A Parting Gift.... Sound Advice... A Young lad Contradicts a Medium....Red and Purple Poppies...

20th November - I had only a short trip up the road at ASK Neilston.  A church that is well supported by the community

21^st – Again another short trip in the opposite direction, south this time to the Temple of Light Spiritualist Church in Kilwinning.

26^th I was off to the Pollockshaws and District Spiritualist Church, Langside Halls, Shawlands, Glasgow.  This is a well established church that has helped so many people over the years.  Recently numbers have been dropping because of rumours that the church had closed.  This church has no intention of closing and apart from a two week festive break.   Its doors will open in early January to welcome all who wish to attend.

27^th I was taking a workshop at the Milngavie and Bearsden Spiritualist Sanctuary...This Sanctuary only opened in August is already part of the community.  Not only was there a good turnout at the workshop but all those who attended were very enthusiastic and talented.

28^th – Taking part in a Psychometry Experiment.  Still waiting on the final results but early reports show that the evidence given was accurate.

29^th - It was a welcome return to ASK Dreghorn.

30^th - The Angel Light Spiritualist Church This is another church which could do with some support.  So if you are in the area and have some free time on a Friday evening at 7.30 then why not drop into the Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre, Daisy Street Govanhill, Glasgow. G42 8JL.  Close to Victoria Road.

1^st December – Still not travelling too far from home I was at The Ayr Spiritualist Centre.

6^th – Landside Spiritualist Church, Langside Halls.

9^th - The Friendship of Love and Light, Foxbar, Paisley.  Founded by one of the most popular mediums in West Central Scotland, Eddie Docherty.  Sadly Eddie past in 2006 but the church still is run  in true Eddie Docherty tradition of being a place where love, comfort and help is always available. 

10^th – Taking part in a debate “Can Spiritualism be Taken Seriously?”

13^th – My last service of the year at Carluke Spiritualist Church.

 

I was giving a talk on Spiritualism when an elderly lady said that she was saddened that so many people were being cremated today.  “With cremation there is nowhere for family and friends to go to pay a little respect when one feels the need too.  When there is a plot in a cemetery one can go and stand for a few minutes in thought about the deceased, and in taking a bunch of flowers one can brighten up their last resting place.     

I could see where the old soul was coming from.  Although one can have a rose bush or a tree planted in the crematorium grounds with a little plaque of the name of the deceased, to many it is not the same as having a grave stone and a plot in a cemetery.  There are those who will plant a tree or a bush in their garden in memory of a loved one something they can look out on every day.  It is all down to personal preference but it can cause a lot of strife in families.

Somewhere to go, something to look at in memory of a loved one can take many forms... here is a novel way that we could all think about and maybe use our own version as far as remembering a loved one is concerned.

Stephanie and Josephine had been good friends for many years and when Josephine had been diagnosed with a terminal illness she gave the lovely candle holder pictured above to Stephanie.  A lovely gift in normal times but with Josephine being so ill – what a better gift to be exchanged between friends. 

Although Stephanie treasured the lovely gift from her close friend, after Josephine’s passing it took on much more significance.  In all her suffering Josephine took time to seek out a gift for a good friend.  Not only a gift for her good friend - but a special gift – a gift with such lovely words that would be coming from Josephine’s heart.  The gift has pride and place in Stephanie’s house, always noticeable when anyone walks into the lounge.  Josephine’s light shone in this life and the love that she put into selecting this gift still shines on when a candle is lit in the holder Stephanie is sure that her good friend draws close.

                          ............Sound Advice..........

 What is the best advdvice I could offer to a fledgling about to set foot on the platform for the first time?  The same advice I was given many years ago.   This was not from a medium but from two elderly ladies who were members of our church.  Neither ever claimed to have heighted psychic abilities but both had their finger on the pulse as far as Spiritualism – the religion was concerned.  In fact their advice started almost as soon as I started attending the church. 

It was either my first or second visit to the church they said “Don’t look on this as the paranormal, all this is natural. It is not us that are strange; it is those outside who are not aware of what is around them”.  I nearly burst out laughing at this but they were genuine and sincere so I decided to have an open mind and give spiritualism a chance

Right from the start they seemed to have this crazy notion that I would end up on the platform of a spiritualist church.   As far as I was concerned there was absolutely no chance of that every happening.   At that time I had absolutely no confidence, I felt I had no psychic abilities and I had no ambition to be a medium.

