I have been thinking a lot about how often we seem to use the word LOVE without even
knowing what true love means. “ They said they LOVE ME” or I REALLY LOVE THEM”
or THEY PROMISED TO LOVE ME FOREVER.” The word comes so easily. We believe
someone else will give us acceptance, security and stability, but that isn’t always the case.
The most important love is SELF LOVE. Only you can give yourself this greatest gift.
When you truly love yourself, there is no room for any other negative beliefs.
Once this love is awakened, we are able to enter into relationships without expectations.
By allowing love to express itself without judgment, you are giving yourself and others
unconditional love.
God Bless.....Rev. Carol Neumann
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Who am I?
Rev. Margaret Neville wrote an article in the Universal Life Church’s weekly sermons quoting from the Bible book of Isaiah that says in Isaiah 29:13: and I quote: “The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.”
“My understanding of the above is that people who go to church and say the prayers and did so because that is what they are taught. They have faith but because they were taught the rules of mankind and never taught how to feel their belief in their hearts, they just recite the words without any true feelings. People have to learn what they believe in to truly feel the presence of God in their hearts and mind. I don’t think it is something that you can be taught like rules. I truly believe that you don’t have to be a member of any recognized church and follow any specific rules from any type of church or religious organization to believe in the God of your choice and to follow the rules that He has set forth. I believe that you can find the true meaning of the Lord by reading or listening to the Bible on your own. The most interesting thing is that when you figure out that your interpretation of the Bible is truly yours then you get the full meaning of what God is telling you. You get the gist of the rules that God wants you to live by. You understand that a belief in God is all you and Him and not what man has made for you.”
I agree 100% with what Rev. Neville has written. I have seen it a 1000 times in my 70+ years of life. There is at least one person you may know right now who is of the type described above. You may even be that person… I hope not.
When I read what Rev. Neville said I could no help thinking about the many Spiritualist I have met that are as hypocritical as any person in a Christian or other world religions. The question always comes up “Why?” It’s because of the way in which we have been raised, the community we lived/live in, the country we lived; in society in general. What I am saying is that we are taught from early childhood to defend ourselves even if it means lying, cheating, stealing or even outright robbery. And what do we think about all of this?
Most people are so used to lying and cheating and so on, that they are not even aware of the fact that they commit such wrong thinking and acting. All of us believe that we are OK and that we are the “most honest and forthright person in the world.” But are we?
How can our churches and society advance spiritually when we have so many people engaged in activities that are any thing but right?
I want you to know that you and I cannot get away with anything in this life. God has given us a set of Universal/Spiritual Laws that will always trip us up.
You have heard of the Law of Cause and Effect. And perhaps you have also heard of the Law of Karma. Both of these laws are active 24/7. They record our every thought, action. The law of Attraction is also in affect where we will draw to us people of like mind that will in their own way trip us up. Some of those people are a little smarter than we are and will do unto us what we have done to another person. This is a fact that if you take a look at your life, you will see it in many ways.
What I also want to tell you is that life doesn’t have to be this way. We CAN abide by the 10 commandments of the Bible. We can abide by the seven principles of Spiritualism. These laws and principle were given to us to help us avoid all the problems in this life and keep us on the straight and narrow path, one that leads to total enlightenment. To become the spiritual being that we pretend to be – we need to make it a fact of life that we really are spiritual beings living in a world of chaos. Tomorrow is another day and you have the opportunity now to make the right decisions and turn your life around and be all that you can be.
“My understanding of the above is that people who go to church and say the prayers and did so because that is what they are taught. They have faith but because they were taught the rules of mankind and never taught how to feel their belief in their hearts, they just recite the words without any true feelings. People have to learn what they believe in to truly feel the presence of God in their hearts and mind. I don’t think it is something that you can be taught like rules. I truly believe that you don’t have to be a member of any recognized church and follow any specific rules from any type of church or religious organization to believe in the God of your choice and to follow the rules that He has set forth. I believe that you can find the true meaning of the Lord by reading or listening to the Bible on your own. The most interesting thing is that when you figure out that your interpretation of the Bible is truly yours then you get the full meaning of what God is telling you. You get the gist of the rules that God wants you to live by. You understand that a belief in God is all you and Him and not what man has made for you.”
