Masonic Forum Home Search Members Calendar Who's On Welcome Guest ( Login | Register ) Recent PostsRecent Posts Popular TopicsPopular Topics Home » General » General Masonic Discussion » I cant help but wonder... 52 posts, Page 1 of 612345»»» I cant help but wonder... Rate Topic Display Mode Topic Options Author Message wolfywolfy Posted 22/06/2009 23:07 Journeyman Group: Forum Members Last Login: 02/07/2010 10:35 Posts: 189, Visits: 358 ...why people stay with Freemasonry? Simply because the majority of people here recently seem to have nothing but nitpicking problems with the craft, other obediences, people within FM, honour systems, and so on and so forth, I wanted to try to bring a POSITIVE side of FM out. the last HAPPY thread that I saw here other than peoples various degrees occasionally was that wonderful post by Lauderdale about the warming installation he attended. so why ARE you in FM? can we at least try to get something positive on here for viewers to see as opposed to complaints about the Craft? S+F James K U.G.L.E Stella Maris 7279 MMM, OSM Post #9084 Brother_TJBrother_TJ Posted 22/06/2009 23:58 Journeyman Group: Forum Members Last Login: 26/07/2010 22:59 Posts: 168, Visits: 206 I think "postivist" (not to be confused with the philosphy) is brought on by an expectation to be positive all the time and eludes to the reality or order of things in life experiences.I am a realist and I think being in Freemasonry it is important to be "critical" yet open minded and tolerant of what you do. I have to agree that negative energy can effect the Work of a Lodge meeting and if you are unhappy with Freemasonry, then perhaps an inquiry is needed to resolve some issues within your Order.An example of some wisdom (lesson):...You can learn a lot from South Park (brilliant mind of Trey Parker). In Season 7 the character Stan joins the Goths in a eye opening episode called "Raisins".Butters goes to this restaurant called "Raisins" (a pun on Hooters Restaurant) and meets all these young females that pamper and flirt with all the young boys. Butters thinks that one of the girls likes him. Butters starts to think in his head this girl likes him and Butters thinks the girl is in a relationship with him. Butters finds out the truth but never fully realizes the truth and that the girl is pretending to like him to try and get him to come to the restaurant to eat (spend money/tip). Butters is heart broken because he thought she liked him.Butters withdrews from life like his fellow friend Stan who joined the Goths. Butters is seen crying in the rain by the Goths and Stan. After seeing Butters cry the Goths ask Butters to join...Butters replies, "Yeah... And I'm sad! But at the same time I'm really happy that something can make me feel that sad... It's like... It makes me feel alive, y'know? It makes me feel human. The only way I could feel this sad now, is if I felt somethin' really good before, so I have to take the bad with the good. So I guess what I'm feelin' is, like a beautiful sadness... I guess that sounds stupid... Besides, I'd rather be a crying little pussy than a faggy goth kid."Freemasonry teaches you to hold back your passions and to better control your emotions but it doesn't tell you to suppress your sadness, angry, happiness, and other emotions.Freemasonry can make you feel good, happy...also Freemasonry can make you mad, sad, and overly joyful. Fruits of Labor my Brothers .·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.Amethyst Lodge No. 2, Orient of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Isis Lodge No. 3, Orient of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma...A.F.H.R. Post #9089 TerryTerry Posted 23/06/2009 07:05 Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: 03/06/2010 08:02 Posts: 595, Visits: 756 James,Last Saturday we had our Install, and very successful it was too, a lovely evening followed by a catered meal.We also had the pleasure of a fraternal from Lodge Wyong/Tuggerah Lakes ( down on central Coast)this is its 55th year, they come up to Tamworth twice a year and we head down twice a year, this is the longest running fraternal visitation in NSW, we go down in September for their installation.We put on a breakfast at every visit at the lodge rooms on sunday mornings, and I can tell you there were a few sore heads, and they do the same for us when we visit. As an aside one of their members will be returning to his wife with a broken hand, an accident of courseAll in all a very successful time was had by all and while not the only reason I enjoy