05/10 MASONIC IMPROVENT LIVE

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[00:00:02]I am your host and this is the inner circle live. First of all, I want to apologize for us not making it last week. I can't remember what the circumstance was, but I just couldn't do it. I I I was feeling pretty worn out, worn and torn after mowing, I think, is what it was because I had been working all weekend on all the properties and and so it was it was a it was a rough ending to my weekend. Sunday night. That's for sure.

[00:00:31]Um, as Daniel had stated right before we started, uh, I would like are appreciative of all that you have done and and continue to do for us. We definitely could not do what we do if it was not for you guys, uh, or you gals supporting us and and supporting our our homes as well as you do. There's there's there's there's so much that can be said about that and uh I think it's very fitting that we honor that tonight.

[00:01:07]I figured we'd have a you know put out the message late but but also just because it's Mother's Day and there's probably people still traveling home or still hanging out with mom today.

[00:01:18]But I'd like to start off this session just like we did the last live and with a with a Masonic quote and brother Daniel Dutton has has a thought that he's he's been thinking and uh let's start with that and and then go round robin and and see what we can come up with with uh with that thought.

[00:01:44]>> Yeah. Death is the most universal initiatic experience any of us will will experience. And it's also a right of passage we all must pass through.

[00:01:54]And uh with that I I I experienced some loss recently in my family that was that was a thought that that was shared and I thought oh that's that's really interesting. Also the fact that we're we're taught not to fear that that we're not taught to fear death that it's it's just a a passage. It's not not the end.

[00:02:13]So, I'll I'll leave it with that right now for the moment and let others speak.

[00:02:21]>> I like it. I'll let someone else jump in unless they they don't have anything. I have something right off the top of my head. If y'all don't, welcome Brad Hoff. And also, uh, welcome Delta Fireable. Glad to see you.

[00:02:40]Oh, Brother Finn, glad to glad to see you. It's been a long time since I've seen you in person. I'm glad to see you here.

[00:02:48]Since nobody else has anything right off the top of their head, um, you know, that's absolutely correct that that prepare you for initiation.

[00:03:01]And initiation is supposed to be a transformable or transformational um experience. It it's supposed to transform you from one state to another.

[00:03:15]So yeah, absolutely.

[00:03:18]the uh the kingpin of all of all transformations is is when we cease to breathe on this earth and and our spirit leaves the body. Right? That's u that's a nice thought to to think about.

[00:03:37]I have my own thoughts on on that regarding, you know, the the third degree of masonry. I think that that's really what it represents is is that um that instance and not not what many people believe it to to to be. But I I truly believe that it's that moment where we we ultimately go to the initiic experience of the in between life on earth and and being submerged one with God. And we're at that point of where we still have understanding and we and and we're we're extremely deep into the spiritual and they collide at that point of of uh passing to uh to become one with with uh with God. Any other thoughts on that?

[00:04:41]>> Yeah, I've got I got a couple um thoughts.

[00:04:46]Um so yeah I mean you know when you say you know death um you know is is a universal um initiation obvious like well yeah everybody is going to die so like why would I need to if it's going to happen eventually why would I need to even think about it right I mean that's how most people would most people would view that right?

[00:05:15]It's if it's not anything that I can do anything about, then what do I need to why would I even need to consider it?

[00:05:22]And the problem the issue is um because um because you do know that your life is going to end. You know, you live respected and die regretted. You don't want to come to the end of your life and have made poor choices glad that you're gone.

[00:05:44]Right? I mean that would be like that would be kind of the ultimate you know thing is it's just you you have it. Um but also you know it it does say that if it's an initiic experience it means that there's something else beyond completely for certain what comes next down through down through the years. If you live a life that and you don't take it, you just, you know, you you don't take any responsibility for your actions because you fear, well, I'm going to die anyway. Well, something is going to happen. There's something bad that's going to come from a life lived like that. Um, so, um, I don't whatever that next degree is, whatever thatever that happens to be.

[00:06:32]Um, but also to me, you know, we we say, you know, momentum, remember that you will die. Well, there's actually a longer quote that goes along with it, and I don't remember the Latin completely Latin phrase, but it's basically remember that you will die, so remember to live. So in other words, you're not expected to live a I mean, if you want to, but I I you know, living a life of complete and total piety where all you do is you sit on the mountaintop and you you you you you commune with God and you you know, you don't have any vices at all and you I don't believe that that was really ever intended for Gosh.

[00:07:22]You know what I mean? Like >> Yeah. Because you're really hiding yourself from vices in that ex in that situation. You're not giving yourself the opportunity to to do good. Yeah.

[00:07:33]>> Yeah. Go ahead. I'm sorry.

[00:07:35]>> Right. And so I I you know I you know I and do away with the service and for us to go to heaven and you know we just have to suffer through this life and I it just it never resonated with me because it was like I don't there's things I want to do like I I I enjoy living here on the ranch. I enjoy my Freemasonry. I enjoy my family. I enjoyed I like there's there's a lot that this world has to offer if you solely think about your eventual time to come. It's like you're not um anyway that's kind of that's my initial thoughts. I might have something uh more pity later.

[00:08:23]>> I like it. And I was reading while you were while you were talking I was reading in the comments and and u ransom said death is the ultimate le leveler it's the true equalizer and he also said um of death when you've got your foot still in the earth and you're in one foot one foot foot in the on the earth and one foot in in in uh the spirit wits about you to where you start reflecting on all things and then it all starts coming coming uh making sense and and coming together.

[00:08:59]For those people out there who don't know what a chamber of reflection is, it's basically just a room that has symbols and and and you know, pictures, symbols, uh mood lighting, things like that. Just different things that cause you to reflect on the seriousness of the event that you're you're taking upon. Uh in Texas we don't we don't have a chamber of reflection in in the blue lodge but in some jurisdictions they do. uh we we do have an Annie room to where you know with the the chamber of reflection is is an ultimate example of of what we're discussing right now or or what I what I had meant um if if we sit if we sit on that top of the mountain and we don't we don't experience the struggle of this lifetime how have we really improved how have we we really to God and and and that's holy in itself. But on the other hand, I I think that it's more commendable to to face the struggle and and choose the good.

[00:10:16]I think that's that's what I >> and that's >> believe in >> and I believe that's where our true growth comes from. It's not necessarily or solely, that's the better word. It's not solely from study. It's not solely from reading the good, excuse me, reading the good book. It comes in how we take the lessons that we learn there in preparation for our own deaths and apply those lessons, how how we can grow, how we should grow. Um, I know that's that's one of the things that I keep in in my mind at all times that uh I'm I am not just my body that has a square and compass on it. And it's a reminder to me to act and meet and part as a Mason does, not just with other Masons, but to do so with all of the people around me. you know, no matter whether I'm in a convenience store or at a drive-thru or, you know, walking down the street, doesn't matter.

[00:11:35]My excuse me, you know, the growth that I have experienced is directly applicable to all of those situations and learning how to apply these things in my daily life.

[00:11:54]Yes. And that's, you know, all you Masons out there, I mean, it's it's not a smooth it's not a smooth journey through the process. There's there's u there's obstacles and and there's there's challenges along the way that you really would not have that growth opportunity if those challenges weren't there. And It doesn't end with that initiatic experience in life and and and uh be that example. And it's hard. It's not easy. It's not easy being that example.

[00:12:33]I get it wrong regularly. And and now I'm I'm a little less egotistical and I'm willing to admit it, whereas 20 years ago I might not have admitted it. And there's there's people that that I need for my own development. And and those are many of the men on on on our in our inner circle are are well all of the men in our inner circle, but there are many of they're some of many men in my life that that help and challenge me.

[00:13:10]They help me along and challenge me as well to be to be that much better.

[00:13:16]Anybody else got anything?