I agree 100% with what Rev. Neville has written. I have seen it a 1000 times in my 70+ years of life. There is at least one person you may know right now who is of the type described above. You may even be that person… I hope not.
When I read what Rev. Neville said I could no help thinking about the many Spiritualist I have met that are as hypocritical as any person in a Christian or other world religions. The question always comes up “Why?” It’s because of the way in which we have been raised, the community we lived/live in, the country we lived; in society in general. What I am saying is that we are taught from early childhood to defend ourselves even if it means lying, cheating, stealing or even outright robbery. And what do we think about all of this?
Most people are so used to lying and cheating and so on, that they are not even aware of the fact that they commit such wrong thinking and acting. All of us believe that we are OK and that we are the “most honest and forthright person in the world.” But are we?
How can our churches and society advance spiritually when we have so many people engaged in activities that are any thing but right?
I want you to know that you and I cannot get away with anything in this life. God has given us a set of Universal/Spiritual Laws that will always trip us up.
You have heard of the Law of Cause and Effect. And perhaps you have also heard of the Law of Karma. Both of these laws are active 24/7. They record our every thought, action. The law of Attraction is also in affect where we will draw to us people of like mind that will in their own way trip us up. Some of those people are a little smarter than we are and will do unto us what we have done to another person. This is a fact that if you take a look at your life, you will see it in many ways.
What I also want to tell you is that life doesn’t have to be this way. We CAN abide by the 10 commandments of the Bible. We can abide by the seven principles of Spiritualism. These laws and principle were given to us to help us avoid all the problems in this life and keep us on the straight and narrow path, one that leads to total enlightenment. To become the spiritual being that we pretend to be – we need to make it a fact of life that we really are spiritual beings living in a world of chaos. Tomorrow is another day and you have the opportunity now to make the right decisions and turn your life around and be all that you can be.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The Religion of Spiritualism can be No Greater than Those Who are in it
The Religion of Spiritualism can be no greater than those who are in it, and represent it. This is a very profound statement because it really gets down to the core of the beliefs and practices of individual Spiritualists. For the Spiritualists who have educated themselves in the Science, Philosophy and Religion of Spiritualism is a person who knows how to live their life. Spiritualism gives them the tools to deal with everything that comes their way from problem solving in general to solving problems at work and with family and friends. Spiritualists are happy, on the most part, and they enjoy life; with a song in there heart that is uplifting to them and all who know them. They know that when they make their transition, the life continues on and that they are going to a beautiful and happy place. For a person to know that physical death is a new beginning is something that gives them peace of mind and makes everything in their life worthwhile.
For those in Spiritualism who have not taken the time to study and learn anything about its Science, Philosophy and Religion are people who have very little idea of what it truly represents, and they fall short of knowing just what Spiritualism can do for them. Far too often, these people attend the church only for the message that the churches medium(s) may give them. People in general, it seems, only exist in a world that demands their attention, and robs them of the knowledge of how to live life to its fullest.
The question might be asked, why attend a Spiritualist church, or any church for that matter? Attending a Spiritualist church is a good choice for the fact that its ministers don’t preach to their members like many of the ministers of denominational churches do. Many denominational church ministers have for centuries instilled fear in the hearts of their members. Fear that they must abide by the teachings of the church or suffer the consequences of being judged by a hostile God. The fear of judgment has had divesting results on the psychic of people. They don’t want to be told that they will be judged, or how to live in this world; they want to be told that they are OK, and that they are doing well in this life. Spiritualist churches do that and a lot more. But not all Spiritualists remember their teachings.
Far too many people who claim to be Spiritualists don’t have a clue as to what Spiritualism is all about and really believe that the churches’ mediums are their, just for them. Even Spiritualist ministers are guilty of practicing their religion with little knowledge of how they affect the psychic of church members. The minister/medium is one who is supposed to have studied Spiritualism and is truly practicing its principles. But far too often this is just not so.
