My Masonic Journey

Long time since posting. Masonic "cult"???

2006-03-08T23:13:00.000-08:00

An individual recently posted a comment under my "Raised to MM" post. He believes that I am a fool for joining a "cult" as he says. He mentions Christ. I forgot to tell him that one of the first and friendly brothers I met was a minister at the local church. I asked him why he was a mason. He said "it is a great fraternity where you can talk with your fellow mankind without all of the dogma and stigma that labels everyone nowadays. You get to listen to a person and their ideas with out worrying about religion, politics or racial precession." He went on to say that after all these years he had yet to find anything that conflicted with the bible,his service to God or his congregation. I am sure that the gentleman that posted about the "cult" would be quite surprised to find out which upstanding pillar members of his church are also masons. This supposed "cult" that I have joined has improved my transactions with mankind on a daily basis. It has greatly improved my family relationship. It has improved my work ethic. The list is too large to list all. But I truly cannot think of a section of my life that has not been positively affected by masonry. I have read and know the bible very well. There is no conflict with any thing in there and masonry. There is however conflicts in the bible amongst its own words. But you will not find me posting on the Baptist boards about these. I will not try to take someone away from anything that is a positive thing in their life. If a person has improved himself and offers more to his fellow man by joining any group it is a great personal growth no matter what the group. "THERE ARE AS MANY DIFFERENT WAYS TO APPROACH GOD AS THAT GOD CAN ALSO APPROACH YOU"

Catechism or Blue Lightning

2006-02-10T13:21:00.000-08:00

Here is the question. What are your feelings about it? I do not know much about Blue Lightning because I went through the degree work in lodge. I have had many discussions with a friend of mine that is a D.D.G.M. and he is bound by the Grand Lodge of Illinois to support blue lightning. I though am allowed to speak freely on the topic. I think that Blue Lightning is a easy out for many lodges due to the time and effort the degree work takes. I also believe that the candidate is a lot less likely to truly receive the importance of the lessons within the degrees. Whether its a Entered Apprentice, a Fellow Craft or Master Mason. I believe that this option should be fully left in the hands of the candidates. They should be told the advantages and disadvantages of both. They claim that speed is one of the benefits of Lighting. But I got through all three degrees in lodge in three months. Your comments or opinions please.

Cheap Air line tickets

2006-02-07T06:36:00.000-08:00

Does anyone know of a method or any discounts to get airfare cheap. I have done the priceline thing witch isn't bad. But I didnt know if anyone knows something I don't. Any promotions or websights with discounts? I will be purchasing tickets soon for our trip to Costa Rica in December. If you know of Any means or methods secrets or offers let me know. Thanks

Attending Lodge

2006-02-07T06:08:00.000-08:00

Hello out there. I have a lodge meeting coming up on this Thursday. I traded with a fellow co-worker to get 2nd shift off on Thursday so I could attend. Our meetings are on the second Thursday of the month. This will be my first time attending a stated meeting. There will be dinner at 6:30 and Lodge at 7:30. I am always excited to walk through those doors. On a different note, my wife and I watched a movie called The Ghost Of Spoon River. We wanted to watch it because we both grew up and have lived most of our lives right where this movie was shot and is based on. The movie was based on the writings of Edgar Lee Masters and his book Spoon River Anthology. The movie was low budget but still very interesting. We were a little ways into the movie and then we both said HEY! That's Larry! And sure enough it was. Larry Eskridge, The worshipful Master of my lodge Lewistown #104. He had server different lines in the movie. It was very interesting to see someone you personally know on the DVD.
Larry is a Journalist for the Canton Daily Ledger and also a Professor at Spoon River College in Film and Drama. I might have a little fun with this on Thursday night at lodge. Well, enough for now. . Have a fraternal day!

