Seeker of Light

"Definition of a Veteran"

2008-01-27T09:53:00.000-06:00

A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve,
is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made
payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to
and including my life."

That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who
no longer understand it.

Author Unknown

Old West Masonry

2007-11-25T18:28:00.001-06:00

It was a tale of Masonic men surrounding a campfire in the Old West, at night, discussing the Fraternity and its teachings. One old man listened patiently, and finally spoke up:

"I can tell you more about Masonry in a little example than some of the great Masonic philosophers can in books. Everybody stand up, and gather in a circle around the campfire."

They did that.

"Now, everybody hold hands with the man next to him."

They did that, too.

"Now, what do you see, looking ahead?"

"The face of a Brother Mason through the flames."

"What do you feel in front of you?"

"The warmth of the fire, and the comfort it brings on a cool night."

"What do you feel at your side?"

"The warm hand of a Brother."

"OK. Now, drop the hands, and turn around."

They did so.

"Now, what do you see, looking ahead?"

"Complete darkness."

"What do you feel, looking ahead?"

"A sense of loneliness, of being alienated."

"What do you feel at your side?"

"Nothing at all."

"What do you feel on your backside?"

"The warmth of the fire."

"So it is with Masonry," said the old man. "In Masonic gatherings, you can feel the warmth of Masonic interaction, you can see the face of a Brother through the light Masonry brings to you, and you can always feel the warm hand of a Brother. When you turn away from Masonry, and are out in the world, you see darkness, feel alienated and alone, and do not feel the warm hand of your Masonic Brother. But Masonry, and the warmth and light it brings, are just a turn away from you."

-- Unknown

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

Enough!

2007-11-25T12:41:00.000-06:00

This was recently sent to me, author unknown but the sentiments are worth repeating:

Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, "I love you and I wish you enough". The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom".

They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?". Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?".

"I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral," she said.

"When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?".

She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone". She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. "When we said , 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them". Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

She then began to cry and walked away.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them but then an entire life to forget them.

To all my friends, Brothers and loved ones, I WISH YOU ENOUGH!!!

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

Ive Been Busy!

2007-10-17T18:40:00.000-06:00

On Sep 13, 2007 I was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason! I have since turned in my proficiency and have even taken part in several FC degrees and MM degrees. Not only have I been busy, but so has our lodge! We did over 6 degrees in Sept and will have done 7+ by the end of Oct!

Our Grand Lodge requires all newly raised Master Masons to complete a short course that gives the newly raised brother 'more light' by explaining some of the things Masonry has to offer and some etiquette of Masonry. A very good program! We also have Masonic Education workshops we can attend. I went to my first one recently and really enjoyed the experience.

One item of discussion was one of the Grand Masters proposed resolutions for this years communication. While I don't think its necessary to get into the details of it one thing I noticed was it produced some passionate responses. While the discussion during the workshop had to be limited due to the amount of time alloted and the material to cover, the conversations and discussion continued afterwards.

I love a good debate. I love a bad debate! The art of debating, discussing the points of view among passionate people is a lost art I feel. Most discussions today in private, public and especially the internet break down quickly into name calling, personal attacks and 'sound bite logic'. As a newly raised Mason it struck me after I left that there were many of us having this discussion in small groups around the dinning room and parking lot. While you could hear and feel the passion of the subject, there was no name calling, attacking or belittling. It was heated at times but it was always respectful and courteous. When it was time to leave everyone shook hands, embraced and parted on the square. As far as I can tell and know, there is no hard feelings, no hurt feelings and I know I for one feel good because I know my point was made and heard. Did anyones minds get changed? I doubt it. The brothers for the suggestion are most likely still for it, those opposed are still opposed. Those on the fence are likely still on the fence but now have some new food for thought while they try to make up their minds.

Speaking of FOOD! Be sure to check out Bro Cory Sigler's E-Zine The Working Tools!

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

Unexpected Night

2007-08-22T21:55:00.000-06:00

Tonight the brother I turned in my EA proficiency with was turning in his FC proficiency and being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. As I always do I went to the lodge for fellowship and dinner prior to the Raising and to observe his FC proficiency . As we were chatting and enjoying another wonderful meal by our Stewards the JW and SW approached and asked if Id be interested in turning in my FC also. Since the SW is my coach/mentor we chatted about it and decided that if we ran through it real fast I should be good to go. For the sake of brevity, we did a good job! I was amazed at how well we did since we dont study together and hadnt practiced together. He was raised tonight and I should have mine scheduled in a few days to a week!