freemasonry, this certianly is a highlight. RegardsTerryTamworth 652Australia Post #9098 TerryTerry Posted 23/06/2009 07:22 Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: 03/06/2010 08:02 Posts: 595, Visits: 756 James,This coming Saturday, The 1st Grand Prinicapal and Grand Master and Grand Chapter team will be in Tamworth for the Royal Arch dedication of the new lodge room as a RA meeting room.This cermony is opened to the public and we have extended invitations to the public and members of the craft lodges in our area.I have never been to a dedication and am looking forward to it as are the members of the 2 RA Chapters in Tamworth .A lot of work has gone into this and we expect to have a wonderful time.The dedication will be followed by Peel RA Chapter installation meeting( I am a member of Tamworth RA Chapter) in which the grand team will play a major part, and this will be followed by a catered meal in the south. The lodge room will be overflowing and it will be a tight squeeze in the south and everyone is looking forward to the occasion.Then on the Sunday morning , Grand Chapter will open an occassional convocation, wherein a demostration of the New RA Install ritual will be carried out, followed by Grand Officer training, which the country companions usually dont get, unless they travel to Sydney.To top off this wonderful weekend my 17yo daughter is taking me to the pictures on Sunday afternoon to watch angel and demons.Is it any wonder why I enjoy Freemasonry. RegardsTerryTamworth 652Australia Post #9099 Mike MartinMike Martin Posted 23/06/2009 09:22 Past Master Group: Administrators Last Login: Today @ 12:34 Posts: 1,334, Visits: 3,813 wolfy (22/06/2009)can we at least try to get something positive on here for viewers to see as opposed to complaints about the Craft?Well I have just read yet another letter of thanks from the Widow of a Freemason that we have assisted.This poor lady needed a stairlift in her house but her Local Social Services have already expended their 2009/10 budget for mobility equipment. The Grand Charity has installed the lift last week and she has now been able to access the upstairs of her house for the first time in many months. MikeThe Freemasons' Grand Charity My Mother Lodge website Join or just visit my Masonic Web RingSee my BALLS here Post #9108 SunburstSunburst Posted 23/06/2009 09:59 Fellow Group: Forum Members Last Login: 22/06/2010 19:24 Posts: 204, Visits: 425 *my initiation* coughs was that not a "positive" thread? 2nd degree FC Mercury Lodge, Northampton UK 706 http://www.droit-humain.org/uk/ my Blog is at: http://victoriab.blogware.com/blog Post #9110 Cora BCora B Posted 23/06/2009 13:46 Fellow Group: Forum Members Last Login: Today @ 12:16 Posts: 389, Visits: 887 I like to think people have the common sense to recognise an organisation and that which it facilitates are more than just the sum total of its members. But then again, I'm an optimist.To be honest, I think that what we see on forums in general says more about us and our faith in ourselves and the fact that our concerns will be heard by our respective organisations, then about the organisations themselves.What could happen if we took those matters we put out here to those who have the power to do something with them ..?I am, remain and progress in freemasonry because in my Order I have found exactly that which fulfills a lifelong need; unveils wisdom that has always been within; presents something which challenges me in every possible way, and which offers the brotherly love of some of the most wonderful people I have ever had the pleasure and honour of working with.'nuff saidS&F, Cora -- International Order of Co-Freemasonry "Le Droit Humain", British Federation Lodge Light of Amen-Ra No. 717, Orient of Surbiton Lodge St Francis No. 817, Orient of Camberley Mark Lodge Nephthys No. 32, Quarries of Surbiton HRA Triangle The Hidden Glory, Vault of Surbiton Post #9115 sojournersojourner Posted 23/06/2009 14:13 Fellow Group: Forum Members Last Login: Today @ 15:12 Posts: 363, Visits: 1,513 I read far more posts than I reply to. Certain posts quite frankly I will simply not engage with ( such as one or two recent ones that were suspiciously "troll like"). There certainly do seem to be a number that detail problems and moan about this that or the other. That however, for anyone who has been in the services or similar, is natural.It does not however detract from the enjoyment and delight that I personally have derived during my 30+ years in the Craft. Why do I remain a Freemason? To sum up:"I