My Diary... All Things Bright and Beautiful... Spiritualist can have their say...Your Say...The Plight of the Racehorse...

 

                                                   My Diary...

2^nd March I took the service at The Edinburgh Spiritualist Society (SNU) Albany Street, EG1 3HQ, where there was a good turnout.  This is not far from both bus and railway station so if any Spiritualist is having a day in Edinburgh on a Sunday it may be a good idea to catch a later bus or train home.  You could  take in the service at 6.30pm in this wonderful old building.  There is also an evening of mediumship on a Thursday at 7.30pm and an Open Awareness Circle at 7.30pm on a Friday evening.

4^th – I attended the Cambuslang Spiritualist Church at the Cambuslang Institute, G72 8JE.

6^th – I only had a short journey to the Pyramid Spiritualist Church, Leithland Neighbourhood Centre, Kempsthorn Road, Pollock, G53 5SR. 

10^th – Pollockshaws and District Spiritualist Church, Langside Halls, Glasgow. G41 2QR.  A church that has been on the go for many years and is always well supported

11^th – I had an enjoyable afternoon giving a talk to Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church’s Tuesday Afternoon Group. (SNU).

12^th – Taking part in debate on Spiritualism...

13^th –I was taking the first Development Circle of 2014.

15^th – I attended the SNU’s Scottish and Irish District Council’s AGM which was held in The Edinburgh Spiritualist Society (SNU) Albany Street, EG1 3HQ.

16^th This was a busy day as first I was at the Glasgow Association’s  AGM and then I was off on my longest journey of the week to take a service at  to ASK Dunfermline...  I was surprised to hear that ASK has been on the go for ten-years.  How time flies as I took either the first or second service at this church and it does not seem like ten years since I first attended.  ASK was founded by Jock McArthur and his sister Helen both now in Spirit.

17^th – Psychic Research...

20^th – I spend another enjoyable evening with the Development circle.

 

“All Things Bright and Beautiful”...

My mother’s favourite hymn, which was played at her funeral... I feel that these are the finest words ever put together.   And the second line of the first verse “All Creatures Great and Small” was my favourite TV programme of all time.

I constantly get asked: “What is the Spirit World like?”  Instantly when I hear this question my mind goes to the words of this hymn. The words create such an idyllic picture - this could easily be what the Spirit World is like;-

With everything bright and pleasing to the eye.

All of God’s creatures wandering about with no fear.

Flowers in abundance and blooming in every colour of the rainbow, even colours that we have not seen here on Earth. 

Every species of birds known to man singing their hearts out.

All living things that have ever existed, still alive and thriving.

 Magnificent purple headed mountains with peaceful rivers running by.  

Marvellous sunrises and sunsets.

Will we have cold winds blowing? – I believe we will have the four seasons in the Spirit World as each season has its own beauty and grandeur.

Ripe fruits in abundance, there will be no one starving.  

Plenty of tall trees and greenwoods providing homes and shelter for all species.

Lush meadows where animals graze and children play.

“We were given eyes to see and lips that that we might tell”. ...  To tell our loved ones that a new world awaits them when their time on Earth is over.  That on the ‘other-side’ we can still communicate with those whom we have left behind.

Those words by Cecil Francis Alexander were first published in 1884 for her “Hymns for Little Children”.  It has become one of the most favourite hymns of all time.  In days gone by Cecil could be a boy's or girl's name)

Yet – although I have said - the words paint a picture in my mind of what the Spirit World will be like; Ms Alexander was referring to Planet Earth. And her words would be a perfect description of our Planet if we add in the verse that so many hymnaries leave out;

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
God made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.

Now add this verse and you will see that it is not the Spirit World that Ms Alexander is describing, but here on Planet Earth. Our World has all that is mentioned in the popular version of this hymn, but when one adds the verse above it becomes abundantly clear that it is Our World that she is describing.

In the Spirit World there will be no rich or poor, no starvation and no illness,  but it will be no five-star hotel. We will still have to work, work our way towards even another life, another dimension, but with fewer burdens than we have here on Earth.

I seldom mention reincarnation as it was a very touchy subject when I first came into Spiritualism. Now-a-days it is more freely debated.  Some by the error of their ways may have another life, or several lives, back here on Earth.  For those that have committed atrocities while in this life, well, it will be a long time before they enjoy the full benefits of the Spirit World.

But to those who ask me, “What is it like in the Spirit World? I try to get them to forget the Spirit World and look at all Planet Earth has to offer.  There is so much around us that we take for granted or have never paid any real attention too. 

Many of us in this life fail to notice the real beauty around us.  We don’t need to be deep in the country to be enthralled by something that lightens up our day.  Many a time we fail to notice the goodness in the hearts of many who do voluntary work to help those less fortunate than themselves.  Not even voluntary work being part of an organization but a kind deed even as little as a smile to a lonely person...