During my early days in spiritualism I would sit right at the back of the church behind a large cheese plant.  But this did not keep me hidden from the mediums as I constantly got a message from spirit.    These messages contained good information that could certainly point to a strong possibility of life after death.  But...  I could always dilute this strong possibility before I got home.  The medium had read my mind, being able to detect memories stored in my brain from the past.  Or I may just have mentioned something about the incident and the person coming forward from spirit before the service.  And then there was the firewall that no medium’s message every got past – it was not in my script which I felt each family member might give me as evidence that it was them.

Then one night I was impressed by a medium, a young medium wearing a green dress – the reason for me mentioning the dress will become apparent in a moment.  The two old dears must have noticed less of a scowl on my face after the service.    They came up to me and said “You were impressed by that young lady this evening”.   I had to admit I was, but not with the message she gave me although that was impressive, I was more taken by her address. An address that made so much fall into place as far as spiritualism was concerned.

The two old souls thinking it was the clairvoyance then came out with – “Just imagine her taking off that lovely green dress”.  I was amazed at this comment and hoping others around us would not hear our conversation about the young medium undressing.  And horrified as to what they would come out with next.  But what they said could be the best advice given to any spiritualist medium.

“Just imaging that young lass change out of that dress and into a football strip.  She plays a game of football and scores three goals.  Everyone will be praising her, but for any player to score three goals they must be part of a team.  This young lady was part of a team tonight – she had her spirit guides and helpers with her.

A football team has a crowd cheering them on.  This young lady tonight did not have a crowd cheering her on – but she had a congregation sending out a lot of love to her.

So remember when you are on the platform you are only part of a team. And when you think the service has went well, be proud, pat yourself on the back, but also give praise to all connected with the good link with spirit”

Those words I have never forgotten and after every service I always say

“Thank you...

Remember this is always team work...

You – the congregation – send your love to spirit...

Spirit - sends their love back...

And hopefully the medium gets the interpretation of the information spirit is sending correct...

I hope  that this is what you have experienced this evening.

Then one night they said “Every time you stand up on the platform take a deep breath, look at the congregation and think to yourself - there will be many in the congregation that will have a stronger link with spirit than you will ever have.  They will have close ties with spirit in their everyday lives, working in all areas of the community, the care profession just being one”.

I am ashamed to say I could have screamed that night “I know, I know that there will be countless people have a much stronger link with spirit than I will ever have.  I will never appear on the platform, I have never any ambition to appear on the platform”. 

But these two ladies were right and their comments above are something I have always taken on board and think of their words every time I appear on the platform.

There were many more words of wisdom from these ladies...

“Whenever you step on the platform and you have no nerves in the pit of your stomach just think, Spirit could be on strike that evening or there is a public holiday in the spirit world”.

This was not meant as a joke maybe more of a warning to keep one’s ego intact.

I don’t think there are any better words of wisdom to help a medium about to step on the platform for the first time and also throughout their years serving spirit...

 Vince emails –“Ever since I was a small boy I always thought that the worst time to die was around Christmas and the New Year as for that family of the deceased the festive period would never be the same again.   What are your thoughts on this?

Vince your email reminds me of an incident at a spiritualist church almost twenty years ago.  A medium said in her address said roughly what you mentioned in your email.  A 11-year-old lad took exception to this and shocked the congregation by making his thoughts known.  He said that five years before his father had died on the first day of the school summer holidays and the young lad always dreaded the break from school in the summer.   It was the same at Christmas.  “So I dread both summer and Christmas” said the young man.  The medium and chairwoman were not too pleased at the interruption but I could see where the young man was coming from and I am sure most of the congregation did also.

We will always connect something with the passing of a loved-one   one lady’s mother passed on the 6^th of April and when the 6^th of any month comes around the daughter has an off day.    One chap said to me that he his dad was over his time because he had suffered so much the last two years of his life and could do nothing for himself.  So there was no real grieving when the old soul passed.  Also no grieving at the anniversary of his passing each year.  But the son said there was always a tear in his eye on the day of the Ayr Gold Cup as that was his dad’s special day of the year, the only day in the year when he went to the races.

There are those who will say “It must be great to be a spiritualist as you will not go through the grieving process.  You believe your loved ones live on and there can be communication with them”.  Alas that is far from the truth.  Even though we believe we are only human and we can grieve as long as or even longer than those who don’t believe in life after death.

No matter how long we are in this life we will always have memories of loved ones that have passed on before us.  I am sure those in spirit would prefer us to have happy memories instead of sad ones.  Instead of those memories dwelling on the time of the passing which may have been a traumatic time, think back to a happy moment you enjoyed with them.