I'm very excited and since I cant go to bed yet I thought Id post an update! I hope we can get it scheduled before the next National Sojourners meeting in Sept, one of my Masonic goals is to become a member of this group! As I'm often reminded, Masonry is not a sprint but a marathon. Tonight was but another step in the lesson and the journey!

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

Fellowcraft

2007-08-09T07:22:00.000-06:00

Last night I was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft! A few observations:

this was a much more relaxed degree.
the prompting to learn more and study individually was striking kind of like a light switch came on and some things made sense that didnt before.
there was more symbolism I think than the first degree.

I'm starting my mentoring tonight to get further on down the road toward the next milestone.

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

Another Step Along The Journey

2007-07-31T12:02:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday, 28 Jul, my lodge put on an outdoor EA degree for the GL of TX, District 9. We had anticipated between 200-300 people attending based on feedback but sadly this Texas weather this summer played a trick on us and it started raining a little before the scheduled time. We still had close to 100 show up from all over the state.

If you haven't taken part in an outdoor degree, or seen one, I strongly encourage everyone too. I wish I could put my finger on what it is, but its different. I know we put a lot more work and planning into this and there are some logistical challenges to be sure. Maybe it's just the rarity of the event but it seemed more spiritual in a way. Don't get me wrong... its the same ceremony, same everything just outdoors.

After the three parts were completed, myself and another brother were called up to do our EA proficiency. Even though it had been 3 months since my initiation, I still wasn't sure I was ready but my mentor did. We 'tag teamed' the entire proficiency and I stumbled through parts of my parts, but I can honestly say I knew the meaning behind every part sometimes I just have trouble putting the right words in the right order. I blame it on sometimers...

We have our FC degree scheduled for 8 Aug and I cant wait!!! Im hoping to have our raising before Sep 22, but if not thats fine too. After all...

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

Scatter Shooting While Wondering ...

2007-06-01T08:34:00.000-06:00

... what happened to the news being reported as just the news and not some spin put on it by the reporter or anchor? If the bank was robbed I don’t need to know, and don’t want to know, that he has been unemployed for 6 years, his race, that he was abused as a child, suffering from PTS from watching reports of the war! Just lay out the facts: this bank was robbed, the robber was shot while trying to get away, and no innocents were injured!!!
... why are the people that use the 'not tolerant of others' card the first to not be tolerant of others views?
... why have we become a society of victims and 'it's not my fault'?
... what happened to "Making Good Men Better"? It seems every time I turn around I’m reading of some scandal within the Craft. Has it always been this bad and I just didn’t notice since I was involved? Are the lessons being lost and forgotten?
... when did placing Nazi flags on the graves of US Servicemen become Free Speech? To me its only vandalism! A crime like this should NOT be a misdemeanor and should have a VERY harsh sentence!

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

...also seeking

2007-05-07T21:02:00.000-06:00

Last night or today some person hacked my website and took it down. While I had back ups and my host did backups weekly, they also want to charge me to restore it. To make matters worse when I question if they had logs on when it was done, IPs from where it was done etc they told me:

quote "We do not do research into why a client's site was hacked. The bottom line was you were running a vulnerable version of Xoops and were not keeping it upgraded the way it should be. Since you are running an insecure version of Xoops and do not plan on upgrading it immediately I will go ahead and close your account. We really don't want anyone who doesn't care about their web site as a client.

Kind regards,
Brian Carpenter
--------------------------------------
EMWD - Executive Officer
"unquote

The 'outdated software was the software they provided and if there had been an update I didnt know baout it. Before I could even reply they had deleted my site, changed the DNS so I cant rehost it using the URL I had and closed all my email accounts. Since then they wont reply so, Im looking for a new host, Ill figure out the URL later.

Needless to say EMWD is NOT a host I would recommend under any condition!!! Im not real sure what ticked me off more! Some asshat hacking my site, or the attitude of my former host. Thank goodness I had mentoring tonight, I was in dire need of learning to subdue my passions and not kick someone in the ass!!!

Any suggestions for a host that has a good montly price, decent amount of storage and bandwidth would be appreciated! Just to be real clear EMWD is NOT a HOST I WOULD RECOMEND TO ANY BROTHER or LODGE!!!!

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

What Do You Want On Your Tombstone?

2007-05-05T06:40:00.000-06:00

Recently there was quite the uproar among some groups of bloggers and religious groups regarding the US Government recognizing the Wiccan Religion and allowing Government issued tombstones to have the Wiccan Pentrgram placed upon them.

To this brother its about time! During my time in the military Ive known many fine Airman, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines that were Wiccan. In some ways they were more secrative than the few gays I knew!