Let us for the moment forget the Spirit World and concentrate on this life and making it a bit better for ourselves and in turn for others as well....

 

Spiritualists  can have their say...

 

On the 15^th I attended the SNU’s Scottish and Irish District Council’s AGM at The Edinburgh Spiritualist Society.  I have attended this AGM for a good many years and the numbers attending have been steady for the past few years.  This is extremely poor considering the number of members the SNU has in Scotland and Ireland.  The numbers attending were the same or slightly less that the numbers attending the service in this church two weeks before when I took the service.  There are excuses for our Irish members not attending because of the distance and the cost, but surely more Scottish members could make that little bit more effort to attend.  No matter whether the AGM or half-yearly meetings are held in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Falkirk there is always a good turnout from the Aberdeen Churches.  Surely it should be possible for all the SNU Churches in Scotland to sent at least one representative.  Maybe the DC could think of fund or part funding at least one representative from Ireland to attend.

There are many who complain of SNU policies – myself included at times, but instead of complaining we should use the facilities open to us to make our points know.  Attend these meetings and make your voice heard or write to the Secretary of the DC and your comments will be raised at their next meeting.

The following day I was at the Glasgow Association’s AGM and although there appeared to be good turnout there was only about one-third of the membership attending.  Still... I suppose that a one-in-three members turning out in this day and age for such a meeting is not bad. 

A friend connected to one of the major religions is envious that Spiritualists,  have such avenues open to us to make our voices heard. He thinks is great that as individuals we can have our say on what is going on in our church and our religion.   This is something we should not take for granted or abuse.  Become a member of your church and an individual member of the SNU and you can have your say and vote on major issues.   But if recent years is anything to go by we are not valuing the opportunities open to us.  Spiritualism has become  a place for infighting instead of harmony and open discussion.   

If a Spiritualist has something they are not happy with then they should sleep on it for a few days, to rush in to any situation is usually fatal.  Then to think “This may be what I would like to see happen – but what would Spirit’s views be on it?”  If one still feels that their point of view is valid and it is about your church then talk to a committee member or send a letter to the secretary of the church.  If it is on broader issues of Spiritualism then contact the Secretary of the DC. 

But committees and church members all have to play a part... 

Committees should hold at least one meeting a year apart from the AGM where members of the committee and church members can discuss what is going on within the church.  We should not moan over a cup of tea after the service or on the doorstep of the church.   Usually ongoing rumblings can be sorted out if both sides get the chance to quietly discuss the issues.

At the Church’s AGM it was suggested that a ‘suggestion box’ be put in place in the church, something I have mentioned many a time over the years and a few years ago GAS did have one.  Every Spiritualist Church should have one.   It was suggested that anyone putting a slip of paper in the ‘suggestion box’ need not sign it but this was turned down.  I would agree with this in most cases but there maybe the odd time where someone wants to point out a situation without getting involved and I would say that in certain cases an unsigned comment should be discussed.

When I brought the ‘suggestion box’ in an earlier blog I had a lot of feedback and most said roughly the same thing – “We don’t need a ‘suggestion box’ our church as members all know they can approach a committee member with anything that they are not happy about”.  It is precisely that way of thinking that makes me feel that we definitely need a ‘suggestion box’.  Many may not want to speak to a committee member but put a few words on a piece of paper.

 

 

                                                        Your comments...

 

Martha comments on my “God’s Gift” from a previous blog.... “I certainly can take on board what you wrote about flowers all my adult life I worked with people in extremely poor health and nothing cheers them up more than a bunch of flowers”.

Maud; - “My mother worked all through the war in a hospital where injured soldiers from the front line were treated.  The Matron had someone out every day summer and winter searching for flowers, so each ward had flowers for the patients to look at.  Many a time during the winter is was one flower per ward, even a small branch with a few leaves on it.  Your article brought back old memories to me.”

Bill; - “I read a quote once ‘Flowers are words that even a babe understands’.  And that is spot-on as I make all my grandchildren aware of flowers from a very early age and their delight is plain for all to see’.

J. Frew “I keep a small part of my garden for what others may call weeds.  I can see the beauty in the daisy, the dandelion and many more which other gardeners would be quick to destroy.  I do not only get enjoyment from this small patch in the garden from the flowers but from the insects and birds that they attract.

Thanks to all who comment on the flowers...

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And there were several comments on my comparing the Seven Principles, The Ten North American Commandments and the Bibles Ten Commandments...

Jake; - “You don’t need any of the three to lead  a good life”.

Jock; -“The Ten Commandments are right to the point the other two are wishy-washy especially the 7 Principles”.

Ron; - I will stick with the Bible’s Ten Commandments if you don’t mind”.

Marie; - The Ten Commandments miss out the environment... I try to combine all  three”.

 

.                                                                   Photo by Stephanie Wilson...