[00:13:29]>> Yeah, we've got lots of guys.

[00:13:30]>> Um I I don't have the quote in front of me, so I don't have the beautiful way I said it the first time, but uh you know, that's that's the thought here. And uh personally, I again I I had I had some loss the past two weeks in my family.

[00:13:45]Um, and it it it really made me think about this in a different way is like part of that too is is knowing that there is life afterwards, right? There is an immortality of a soul, but also like what does that legacy look like that these two other people left behind?

[00:14:03]What does that look like in the lessons that were taught in the in the words that were shared when they were here?

[00:14:09]And how do we move forward? And I like one of the things that someone shared in the in the YouTube chat and it's uh that death is an urgency of time and the hourglass right you know time the sands of time are are ticking down and uh what are we willing to share? What are we willing to do? Um where do we start?

[00:14:27]where do we get it forward for this past week? And uh as I went to the funeral home, there's actually a brother Mason who was the funeral director and I saw his little pin. And you know, just just in doing that, that was a very special, tender moment to me to be like, "Hey, here's somebody I know I should be dealing with." And and as we deal with each other, we're going to treat each other in a way that I expect a Mason to act, right? And and he did. He did, right? Like I'm not going to pull any punches. He did. It was great. It was a great experience, right? But but it also gave us a tighter bond. I had no idea he was a Mason. I had no idea this funeral home had a Mason who employed to him. I I did not know any of that. Um it was just was like honestly we were looking at a price point. We were looking at other things and we said, "Hey, this this works. It's the closest funeral home to the to the to the grave that we're going to be using all of these things." But in that moment as well, it it became something of a sense of brotherhood, a sense of connection because we've gone through those same initiatic experiences. And then in helping do that for my dad, it was it was even nicer. So >> yeah, man, that's awesome. I know of a I know of of a brother down here in in the southern Texas area that is also uh a funeral home director and and he uh I know that he he leads with his heart. That's for sure in all things and and takes care of you know whether they're Masons or not. He he takes care of people and and you know that's that's awesome. That's talk about talk about a a gift to society.

[00:16:12]>> Yeah, I have something going on. I have something going on next month. I'm heading down to Louisiana and uh they do an event there every year called when the day when the war stopped. It was a Civil War skirmish happened in Louisiana. One of the Union soldiers died. He was a Mason. Wanted a Masonic funeral. Of course, they can't ship the body back up north. So they couple of Union soldiers came out the white flag met some confederates and uh found out there were masons on both sides. They stopped the fighting and had a masonic funeral uh for this brother. Both sides did. It's an event that's commemorated in Louisiana. So couple of us from the lodge are going down there next month and it's an annual commemoration. But it shows how Masons treat death, you know, even in the midst of war.

[00:17:02]Yeah, for sure. Go ahead, Jason. What you got?

[00:17:11]>> Well, just kind of going back to uh being able to help other people because we we do have these uh because we do have these teachings as part of um masonry. Um, I can tell you a few years a long time Mason who uh who had passed away. Uh, but he he was one of these that he had he had been endowed for 20 25 years, had eventually moved away from Sigin. So, not there really wasn't anybody that knew him at the lodge, but you know, obviously he was still a member. Well, his um well, his daughter called me And um part of what so she she wanted to know like she kind of wanted to know a little bit about what masonry was and then but also to inform us that yes he had he had passed away and and all this kind of stuff. Um, but uh she started to have a a conversation with me because she was she was struggling because as he had gotten older, you know, uh the Alzheimer's has started to really kick in and and so right at the end they, you know, they didn't have a great relationship. you know, he would get angry about stuff. And so when he passed, they were, you know, they weren't really on the greatest of speaking terms, but also she said, well, he also didn't leave it in any instructions or what to do with his body and stuff like that. And at this point, I'm like, I am well outside of like my uh authority or anything like that. like I I can't tell you what to do do with this body.

[00:19:11]like that's and um so you know I I got to talking to her a little bit and I shared some of the things that shared some of the things that we believe and >> and you know ultimately what we you know and then you know being you know being raised Christian and you know and they were Christian and so you know I started to relate a lot of that stuff and uh after talking with me um you know about the funeral and and and and she actually made some decisions on what to do with his body and and everything. Um my my point being is that um had that conversation happened maybe two or three years before I had been a Mason, I that was not a conversation I would have even attempted to have with anybody. Um because It was just it was not something that I really thought about or you know talked with about. But for certain to talk with somebody who is still grieving and trying to decide what to do about funerals and stuff like that like so I was not like I was 100% prepared but I was far more prepared to have that conversation with somebody um than I would have been for. And it had a lot to do with the fact that, you know, through through our degrees and our teachings and the the York right and the Scottish right and everything that, you know, um that we go through that um I was much better u able to have a a relative decent conversation with somebody to where they actually felt better. Not I didn't I don't think I made things worse. That was a fortunate thing.

[00:21:09]>> That's a bonus.

[00:21:10]>> Uh so yeah, but but that also again because it's it is that you know we think of it as this initiic experience to where we can talk about it when those times come with other people that just like you know um brother Dutton was saying that that funeral director have those conversations. Um, you know, I I think it it can be a benefit not only to ourselves, but to our fellow brethren, but also to others outside of masonry that we're not we wouldn't even considered.

[00:21:52]>> Daniel's done. He He's had his hand raised. I'd like to hear what what Daniel's got.

[00:21:59]Just gonna do a quick plug for uh all the textic masons out there in Grand View under resources under the heading um it's like Masonic burials there's a there is a form you can fill out and put next to your will that gives all the information you need about a Masonic you um if that's something you wish and you desire just you know and and planning and proper planning is so important for these things too. you know, if we know we know we're all going to experience it, let's plan it out and uh make sure it's a it's a good opportunity so that way you don't leave somebody with uh with with things undone is what I would say. Sorry if that derails the your your comments, Dennis.

[00:22:42]>> No, not at all. Not at all. It's uh it's important for people to know the resources that we have out there. you know, just like the the fact that our widows and orphans uh that we leave behind sometimes could could you utilize the resources that that we have within our organization and and many Masons don't realize that that it's available to them or more more importantly their spouses and and and children don't know that those resources are available to them after after a brother passes away.

[00:23:16]And so, you know, that it is important.

[00:23:18]Those are conversations we should have more often. I think um in fact, I I think that we um talk about it with the lodges in our districts and and uh do a little bit of research and and make sure that we have our ducks in a row, but but stand up. when they say for the good of masonry, stand up and talk about it a little bit about the resources that are available to Texas Masons when when they pass away because a lot of brothers just don't realize what's available to as far as help for their families once they're gone and and so the the foundations go underutilized.

[00:24:05]Uh something Oh my goodness. And now I've I've got I have gotten off topic. I was thinking about it before I started talking, but I I I I let it slip away.

[00:24:19]Oh man.

[00:24:23]Anybody got else have anything in charge?

[00:24:25]>> What were you saying?

[00:24:27]>> Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Um Golly, there there there was something that that Jason had said that that really triggered me.

[00:24:41]Somebody else go ahead and I'll I'll I'll I'll remember it. I'm sure.

[00:24:52]>> Well, in that case, reiterate what you were saying, Jason, so it'll trigger my mind again.

[00:24:59]Well, I I I instead of doing that, what I'll do is u I'll expand on something that I actually talked about um yesterday was um >> now I remember >> uh so Oh, okay. No, please by all means.

[00:25:16]>> Can you remember >> because I might not.

[00:25:20]>> So, you know, going back to what you were saying and I'll let you expound upon it real I'll be real quick about this real brief.

