A number of the thoughts and posts I write about come from things I have seen in different groups or from conversations I have had with Brothers. This one is no different. The other day I took part in an investigation committee for a Brother looking to join a Traditional Observance Lodge. OK, It was mine and I am very excited about the possibility of doing Masonic work with these Brothers. During our discussion it was asked in a nutshell “How did I view Masonry”. We discussed charity, philanthropy, community work, etc. This is NOT Masonry. Sure, as Masons we do work in the community. Yes, we have scholarships and do good works. In my jurisdiction we have a Masonic Foundation dedicated to these efforts. They do a wonderful job at it as well. I have also seen and met people that feel Freemasonry is a social club and treat it like the Elks, Eagles, Moose, and other such Lodges. Now, as I am not a member of those orders I can not and will not speak to their works and efforts. B...
This morning, I was watching a short reel by Pastor John Ortberg. Not something I normally do but this one was kind of interesting. He was talking about AA meetings being held in the basements of some churches and a saying. “You can either stay upstairs and hear about miracles. Or go downstairs and see them.” I thought this was very interesting and it got me to thinking. I know, most things do. Within my Lodges we will have our stated meetings and conduct the business of the Lodge. Those are needed to keep the lights on and decide the direction the Lodge is going to go. But after my Home Lodge will go downstairs for coffee, cookies, cake, etc. My Traditional Observance Lodge will go to a local restaurant and have a meal. The goal is fellowship, learning more about our Brothers, and spending time. Sometimes the discussions are lighthearted about some of the education that was presented. Job promotions, retirements, and victories. But other times they are not. There are ...
One day a Buddhist Monk was sitting with his students in meditation. They had been there a while. Enjoying the peacefulness of the landscape and the shade of the Cherry Trees. In time the monk opened his eyes and looked at his novice students. As they each stopped their meditation and regained focus on their teacher he asked them a question. He said “Imagine you are walking, and you have with you a cup of tea. A man bumps into you, and you spill your drink. Why did you spill it?” They looked at him puzzled. The answer was simple. They each said, “Because the man bumped us causing us to spill the tea.” The Monk looks at them and smiles. While that does appear to be the logical answer it is in fact wrong. They looked at him with puzzled faces. “But, Teacher, we had tea and the man bumped into us and it spilled.” The Monk then said…your tea spilled as it was what you were carrying in your cup. Imagine you are the cup, and someone bumped into you. What would you spill? ...
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