 

My campaign for protection for the racehorse is never more needed than it has been this month.  With March still not out there has been 22 horses breathed their last on British racecourses.  And the total for 2014 so far if 41.  3 of the 41 fatalities saw horses collapsing while racing – raced till they dropped dead.

 

 

 

My Diary...God’s Incredible Gifts... Compare the Principles and Commandments... Turning down an offer... hell here on Earth...

                                                               

                                                           My Diary

February...

2^nd – 3^rd – 4^th... I was at the Glasgow Central Spiritualist Church, 64 Berkley Street, Glasgow G3 7DS always a busy church with their Divine Service at 6.30 on a Sunday evening and two sessions of clairvoyance Monday 7.30pm and 2.30 pm on a Tuesday Top marks to the hard working committee of this church. 

9^th – I attended the Cumnock Spiritualist Centre.  – Which always gets good support from the community

11^th – I only had to travel a short distance to Paisley Spiritualist Church, Glenburn Community Centre, Paisley. PA2 8DX.

20^th – Langside Spiritualist Church, Langside Halls, Shawlands Cross, Glasgow, G41 2QR.

22^nd – 23^rd Bon Accord Spiritualist Church, 37 – 41 Fraser Place, Aberdeen, AB25 3TY.  A great welcome and great hospitality from the committee and ‘members of this church.  All who attended Saturday’ workshop had a great thirst for knowledge and it was a great honour to work with them.  The two Sunday services were well attended.

 

 

 

                                           God’s Incredible Gift....

 It is said that God has blessed his children with so many incredible gifts, and flowers are among the most precious.  Like the humans He created, there are so many different colours, shapes, scents and sizes of flowers. From birth to death and so many occasions in between we commemorate so much with flowers.  . Flowers are sent with love and are greatly received.  To receive such a gift we know that someone cares for us.   The advert slogan “Say it with flowers” is very apt.

Both my grandfathers liked gardening and both in different ways. With one grandfather my memories are of immaculately cut and shaped privet hedge around the front garden and the front lawn was like a bowling green. When it came to flowers he only grew geraniums and with only red blooms.  I wonder if at this time one could only get geraniums in red?

My other grandfather did not have a lot of room in his small walled back garden but with what space he had he used the growing area to its full potential.  He really enjoyed cultivating flowers. His main interest was unusual varieties and when he had a common species he always went for the least popular colours with them.  Three things that stand out in my mind... Someone brought him a plant from the Middle East and it was said that it only flowered once every seven years. He had it for countless years and yet only flowered the summer before he passed over to spirit. He loved experimenting with flowers and he was trying to breed a blue or black tulip. He never succeeded but here again he got a little closer to his dream.  The spring before he past a dark tulip bloomed in his beloved garden.  Nowhere near black. .  But I remember him saying “Finally I am going in the right direction”. He was also looking towards breeding a blue rose.  . .  God’s blessing certainly gave both my grandfathers so much enjoyment. 

Someone said to me recently “Your grandfather (The one who experimented with colours) was born before his time - just think of how he would marvel at the countless new hybrids flowers with such vivid colours we have today”. I thought on this and I don’t think my grandfather would be too happy with the way things are going as far as the commercialism of flowers is concerned. I think we may be taking things too far as far as interfering with the colours and producing so many varieties that have no scent. . My grandfather was working in his own little way to add another colour or shade to a species of flower in a natural way.  I believe that man has interfered too much with God’s little angels and that is showing in so many different ways.  This it is beginning to tell as there are those amongst us who find that the relaxation, peace and tranquillity they got through flowers is now waning.

Jane has never been in good health since she was born and she always felt she was blessed by having a father and then husband who was interested in gardening.  Especially as both concentrated on flowers rather than vegetables.  . As a child and through her married life Jane on a good day could always sit out in the garden relaxing and admiring the flowers. Both father and husband always had flowers in bloom every month of the year. Sadly her husband past five years ago and although her son has as strong an interest in gardening he has brought in so many new variants of flowers, some that have vivid colours. Life in Jane’s beloved garden is now the same as she says many of the colours are harsh on her eyes.  Instead of being relaxed like in the past the vivid colours give her a headache and even bring on a migraine at times.   Plus few have the scent like they did in the past.

That is not just one off the case with someone who does not like change I have heard similar things from others about interference with flowers taking the enjoyment away.

