'DAVID ICKE' Portrait - Art by Rev.Bola

'Pitiful Dark Soul'

My tears are
as grey as my heart
searing
dropping
i have a demon's thoughts
singing in the dark church
i have no spiritual connection
utterly unloved, 
my only companion
is the darkness
could I find a lonelier place to be
weeping
my soul is like poison
everything and everyone is above me
endless unhappiness

-Rev.Bola A.
(24.5.10 - ARR )
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The Spiritual Lessons Of Celebville

Introduction

 This is the beginning of a series of Lessons I am now introducing, that is based on my study of our Celebrity culture in general, and our mass media in particular. There is no doubt in my mind, that the Media plays  a powerful part in influencing our beliefs and attitudes to life  and situations.

Through the media we are given access to the kind of people, ideas, trends, fashion and leaders of industry, that we are encouraged to admire. We receive from our media, daily images of proposed role models whom we are urged to imitate, and characters we are required to emulate. We are given regular doses of the lives of such famous people, what they do, how much they earn, what they wear, where they live, what they eat, how much they weigh, how they spend money, what exercises they do, how they handle their relationships, their marriages, and their charity work and cultural beliefs. We are bombarded with images of 'the perfect physical body',  'the perfect couple', 'the perfect mum', 'the perfect family man', 'the perfect diet', 'the perfect outfit', 'the perfect hairstyle' and so on..


For those who don't know what Celebville means, its referring to the entire celebrity universe. 'Celebrity' is described in the English dictionary as:-
the state or quality of being widely honoured and acclaimed.

A 'celebrity' is described as:-
a person of considerable prominence, a widely known person, a famous person or a person of notoriety.

For the purposes of this discussion, I want to take a closer look at the word notoriety:

'notoriety' is described as the state of being known for some unfavourable act or quality.


As I walk past the magazine racks at my local supermarket, I am confronted with images of celebrities,  many of them with headlines varying from the mildly shocking to the downright scandalous, and I become very quickly aware of the not so subtle demarcation between popularity and notoriety, especially where fame and celebrity are concerned. In fact the line is so flimsy, you could so easily miss it; and perhaps that is the intention, that there shouldn't be any difference, because the difference no longer really matter.


I find this very curious, because for whom does the difference between, fame, popularity and notoriety  not matter? Jesus Christ is world famous and widely known, so is Adolf Hitler, but for clearly different reasons.In this example are we to then conclude that the difference between fame and notoriety does not matter? I we to emulate Hitler simply because he had a magnetic personality and was well known? Many people in his time obviously did, or he could not have risen to so much prominence.


I still remember a time in my youth when role models and people of prominence were people we looked up to because of their moral and ethical example, because of their exceptional beauty, attribute or distinguishable quality of spirit in some area. Perhaps they had a special gift for music, literature, art, performing, comedy, dance, and entertainment that reminded you of heaven. Perhaps they had exceptional knowledge and skill regarding taking care of the physical body, the mind and the emotions, perhaps they had an exceptional eye for design, fashion, architecture, or perhaps they made a scientific contribution that could affect millions of lives in a positive way; whatever the attribute of their fame, it was generally down to something unique, divine, heavenly, wholesome, and beneficial to the greater good of all. Therein lies the important difference for me.

'Celebrity' is taken from the word 'Celebrate' which means  : to extol or praise and make widely known, to respect and rejoice in. It follows, that the subject of the fame or celebrity etc that I aspire to emulate, should exude a quality or attribute that is divinely wholesome, harmonious and beneficial to the greater good. In short, it should remind me of Godliness. Anything less does not deserve the attribute of world recognition and critical acclaim, or celebrity status.


Now having cleared up the difference between genuine fame and notoriety, what then are the life lessons to be learnt from our current celebrity culture as we know it today?

Sometimes when people visit my home, they are surprised by the number of OK and Hello magazines they see lying around, I love reading about celebrity life and generally read any magazines I can get my hands on like the National Enquirer, New, Closer, Grazier and so on. I check the features and the fashion pages and I have my own set of favourite celebrities whose lives I follow. Some would say this was an unusual characteristic, and rather out of character for a Church minister, or spiritual mentor such as myself to be reading the gossip magazines. But is it? Let's take a closer look.


