2020 Dumpster Fire

Sometimes, you're just happy when things are over...

I'd like to send a true heartfelt thanks to all of my Masonic Brethren out there who helped all of us get through this year.

Goodbye 2020!

See you all next year!

Jacob's Ladder - DNA

And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

- Genesis 28: 12-14 (Jacob's Ladder)

A Star in the East

"...the place where Christianity was revealed to man; the place where the star proclaimed the birth of Jesus; the place where Christ was crucified, and the place where he ascended into heaven.  The East has always accounted holy; and hence our Savior was termed "Oriens" from the position of the superior sanctity of his person."

- A Star in the East

Rev. George Oliver

Merry Christmas!

Look to the East!

Son Rise

Today, the Winter Solstice, is called the "shortest day of the year."

The sun rises to it's lowest point on the horizon.

But not to fear, it's slowly moving to the east, or spring equinox, and bringing more daylight with it every day!

Can you think of any other instances where the son rises in the east from a place of darkness in the north?

House Not Made With Hands

You wouldn't start building a house without plans, would you?

Even if it was made without hands?

Be the Master

Be the Master.  Use the Gavel.

Special Thanks to M.W. John K. Bishop

PGM Alaska 2018

The Brothers Quibble

The Brothers Quibble

is a fantastic story about which way the compass points should face when you wear your Masonic Ring.

Perspective

Just because you have a different perspective...

...doesn't necessarily mean you are right!

Employment

In the modern world, ruffian tactics can include terminating your employment.

This can be a painful process.  But don't let it get you down!

With effort, you can find better opportunities where your integrity is appreciated.

Ultimately, you don't want to be working for ruffians anyway.

Ineffable

"Ineffable" describes a "word" that cannot be spoken aloud.

How then do we use this "ineffable word?"

Beat the Clock

Quick!  For $100,000

What is the next line in our opening ritual that Bro. Justin Tyme seems to have forgotten?

It's not a game of "beat the clock."  Give your brethren some breathing room.

Understanding

Masons that get together and have open discussions end up "changing the world," through better understanding of each other.

Angry Driver

Why does the concept of civility seem to disappear as soon as you get behind the wheel of a car?

Don't forget about those "square and compasses" bumper stickers and license plates.

Spiritual

Does the craft of Masonry enhance your spiritual experiences

or

Do your spiritual experiences enhance the craft of Masonry?

Miss the Mark

Failure can be difficult to deal with.

Sometimes we end up "missing the mark."

But if we do not accept our failures, how can we ever learn from them?

Need More Time

"Brother Kent R. Member has forgotten his line!"

Why do we not give brethren enough time to remember their ritual, before someone shouts it out?

Ineffable Silence

Q: What does "ineffable" mean?

A: ...and the Word of the Master is written on the ashlar walls, and temple halls, and in the sounds of silence.

Neckties

Why is it a problem when a Mason does not wear a necktie to Lodge?

Civil Discourse

What is the best way to maintain Civil Discourse?

Exclusivity - Go Lean

"Exclusivity is prime, and Masonry is losing that as Grand Lodges pursue the drive for more members, to keep antiquated budgets and programs afloat.

My two-cents: Go lean.

If it doesn't support Masons and improving the Masonic experience it is needless and needs to go away."

- M.W. John D. May

PGM 2019, Alaska

King Nothing

Hey!  Do you guys remember when Metallica warned us about what would happen if our motives to become Master were for power?

Careful what you wish.

Careful what you say.

Careful what you wish, you may regret it.

Careful what you wish, you just might get it!

Then it all crashes down

And you break your crown

And you point your finger,

but there's no one around

Just want one thing, Just to play the King

But the castle crumbled

and you're left with just a nam

Where's your crown, King Nothing?

- Metallica, King Nothing, Load 1996

Pawns

Lodge Leadership

it's hidden in plain sight.

Leadership Support

True leadership requires support.

What is the best way to support the leadership in your lodge?

Snow White

The allegory of the "poisoned apple" given to the young maiden by the old woman, is the corruption of innocence by the party with an agenda hidden within a seemingly mundane gift.

Can you think of other areas in our lives we are given "poisoned apples?"

Poisoned Well

When you know the well is poisoned, but you continue to drink from it...

...what exactly did you expect would happen?

Music - Part 2 of 2

Wait a second!

A series of patterns, vibrations, and rhythm put together in harmony and time is known as:

Music?

Music - Part 1 of 2

A series of patterns, vibrations, and rhythm put together in harmony and time is also known as:

Music

Vicious Cycle

It takes a truly strong will to break a vicious cycle.

What can be done to help with this process?

Mass Production

Is our candidate's individuality ignored or compromised when we do multiple or mass production of degree work?

Liar Liar

Remember, that when people use lies to win their battles, the winner is still just a liar.

Whisper in a Crowd

See this guy?

This guy right here?

He has some great ideas!

How can we hear someone who is drowned out like a whisper in a crowd?

I Wonder...

Stated Business Meetings you say?

How does this make good men better then, I wonder?

Credits

Having no education at your Lodge meetings, is like going to the movies just to see the credits.

Complacency

It may feel comfortable at the time, but there is an inherent danger in complacency.

Oakland's Pyramid of Masonry

Oakland's Pyramid of Masonry

Peace and Harmony

To my Masonic Brethren:

There is a reason we do not talk about politics in lodge.

This reason should be extended to all facets of your life, especailly online social media.

Incivility is a ruffian tactic, and discussions quickly become divisive.

Please let civility, peace, and harmony, 

Grief

"Grief is the loss felt for someone who is cherished.  It's an act of love experienced only by those who care."

Death

The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.

The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.

All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.

- Ecclesiastes 1:5-7

Teach

If you have an understanding of Masonry that is different than others, don't disassociate yourself.

Teach them!

Different, and Unique

Just because we are all doing the same thing...

...doesn't mean we can't be unique.

Mutually Benefit

The organization of Freemasonry is concerned with membership, whereas the craft of Masonry is concerned with the man.

How can both work together in order to mutually benefit?

Uniqueness

How does Masonry assist

in enhancing ones uniqueness?

Sheeple

When rules are followed without question...

Doors

Is there a figurative concept behind

a door?

Why must we open one before we begin?

Social Media

Why do many people seem to lose the concept of civility when they go online?

Circles

You do not have to go it alone.  There is always someone to help.

Remember if you find yourself walking in circles, you had a guide to help you through it before.

Sockman & the Assembly Line

"We seem to want mass production, but we must remember that men are individuals not to be satisfactorily dealt with in masses, and the making of men is more important than the production of things."

- Ralph Washington Sockman

Vitruvian

Sometimes we "see" things in old artwork that was not intended by the original artist.

What is the right way to understand the artists actual intentions?

Look in the Mirror

What potential do you see when you look in the mirror?

Shoes

They say "You can tell a lot about a man by what kind of shoes he wears."

I say, "You can tell more by what shoes he doesn't."