W. Bro. Dafoe steps up to the plate yet again to clearly subtly articulate one of the many challenges facing the fraternity. The lesson is veiled in allegory and illustrated with burgers, but I think you'll get the point.

Things are more like they are now than they have ever been. – Gerald R. Ford

The denunciation of the young is a necessary part of the hygiene of older people, and greatly assists in the circulation of their blood. – Logan Pearsall Smith

Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense. – Carl Sagan

I read these together on google’s start page and I thought what set of words could more aptly describe the current state of masonry?

More Quotes!

This was my horoscope today.

Your fate may be in the hands of others now, for events seem to take their own course of action no matter what you do. But don't give up; you can impact your future by developing a healthy sense of detachment. Making too much out of nothing can set you up for unneeded disappointment. Don't worry if you aren't seeing the results you desire yet. Give yourself time.

I read this during my morning pot of coffee and thought "wow, it's uncanny how close this is to what's happening in my life right now." Then I caught myself; what is so unique about this to my particular situation? Couldn't someone else with a completely different birthday read this and find the same relevance in their lives?

Well I’m starting the podcast. I mean, I’ve actually started recording the podcast. I decided that I have left the idea sitting on the shelf long enough. So production has started, but it will still be a few weeks left while I sort out the remaining technology quirks and get some content written up.

I hope you can make it to our picnic.

I’ve agreed to chair the District computer resources comittee for the District Deputy this year. The theme is Searching for that which was lost.

That statement will mean a lot to many brethren, and there will be very different interpretations for it. I think that’s okay. I beleive there are many things we’ve lost as a fraternity, but I’m still relatively new. If there’s a brother out there with a bit of experience and he believes something is missing, then I think he has a valid point, even if that point contradicts mine.

He should, however, be willing to help fix that deficiency in a manner commenstruate to that of his complaining.

A couple weeks ago I purchased last year’s back issues of Masonic Magazine.

They just came in this morning. I’m sitting here just like a kid with a new toy, but I don’t have time to read them just yet. I’ll be interested in seeing the progression from the first issue to the fourth, and how the magazine has matured.

The publisher, Stephen Dafoe, is a Masonic scholar I admire very much, and he’s the reason I really started seeking out my own path in Masonry. Almost three years after first being introduced to his work at thelodgeroom.com, I find I differ with his opinion on a few issues. But without his guidance and the work that he did in educating new masons online, I wouldn’t have even had the chance to form these opinions until much later in my masonic career.

Two sources have spawned this train of thought; XOriente and the Masonic Information Center’s research paper entitled It’s About Time.

When our memories exceed our dreams, the end is near.

Many of the brethren you speak to can sense it; you might have sensed it yourself. It’s a stirring in the wind. It’s a sense of change surrounding us that is making Masons of all ages, interests and ranks both nervous and excited.

Change is coming, and we can either drive the change, or we can let change drive the fraternity. The choice is ultimately each of ours to make.

I’ve spent a lot of time lately thinking about the differences in men regarding their practice of Freemasony. When I first entered the Craft, I spent a lot of time researching what Freemasonry offered, and what I could offer the fraternity in return. My initial researches uncovered several distinct categories of Masons.

• You have the social Masons, interested primarily in that sense of comraderie found within the lodge (or after the lodge, as so often is the case).
• There are the ritualistic Masons, for whom letter perfect adherence to the ritual is the focus of their attention.
• There are the historic enthusiasts, who focus so much on our origins and our past accomplishments that they weaken their necks looking backwards into our past.

This is a great tool for those that would like to keep their mental math skills sharp.

MathCasts Web Site

A brother from The Three Pillars has decided he’s going to start a Wiki, and I’m giving him a hand.

We’re on wikipages right now, but who knows where it will end up.