[00:25:28]One of the things I appreciate now in Texas, you know, we we typically the the book that's on, you know, in our lodges is typically the Holy Bible, right? Know >> and I'll I'll go back a little bit, not to go too far into it, but I recently learned that the reason why is because at one point in Freemasonry, the the thought was that you you're you pay homage to the the the largest faith influence of the time when Freemasonry was started in the US was was Christianity, right? So, it only makes sense that all of these c all of these states have uh Christian roots when it comes to the blue lodge.

[00:26:12]However, what my thought was when I was when I was not a Mason, I would not have been prepared to speak with someone who was not a Christian upon death. Practice the ideals that everyone's faith is important and and everyone uh is founded in a belief in deity within our within our ranks. And so so we can appreciate and we can we can empathize with with other people and help people through uh situations based off the lessons that we've learned in in a universal form. Uh because we all realize that there's lessons in that book are pretty universal towards other uh faiths as well. And so that's the the the big lesson in all of it. And I would not have been able to have that kind of a conversation prior to being a Mason. I I wouldn't I I was stone cold Baptist Christian and and you know, you couldn't tell me any different thoughts that um about death, but it's a lot different now than it was before. And it's not in a heretic uh sense. It's it's more of an enriched sense and appreciation of all human beings.

[00:27:36]uh on this earth being being that we're all in this together. But that that was the interesting thing that I thought about while Jason was speaking was that you're absolutely right. I would self if uh if it wasn't for for masonry. I truly wouldn't. I know that for a fact. Go ahead, Jason. Expound upon your your thoughts.

[00:28:01]Oh, well I mean it was and it actually is is something that happened actually outside of outside of masonry and it was because you were talking about you know having those having those men in particular as they get as they get older. We've had we've had two um neighbors in this area that um uh one has passed away. The other one I'm gonna talk about in just a second.

[00:28:30]Um, but they were both they were both single, divorced, but had withdrawn basically from the world. Those guys, you know, the guys that go to a rural area, sit on their ranch, they don't want to talk to anybody.

[00:28:48]>> I went fishing for two years.

[00:28:50]>> Both veterans.

[00:28:54]>> Yeah. But and and I and I don't doubt that, you know, there probably was some PTSD in play in there and all and that kind of stuff, but they had basically were drawn from the world, which works for a while until all of a sudden you can't you can't get yourself to places.

[00:29:14]You can't take care of yourself. And all of a sudden, like you look around and there's there's nobody to turn to. And and And so the one that I mean it really is really a bad situation. He was evicted from his own home despite the fact that he was retired mill. And how do how does that guy who has money in the bank like enough money to live on he he's not poor get evicted from his own home. Well, part of it was he stopped making as he got older, some of that dementia started to set in and stuff like that. He started not being able to make good decisions property from him to where he ended up for a while in a homeless shelter. Like, how does that how does that happen when you can afford your home and you end up in a homeless shelter? Well, it's because you you withdrew from the world and you didn't have those conversations about what happens towards the end of your life and you didn't keep up with those relationships. You didn't plan for it and you can really get yourself into a a really bad situation. So, you know, was it was part of a different thing that I was that I was talking about, but it was an example of you can't I understand the tendency to want to withdraw from the world. I get it. Um, but you can't, you know, it's not the best solution because you you will eventually everybody needs help. We are intended to be community creatures world. They they you know people do literally start going crazy when when they have no social interaction. And um so again it you know we're talking about this preparing for end of life, preparing for your death and stuff like that. Well that's part of it. You know part of it is keeping up those relationships. Do not withdraw from the world and completely shut it out and say, "I don't need any of it."

[00:31:38]Well, you know what? You will eventually or else you're going to find yourself in a in a in a bad situation.

[00:31:47]>> Yeah, for sure. For sure. That's, you know, that's and allow the older brothers to to remain our mentors.

[00:32:02]and give them a a purpose of of being in lodge and so that they have that reason to show up when the doors are open and uh be a mentor to the younger brothers and and uh keep them active. You know, one of the most important things that I've or one of the most profound things that I've witnessed since becoming a Mason is that the brothers who memorize ritual and really, you know, you're you're what we now call a a certificate holder, the brothers that have ritual down like that. Um, even B, I would say, but the brothers who stay sharp on ritual tend to have a sharper mind in Yes, we know that's you, Brad.

[00:32:48]He's our our our resident a certificate holder that that requests their their assistance and they do a fine job. They they do uh all the ritual in in proper regalia, proper uh costumes and and with proper uh form and it it's it's really a sight to see. I've I've seen them in action several times and and uh I think that that there's a lot to be said for that. But those brothers that that keep their mind sharp remembering and memorizing all the stuff that we're supposed to memorize, those guys well into their 80s and 90s, I mean, they they are sharp. Their minds are sharp and they they stick around longer. They're they're their wit. So, let's keep them close. Let's keep them close. I was reading on on the in the chat, one of the things that was said is that uh Lee from Hill Country uh which Hello Lee, glad to see you here again.

[00:33:49]He said that he learned about the the form that that y'all were talking about earlier. I guess it was Daniel that was talking about it. Yeah, Daniel talk mentioned it from Graan View, but Lee learned about it at officer leadership training and gosh about eight years or well seven years when I when I first went to officer leadership training and that was the first time I had learned about that form that was always there for us to fill out so that our lodge had a copy, the secretary had a copy to put in with our file And we were told to give a copy to our wives so that they had a copy of what to do and who to call if something were to happen. And I think that that's absolutely important. But yeah, I didn't learn about it until officer leadership training. That's that's lodges because I did not learn that within my little country lodge. And I can feel for you.

[00:34:54]You know, Jackson Ransom is up in Canada, which thank you for for being on the show with us tonight. I sure am glad that you're a part. Um that he's mentioning some things and thought that they were uh as far as membership fading, he thought that it was due to him being in rural area.

[00:35:14]Well, here in Texas, there's a lot of rural. Most of us here are part of or came from a rural area in Texas and certainly understand what what you're what you're talking about. Our lodge saw some some deep decline at one time and we've been fortunate enough to be able to increase and and uh stay steady within our our membership and stay strong with our lodge. But, uh, you know, many lodges in Texas are are going through a world of hurt right now. It's it's real plain to see and and it's happening all over the country for sure.

[00:35:53]The numbers are there. There's there's now of course there are areas that are doing very well and you know the in those lodges they they they got back to the basics years ago and now it's really starting to to show promise now. It's really starting to show the fruits of their labors now. And there's some lodges that just are amazing to me. They they in in five years time they'll make more masons than than my little lodge in golad has.

[00:36:24]total and that's no lie. That's >> Yeah, I'll chime in. Uh I was just trying to listen and form my thoughts really. But uh the the fellow that talked about the you know the sands in the hourglass.

[00:36:44]I think about life like that as I get a little older. I feel like maybe that I've lived longer than I will. I mean, my my uh point to where I'm gonna die is closer than as long as I So, I've lived longer than I'm gonna live over half of my life already, you know, and I'm on the back I'm on the back end now going downhill.

[00:37:11]And, you know, as you go through life, time gets faster.

[00:37:17]And I heard somebody talk about this.

[00:37:20]you've only lived 10 years and so a year is a tenth of your whole life. You know, I'm almost 50 now. So, a year is is much smaller percentage of my life. So, time just starts picking up speed. Um I start thinking about uh being on that back end and what it means. And you know, through uh 10 years of marriage, me and my wife have accumulated a lot of stuff.

[00:37:52]And we've uh slowly been uh re-evaluating, you know, what what happens if we died tomorrow? You know, we'd have all this stuff that the kids got to deal with. So, we started kind of purging stuff out that we don't need.

[00:38:07]And so it also makes me think about uh the legacy that I leave behind, you know, like uh in masonry or in my family or whatever. Uh what am I going to be here for the family when I when I could be? And uh so there's a lot of things that you think about uh when you start getting on that back end uh of the sands, you know, more more on the bottom than on the top.

