Ive Been Busy!

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

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

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

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 ...

... 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

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?

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!