Others have said that a
Christmas tree should not be in our churches.
This got me thinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you stay in this country, you cannot
escape Christmas no matter what religion you are or if you are of no religion. How many Spiritualist do not send or accept
Christmas cards? Give and receive
presents? Will be willing to volunteer
to work on Christmas Day to allow those who are Christians have the day off to
celebrate with their families? Sit down
to a special dinner on the 25<sup>th</sup>?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hindus</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">do not
recognize<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Christmas<b> </b>as a religious tradition, but many do celebrate
it, treating the holiday as a secular festival.</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are Sikhs who do
go and shop for presents and give them on Christmas Day. Although Christmas is a Christian Festival,
it is celebrated as a Cultural Holiday by many Sikhs who live in western
countries. Although many do not sing
Christmas Carols they do enjoy them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Since the Buddhist
teachings are all about peace and goodwill toward mankind, Christmas is a time
when Buddhists can focus on some of the similarities between their religion and
Christianity. They enjoy decorating their temples with what most would
recognize as Christmas decorations. They send and receive cards from loved
ones. They hold vigils late at night and light candles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Muslim groups and
joining forces with Christian groups in Britain to help the country’s homeless
and other vulnerable groups during the Christmas period.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br style="outline: none;" />
<br style="outline: none;" />
<span style="background: white;">Organisations including Muslim Aid, the Al Khair
Foundations, Streetlytes, and churches across the English capital London are
expanding their efforts by providing meals and shelter packs to rough sleepers.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So why not
Spiritualism?<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So many people are sad
and lonely at Christmas, that we should have our doors open whether it be for a
cup of tea, </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">a simple candlelit service, an hour of
contemplation or meditation is out say some.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The church I am a member and committee
member off – the Glasgow Association of Spiritualists is opening on Christmas
Eve for 1 hour from 4 30pm to 5 30pm.
This will allow <span class="textexposedshow">anyone who feels the need of
the Church just to sit in the quiet with their own thoughts of Loved ones
passed or maybe send out Healing Thoughts.
You may come in any time within this hour & sit for 5min or the full
hour whatever suits. It can be a lonely time of year for some people who have
lost loved ones during the Christmas period.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="textexposedshow">The Church
will be in total Silence to allow you time for reflection and contemplation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">I took a look on the Internet and found that many of our
churches, especially south of the border at this time hold special services at
this time. One stood out; </span></span><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">“</span></span><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #002060; font-size: 14pt;">Sunday night at York
spiritualist centre we have our peace circle.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><i><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">We join together sending our loving energy for
peace around the world. It is an evening of sharing our thoughts our stories or
readings this is a night for all to come together as one and enjoy each other’s
company”.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14pt;">Something all our churches could do once
in a while apart from Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo6I-2BfoBE/WFrobcH5udI/AAAAAAAABpI/G9ykpmcG04Mj370v27XJYf8UTNs6gG_rACK4B/s1600/buisness%2Bdesign%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo6I-2BfoBE/WFrobcH5udI/AAAAAAAABpI/G9ykpmcG04Mj370v27XJYf8UTNs6gG_rACK4B/s200/buisness%2Bdesign%2B1.JPG" width="150" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> We Must Act
Now to Save Our Religion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Although Spiritualism is not a numbers
game we have to seriously start taking note of the fall in numbers attending our
services and the number of churches closing over the past year or so. I have been talking this over with a few
spiritualist friends and here are some of the comments;-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">“Our numbers do drop
in the dark nights of winter</span></i><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">”. </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes, they do, but not as bad as they have been recently and
numbers have been dropping long before the clocks changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">“Our numbers have
dropped in the past, but we have always bounced back”. </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Again, yes.
But the attitude of the general public at present has changed. Each year we see increases in psychic nights,
fundraisers, (not organised by our churches) and even psychics taking part in cabarets. We cannot complain about these nights as
Spiritualism does not have a monopoly with communication with the Spirit World,
but we should make the differences clear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">How do we make the
difference clear?</span></i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is in the hands of the churches. Only use mediums who are willing to work in
churches and do not succumb to party nights and working in pubs and clubs. The medium should decide what path he/she is
willing to take - path of religion or entertainment. Not taking a divine service one night and
then taking part the next night where drink is being </span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">served. This is totally confusing to members of the
public.</span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Drink is not allowed to be served during the
clairvoyance”. </span></i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">On some occasions
that rule is flouted by drink being brought in before the clairvoyance starts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Most people these days
don’t want church settings want large halls and in an environment where there
is no hymns prayers and addresses”. </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes, there are those who look on clairvoyance as entertainment,
but there are also those who are grieving and the church setting is the place
for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Spiritualism needs to change if it is to survive”. </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some would
have us surrender all to the entertainers, but we must not let our pioneers our
religion down. We can experiment with
what we have. Clairvoyance, Philosophy,
Healing, Meditation and periods of contemplation. We can mix this around at our services and
not always have the same format. Someone
suggested recently that we should have a service where we leave out the
clairvoyance on occasions. In such instances,
we could have prayers, hymns, philosophy, healing and a time for
contemplation. Sounds drastic, but not
as drastic as abandoning all that we have worked for over the years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Change from the old dreary hymns to modern songs that have
spiritual meanings”. </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes, that is being done at many churches, but at the same time I
find most of the hymns selected at our churches are cheerful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Maybe we have too many
churches at the moment and the churches closing at the moment is natural waste”. </span></i><i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The cull will be beneficial to our religion”. </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The sad thing
is some of the churches closing have been churches that have been great
teaching churches in the past<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Church committees should use their powers and not book a medium
who works in pubs and clubs. </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes, that would be a start.
Maybe not an immediate ban, but let mediums who take part in such nights
know that to protect our religion in the future we will not be booking mediums
who participate at such venues. Giving
the mediums a chance to decide if they are Ambassadors for Spirit in a
religious capacity or are willing to wander down the entertainment trail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What about fundraisers?”
</span></i><i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">These
night make a lot of money for charities and needy individuals. </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Helping
charities and local individuals has been part and parcel of Spiritualist for a
long time and I see no conflict here. As
long as it is run by churches. Each
church could hold 2-4 of these nights a year.
With churches arranging such nights Spiritualism the Religion is in
charge, not individuals. We must protect
our religion or it will go under.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Would dropping the word ‘church’ and replacing it with the
likes of ‘sanctuary’ make any difference?”
</span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We all doubted there would be much
difference in numbers with this change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Do mediums who tour the country check they are not working in a
town where one of our churches has a service that evening?” </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We could
not say for sure and we are going to check the Internet before we meet again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Facebook and Spiritualism – good or bad?” </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In many
ways facebook and the Internet have taken over from local newspapers in
advertising a church and its services. With the local newspaper there was a charge
for every word, now with the new media the sky is the limit and it is
free. Some churches praise to the
highest certain mediums. “The medium on
Sunday is the wonderfully talented *** ***”.
Does that mean that all mediums setting foot on their platform are not talented?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"Mediums promote themselves <i>“I am on at such and such a church this
evening</i>”. </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Are they asking people to come and see THEM – putting themselves
above Spirit and the church? See how
easy it is to tip the balance away from religion and closer to entertainment. A medium once told me that he done this to
promote the church, surely a church is capable of promoting itself?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“The title “International Medium”. </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Most had a
good laugh at this. Unlike a
sportsperson being selected for their country for being best at their sport, a
medium working abroad could have been asked to travel because of befriending
some at a Spiritualist college or on the Internet. Churches should stop such nonsense from being
mentioned on their platforms. Not all
Spiritualist mediums who have worked abroad want to be known by this title. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“The cost of workshops – is this education only for the rich?”. </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We all
agreed we know of many who cannot afford the price of many workshops and feel
left out. Those who came into
Spiritualism at the same time as myself had most if not all education
free. Churches should be able to get
true Spiritualists to share their knowledge for only expenses or a small
sensible fee. Also mentioned are those
who feel they are superior because they have been to a workshop taken by a
so-called Spiritualist celebrity. When I
hear this my mind goes back to a summer many years ago, when I was on holiday and
went out horse-riding every morning. A
retired top jockey spent a lot of time with me giving me tips etc. I did not return from that holiday expecting
a trainer to give me a leg-up on a horse running in the Champion Hurdle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Dress for the platform</span></i><i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">” We</span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> all agreed that female
mediums were keeping a high standard, but male mediums were starting to be
slipshod with their attire. Surely it is
not too much for a male medium to set foot on the platform with a jacket and
tie. Surely in respect to Spirit and our
religion it is not too much to ask that a tie be worn. Comments like; -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “In modern society tie
wearing is a thing of the past</span></i><i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">”. </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In our churches, we should
expect such a thing to be the norm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Some mediums may not possess a tie these days</span></i><i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">”. </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am sure
churches could have a tie at hand and loan it out for the service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“There may be mediums who refuse to wear a tie”. </span></i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So,
committees refuse to let them on their platform<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Are only excuses for committee members
not willing to run a church the way a church should be run? Committee members will make-or-break
Spiritualism as a religion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We ended our last discussion group of
the year after midnight hoping our views will put Spiritualism back on an even
keel, but left concerned that the situation will get worse.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> These Awards Must Go.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I am shaking my head as I look through the
September edition of the SNU’s Today magazine.
</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here we go again as the SNU hands out awards for </span><i style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Spiritualist of the Year</i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> and </span><i style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Church
of the Year</i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">.</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Surely this type of
award has nothing to do with a religion.</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Surely it is against all that we stand for?</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then as if to calm those who are opposed to
this sort of thing, the last paragraph of the article we have the closing paragraph
“</span><i style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Everyone in his own way makes a valuable
contribution to Spiritualism. Whether
that contribution is great or small it all serves to make the movement
stronger”.</i></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Such awards will not make our movement
stronger it will make many disillusioned.
