AWAKEN THE SLEEPING GIANT

Conference Call #13

Birth of America

Philip Burley

March 15 and 16, 2006

Conference Call Number: 712-432-3000

Bridge Number: 261644
[no longer active]

Good evening and welcome everyone! This is our 13th Awaken the Sleeping Giant conference call. Our next conference calls will be on Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 23, 2006.

In order to establish unity and oneness in spirit, let us begin by speaking out our names and cities in unison. On the count of three, please speak out your name and city three times: One, two, three…

Thank you.

Opening Prayer

Dearest Heavenly Father, we appear before you just as we are. We are your offspring, your literal children. Who we are underneath this earthly garment of a body is holy and divine. We are yours and you are ours. In this holy sanctuary of love, we begin this evening.

Dearest Father, you did not call us to pray because we had nothing else to do. No, many are being called to pray for America at this time, even those who are not Americans. Why? Because, there are obvious signs of difficulty, even tragedy, ahead if things do not change. Not only would such dilemmas affect us, but the balance, safety, and freedom of the whole world.

Dear God, we are here to serve. Help us to be open and humble in doing so. And even if we cannot understand everything, let us in child-like trust obey and follow. In time, all things will be revealed. As much as you can share with us, please share. Otherwise, let us be giants of faith, vision, and hope!

Lead on Father, holding us by the hand. Lead on Father, pointing the way to the vision of continued freedom and life without fear. Lead on Father, to fulfill and keep the vision you have in mind for us individually and for our nation and the world as a whole. Lead on Father, to victory that gives us a heart of joy and no limitations of soul, that we may soar in your love to higher and higher awareness of your will and your way.

All this I pray in the Christ Spirit and in the spirit of all those holy ones who have given their life to loving the world unconditionally. Amen.

Quote

Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jeremiah 6:16

Opening Talk—Birth of America

Thirteen weeks ago today, we began the Awaken the Sleeping Giant prayer condition for the United States of America. The number thirteen, as we all know, figures greatly in the founding of America, as our country came into existence with thirteen colonies, known first as the United Colonies,¹ and later the United States. The United States’ identity began with the declaring of our independence from Royal British rule. Severing such ties was the beginning of the end of rule by singular divine right (as practiced in the old world) and the birth of democracy, or the leadership of a few by the approval of the many. The emergence of the United States set an example for future nations to emulate. French revolutionaries, following America’s example, overthrew the monarchy, and democracy at last was established for the first time in Europe.

In the lives and minds of the leaders of the American colonies, existence under the British became so unbearable, so taxing of money and spirit, that those of awakened conscience—men like Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock and other founding fathers, felt that they had no choice but to rid themselves of the yoke of ruler King George III and his government in favor of self-rule through the philosophy and practice of democracy.

¹http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/art1613.htm

Our Declaration of Independence

As I recently studied this most precious document, our Declaration of Independence, the basis for our Bill of Rights and Constitution, I was sorry that I had not taken the time before to truly appreciate it. It begins with the words penned by Thomas Jefferson:

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.

It is because of these words, and the noble and compelling words that follow, that you and I have the freedoms we do today. Our Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights are the envy of many nations who have used our example to seek to establish freedom in their own land. Most striking are the suffering lives and extreme difficulties that gave our country birth.

The Declaration itself consists of eight paragraphs and ninety-three lines. It is written in its legal aspect and literary eloquence with 1,338 words. It enumerates twenty so called "facts" regarding the wrongs of the British Crown done to the colony citizens. This list of facts is prefaced by the following paragraph:

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 was first signed by two men, John Hancock and Charles Thompson, at the risk of their lives, as they could be charged with treason, and this could have resulted in their deaths. It was not signed by the other fifty-four men until after July 4, 1776. So when it was declared on that great historical day, only two men had signed it! (Pictures of all of the signers may be found at http://www.asmainegoes.com/doi_2.htm. [no longer active]

The Seeking of Religious Freedom Gives Birth to Demands for Freedom

It was for religious freedom that early settlers of America came to these shores. It was because of the fervor and demand for such freedoms that the Declaration of Independence was given birth. Indeed, its writing, proclamation, and distribution among the colonies in those first fledgling days gave birth to democracy and a new nation.

As one reads extensively from various sources regarding the sacrifice required for America to come into existence, one is deeply moved at the impossible and awful circumstances, both in the quality of living for the colonists and the persecution by the British Crown and its agents in the colonies.

Our land was born out of sorrow, sacrifice, and impossible odds. The history you may have gotten in school would not and could not have covered the extensive reality of how this country came to be!

I was deeply moved by the reality of what our ancestors went through in their day-to-day lives. My own family on my Father’s side came to America in the 1700’s on a ship named "Blessing." They landed in New Jersey, where they stayed for a year and then migrated to Hundington County in the middle of Pennsylvania. Obscure historical accounts tell us that they were, first and foremost, very religious. Some of them were farmers, and others were good merchants. Some became politicians on the state level and several were killed by Native Americans. I honor them, especially as I speak to you tonight. For without them and their religious convictions and deep inner courage and sacrifice, I would not be here.

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death

I return to the founding of America: By the time the 56 founding fathers courageously signed the historical document—made their public declaration of independence—they had had it with long-distance, absolute, despotic rulers. Within this context, one can read and feel the cry of the heart for rightful, God-given freedom of spirit in the various words of these great men of courage. Patrick Henry comes to mind in his famous, agonizing words, which I will quote in part with selected essential words.

