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What Is a Miracle?

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There are two different definitions of a miracle within Webster’s Dictionary. I will focus on the first for now: “An effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.” This morning I watched a reel of a man talking about miracles. He told the story of Peter fishing in Capernaum. Peter was questioned about the Temple tax and why he and a certain Rabbi had not yet paid it. The Rabbi asked Peter: “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect tolls or taxes? From their own sons or from others?” Peter answered, “From others.” The Rabbi then replied: “Then the sons are exempt. But so that we do not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish that you pull up. When you open its mouth, you will find a silver coin. Take that coin and give it to them for me and for you.” Peter did exactly that. He caught a fish, opened its mouth, and found the money needed to ...
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Makes me laugh

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Earlier today I saw a comment on a post I made in another Freemasonry group… and right on cue, the “trolls” showed up like it was their full-time job and someone rang the dinner bell. Attacking not only Freemasonry, but me personally. Which, honestly, is impressive—because it takes real dedication to misunderstand that much all at once. So to the “trolls,” I want to take a moment and say: thank you. No really… thank you. Because if I didn’t have something of value, you wouldn’t be investing this level of energy. I mean, nobody rage-types essays about things that don’t matter. That’s not trolling—that’s unpaid marketing. Now, I’ll admit, it took me a while to get here. There was a time when I’d get fired up. You know the feeling—neck tight, blood pressure rising, fingers hovering over the keyboard like you’re about to type the Constitution 2.0. I felt like I had to defend Masonry. Turns out… I don’t. Masonry doesn’t need me to defend it. It’s been doing just fine for a few h...
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Darkness looks back

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Here it is—May 5, 2026. In Star Wars terms, the day of the Sith. I hope you had a great May 4th, and that the Force was with you. Actually, the Force is with you—“always.” But how do we really look at that? We tend to frame things in opposites: the Jedi on one side, the Sith on the other. Both draw from the same Force, yet apply it in very different ways. It’s the age-old struggle of good versus evil—something that may be best summed up by attitude. As Jack Sparrow puts it: “The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.” There are many ways to explore this idea. One comes from Bible, in Matthew 5:45: “...for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Unpleasant things are going to happen. That’s simply part of life. We may not look forward to them—I know I don’t—but they’re inevitable. Even in Masonic teachings, there’s the idea of Fortune’s Wheel. Wheels turn. You can’t stay on top forever, ...
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The Bible

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I came across a short reel by Michael Poll this morning that set my mind turning—and as you might expect, it led me down the path of spirituality. I’ll do my best to keep “religion” out of this, or at least set it to the side. To me, religion often carries the weight of dogma—ideas presented as unquestionable truth without room for personal exploration. Spirituality, on the other hand, feels alive. It’s personal. It’s how we reach toward the Divine in our own way, not how we’re told we must. That distinction matters to me. It’s likely why I’ve stepped away from religion while still holding tightly to the spiritual. Now, I know there are thoughtful people—friends of mine included—who see no real difference between the two. I respect that view. I simply don’t share it. (And yes, I’m aware that pairing my name with the word “humble” might raise a few smiles—I had one myself writing that.) For clarity’s sake, I’m not a Christian, and haven’t been for a long time. My struggle has neve...
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The Between Place

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From time to time, brothers reach out to me when they’re struggling—whether with one thing or another. I want to be clear about something: those conversations stay exactly where they belong—between us. They are not shared, no matter what. Those conversations have made me reflect on something we often say in Masonry: that we take “good men and make them better.” In one sense, that’s absolutely true—we encourage each other to become the best versions of ourselves. But in another sense, it’s not quite accurate. I cannot make anyone do anything. Real growth has to come from within. In Roman mythology, there was a god named Janus, a figure with two faces who could look both forward and backward. He was the god of beginnings and endings, presiding over transitions—what we might call “in-between spaces.” These spaces were considered sacred because they marked the passage from one state to another. If you think about it, every moment we experience is one of these in-between spaces. Take ...
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East Bound and Down

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East bound and down, loaded up and truckin' We gonna do what they say can't be done We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there I'm east bound, just watch ol' Bandit run Last night I was sitting in Lodge and this song came to mind. Not only the song, but I saw Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed absolutely flooring it down the highway, with Sheriff Buford T. Justice—aka “Smokey Bear,” patron saint of speeding tickets—right on their tails like he just smelled a free donut. Last night had me thinking about a number of things. Please understand these are only my thoughts and mine alone. I’m not trying to throw shade on anyone or any group. They’re not perfect, and I’m not either… which, in my not-so-humble opinion, makes us perfectly qualified to talk about it. Have you ever noticed that things within Freemasonry tend to move at about the speed of a snail crawling across duct tape… uphill… in January? If we want to make internal changes or embrace a m...
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offensive or defensive

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Last evening, I received a text message raising a thought-provoking question: the presence of weapons within the Lodge. The discussion, originating among several Brothers, prompted one to seek my perspective. Curious, I reviewed the bylaws of my own jurisdiction to determine whether guidance had been established on the matter. After searching through multiple avenues, I found no specific reference to weapons. Unless I have overlooked something, there appears to be no explicit Grand Lodge ruling on the subject. Whether such guidance should exist is a separate question—one I will respectfully leave to those charged with that responsibility. It is not my place to speak for other jurisdictions, nor will I attempt to do so. Governance in these matters properly resides with the appropriate authorities: state and local law, Grand Lodge bylaws and edicts, and ultimately the individual Lodge. Within our ritual teachings, we are instructed not to bring anything “offensive or defensive” int...
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