I know for example that many of the people who look to me for Spiritual Coaching and counselling have aspirations to be like their favourite stars or celebrities. They want to be just as successful, or as beautiful, or as talented, or as rich, or as esteemed as these celebrities. And many are asking themselves questions like 'what is it that...(name of celebrity)...has that I don't have'? 'What is it that they do, that I don't do?', 'What is it that they know that I don't know, in short what is their secret formula?' Unfortunately the real answers to these questions are not in the tabloid magazines. What we get in the magazines can often be confusing and misleading in that on the one hand we receive images of stunning looking people, well groomed, living in multi-million pound homes, and experiencing the quality of material life that the other 90 percent of the population only dream of, while on the other hand exhibiting a severe inability to manage the very basic elements of life illustrated by turbulent or broken relationships, alcohol and drug related abuse, marriage breakdowns, sexual promiscuity, cheating scandals, obsession with plastic surgery, fad diets, body image problems, mental health problems, workaholism, deva behaviour and pridefulness, bitchiness and jealousy, distrust and backbiting, lack of privacy, paparazzi harassment, betrayal as in leaking and selling stories to the press, greed, family relationship problems, and relentless addiction to fame.


We are often left in two minds by the media, about our celebrities. In general we feel admiration for their wealth, accomplishments and popularity on the one hand, and yet on the other hand we feel dismay, let down, disappointment or even pity, for what seems like a relentless inability or unwillingness on the part of so many celebrities to get their own private lives in order. I can just hear you thoughts to your choice celebrity along the lines of '' Come on mate, you've got everything it takes to enjoy life, so just get your act together and be happy. Stop being such an ungrateful spoilt deva. Behave yourself, settle down, get married, do some charity work, and thank God for all your many blessings. Stop all the useless drug and alcohol abuse, the cheating scandals, the inappropriate relationships, and just be a REAL star that I can really look up to! I'm counting on you, so don't let me down, get it all right 100%''


But can our celebrities of choice really have it ALL together, though? And if not, then why not? What's the missing ingredient? Is there something else going on here, that all the career success, all the money, all the public adulation, all the molly cuddling and attention, all the awards, designer clothes and expensive jewellery simply cannot buy?


I will boldly  put it another way. Why can't beautiful women like Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, Halle Berry, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Sharon Stone, have the kind of loving lasting relationships that they truly treasure and can deeply trust, with children included? Why can't powerful women like Oprah Winfrey, Kirstie Alley, Queen Latifah and Mariah Carey keep their body weight constant?


Then looking at male stars, why is it that attractive men like George Clooney, and Simon Cowell have difficulty committing themselves to marriage and children? And why can't gorgeous stars like Naomi Campbell and Russell Crowe stop losing their temper? What are celebrities like Nicole Ritchie, Paris Hilton, and Heidi Montag really famous for anyway and why do talented stars like Madonna, Lady Gaga, Britany Spears, Beyonce Knowles, Rhianna,  feel the need to keep stretching the limits of provocative decency in their music videos? And I haven't even started yet on the cheating revelations of Tiger Woods, Mick Jagger, Jude Law, Jessie... (Sandra Bullock's husband). If these are indeed the lives of our celebrities, the people we are supposed to aspire to be like, then what is really missing here? What is the reality?


The answer I believe lies in Spiritual Awakening. Enlightenment brings understanding. A true celebrity is an enlightened one. the mark of a genuine celebrity is their ability to remind you of something far greater and more meaningful than the mundane, while still remaining rooted in the mundane. A true celebrity is one who reminds you of heaven, while keeping his or her feet on the ground here on earth. A true celebrity has the ability to bring some aspect of heaven down to earth, in such a ways as to impact millions of people in a positive way. A true role model is one that is spiritually attuned, spiritually awakened, and conscious of the Divine Nature.