[00:38:38]So, just kind of marinating on those thoughts. I also wanted to tell uh brother Calgary, I don't know how long you're going to be in Louisiana, but um Louisiana has some lodges that perform the red degrees, the first three degrees in in the red lodge, not the blue lodge. And if you ever decide to go Scottish, right, it would be cool to kind of see those maybe even before. I don't know how long you're going to be there and I don't know what lodges there are that do that, but that might be something you want to look into.

[00:39:20]>> Yeah, there's three or four of them that that that do that down there or over there, I should say. They're they're pretty much they're a little bit north of us, really. Well, actually one of them, Etto Polair, they're um that's uh number one in and they're in uh New Orleans and and they're they still do the those degrees, but there's there's three or four of them that that do still in in Louisiana.

[00:39:51]It's pretty interesting.

[00:39:55]And in fact, that's that's one of the books I think that I'd like to go through. Uh it's about the the red degrees. Uh since since nobody really performs them in in uh throughout masonry, maybe the inner circle can can talk about those one of these days. They're pretty cool. I like the symbolism that's there. And I'd like to go through it again anyways with some people with a group of people and start comparing them to the the Blue Lodge a little bit more because there's tidbits that I see now in the Blue Lodge that actually uh can be easily referenced to those degrees that I didn't really at the last time that I went through the books and and now I would like to, you know, go through it and and look at the similarities because I I do see it sometimes when I when I have that aha moment. during a during a Blue Lodge, you know, think tank. I'll have an aha moment of oh my >> another thing I'm working on um is and this is off topic of what we've been talking about. Um, so I'm in the Phil Society and we have a chapter here in North Texas which is an international research society and we had our meeting yesterday and uh basically we were talking about doing a special meeting in the Dallas Scottish Wright Library and possibly thinking about getting some some experienced brothers with wisdom that have written papers that have been published with the research societies and getting like two or three of them and having like a a special meeting there and to how they do research, what the different research societies look for in a paper, the different styles of writing, how you take knowledge out of books and put your own spin on words and and put it together in a paper that is publishable in those uh research societies and I think that would be a kind of a neat class and I think I'm just going to do it in like September up here. So, but I got to like plan it to not interfere with any other thing.

[00:42:15]>> Absolutely. Be interested in that brand.

[00:42:18]>> Yeah.

[00:42:19]>> Yeah. We >> and I've already got Billy Hamilton interested and uh brother Richard Slaw.

[00:42:28]Oh, Richard's the Richard's the king at it.

[00:42:33]>> I would go ahead and >> So, I got those two guys. And >> yeah, I'd invite Cohen also. He might be able to come down for that because that you're a lot closer up there than than >> Yeah, that'd be cool.

[00:42:46]>> We are down here.

[00:42:47]>> And he can come down representing the Arkansas Lodge of Research.

[00:42:53]>> Yeah, that'd be neat. Yeah.

[00:42:59]Yeah, >> but then uh >> that's kind of cool. We just thought about that yesterday.

[00:43:05]>> X is larger research. I I've got everything together. I just need to put it in proper form now, but I was planning on doing it this year. Um I just hadn't had done it. I need to hurry up and do it. I need to submit it so that they can they can give me the the approval.

[00:43:24]Yeah, it's I this year is creeping up on us. It's that time thing that you were talking about, you know, everything's relative, right?

[00:43:33]Anybody else got anything before?

[00:43:36]>> Like you're going downhill.

[00:43:38]>> Yeah. Yeah. Picking up momentum.

[00:43:43]Jeff, we hadn't seen you in a while.

[00:43:45]How's How are things going up there in in your neck of the woods?

[00:43:52]>> Good.

[00:43:52]>> Pretty good. Cool.

[00:43:54]>> Um, >> which I sat through a Oh, >> okay. Yeah. Uh, about a month ago, I sat through a joint raising between the Grand Lodge of Kansas and the Grand Lodge, Prince Hall Grand Lodge. We each had a candidate for the third degree. It was joint raising. Uh, we did the first section, they did the second section. It was a interesting experience. It was very cool. Yeah. Very cool to get sit with the brothers from Prince Hall and do a joint raising.

[00:44:23]Nice.

[00:44:23]>> Yeah, it's a it's an awesome moment in my uh Masonic career so far.

[00:44:28]>> Very cool. We've invited >> Oh, to answer Brother Hoff's Well, to answer Brother Hoff's questions, I'm going to be down there for a weekend.

[00:44:36]It's in St. Francisville, Louisiana.

[00:44:38]It's northern Louisiana. Pretty sure describe what was going on. Yeah, that's interesting. I'd be interested to have a a a topic on that in one of these days.

[00:44:48]>> For sure.

[00:44:51]That's it. Yep.

[00:44:53]>> Yeah. We we uh at at OSA we invited and had three members of our master's degrees uh this past year and that that was pretty cool having them being a part and and they actually helped us in the in the in the third in the in the last part of of that were guests of ours and and we let them participate in in uh in carrying some of the That was that was nice.

[00:45:26]Jeff Messer, boy, you looked that one picture that you gave us this this week on on Facebook. That was priceless. I snapshotted that. I'm keeping it.

[00:45:40]That was uh that was a number of years ago after we we used to for several years we we did kind of end of school.

[00:45:53]We'd have a big barbecue on a Saturday and like a um yeah was that was a that was a long day. It was a good time. Um no, we had a good we we had a form exam this weekend. Um brother Kovar was there for that. I think he enjoyed it. I know there was a a ton of good information and we uh the breakfast and lunch was provided by Stephen F. Austin Demlay and uh the to raise funds to go to so we're we're a lot clo you know we're closer than we were. We've still got some ground to cover but that was a big event. So um >> and I've been kind of I've been listen Yeah. No, it is. Yeah, it it is. And especially when a guy walks up to you and you know he offers to buy the he offers to buy the leftover kalashis for $300. Um it just little things like that just continue to reinforce, you know, my belief that this is the greatest organization. Um it's the greatest organization that a a man can be a part of and I and I mean that sincerely. But um on the topic of on the I'm I'm maybe a little bit regretting that someday I'm going to die as much as I'm looking forward to the day that I get to see where we go. Um, I mean, I think I have a a conception of where we go, but um, I I think that and I, you know, I think that there is the the actual death and then there is the I don't know, spiritual death. And I think that I think that most everybody that I'm looking at that's dialed into the Zoom uh, is picking up what I'm of us sooner than later.

[00:47:39]Um, but I I think that I think that our focus on death while quiet is is a key part of what we do. Um, not the fish fries and that kind of stuff. Not to not to say that, but I'm definitely more comfortable with death than I ever have been. um that please don't read into that any more than that. But um I I think that I think that that comfort with death experienced, right? Um through the the Blue Lodge degrees and the Yorkright stuff and um and and I know you know Jason and others have been a big part of that. So I appreciate that the opportunity to grow and learn.

[00:48:27]>> I agree.

[00:48:28]I agree wholeheartedly.

[00:48:33]There was a time even with with uh my faith in in my local church and all that that I still was h I still had anxiety about what was what was to come. And now I no longer have that anxiety.

[00:48:54]I'm I'm pretty much at peace. you know, talking about just just the just talking about church and and what that means to faith. And I certainly wouldn't pass judgment on anybody that goes to church.

[00:49:07]That's every both grandfathers, father, all that kind of stuff as many of us are uh descendants of of Masons. But um I never understood my dad would tell us as kids. He would say, "You don't have to go to church to have a relationship with God.

[00:49:26]Um, and I don't think I understood that until I became a master mason as well as I do, you know, from what I thought before to what I think now. Right. Um, I don't I don't know. I I just I think it's interesting. I I think for sure.

