FREEDOM: ACCESS DENIED

I was surfing the web when I noticed that many of the sites I was looking for are no longer available, they are blocked!  I am enraged when I see that my access to the political arena is being censored. 

Several of these sites were marked "redirected or access denied." Holy crap!  What is happening to the Constitutional Amendments and freedom of speech?  

October 26, 2001, the Patriot Act, sign by George W. Bush, eradicate our Constitutional rights. This is highly illegal according to the Constitution itself, hello... these changes are taking place on a daily bases by our president and congress!  Do the people of America have to be hit over the head with an enslavement camp before realizing they're losing their freedoms? 

Patrick Henry said, "The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them." 

Changes are happening everyday and without the vote or consent of the people. These changes violate the very principles this country is established upon.  The people of The United State of America need to form a body of government... to watch over the body of government.  Take a good look at what the Patriot Act has done to your Constitutional rights.

The First Amendment is about freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to assemble.  The Patriot Act says that the government is now free to monitor religious and political institutions without any suspicion of criminal activity.  The government can also prosecute librarians or the keepers of records (including journalist)."

The Fourth Amendment speaks to our right to be secure "against unreasonable searches and seizures."  The Patriot Act says the government can now search and seize Americans' papers and effects without probable cause.

The Sixth Amendment entitles anyone accused of a crime to "a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury."  The Patriot Act says that the government can now jail an American indefinitely without a trial and one can be jailed without even being charged of the crime and without representation.

What troubles me more than anything is how Congress can simply vote to supersede the Constitution of The United States of America.  They are not allowed, nor do they have the power to vote in new rules arbitrarily, it's against our Constitution!  How can we allow this kind of unprecedented change to be happening?  

My friend, Debbie, is very politically active and in support of the American Constitution.  She believes that the people of this great country own the government and not visa versa.  She sends time sending emails in support of her political views.  One day her email was blocked due to "Political Controversy," I mean BLOCKED!  She couldn't access anything. Debbie is not a terrorist!  She is a woman who loves her country. The only weapon in her possession to be considered dangerous is her Estee Lauder perfume.  I would like to believe that our government is monitoring the bad guys and not sweet little ladies who love God, the American flag and apple pie!  (Internet usage is logged and monitored, so kiss your First Amendment rights goodbye.) 

When a country is no longer a Republic, it begins to take on the evil images of Socialism and Communism.  This country was set up "for the people by the people."  If we don't paying attention to what is happening right now in our country, someday we may find, FREEDOM: ACCESS DENIED!  By, Linda Sumner Urza, One find day. 

FISHER OF MEN

It was Sunday morning and I was attending church with my family.  All eight of us were sitting on the bench like little birds, perched on a telephone line, waiting to hear messages of inspiration.  The speaker was a young father who was the CEO for a large computer company and his talk was on the power of sacrifice.  

He proceeded by explaining that sacrifice is the process by which one gives up something good to get something better.  Then he relayed a personal experience he had while vacationing with his family on an island off the Pacific coast.  He wanted his children (who he thought were caught up in material things) to have a humbling experience.  He rented a hut in a remote village for the last few days of their family vacation and moved his family into the harsh living conditions.  His intent was to provide an experience that would impact the lives of his children.

The conditions in the village were extremely primitive, compared to the living standards his family was accustomed to and he was eager to see how well they would adjust.  His children spent their time playing with the other children in the village and quickly integrated into the culture.  At that point, he was unaware that he was the one that would have a humbling experience. 

The circumstances were impoverished.  The hut consisted of a canvas floor and thin mats that were used at night for beds.  There was a primitive ferry that provided rides to a larger neighboring community and marketplace.  The venders sold their goods in the marketplace to earn a modest living.  

One morning, he noticed several fishing boats heading out to sea.  Later in the day, he saw a single boat return.  He watched as the lone fisherman sold his catch for a few cents a pound to the villagers.  An hour later the other fishing boats returned with empty vessels.  Intrigued, he was told that the other fishermen had taken their fish to the marketplace for a higher profit.  

Being a successful businessman himself, he approached the lone fisherman.  He proceeded to convince him how much more money he would make by selling his goods in the marketplace. The fisherman agreed, thanked him for his advice, but the very next day he was back at the dock selling his fish. 

The business man was insulted by the fisherman's unwillingness to take his counsel.  After all, he was the CEO of a very successful company and he knew how to increase revenue.  He marched down to the shoreline and once again approached the fisherman. He asked him why he continued selling his fish on the beach when he could multiply his profits in the marketplace.  Again he explained that he could increase his income and raise the standard of living for his family, if he would only listen to a few simple principles.

The fisherman nodded his head kindly and it appeared that he fully understood the lesson being taught.  The CEO believed he had finally gotten through to this man and was certain that he wouldn't see him on the shore again, but he was wrong! The very next day the fisherman was surrounded by villagers at the dock.