What might suprise many people is that there are 98, thats ninety-eight religions/symbols that are authorized to be on a government tombstone! You can see the full list HERE.

I am amazed on almost a daily basis of the amount of prejudice, hate, bile and intolerance in our Glorious Craft. I dont know if its me expecting too much, me misunderstanding meeting on the level or if there is just a high level of hypocraciy. As Masonry is a reflection of society as a whole a lot more than we care to admit, I tend to believe its the later.

We as Ancient Free & Accepted Masons should be the epitompy of tolerance of all things. Terms like racist, religious intolerants, bigots and other such terms should NEVER be heard describing a brother or our Craft! Unless it be to say we do not have any of them among us.

I just realized an irony in this that Im not happy about... by saying this, Im not being tolerant of the racist, bigots! For this I appologize, but I do not see the Fraternity of Freemasonry and these types of people as being compatible. In fact it is a violation of our oaths and obligations.

As we meet on the level, we need to ensure we are parting on the square and using our working tools as intended!

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

Outdoor Degree

2007-04-30T11:07:00.000-06:00

Our district is doing its 2nd annual Outdoor degree in July. Ive volunteered to be on the planning team since our lodge is hosting this year. Im really interested in what items we need to have present in the 'lodge room' (other than the obvious of course) and any and all hints, tips, lessons learned and best practices they would like to share!

Along the same lines, something Ive been interested in is the design of alters used in lodges (both in and outdoor). Ive seen a lot of designs, shapes, ornaments etc. Is there any 'requirements' that I might not know of or just personal preference of the lodge and builders?

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

What A Weekend!!!

2007-04-28T23:39:00.000-06:00

What a wonderful Masonic Weekend!

Friday night our Lodge had a Double EA Degree. This is the 5th and 6th EA entered in our lodge in the last 30 days, and the 12th and 13th in the area that I know of (and Im sure there are more I missed)! Not only did we have a Double EA, but I got the honor of helping out in the degree by doing the part of the Master of Ceremony! In our GL, and maybe others, the MC is one that prepares the candidate prior to the degree, does the pre-degree reading, and is the friend that leads them to the door of the lodge. As Im still working on my EA proficiency, I was honored to be part of the ceremony, and I wasnt prompted or corrected so Im sure I didnt materialy err. We had a very large turn out for this degree and there were over 10 EAs in attendance!

Another highlight for me was seeing one of my fellow EAs turn in his proficiency! He did a wonderful job and the speed at which we did the long (88 Q&A) proficiency was amazing! I hope someday to do my half as good as he did his!

Saturday morning I had the great honor of going to the Texas Grand Masters Conference in Fort Worth. WOW! It was an amazing experience. Our Grand Masters major theme this year is the EA and FC. The Grand Lodge put on an outstanding skit called Runaway Lodge which was a staristical look at how things happen in lodges and how bad they really look from the eyes of a newly entered candidate. One thing our GM is pushing this year, and I of course strongly support, is to have all lodges opened at the EA level and if needed closed and reopened at the MM level with 2 exceptions: when District/GL officers are making their official visits and on the rare occasion when a quarum can not be made so it can be opened on the MM level. One thing I noticed is that when he brought up the idea, there was a loud round of applause from a very large portion of the audience (almost 300)! There was a small group of older Masons that didnt appear to be very happy about it and sat on their hands.

There was also a great paper presented on the State of Masonry in the State (my title not theirs). It was basicly showing the difference between 1965 Masonry and Masonry today. The amount of Masons that go from EA to MM is not near what it should be. In 1965 it was around 97% average in Texas. In 2006, there was a 36% loss rate!!! In some districts it was as high as 50% loss! Recent surveys and polls had a surprising (to many) results. They contacted many of the 'dropouts' to find out why. Many it was because they didnt feel they were getting what they expected out of Masonry. It wasnt the large memory work etc, it was being ignored, lodges not keeping in contact with them, not showing them the brotherly love and fellowship that is advertised!!!

Our lodges Worshipful Master has taken the charge of the GM to heart and has been opening our stated meetings on the EA! We are being not only asked to participate but strongly encouraged! Maybe this is why our lodge/district is growing while others are lossing members. What a great time to be involved in Masonry!

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

NASCAR

2007-04-26T16:05:00.001-06:00

With all the blogs and messages and web sites talking about the Scottish Rite and NASCAR, when I saw this story today I couldnt help but be thankful that partnership has gone away! Can you just imagine all the conspiracy crap that would be going around today? Freemasons are not only trying to rule the world, we are now trying to rule NASCAR!!! There would be a collective cry for our heads! Here is the story!