Spiritual attunement is a gift of Grace. It is freely endowed by God, and is given to those who ask and seek it.  Freely endowed means that it is not up for sale, and so can not be bought, because it has no price. You can't put a price on enlightenment, therefore you can neither buy nor sell it. You can merely ask for it, then humbly and graciously receive it thus. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the excellent example of a true celebrity, famous for all the right reasons. There are many well known names in the scriptures both male and female, that would be considered famous celebrities in today's world. they include Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Rebecca, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Saul, David, Joseph, Mary, Mary Magdalene, the apostles and disciples. Naturally My favourite celebrities are those who have made a direct contribution to the raising of ethical and moral consciousness on our planet, and have aroused us to greater love and respect for all life, and they are numerous. Just in the media and entertainment industry alone, here are some modern day celebrities  that I have admired: Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Cliff Richards, Tracy Chapman, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lisa Kudrow, Steadman Graham, Jamie Oliver, Bob Marley, to name a few of them. In other areas of endeavour their are people like; Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, President Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, Mother Teresa, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Reverend Martin Luther King, and many many more, especially in the fields of religious and spiritual education, charity work, the arts, literature and music.

To see more examples of Famous people I follow and admire, for their spiritual contributions please click here:
Rev.Bola's*LOVING PEOPLE*
http://www.aartisans.homepagestartup.com/?t=8096

Conclusion:

Every single human being is important to God, no matter their status, background, upbringing, cultural heritage, economic, social or political status. That includes you, that includes me, and that includes every celebrity that has ever lived, and every non-celebrity that has ever lived.The plain fact is that God loves each one of us with an unlimited, unshakable, unconditional, everlasting Love beyond our fathomable understanding. God always has, and always will. This is good news for you, and good news for the celebrity. Aspiring to be celebrated, as a renowned and famous person of is an honourable, wonderful and exciting purpose when aligned with the Higher Divine Will. Only then do you have the opportunity of truly touching the lives of millions of others in a most profound and uplifting way. Divine success (backed by God) creates more success for all, Divine wealth (backed by God) creates even more wealth for everyone. It can only be wondrous and good for everyone to be blessed with an abundance of what they need, materially and spiritually. Pick our role models with wisdom, based on the divine qualities and attributes, and not on notoriety. Love yourself as you are now, wherever you may be. on the path of life. You too can be a role model right now, for those around you today.

To God most high, you are ....a most majestic creation. A beautiful, illuminating, light stream of pure, utter bliss and love. Remember that, always.

written by Rev.Bola A.
(copyrite: 20.5.10 -ARR)

Evidence Of My Prophetic Gifts

Love and Light
Rev.Bola A

A SPIRITUAL "CONSPIRACY"

Introductory Notes by Rev.Bola

 Every so often, we are graced with a gem of truth, expressed in the most eloquent way, that gives an insight into the very aims of our work and ministry. Words that portray the universality of this purpose. It is the collective voice of a humble and yet powerfully united community, that exudes our unflinching 'hope and promise' for humanity's future. We are the bearers of great tidings, and here is the good news:

''On the surface of our world right now
There is war, violence, and craziness
And things may seem dark.

But calmly and quietly
At the same time
Something is happening underground.

An inner revolution is taking place
And certain individuals
Are being called to a higher light.

It is a silent revolution
From the inside out
From the ground up.

This is a global co-operation
That has sleeper cells in every nation.
It is a planetary Spiritual Conspiracy.
You won't likely see us on T.V.
You won't read about us in the newspaper.
You won't hear from us on the radio.

We don't seek glory.
We don't wear any uniform.
We come in all shapes and sizes, colors and styles.

We are in every country and culture of the world
In cities big and small, mountains and valleys
In farms and villages, tribes and remote islands.

Most of us work anonymously
Seeking not recognition of name
But profound transformation of life.

Working quietly behind the scenes
You could pass by one of us on the street
And not even notice.

We go undercover
Not concerned for who takes the final credit
But simply that the work gets done.

Many of us may seem to have normal jobs.
But behind the external storefront
Is where the deeper work takes a place.

With the individual and collective power
Of our minds and hearts
We spread passion, knowledge, and joy to all.

Some call us the Conscious Army
As together
We co-create a new world.