No wonder these people have nearly nothing, they're idiots, he thought to himself as he ran down to the ocean's shore.  This time there was frustration in his voice.  He expressed that by not taking the fish to market, the fisherman was robbing himself and his family of a better life.  He asked, "Why don't you understand this?"

"Maybe you don't understand." The old fisherman replied.  "The people of this village are poor, they can't afford the prices in the marketplace.  If I don't sell my fish here, they will have nothing to eat.  I made a promise to the Lord, that I would watch over his children, if He would watch over mine.  He has never let me down.  I will be at this dock every day for the rest of my life! This is my way of giving back for the blessings I have received."  

The CEO was taken aback by the genuine sincerity in the fisherman's countenance and he realized this wise man was indeed living a higher law.  The fisherman had mastered the art of sacrifice and understood that by giving up something good, he was indeed getting something better.  

Maturing spiritually provides the understanding that less is more and that having money doesn't always equate to success.  There's a great lesson to be leaned from the fisherman and his ability to magnify his potential.  He used sacrifice to build a life of service and he was continually blessed for his endeavors.  He will have no hesitation to stand before God, for he truly became the fisher of men.   Linda Sumner Urza, One fine day.    

THEY WALK AMONG US

Angels go before us and prepare the way for our success.  I know this to be true, for I have witnessed it many times in my own life and in the lives of others.  When actively engaged in good works, we are surrounded by the presence of angels, for their "calling" is to assist us in this life.  The word calling is an accurate interpretation, because one must first have the desire to be in their presence, or to call it forward.  During times of struggles there are myriads of angels to call upon and although, it doesn't eliminate the challenges, the blessings of our faith will sustain us. 

On a few rare occasions, I was permitted to see angels.  I am not certain why I was allowed this privilege, but I can testify that it is  "a perfectly natural experience" when it's happening.  Sometimes, people become doubtful in their ability to converse with sacred beings and ignore the promptings.  Little children have an advantage, because they have recently descended from the arms of God and the veil is very thin. Remember, we are Heavenly beings having an Earthly experience and the purpose of this journey is to find our way home.  There are many who find the path instantly, others who, stumble around their entire lives and then there are those who intentionally ignore the signs. 

The earliest recollection I have of a spiritual anomaly is when I was six years old.  Denny, my older brother, had memorized The Lord's Prayer and taught me each verse by heart.  One night, I awoke and became frightened from the flickering shadows against the walls in my room.  I was so scared that I couldn't get out of bed or even run down the stairs to safety.  The lights were coming from passing cars on the city streets and casting silhouettes around the room.  This heightened my imagination and triggered my fears.  Petrified from this experience, I started to recite The Lord's Prayer and instantly, I felt the comfort of an angelic being.   

This new experience was the direct result of my prayer.  The anxiety and fear vanished and I instinctively accepted the authority by which the angel came.  I would like to be able to say that the room lit up and I heard the sound of angelic trumpets, but that was not the case.  The experience was delicate and precise, in the form of a perfect image and at the level of wisdom a child could understand.  I have never questioned or had any doubts, for my spiritual intellect accepted this truth. 

Children are sharp and intuitive, they are very receptive in a spiritual nature.  As adults, our senses become dulled through our preoccupation in and of the world, but children are able to maintain a higher level of frequency.  Jabez, my three year old grandson, is an example of the spiritual acuity of a child. These little ones are not far from Heaven's gate and sometimes, they have a perfect view beyond the veil.  His recent encounter prompted me to write this story.

JABEZ' ANGEL

This past Monday, March 27, 2011, I received an emotional phone call from my daughter, Leah.  Jabez, their three year old son, was looking up and noticed a small transparent particle floating from the ceiling.  

"Mommy, what is that?"

"What Jabez?"

"That?"  (Pointing to the ceiling)

"Oh, that's part of your angle's wing."  His mother said randomly and just for fun.

"Jabez, do you have an angel?"
"Yes."

"What does your angle look like? Does he wear blue, green or white?"
"He wears only all white and he has white long hair." (By now he had peeked her interest.)

"Well, how does your angel talk to you when you see him; with his mouth or do you hear him in your head?"
"He doesn't do either, he talks just in my heart."

"What does your angel do when you see him?"
"He sometimes puts his hands on my head and I can feel it to my legs"

"Always remember your angel, Jabez, because your angel must love you very much!  Is your angel just for you or is he other people's angel too?"
"He's lots of people's angel, he even visits our neighbors."

                               

                                   ~~~

"If you want to see the reflection of God's face, look directly into the eyes of a child and you will understand why He sends angels to watch over them."  Linda Sumner Urza, One fine day.