Would YOU Sign?

I’ve finally wrapped my arms around why I dislike government. Make no mistake about it; my distain is equal for every branch of government and every party. Oh, I know to be governed is a necessary evil. I understand that there would be absolute anarchy without some governing power. The notion that out of “man’s goodness” there will be issued fair measure to all is [to me] laughable.

I was reading the Declaration of Independence when it struck me. The Declaration; the DECLARATION. Those fellas chose their words pretty carefully in 1775 and 1776. It really DID make a difference what the meaning of the word “is” is.

But I digress ...

Our forefathers were openly declaring something that to them was already self-evident. They were not creating “it” but they realized “it” needed proclaiming. So, where did “it“ come from?

Our founding father’s had numerous political differences. They differed in status and social standing. Some declared themselves to be Christian, some Deists. Some made no outward claim of religious belief at all - but in unity they pledged their lives to the Declaration of Independence. Why? Because the rights for which they were willing to forsake all they had ever worked for, and for which they would steadfastly face the penalty of death, were determined to be “UNALIENABLE”.

Think about that for a moment. UNALIENABLE. What does that mean to you? I must be honest. Until recently, to me it was simply a fancy tongue-twister means of saying these were “undeniable” rights. But the body of the Declaration goes on to explain it far more precisely.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

(Did you notice the progression of servitude? A. Powers of the earth subservient to: B. Laws of Nature which are subservient to: C. Nature’s God.)

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. -- That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, -- That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

(These are truths, not opinions, not politically correct analogies or soundbites, the Declaration was and is TRUTH! And to any observer, living or yet to be born, they should be self-evident, without question, undeniably obvious! First and foremost ALL MEN [and women] are subservient to Nature’s God because they are CREATED equal. And the greater measures of what matter the Creator infused within mankind are UNALIENABLE! This is to say that they are not to be taken away and not to be given away! They are the intrinsic essence of mankind because they are not earthly and subservient to earth or nature; they are forever endowed by their Creator.)

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. -- Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

The Declaration continues with a list of grievances and a recall of numerous attempts to resolve those grievances within the guidelines of British Parliament. The Declaration ends with the following words:

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Friends, this is a Declaration, not an observation. These men considered these truths to be self-evident, obvious and without question. These truths are truths because they have been infused into mankind by God, Nature’s God, the Creator, the Supreme Judge of the world and Who, when given His rightful place within the hearts of mankind and the affairs of mankind, provides Divine Providence.

It is to me, self-evident, that as a nation we have all but eliminated the very core strength of our Declaration, ALMIGHTY GOD! Furthermore, I believe that as a nation we have allowed destructive forces to infuse the notion that any reference to “god” is and must be subservient to Nature and the Laws of Nature BY THE POWERS OF THE EARTH. This is to me, frightening beyond words and dangerous beyond comprehension.

So that there is no mistaking, I distain any government, any political party and any individuals or individual who would at any time take from me and my family my unalienable rights. I believe that it is time, no, perhaps past time, to stand up and DECLARE OUR INDEPENDENCE AND WHERE OUR INDEPENDENCE COMES FROM - IT SHOULD STILL BE SELF EVIDENT. And I would gladly sign my name to it’s truths. How about you? Pass it along - there might be others looking for the opportunity to make this declaration.

God bless you and God bless America!
Laurie De Seguirant

Hear, Learn, Keep, DO

Success principles; motivational speakers preach them, PMA books outline them, individuals - urning to achieve their full potential - invest enumerable dollars in seminars and programs promising to deliver them.

Have you ever noticed the similarities between the marketing of “Success Principles” and the marketing of “Diet and Exercise” principles? Each claim to possess precisely the “yet to have been discovered secrets” for achieving desired results. Each claim to offer their own exclusive patented formula. Each attract repeat hopefuls; maybe THIS TIME!

There comes a point when a wary public realizes they have been purchasing the “feel-good” marketing not the message, the sizzle not the steak, the flash not the enlightenment. Why does it continue to be profitable? Because people continue to search for happiness, fulfillment and purpose.

The opportunistic entrepreneur recognizes people’s desire to “feel good” about themselves. They address this universal human need by supplying self-improvement cd’s videos, seminars and books that temporarily satisfy. Once “hooked”, the public returns for their next “fix”. It is the drug of, “potential perfection”. We are told, “you think you feel better now? JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU PURCHASE MY NEXT VIDEO!”

So is there anything wrong with self-improvement? Not at all. In the book of 2 Timothy 2:15 we read:

“Study (make it your ambition - be eager) and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing (cutting it straight - rightly handling and skillfully teaching) the Word of Truth.”

Moses set the standard for self improvement when he addressed Israel in his second discourse to a new generation saying:

“...HEAR, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may LEARN them, and KEEP, and DO them.” - Deuteronomy 5:1

HEAR, LEARN, KEEP DO; not bad advice for continual improvement. Moses continues in his discourse to explain that results do not happen immediately:

“For the land which you go in to possess is not like the land of Egypt, from which you came out, where you sowed your seed and watered it with your foot laboriously, as a garden of vegetables. But the land, which you enter to possess, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinks of water of the rain of heavens. A land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. And if you diligently heed My commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God and to serve Him with all your mind and heart and with your entire being, I will give the rain for your land in it’s season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine and your oil. And I will give grass in your fields for your cattle, that you may eat and be full.” - Deuteronomy 11:10-15

“If you diligently heed ... I WILL give the rain IN IT’S SEASON and I WILL GIVE grass in your fields for your cattle.”

Success begins when we come face to face with Truth. It manifests Itself when we make it our ambition to learn from, and internalize It’s power, being daily equipped to outwardly express It’s reality in us.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way the TRUTH and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) me.’” - John 14:6

Balance, success, fulfillment, purpose; HEAR, LEARN, KEEP, DO.

God bless!