If you have a good friend or member of your church who is a good letter
writer there will be a good chance of
you or your church will be considered for these awards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The SNU already have in place awards
that are fair and are more in tune with our beliefs. The long service awards which are presented
to Spiritualists who have been of great service to our movement. Twenty-five-years (silver), 50-years (gold),
60-years (diamond). I will be writing
to the President of the SNU about this and let you know his reply. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A few years ago I brought this matter up
at the AGM of our district council and received little or no support. I said at the time it is only a matter of
time before we have a TV programme “<i>Medium’s
X-Factor” </i>and I am still of that view.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-25582102660082433552016-11-23T12:17:00.000-08:002016-11-23T12:18:03.556-08:00My Diary … Absent Healing Hymn … The Baton of Spiritualism … Changes to Our Religion … The Day the Nation comes Together … Names that do not appear on the Cenotaph … From Auschwitz-Birkenau to the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium … Flowers of Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> My Diary…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">October…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16<sup>th</sup> – Perth Spiritualist Church (SNU)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">23<sup>rd</sup> – Largs Spiritualists Church. Every night of the week there is a Spiritual
Service somewhere in Scotland, but this is the only one of our churches that I
know that has a service on a Sunday afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">24<sup>th</sup> – Pollockshaws and District Spiritualist Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">27<sup>th</sup> Arbroath Spiritualist Church (SNU)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">30<sup>th</sup> – 1<sup>st</sup> November – Glasgow Central
Spiritualist Church <span style="background: white;">64 Berkeley St, Glasgow G3
7DS</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">7<sup>th</sup> – Saltcoats Spiritualist Church. A church that has been running for many years
and going against the trend at the moment with close to a full house at every
service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">13<sup>th</sup> – Ayr Spiritualist Church (SNU). Probably my favourite hymn in the
Spiritualist hymn book is sung at this church ever week and only at this
church. In almost quarter a century in
Spiritualism this is the only church where I hear the;-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Absent Healing Hymn.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 1.2pt;">
<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Enter in the Silence<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pause
a while to Pray<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Take
the best that's in you<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Give
it all away<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
our Healing Minute<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Everyday
we Blend<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Loving
thoughts We sent</span></i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;"> to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">All our Absent Friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">People tired and weary<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hurt by grief and pain<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sick in mind and body<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">All the World's the same<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Father we would help them<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Loving Thoughts, We send<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Helping all Thy Children<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">With Thy Love to Blend<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Father We are learning<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">How to live each day<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Helping all Our Brothers<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">As We sit and Pray<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">There is much within us<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">We can always find<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Willingly we give it<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">helping all Mankind.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Music: In the Bleak Mid-Winter<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;">Words Ron Bowers.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The Baton of Spiritualism<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If only those in Spiritualism thought of their religion as
President Obama though of his Presidency.
He considered himself as part of a team running in a relay race. Being passed on a baton from the outgoing president,
running a good race to make his team proud and then passing the baton of to the
incoming president. I urge
spiritualists, mediums, healers, committee members and committed members of our
churches to think in the same mode as President Obama. For us to look on our time in our religion as
being handed a baton from our pioneers and passing it on to future
generations. Not only passing our
religion on, but passing it on stronger than it was when we are being handed the
baton. <span style="background: white;">The
thing about spiritualism today is that too many in the movement put themselves
before our religion. Celebrity status and financial gain is their main
aim. Spiritualism must get back on
track before it too late. We owe it to
the pioneers of Spiritualism. </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Changes to Our Religion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve had several emails concerning the drop in numbers of those
attending our services and asking what I think the solution is. I have contacted several Spiritualists for
their views and they vary greatly. To do
nothing and ride out the storm - to massive changes to our religion. Spiritualism is not about numbers – it is
about being loyal to God and Spirit and the pioneers of our religion. Yes, there can be changes, but for the good
of the religion and not just to increase number. I will give my views in my next blog and they
might not go down well with many in our religion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The Day the Nation comes Together</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Remembrance Sunday, a day that the nation comes
together to remember and honour those who have sacrificed themselves to secure
and protect our freedom. It is the only
day of the year that the nation truly unites.
Then, the following day we are all back to normal in fighting our own
corner and forgetting about the sacrifices made so we can live as we do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The effect of each war / armed conflict ripple
outwards through several decades and for those that have been affected. Those
who have been injured the pain and disability can stay with them for the rest
of their life, whether it be physical or mental. Families have to carry on without a close loved-one. There are those families who will mourn a
loved one that gave up their life for their country, yet their names will never
appear on a cenotaph. They are the men
and women who have not worn a uniform, but worked undercover behind enemy lines
during war and in foreign lands during peace time giving their life for their
country. We must not forget them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Names that
do not appear on the Cenotaph <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">Then we have
a group that seldom gets a mention, but gave up their lives for the war
effort. In 1943 this country faced a
crisis in coal production as there was only three weeks of coal stock
available. This put the country’s ability to win the Second World War in
jeopardy. The then Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, charged Ernest Bevin,
Minister of Labour and National Service to increase coal production. So, Mr Bevin decided that from all 18 to
24-year-old men conscripts drafted to serve in the armed forces one in ten were
to be directed – on pain of imprisonment and irrespective of background or
ability - to work underground in British coal mines. Approximately 48,000 <b>Bevin Boys</b> (as they came to be known) undertook unskilled manual
jobs to release more experienced miners to move on to coal production at the
coal face. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14pt;">There were many deaths and injuries in
the mines, but there was little or no acknowledgement from the media (or
officially) for their contribution to the war effort. Often, they received
verbal abuse or were spat at in the street and asked, ‘<i>Why are you not in uniform? </i>Coming
from a mining family I always remember these men also on Remembrance Day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-size: 14.0pt;"> From Auschwitz-Birkenau to <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">the Menin Gate<span class="apple-converted-space"> in</span> Ypres, Belgium. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Still on the subject of war… If
I had to mention the two places that I have visited that overwhelmed me, it
would be Auschwitz-Birkenau Death Camp in Krakow in Poland and attending
the <span style="background: white;">Last Post ceremony at
the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium. </span>Although
not planned I was pleased that I visited Kracow before Ypres. The
former showed how barbaric and dark the human race can be - and the latter how
we can overcome all the evil and return to the light</span><b>.</b></span><b><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I will not go into detail about Auschwitz-Birkenau
as the displays were heart rendering and the atmosphere is eerie an</span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">d silent. It is often said that no birds sing or fly
over Auschwitz. I paid special attention
to this and not a bird did I hear or see.
Isabel – my wife – said that as she turned away from the gas chambers as
we were about to leave the camp she heard for a second a bird sing and into her
head came the words “<i>There is always
hope.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then the following year what an upliftment when we visited Ypres in
Belgium and to the</span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Menin Gate for the Last Post Ceremony that has become part of the daily
life in the town. The </span><span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Menin Gate Memorial to
the Missing</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">is
a<span class="apple-converted-space"> war memorial is dedicated to the
British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the area during WWI. Every night since the end of WWII roads are
closed as the people of Ypres take part in a moving ceremony. T</span></span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">he local people are proud of this simple
but moving tribute to the courage and self-sacrifice of those who fell in
defence of their town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Flowers
of Hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">While
talking to people of different nationalities after the service one old
gentlemen said that on Remembrance Day he always plants bulbs and when they
bloom in the spring to him is a sign of hope. The spring flowers show that even
after the most severe winter or horrific war - brightness will always shine
through in the end. Since that day, I
have always planted bulbs on Remembrance Day.</span><i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-91464628064849208012016-10-19T10:42:00.000-07:002016-10-19T10:42:49.264-07:00My Diary … Fifty Years ... Can Spiritualism Survive by Walter Taylor ... I disagree with Mr Taylor ... Rami Adham - The Toy Smuggler of Aleppo ... Your Comments.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dem4YvsCQLI/WAeiSOSj1uI/AAAAAAAABnw/42wYoQwolAAe0te7no6BpkGb9CTi4wGtgCK4B/s1600/Autumn%2B2012%2B039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dem4YvsCQLI/WAeiSOSj1uI/AAAAAAAABnw/42wYoQwolAAe0te7no6BpkGb9CTi4wGtgCK4B/s200/Autumn%2B2012%2B039.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">13<sup>th</sup>… ASK –
Cumbernauld.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">28<sup>th</sup> - Prestwick Spiritualist Church. It is always that little bit special to
attend this church as it is in <span style="background: white;">Community Centre,
Caerlaverock Road, Prestwick, KA9 1HR.<span class="apple-converted-space"> Formerly Prestwick Public School which I
attended for a few years. Entering the building brings back a lot of
memories. Although I only moved 23 miles
up the road to Beith I have always wondered what happened to my old
classmates. In all those years I have
only met one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">This month
was intentional kept quiet so I could catch up with some of the paranormal
research work I have been asked to do and for some lectures and workshops. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">And most
importantly we celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary. Fifty-years how time flies. It has just dawned on me that half of our
married life we have been connected with Spiritualism. More about this later in the blog.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">This month we celebrated
our golden wedding anniversary – 50 years married. When someone made a comment
married for half a century really made me think in-depth of the last half
century. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">If it had not been for
Isabel I would not be where I am today as far as Spiritualism is
concerned. Isabel was the one who
encouraged me to keep going to the development circle when I felt I was out of
my depth. Again, it was Isabel who gave
me so much encouragement in the week leading up to my first time on the
platform with four other fledglings. For
someone with zero confidence that short time linking with Spirit in public was
a complete impossibility for me, or so I thought. So, I owe a lot to Isobel as well as Spirit
and many others in our churches who gave me the confidence and courage to
continue along this path.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">As I look back over the
past fifty-years I feel a tinge of sadness for those couples who have not
reached this milestone. Those who have
only had a short time to enjoy married life before one passed over. And those who were so close to this anniversary
or retirement, yet did not get to spend more time together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> Can Spiritualism Survive by Walter Taylor, F. S. N. U.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">From The Glasgow Association’s Beacon – May / June 1980<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Part 1.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The question as to whether man survives death is still
scientifically, not yet proven.</span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I would
like to state what I think is scientific evidence of human survival of
death.</span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">It will be scientifically proven
when the evidence is of such a nature, as when for instance, we put the kettle
on and know that the water will boil at a certain temperature.</span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This may seem realistically crude, but surely
this is what we mean by scientific evidence?</span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This definition may seem philosophically disputable, but in what other
way can we talk about scientific facts?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">It would seem, looking at the Spiritualistic scene, that a
scientific basis of the claims made by Spiritualists, will never be
established. Actually, it is far short
of meeting any such claims! There may be
evidence coming through that satisfies an individual level, but it is
consistently repeatable evidence that is required. I may be asking far too much, but should we
not be seeking a reliable system of communication which would lift the
phenomena above the banal and the ludicrous?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">I am going to make a suggestion that may not be welcomed by many,
but I ask – Should we not seek a Dialogue with the Society for Psychical
Research? I anticipate cries of protest,
but let me put the case to you. First
the S.P, R. does not exist to prove survival.
Its task is to experiment and explore physical phenomena. It has no
fixed views nor creed nor dogma. Its
purpose is to “examine without prejudice or preposition, and in a scientific spirit
those faculties of man, whether real or supposed which appear to be
inexplicable on any generally recognised hypothesis”. I am asking – is it too much to open us a
discussion with the S.P.R. to discuss and experiment into psychic
phenomena. This is, or should be, OUR field. Do we want to widen and deepen our field or
are we content and happy with a comforting message from Auntie Mary who will
assure us that all is well with everything and we have nothing to worry
about? Is that all there is to
psychnomina I would wish to be counted out! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">I disagree with Mr. Taylor.