Freemasonry the fellowship of men

2006-01-30T21:48:00.000-08:00

Blessed new week my fellow brothers. As I spoke before, I went to Havana, IL #88 for three E.A. degrees on Saturday....Well...Only one candidate showed up. So as they say the show must go on. I sat in a chair. The chair that has the easiest and least amount of duties. I was the Mashall. This was the first time I have been in a lodge as a master mason (besides my raising of course) My first time traveling as well. This fraternity is truly the greatest in the world. I had a great time watching the candidate go through and I made acquaintances with about 15 new friends/brothers. We had some of the best catfish filets that I have ever had. And along with the food a lot of great story telling. I love it. I always have loved listening to other peoples adventures highs and lows dreadful or gleeful real life events. It was brotherly fellowship at its best. An older mason told me once "I have met 1000 men I would have never met had it not been for masonry" This is so true. Now that I went to this lodge on Sat I met those men listened to their stories shared some of my own. What a great way to enrich your life. Oh yeah that's so-and-so the from Havana lodge that used to be a police officer and remember that story he told about.....

On a different note. I bought an apron to take with me to lodge. I bought it off of eBay and it was a good price and very high quality. I am impressed. This guy who sells them is a brother and he sews them himself. All of the symbols are embroidered not a print. I gave $65 for the apron.

Well until next time...
Fraternally yours
Jason

A Link to my Lodge of Distinction

2006-01-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

Lewistown Masonic Lodge 104 of Illinois, U.S.A.

Another thought for today. I beleive that part of a traveling masters wages are the lessons learned from seeing things from a different view. From the meating of new brothers. The wealth of knowledge that newly found brothers can give. Just listening to life stories gives great insight.
Fraternally yours
Jason

Masonic Traveler Masters Wages.

2006-01-26T10:41:00.000-08:00

As I stated before, I will be traveling to Havana Lodge for three E.A. degrees on Saturday. I am planning on making a conscience effort through out life to be a traveler. It is one of the rights of a Master Mason. "To receive Masters wages and travel freely" I think a lot of people never do this. I will go "cold" to a unfamiliar lodge. I want to go throught the inspection. My teacher (he is also a District Deputy Grand Master) says when I do to ask them questions back after they have asked all of theirs. He says this is your right and duty to make sure you are not entering a clandestine lodge. He said its fun to see the looks on their faces when you start asking them questions.

On the subject of reading material. I bought a book called "THE FREEMASONS" By Jasper Ridley Arcade publishing, New York, 2001.
It is a good book so far. It is a book written from facts pulled from historical texts and publishing. A very good read about the old world Freemasonry. Ridley is not a mason but was allowed to spend 60+days in the Grand Lodge on England library and archives.

Profile updated

2006-01-23T23:22:00.000-08:00

Hello brothers and fellows, I have updated my profile page so take a look. I am improving myself on a daily basis by being "on the level" with myself and fellow man. I have recently quit smoking. I quit on Jan 13th after 14 years of 1 pack per day. I threw them into our wood burner and never looked back. I credit masonry for this. I had tried to quit many times before but I allowed my will to be weak and gave myself excuses to start back up. This time was different because I had to be a man, I had to be truthfully with myself, I had to release myself from the vices of life, I used the square to square my actions and truth to be true to myself by keeping my will strong and standing behind my decisison.

I am going to attend an E.A. ceremony this weekend. The Havana, IL lodge is bringing in three canidates starting at 8:30am with a fish fry afterwards. I am looking forward to sitting in the lodge as a M.M. and watching. Seeing what I looked like when I went through. It is great to support local lodges. I have been told and believe its true that the greater number of people in lodge on any degree leaves a greater impression on the candidate. Especially on the E.A. degee.

