Picture by: Sam LeVan/ Philadelphia, PA.

The declaration of America’s Independence on July 4th 1776, the day the wording of the declaration was APPROVED by congress, was proclaimed inside this building, preparing the way for the birth of the “United States Constitution” which was in later years drafted, debated and signed within these walls.

Click on  the picture, “Independence Hall” to view a very special card!

Now sit back and click on the flags below to enjoy the following slide presentation and music presented by high school students, playing impressive trumpet sounds and singing the “Battle Hymn of The Republic.”

This song, written by Julie Howe in 1861, contributes to the overall theme of this article, declaring the continued fight for freedom. This fight wears many hats that are ultimately shelved to collect dust indicating, as the history books confirm, man’s constant struggle for freedom, power, and independence. The journey is ongoing until man learns how to WIN the war FOR All the inhabitants of the earth! Before he can do this, perhaps he needs to remove his hat…….

Click on these flags, photo by Paula Brewer from New York, to hear the words of the song below. (After, read the little note at the bottom).

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:

He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;

He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:

His truth is marching on.

Chorus:

Glory, glory, hallelujah

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,

They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;

I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:

His day is marching on. Chorus

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:

“As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;

Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,

Since God is marching on.” Chorus

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;

He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:

Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!

Our God is marching on. Chorus

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:

As He died to make men holy, let us die (now “live”) to make men free,

While God is marching on. Chorus

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,

He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succor to the brave,

So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,

Our God is marching on. Chorus

Quick note: I want to give you a little more time to study the current art/photo spotlight (videos and links) before I share my experience with you. By the way, I hope you enjoyed my previous articles on the monastery and the song of the magpie. Thank you to those who took a moment to comment! I’m in love with that baby magpie, so I will do some more filming of “Benny Monk!” I’ll be out of town for a few days, so here’s an early happy 4th July to you!

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Click on the above picture to view your Father’s Day Card

Happy Father’s Day! All you fathers out there deserve a special treat, and I have found a way to shower you with a few! It begins with viewing a special recipe in the “Recipe” Spotlight (that you can get your wives to try out). Let me know how good it tasted! After, it may be a good time to visit the “Health Tip” section for a boost of energy (actually this form of energy will truly fascinate you).

Another treat for you is to view the “Inspirational” spotlight that will set the tone for a few days (and assist you with your challenges of work, projects, etc.). Then, for a break, listen to some fabulous instrumentation in the ”Music” category. The music goes right along with the “Art/Photo” section; again, this may fascinate and astound you.

I actually tried an experiment after all the research, and lo, it worked- immediately! I did not do the rice experiment (as it already had been done) but I wanted to try something else that would possibly have an effect on my body. My gosh, and did it ever!  The results were astounding. I will let you know in the next blog article so be sure to read and view the video clips in that spotlight (Art/Photo).

I pulled a product out of the Hall of Fame as there is a You Tube video revealing additional information for that particular product. I thought it too valuable to ignore. I, myself, use this product because of its tremendous benefits (keeping my youth in tact).

I’m not sure if I mentioned the “Vision” Spotlight in a previous article, but it would be worth a visit.  I had a lovely chat with this fellow last week and will reserve some hugs for him when we get together!

So, you wonderful dads out there (including mine), give yourself some time to enjoy these treats. You deserve recognition for the roles you play, and for your protective and loving nature. I salute you!

List of new spotlights waiting for you: Recipe, Health Tip, Inspirational, Music, Art/Photo, Wholesale Product, and Vision.

Drop me a line and let’s see how your day/weekend was spent (i.e. list of activities, celebrations, etc.)

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Karl Jenkins- Benedictus.  

Put all your distractions on hold to listen to this wonderful piece of music that Karl Jenkins presents. Also pay attention to the slides shown in the concert. Think of the journey you have walked with me and the historic landscape we have seen together. Did you learn something new? Perhaps you have learned what is the greatest sorrow  and the greatest joy.  You may also have learned what it is that we need to protect.

War and peace permeate the universe and are the pulse of creation.  They are punctilious in nature and follow a pattern. It is hard to discern the pattern when we are part of it. We can, however, be grateful to our forefathers who left behind records for future generations, allowing us to see the eternal knot of which we are a part. We can be grateful for our historians today as we weave our own experiences as a nation for the benefit of those who are yet to come.

Here is an excerpt from some historical records that were translated from metal plates (600BC-400AD). “Behold, I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon. Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my father.

And now it came to pass that after the great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed. And my father was also killed by them, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfill the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not. Therefore, I will write and hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not.

Behold, my father hath made this record, and he hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the plates, but I have not; and ore I have none, for I am alone. And my father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.

Behold, 400 hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior. And behold, the Lamanites have hunted our people, the Nephites, down from city to city and from place to place, even until they are no more; and great has been their fall; yea, great and marvelous is the destruction of my people, the Nephites. And behold, it is in the hand of the Lord which hath done it. And behold also, the Lamanites are at war with one another; and the whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed; and no one knoweth the end of the war.”

Witnessing such utter destruction and loss, Moroni was able to stand outside of the pattern and express hope for the future, looking to a God of miracles. His pain brought him to his knees but he ackowledged the important process of getting up. Those who stand the tallest are the ones who’ve encountered the fall.

Standing tall with parental concern, he adds: “Behold, I speak unto you as though I spake from the dead: for I know that ye shall have my words. Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before me; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.”

Let’s remember those who’ve gone before us. From out of the dust their cries are heard. Composer, Karl Jenkins has heard these cries, and reflects their feelings in his work.

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I was planning to get back to my England Series but saw an opportunity to give some substance to my concluding remark in my previous article: “The Day After.” (Read the P.S. again at the bottom of that article).

There will be a summit this weekend attended by world leaders (20 world economies) including British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. He is, as well as other leaders, focusing on the Obama administration to set a serious tone for addressing the world financial crisis.

On the subject of foreign policy, he hopes that there will be a major focus by Obama’s team on global institutions. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund, he hopes, would be on the priority list for radical reforms.

He believes there should be more involvement regarding future roles in world institutions for China and the Persian Gulf. This worldwide financial crisis could, according to Prime Minister Brown, be the “birth pangs of a new global order”.

Having family and friends who live in Europe, I am fortunate to know the inside scoop as well as hear the whispers on the other side of the Atlantic ocean.

Speaking of whispers, another spotlight has been updated in Stairway to Secrets. Look in the Music section and enjoy the video and songs performed by Jeanne Madsen. There will also be another update coming soon in the Video section. Have you ever seen an elephant paint?

With all the changes heading our way, make sure you take the time to reflect upon the things that are most important to you. It is necessary we stay alert to our surroundings; however, we must be careful that we don’t bury ourselves in too many worries and distractions. So if you’ve never seen an elephant paint before, now is the time to discover the wonders of the world you live in.

Share with us how you feel about your surroundings- if there is anything you wish to add or change.

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A 4th July Card for you to enjoy with some words to ponder!

Click Here To View Your card 

(After, select the Back Button to continue the article/tour)

Look forward to a slide presentation  in the next article of some of the things we do to celebrate Independence Day.

Stairway To Secrets’ Site is coming along with more spotlight updates. Take a look at recipe, poetry and music spotlights. We have a rising star in one of them who contacted us out of Hollywood, California. Dannel Vonn Dillan has made his own mark on the movie, Redirecting Eddie, so we are thrilled to include him in one of those spotlights. We also hope to have our first miracle spotlight soon. So stay tuned on that as well.

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