Within Spiritualism we not only believe that man survives death, we give
proof. Whether that proof is accepted by
the scientific community is up to them.
We do not need to go cap in hand to other groups to get the scientific
acceptance. All groups have their own
agenda and this changes from time to time depending who it at the top. I can just see experiments going our way and
then religions and other interested parties infiltrating the group to dumb down
the results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Hitler, the CIA and KGB have investigated all areas of the
paranormal. By the state of our planet
today they have not managed to harness any of the power or knowledge to suit
their own causes. Why? Why have they not harnessed or made a pact
with those on the other side? Because it is not meant to be. It is obvious that there will be those who will
be negative in the Spirit World and they are being kept at bay by the positive
realms of this dimension. Thankfully the
hierarchy of the spirit world are keeping any contact with subversive groups in
our dimension at arm’s-length.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">There are some who believe that Spiritualism is the sole agent for
the Spirit World. Although we may be the
biggest player in getting Spirit’s message across I feel that in many ways our
religion is losing favour with the Spirit World. I believe that the powers that be are working
more closely with individuals and small dedicated groups. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Spirit has always worked closely with dedicated individuals,
circles and groups. Many an artist has
claimed that their work has been influenced by an outside source. If only those
seats of power took time listening to that little voice in their head. Not telling them what to do, but giving them
a little guidance as where to look to solve a problem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Let me give one example <em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Dag Hammarskjöld</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">(Sweden)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>second
secretary-general of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations" title="United Nations"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #203864; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none;">United Nations</span></a></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">,
from 1953-1961. He died in an air crash in Africa in 1961 where the details
still remain unclear and many still believe foul play was involved. </span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">He is looked upon by many as the best Secretary
general the UN has ever had. </span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">He gained a reputation as a peacemaker,
man of faith and a man of peace. He treated all around him in the
same way whether it is a junior member of his staff, a senior politician or
royalty. The more I read about Mr.
Hammerskjold they more I believe he has a close link with Spirit. If only today’s world leaders look of Dag
Hammersjold as a role-model, there our planet would be a more peaceful place<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I do agree with Walter Taylor that Spiritualism should be more than
a comforting message from Aunty Mary.</span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--zxFqrWAa3Q/WAekSmLjwMI/AAAAAAAABoU/OEsZOCvIkKkBwtqwCE6NvareFwHSIgaQACK4B/s1600/Autumn%2B2012%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--zxFqrWAa3Q/WAekSmLjwMI/AAAAAAAABoU/OEsZOCvIkKkBwtqwCE6NvareFwHSIgaQACK4B/s200/Autumn%2B2012%2B003.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Indy Serif", serif; font-size: 19.3333px;"> Rami Adham - The Toy Smuggler of Aleppo.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Indy Serif",serif; font-size: 14.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Indy Serif",serif; font-size: 14.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">After five years of civil war, Syrian children living in war zones
have little to look forward to. But one man is attempting to bring gifts to
Syrian children, along with essential food and medicines. That man is Rami Adham. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Indy Serif",serif; font-size: 14.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Few will have heard of Rami Adham a 44-year-old father of six, is a
Finnish-Syrian originally from Aleppo who has lived in Finland since
1989. Few ever get to know the real heroes of our time we are too busy
worshiping celebrities of stage and screen.
For the past five years he has dedicated his life to helping children in
Syria and has now visited the war-torn country on 28 occasions, bringing over
80kg of donated toys across the border from Turkey on each trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-war-aleppo-toy-smuggler-man-who-brings-gifts-presents-to-children-in-war-zones-rami-adham-a7333231.html" target="_blank">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-war-aleppo-toy-smuggler-man-who-brings-gifts-presents-to-children-in-war-zones-rami-adham-a7333231.htm</a></span></span><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0mw1Plmy7O8/WAek5CEImlI/AAAAAAAABoc/mEXfCx8Ij8Eexd39U-5tV-XgSanna7yIACK4B/s1600/Autumn%2B2012%2B009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0mw1Plmy7O8/WAek5CEImlI/AAAAAAAABoc/mEXfCx8Ij8Eexd39U-5tV-XgSanna7yIACK4B/s200/Autumn%2B2012%2B009.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Your Comments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Tom, a spiritual
service is not like Royal Ascot it does not need a strict dress-code. On saying that a suit and tie to be worn is
not too much to ask a male medium who has been given the honour of taking such
a service.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">LL<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Spiritualism has already
surrendered to the entertainment industry so why not let the tie drop? <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">B L<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Bennie<i>. The story about the son going to the races in
memory of his dead father, did he back a winner this year?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Sorry Bennie. No fairy tale
ending to the Peter’s story. Of the
horses Peter selected with names related to his father’s life the only one
declared to run was Perfect Pasture. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">The
horse started at the odds of 50/1 and finished 10<sup>th</sup> in a
twenty-three runner field. Peter’s final
comment – “<i>I hope my father enjoyed the
day as much as I did”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">BV – Tom – I don’t
accept your comment that Spirit Guides may be on strike, from what I have
witnessed at my church recently, they are on a go-slow”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">“Tom, spot on with
North Korea. Leaving this country out in
the cold at our peril. Neutral countries
must start to build bridges with NK. How about you be one of the
negotiators?” LN….</span></i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> <i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-29441260987483997332016-09-13T05:39:00.001-07:002016-09-13T08:01:23.179-07:00 My Diary … Dress Code for Our Platforms ... Father and Son’s Day Out ... Keeping Communications Open ... Glasgow Association fills a void ... <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NtJWBX9RN1M/V9fxkSaomwI/AAAAAAAABlQ/92lcyITSvqAeU9I5SeoJ_c8l1Ruvw2MrACK4B/s1600/20160903_154631.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NtJWBX9RN1M/V9fxkSaomwI/AAAAAAAABlQ/92lcyITSvqAeU9I5SeoJ_c8l1Ruvw2MrACK4B/s200/20160903_154631.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28<sup>th</sup> – Falkirk Spiritualist
Church (SNU)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5<sup>th</sup> – The Glasgow Association
of Spiritualists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Dress Code for Our Platforms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There are still many in society who don’t look upon Spiritualism
as a religion. Our clairvoyance during a
service is the main reason why they think this way. There are others who feel a paltry Seven
Principles with only 47 words is not enough to guide us through this life and
make us closer to God. Or Seven
Principles they feel pales in comparison with mainstream religion’s 750,000
plus words in their ancient books of guidance and laws. There will be some who
think that the lack of fancy attire of those taking our services don’t give off
a churchy, religious feel. I feel that
we don’t need all that is mentioned above apart from the latter, I feel that
dress sense – a simple dress sense - is important on our platforms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In recent years I have heard many older Spiritualists complain
that dress-sense on the platform is dropping below an acceptable standard as
far as male mediums are concerned. I
have never heard off or seen any female medium drop below a sensible dress
sense for the platform, apart from some photos on Facebook showing ridiculous
dressing up for Halloween which the churches should not have allowed. What I am on at here is the dress sense on
our platforms at a Divine Service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I contacted a senior member of the SNU asking about this and
here is the reply; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘The SNU
has a code of conduct for its exponents which states that 'for men it
should be a suit, shirt and tie with shoes suitable for a formal occasion. However, as an alternative, a semi-formal
dress code could be adopted such as jacket, trousers, shirt and tie with smart
shoes.'<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Several emails to this site over the past year or
so have mentioned pullovers and open necked shirts are the order of the day as
far as many male mediums are concerned.
Every year a small group of Spiritualists meet for a weekend discussion
on Spiritual matters. This year saw our
most heated debate by far and the subject being discussed was ‘<i>proper attire for the platform’</i>. I was really surprised at some of the
comments advocating that almost anything goes dress sense on our platforms
these days as far as male mediums are concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Spiritualism is surely the most lax of all
religions – we have our Seven Principles, our dress code and very little
else. We rely on our members / mediums
to respect Spirit, our religion and the pioneers of our religion. So, surely it is not too much to ask that a
suit/jacket, shirt and tie are worn at our Divine Services and also evenings of
clairvoyance within the church?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I decided to do a small poll and contacted
Spiritualists old and new. In favour of
the suit, shirt and tie - 54% against
46%.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">here are some of their comments and comments from
the debate I attended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here are some of the comments; -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Tom, life has changed since you came into spiritualism and wearing ties
is a thing of the past. Once old fogies
like you pass over a tie will be a rarity…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes, trends are changing, but look at how many men
turn up at funerals wearing a tie as a mark of respect. All I am asking is the same respect in our
churches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am with you all the way.
I am an old fashioned girl who likes formality, but at the end of the day it is
the Church Committee who decides what their dress code will be”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Being a committee member of a Spiritualist Church
is an important position and it is church committees that should enforce the
‘tie being worn’ on their platforms.
They must decide is this a church they run or a psychic Centre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #f1f0f0; color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i>I really think
it depends on the weather Tom. Our church is really warm so some people have to
remove their jackets. I personally think that as long as the medium is neat and
tidy it does not really matter, but that is a personal opinion”.</i></span><i><span style="background: #f1f0f0; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i><span style="background: #f1f0f0; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I agree c</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">ommon sense can come into
play if weather or church is too warm.
On saying that no matter the temperature I stay with the full dress code
during the service – but I have already been called an ‘old fogie’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i><span style="background: #F1F0F0;">I
think as long as they are smart, it doesn't matter. It's more important in my
view what comes out of their mouth. I've seen the smartest of mediums talk a
lot of rubbish, that does our movement a disservice, and heard casual mediums
do a wonderful job. I personally don't mind”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“<span style="background: #F1F0F0;">I think that as long as the chair has been asked
then no not in warm weather</span></span></i><span style="background: #f1f0f0; color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: #f1f0f0; color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Traditionally
men always wore ties and jackets. But now even in high level meetings in the
corporate world, they do not wear ties”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: #f1f0f0; color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
absolutely agree that male mediums should wear shirt, tie and jacket and when
it is warm in platform, then check in with chairperson to remove jacket</span></i><span style="background: #f1f0f0; color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">”. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #f1f0f0; color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i>I would say that
presenting themselves at church smart no jeans no jumpers personally I was told
shirt tie and then you ask the chair if you can take your jacket off if the
room is warm and the weather so in answer yes”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: #f1f0f0; color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
feel they should be appropriately dressed. If it was scorching hot I would
perhaps forgo the jacket. I personally would then like a shirt and tie. If not
hot then definitely jacket too, and smart trousers if they have no suit”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: #f1f0f0; color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’ve
been told I have to so I do it think it looks better, but when it's summer in
our church it's really hot what do you think should be done when church is like
that I not sure”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Tom, as you know I
have been taking services at some of the small churches over the past two
years. I have never worn a tie while on
the platform, never been told to do so or chastised for not doing so. I can take you point about respect and in
future will start to dress as you recommend.