sought my soul,But my soul I could not see.I sought my God,But my God eluded me.I sought my Brother,And in doing so, I found all three." Roy L."SELUME PROFERRE" Post #9117 Tom CherupTom Cherup Posted 23/06/2009 15:48 Past Master Group: Moderators Last Login: Today @ 16:10 Posts: 981, Visits: 2,772 Mike Martin (23/06/2009)wolfy (22/06/2009)can we at least try to get something positive on here for viewers to see as opposed to complaints about the Craft? Well I have just read yet another letter of thanks from the Widow of a Freemason that we have assisted.This poor lady needed a stairlift in her house but her Local Social Services have already expended their 2009/10 budget for mobility equipment. The Grand Charity has installed the lift last week and she has now been able to access the upstairs of her house for the first time in many months. What with all the bad new we get via the media it's no wonder many are in a bad mood. What is meed are uplifting stories like this one to lift the outlook for tomorrow. You working for The Grand Charity of the UGLE can do that with such stories can lift our out look and that's just what we need. Please keep them coming. Tom Cherup Olive Branch Lodge #542 Dearborn, Michigan Olive Branch's web site Detroit Masonic Temple Post #9121 Alan CampbellAlan Campbell Posted 23/06/2009 21:04 Past Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: 22/07/2010 19:44 Posts: 1,089, Visits: 1,323 I honestly don't think the posts have been that negative, we all have points which we like / dislike in life and it is the same in freemasonry. Most of the differences that i see are from a constitutional level, but what we have to remember is that we are from all quarters of the globe and we are all from different styles of freeemasonry, including co masonry and female masonry, so from that point of view we are obviously going to get differences of opinion.My positive addition to this thread has to be... Whilst driving past the lodge today i noticed the door open so i stopped to checked who was in. The SD and his brother were cleaning out all the guttering and painting the outside facias. The master and one other brother were inside sanding walls and preparing surfaces for more work to be done during the summer recess ( the recess is only for some brethren). This work is voluntary and the are doing it for the good of the lodge and the craft. Not thanks asked for. I was also asked to be a friends installing mster today, which i happily accepted. Don't know if i'll still be happy after trying to learn 7000 words of pat but i'm still very honoured to be asked. 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I am a realist and I think being in Freemasonry it is important to be "critical" yet open minded and tolerant of what you do. I have to agree that negative energy can effect the Work of a Lodge meeting and if you are unhappy with Freemasonry, then perhaps an inquiry is needed to resolve some issues within your Order.
An example of some wisdom (lesson):
...You can learn a lot from South Park (brilliant mind of Trey Parker). In Season 7 the character Stan joins the Goths in a eye opening episode called "Raisins".
Butters goes to this restaurant called "Raisins" (a pun on Hooters Restaurant) and meets all these young females that pamper and flirt with all the young boys. Butters thinks that one of the girls likes him. Butters starts to think in his head this girl likes him and Butters thinks the girl is in a relationship with him. Butters finds out the truth but never fully realizes the truth and that the girl is pretending to like him to try and get him to come to the restaurant to eat (spend money/tip). Butters is heart broken because he thought she liked him.
Butters withdrews from life like his fellow friend Stan who joined the Goths. Butters is seen crying in the rain by the Goths and Stan. After seeing Butters cry the Goths ask Butters to join...
Butters replies, "Yeah... And I'm sad! But at the same time I'm really happy that something can make me feel that sad... It's like... It makes me feel alive, y'know? It makes me feel human. The only way I could feel this sad now, is if I felt somethin' really good before, so I have to take the bad with the good. So I guess what I'm feelin' is, like a beautiful sadness... I guess that sounds stupid... Besides, I'd rather be a crying little pussy than a faggy goth kid."
Freemasonry teaches you to hold back your passions and to better control your emotions but it doesn't tell you to suppress your sadness, angry, happiness, and other emotions.