[00:49:43]>> Well, that's that's a very profound statement right there. And I remember when my when my ex-father-in-law and I spoke one time, I think I mentioned it maybe last last time on the show when when I was younger and I was going to church all the time and and I thought that I was on the highway to heaven, right? You know, I I uh I was very very dogmatic about how I believed in in what God was and what Jesus was and our path to to salvation and our path to to into death, right? And I always looked down upon my my ex-father-in-law because he didn't go to church. And and I always felt like he was, you know, condemned because he wasn't the country when he's just sitting there in a deer blind alone with God and and sitting up in the trees alone with God and he could get everything he needed out of that.

[00:50:41]I never did really understand that and I look down upon him for years and and I regret that now because like you when I became a master mason and really it was a few years later that it wasn't right when but you know a few years later I really started to appreciate God in a different light and I that's when I really formed a relationship ship with God or a closeness to God as as you know being closer to my maker, being closer to my creator and and uh and where I where I think I'll end up than at church.

[00:51:31]Um, not to say that people don't. I I think that there are just, you know, millions of people, obviously, billions of people around the world that that that are perfectly good with with, you know, where they what they believe and and and all that through their churches and and all that. But me personally, I I I was so far off the beaten path as a child as and as a teenager. I didn't want my kids to have it as hard as I had it. I went down this straight and narrow. You know, that's what I thought that that that I needed to do. And so I was all about the rules. I was focused more on the rules than I was on the relationship and more on the more on the rules than the understanding of what those what those u what all the allegory meant. Now I focus on the allegory and I feel so much closer, so much more at ease with with God than I than I ever did before because I I'm thinking more in the lines of what was the message for me as opposed to what were the rules I need to follow so I don't go so I don't go to the bad place, right? It's more of how what what does the me what what's that message supposed to mean to me? uh feel a little bit closer to to uh God and closer in in current day. So yeah, I I can I can certainly appreciate as well.

[00:53:15]>> One thing that uh one thing that I've heard home lodge, >> right? You know, working in the craft to improve yourself and those around you.

[00:53:27]Um you know, that that to me is a that to me is is a is a great way to leave a legacy, right? I I'm not saying I want a a library named after me. I'm not I'm not saying that. But just the leg in in that, you know, the quiet work that you can do as a mason in your lodge and 30 years from now there'll be some knucklehead like me in there trying to do the best he can because of the work that I did today.

[00:53:58]>> Yep.

[00:53:59]Absolutely.

[00:54:04]You know, our Texas monitor has uh and it says, "Thus we close the explanations of this the gree with the solemn thought of death, which without revelation is dark and gloomy, but the good mason is revi is suddenly revived by the evergreen and everliving sprig of faith in the merits of the lion of the tribe of Judah, which strengthens him with confidence and composure.

[00:54:32]and doubts not.

[00:54:34]Uh let's see to look forward to a blessed immortality and doubts not but in the glorious morning of the resurrection his body will rise become as incorruptible as his soul.

[00:54:47]Uh then let us imitate our ancient patron and his virtuous and amiable conduct in his unfeign piety to God and his inflexible fidelity to his trust that we may welcome the grim tyrant death receiving him as a kind messenger sent from our supreme grandmaster to translate us from this imperfect to that all perfect glorious and celestial lodge above where the supreme architect of the universe resides.

[00:55:17]Yeah, that's nice.

[00:55:18]>> I love that.

[00:55:19]>> Yeah, that's nice.

[00:55:21]>> Kind of exactly what we're talking about tonight.

[00:55:26]>> Yeah.

[00:55:28]And said a lot better than what I could say.

[00:55:36]>> Oh, yeah. That ain't no lie.

[00:55:38]>> And that that that last little bit right there is probably my favorite part of that degree, too.

[00:55:46]Yeah, it is.

[00:55:50]>> Well, I I appreciate the the parts of of one of the one of the sayings that that I've heard over the years where, you know, it talks about and and it's not part of the degrees, but it's it's a a portion that talks about it extending to all of our offices. All our kindness is to extend to all of our offices and and stations and places in in the world. And you know, it's it's to to everyone, not you know, more especially the house of the faithful, but it's to extend to everyone.

[00:56:34]So, you know, as we talk about legacy and and life and death and and I'm glad that that Jeff brought it back up because, you know, Daniel had mentioned it earlier, you know, talking about the legacy and uh glad to see you Bay County. Um, you know, Daniel had brought up legacy earlier as well, and I think that it's not it. Yes, it is such a great legacy that we can leave to our lodges in in developing the next uh the next generation so that they will be competent to extend that same kindness. and well so that they'll be prepared to do the exact same thing going further down the road.

[00:57:29]But even further, how we take that into the community and how we we try to extend the principles that we learn in our in our community. You know, one of the things that that I'm time I was in the plan planning and zoning uh commission for golad and and I had gone through and ended up being chairman for a couple years and and I was pretty proud of the fact that all the the things that I needed to be successful as a chairman of that committee, I learned in Freemasonry.

[00:58:14]I learned how to so that uh transparency was was given to all and and protected the weak and and supported you know supported those that were supporting the the the area as well as protecting those who don't have a voice for themselves. You know that's one of the biggest reasons why we believe in setting we have our own sets. It's not Robert's rules of parliamentary procedure. Don't get me wrong, it's it's similar, but it's not the same.

[00:58:50]But that same philosophy and that same transparency u has shaped me into a better leader for my community. And what better legacy is there than to be able to to be that that strength and character for people in your community?

[00:59:14]people who who don't even know who you are, don't don't even know, you know, what you're doing for them. But you're but you're but you're you're you're trying your best to make sure that everyone has an equal equal voice in and protection.

[00:59:36]um as you as you try to uh make the best possible outcome for for the community, make decisions for the best possible outcome for the community.

[00:59:50]You know, it's not you can't say that about most politicians, right? Type of position, but you you don't see that in today's political world. in in bigger cities in in the planning and zoning uh commission, you you'll see politics big time because it's all about, you know, setting yourself up for the next big thing. But in a little little town like this, it's just about, you know, trying to do what's best for the community to to help everyone strive or thrive and or or survive and thrive at the same time because, you know, we are waning in in population. known that kind of thing without Freemasonry.

[01:00:34]I just thought I had the answers before I joined the lodge. And now I I'm more prepared to to be of service to others than I ever have been.

[01:00:57]dealer.

[01:00:59]>> Yeah, I do a little something >> um just just in thinking about, you know, because our our conversation tonight has been pretty right wide ranging. Um but that last bit you said there, you know, I'm better prepared to be of service to others today than I was ever in my past.

[01:01:19]Something along those lines. Is that correct?

[01:01:22]>> Correct. Um, it occurs it occurs to me that that service, however you choose to exercise or u express that service, that really is, I think, the truest measure of not just love for those around us, but love for ourselves as well. because we could be put ourselves into a position where we can help where we can be of assistance to with a with you know what we call a mercenary motive. There's no gain to be gotten out of doing that service work.

[01:02:08]You serve because that's what we all are, I think, supposed to be doing. We're all supposed to be serving and that's that's all I got.

[01:02:22]I agree.

[01:02:24]And there's more and there's more to volunteer their time. let's let's say at a food line or or whatever. You know, there's different types of service, but just being being a pillar of of character and integrity in your community that people can count on is equally as important.

[01:02:48]You know, there's, like I said, in today's political environment, it's it's hard to find people of of good character that that really care. And and I'm and I say this and I'm just so let y'all know, I'm no longer on the planning and zoning commission and I'm not a I'm not in a political um position at this time and I'm not seeking political position at this time. what I'm but the reason I'm I'm saying this and and I'm not trying to, you know, change the the thought to be political either in but in our polarized world out there being the the pillars and and the the uh the character integrity that that we need to to show people how we can all best work and best a degree.

[01:03:44]as we learn these these traits in in these lessons in in Freemasonry.