Maybe the absence of the tie is why I have not been asked to any of the
larger churches”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Tom get on the
committee of a church and see how difficult it is to balance the books. Then you will realise that it is not how a
medium dress, but how popular he is to draw in a reasonable congregation. We need money in our collection plates to
keep the doors open”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For the past three months I have been on
a church committee and realise the financial issues. The financial strain on some of our churches
is why I have offered to give lectures and workshops free of charge to give
churches a boost financially. Maybe
others should start doing the same but that is another topic for debate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: #f1f0f0; color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I think
that the dress code for mediums of both sexes is very important. Therefore, in
my opinion, a man should wear either a suit or trousers and jacket with a shirt
and tie and polished shoes.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Personally speaking it is only respectful to the spirit and the
religion we are representing to be suitably attired. There is a tendency for
men to now wear open necks because fashion dictates that this is ok. Many
television presenters have open necks but the news readers always wear ties.
There are some shirts that you cannot wear a tie with eg the Gandhi or
oriental style. I have seen these kind worn with suits and a waistcoat and
they look extremely smart. Smartness is very important; Sunday services especially
is a formal service in my eyes.
Demonstrations of mediumship can be more relaxed but I would still
expect a shirt to be worn.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“As I have no interest
anymore in Spiritualism I don’t have an opinion about ties or any other aspect
of the movement. The movement we knew
has died and gone and the thing that has replaced it has going to hell in a
handcart and I want nothing more to do with it?”</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Unfortunately, that is the view of many
old-timers. I know many who have just
upped up and left never wanting to talk about what they once cherished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Father and Son’s Day Out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One of my earlier blogs I commented on
an email from Peter. Peter explained how
there was no grieving when his father died or on the anniversary of his
death. His dad had suffered so much in
the past two years of his life and could do nothing for himself. “<i>His passing was a blessing”</i> he
said. But, Peter had to admit that there
was a tear in his eye each year on the day of the AYR Gold Cup. The day that was so special to his
father. The only day he went off on his
own leaving the family behind and headed to Ayr Racecourse.</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last week I met Peter for the first time
and he added to the story…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He said that his retirement coincided
with the richest horseracing handicap in Europe changing its day of running
from a Friday to a Saturday. Peter
decided in memory of his father to go to Ayr Racecourse each year on the running
of this race. Like his father it would
be the only day he would leave the family behind and venture out on his
own. On the track he would keep to his
father’s ritual of having a meal, a double malt whiskey and have an each-way
bet on only the one race, the main race of the afternoon the Ayr Gold Cup. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i>The
amazing thing was “</i>said Peter “<i>it was
as if my father is with me on these occasions</i>. I can smell his Old Spice aftershave; I can
feel his love all around me on this day.
<i>I am certain my dad is with me on
this day each year</i>”. <i>The only thing is”</i> Peter went on to say <i>“I must not be listening to dad when picking
my selection each year.</i> Dad was
successful with the winnings always being given to the children. My plan was always to give to the
grandchildren and now the great grandchildren my winnings, but my only
successes since 1992 have been.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1992 – Lochshore 1<sup>st</sup> - 10/1. Dad took us camping one year and we set up
our tent on the side of a loch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1997 – Wild Wood Flowers – 1<sup>st</sup>
14/1. My father liked walking in the
country and loved gardening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2013 – I could not decide between two
Highland Colori - dad’s love of the
highlands - and Heaven’s Guest which needs no explanation. I halved my bet and backed both of them ew. Dad must have been smiling that day as
Highland Colori won and 25/1 and Heaven’s Guest was 3<sup>rd</sup> 25/1. So with my each-way betting I got returns on
both of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I asked peter what his money would be
going on this year and he said “It <i>will
have to be once again Heaven’s Guest and if a non-runner I will decide between</i>
<i>Piper’s Note, Perfect Pasture or Snap
Shots</i> the other three horses in the race where their names have a
connection to by Dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let’s hope the sun is shining on the 17<sup>th</sup>
at Ayr and Peter’s father guides him to the winner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Keeping Communications Open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The other evening, I found
myself writing; - <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many joke about North
Korea’s President </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Kim Jong-un - but he is by
far the most dangerous individual on this planet.<br />
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Mr. Putin will only go so far - he will not risk what he already has.<br />
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">China - although having a vast army and
nuclear weapons, yet it has found its more powerful mode of attack is in in the
financial sector.<br />
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ISIS - has FEAR as its main weapon.
Although this fear has the rest of the world running around in circles
it does not have anywhere near the destructive power of NK.<br />
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North Korea is an entirely different kettle of fish as decisions made in Pyonyang
could cause so much upheaval - life as
we know it could be turned on its head.
Any nuclear release could contaminate the whole region for many years to
come. Nuclear contamination respects no
borders and as well as North and South Korea, China, Russia, Japan and other
countries could be affected. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Kim Jong-un being replaced is not necessary
the answer as that would see millions of North Koreans flood over the borders
to China and South Korea. The Syrian
refugee crisis would pale in comparison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> We Spiritualists should pray and
campaign for negotiations never to stop no matter how futile the situation may
seem. North Korea is never going to
trust the US or the UK, so let other countries take the lead. The Scandinavian countries, Holland,
Belgium, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand etc. should keep the lines of
communications open – keep talking to make the world a safer place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And we Spiritualists can keep this
volatile situation in our prayers – we need more than help from this planet to
sort it out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A few hours after I typed this out North
Korea carried out its biggest nuclear test.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ujB7JU9rxAM/V9gOymDxeCI/AAAAAAAABmI/DXbtfGQsggYznyAnO-9QHjpsNTvD_H34ACK4B/s1600/20160912_133919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ujB7JU9rxAM/V9gOymDxeCI/AAAAAAAABmI/DXbtfGQsggYznyAnO-9QHjpsNTvD_H34ACK4B/s400/20160912_133919.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Glasgow Association fills a great void in Spiritualist in Scotland with ten evenings of Philosophy. </span></div>
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<br />Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-15251697626560757592016-08-22T03:48:00.000-07:002016-08-22T03:48:00.607-07:00 My Diary… Hell here on Earth... Spirit Guides on Strike? ... Racism on the rise... Spiritual Mediums serve people both living and dead ... Trance - You've either got the ability (some would say gift) or you haven't <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02lbQfC6WK4/V7rMUYUm3SI/AAAAAAAABjY/946yjTu6v0UP6T00A4AsOgBPjssF09q4wCK4B/s1600/20160816_191856.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02lbQfC6WK4/V7rMUYUm3SI/AAAAAAAABjY/946yjTu6v0UP6T00A4AsOgBPjssF09q4wCK4B/s200/20160816_191856.jpg" width="112" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My Diary…</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">August…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2<sup>nd</sup> – A short
twenty-mile drive to the Free Spirit Spiritualist, Church, Kilmarnock. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">7<sup>th</sup> – A bit further afield to the Coatbridge
Spiritualist Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10<sup>th</sup> – As always a great welcome from the committee and
members of Perth Spiritualist Church. (SNU)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">15<sup>th</sup> – Back to Ayrshire and to the Cumnock Spiritualist
Church. 16<sup>th</sup> – ASK Neilson Spiritualist Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16<sup>th</sup> – My shortest journey of the month – 10 miles – the
Neilston Spiritualist Church.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17<sup>th</sup> – I took the service at Kilmarnock Spiritualist
Church (SNU). This is a big year for the
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<i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Hell here on Earth.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">HELL </span></i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">is not in another
dimension. <i>HELL</i> is here on earth for many people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When we think of all the technology, money and medicines we have at
our disposal in this day and age, we should be ashamed at the suffering we have
all around us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A three-hour truce was arranged for the Syrian city of Aleppo to
let humatarian supplies into the city.
After those three hours it was OK to use chlorine gas, drop oil drum
bombs and Internationally banned cluster bombs on to markets. Innocent men, women and children are maimed
and killed on an hourly basis. One day
this month it was reported that there were two-hundred airstrikes on the
city. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For those civilians managing to flee the city and the country their
plight is not over by any means. For
some it is to the safety of refugee camps in neighbouring countries, but their
future looks bleak many will be destined to live the rest of their lives in
these camps. We have to praise two small
neighbouring countries, Jordan and the Lebanon.