Tony's tirade could change NASCAR
Insinuations that outcomes are predetermined could dog circuit

By Bob Cook
It’s a shame Tony Stewart besmirched a sport’s good name when he compared NASCAR to professional wrestling. Pro wrestling doesn’t deserve such a cheap shot.

The temperamental two-time NASCAR champion didn’t use the word "fix" specifically in his rant during his Tuesday night show on the Sirius Satellite Network. But Stewart’s statement that NASCAR "can almost dictate the race instead of the drivers doing it" dredges up a lot of memories of too-good-to-be-true finishes.

Think about way-past-his-prime Richard Petty winning his 200th NASCAR race at Daytona in 1984 in front of President Reagan on Independence Day weekend. Indiana native Jeff Gordon winning the inaugural race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1994. Dale Earnhardt Sr. winning his first Daytona 500 late in his career in 1998, on the opening day of NASCAR’s 50th anniversary season. Dale Earnhardt Jr. winning the Pepsi 400 in 2001, the first race after his father died that same Daytona track. For that matter, Juan Pablo Montoya, the only Latin American driver in the race, winning this year’s Busch Series event in Mexico City.

hese aren’t suspicious finishes brought up by some hack sports columnist. These are finishes commonly cited by beat writers and fans when talk turns to NASCAR’s extraordinarily good fortune in getting the result it needs, when it needs it.

And cited by those inside racing as well. A 1994 AutoWeek story quoted, anonymously, drivers and crew chiefs claiming NASCAR allowed Gordon to run a lighter car at that year’s Brickyard 400. The same story also reported sources saying Petty was allowed a larger carburetor restrictor at his 200th victory. Meanwhile, in 1994 the Greensboro (N.C.) News & Record said 14 out of 30 "top members of the NASCAR family" said they believed the circuit singled out certain drivers for special treatment, though only two said their teams were the beneficiaries.

n 1998, racing writers Mike Mulhern and Robin Miller quoted more anonymous sources talking about a phenomenon known as "making the call" — when NASCAR officials let everybody know who is going to win today’s race.

In 2001, Earnhardt Jr.’s charge to the top of field was so suspicious — yes, he’s good at restrictor-plate tracks, but nobody could pass that day — that many writers and fans openly accused NASCAR of "making the call" so he could win.

Stewart’s charges against NASCAR relate to something more mundane: the circuit’s oddball use of the caution flag. Depending on the race — and, say, whether the field is too spread out or a few drivers appearing to be dominating — yellow flags for "debris" can come flying out when there is nary even a hot dog wrapper visible to the naked eye. Stewart lost one race in Atlanta when he led with 25 laps to go and the field pitted.

On the other hand, use of the caution flag can be not-so-cautious. During Montoya’s Busch victory in Mexico City, the flag sat still during early-race spins that one would think would force a caution. Yet later in the race, when Montoya was closer to the top, the debris cautions came out, allowing him to close some space.

Stewart said on his radio show that fans are complaining about the strange cautions — and he’s right. With Stewart, 35, nearer to the end of an accomplished career, and his general status as an ornery cuss, he has less to lose than most anybody by spouting off about what he sees as troubles in NASCAR.

"I guess NASCAR thinks, ‘Hey, wrestling worked, and it was for the most part staged, so I guess it’s going to work in racing, too,’" Stewart said. "I don’t know that they’ve run a fair race all year."

NASCAR called Stewart's comments "very disappointing," and in the past it has denied any accusations of messing with races. But what do you expect it to say?

NASCAR is in the untenable position of proving a negative, and a pretty pernicious one at that. While there is frequent circumstantial evidence that not all is as it seems, no one has found a documented smoking gun — if there even is one —that would unequivocally tie NASCAR to manipulating results. Just like how no one has unequivocally tied NBA commissioner David Stern to an alleged "bent envelope" scheme of 1985 that allowed New York to win the draft lottery, thus ensuring Patrick Ewing would play in the NBA’s largest market.

But as Stern could tell you too many coincidences working in your favor can hit your league’s image. Would this have an effect on NASCAR’s declining TV earnings and attendance at some tracks?

As Stern also could tell NASCAR, it’s difficult to wriggle out of this position. Perhaps one thing NASCAR could do is be more transparent to fans in its operations, starting with opening its rule book to the public. Assuming the rule book is more than whatever NASCAR feels like that week.

Maybe with that first step, with that honesty, NASCAR can put itself in a position where a Tony Stewart can truly, positively compare it to professional wrestling.