[01:03:50]I I hope and I think that that's why you guys come on the show with us each week is to recharge our batteries so that we can be those people within our our communities and and sometimes intentionally, sometimes not intentionally. It's just who we are and what we do every day in our work. You know, we've got you we've got people in here that are in in sales positions that can really take advantage of people and and they don't. They're men of integrity that are that are doing good for for their communities. And I think that that that in itself is is, you know, being the in in our workplaces and as well as in our in our communities and in our homes.

[01:04:46]Since we shifted to legacy a little bit, I think that's important to think about.

[01:04:52]That's the biggest legacy we can leave behind.

[01:04:55]when our children, you know, and and I'm sad to say that my oldest boy, my older sons, you know, they didn't get a chance to to see me like I am today. They I don't see them as much because they live in different cities.

[01:05:09]Texas is a big place. They don't get to to see me so much anymore and and really get to experience the man I've become.

[01:05:17]they saw the man I used to be that that you know I I wanted to be upstanding but I just really didn't have the structure and or not even the structure well the structure and the men around me to build me up to be the person I am today and and so they didn't get to experience the same man that that my daughter gets to experience.

[01:05:43]We were talking about that today during Mother's Day. You know, we were talking about the fact that, you know, she got it easy. She's got she's got the old worn out dad. She doesn't have, but really it's the dad that that, you know, takes things into that looks at things in a different perspective now.

[01:06:04]You know, it just uh took me a while to get here. And that's one of my many regrets in life is that my boys didn't get to see that like like uh my daughter gets to see. She gets the worn out dead.

[01:06:18]I think she probably appreciates that at 12:30 at night when I see her computer log on with my notice.

[01:06:29]She appreciates the worn out dad.

[01:06:41]If it makes you feel better, Dennis, my between my three kids, the two older ones say they the youngest one has a did >> that to me.

[01:06:50]They can. So So you go to the youngest one and you say you owe them because they did this to me.

[01:06:59]>> I'll have to save that one for later.

[01:07:00]Yeah.

[01:07:01]>> Yes. For sure. For sure. You need to make their bed tonight. today then.

[01:07:10]All right, it's getting pretty late >> talking about the uh >> um and I I could probably use this as my final thoughts really and because really I mean this is basically the wrap up of what I was talking about earlier about the legacy I'm leaving behind to my family and stuff as I, you know, pass on from this world. What are they going to remember me as?

[01:07:38]And I think about my actions today of how how I am with them or maybe how I am when I'm not with them. Uh when I'm by myself in my vehicle driving down the road in traffic systems or you know just wherever I am. Uh, I'm really trying to re-evaluate the person that I am because masonry has taught me a lot about who I am and I know more about myself now than I ever did. And I feel like that that's really the biggest thing that masonry has done for me is gave me a set of working tools I can actually use in my life to uh, you know, figure out who I am and know who I am and use that to go out in the world and be that person on my driving. Um cuz that that was one of the weakest areas in my in my life is uh you know my driving and so even when I'm not in my vehicle that has you know the square encompasses on it but if I'm in my work vehicle it's got you know work number on there I need to just you know be good treat people with respect uh on the road you know I don't know what they're going through in life uh why they're in such a hurry or why they're going so slow or whatever, you know, whatever they're I don't know what they're going through, you know. Um, and I'm just trying to get get from one place to the other. Um, one thing I've I don't ever do is uh, you know, there's a social media is pretty bad now. You know, you get a lot of uh, I guess they call them trolls. um go on social media and just rag on people and I've never done that. You know, I've always tried to be pretty kind on there and uh try to uh you know, always be uplifting and share positive things and um you know, try to make fun with life and things. Uh, and so I guess when I when I think about what am I leaving behind to my kids is is that I'm that that fun guy that uh that that can cook good and uh you know takes care of his family and uh may drive a little crazy, but he's a good guy.

[01:10:09]So I'm glad I came on tonight and was able to, you know, think about these things with you guys. And Daniel, you know, I'm sorry. uh you know, you lost your dad. I know that's that's a that's a big uh part of life, you know, that we go through is when we lose big family members that are important to us. Um um you know, I've been through some loss in my family and you know, it's it's not easy. So, I'm there for you, brother.

[01:10:45]So, uh, anyway, that's all I got. And, uh, again, it's good to see you guys tonight.

[01:10:50]>> Yeah, >> it's been a few weeks.

[01:10:54]>> Exactly. And I apologize about that. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't up to snuff last week or or or I I should have we should have I should have gone ahead and come on, but I was pretty exhausted. I apologize.

[01:11:08]That's a good final thought.

[01:11:11]Um, before I go too far into the final thoughts and we lose, you know, our our our inner circle trying to avoid giving a final thought, guys. Um, I've got an I've got a project assignment for next week.

[01:11:28]So, I was I asked my wife. I said, "Should should I invite the moms on tonight with with the uh on the show since it's Mother's Day?" She said, "No, I don't want to be on the show."

[01:11:43]So, but she said, but she said, "But you know what? You ought to make give your all your guys and your listeners and all the people in the chat and and which I want to thank all of y'all for coming on the on the show tonight and and and listening and and being a part of it and and making mention on on the in the chat. I I love seeing all the the the chat the all the different perspectives.

[01:12:10]Um so everyone out there that's that's listening, paying attention, or if you watch this and you want to come on the show next week, um everyone out there, ask your wife if they have a question that they would like to ask you that that maybe they're afraid they won't get a straight answer from you on and and write it down. And then next week, why don't we uh break out some questions that our wives have in regards to uh what we're what we're doing when we're not at home. You know, they I mean, they all know that we're not doing anything sinister. I mean, otherwise they they would put a stop to it pretty quick. But they don't always know exactly what's going on. And and anything that we can dulge, then we will. If we can't, then we'll just walk circles around it like we do when we're at home and we'll just uh we'll just let them listen to it and then they'll hear everybody walk circles around it instead of it just being you and then it'll take some of the pressure off of you. But seriously, ask your wife if they have any questions that they would like to ask the group and and then uh and if they want to come on, they can and ask it themselves or, you know, like I said, just ask them and then write it down and just tell them that you're going to you're going to ask the group and then they can watch it later or they can watch with you or be a part or whatever. But I want I want to hear from the wives out there. I want questions from them. You know, like like I said, I asked my wife and she said, "No, I'm not interested in being on the show, but I I do have questions and I'm sure that other wives do as well." So, everybody, your assignment is to is to come up with at least one question for next week so that we can so we we can make a show for the moms. In good Mother's Day fashion, the guys are going to acknowledge them a week late.

[01:14:11]So, because that's how everything happens. I remember it's Mother's Day on on the weekend of and then I order something so that she has it by the next weekend. So y'all are supposed to laugh at that.

[01:14:28]Y'all y'all all look all serious like >> All right. Yeah. Well, sorry. No, >> I guess it was Thanks for Thanks for keeping me occupied tonight on her Mother's Day.

[01:14:39]>> No, right. Oh my goodness. Y'all look so serious as if what I said was true.

[01:14:49]>> Okay. So, >> well, no, actually, I think it's a pretty good idea. Why not?

[01:14:53]>> Yeah. Let's let's let's at least get one question from from each wife that from the inner circle and and let's see what see if they have anything and and uh see if we can answer it on the show for them because you never know. We may be able to answer something that somebody else doesn't know how to answer to their wife. You never know because there's always different perspectives and there's always uh there's some ways to skin a cat where you you just you're afraid to say the wrong thing but don't realize you can say it in a different way and and uh and there not be any any uh harm harm or foul done.

[01:15:33]So now for the for the rest >> now for the rest of the of the closing thoughts. Jason Reichenberg.

[01:15:44]>> All right. Well, hopefully you can actually hear me better since I had my microphone.