Both countries have set up massive refugee camps on their territories
and doing their best to make them as comfortable as they can for the refugees. It is </span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">shameful that other countries in the area are refusing to
help in this humanitarian crisis.</span></div>
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</span><br />
<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Spirit Guides on Strike?</span><br />
<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The pioneers of modern day Spiritualism used to look upon the link
with the Spirit World and this dimension with awe, wonder and respect. </span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Today it is looked upon as a cash cow and a
road to fame.</span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This priceless
communication link is being abused by all and sundry these days – or is it?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">We constantly hear that “<i>mediumship’
is not the same as it used to be”. </i>Could
that be because Spirit is not participating as fully as they did in the past? Our
Guides are willing to work on a long-term partnership with us, but are not
willing to be used and abused? In some cases,
not participating at all at some demonstrations? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">The more we put in – the more we get back. Could that be the cause that both mental and
physical mediumship not being as strong and as accurate as in the past?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Mediums are not taking the time to learn, understand and slowly
develop a close relationship with our guides and the Spirit World?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Few mediums are willing to sit alone in a room quietly linking with
the Spirit World before they take a service like they did in the past. I am guilty of this also and the few times I
take that solitude the link is usually stronger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Think of it – a loved one who feels the need to make contact from
the Spirit World through a medium – what options do they have?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">A church where there is reverence and respect and a lovely
atmosphere or a pub setting where drink is available and even a cabaret where
the medium/psychic is only part of the evening’s entertainment. The other acts could be fire-eaters, belly
dancers and so much more that is associated with entertainment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">This wonderful link between our different dimensions is far greater
than the whole Internet set-up so this should be used for good – not abused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">If there is to be a non-profitmaking communication</span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oE33EF1qD5A/V7rWXyG0k1I/AAAAAAAABkg/ZtqoV0qcHAU3Tx5nNzf-P4-LIZERFrW6QCK4B/s1600/orkney%2B412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oE33EF1qD5A/V7rWXyG0k1I/AAAAAAAABkg/ZtqoV0qcHAU3Tx5nNzf-P4-LIZERFrW6QCK4B/s1600/orkney%2B412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oE33EF1qD5A/V7rWXyG0k1I/AAAAAAAABkg/ZtqoV0qcHAU3Tx5nNzf-P4-LIZERFrW6QCK4B/s200/orkney%2B412.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Racism on the
rise.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My two sisters and I were brought up never to judge anyone by the colour
of their skin or their religion. To
judge someone on their actions or what they said was a different matter. But… with the latter only after we found out
why they were talking or acting in such a way we felt was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Alas – after of appearing to be going in the right direction racism
and religious intolerance is rearing its ugly- head again. The backlash is that so many innocent people
will suffer. Innocent people who just
want to lead a normal life. Political
leaders around the world are using these intolerances to suit their own agenda
and making the situation worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The human race is abusing the freewill it has been given instead of
using it to make life better for all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UQq4XDo-ILM/V7rRgjt-pFI/AAAAAAAABkI/tGJILInCn2Af_E6K7fOcEJcf0XbVCl-6gCK4B/s1600/wild%2Bflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UQq4XDo-ILM/V7rRgjt-pFI/AAAAAAAABkI/tGJILInCn2Af_E6K7fOcEJcf0XbVCl-6gCK4B/s200/wild%2Bflowers.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Spiritual Mediums
serve people both living and dead, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Spiritual Mediums serve people both living and dead, t</span></i><i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">hey bridge the gap</span></i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">” were the first
words I got out on a talk on Spiritualism and before I could say anything else
- the following comments came from those in front of me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i>That gap is not meant to be
bridged”. “It is wrong, for those here to bridge that gap, in fact it is an
evil act to try to bridge that gap”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The gap cannot be bridged unless Spirit wants to make contact. And as far as being evil what evil is there
in family and friends communicating from the Spirit World in a gentle friendly
manner. A medium has less power than
many people think, Spirit has got to want to communicate. The medium brings forward Joe Smith to
communicate because his wife is sitting in the church that particular
evening. If Joe is to come forward, then
he must think that there is great need for him to communicate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dVcabY0NEiM/V7rSjSFjxNI/AAAAAAAABkU/T9ZIUQJ7utEtHih8_2L86IVlqaQR1upVgCK4B/s1600/yellow%2Bflower%2Bswc.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dVcabY0NEiM/V7rSjSFjxNI/AAAAAAAABkU/T9ZIUQJ7utEtHih8_2L86IVlqaQR1upVgCK4B/s200/yellow%2Bflower%2Bswc.JPG" width="150" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"> Trance - You've either got the ability (some would say gift) or you haven't</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I keep seeing posts about courses that 'teach' trance
mediumship. I stand to be corrected but in my view you can't teach trance.
You've either got the ability (some would say gift) or you haven't. I've run
many development groups over the years but in my experience you can only
encourage and facilitate what is already there. True trance mediumship is a
high form of mediumship and quite rare, unlike other psychic abilities. I would
never state that I could teach trance to anyo<span class="textexposedshow">ne.
Please tell me how you 'teach' a guide to connect with a medium? You can advise
on how to attune and enter an altered state, but it spirit who have the
control, not the sitter. So please, let's get real and make some attempt to
return to proper teaching when it comes to this type of development, not pseudo
'teaching' that panders to the ego. Even Gordon Higginson, whom I have worked
with and who knew a thing or two about trance, said that 'mediums are born, not
created'.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span class="textexposedshow">Encourage, guide, inspire but please, don't
mislead. We want higher standards of mediumship, not lower.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white; color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ron Goodwin</span></span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-3303441136608980702016-07-28T12:15:00.002-07:002016-07-28T12:22:09.841-07:00My Diary... Scotland's Proud History... Your comments on Mr Quastel's Vision on Spiritualism... “We Are all Equal"… We are all on the frontline... <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4qCysexrNNU/V5pR7_ZYZxI/AAAAAAAABig/pIFYNVrSXpUv-Bb_NAtxQ0ZhwOs9zhcCgCK4B/s1600/March%2B2016%2B025.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4qCysexrNNU/V5pR7_ZYZxI/AAAAAAAABig/pIFYNVrSXpUv-Bb_NAtxQ0ZhwOs9zhcCgCK4B/s200/March%2B2016%2B025.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> My Diary…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3<sup>rd</sup> - I was off to the Kingdom of Fife to
take the service at the Dunfermline Spiritualist Church (SNU) 3 Lady Campbell
Walk, Dunfermline, KA12 0QH.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10<sup>th</sup> / 11<sup>th</sup> - Further north this time to the usual great
highland welcome from committee and members of the Inverness Spiritualist
Church (SNU) Smithton Hall, Smithton, IV2 7NP.
I hope that those attending the workshop on Sunday enjoyed it as much as
I did. Tremendous enthusiasm by the
members of this church to understand their psychic abilities, knowledge on how
Spirit work with us and about their religion.
The committee have an excellent training programme that nurtures and
helps this enthusiasm to slowly mature rather than a quick conveyer belt
process. On the Monday evening the
biggest turnout I have seen at this church and I have been going up there for
the past fifteen years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17<sup>th</sup> – Back to Fife. This time to ASK 3<span style="background: white; color: #222222;">0 Mercer Pl, Dunfermline KY11 4UG. This is another church that takes a lot of
time in giving structured teaching to their circle members.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dx9eGNFxRw/V5pSseYzhBI/AAAAAAAABis/91W0uZK7AzUL40Ance2BnwUZxpA8EibBACK4B/s1600/March%2B2016%2B023.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dx9eGNFxRw/V5pSseYzhBI/AAAAAAAABis/91W0uZK7AzUL40Ance2BnwUZxpA8EibBACK4B/s200/March%2B2016%2B023.JPG" width="150" /></a></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Scotland’s Proud
History.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">While in Waterstone’s
bookshop in Inverness a German tourist holding a book on Scottish History
started asking me about certain aspects of the contents. Once she left I had a quick look through the
book I suddenly thought, <i>“Something is
missing”.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">That something was
“Spiritualism”. Modern-day Spiritualism
started in 1848 in the US when the Fox sisters heard tapping sounds. Only eight years later in 1856 the Glasgow
Association of Spiritualism opened its door and they have stayed open since. This
year Alloa Spiritualist Church celebrated its centenary and there has been a
Spiritualist church in Aberdeen for over 100 years. Scotland has a long and proud history with
Spiritualism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXkKSeohkKM/V5pUGUeiwAI/AAAAAAAABi4/CajLt_5NDF0GUrNYmotWIdG467JElzHJgCK4B/s1600/Apr%2BMay%2B16%2B391.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXkKSeohkKM/V5pUGUeiwAI/AAAAAAAABi4/CajLt_5NDF0GUrNYmotWIdG467JElzHJgCK4B/s200/Apr%2BMay%2B16%2B391.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> Your comments. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have received many
comments on the vision Mr C. I Quastel (President, of the Spiritualist National
Union 1958 – 1965) , experienced in1961 On Spiritualism's future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2e74b5; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">KL – “<i>If this
gentleman had a vision in all those years ago of what Spiritualism would be
like today then surely it came from Spirit.
Maybe it was not a warning, but the way spirit was guiding our movement
towards?”</i></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A good point – but maybe also to warn us and prepare us we
have a fight on our hands to save our religion from entertainment and financial
gain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2e74b5; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">LC “<i>If this was
known by the Spirit World over half a century ago Spirit had plenty of time to
change it if they had wanted too”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They can make us aware and guide us – but in the end we have
free choice and personal responsibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2e74b5; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ramos <i>“Tom, move
with the times or leave”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ramos – I have thought of walking away several times recently
and it may happen sooner or later. Then
I think “Why should real Spiritualists surrender”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2e74b5; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2e74b5; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PT – <i>I have been so
sickened with what has been going on with the movement over the past few years
and I doubt I will ever go back. Many
are now in it solely for the money and if your main aim is the £ then you will
follow that rather than being true to spirit.
Mediums cancelling long standing engagements because they suddenly get a
better financial deal elsewhere.
Churches putting those on the platform who are entertainers and business
people rather than true spiritualists”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PT – the churches have the power to stop Spiritualism
dropping into the mire if only they would use it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #2e74b5; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Laura – “<i>Mediums
giving free tuition with the intention of the students when they return home are
expected to arrange workshops for their tutors.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A vast majority of Spiritualists cannot afford or have the
time to attend Spiritualist colleges and the tutor coming to their area is a
good thing. As long as the events and
tutors are not advertised in the media as a celebrity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In hindsight we can now
see little heed was taken and now we are left with a real mess. In trying to progress Spiritualism I think
that too many in a position of power at all levels have taken their eye off the
ball. Fully concentrating on education,
diplomas and adhering too strongly to rules that were initially meant as
guidelines. etc. That is maybe where the Independent
churches have stolen a march on the larger Spiritual organization. They have not taken their eye off the ball of
the needs of those who enter our churches.
</span><span style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes – we need education
about our religion – but not that it takes over everything else. And we must not forget the cost of workshops
and training courses mean that many cannot afford them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYcGzD4Jzmc/V5pWuFuk19I/AAAAAAAABjE/KnHAXrNaWokXGpobk2_qOk-Ck73EjI7ZACK4B/s1600/Apr%2BMay%2B16%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYcGzD4Jzmc/V5pWuFuk19I/AAAAAAAABjE/KnHAXrNaWokXGpobk2_qOk-Ck73EjI7ZACK4B/s200/Apr%2BMay%2B16%2B002.JPG" width="200" /></a> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <i>“We Are all Equal"</i>… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">As the world
mourns a famous person, there are many others making the transition to the
Spirit World. And yet most of these will
move over almost unnoticed, on your side of the divide.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I<i>n the sight of the Lord/God/Great Spirit, whatever name you
wish to use for the Creator. Everyone is
equal.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>The Spirit World gives as much attention to those who had
nothing on the material, as those who seemed to have everything.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Never feel you are better than anyone else. Never feel that anyone is better or lesser than
you. In the eyes of the Creator everyone
is the same.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>One may not be a star, or top of the tree at something that is
in the glare of publicity. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>However, to a lonely person we can be a star, or top of the
tree, with just giving them a smile or a little bit of recognition. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Letting someone feel that others care for
them, can mean so much to them. A smile
can be worth its weight in gold.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Never feel superior.