Bob Cook is a contributor to MSNBC.com and a freelance writer based in Chicago.

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

April Showers...

2007-04-17T20:09:00.000-06:00

Bro. Chris Hodapp, in his Blog Freemasons for Dummies, touched on something that is very close to me. We have have all heard April showers will bring May flowers. I just didnt realize it was showers of tears.

Twenty six years ago today, my beautiful bride and I got married in Hawaii. Three dauthers, two granddaughters and one grandson and 26 years later, and I think I love her more today than I did back then. April was a month I used to look forward to, it was spring, a month of celebration for us. Then in 1995 we decided to postpone our anniversary celebration until the weekend, its just a couple of days away. We were stationed in Oklahoma then, at Tinker AFB just outside Oklahoma City. It was two days past our anniversary, getting closer to the weekend. I followed my usual routine and her hers. I kissed her goodbye and went to work at 0630. After getting my morning reports done my buddy and I decided to go out for a smoke. The morning was beautiful, its gonna be a nice day we commented as we walked outside.

While we were BSing and enjoying a smoke we heard what we thought was another fighter jock going a little too fast causing a sonic boom. It happens now and then... It was 0902 19 April 1995. By the time we got back to our desks a minute or two later we were hearing the news... the Murrah Bldg had exploded. First reports were it was a gas leak that built up and went off, we found out later of course that wasnt the case. About 12 of us asked and got permission to go down to try to help with recover, crowd control what ever we could. Several of us had been in law enforcement, some in emergency operations at least one fireman.

We made out way down there and got put to work immediatly. Some doing crowd control, some doing security. Two friends of mine and I got asked to take medical supplies from Fire Station #1 to the Triage Center that was set up across the street from the building.

I wont go into details, Im sure youve heard it all or can imagine. The teams I worked with for the next 5 days, 16 hours a day will never be able to forget. We all pretty much stay in touch still, sometimes the only people you can talk with are ones that you share a bond with.

If you get the chance, find and read the book The Third Terrorist: The Middle East Connection to the Oklahoma City Bombing by Jayna Davis ISBN-13: 978-1595550149. Every anniversary myself and my team members write our congresscritters and the White House demanding an investigation and explaination and every year none of us get a single reply. Not even the usual BS form letter they send out blowing smoke up your arse about how they care and will look into somthing.

On April 19, 1995 our innocence as a nation was blown apart by 2 home grown terrorists. While 168 people lost their lives that day, many had their souls changed forever. After 9-11, the OKC bombing has been pushed to the back of many Americans memories just as some seem to have forgoten 9-11 already. Please, do not forget the victims!

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

Musings of the Mind

2007-04-13T23:56:00.000-06:00

While Im learning to subdue my passions, Im also learning that I dont seem to be able to remember things like I did when I was younger! Granted, 45 isnt real old. Sadly during my youth I, well lets just say Im paying for unsubdued passions. It amazes me how much trouble I have at times remembering the words that I just learned a week before! Not only that but the words from just a few minutes before seem to slip away in nothingness! But Im struggling through with the patient assistance of my mentor and friend. After a few weeks Im "at the alter" and about to be starting Part 2 next week.

I often hear the nay sayers saying that Freemasonry is on its death bed. Maybe it is in some areas. I only know what I see first hand here in NE Texas. Our lodge is getting a LOT of petitions! There 4 EAs last month, we have a double scheduled next week, and another double after that or early next month. There were also 5 new petitions delivered at the stated meeting last week. I know of at least 2 other lodges near by that have had 5+ EA degrees in the last month or 2 and more planned this month. Im excited! Its great going by the lodge on a whim and finding people there doing degree work or practice!

One of our new community projects is a simple one, but one that is saving tax payer dollars and paying off in ways I can only guess at. We have a very old and historic cemetery in town, owned by the city with a state historical marker. This cemetery has several Congressmen, Governors, gunmen, founding fathers in this area among the many that are buried there. Our lodge has taken on the task of helping to maintain a section on our own and from what I understand another section is being maintained by us and another lodge jointly. This is the Masonic Section.

Im very excited about this! Ive always had this thing about cemeteries and hate seeing one that is in bad repair or not well maintained. I remember my grandmother saying she hated to see flat graves. She said it was like the person buried there had been forgotten. Sadly most cemeteries today require them to be flat to keep the mowing easier.

This particular cemetery has a very special meaning to me. You see, my grandmother and my grandfather are buried here. More so, when I was a kid, I spent a lot of time at their house, a few weekends a month and at least a week or more every summer. I remember many a hot day my grandfather and I would walk down the road from their house to this cemetery to see his sister and her husband.