[01:15:50]There we go. Um, so, uh, no, my my closing thought, we've we've talked enough about the topic tonight, so I don't have anything more to add on that, but uh, what I would like to say is um, uh, we had um, two guys that were on here. Uh, Tom left, but um, uh, Tom and Daniel were up at uh, officer leadership training this weekend. Um, so that was uh, so that was good. uh Larry uh who usually comes on and actually he said yesterday that he was planning on coming on tonight. So I'm a little surprised he's not here but uh he was there as well. He was actually doing um it's not called 301 anymore but uh whatever they're calling it now additional lodge.

[01:16:40]>> Yep.

[01:16:40]>> I I don't remember something. They came up with a different name for it. But yeah, whatever it was. Anyway, uh and then you know myself >> additional light >> just additional light. Yeah. Uh because when they named it 301, I guess everybody thought it was required and it wasn't actually required. And anyway, this um podcast actually going out and attending officer leadership training.

[01:17:06]It's, you know, there, you know, we all know there's the alternate version, which is the life program at your local lodge that you can satisfy the same requirements, but um, you know, it it is good to see, um, that that officer leadership training being taken serious and, um, and and I was not surprised to see two or three guys from this podcast there. So anyway, that's my closing and final thought.

[01:17:37]>> There's a lot of things about the the members of of this show that do not surprise me anymore and and that's one of them. You know, these these you guys are you guys are the best, including you guys, you know, on on the in the chat.

[01:17:54]Um, y'all are the strength behind us guys that are that are in the facing. But I I heard that that there was over a hundred attendees this year at San Antonio, which is good. That means that next year there will be another one. you know, there it was touchandgo there for a minute because they weren't sure if they were going to keep going to San Antonio because there wasn't the the turnout that that it really deserved to to have a big event because it it costs money to do those things. But now there's, you know, over 100 guys there, which is great, which means even more for our lodges of South Texas, right? That just means that we're we're getting stronger.

[01:18:36]The better participation we have at officer leadership training, the stronger our lodges are becoming. So kudos to everyone that went to OOLT this weekend. Uh I for one appreciate you because you're living your your Masonic life with purpose and I appreciate you.

[01:18:53]Thanks Jason. I appreciate you you talking about that too. That's important for people to hear.

[01:19:01]Brother Calgary, boy, we missed you. Glad you made it.

[01:19:10]>> Yeah, I'm glad you're back. Enjoyed tonight's discussion. Look forward to more. I really don't have any final thoughts other than just thank you all for doing this. No, thank you for being a part every, you know, even even without Jeff being here, he supports us every every month and and you know, that's that's a big deal. You know, that that helps us keep doing this and and helps us to to continue to improve and and do better. And and we appreciate you. We really do. I for one truly appreciate you.

[01:19:44]Brother Brad Hoff, how are you?

[01:19:51]I'm I'm good. I I kind of already did my final thought.

[01:19:54]>> That was it.

[01:19:56]>> Okay.

[01:19:57]>> But yeah, that that was it. But uh I mean I could probably ramble on with something. I uh got elected junior warden of uh Mercury Lodge. But you know, I mean, I'll I'm there to support uh the Keith Idell who got workful master and brother Dion Williams who will be the senior warden and uh just there to support those guys and what they do and um you know I like that lodge. It's all about education. Um so yeah um I will be nominated to be secretary of my home lodge as well. So that that's fun.

[01:20:46]Um >> and I think that's all the offices I'm going to take this year.

[01:20:56]>> Yeah, that's >> so um you know ele election season coming around. So >> that's a good point. Uh, Mercury Lodge is a quarterly lodge, so that's why we had our elections in May.

[01:21:14]That's a that's a very good point and and and it ties back into uh that it ties back into our legacy with as as men and Masons, you know, having a solid individual of good character and and integrity that has something to offer in real support for your lodge.

[01:21:43]is vital. I mean, what better legacy can you leave for your lodge? And and I get it. You know, I I never want to be a worshipful master again. I I was I'm very happy with, you know, the year that I had in Goliet.

[01:21:58]If I ever had to, it would definitely I would hope that it would be like a quarterly type lodge or something like that, but I really don't want to. I've I've done that. I'm I'm I'm really pleased with with my lodge. I I like that experience and so I don't want to but I don't want to impede on that but the legacy that you're leaving by supporting that is is important and and Mercury Lodge I'm glad they made a good decision. I know Keith's going to be an excellent master this year and and I know Dion's going to be an excellent excellent senior warden. You know y'all are going to have some some really promising uh things happen this year.

[01:22:39]I'm sure. I believe that wholeheartedly.

[01:22:43]>> Yeah, totally. Yeah, it's a cool lodge. We don't have a building. We just rent from somebody, but uh we're we're talking about stepping up to maybe even every other month, too, annually. But that would cover our uh fancy meal after the meeting that we go out to.

[01:23:04]>> Yep. Um that way we could prepay for meals. Um and we do we do uh you know we go out to a real nice restaurant after we're after the meeting because we meet on Saturday in the middle of the afternoon.

[01:23:20]So um but with a quarterly lodge it's hard to uh get traction really you know but I don't think that we really need to grow. We're not we're not hurting by any means, but uh I've been to three meetings there and we've gained three members.

[01:23:42]So, I think that's that's pretty good.

[01:23:43]But they're they're plural members.

[01:23:46]>> Yep.

[01:23:46]>> So, >> well, there's nothing wrong members and they're not looking to make masons.

[01:23:51]They're just looking to have the best in masonry in their lodges. And you know, if if if you choose to invite certain people to the lodge and and I would make it a a lodge, you know, vote on who to invite to visit the lodge, invite the right people, and then you might get the right membership that you want in your lodge. And yeah, I've I've seen but congratulations. That's awesome.

[01:24:25]Byron Weber, how the heck are you? I know you got something to say.

[01:24:30]>> Oh, you know, if I were doing any better, I'd probably need to be twins.

[01:24:38]>> The uh I I've really enjoyed the topic tonight.

[01:24:43]And one of the things that has occurred to me that I don't know was necessarily expressed um you know we we go through preparation for our degrees.

[01:24:56]We uh we prepare ourselves physically we prepare ourselves mentally. We prepare ourselves spiritually for the degrees or we should be doing all three of those things. And uh this life that we lead is that preparation for that initiatic ritual that is death.

[01:25:20]That you know that's how we get ready for death. Live a good life. Do the you know follow rule number one. Don't be a jerk.

[01:25:31]And I have great difficulty doing that sometimes but uh I'm getting better at it.

[01:25:39]Yeah, >> but I'm only getting better at it because I got a bunch of guys that help me stay accountable, who uh who remind me to do the correct thing when it needs doing. And uh and I thank y'all for that. And that's that's all I got.

[01:25:55]>> Nice. Thank you. That's that's a great one. I feel the same way. you know, all of your brother, everybody knows that that I'm I'm totally willing to take it because I'm totally willing to give it. So, you know, I I receive uh I receive a lot of wise counsel from the brethren out there and it helps me tremendously.

[01:26:23]But, but I I accept it because I know that I give plenty myself. I I try to give plenty myself. if I don't hold back. And I I'm glad that that others feel the same that I do that, you know, I don't want you to hold back.

[01:26:41]Brother Daniel Dutton.

[01:26:45]>> Yeah.

[01:26:47]Thank y'all so much for for entertaining the topic tonight. It's it's been great.

[01:26:51]And um just appreciate y'all.

[01:26:53]Appreciated getting to see Jason down in San Antonio. There was multiples of us from North Texas who traveled all the way to San Antonio to uh to enjoy OLT whether that be procrastination or or something else. Um but uh glad to be there, glad to get some some extra lessons learned. And I'll be honest, there was a lot of reinforcing what was already been spoken about on this on this very podcast at at 2011. You know, lot lots some some new things as well, but lots of reinforcement. So, if you want to get, you know, some good info, look at the back catalog. There's there's lots of good info right here on this podcast. And of course, the inner circle members get free YouTube ad ad free versions of that too, right? So, I'll give you a plug there, Dennis, for free.