Treat others, as you would like others to treat you </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new";">Alan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "courier new";"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We are all on the Frontline.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The latest terrorist attack in France is something I
have always feared. Terrorists using not
guns or bombs, but something more readily available to cause carnage and
death. This makes it so much harder for
the security forces to detect individuals or groups hell bent on taking
innocent lives. A new chapter in our
lives has now opened up where more and more will fear for their safety going
about their everyday lives. Massive
armies and sophisticated weapons are impotent in such a war that terrorists are waging at the
moment. We can only hope and pray that
good will overcome evil. At the same
time, we should not condemn all of those who are the same religion as those who
commit the terrorist acts. They are not
immune to the suffering and death from terrorism that is occurring around the
world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>
</o:p></span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-50368074169560143162016-06-14T13:23:00.001-07:002016-06-14T13:23:13.275-07:00My Diary ... I am Now a Committee Member ... 1961 - Vision of Spiritualism in the Future comes to Pass... Real Comedy Writers are Becoming an Endangered Species ... One Hundred Years and Still Going Strong... <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">16<sup>th</sup> – I took an evening of clairvoyance at Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church (SNU)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">17<sup>th</sup> – I had a most interesting night giving a talk on Spiritualism and then a Q & A session at the Ascension Spiritualist Church Maryhill, Glasgow. That was the last night at the old venue and from 24/5/2016 the church has a new home at the .</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Maryhill Education
Comunity Centre.35 Avenuepark Street Maryhill.G20 YTS</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">26<sup>th</sup> - I was over in the East Coast to the usual warm welcome from the committee and members of the Arbroath Spiritualist Church SNU.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">29<sup>th</sup> – A short journey south the bright and friendly Ayr Spiritualist Church (SNU) where a warm welcome awaits all who enters through its doors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">June...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5th – I travelled 165 miles north to the Aberdeen Bon Accord Spiritualist Church (SNU). Great hospitality and enthusiasm from this church which has been serving Spiritualism in Aberdeen for over one-hundred years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I am now...Now a Committee Member...</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anne Strachan President of the Glasgow Association of Spiritualist asked me if I would like to become a committee member of the Association. So as from the beginning of the month I am now a committee member of the Glasgow Association.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> 1961 - Vision of Spiritualism in the Future comes to Pass...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Looking through some old issues of The Beacon – the Glasgow Association of Spiritualist’s magazine of November 1961 I came across a most interesting article. It was by Mr C. I Quastel president, of the Spiritualist National Union 1958 – 1965. Mr Quastel looked into the future of Spiritualism and got it spot on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thus, it is that in these days’ voices which have heard a loud and uncompromising against any dilution of the original purpose which inspired the creation of the ‘Spiritualist National Union’ come from the hardy northerners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have no hesitation, therefore, I’ve no doubt as to the action, and writing of my fears for the future of what is called the “Spiritualist Movement” in Great Britain, with the hope of arousing a national determination to make such a prophetic possibility just a hideous nightmare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I see so clearly, a vision of the future where in every city there will be dozens of psychic businesses, staffed by professional mediums and healers, which by means of “enticing advertisements” draw to the premises people of all classes, eager to obtain relief from the woes and ailments - at any price...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The only people unable to gain access to these commercialised “sanctuaries of healing” will be - in my opinion - the poor and the needy who will be unable to pay the high fees for “for “consultations” or unable to leave liberal “donations”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many of those are we are at this moment aware of the existence of at least one widely advertised centre where the main activity is the provision of private interviews, in almost endless succession, to selected clients who are able to pay the fees demanded for this ‘service,.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Such a prospect is terrible only if the growing emphasis on the practice of mediumship as a “box-office attraction” detracts from the essential purpose of Spiritualism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Please do not misunderstand me. Mediumship is needed to provide evidence of survival, and I, in common with every other official, wish to have the help of the most capable mediums in our psychic activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But the practice and the results of good mediumship are only means to the greater end – to emphasise the help that is constantly given to us by our spirit friends and guides, using the power of the Almighty, in order that through our own, or through co-operative action, we may bring peace and harmony to the world, by doing our utmost, in always possible, to abolish fear of death, loneliness, poverty and insecurity – whether in the home or in the International field of politics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Spiritualism’s purpose should, and must, be emphasised as a sequel to any effort to demonstrate “survival”, or even to heal the sick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Without this “religious” attitude, which truly involves human and divine relationship through the life-giving power of God, our movement would consist of activities conducted by (a) those who profit financially; (b) those who voluntary help makes it possible for the “professionals” to do the work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sooner or later, under these conditions, the voluntary workers would refuse to give their labours and thus all workers and officials would become salaried, and finances only would determine the justification of any effort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Such a situation is already threatening – as an example - what once was a flourishing, idealistic youth movement in this country, and we see signs, too, in our Spiritualist organisations where the burden of VOLUNTARY CHARITABLE work falls on the frail but determined shoulders of the ever decreasing numbers of old but loyal servants of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So much depends on our Church leaders and holders of S.N.U Diplomas and other credentials.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They MUST – at every public service – speak of our purpose as a religious, charitable union of Churches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They MUST read and referred to our Seven Principles which present, so simple and clearly, everything with which the true Spiritualists can identify.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I APPEAL, almost desperately, to those who once joined us – as Church members, as Healers, as Mediums – to remember their vows of unselfish service to the Movement – to be humble and honest in the of dedication of self to the common cause.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is so much to do – new places of worship to be created for the new religion of the world, based on psychic truths and Spiritualist ideals – social problems to be solved – international friendships to be made.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Spiritualism needs YOUR help – and the World needs Spiritualism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let us, and all members of the S.N.U.., never cease to strive towards a Utopian goal of peace on earth. Failure will only come when we cease to strive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Real Comedy Writers are Becoming an Endangered Species...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Comedy is not what it was like in my young days. The likes of “Hancock's Half Hour” “The Army Game”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="ver"><span style="background: #FFFFCC; border: solid #EEEECC 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: solid #EEEECC .5pt; padding: 1.0pt;">and “Dad</span></span>'s Army” only to mention three, could be watched by the whole family. Real comedy scriptwriters do not need to revert to obscene language or scenes to get a laugh. Today not only is so much smut added to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="spellmod"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">comedy </span></span><span class="spellmod"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">programme</span></span><span class="spellmod"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">s, </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">at the utterance of</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">certain words, the audience bursts out laughing. Real comedy scriptwriters and comedians are on the edge of extinction. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Real comedy does not make fun of;-<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Cancer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Self harm<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Weight.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Appearance<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Bullying<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Sexuality<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Suicide<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Rape<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Death<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Cut these out and maybe in sixty years time, the comedy of today will still be repeated on TV.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #292f33; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; letter-spacing: .15pt; line-height: 115%;"> One Hundred Years and Still Going Strong...</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #292f33; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; letter-spacing: .15pt; line-height: 115%;">Another Scottish Spiritualist Church has passed a tremendous milestone this year. This time, it is Alloa Spiritualist Church which celebrated its 100<sup>th</sup> anniversary a few weeks ago.</span><span style="background: rgb(255, 254, 255); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-10038467574069924422016-05-04T13:51:00.000-07:002016-05-04T14:34:04.905-07:00My Diary ... Hollywood or Hounslow an ex-President or a plumber ... Capital Punishment ... Reality of Today ... Your emails..... <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64m3nMCCrTk/VypXi0EkycI/AAAAAAAABfY/e0-W4wISN1AA3wMyOzBIIHpZ170e6bNAgCK4B/s1600/April%2B16%2B091.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64m3nMCCrTk/VypXi0EkycI/AAAAAAAABfY/e0-W4wISN1AA3wMyOzBIIHpZ170e6bNAgCK4B/s200/April%2B16%2B091.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">28<sup>th</sup> ASK Dreghorn,<span style="background: white;"> KA11 4EQ.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A quiet month as far as church services are concerned. </span><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I planned it this way to concentrate on workshops, lectures, and my psychic research work. Also, sitting in the congregations of our churches. Something I had got out of the habit of doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Hollywood or Hounslow an ex-President or a plumber</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was over the moon when the Psychic News came back to life in 2011. Then, and still to this day the first pages I turn to is the David Hopkins column and the letter’s page. Yet, as each month goes by I am getting more and more disillusioned with the magazine. It is becoming more like many magazines and newspapers these days in spending so much time reporting on celebrities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Just look at the headlines for articles during the months of March and April;-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i>We Become Beverly Hills Mediums”, Tony Warren, Corrie’s Creator, saw actress’s ghost on TV set”, Nancy Reagan reunited with her husband”, Tarot prediction scares Coleen Nolan”, “Dave Stewart: old or new soul”, Energy healer cured Michael Flatley”, “Our Beverly Hills Adventure”.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The path the magazine appears to be taking does not show true Spiritualism and must give a new reader a false impression of our religion. The Psychic<em><span style="background: white;"> News</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">was founded in 1932 as the global mouthpiece for Spiritualism.<span class="apple-converted-space"> That has waned considerably in the past few years and it looks like it will not be long before newsagents place this magazine among the other celebrities magazines</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">it is Hollywood or Hounslow an ex-President or a plumber Spirit will look on all as equal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 21.4667px;"> Capital Punishment.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have been asked constantly "<i>As a spiritualist what’s your views on capital punishment?" </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As far as capital punishment is concerned – I am totally against it. I’m against it for one reason, one innocent person executed for a crime they did not commit is one too many. Over the years there have been too many mistakes with innocent people being executed. I really believe that one of the worst things that can happen to a human is being found guilty of a crime they did not commit. Then, they spend many years in jail or are executed while the guilty party roams free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I constantly hear individuals in the spiritualist movement say “They will be punished when they get over to the other side”. I don’t agree that we should leave it to the Spirit World to punish those who have done wrong in this dimension. We have to take personal responsibility and police our own dimension keeping the vulnerable safe from those who would do them harm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: green; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">May you always have work for your hands to do.</span></em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<em><span style="color: green; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">May your pockets hold always a coin or two.</span></em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<em><span style="color: green; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">May the sun shine bright on your window pane.</span></em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<em><span style="color: green; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.</span></em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<em><span style="color: green; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">May the hand of a friend always be near you.</span></em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<em><span style="color: green; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.</span></em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<em><span style="color: green; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">~ Old Irish Blessing<o:p></o:p></span></em></h4>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A blessing so many these days wish was bestowed on themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many a young person today does not have the chance of a full-time job with prospects. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So many do not have a place to call home, never mind having the sun shine on their window pane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For many there never seems to be any light at the end of the tunnel, never mind a rainbow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is not always help those in need. Of course, there is from the spirit world, but those in dire straits are not always aware of this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Can we blame those who have nothing for thinking that God is only for those who have everything?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Your emails.....</span><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 14pt;">Leanne reminds us – “<i>Spiritualism is not just about proving life after physical death. It is about spirituality of self, learning through meditation, prayer and how to be a loving, forgiving and caring person. First, we must forgive ourselves for the damage we have done to others and our own spirits, intentional or unintentional. Only then can we start to walk a spiritual pathway”.<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span> <span style="background: white; font-size: 14pt;">Thanks Leanne...</span><br />