 

 

 

A mistake in my last blog meant that I put the wrong comments under the title “Red and Purple Poppies”.  So here it is now....

Colin asks – “I saw several people wearing a purple poppy on their lapel alongside a red one.  Has the purple poppy got anything to do with Spiritualism?” 

The purple poppy has been issued by Animal Aid to commemorate all animal victims of war.  This is not meant to be an alternative to the traditional red poppy, as the two can be worn side by side as a reminder that both humans and animals – have been – and continue to be victims of war.

During human conflicts animals have been used as messengers, for detection, scouting and rescue, as beasts of burden and on the frontline.  They have been used for companionship in the trenches and continue to be used for horrific warfare experiments in Labourites. 

I must admit I did not know about “The Purple Poppy” till I checked after receiving Colin’s email.  Next year I will be wearing both red and purple poppies.

 

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Latest on the poem page is a poem a little girl gave to her grandmother the other day.  Only a few lines but the words show the love this young lady has for her grandmother...

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A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all that have contributed to this site in 2012.  Also those who have looked into the site I hope that you got some benefit from it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spiritualism - A Simple Religion.... Farm or Factory... .The Purple Poppy... I Want - I Want... Quote from Anne Frank... A Life to Live by Barbara Willson...

 

31^st October I took the service at the Paisley Spiritualist Church, Glenburn, Paisley...

November 1^st my allergy played up again and I had to cancel the Johnstone Spiritualist Church.

3^{rd -} Yes - a Spiritual service on a Saturday evening - at the Falkirk Spiritualist Church (SNU).  Only two churches I know hold services on a Saturday evening, Falkirk and Dumfries and both are always busy.

4^th - It was the busy afternoon service at the Largs Spiritualist Church.

7^th – The White Rose Spiritualist Church, Gourock...

8^th -  Balloch Spiritualist Church...

11^th – Saw my furthest trip of the month so far to the Kirkcaldy Spiritualist Centre (SNU)

12^th – It was an evening of clairvoyance at the Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church. (SNU)

17^th – I took a workshop at the Perth Spiritualist Church (SNU).  I was impressed by the ability and knowledge of those attending.

 

 

Spiritualism is a simple religion, a religion that is different from so many other mainstream religions.  The difference stretches much further than the clairvoyance side of things.  Most mainstream religions have ancient holy books which contains countless thousands of words.  One holy book has over 700,000 words.  They include historical narrative: stories about historical people and events.  Poems or songs: lyrics, songs, and prayers that express emotions and ideas using distinctive language, literary styles, and rhythm.  Prophecy: poetic messages conveying divine blessing or judgment on people and calling for a response Letters: written by one or more individuals to others, often addressing specific issues.  Proverbs and wisdom literature: pithy sayings or discourses about living life well and making wise choices.  Legal codes: laws, both general and specific, for ordering a just society.  Parables: imaginative stories that are true to life and illustrate a point.  Apocalyptic literature: vivid portrayal of the cosmic battle between good and evil.

But spiritualism has only Seven Principles; -

 1.   The Fatherhood of God.

2.   The Brotherhood of Man.

3.   The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels.

4.   The Continuous Existence of the Human Soul.

5.   Personal Responsibility.

6.   Compensation and Retribution hereafter for all the Good and Evil deeds done on earth.

7.   Eternal Progress open to every Human Soul.

 As a retired clergyman said to me recently, “The more words in a holy book the more ammunition there is to be turned against that religion.  Those inside the religion may manipulate the holy words to suit their own agenda, and outsiders use these words as ammunition to ridicule that particular religion. 

It is no use having Seven Principles of forty-seven words if they do not make sense.  In my opinion the Seven Principles make a lot of sense and we can use them in our everyday life to make Spiritualism more than a religion but a way of life. 

The Fifth Principle –“Personal Responsibility” was not only the first one that was of interest to me, the elderly clergyman remarked on this as well.  If we all took a bit more ‘personal responsibility’ then the world would be a better place.  I have always thought there should be an Eighth Principle and that should be ‘common sense’.  ‘Common Sense’ added to ‘Personal Responsibility’ would make us all better human beings.

 One of my earliest memories was getting for Christmas was a few toy farm animals, made from metal not like the plastic ones today. As I played with these small toys regularly the following Christmas, too big for my stocking but Christmas present from Santa just the same, was a large wooden farmyard.  This was my pride and joy for many years.  So it may come as no surprise that one of my favourite programmes of all time was the BBC’s“All Creatures Great and Small”.   Later in life my work took me around farms which I always found enjoyable.

