Meeting Calendar 2006

        Feb                  Mar              Apr                   May              Jun                    Jul                Aug              

   2 - OES #8     2 - OES #8   6 - OES #8    4 - OES #8     1 - OES #8   6 - OES #8    3 - OES #8 

11 - WM #3     11 - WM #3     8 - WM #3    13 - WM #3    10 - WM #3   8 - WM #3     12 - WM #3

Something to Think About

  The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.  We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too  recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get  too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read  too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.  We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate  too often.  We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.  We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon
and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.  We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.  We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.  We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.  These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more
divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can
bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.  Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.  Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your
side.  Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.  Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.  Remember to
hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.  Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. 

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:  Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Equivocation

"Without the least equivocation, mental reservation, or self evasion."

This phrase is used by many fraternities when it comes to promises made by its votaries. Since in modern-day language we don't see or use the word equivocation all that much its good to take a look at the word to learn what it means when it is used. 

The word has to do with the law of ethics, and it relates to promises made. When a man makes a promise with evasion that means eluding or avoiding the terms of the promise; and this is done, or it is attempted to be done, by equivocation, which is accomplished by giving to the words a secret significance that is different from that which they were intended to convey by the person making the promise so as to mislead, or by a mental reservation. This is saying one thing but meaning another, which is a concealment of certain conditions that the promiser does not share with the promisee. Making a promise a person has no intention to keep violates the law of veracity. When someone promises us something we trust him, but if later we have a feeling he made the promise, all the while not intending to keep it, then we may be doubt his veracity.

Masonry requires that a promise made be taken seriously by the giver of the promise as well as the one to whom the promise is given. Masonry expects its votaries to be true to the rule of ethics; a promise is binding in the sense that the promiser supposed the promisee to receive it.

Why I Love the Masonic Fraternity
(for my Masonic coach) By Bro. Tom Lyle

So many years ago some Masons shared
the light they came to know with one who cared.

Those concepts filled my heart and helped me see.
They were my tools to start my "Me" to "We".

My ring (each hour) I earn, but not alone,
my brothers help me learn and "We" have grown.

Here's what I want to say, of this I'm sure --
brotherly love's our way (and God's our cure).

From the book 'Verses I like' by Major Edward Bowes - 1937 edition.
 

A Prayer Found in Chester Cathedral

Give me a good digestion, Lord,
And also something to digest;
Give me a healthy body, Lord,
With sense to keep it at its best.

Give me a healthy mind, good Lord,
To keep the good and pure in sight;
Which, seeing sin, is not appalled,
But finds a way to set it right.

Give me a mind that is not bored,
That does not whimper, whine or sigh;
Don't let me worry overmuch,
About the fussy thing called "I."

Give me a sense of humor, Lord;
Give me the grace to see a joke;
To get' some happiness from life,
And pass it on to other folk.

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