<span style="background: white; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">Evans emailed - “<i>That gap between us and the dead is not meant to be bridged”. “It is wrong, for those here to bridge that gap, in fact it is an evil act to try to bridge that gap”.<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">Evans - The gap cannot be bridged unless Spirit wants to make contact. And as far as being evil, what evil is there in family and friends communicating from the Spirit World in a gentle friendly manner. A medium has less power than many people think Spirit has got to want to communicate.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-1365274122430483262016-03-30T10:00:00.001-07:002016-03-30T10:00:38.813-07:00 My Diary... Don’t Leave Our Mediums In The North Out in the Cold... Our Seven Principles Suggest As Individuals We Get Involved.... / Spiritualism Losing Members and Churches... Tracy Norton's Concern for the Future Of Spiritualism... <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8sN08kp-Dv4/Vvv9a5sJM4I/AAAAAAAABek/OeJHukxgV0soOk6kwsV7vfCW1VIWL0SlQ/s1600/w%2Bmarch%2Bred%2Bfl.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8sN08kp-Dv4/Vvv9a5sJM4I/AAAAAAAABek/OeJHukxgV0soOk6kwsV7vfCW1VIWL0SlQ/s200/w%2Bmarch%2Bred%2Bfl.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">February...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">22<sup>nd</sup> – I always enjoy my visit to Inverness Spiritual Church (SNU) Great enthusiasm in Scotland’s most northerly city as far as spiritualism is concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">28<sup>th</sup> - Glasgow Central Spiritual Church. (SNU)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">29<sup>th</sup> - Glasgow Central Spiritual Church. (SNU)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">March..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">1<sup>st</sup> - Glasgow Central Spiritual Church. (SNU)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">6<sup>th</sup> - <span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;">The</span></span><span style="background: white;"> Love and Friendship<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="highlightnode">Spiritualist Church, The Couper Institute, Glasgow. </span><span style="background: white;">G44 3DA. A busy church which puts a lot of time into education and training. In the past year this has paid off as several of the members are now taking services at other churches around Scotland. President Maureen Winser and Karen Speake have taken time with those in their development circle, not rushing them but letting them matures in their own natural way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">10<sup>th</sup> – The Pyramid Spiritualist Church, Leithlands Neighbourhood Centre Kempsthorn Road Pollock<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><em><b><span style="font-style: normal;">Glasgow</span></b></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> G53 5SU<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span> – A small church that is well supported by the local community.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">15th - ASK Cumbernauld – One of the busiest Spiritualist churches in Scotland. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">22<sup>nd</sup> – A short journey to The Free Spirit Spiritualist Church, 22 London Road,Kilmarnock. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">26<sup>th</sup> – Falkirk Spiritualist Church (SNU) <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Burnhead Lane,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>Falkirk</em>, FK1 1UG. This church has been serving spiritualism in Falkirk for over fifty-years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">28<sup>th</sup> – Again my second visit to Kilmarnock in less than a week. This time to The Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church (SNU) Old Mill Road, Kilmarnock,</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">February saw me travelling north east to take the service at Inverness Spiritualist Church. (SNU) This is a journey I always enjoy for the scenery and for the great Highland welcome and enthusiasm from the committee and members of the church. In the fourteen years I have been travelling to this church the enthusiasm has not waned in the slightest, in fact it has got stronger. This is down to the Inverness committee putting in place a lot into good development and training in clairvoyance, healing and knowledge of spiritualism. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Unfortunately, those who eventually end up on the platform have very limited opportunities as there are few churches in the north. The Spiritualist churches up north have regularly brought mediums up from the central belt to serve their churches, they’ve had too. But now that there are good mediums coming to the fore in the north they are not getting the chance to serve our churches further south. In the central belt we have mediums from Northern Ireland and England taking services and workshops, so why not from the Highlands of Scotland? Many may answer “The cost”. But surely that does not wash as churches in the north have been bringing mediums from the south to their churches for decades. I have mentioned Inverness but we should not forget the Aberdeen area also.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"> Our Seven Principles Suggest As Individuals We Get Involved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">I have often commented that I look on <i>Spiritualism as a quiet religion. Unlike other religions we don’t; - Get involved in politics... Criticise certain groups of people... Tell our members that they will not get into the Spirit World if they don’t attend out churches every week... Nor do we hand out leaflets at street corners or put them through letterboxes.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">But although our religion does not get involved in such matters I feel that we as individuals have a duty to get involved in situations where we feel there is injustice. If we feel we are being guided to a wrongdoing especially to another human being, an animal or the environment. After a little research, to see if we have got the facts right then we should complain to the appropriate authorities. Remember reading about an incident in a newspaper is not always an accurate version of what has happened. These days’ newspapers often do not take time to give all sides of the argument or the management may have their own agenda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">If we eventually feel that it is right to do so, a letter /email to the appropriate place can work wonders, especially when a vast number take the time to voice their complaint also. The old saying “<i>The pen is mightier than the sword</i>” is spot on, Far more powerful than a march as often this can be hijacked by those wishing to cause trouble and in doing so they ruin the cause. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">I believe that our Seven Principles point us in the direction that I have mentioned above. Not for the hierarchy of our Spiritual associations to stand up and complain, but for each individual to do so when they feel it is necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">1 <i>- The Fatherhood of God</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> - W</span>e recognise that there is a creative force in the universe. This force did not only created the universe which this planet is part, but all forms of life on this planet. All forms of life which interacts with each other to make life as we know it possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">2 – <i>The Brotherhood of Man - </i>Because we all come from the same universal life source we are, in effect, one large family. . This means that all mankind is part of a brotherhood and we have a responsibility in supporting our brothers and sisters wherever they are on this planet. Remember, countries and borders are man-made.</span><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">3 - <i>Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> - </span>All religions believe in life after death, but only Spiritualism shows that to be true by demonstrating that communication with departed spirits can and does take place. There are spirit people who are dedicated to the welfare and service of all mankind. This is where I believe the guidance comes from to look at a particular situation. And if we decided it is right to do so, make our concern known.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">4 - Continuous Existence of the Human Soul<span class="apple-converted-space">. </span></span></i><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">5 - <i>Personal Responsibility</i> -<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>This principle not only places responsibility on us all for our wrongful thoughts and deeds. It also means we should not stand back doing and saying nothing when we are aware of an injustice to others. Not putting ourselves or our families in the firing line, but as I have already said, an email letter can do so much.</span><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">6 - <i>Compensation and Retribution</i> hereafter for all Good and Evil Deeds done on Earth<span class="apple-converted-space">. Personally I feel it is a cop-out when Spiritualists say <i>“Leave it – they (wrongdoers) will have to answer for their bad deeds when they move over to the Spirit World. </i>We have to police our own dimension and keep the vulnerable safe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">7 - Eternal Progress open to every Human Soul – Taking time to care for others and make you point of view know will stand us in good stead for the new part of our eternal life when the time comes.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">An email from EDC “<i>Tom, you comment on hearing others say that numbers at our services are dropping, but you do not notice it to be as bad as many say. With my work I travel the country and try at least once a week to drop into the nearest spiritualist church. I do notice less bums on seats than I did a few years ago. Like you I believe the biggest danger to spiritualism is from within and I saw a comment the other day which I feel fits the loss in numbers. “</i></span><em><b><span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">When a flower doesn't bloom</span></b></em><span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">,<b> you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower."</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">SPOT ON EDC. I have been a little naive in only looking at Scotland as far as attendances are concerned and not that I look further afield I see UK wide there is a big problem. We need to concentrate from within before it is too late. In fact a lady said to me the other day “<i>It is too late for Spiritualism</i>”. I don’t necessarily agree with that, but time is running out.... fast...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Tracy Norton also sees the danger.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span></i><i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">It has saddened me recently to see how some of our churches are struggling to manage with sparse committees and only a few volunteers to keep things running. As a result our beautiful churches are having to close their doors - many shutting on Easter Sunday, and another church we visit cancelling Sunday services due to lack of interest. This is devastating for our religion. I can't help but think that people nowadays don't value the roles the Churches play - they see the n<span class="textexposedshow">umerous roles within the church as being menial and unimportant - but without the Churches where would we mediums be?</span></span></i></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">When I first became interested in spiritualism over 20 years ago, people were honoured to play a part within the Church however menial - from making the tea, to chairing. Nowadays people are using the Churches rather than giving to them - using them for messages, using them for the training and development, but giving nothing back. The perception is that mediumship is the goal - people are seeking glory rather than a life of service. So if any of you have any time to spare - please remember that all the jobs for the spirit world are important. We don't want our beautiful religion to flounder due to the lack of volunteers. I have written the poem below to help us think about this</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">.</span></i></span><i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"> A life of Service</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Could you be of service?<br />
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Is there something you could do?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">There’s no need to be nervous,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">We need people like you.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">People who have time to spare<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">To help our church stay open</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">People who are willing to share</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Their love and their devotion<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">So much goes on behind the scenes<br />and our hearts are always glad <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">When someone who is really keen<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Offers to lend a helping hand<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">There’s more to spiritualism you see<br />than just being a medium<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">We need folks like you and me</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">to keep our church doors open<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">There’s a role for each of us you see<br />within our beautiful religion<br />and if no-one worked behind the scenes<br />there would be no spiritualism<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">So think carefully what you can do<br />With love and dedication<br />knowing that your heart is true<br />and free from egotism.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Offer yourself in service<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />to spirit and all mankind<br />working behind the scenes<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />there are many ways to shine<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-9665802431648603822016-02-21T12:23:00.000-08:002016-02-21T13:02:14.683-08:00My Diary ... Getting Our Priorities Right ... The Passing of May Brown Spiritualist Medium ... A Spiritual Name ... Not all it Seemed ...Lectures - Not Spirit inspired addresses ... Matty Moore comments;- <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>5<sup>th</sup> –It was my pleasure to visit the <span style="background: #FEFEFE;">Milngavie and Bearsden Spiritualist Sanctuary in their new place of worship - the Drumchapel community centre, 320 Kinfauns Drive Drumchapel G15 7HA. This is a divine service which takes place on the first Tuesday of the month. The 6.30 for 7.00 start 7.00/8.00-8.15 Short break 8.30/9.00-9.15 for trainees to demonstrate all welcome to both events. Phone Elizabeth :- 07703337022</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>17<sup>th</sup> - Stirling Spiritualist Church SNU was my port of call A very enthusiastic committee and membership has promoted Spiritualism at the highest level in the area for many years. This visit was different from the past as since my last visit the have been alterations which gives more space and brighter outlook to the interior.