Monday 3 October 2011

Amsterdam / Anne Franks / Begging in the Streets / No Healing Service...

September saw me away from home fifteen of the thirty nights in that month.  After my visit to Belfast it was home for a few days then off to Amsterdam for  break, and then on returning I was staying overnight at the Arbroath Spirualist Centre (SNU). September saw me away from home fifteen of the thirty nights in that month.  After my visit to Belfast it was home for a few days then off to Amsterdam for  break, and then on returning I was staying overnight at the Arbroath Spirualist Centre (SNU).

The most powerful memory of Amsterdam is not of the many canals that crisscross the city but our visit to the Anne Frank’s Museum.

It is ironical that Anne Frank’s father had to move from the country of his birth, a country in which he had served as an officer during WWI, to seek safety for his family.  Then after only a few years in his adopted country where he worked hard to set up a successful business, the trouble that he had escaped from was back to haunt him as Germany invaded Holland. 

The harrowing memories that will stay with me for a long time to come are;-

The Yellow Star on display, that Jews in Holland was forced to wear during the WWII occupation.  The star, a badge, a means of identification and intended to humiliate those who wore it..  It certainly worked as far as humiliation was concerned.  On looking at photographs of the time the humillatiation was plain to see on the faces of those wearing this hideous yellow star. 

The other harrowing memory was that Anne Franks passed away as the result of typhus and some say also of a broken heart only a month before liberation.  Anne thought that all her family were gone and it is said she lost the will to live, but her father survived the war.

Through all this terror a star shone brightly, not the hideous yellow star but a bright star in the form of Anne Franks.  Anne only had a short life as an innocent child before fear took over, but in her written words, her courage and determination will live on forever hopefully inspiring many of us.



The most powerful memory of Amsterdam is not of the many canals that crisscross the city but our visit to the Anne Frank’s Museum.

It is ironical that Anne Frank’s father had to move from the country of his birth, a country in which he had served as an officer during WWI, to seek safety for his family.  Then after only a few years in his adopted country where he worked hard to set up a successful business, the trouble that he had escaped from was back to haunt him as Germany invaded Holland. 

The harrowing memories that will stay with me for a long time to come are;-

The Yellow Star on display, that Jews in Holland was forced to wear during the WWII occupation.  The star, a badge, a means of identification and intended to humiliate those who wore it...  It certainly worked as far as humiliation was concerned.  On looking at photographs of the time the humillatiation was plain to see on the faces of those wearing this hideous yellow star. 

The other harrowing memory was that Anne Franks passed away as the result of typhus and some say also of a broken heart only a month before liberation.  Anne thought that all her family were gone and it is said she lost the will to live, but her father survived the war.

Through all this terror a star shone brightly, not the hideous yellow star but a bright star in the form of Anne Franks.  Anne only had a short life as an innocent child before fear took over, but in her written words, her courage and determination will live on forever hopefully inspiring many of us.

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On 29th/30th I was at the Arbroath Spiritualist Centre.  It is always a pleasure to serve this Centre.  I enjoyed a walked around the harbour as the sun shone in a cloudless sky.

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More and more people seem to be begging in the streets these days and we cannot give to them all. Many a time I have felt guilty walking past some poor soul sitting on the pavement, but probably already that day I have used up all my spare change in giving to others in the same position.

Two incidents in the past week really riled me.  While in Amsterdam a gentleman approached me saying he was from Morocco and was starving, he needed 2.8 Euros for something to eat.  I had no small change on me at the time and I said I would give him something on my way back down the street, which I would have done if he was still there.  But all I got from him was abuse.  The other occasion was in Scotland when I walked past someone begging and again got abuse.  I must say that in my experience this is rare but it does leave a nasty taste in the mouth when it happens and it will stop people giving to those genuinely down on their luck.   


We constantly hear “O’h they are only begging to get money for drink or drugs”.  Yes, that will be what some will spend the money on, but certainly not by all.  One of my sisters seeing someone really in need will buy them a sandwich and a cup of tea and those on the receiving end have always been grateful.  A friend goes a step further and as well as the tea and coffee he offers to help them get to organizations that will be able to help them.  Only once has he had a negative response to this.

Let us not be put off by the odd one that gives us abuse.

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Harry comments; - “My two local Spiritualist Churches have no Spiritual Healing sessions why is this?

Most Spiritualist churches/centres do have healing services but not all, the latter being in the minority.  Reasons for this could be that these churches have no qualified healers at present, or that the premises they are in are rented and they don’t have the time or the space for a small healing service.  Harry, mention to the committees at both churches that you would like some Healing and see what their reply is.  If one has any problems concerning one of our churches they should first approach a committee member to see if the problem can be ironed out.

Churches with their own premises give more time to the Healing side of Spiritualism, many having Healing only services.

I feel that our churches should put more emphasis on the Healing side of our religion.  In my previous blog I mentioned the wonderful experience I had during the two hour healing Service in Belfast and with two Healers per patient.

I grind my teeth when visiting churches and hear someone say “I am ONLY a Healer”.  I do wish they would miss out that word “ONLY” and be proud to be a Spiritual Healer.  Spiritualism is a religion where we are all supposed to be equal, but as each year passes the spotlight seems to shine brighter on the Medium and the Healer is in the shadows.

Back to Harry.... As I have said, ask at the two churches you attend and if they cannot help you I will put you in touch with other churches in your area which do have Spiritual Healing after their Divine Services.

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