But word ‘farm’ is being abused these days.  We see the word ‘farm’ being used for areas which can keep up to 500 dairy cattle which never get out into a field.  Massive numbers of farm animals never see the light of day or breathe in fresh air.  I will not go into the horrors of factory farming but surely as spiritualists we can do something about it?

The first thing we can do is include animals treated in such a way in our prayers.  Then if one wishes to write to their local supermarket asking about their animal welfare policy.   The more letters a big business receives from compassionate and caring customers to how  animals are treated before its flesh appears on supermarket shelves, the more notice will be taken in supermarket board rooms.

 

 

Next year...

Wear a red and purole poppy...

 

 

One of my earliest memories was getting for Christmas was a few toy farm animals, made from metal not like the plastic ones today. As I played with these small toys regularly the following Christmas, too big for my stocking but Christmas present from Santa just the same, was a large wooden farmyard.  This was my pride and joy for many years.  So it may come as no surprise that one of my favourite programmes of all time was the BBC’s“All Creatures Great and Small”.   Later in life my work took me around farms which I always found enjoyable.

But word ‘farm’ is being abused these days.  We see the word ‘farm’ being used for areas which can keep up to 500 dairy cattle which never get out into a field.  Massive numbers of farm animals never see the light of day or breathe in fresh air.  I will not go into the horrors of factory farming but surely as spiritualists we can do something about it?

The first thing we can do is include animals treated in such a way in our prayers.  Then if one wishes to write to their local supermarket asking about their animal welfare policy.   The more letters a big business receives from compassionate and caring customers to how  animals are treated before its flesh appears on supermarket shelves, the more notice will be taken in supermarket board rooms.


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      I saw this on facebook...

 I WANT ... I WANT ... I WANT...

Every day you hear people saying what they want.  Well, this is what I want.

I want people who are sick to be healed...

I want children with no families to be adopted...

I want people never to worry about food and shelter and heat...

Most of all I would like to see people start to care for each other...

 

 

 

Jenny Lafferty 1949 - 2012...We can learn plenty from the Crow Tribe.... 150 Years by Jim Brown...

 14^th October - I was taking the service at the Perth Spiritualist Church.  (SNU)   A small but busy church in the centre of the town.

16^th - ASK Cumbernauld and as usual almost every seat taken.

17^th - It was unfortunate that I had to cancel my trip to Stranaer because of a hospital appointment.

21^st I only had a short journey to Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church (SNU)  Founded in 1936 this church has long been a place of welcome, support and learning for all those who have entered its doors .  A quote from the church’s  website “We offer an open door to all who wish to enter and hope the saying “...there are no strangers here, only friends who have yet to meet” holds true for all who do.  The church is only a short distance from the A77.

23^rd... My diary had down the Cambuslang Spiritualist Church but because of refurbishment of its original hall this church has moved to the Fernhill Community Centre, 12 Auchenlarie Drive, Fernhill, and Glasgow, G73 4EQ.  The church is slowly but surely finding its feet in the area.

25^th – A full house at The Lighthouse Spiritualist Church Greenock.   A sad night as it had only been four days since the passing of founder and president of this church,  Jenny Lafferty.  More about Jenny later

27^th I was at the Edinburgh College of Parapsychology for an evening of clairvoyance. 

29^th Because of a nasty allergy that will just not go away I had to cancel the Lamb’s Hill Spiritualist Church, Glasgow.

 

Jenny Lafferty founder and President of the Lighthouse Spiritualist Church passed to spirit on 21^st October 2012.

Jenny Lafferty was well known and respected in the Spiritualist movement in Scotland.  She was in poor health for several years but seldom if ever moaned about her own condition.  She was always thinking of the plight of others and could always find something nice to say about those who she disagreed with or those who gave her a hard time.

Jenny served as booking secretary at the White Rose Spiritualist Church in Gourock for sixteen years and then after a break she opened the Lighthouse Spiritualist Church with a few of her dedicated Spiritualist friends.  This was not just to be the opening of another Spiritualist Church, renting a hall and booking mediums.  Jenny and her committee meant this church to be part of the community, to be there for those in the community who needed a little help etc.  And that Spiritual Healing was to play as important a part as the clairvoyance.  From the first service at the church has gone from strength to strength.

The passing of Jenny’s daughter earlier this year hit her hard and although we spiritualists know that is not the end for a loved one, we are only human and can grieve as much as those who don’t believe.  To Jenny; Spiritualism was not just her religion but a way of life.