They were the sextons there and lived on the property. My great-uncle would always put me to work pushing a mower around, helping pick up trash, picking up tree limbs. I was always rewarded with a sandwich and a cold drink. After my grandmother and grandfather passed I always made a special point to stop by and see my Great Aunt and Uncle when I was in the area.

About the time I joined the military back in 1980 she passed away too and was buried next to my grandparents. They tore down their old house about 20 years ago. I still go by and see them as often as I can and drive by there every day on the way to and from work. Its a beautiful cemetery with a lot of history, and a very special history to me. Im very proud of the fact that our lodge is helping keep the old place up!

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

I Thought I Had It Figured Out

2007-04-01T17:34:00.000-06:00

WOW! I started my mentoring this last week and well this may take some time! My mentor is very patient with me, but it just doesn't seem to be sinking in yet. I guess we will see this week if I remember anything.

Sadly my job is taking me away for a few days to Chicago. I might look forward to traveling again once I know I can visit lodges where I'm sent but until then its just getting in the way!

Im looking foward to next Saturday after I get home! My much better half and I have signed up for a class in making stained glass. Its something we have both been interested in, and for some reason Ive grown more interested since I decided to join the Craft!

In the mean time, Brother J. Hulin from Pine Lodge #642 in Kountze, TX wrote this and gave me permission to post it here. I think its a wonder poem and well worth the time to read!

"Why I am a Mason"
by J. Hulin

Why are you a Mason?
The man asked me.
Why is that something
that you desire to be?

Well, I stood up straight
and looked him in the eye.
You want to know about what I am,
Mister, I'll tell you why.

Mason's are builders of men.
From good to better.
Brothers who know their work
and history to the letter.

We attend our lodge
to build a band
of friendship, brotherhood, and unity
to spread throughout this great land.

We go about our lives
with our working tools in hand.
Our honor goes before us
and by our obligations we stand.

We give great thanks
to the lessons we learn.
To pursue knowledge in the
days ahead, is what we all yearn.

We are proud to be initiated,
passed, and raised.
So we may travel the road in the east
the Masons before us have blazed.

These A certificate Brothers
whose message and lectures are clear.
They whisper to us wise council
and pass it from mouth to ear.

Though the world may think us strange
and that we are shrouded in mystery,
to our traditions we hold true
for we are rooted in our history.

We say what we mean
and mean what we say.
From the path of right conduct
and pure hearts, never will we stray.

We pursue our labors
during the course of the day.
And in our homes at night
we rest where we lay.

We meet with one another
in our aprons white.
Providing faith, hope, and charity
in our pursuit of light.

Until time catches up with us
and no longer passes by.
By the grace of God,
we attend that Grand Lodge in the sky.

And that I say is why I am a Mason
and now my words are done.
Now a question for you sir,
why arent you one?

--------------------

Until next time, remember:

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

A Good Story

2007-03-22T07:56:00.000-06:00

I saw this on one of the message boards and thought Id share for the folks that dont surf...
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A salesman breaks down in a remote country lane, a farmer in the adjacent field comes over and they discover that they are "Brothers"

The salesman is concerned as he has an important appointment in the local town, "don't worry says the farmer you can use my car, I will call a friend and get the car repaired whilst you go to the appointment"

Off goes the salesman and a couple of hours later he returns but unfortunately the car is awaiting a part which won't arrive until the next morning.

"It's not a problem," says the Farmer, "use my telephone and reschedule your first appointment tomorrow, stay with us tonight and we will see that the car is done first thing!"

The farmers' wife prepares a wonderful meal and they share a glass of fine single malt during an excellent evening, the salesman sleeps soundly and when he awakes there is his car, repaired and ready to go. After a full breakfast the salesman thanks them both for the hospitality.

As he and the farmer walk to his car he turns and asks "my brother, thank you so much but I have to ask, did you help me because I am a Mason?"

"No, My Brother" was the reply, "I helped you because I am."
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The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

It's Done!

2007-03-21T10:53:00.000-06:00

On Friday last (16 Mar 2007) I had my Entered Apprentice Degree conferred! I must say, it was a very proud moment! Last month Brother Corey Sigler sent an email to the folks that subscribe to The Working Tools about the April edition of The Working Tools was going to focus on the EA degree and was asking for stories. After exchanging a few emails I wrote up a little thing and sent to him so I wont cover a lot of that here.