It is a shame that so many Spiritualist ministers have forgotten the basic principles taught by the church. It seems that they have become so involved in their mediumship, and the money they make from it, that they have forgotten what Spiritualism is really all about. They forget that Spiritualism teaches one to love thy neighbor as thyself and to do unto others as they would have them do unto them. The Golden Rule seems to have been forgotten with the years. A minister must have respect for their congregants and their support for the churches well being.
I have seen far too many Spiritualist ministers/mediums that have such a great prejudice towards developing mediums that they look down their noses at their attempts to learn and develop. Why? Didn’t it take years for a developed medium and minister to get where they are now? Didn’t it take years for them to be respected as a gifted medium? Then why are they doing what they are doing to developing mediums? These are questions that I would really like to know the answers to. There may be a right way and a wrong way to develop mediumship according to some Spiritualist, but if a developing medium needs a crutch such as special cards to help them develop, why not? After a while the cards are discarded as they learn that true mediumship is communication between the medium and spirit only. I have seen this for myself. I know it happens. So you may ask, why have I included these remarks about older mediums? Older mediums represent Spiritualism and its teachings and if they cannot abide by those teachings, they are not serving Spiritualism as it should be served. It takes internal fortitude and patience to learn all that Spiritualism has to offer people, and if the older Spiritualists do not remember what it took for them to get where they are, maybe spirit should remind them in a more profound way than gentle persuasion. I think that some of them have given Spiritualism a bad name, especially to those of us who are learning and developing.
Spiritualism is the only church that teaches that it is a science and religion. What does that mean? It means that a Spiritualist investigates, analyzes and classifies facts and manifestations demonstrated from the spirit side of life. The science of Spiritualism contained in the demonstrated facts of Mediumship and Healing, and the study of such phenomena. These facts and demonstrated have long been established in past years by people of the scientific community. In the late 1800s there were many renowned scientists who studied spiritual phenomena demonstrated by some of the most gifted mediums of their time. The scientists braved the sarcasm of their peers and the potential loss of their careers and reputations to study (research) the phenomena that other scientists could not bring themselves to study. These scientists found that the mediums they worked with were able to perform repeatedly the phenomena of Spiritualism thus fulfilling the scientific requirement for repeatability that is required in order for science to accept research as fact.
Spiritualism is a philosophy because it studies the Laws of Nature both on the seen and unseen side of life and bases its conclusions upon present observed facts. It accepts statements of observed facts of past ages and conclusions drawn there from, when sustained by reason and by results of observed facts of the present day.
Through out the ages, we find philosophers who have made studies of human nature, human conduct and the laws that govern them. Ages ago, these philosophers had formed various theories for the harmonization of life, which we later find still prevalent in the teachings of the worlds great religions. A philosopher always starts with a theory and tests it, makes a study of it, and writes a record of the results which have been obtained. It is in these records that we find many of the facts that harmonized with the teachings of Spiritualism. All spiritualist are recommended to make a study of these philosophers from the past and the present because of their existing harmony with the natural laws, and because many of their teachings are found in our own religious beliefs (Rev. Sharon L. Snowman, NST). Spiritualists have been writing about the philosophy of Spiritualism for years and have not been able to provide all the information that it represents. Even like the Spiritualists investigators of old, the modern day Spiritualists, the Rev. Sharon L. Snowman, a Spiritualist who has studied and written numerous books and pamphlets for the National Association of Churches on Spiritualism has not even scratched the surface in her writings of the philosophy of Spiritualism. It takes years to study a philosophy in order to be able to understand it and tell others about it. Especially for Spiritualists who want to know.
Spiritualists are people who want to know that when they make a statement, that it is correct and backed up by observable facts and that they are scientifically proven by educated people
For those in Spiritualism who have not taken the time to study and learn anything about its Science, Philosophy and Religion are people who have very little idea of what it truly represents, and they fall short of knowing just what Spiritualism can do for them. Far too often, these people attend the church only for the message that the churches medium(s) may give them. People in general, it seems, only exist in a world that demands their attention, and robs them of the knowledge of how to live life to its fullest.
