A Past Master's Thoughts

“If you want to be a leader, you must be a servant first.” — Lao Tzu Within Freemasonry, there is no shortage of titles, offices, and honors. In the Symbolic Lodge alone there are officers ranging from the Stewards to the Master. Beyond that are the degrees of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, the Shrine, and numerous other appendant bodies. Then there are District Deputies, Grand Lodge officers, committee chairmen, and more titles than most of us could ever hope to remember. But do those titles really mean anything? Yes and no. They deserve respect because they represent service. We should honor those who give their time, energy, and effort to the Craft. Yet the title itself is never the important thing. The work behind it is. In fact, the greatest title you will ever receive in Masonry is not Worshipful Master, Grand Master, Sovereign Grand Inspector General, or any other distinguished office. The highest and most noble title is bestowed upon you the very first day you enter the Temp...

So, what is a covenant, and what does it really mean? As Masons, we enter into what could be called a covenant relationship, though perhaps not in the way many people imagine. I will not discuss the wording of those covenants except to say this: there is nothing within them that would conflict with any obligation you already hold to God, your country, your family, your neighbor, or yourself. But what exactly is a covenant? The word itself carries weight. A covenant is more than a simple promise. It is a sacred commitment that binds people together in a meaningful and often life-changing way. That is part of why, within Freemasonry, these obligations are given during the degree process, each one building upon the last. Every degree adds another layer of understanding and responsibility. The initiatory process is meant to change a person for the better. That is the purpose of initiation — or, as I often think of it, dedication. At its core, a covenant is a binding agreement. The way such...

  Last night during our stated meeting in Lodge, we came to the part of the evening where we speak of illness, struggles, and those Brothers who have passed beyond this life. It was mentioned that a very respected and beloved Brother of the Lodge had passed away. I never had the pleasure of meeting him personally, yet from the stories shared about him, I still felt a sense of loss. Not only the loss of a Brother — because anytime a Brother passes there should be grief — but also sorrow for those who shared a deeper and more personal bond with him. After all, we are all connected. Last night I shared only a few brief thoughts, which is unusual for me because I do enjoy speaking from time to time. But as I listened to the memories and stories being told, one word kept repeating itself in my mind: “was.” Now, I say this with no judgment toward any Brother sharing those memories. God forbid. But I do not believe there truly is such a thing as “was” when speaking of someone who ...

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 ...

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...

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, ...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

“You don’t build a better life with one powerful night. You build it with ordinary days.” – Joshua Kelley That line hit me like a hammer. Today, a Brother shared an early copy of his second book—so fresh it’s still in PDF form. I couldn’t wait to dive in, and right there in Chapter One was that quote. It stopped me. Made me pause. Made me think. And immediately, I reached out to Joshua and told him—half-joking, fully serious—that I was going to “borrow” it. Of course, as any honorable literary craftsman should, I give credit where it’s due. Because the truth is… that line doesn’t just sound good—it means something. It echoes something I tell every new Brother: this is not a sprint—it’s a marathon. A long road built on discipline, determination, vision, and focus. And along that road? You will stumble. You will get tired. You will trip, fall, and skin your knees. But that’s not failure—that’s part of the journey. The only thing that matters is that you get back up. You put ...

I know that within Masonry, we say we do not discuss Religion and Politics. Now that is only in a tyled Lodge as recommended by Anderson Constitutions Article 1 of 1723.  As a summary. Article I of James Anderson’s  Constitutions of the Free-Masons  (1723) sets the foundational moral and religious obligations of a Mason. It begins with the Mason’s duty to obey the moral law and to be a good, honorable, and honest man, regardless of personal religious beliefs. This is to keep Masonry as a center of Union and not the division of the Brothers. Even though we say Masonry is not a religion and it honestly offers no true path to salvation, or so it is said, and I would argue that a bit too.  As our chaplain's opening prayer in my jurisdiction talks about our undertaking, our conduct to God's Glory, the advancement of Masonry, and then to our salvation.  I would also like to mention James 1:27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is t...

Today marks the end of the Christian Holy Week. There are still a few more days left of Passover. But today, for several Brothers it is Easter—a time of emergence and renewal. We have passed the Spring Equinox, and the trees are budding, flowers are blooming, and soon the grass will be tall enough to mow. If it isn’t already. Friday, I wrote about the darkness and that there is nothing in the light that was not there in the dark. This is a true statement. But as with everything, we are in a constant state of change. Today is not the same as yesterday, and tomorrow will not be either. You never step in the same river twice. Today is a day of renewal for many. Breaking free from the dark depths and things that held you back. Friday, I talked about the dark and what we are leaving behind. So, while Good Friday was about going inside yourself and spending time in that “personal chamber of reflection.” When you step out, you should have a renewed view of life.   So my ques...