Well, enough for one day!
fraternally yours
Jason

Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason

2006-01-21T13:18:00.000-08:00

I just got back from the lodge. I was Raised today. What a great experience! I am so glad I did not go through the blue lightning. I would have missed out on all of this. Only three things in my life to date have had more importance than today. First, meeting and marying my wife. Sencond, the gift of my children. Third, my son beating cancer. I received my burial apron, a hat, a knife, the "Monitor", two lapel pins and the Lords prayer art psoter. I am excited to travel to other lodges. I Love the Fraternity, the brotherhood anf all it has to offer. As I was transformed today, I was improved as a man, a father, a husband and a brother.
Fraternaly yours
Jason A Hinds M.M.
Lewistown #104
Lewistown, IL

A few hours before my Master Mason Degree

2006-01-20T22:58:00.000-08:00

A few hours until I am raised to M.M. I am not nervious like I was with the F.C. Before the F.C. degree, I had obviously not recited anything in front of the lodge. But since going through my E.A. catechism, I am not nervious about reciting the F.C. catechism. In fact, I have told my instructor that I want to go on to get my M.M. proficiency. I am excited about tomarrow. We are having breakfast at 8:00 and then it all will start. I have chosen not to go into any apendant bodies at this time. I want to go through all of the chairs and become a C.L.I. or G.L.I before moving on to the york or scottish rites. I may however join the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm. As this body will not consume my time like the Scottish or York Rites will. Good nite my brethren. Next time I write I will write you as a Third Degree!

What Masonry has done for me.

2006-01-16T02:20:00.000-08:00

Freemasonry has changed my life. It has given the tools to make me a better man. To interact with mankind by always squaring my actions. The most often used tool that I have been given is the square. It has made me stop and think about the situation and what can I do to interject Faith, Hope, Charity...Brotherly love Relief and Truth into every action. I am beging to see the secrets of Masonry. I have been looking deep into my life and what Masonry offers me. Masonry os a perfect fit at this point in my life. I strongly believe in God, but I also believe that God has given us hundreds of roads by which to reach him. As the bible states our God is an all loving God a compassionate caring and forgiving god . I was brought through school in a Baptist private school. So I am very well red on the bible. I just cannot bring myself to believe that God is vengeful, retaliatory and secretive. I think of my Baptist upbringing and all of its teachings. Here goes, Catholics are going to Hell, Muslims Hell, Buddhists Hell, every religion on earth different than the Baptist/Episcopalian teachings are wrong(by their teachings). Here is what I find wrong. Let me paint a picture for you please consider and let this sink in.

A boy is born in the eastern hemisphere to Buddhist parents. The boy is brought up in the religion that his parents practice. This boy makes a choice at age 11 to join the monastery and devote his life to religion, prayer and meditation. Years pass the boy is a man. He is true and honest to his faith and his god. His life is a devotion to this god serving in the monastery. The man now grows weak. Death the great equalizer of all men encompasses him and takes him away.

A boy similar to above is in the western hemisphere. His parents are Baptist. He is raised in their faith. He becomes more and more interested. He goes to college and becomes a pastor. He is a great pastor. He inspires his congregation, he loves his god and the work he toils in for His name. This man like the previous grows old. And Death leaves him to dust.

Here is where I have a problem. Remember I mentioned above that about God being a loving all caring compassionate forgiving God? That is if your not Baptist. Explanation...Under the Baptist interpretation the monk will go to Hell the pastor will go to heaven. Now lets see...We have two men who devoted their whole lives to the service of their god. But Baptist will tell you that the monk goes to Hell. I Just cannont see God being that vengeful hateful non-loving to take a man who has devoted his life to prayer good works and god and say to him "I'M SORRY BUT YOU SHOULD HAVE CHOSEN CHRISTIANITY SPECIFICALLY BAPTIST, SO THEREFORE SINCE YOU MADE A BAD DECISION I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CAST YOU INTO THE BOWLS OF HELL TO LET YOU CONTEMPLATE YOUR EVIL AND NON-CONFORMING LIFE"

Tell me what's wrong here people.
This is why I love Masonry. I can get together with any denomination any faith and have a intelligent informed conversation with another man. No brimstone just humanity at its best.

Master Mason Degree 5 days away.