The question might be asked, why attend a Spiritualist church, or any church for that matter? Attending a Spiritualist church is a good choice for the fact that its ministers don’t preach to their members like many of the ministers of denominational churches do. Many denominational church ministers have for centuries instilled fear in the hearts of their members. Fear that they must abide by the teachings of the church or suffer the consequences of being judged by a hostile God. The fear of judgment has had divesting results on the psychic of people. They don’t want to be told that they will be judged, or how to live in this world; they want to be told that they are OK, and that they are doing well in this life. Spiritualist churches do that and a lot more. But not all Spiritualists remember their teachings.
Far too many people who claim to be Spiritualists don’t have a clue as to what Spiritualism is all about and really believe that the churches’ mediums are their, just for them. Even Spiritualist ministers are guilty of practicing their religion with little knowledge of how they affect the psychic of church members. The minister/medium is one who is supposed to have studied Spiritualism and is truly practicing its principles. But far too often this is just not so.
It is a shame that so many Spiritualist ministers have forgotten the basic principles taught by the church. It seems that they have become so involved in their mediumship, and the money they make from it, that they have forgotten what Spiritualism is really all about. They forget that Spiritualism teaches one to love thy neighbor as thyself and to do unto others as they would have them do unto them. The Golden Rule seems to have been forgotten with the years. A minister must have respect for their congregants and their support for the churches well being.
I have seen far too many Spiritualist ministers/mediums that have such a great prejudice towards developing mediums that they look down their noses at their attempts to learn and develop. Why? Didn’t it take years for a developed medium and minister to get where they are now? Didn’t it take years for them to be respected as a gifted medium? Then why are they doing what they are doing to developing mediums? These are questions that I would really like to know the answers to. There may be a right way and a wrong way to develop mediumship according to some Spiritualist, but if a developing medium needs a crutch such as special cards to help them develop, why not? After a while the cards are discarded as they learn that true mediumship is communication between the medium and spirit only. I have seen this for myself. I know it happens. So you may ask, why have I included these remarks about older mediums? Older mediums represent Spiritualism and its teachings and if they cannot abide by those teachings, they are not serving Spiritualism as it should be served. It takes internal fortitude and patience to learn all that Spiritualism has to offer people, and if the older Spiritualists do not remember what it took for them to get where they are, maybe spirit should remind them in a more profound way than gentle persuasion. I think that some of them have given Spiritualism a bad name, especially to those of us who are learning and developing.
Spiritualism is the only church that teaches that it is a science and religion. What does that mean? It means that a Spiritualist investigates, analyzes and classifies facts and manifestations demonstrated from the spirit side of life. The science of Spiritualism contained in the demonstrated facts of Mediumship and Healing, and the study of such phenomena. These facts and demonstrated have long been established in past years by people of the scientific community. In the late 1800s there were many renowned scientists who studied spiritual phenomena demonstrated by some of the most gifted mediums of their time. The scientists braved the sarcasm of their peers and the potential loss of their careers and reputations to study (research) the phenomena that other scientists could not bring themselves to study. These scientists found that the mediums they worked with were able to perform repeatedly the phenomena of Spiritualism thus fulfilling the scientific requirement for repeatability that is required in order for science to accept research as fact.
Spiritualism is a philosophy because it studies the Laws of Nature both on the seen and unseen side of life and bases its conclusions upon present observed facts. It accepts statements of observed facts of past ages and conclusions drawn there from, when sustained by reason and by results of observed facts of the present day.