On 20 March 1775, the Second Virginia Convention convened at St. John's Church in Richmond. They assembled to consider weighty matters concerning the tyranny and oppression of the Crown. Many favored continued conciliatory measures. A thirty-nine year old delegate from Hanover County named Patrick Henry took a seat in the third pew.

Here sat a man with a burden. He knew he faced "an irresolute body; that he would be opposed by the powerful, wealthy, Tory element among the members. He realized that the Loyalists [that is, loyal to the Crown of England] were insidiously entrenched and the outcome was uncertain. Patrick Henry's risk was tremendous—one that could easily bring him to the block."²

But Mr. Henry feared not man that can destroy only the body—he feared God who can destroy both body and soul. "Liberty" burned in his heart and flowed through his veins. "Death" was to be preferred over cowering in fear before the British leviathan [monster]. Mr. Henry was the archetype Southerner whose motto “Liberty or death,” exhibited a bravery and patriotism seldom seen today.³ : Here, in part, are his words delivered March 23, 1775, two hundred and thirty one years ago on March 23 of this year:

This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural for a man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free; if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending; if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon, until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained; we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us."

Though there is much more to Patrick Henry’s speech, he concludes with those now most famous words at the end of his speech with an ardent cry, "It is vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace; but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

Forbid it, Almighty God—I know not what course others may take; but as for me—give me liberty or give me death!

Returning to the Declaration of Independence, the document continues with the statement of further God-given truths when it reads:

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...

²Norine Campbell-Pätrick Henry: Patriot & Statesman
³Website Link [no longer active]

A Study of the Declaration of Independence is Suggested

The average citizen of our most blessed land only knows vaguely of the founding of our country. When at the time such history is presented in our schools, most students are not old enough or experienced enough to truly appreciate the reality of the founding of this nation. Instead, many of us, lacking a close, careful, personal examination of the founding of our nation, simply take it for granted, being far removed from those colonial times and immersed in the reality of our modern, materially oriented world.

Again, I would highly recommend that anyone who wants to pray most fully and from a most enlightened perspective for the awakening of our nation, I recommend that you go on the Internet and read and study the most important and precious document—the Declaration of Independence—to appreciate it and gain true perspective and understanding of the reality of the conditions and grievances of our founding fathers, 56 of whom signed the document.

A Nation Is Its People

I think it is fairly and partly obvious why I have taken all of this time tonight to speak of patriotic things in general and specifically about our Declaration of Independence. What a great beginning, what a great vision, what a great nation, what great hope. Also, we need to look and think about our nation in light of its beginning and unfolding history to put into perspective and in context its becoming a sleeping giant. With such an amazing, sacrificial, and holy beginning, how could it come to what it is today in terms of its morals, human rights, lack of citizen responsibility, economic upheavals and so on? What happened? And just what is our future? I do not have the answers to these questions. I can only, like you, answer for myself. What is more, I never look upon the problem with a nation as derived from its political situation. Its political situation, whether good or bad, is but a reflection of those in charge whose character is enlightened or unenlightened, self-serving or other-serving, moral or immoral. Again, in light of these words, it all goes back to the individual whose divine self, giant spiritual self, has gone to sleep and needs stirring to wake up before it is too late.

Awaken Sleeping Giant Prayer to Continue

A number of you have requested that this prayer condition continue. I have heard your requests, and I have been listening for the Voice of Heaven. For as this condition was started by and kept going by forces higher than you or I, so I wanted to continue only if these forces, these spiritual guides and teachers, impressed me to do so. Of course this includes, especially, Jesus.

Without going into the details, I got my guidance and I am continuing. The details will be forthcoming in a separate letter. But, I want us to remember that all of life is founded upon the matrix of a spiritual reality. All that is, including this nation and all of its people, apart from any earthly institution, are under the divine love and guidance of God and his hosts of angels and spiritual beings. If we are mired down in earthly situations, we can be lost and confused. Our pillar and anchor was, is, and always will be God.

It’s Obvious that Plentiful Prayer is Still Needed

There are manifold reasons that Jesus asked us to pray for our beautiful nation. We do not know all of them, even though we can surmise many of them. Ours is to pray, giving our whole heart, mind, and soul into our prayers that God may reap the benefit of holy energy given for a holy cause that he, in his time and in his wisdom, may transform our prayer energy into use for whatever need is seen before him and the holy forces working with him.

Today, our land is plagued with internal and external problems. There are those within who seem, by questionable motives, to be causing our people to suffer unnecessarily. Externally, we have enemies who want to decimate our nation and bring it down at any cost. Today, as much as at the beginning of America, we need some sort of declaration: I call it a "Declaration of Spiritual Self-Dependence and Awakening" in all people of our land and the world.

I am holding back much of my heart tonight for it is overflowing with concern for our land and people. I want to share that in the separate letter. However, I am of clear conviction that we must and need to keep praying. The need is still there; and if in our little way we can make a difference, we should. It is my hope and prayer that you will walk with me in the prayer steps ahead to awaken the Sleeping Giant of America, first in ourselves and secondly in others.

Prayer to Awaken the Sleeping Giant

Closing Comments

Thank you all for attending this thirteenth in a series of prayers for our country. Let us all keep the promise and remember to remember to attend to our sacred prayer duty, first for ourselves and secondly for others and our country of the United States of America.

God bless and good night.