2006-01-16T02:06:00.000-08:00

My Master Mason Degree is 5 days away. I am completly prepared and ready. I have studied and peerfected everthing from the Catechism to the steps and proper walking techniques. I am so excited and can't wait. It will be on this Sat January 21st at 8:00am Breakfast at 7:00am in Lewistown Illinois lodge #104. If any reading are interested please come and join in. Our regular stated meatings are the second Thurs of every month at 7:30 dinner at 6:30. I think I will now create a sepatate blog for the thoughts that I have up to this point.

I am now a Fellowcraft

2005-12-06T23:00:00.000-08:00

Last night I went through my catechism in lodge and the was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft. The catechism was not perfect but I think the members of the Lodge were very impressed. I was just glad to have done it and not have lost my place in the recitation. I then received my 2nd degree in masonry. It was a great experience. If anyone is out there reading these post and say so in the comments...I think I am going to stop writing this I feel pretty stupid writing to a brick wall so-to speak. Im no good at typing so this is not as quick and easy as it is for others. I bought a masons ring. Actualy paid off my layaway. And finally picked it up today. And guess what the jewler is a brother. I am done this is a wast of time

Less than 5 hours to go

2005-12-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

This is the day of and less than five hours to go until the catechism and second degree. I am nore nervous now than I thought I would be. I have my memorization down perfect almost without a single word letter or syllable missed. But still I know it will be a different ball game going into the Lodge and doing it all. All that said, I am still gald I chose the old way instead of blue lighting. I will always remember these events, words and rituals.

My goals are to hone to near perfection every undertaking I come upon in Freemasonry and in life . I would like to go to officers school after becoming a M.M. I want to carry out each and every position that I am in with perfection. The way it is supposed to be done not sloppy not cutting corners but hopefully leading by example with the exactness that it was intended to be carried out. I would like to hold all of the officers positions in the lodge before moving on to the York or Scottish Rites. Thus, allowing me ot focus on my duties as an officer of the lodge. Being accessible to my fellow brethren when they need me. Showing the old and new that rituals must be followed to the letter.

Now I am asking a question to all brothers out there. If I were to only going to enter one of the Rites (York or Scottish) which would you recommend? I have been told the basics about both from a couple of brothers and the all differ in their opinion. Your input would be appreciated.
Fraternally yours
Jason

Night before Fellow Craft degree

2005-12-04T16:48:00.000-08:00

This the night before the Fellow Craft degree and I and a little nervous. I hope everything goes well tomorrow. I have studied and studied. I know my catechism well but that when its just me and the teacher. Tomorrow will be slightly different. I am going to study tonight by myself to try to reassure myself. Fraternally Yours, Jason

Virgin blog

2005-12-02T20:58:00.000-08:00

My first blog ever. My name is Jason. I am a chronic typo-ist so bear with me or don't read at all your choice. On the seventh of November, two thousand and five I was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason. I was very interested in Freemasonry for a long time beforehand. It brought a lot of intrigue to me. The secrecy, the wonder, what was it all about? It was a goal of mine for quite some time to become a Mason. I finally met a Mason and asked to join. I have chosen to go the long road or the old way as some may say. No lightning for me just teacher and student sharing stories, learning, reading, asking questions, getting answers, truly learning with my heart. I am so very glad that I chose the old way of progression though Freemasonry. My teacher is an elder with a vast knowledge on just about anything. My teacher is a fellow brother that I probably would not have known the way I do now if I would have chosen the short and easy road. What a shame and waste that would have been not knowing this man, friend, brother not knowing his personal journey his rough spots in life his high points and low. One more bond in the Fraternity. A life long friend missed had I went the easy road. I also wanted to learn it so that I would never forget. It is now the second of December. I have been working hard with my teacher. On Monday, I will return to the Lodge with my teacher. I hope to make him proud and not to make a fool of myself. I am also excited with the expectation of receiving the 2nd Degree afterwards. Today I met with my teacher for the last time before our Monday night journey to the Lodge. He is confident in me and I hope he is right. I will write again after I have progressed. I hope a fellow brother out there is interested in reading blogs or else this is a big waste of time...LOL The blog... NOT FREEMASONRY.