Freemasonry can make you feel good, happy...also Freemasonry can make you mad, sad, and overly joyful.
Fruits of Labor my Brothers
.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.
Amethyst Lodge No. 2, Orient of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Isis Lodge No. 3, Orient of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma...A.F.H.R.
Last Saturday we had our Install, and very successful it was too, a lovely evening followed by a catered meal.We also had the pleasure of a fraternal from Lodge Wyong/Tuggerah Lakes ( down on central Coast)this is its 55th year, they come up to Tamworth twice a year and we head down twice a year, this is the longest running fraternal visitation in NSW, we go down in September for their installation.We put on a breakfast at every visit at the lodge rooms on sunday mornings, and I can tell you there were a few sore heads, and they do the same for us when we visit. As an aside one of their members will be returning to his wife with a broken hand, an accident of course
All in all a very successful time was had by all and while not the only reason I enjoy freemasonry, this certianly is a highlight.
This coming Saturday, The 1st Grand Prinicapal and Grand Master and Grand Chapter team will be in Tamworth for the Royal Arch dedication of the new lodge room as a RA meeting room.This cermony is opened to the public and we have extended invitations to the public and members of the craft lodges in our area.
I have never been to a dedication and am looking forward to it as are the members of the 2 RA Chapters in Tamworth .A lot of work has gone into this and we expect to have a wonderful time.
The dedication will be followed by Peel RA Chapter installation meeting( I am a member of Tamworth RA Chapter) in which the grand team will play a major part, and this will be followed by a catered meal in the south. The lodge room will be overflowing and it will be a tight squeeze in the south and everyone is looking forward to the occasion.
Then on the Sunday morning , Grand Chapter will open an occassional convocation, wherein a demostration of the New RA Install ritual will be carried out, followed by Grand Officer training, which the country companions usually dont get, unless they travel to Sydney.
To top off this wonderful weekend my 17yo daughter is taking me to the pictures on Sunday afternoon to watch angel and demons.
Is it any wonder why I enjoy Freemasonry.
Well I have just read yet another letter of thanks from the Widow of a Freemason that we have assisted.
This poor lady needed a stairlift in her house but her Local Social Services have already expended their 2009/10 budget for mobility equipment. The Grand Charity has installed the lift last week and she has now been able to access the upstairs of her house for the first time in many months.
MikeThe Freemasons' Grand Charity My Mother Lodge website Join or just visit my Masonic Web RingSee my BALLS here
To be honest, I think that what we see on forums in general says more about us and our faith in ourselves and the fact that our concerns will be heard by our respective organisations, then about the organisations themselves.
What could happen if we took those matters we put out here to those who have the power to do something with them ..?
I am, remain and progress in freemasonry because in my Order I have found exactly that which fulfills a lifelong need; unveils wisdom that has always been within; presents something which challenges me in every possible way, and which offers the brotherly love of some of the most wonderful people I have ever had the pleasure and honour of working with.
'nuff said
S&F,
It does not however detract from the enjoyment and delight that I personally have derived during my 30+ years in the Craft. Why do I remain a Freemason? To sum up:
"I sought my soul,
But my soul I could not see.
I sought my God,
But my God eluded me.
I sought my Brother,
And in doing so, I found all three."
"SELUME PROFERRE"
What with all the bad new we get via the media it's no wonder many are in a bad mood.
What is meed are uplifting stories like this one to lift the outlook for tomorrow. You working for The Grand Charity of the UGLE can do that with such stories can lift our out look and that's just what we need.
Please keep them coming.
My positive addition to this thread has to be... Whilst driving past the lodge today i noticed the door open so i stopped to checked who was in. The SD and his brother were cleaning out all the guttering and painting the outside facias. The master and one other brother were inside sanding walls and preparing surfaces for more work to be done during the summer recess ( the recess is only for some brethren). This work is voluntary and the are doing it for the good of the lodge and the craft. Not thanks asked for. I was also asked to be a friends installing mster today, which i happily accepted. Don't know if i'll still be happy after trying to learn 7000 words of pat but i'm still very honoured to be asked.
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