Through out the ages, we find philosophers who have made studies of human nature, human conduct and the laws that govern them. Ages ago, these philosophers had formed various theories for the harmonization of life, which we later find still prevalent in the teachings of the worlds great religions. A philosopher always starts with a theory and tests it, makes a study of it, and writes a record of the results which have been obtained. It is in these records that we find many of the facts that harmonized with the teachings of Spiritualism. All spiritualist are recommended to make a study of these philosophers from the past and the present because of their existing harmony with the natural laws, and because many of their teachings are found in our own religious beliefs (Rev. Sharon L. Snowman, NST). Spiritualists have been writing about the philosophy of Spiritualism for years and have not been able to provide all the information that it represents. Even like the Spiritualists investigators of old, the modern day Spiritualists, the Rev. Sharon L. Snowman, a Spiritualist who has studied and written numerous books and pamphlets for the National Association of Churches on Spiritualism has not even scratched the surface in her writings of the philosophy of Spiritualism. It takes years to study a philosophy in order to be able to understand it and tell others about it. Especially for Spiritualists who want to know.
Spiritualists are people who want to know that when they make a statement, that it is correct and backed up by observable facts and that they are scientifically proven by educated people
Practice and Application of Phenomena
[The following article was written when I was studying Modern Spiritualism with the Morris Pratt Institute.]
The responsibility of the sitter and the medium are really important for any successful reading or even the giving of short messages. It is one of our major principles of Spiritualism, in short, is “Personal Responsibility.” It places the responsibility of what happen in our life totally on our shoulders. It is not the responsibility of others to take care of us. If we go into a reading with a chip on our shoulders, we are for sure going to have no reading at all, or a very poor one. I can vouch for this in that I tried to give a reading to a woman in Florida. She had the type of personality that says, “it really doesn’t matter what you say or try to say to me, I will make sure its bad and WILL get my money back.” She did. This type of personality in a person is what gives Spiritualism a bad name among the friends of a person with that type of personality. The lesson really emphasizes the true responsibility of all individuals involved in mediumship. I am glad to be able to express what this lesson has to say to those I work with at the Church I attend here in Montreal. It seems to me that we just don’t take enough time to really understand what is involved in giving readings and messages and, often, get ourselves into trouble on a personal basis.
I was glad to read the section that expresses continuing need for education. I have been told that I read too much and practice what I preach too little. That may be so in the eyes of some, but I believe that the more I know about the beliefs and principles of Spiritualism and its teachings, the better. These lessons have been a real eye opener for me in many respects, especially this lesson twenty. I have thought about the things this lesson has to say, but I think that I really needed to see it in writing so that I am able to truly bring to the surface of my mind, daily, my responsibility towards Spiritualism and other people.
The real benefits of mediumship, when we are able to practice it properly bring to the sitter, and ourselves, a better understanding of our roll in life. Mediumship is for those who really need a little direction in their life and not for that person who is looking for some one to do their work for them. We are really just individuals in the greater scheme of life. It is quite satisfying to be able to help some one who really needs it, and for the person who is able to take advice and use it for their personal greater good. I think that it is a good to give to others and to reap the benefits of the work. It is also one of the goals of mediumship.
The responsibility of the sitter and the medium are really important for any successful reading or even the giving of short messages. It is one of our major principles of Spiritualism, in short, is “Personal Responsibility.” It places the responsibility of what happen in our life totally on our shoulders. It is not the responsibility of others to take care of us. If we go into a reading with a chip on our shoulders, we are for sure going to have no reading at all, or a very poor one. I can vouch for this in that I tried to give a reading to a woman in Florida. She had the type of personality that says, “it really doesn’t matter what you say or try to say to me, I will make sure its bad and WILL get my money back.” She did. This type of personality in a person is what gives Spiritualism a bad name among the friends of a person with that type of personality. The lesson really emphasizes the true responsibility of all individuals involved in mediumship. I am glad to be able to express what this lesson has to say to those I work with at the Church I attend here in Montreal. It seems to me that we just don’t take enough time to really understand what is involved in giving readings and messages and, often, get ourselves into trouble on a personal basis.
I was glad to read the section that expresses continuing need for education. I have been told that I read too much and practice what I preach too little. That may be so in the eyes of some, but I believe that the more I know about the beliefs and principles of Spiritualism and its teachings, the better. These lessons have been a real eye opener for me in many respects, especially this lesson twenty. I have thought about the things this lesson has to say, but I think that I really needed to see it in writing so that I am able to truly bring to the surface of my mind, daily, my responsibility towards Spiritualism and other people.