Muriel helps out with a voluntary group, visiting people who through many reasons cannot get out and about. A long time ago she thought on giving a little gift of flowers on each visit and they were gratefully accepted.  But as Muriel’s visiting list grew she could not afford a bunch of flowers for everyone.  So today at each visit she leaves three, two or even a single flower.  .  All used to look forward to this little gift even the men she visited.  One of Muriel’s colleagues said one day “it is not only that they appreciate the flowers, they seem to calm them, they are more relaxed looking at the flowers”.  There came a period when Muriel noticed that the flowers were not having the same calming effect for those she took so much time for.  One day an old lady who was still alert said “The flowers you bring me these days are not the same as the ones in the past.  I don’t think I like flowers now”.  Muriel though this over but had not a clue what the old soul was on about.  Then it dawned on her – for the past year she was buying those dyed flowers from supermarkets again some vivid and some not natural colours for the particular species.  She thought it would be a change and a change it was – the flowers were not having the same effect.   Muriel changed back to bunches of flowers with natural colours where possible flowers that had still retained their scent.  Now those she visits are back to enjoying God’s little gift – God’s little Angels...

 I heard on the radio recently a lady say that had had to care for some difficult people and she had by accident found how to give them a little relaxation and peace of mind.  In summer she takes them to a walled garden that had only old fashioned varieties of flowers and meadow flowers.  The natural colours and the scent seemed to completely change those in her charge’s nature for a few hours.    It was never the same when she took them to gardens in the local parks.

We were given free will and the intelligence to change what is around us but gifts that we must not abuse.  We must not destroy the goodness of what we are trying to change.  But man’s record so far is not good in this respect.  Look at the suffering of animals because we have changed their structure to produce more milk, eggs and meat.  Although some of us may not be too aware of the changes to flowers the most vulnerable in our society do notice - and it is they for whom we should not destroy the goodness of God’s Little Angels.

 

 

 

                                       Principles and Commandments 

 

My last blog showed the Ten Native American Commandments and there was a lot of feedback on this.  Here are a few...

Marie emails: - “Ever since I read the 10 Native American Commandments I have been thinking about them. Anyone living by these 10 simple rules will be leading a good life. If we all lived up to these simple words then what a wonderful community, country, planet we would be living on. Even though I look on myself as a Spiritualist I am putting the Indian Ten Commandments before our Seven Principles.

Kareen and Bill “The Ten Native American Commandments are not as harsh as the Bible’s Ten Commandments with “YOU SHALL NOT” or “YOU”MUST”.

J. Lomax...The Seven Principles; -  As one would expect concentrating on the connection we have with God and other dimensions, telling us life is eternal, our responsibilities and letting us know we will be asked to account stepping out of line.  Uplifting but with gentle warnings.  I can accept this...

The Bible’s Ten Commandments; - make sense but a bit forceful with the wording, although we have to take into account this was written 2,000 odd years ago.  It is not these Commandments but so much more with this religion that makes it too controlling.

The Ten Native American Commandments: - Makes a lot of sense for everyday living and probably more apt today than when it was written with the environmental concerns we have at this time...

Thanks everyone who emailed on this...I think we all know that it is wrong to kill, steal and bear false witness.  For those with an open mind it is time to move on.  What better than the Seven Principles to make us believe that leaving our physical body is not the end of our existence?  We can be guided by those from another dimension and to be reminded of our own personal responsibility.  We cannot always have our heads in the clouds and that is where the Native American Commandments come in.  We can adhere to them in our everyday lives in dealing with each other and preserving the environment

Extremely good points raised by all four.  Here are the principles and Commandments to compare.  I am sure I will get more comments on this...

Spiritualism’s 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

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The Ten Native American Commandments

 

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

2. Remain close to the Great Spirit, in all that you do.

3. Show great respect for your fellow beings.
(Especially Respect yourself)

4. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind.

5. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.

6. Do what you know to be right.
(But be careful not to fall into self-righteousness)

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.
(Especially be truthful and honest with your self)

10. Take full responsibility for your actions

 

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The Bible’s Ten Commandments...

1. Do not have any other gods before me.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.

3. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.

4. Honour your father and your mother.

5. You shall not kill

6. You shall not commit adultery.

7. You shall not steal.

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.

9. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife.

10. You shall not covet your neighbour's goods

 

 

 

Recently I got a request to take part in what was called a “Ghost Hunt” and the organisers were not too pleased because I turned the offer down.  I am never happy with the term “Ghost Hunt” I have never went out to hunt Spirit and never will.  The publicity that was going to be attached to it I did not agree with.  I have been asked to many interesting places because of the low profile way I go about it.  Hopefully getting answers to Who, What, Why, When, Where and then trying to sort out the situation satisfactorily for Spirit and those here on the Earth Plane.

 

 

 

 

A panel of experts mandated by the UN's Human Rights Council after a year long research has told us what we already know.  North Koreans had suffered "unspeakable atrocities".   Starvation where there need not be empty bellies,  and the many concentration camps where torture and death is part of everyday life. It is hard to get one’s mind around that only a few miles away in South Korea people are living, in the lap of luxury and yet in the north of the peninsula it is hell on earth. 

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A lot of joy bravery and also heartache at the Winter Olympics but all this was overshadowed by the lack of human rights for those building the stadiums

 

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