A Past Master's Thoughts

What does a successful lodge look like to you? Is it about numbers, impact, engagement, or something else entirely? Today’s thought is again stolen from my jurisdictions Facebook page. This question was posted by Alex Powers the Master of our Lodge of Research. I have kicked this around a bit and thought I had a good answer. Then I saw a post on our Lodges Discord server. Granted there are so many social media outlets and ways to communicate I do not get on Discord often. Maybe I should. There are countless ways to make a Lodge successful. Sure, there are numbers. If your Lodge has 120+ members on the roles but only 10 make it to meetings. Is that Lodge successful? Maybe it depends on what those 10 are doing. If you have awards and certificates dripping off the walls. Does that make you a success? Does your Lodge have so many in waiting that you hold degree work every other week and have to get special dispensation for a weekend or two? Yes, that could be considered a success. All of t...

  Let me throw on my Chaplin’s apron again for a moment. Tonight, I heard something that really got me to think. Let’s crack open a Volume of Sacred Law and let it guide us for a bit. Tonight, I visited my home Lodge, and we had a really good meeting. A Brother passed his proficiency to the Second Degree, and we will get that work done soon, I am sure. But it was tonight during Masonic Education that really spoke to me. Our Master is in the middle of a move across state and with it comes the upheavals of a move. But not only that he is a DDGM and a sitting Master. To be honest he has more on his plate than maybe he should. But he has a heart of gold, and you will never hear him complain about much of anything. Why? Because his heart is in his labors. He is a good man, and I am honored to know him. But during education tonight he talked about Elijah and where was the GAOTU? He referenced a Old Testament verse his reference was 1 Kings 19:1-18. Where Elijah went to a mountain a...

  We all know I can be very opinionated. Heck, it is what has kept this page going for the last 4 plus years. Before I start todays thought I have a few things to say. 1. First the thoughts and views expressed here are not and should not be seen as an endorsement of any Grand Lodge (from any Jurisdiction), Appendant Body, Blue Lodge, Past Master, Current Master, FBI, CIA, Dept. of Homeland Security, or any other Ancient Order Ben Gates or Dan Brown may discover. 2. This page is Blue Lodge Craft Masonry forward. I have no issues with any other “Masonic” organizations with in the umbrella of the “Masonic Family”. I just happen to strongly believe in a firm foundation. 3. Anyone reading this page is under no obligation to agree with me and are more than welcome to think I am full of cow refuse. All I ask is share your opinion so we can spark discussion, and be polite about it. 4. Lastly keep all discussion “On the Level” as we have Masons and Non-Masons that are members of thi...

  Making the light as it comes from within, so dim, so dim... We are human beings. Yes, we are Masons and have a different outlook and perspective on life, or at least we should. But we are human beings, nonetheless. We are told the Masonic Institution is designed to make its members wiser, better, and consequently happier. Wiser comes from taking knowledge and applying it. I have said many times before that wisdom is knowledge plus mileage. In other words, it is a life experience. Better? What defines better? With hope, it is simple math. Taking who you were and adding what you have learned equals a better overall life. Both mundane and within the Masonic community. Happier isn’t that the end goal? To take your experiences, see what works, what doesn’t, measure them by the plumb, Level, and square, and see the results? So, for the last four years my writings on Masonry have been all “white light and unicorn farts.” But what if a member of your lodge is struggling? What if he is ha...

  What is Integrity?  The Oxford Reference Dictionary describes it in this way. The quality of a person who can be counted upon to give precedence to moral considerations, even when there is strong inducement to let self-interest or some clamant desire override them, or where the betrayal of moral principle might pass undetected. To have integrity is to have unconditional and steady commitment to moral values and obligations. Integrity is a huge thing. It is the very foundation of your character. Honestly, it is a fundamental principle of who we are or should strive to be. It is much like a muscle and should be exercised regularly. If not, it is weakened and lost. As Masons, it is a part of our obligation (mine at least). Has a Brother come to you to get counsel and discuss a hardship, or a success? When you had your talk “On The Level,” did you leave it there? Or did you share that bit of information with someone else? Part of my Eastern Star Obligations are that I wi...

“What evil lurks in the hearts of men?"…The Shadow knows! The last week has really got me thinking. I know I have not really shared a lot of posts or thoughts. A few words about travels, and Jimmy passing. But nothing deep. This morning while I was having my daily meditation and “devotionals”, that part of what mediation is right? The comment from a 1954 TV show came to mind. "What evil lurks in the hearts of men?"…The Shadow knows! It may have been due to the Masonic Ed I am and have been working on for a bit. Or maybe it was a day or so ago I saw a reel and sent to myself regarding the work of C.G. Jung. When I finish watching it may play nicely into the piece I am working on. But, today as I was drinking my early morning coffee and having my stick the idea of the shadow came to mind. But what is “The Shadow”? The shadow is that part of yourself you more than likely do not want to recognize or even acknowledge is there. It is the part of use that most feel are ...

  I was on my way back from the Cigar store and some things hit me. In the Hiram myth that we as Freemasons adhere to. If the three Ruffians would have backed down, would Hiram have shared with them what they sought? In the Gospels after the crucifixion. Would Jesus have forgiven Judas (BTW I do not think Judas was the villain he is portrayed to be) just as Jesus welcomed "Doubting Thomas"? Then as I was looking at the news today, I say that Jimmy Swaggart has passed away. Over the years I have made a number of jokes about Jimmy. But the truth is he is a human being and like him or not his family deserves our thoughts right now. I have always said that Jesus was a righteous guy, and my issue was never with him, but his followers. Jimmy was one of them. Here is the thought today. How do you treat those that may have hurt you? The Christian VSL says to "pray for those that harm you". In Matthew 5:44 Jesus said, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pra...