I will say that my lodge did a wonderful job on the degrees! Yes there were two done Friday and two more done Saturday morning! I was lucky and went first so I got to see my brother be initiated. Of course Saturday I saw both. I’ve been to another lodge and watched them confer an EA degree since then also. My mentor has told me the more I see the faster Ill pick up the details for my EA proficiency and I can for sure see that truth in that!

This brings me to what I really want to vent about. Brother Tom Accuosti asked in his blog today if its true as the PMs say that the ritual is for the candidate. As someone that just went through it and have seen a few in the days since, I’ve noticed some things. While I was the candidate I was listening to every sound and every word. A certain gavel at a certain time scared the crap out of me! The ritual seemed wonderful to me without any mistakes. Then again, HOW WOULD I KNOW IF IT WASN’T? The only way would be if some well meaning person on the sideline was doing corrections! This didn’t happen at mine by the way!!!

Im sure everyone has seen this happen and it seems to me that it just throws the people doing the ritual off and interrupts the flow. It also would confuse the new brother I would think.

To answer Brother Tom’s question though, I think the real reason a ritual needs to be good is for the newly entered, newly passed, newly raised Mason that is trying to learn it for his proficiency!

I have to admit when Im wrong. I’d made some assumptions that I now know were wrong! There is a reason rituals should be done correctly. Brothers need to learn their proficiency work. One day classes, one weekend classes are NOT the answer to falling membership. Maybe I am going to end up being one of those Born Again Fundamentalist Masons, but I’m seeing the importance of learning the history and the meaning not just a mock attempt and learning to pay lip service to it.

To be honest Im beginning to wonder why there is such a rush to get through the degrees. Is it so the new Mason can wear the ring? Put the S&C on their truck? Join the Shrine? York Rite? Scottish Rite? Something to ponder on while I get back to learning my EA work…

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

Today's The Day

2007-03-16T07:02:00.000-06:00

Less than 12 hours to go until my Initiation begins! Its hard to describe the mixed emotions I'm having today: excited, anxious, nervous, euphoric? All of the above? I cant wait to become a member of the oldest fraternity in the world and humbled by the fact that Ive been accepted. I found a poem online today surfing around Id like to share:

They All Came Just For Me

By: Bro. Richard L. Jenkins
For the brothers of Cass Lodge 412, Griswold Iowa.

Something big is going on here.
Or so I thought that night,
As the Masons came to gather round
the Great and lesser lights.

One from here and one from there
From places far and wide,
They came to do, I knew not what,
As they gathered there inside.

But from each man I was greeted
With a smile and voice of cheer.
One said, "so you're the candidate.
The reason that we're here."

I scarcely knew just what he meant,
For this was my "first degree."
There must be much for them to do
Before they got to me.

Surely these guys would not travel
for the sake of just one man.
Yes, there must be much for them to do,
Before my part began.

The "Brother Tiler" was my company
As I waited at the door
To step into this brand new realm
I had not known before.

They shared with me the three Great Lights
and some tools of the trade,
That I might learn a thing or two
of how a man be better made.

When at last I had been seated
In this brotherhood of men
The Master then began to bring
The meeting to an end.

And with all things then completed,
They stayed a little more,
To eat and drink and share a laugh
Before heading toward the door.

But as we left I understood
And then began to see.
That they all came for one reason.
They all came just for me.

Dear brothers I pray every lodge
Will make new ones like me,
Feel as welcome as these brothers did,
When they held my First Degree.

Thank you, Brothers!

Entered Apprentice, July 19, 2000
Cass Lodge #412 - Griswold, Iowa

(found @ http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masonry/)

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

The Journey Begins

2007-03-08T20:41:00.000-06:00

American novelist Don Williams, Jr. once said "Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination." So it is with Freemasonary. Our path isnt to reach the top of the staircase, to get that 33º, it is to become the best person we can, to make good men better. All of us have our own reasons for joining, for seeking more light. I went into mine somewhat in my first blog entry.

The first step on my Journey was finding a lodge and getting a petition. After almost 3 months my ballot was completed Tuesday night 6 Mar and I was accepted. I have my EA degree on 16 Mar. I dont think I have the words to describe how excited I am! I got chocked up when I got the news that I was accepted.

My poor loving wife has been hearing Bro. Frank Williams singing "Brother Mason" over and over now since Wed and I think its starting to get on her nerves lol.

The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!

The GOOD, The BAD and the UGLY!

2007-03-05T22:12:00.000-06:00

The GOOD: My research of Freemasonry took me in many directions: the library, friends and co-workers and the Internet. The good news is there is a lot of information available if you are a Seeker of Light! Some Blue Lodges have VERY nice sites. There are some Grand Lodges that provide a lot of wonderful information.