Our orders come from the Spiritual Intelligence Agency
Instructing us to drop soft, secret love bombs
when no one is looking.

Poems ~ Hugs ~ Music ~ Photography ~ Smiles ~ Kind words
Movies ~ Meditation and prayer ~ Dance ~ Websites
Social activism ~ Blogs ~ Random acts of kindness…

We each express ourselves
In our own unique ways
With our own unique gifts and talents.

"Be the change you want to see in the world"
That is the motto that fills our hearts.
We know this is the path to profound transformation.

We know that quietly and humbly
Individually and collectively
We have the power of all the oceans combined.

At first glance our work is not even visible.
It is slow and meticulous
Like the formation of mountains.

And yet with our combined efforts
Entire tectonic plates
Are being shaped and moved for centuries to come.

Love is the religion we come to share
And you don't need to be highly educated
Or have exceptional knowledge to understand it.

Love arises from the intelligence of the heart
Embedded in the timeless evolutionary pulse
Of all living beings.

Be the change you want to see in the world.
Nobody else can do it for you.
Yet don't forget, we are all here supporting you.

We are now recruiting.
Perhaps you will join us
Or already have.

For in this spiritual conspiracy
All are welcome, and all are loved.
The door is always open.''
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Edited version of Brian Piergrossi's beautiful essay at www.thebigglow.com

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Check out the following site for other useful tools and resources from Rev.Bola
Holy Spirit Services - Int

'Evil, What Are You Exactly?'

Title: 'Evil' - Art by Rev.Bola
–Adjective
1. morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked: evil deeds; an evil life.
2. harmful; injurious: evil laws.
3. characterized or accompanied by misfortune or suffering;
unfortunate; disastrous: to be fallen on evil days.
4. due to actual or imputed bad conduct or character: an evil reputation.
5. marked by anger, irritability, irascibility, etc.:
He is known for his evil disposition.
–Noun
6. that which is evil; evil quality, intention, or conduct: to choose the lesser of two evils.
7. the force in nature that governs and gives rise to wickedness and sin.
8. the wicked or immoral part of someone or something: The evil in his nature has destroyed the good.
9. harm; mischief; misfortune: to wish one evil.
10. anything causing injury or harm: Tobacco is considered by some to be an evil.
11. a harmful aspect, effect, or consequence: the evils of alcohol.
12. a disease, as king's evil.
–Adverb
13. in an evil manner; badly; ill: It went evil with him.
—Idiom
14. the evil one, the devil; Satan; Lucifer

Evil to me is, the father of all negativity, lies, lack, suffering and pain.
Synonyms:
1. sinful, iniquitous, depraved, vicious, corrupt, base, vile, nefarious. See bad 1 . 2. pernicious, destructive. 6. wickedness, depravity, iniquity, unrighteousness, corruption, baseness. 9. disaster, calamity, woe, misery, suffering, sorrow.

Antonyms:
1. righteous.
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Love and Light from Rev.Bola A
(Copyright: 16.Nov 09 -ARR)

'Be Willing To Forgive'

Oh Evil, I forgive you
For ever manifesting in the first instance.
I forgive you for ever existing
In the Universe.
Evil, I forgive you, for your coming
Into being at all.

Oh Evil, I forgive you
For entering family relationships.
I forgive you for creeping
Into friendships.
Evil, I forgive you
For your existing in
The exchange of goods and services
And for entering into monetary
And financial concerns.

Oh Evil, I forgive you today
For your infringing upon sexuality
And sexual relationships.
I forgive you for coming into existence
In marriages and marital affairs.
I forgive you for being in
Physical body and the material realm
For existing in the mind and mental realm
And particularly for your ever existing
In the Non-physical dimension.

Of Evil, I forgive you now
For ever coming into being at all
For your existing in any universal
realms or dimensions, any planes of
Conception, creation, existence
Or being, whether imagined or otherwise,
Whether real or unreal.
Evil, I forgive you for ever
making your self known.

May The Holy Spirit hear this prayer;
May The Light that is God grant this request.
Amen!

by Rev.Bola A.(copyright:15Nov09 - ARR)
*LIGHT MATRIX