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>9<sup>th</sup> - ASK Neilston<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>14<sup>th</sup> – I attended the Coatbridge Spiritualist Church.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>15 – A short journey to the Saltcoats Spiritualist Church. One of the first churches I took a service at and every time I have attended there has hardly been an empty seat.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></b><b style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Getting our priorities right’</b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Scientists have discovered gravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of space and time caused by previous collisions in space, and this will increase our understanding of the universe.</span><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It provides us with direct evidence for the first time that black holes exist and can merge together. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>All that brainpower and money over the last half century to get a better understanding and take us back to the “Big Bang? All that would be admirable if all on our tiny planet was rosy, but it is not, far from it. Poverty, hunger, so many homeless, warfare, barbaric acts of all kinds being beamed into our homes, and cancer still ravaging the human race. We have got our priorities wrong is a mild way of putting it. All those poor souls who were killed or maimed during WWI believing they were fighting a war that would end all wars must feel cheated as they look of the mess future generations have made of planet Earth.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>This experiment concentrated on looking back in time and it is not wrong to look back, but have the scientists not taken the wrong path in looking back? Should we not have been looking back at the past, correcting our mistakes and in doing so making this planet a better place for all? After correcting all that then we can look upwards.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.4667px;"> </span></span> </span><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14pt;">May Brown</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Well known Spiritualist Medium May Brown passed to spirit last month aged 86. May’s husband Jim passed over</b></span><b style="color: #002060; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </b><b style="color: #002060; font-size: 14pt;"> in 2014</b><br />
<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>May and Jim were involved with the spiritualist movement for over thirty-five years. And in honour of their stalwart work for spiritualism they were awarded a SNU long service award a few years ago . Jim gave the address and May the clairvoyance. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>A very loving couple who were always together, where you saw one the other would be close by. Both were always on hand to encourage new mediums and share their experiences with them. I owe<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>lot<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to May and Jim when developing at </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>ASK<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="spellver"><i>Stewarton.</i></span>, where both served as President. Jim gave me copies of some of his addresses that I put on this site and will do so again in the future.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Jim and May Brown loyal Ambassadors for Spirit.</b><o:p></o:p></span><b><br /></b><br />
<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H9Pm81ZVuok/VsoUg6TolfI/AAAAAAAABds/ZshrfQjgVlA/s1600/DSC02174.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H9Pm81ZVuok/VsoUg6TolfI/AAAAAAAABds/ZshrfQjgVlA/s200/DSC02174.JPG" width="150" /></a></b></span><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <b> A Spiritual name....<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>“<i>Many people argue that they were named by their parents, and that their names are arbitrarily chosen for them. But I believe that our parents chose names for us by subconsciously picking up on our vibration, and then naming us accordingly.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>They gave sound to the vibration that they recognized as us. Misspellings or last-minute changes of mind are part of the fine-tuning process the result of which is that you receive the name most fitting to you”.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: #f6f7f8; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>In the past most families named their children after the grand parents or parents. Nowadays many a baby gets saddled with a name of the parent’s favourite singer or sports person. But I suppose those parents that have a high degree of awareness might fit into this theory.<o:p></o:p></b></span><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-size: 14pt;">What this comment is probably referring to, is the Spiritualist Naming Ceremony.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-size: 14pt;">Naming Services are held for people of any age – babies, young children and when required for adults who may have come into Spiritualism having decided to accept Spiritualism as their chosen religion.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #002060; font-size: 14pt;">During the naming service, as well as names already given another name is given – this by the world of Spirit through the medium – something which is truly a Spiritual experience.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The snowdrops remind me of a story a friend told me a few years ago. She was recovering from a serious</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10px;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Illness and looking out of her window one morning she saw her first snowdrops of the year. Only four, but It gave her so much pleasure as she was feeling sorry for herself that morning.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All of a sudden a neighbour’s little girl appeared in her garden and started to pick the snowdrops. Anne opened the door and shouted to the girl to come back then told her off for picking the flowers. She was floored by the little girl’s explanation. “<i>I</i> <i>only took one and it was for my Nan who I am going to visit in hospital this afternoon, and I left 2p on your doorstep step for the flower.”</i> As Anne looked down, there were three snowdrops still blowing in the wind and two-pence on the doorstep. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Lomax emails: - “<i>Recently I have noticed that some of our so-called spirit inspired addresses are becoming more like lectures and are going over the top of many in the congregation. The numbers are small at the moment, but they are on the increase”.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>I wonder if this has something to do with all those sitting for exams and to pass the medium has to do as the book says, override spirit inspiration? I will be interested in what others think of this.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So what If mediums, healers.... And spiritualist... Around the world </span><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">🌍</span><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> stopped competing with each other.... Switched focus from just you’re "self's "... From just "your" church... From just "your" centre.... To embrace to whole idea of "team spiritual"... What if spiritualists of the world become one big unit..... What if spritualist of the world started to speak up more what if spiritualist of the world shined a little brighter...... What If the Light workers of the world stood side by side... Shoulder to shoulder.....I think that would be one bright collective light don't you think? ................................................ Better pack your sunglasses </span><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">😎</span><span style="background: white; color: #002060; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">...... Alone we can do so little..... Together we can do so much<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8519593068556380850.post-29888865322556165402016-01-21T12:00:00.001-08:002016-01-21T12:00:45.662-08:00My Diary / A Survey on Spiritualism / Sitting it Out / 150th Anniversary / Looking Back at 2015 and Forward to 2016. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iiel0_HocIs/VqE1sXVt4GI/AAAAAAAABZU/PEu3tP6jM-w/s1600/Melrose%2Band%2Bsnow%2B240.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iiel0_HocIs/VqE1sXVt4GI/AAAAAAAABZU/PEu3tP6jM-w/s200/Melrose%2Band%2Bsnow%2B240.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">20<sup>th</sup> – 24<sup>th</sup>... I had a busy but enjoyable time at the Glasgow Association (SNU)...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6<sup>th</sup> – It is always a pleasure to attend Perth Spiritualist Church (SNU).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">14<sup>th</sup> My last Service of the year was at the Pollockshaws and District Spiritualist Church, Glasgow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A Survey on Spiritualism</span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Two Worlds magazine has an interesting article connected with a survey on Spiritualism. The results were not far-off the results of a straw poll two mediums and I conducted early last year. The result of the latest survey is as follows: - To be with like-minded people - 65% / to understand my spirituality - 54% / to understand my spiritual experiences – 49% - Eventual mediumship - 40%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have said until I am blue in the face, many attend our churches to be among others on the same wavelength as themselves. To be part of a friendly group and to make new friends. To find a little haven quiet, safe and away from the rat race we have around us today. To be encouraged to be yourself and not to be what others expected you to be. To be an equal part of the church/religion. That is why I am always trying to encourage greater participation by the congregation in the service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">Most of us at one time in our life will ask: - <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">“</span></em><em><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">Who am I?”</span></em><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What is our true nature?”</span></em><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What is my purpose in life?”<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is where there is a need for discussion nights – now a thing of the past as far as spiritualism is concerned. Not to be in way out jargon to be in simple terms with all getting involved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">For many years now I have been trying to make sense of the spiritual experiences of others. I always start of by saying “<i>Never believe anything any medium tells you – including myself – unless it makes sense to you. You are the one who has had the experience and the medium can to their best to explain what they feel has been happening. The final say is yours, whether you think the medium’s interpretation is right or not”. </i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">If the questionnaire had only applied to those new to spiritualism evidential evidence would have received much more than 40%. That is very important to most of us until we get the evidence of survival of life after death. To keep getting this would get very boring and turn people away from doors. Once we can accept that we live on after death our thirst for knowledge increases. That is where we come up against a brick wall. There is little in our churches to whet our appetites. Spiritualism will progress as a religion when committees realise that the focal point of the church is a variety of different subjects not just the medium and the clairvoyance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Sitting it Out</span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">My last visit to a church in the old year and the first in the New Year I was not on the platform, but sitting in the congregation and I thoroughly enjoyed the change. The first service of the New Year I attended the Glasgow Association of Spiritualists and Spiritualism Medium Diane Mitchell was on the platform. Being only the third day into the New Year it was understandable numbers were down on a regular Sunday evening. Diane asked the congregation if they would sit on one side of the church and close to the front instead of sitting in ones and twos all over the church. This concentrated all energy and one area and it turned out to be a fantastic evening. Maybe it’s something other churches should try when numbers are low.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;">When I started out on the platform I promised myself that if I only lasted for a few months or many years I would still sit regularly in the congregation to get the view of spiritualism from both sides. I did this regularly for many years, but as my bookings increased I let the congregation side lapse. That I now feel was wrong and hope to correct that in 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 150<sup>th</sup> Anniversary<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Glasgow Association of Spiritualists SNU has been in existence since 1866, and celebrates its 150th anniversary with a week of special events from 23<sup>rd</sup> – 30<sup>th</sup> January 2016. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Looking Back 2015 and Forward to 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My fears of previous years about churches may not be able to afford the rising rent for community centres and halls as once again not transpired. It looks like we have been looked after in that direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Spiritualism the religion drifting towards entertainment is not abated, but I don’t feel it has got any worse the last 12 months. That is maybe because the workshop and seminar side of things is proving to be more lucrative. Going to such venues can certainly help you as you travel along your spiritual path, but as an addition not a substitute for good structured development lasting for a few years.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Churches and organisations seem to forget those in there are those in their ranks who only want to know about our religion and their psychic abilities. Yet, most of the education is geared towards setting foot on the platform. I have tried in my own small way to redress this, taking workshops and dealing with individuals at no cost of almost any cost, from myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I still hear complaints about small children attending our services. There are those who suggest that the earliest age to be in our congregation should be twelve-years-old. This saddens me greatly as I am always pleased to see children of any age at our services. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe I’m being a bit petty or old-fashioned when I feel that taking the divine service male mediums should wear a collar and tie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Looking forward to 2016…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Churches will have more development circles of a structured nature without the plan of having anyone on the platform asap possible. That they will also cater for those only wanting to understand the basics of spiritualism and their psychic abilities. This can easily be taken by the local medium or long time member of the church in sharing their experiences. Hopefully at little or no cost to those attending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Social media is now part of everyone’s life. It is also played a big part in the spiritualist movement good and bad. Let our churches think twice before they</span><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> comment on this media. Informing who the forthcoming medium it opens up spiritualism to a lot of people who may never have known or thought about us. But let it be done in a sensible way – the medium is Jim Smith from such and such a place. If the medium has SNU or other qualifications by all means </span><span style="color: #244061; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> mention them after their name. Don’t make it all flowery as you are mentioning an entertainer about to appear on stage. Nor the ‘International Medium’ tag. You are representing a religion not a cabaret night.</span></div>
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Tom Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01346036478583894650noreply@blogger.com0