Today is Good Friday, with Easter happening on Sunday. By the way, do you find it odd, like I do, that the date for Easter always changes? Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon that falls after the Spring Equinox. I have heard several explanations for this, but it is not the focus of today's thought. I just thought it was interesting. We are in the early days of Passover, when our Jewish Brothers celebrate their exodus from Egypt and freedom. Next year in the Promised Land, Brothers. We also have Good Friday and or the recorded date of Jesus being unalived (dang Facebook algorithms) and laid in the tomb. What do these two events have in common? At least I see the common thread as a release and renewal. For Passover, it is the release from bondage and oppression, and Good Friday is a release (or, according to Christian Tradition, the start of the release of the sins of the world and old self, which occurred on Easter when the Temple Veil was torn in two. ...

I am a man who walks alone And when I'm walking a dark road At night or strolling through the park When the light begins to change I sometimes feel a little strange A little anxious when it's dark Fear of the dark, fear of the dark – Iron Maiden With in Masonry, we talk about Light….and further Light. What we do not talk about is the dark. The dark is just as important as the light. Yes, we want to be enlightened. Yes, we want to grow and brighten out pathway. But that means walking dark shadows. It means understanding who we are. Learning the lessons and putting those lessons to use. It means being honest with not only our Brothers, but more importantly ourselves. Our limitations. Why? Because once we learn where our limits are we can work to bolster strengths. My Brothers….let me say that there is nothing in the dark that was not there in the light. We are only being tested. What have we really learned, and what do we need to work on? Part of that is using...

Today I was given a number of honors. The first and foremost was that I was able to witness a Brother from my Lodge raised to a Master Mason by the Oklahoma Indian Degree Team.   They announced that in 20 years of doing this work, my Brother was number 1138 Master Masons they have raised. Any degree work is about the Brother receiving that degree. It is THEIR day and no one else's.   Any degree is sacred, and the Master Mason degree is the most sacred of them all. For reasons I will not go into.   To this Brother I have a few things to say.   First and foremost, this is not a sprint. It is a marathon. Take your time. This should be evident when you were asked what you thought, and you said, “I am still processing”.   Of course, you are…You do not fully understand what you just went through.   BTW, it is important. Each degree is important. Each building is on the other. This is why I feel we need to take time to really understand the degrees and what you ...

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 ...

Earlier this year, I got news that had a number of us jumping for joy. The Grand Lodge of Mississippi was going to vote to conduct talks of Amity between the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Mississippi and The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Mississippi. People seem to think that Prince Hall is just that “Black Lodge.” While started by Brother Prince Hall, who was denied entry in his time to a “regular” Lodge, he petitioned The Grande Lodge of England and formed Prince Hall Masonry. To say Prince Hall is JUST the Black Man's Lodge is wrong, insulting, and disrespectful. Yes, started by a Black Brother, there are a number of Military members who are members as well as Caucasian Members. In truth, Prince Hall Masons just practice Masonry a bit differently. NO different than your jurisdiction and mine. Everyone practices a little bit differently. It is my understanding that if you visit a Prince Hall Lodge, you'd better bring your “A” game because these Brothers do not play. NO cu...

“Men build too many walls and not enough bridges.” ― Joseph Fort Newton The proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi have me thinking. Now, let me say I was not there, and was the vote regarding the Prince Hall Grand Lodge based on a racial tone? I honestly cannot answer that. But I know perception is reality. I know that my understanding of Masonry has nothing to do with a man's race, ethnic background, politics, religion, or social standing. None of that matters, or shouldn’t. Does racism exist? Sadly, it does. Does racism exist within Masonry?  That is an interesting question. Within its principles? No, I will say it does not. Does it exist within the hearts of some Masons? Sadly, it does.  That is a shame. A few years ago, a Brother from a Lodge in my jurisdiction decided he wanted to transfer and move his membership. He went through the process of transfer, was voted on, etc. He was a Brother, why not? It wasn’t until after the vote to approve that we l...

“One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. ‘Which road do I take?’ she asked. ‘Where do you want to go?’ was his response. ‘I don’t know,’ Alice answered. ‘Then,’ said the cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.” ― Lewis Carroll,  Alice in Wonderland   No, Lewis, it does matter. Every step you take is a choice. Every movement should be well thought out. When you first filled out the petition, your investigating committee, your initiation, was all a matter of personal choice. Each and every day, we are at a crossroads. When we step into the Temple before anything is ever done, we are asked one simple question. Is it of your own free will and accord? The second question is just as important. What came you hear to do?  That requires some thought and focus. What came YOU HERE to do? Not someone else, not somewhere else. Right here, right now. This moment is all that matters. This is your journey, your crossroad. No one else's. Sure, there are other twis...