My personal favorite web sites were the lodges that that put their newsletter available for PDF download. Had recent pictures online. Posted the menu for the months meetings. Told me what they were doing in the community and in the lodge! They showed they were proud of their history and wanted everyone to know it!

The BAD: One thing I noticed real fast, and I’m sure others have noticed it also, is that the Anti’s sites always rank higher in the search engines! I don’t think there are actually more of them; I just think they have figured out how to play Search Engine Bingo better than the brothers have!

Like more of the whack jobs on the net the Anti’s take a little bit of reality, mix it with a equal portions of paranoia, conspiracy, Christian fundamentalism-run-amuck and a heavy dose of outright BS! The sad part is, there are very few sites that go after the Anti’s and call them on their lies and half-truths. I’m sure they have run off more than a few people!

One of my biggest concerns was the claims of Satanic worship, blasphemous practices and well you know the drill. What I was reading didn’t align with what Id heard about Masons, much less with what I knew of the few Masons I’ve known. So I dug deeper. I asked people I respected what they thought and if they knew any Masons. I’m sure its no surprise to the folks that have been involved for a long time that I heard a lot of “well I’m not a Mason, but my Dad was”… That’s a story for another blog on another day however.

There are also a lot of GL and Blue Lodge sites that have very little information. I know I’m not the only one that wants to know what to expect, what goes on at meetings, what is expected of me and on and on. Most sites only have a bare minimum of information such as where they are, when they meet and maybe a few pictures from a 2003 fish fry. This is the 2007! People use the Net to find you! Put your best foot forward! Just as you want your lodge to look nice for visitors, your web site is what people at when they look for a lodge to call home!

The UGLY: As bad as the BAD things were, the sites I found the most disturbing were sites run my Masons that were bad mouthing other Masons!!! There are plenty of blogs who’s only job in life is apparently to trash the Shriners, the Scottish Rite their GL and of course what seems to be the most popular right now Southern Masons.

One of the things I mentioned yesterday was that I was looking for camaraderie as Im sure others are also. I was under the impression that Masons did not bash other Masons either behind their backs or in public. Every group has issues and differences. I know that! How those differences are handled tells a lot about not only the people but of the group in general. My Dad always says that anyone can bitch and moan, but to be a real leader you need to bring solutions to the table along with the issues. Another one of his sayings I’ve heard more than a few dozen times: praise in public, scold in private. Now I grant that I’m new to the Craft. For all I know many of these issues have been addressed in private and in other appropriate ways. Seeing anonymous bloggers making, what appears to be childish shots at other groups though is not the right way to address issues.

That about wraps it up for today. I don’t want to be like the ones I was just talking about and not bring any ideas, so tomorrow Ill have a few suggestions… On second thought, I may skip tomorrow, my petition is being voted on tomorrow and I’m more than just a little nervous and may stay at the lodge after dinner to hear the results (if they let me that is).

There Has To Be Something More

2007-03-04T07:53:00.000-06:00

For many years I’ve felt there has to be something more. “This” cant be all there is to it. I’ve always had a sense that something was missing, that I needed more. During my 21 years in the U.S. Air Force I always had a sense of belonging, camaraderie, friendship, and maybe most important of all – a feeling of accomplishment only known by those that know what they do matters! Since I retired there has just been an emptiness that’s hard to explain or understand.

I’ve known many military retirees that have had issues coping with ‘being on the outside’. I’ve seen and heard of a lot of marriages failing and even a few people that just went into a deep depression and took their own life. Including my best friend. While working on another project I was researching markings on tombstones trying to catalog all the different symbols you commonly find. One item I found a lot was the Square and Compass and other Masonic symbols. The more I researched the more I got interested in Freemasonry.

As far as I know, there haven’t been any Freemasons in my family. During my lifetime, I’ve only known a few Masons. So I’m a Masonic Virgin, I didn’t have a base of reference or for that matter even a working knowledge of the Craft. The more I read the more I wanted to know. The more I got to know the more I wondered if Freemasonry was right for me.

I have to admit I had some concerns. Id heard the anti-Masonic propaganda about taking over the world, satanic worship and all the other junk on the web. I had to research to reconcile what I thought and what I was hearing about the Fraternity before I committed.

Through one of my hobbies I started asking around if anyone was a Mason, or if they knew any Masons. Someone I’d chatted with on the Internet in mail lists and newsgroups sent me a private message and told me that yes he was a Mason. Over the next few months I’ve asked him a lot of questions, spent a lot of time online looking for answers and in the public library. It was time to actually start looking for some lodges in my area!