The real benefits of mediumship, when we are able to practice it properly bring to the sitter, and ourselves, a better understanding of our roll in life. Mediumship is for those who really need a little direction in their life and not for that person who is looking for some one to do their work for them. We are really just individuals in the greater scheme of life. It is quite satisfying to be able to help some one who really needs it, and for the person who is able to take advice and use it for their personal greater good. I think that it is a good to give to others and to reap the benefits of the work. It is also one of the goals of mediumship.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Becoming a Minister
Pastoral Skills and the new minister
All ministers whether they are the church’s pastor or one of the associate ministers will be called upon to visit the sick and dying in the hospital, comfort the widows, and orphans, and other love ones of the sick and dying. As such, the minister has to have some knowledge of what will be expected of him/her by a grieving person. The more the minister knows about how to approach a grieving person, the better he/she will be able to render assistance.
In most cases the minister has more knowledge and expertise than they may believe that they have. This being said, one must realize that they have a number of years of life experiences to call upon at all times. Our parents, friends and life situations taught us most of what we learn in life. However, in this course you will be given some tools to work with that will make your job a little easier. I have a friend that told me that he counsels people through the readings that he gives. Readings? My friend is a certified medium, and believes that when he encounters any kind of situation, he only has to call upon spirit to take over and counsel the person before him. What he is really saying is that he has never had to give counsel to any one in the hospital, a person who has lost a love one, or even a person who was dying. This may not be entirely true, because every minister of Spiritualism has been ask the question, “Why did God take my son, my daughter, cousin or friend at such a young age?” Ministers are expected to have the answer this very important question. It is not just a question of whether or not the person asking the question believes in life after the change called death, or not, the question is still not answered for them. You could tell them that their love one had full filled their purpose on earth and it was time for them to go. Or you could tell them that you just don’t know why God some times takes some people in the prime of their life. This of course will not answer the question and you could be looked upon as a minister who just doesn’t know any thing about life.
As you read through the various books assigned to you at this time, you will learn many possible ways in which you can help people. Not all answers, of course, to question from people in general can be gotten from a book. Some time the minister has to go to an older experienced minister and ask for help. NEVER feel that you cannot ask another for help. That is what they are there for. It is the well being of the patient that is of the greatest concern. Not yours, or mine.
All ministers whether they are the church’s pastor or one of the associate ministers will be called upon to visit the sick and dying in the hospital, comfort the widows, and orphans, and other love ones of the sick and dying. As such, the minister has to have some knowledge of what will be expected of him/her by a grieving person. The more the minister knows about how to approach a grieving person, the better he/she will be able to render assistance.
In most cases the minister has more knowledge and expertise than they may believe that they have. This being said, one must realize that they have a number of years of life experiences to call upon at all times. Our parents, friends and life situations taught us most of what we learn in life. However, in this course you will be given some tools to work with that will make your job a little easier. I have a friend that told me that he counsels people through the readings that he gives. Readings? My friend is a certified medium, and believes that when he encounters any kind of situation, he only has to call upon spirit to take over and counsel the person before him. What he is really saying is that he has never had to give counsel to any one in the hospital, a person who has lost a love one, or even a person who was dying. This may not be entirely true, because every minister of Spiritualism has been ask the question, “Why did God take my son, my daughter, cousin or friend at such a young age?” Ministers are expected to have the answer this very important question. It is not just a question of whether or not the person asking the question believes in life after the change called death, or not, the question is still not answered for them. You could tell them that their love one had full filled their purpose on earth and it was time for them to go. Or you could tell them that you just don’t know why God some times takes some people in the prime of their life. This of course will not answer the question and you could be looked upon as a minister who just doesn’t know any thing about life.
As you read through the various books assigned to you at this time, you will learn many possible ways in which you can help people. Not all answers, of course, to question from people in general can be gotten from a book. Some time the minister has to go to an older experienced minister and ask for help. NEVER feel that you cannot ask another for help. That is what they are there for. It is the well being of the patient that is of the greatest concern. Not yours, or mine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)