Jenny will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

 

 

The North American indigenous people were much maligned by Hollywood’s western movies. The indigenous peoples of North American were very spiritual in their own way.  Their beliefs have a strong reverence for animal life, the environment, and each other.

Organized religious meetings are not a part of Native American spirituality.  History shows that originally, Native American spirituality was more of a way of daily life.  Just like many in Spiritualism today who consider Spiritualism is a way of life for them and not a religion.  History books show us that the white man viewed Native American spirituality to be nothing more than superstition.  Yet maybe we in Spiritualism and society as a whole could learn a lot for the customs and beliefs of the Indigenous North American tribes.

One in particular, the Crow Tribe, has interested a friend of mine.

The Crow Indians were a little different from most of the other tribes in that women often played very important roles within their tribal community. Descendants for various roles in the family and tribal community come from the women. And when they got married, it was the male Crow Indians that accommodated the women and moved in with her and her family. Females within the Crow Indian tribe could even be chief.

Human life with the natural kingdom around them.  They said there was a mother goddess and a father god and believed in holy communion they were not predominantly patriarchs or matriarchs .they were warriors but believed in necessity they were great hunters and gatherers ... in all actuality the order of the Crow is of most ancient origin and means that together we can face all obstacles and challenges an live in peace and prosperity.  The Crow Indians were simple pagans they believed in the natural organics of life and the balances of you already possess everything necessary to become great. –

Native American Ten Commandments

1.    Treat the Earth and all that dwell therein with respect

2.    Remain close to the Great Spirit

3.    Show great respect for your fellow beings

4.    Work together for the benefit of all Mankind

5.    Give assistance and kindness wherever needed

6.    Do what you know to be right

7.    Look after the well-being of Mind and Body

8.    Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater Good

9.    Be truthful and honest at all times

10  Take full responsibility for your actions

 

 

 

Jim and May Brown may no longer grace the platforms of our Spiritualist Churches but that does not mean the necomers to our movement should miss out on the wise words of Jim's addresses...

150Years ago                               28/11/2003

In the past few hundred years this physical world has received a lot of signals such as rapping’s that have come from the spirit world but unfortunately, they were never picked up by the people of this world.

This may have been because they were afraid or perhaps it was just because they didn’t understand that they could communicate with spirit.  For instance it is recorded that there were rapping sounds heard in 1716, in the home of John Wesley the founder of the Methodist religion at Epworth Vicarage in England.

These sounds were similar to the rapping’s at Hydesville, New York State which started the Spiritualist Movement.   Throughout the centuries all the different religions of this physical world did speak of another life in what was then believed to be the ‘hereafter’.  Although they were unable to give any definite proof that such a place did exist.

It wasn’t until about 1847 after centuries of what was at that time known as supernatural happenings that we became aware of spirit through the antics of two young girls and that the first two-way communications with Spirit were received.   It was only through these early messages that we became more certain that we lived after the death of the physical body and we learned from spirit that we would survive in another dimension known now as the spirit world.

Time has passed since these first communications, until once again we have in this modern age rediscovered the ability through mediumship to communicate with the people who have passed into the spirit world.   For in the centuries before 1847 it was not uncommon for spirit contact to be made and you only have to read in some the ancient records such as the Bible of spirit communication between the people of this world and the people of the spirit world.

Today there are many people who can make this contact, and it’s through them and the information they have been given from spirit teachers that we have learned about spiritual philosophy and spiritual religion.  These spiritual teachings have told us how we should behave towards each other and how we should live our lives here on this earth.

If we allow ourselves to be brought under the influence of Spirit we will begin to understand the truth of the Spirit messages and allow that truth to change our attitudes, and our sense of what is right, and what is wrong.  Those of us who have already been influenced by Spirit and are sincere in our thoughts and actions can see what has been accomplished since the first communication was received and message from Spirit is that there is a need for more people of earth to have faith and belief in spirit.

We can now realise what can be accomplished in the days that lie ahead, for the message from Spirit is that there is a need for more people to act as instruments for Spirit, instruments that will have perfect faith in the power of Spirit to guide and inspire them so that others may benefit.  Those who allow themselves to come under the influence of Spirit and to go forward in this work needs to apply the Spiritual truths they will have learned to their everyday life so that other people who they come in contact with will recognize that they are messengers of Spirit by the type of life that they live.

In this short address, I hope I have managed to convey to you the message of the Spirit Guides. Which is to consider other people and to freely give of your love and service to them?