[01:27:39]>> Thank you. I have forgotten to do that lately and I appreciate >> benefit. Um, but appreciate all the people who who listen to to the YouTube side of things. That's helpful, too. But thank y'all all and look forward to to more topics in the future.

[01:27:57]>> Thanks, Daniel. Yes, I I you know, you would think that that I would be better at this. I've done sales all my life and you would think I would be better at promoting this show.

[01:28:10]If you like us, like. If you really like us, subscribe. If you really want to be a part and remember brother Messer the demole dad himself.

[01:28:29]>> Hey indeed. Um yeah I'm kind of like everybody else. I I think I think we've worked the topic over enough. Um I just again after this weekend and after in particular Saturday what we accomplished we had a an awards night Thursday um we we had a bunch of public into the lodge. the vast majority of those folks had never sat in a lodge.

[01:29:00]So, it was an opportunity to talk about masonry and and honor some folks in the community and and then the forum and exam and and and to see um you know, there were 33 people there and and 30 of them were guys that that I have a relationship with. So, that was pretty powerful. So, I I appreciate everybody being there for that. Josh and Josh and Roy and and and everybody else. But um just kind of out of left field, do any of y'all I mean just answer for yourself. Have any of y'all ever played cribage? Know the game the card game cave cribage?

[01:29:36]>> Man 30 years ago. Yeah.

[01:29:38]>> If you've never played cribage Yeah. Yeah. If you've never played cribage, I would encourage you to Google cribage board and look at that board and think about being a Mason and see if something doesn't correlate. Um, I've just come on that the last day or so and anyway, I just I wanted to share that with this group because they hopefully I think you guys will appreciate it. But with that, um, everybody have a great week and I hope to well, next week my I'm probably going to do that and then I've got an event Sunday, so I probably won't be on next week. But thank you, um, Dennis for what you do and thank you everybody else for your time.

[01:30:18]>> Oh, thank you. If I if I wasn't Jason and I will be we're doing uh the reunion next weekend and for the Scottish right in San Antonio and if we weren't doing that then we would probably be down there at the Masonic Oak as well.

[01:30:35]But next weekend's our our reunion weekend.

[01:30:44]Who dropped off just just now? Oh, that was Byron.

[01:30:48]All right, Josh, it's all you.

[01:30:55]>> Well, I'll keep it short and sweet. Uh, good conversation. I had to jump on a little late. So, um, it was good listening and talking to everybody. Uh, I'll reiterate what brother Messer said.

[01:31:06]We had a good forum this weekend in Lafayette. Uh, right. Workshock.

[01:31:11]uh was the first time I ever heard him put a forum on and it he uh asked some provoking questions to make you really think about some of the stuff and the ritual. So, it was really good and I'm glad we we showed up. Um so, long good and he he makes you work for that 1018.

[01:31:28]That's for that's for sure. Um >> good.

[01:31:31]>> So, I was glad to see a lot of like Danny was there and Jason was there at the 10 at the OOLT this weekend. We actually had a brother from Victoria go up there uh this weekend as well. I had him ask Daniel for some dad jokes while he was there. So, um but the good thing was I asked him as soon as it was done how everything went and he's already got a whole bunch of questions for me about how we want to do stuff in Victoria and stuff. So, that's like well that was a good thing. So, he's got some good knowledge out of that. So, u but as always good conversation with everybody.

[01:32:02]Uh Zach as usual is late. Uh, but it was good to see everybody and hope everybody has a good week.

[01:32:09]>> Nice.

[01:32:10]Zack, how are you, my brother? I'm glad you made it.

[01:32:13]>> Uh, doing fine.

[01:32:15]>> Have you been listening?

[01:32:16]>> Sorry. Had family.

[01:32:17]>> No, that's all right. That's all right.

[01:32:19]>> I know. I had I had family over.

[01:32:23]So, uh, everybody's gone now.

[01:32:26]>> Yeah, we our conversation tonight.

[01:32:28]>> Just jump in late. I don't know where you're at.

[01:32:30]>> It was our our conversation tonight.

[01:32:32]We're actually on the closing thoughts right now. Um, but our conversation tonight was on the init the the initiatic experience of death and the the great leveler of them all.

[01:32:47]and >> right >> and how um in essence we're preparing our our whole lives for for that initiation into the into the next realm and uh the realm of spirit and it was a great discussion tonight >> conferences that little a few little comments and uh and other things he's done. So >> he has >> brought that up amongst other things which >> yes >> I I didn't even think about that but he has and and that he has done some great things when it comes to bringing light on certain topics that that we need to to focus on in Texas Freemasonry.

[01:33:37]>> Yes. Very much so. So >> he's he >> it's appreciated. I'll be interested to see what he does the second half.

[01:33:45]>> I know that's when everybody winds down.

[01:33:47]So, it's hard. It It's You never know what's going to then on the second half.

[01:33:50]I'm I'm I'm pretty interested to see what happens.

[01:33:55]>> You know, I got lots of theories, but I don't know. We'll just find out what happens when it happens. So, I mean, he could have resolutions and a uh you know, second second message being all about that and things or not. I don't know.

[01:34:13]>> Right.

[01:34:13]>> I'm not part of the team, so we'll find out.

[01:34:15]>> Yep.

[01:34:16]>> Find out when we find out.

[01:34:17]>> We're Sorry.

[01:34:20]>> Go ahead.

[01:34:20]>> I was I was saying that during the summer, usually a lot of people kind of go a little crazy because there's not a lot.

[01:34:26]>> It would be nice to not have that for a year.

[01:34:29]>> I agree.

[01:34:32]I agree. Let's Let's not wish that on anybody this year. Normally, you know, June and July are all about elections and installation.

[01:34:43]>> Yes.

[01:34:43]>> You know, and then we come back to school and uh resolutions and statements of availability are all and you know, we'll be talking resolutions the end of the year, all that kind of stuff. So, >> yeah, >> I I don't see winding down from my perspective. The second half of the year is when you start to prepare for January. So there's a lot of preparation for January.

[01:35:08]>> Yes. Yes, for sure.

[01:35:11]There's uh well in before typically during the uh the second half that's that's really when the deputy grandmaster that's when they start getting everybody trained up and ready and and uh so that they'll be prepared for when when he takes over >> because it's everything all the preparation over the last five years that he's been going through is is fixing to all Um, it's just going to narrow its focus real quick, real fast, and and 100 miles an hour.

[01:35:53]>> I mean, that that's Texas masonry. And not just Texas masonry, you know, you spend a lot of time focusing towards a point and that points come starts to come up. You're right. Uh, and they've got to have everything figured out before they start training, >> you know, so they know what to train.

[01:36:12]>> Yes. Yes. And if I know Justin, it's gonna it's going to be a great year.

[01:36:16]Just like Well, just like with Jim. I mean, it's been a great year for Jim and and you know with his job on the committee on work and you know, just the everything that he did in the process as well. You know, that was his that was his main state. Right. Well, Justin Justin, everybody loved Justin, but he he really came out of the came out into the spotlight when he became grand secretary, >> and he did just a phenomenal job, >> right?

[01:36:46]>> So, everybody has extremely high hopes for for Justin and and and we know that it's it's going to be nothing short than a great year, another great year of masonry.

[01:36:59]>> Yeah, I I fully expect that. I don't expect any problems with Justin at all.

[01:37:04]So, >> no, I think it's going to be another great year. So, we're I'm pretty excited about that myself that, you know, but you're right, that second half, it's it's going to be in preparation for January. That's that's going to be the next big date that everybody's going to be getting ready for.

[01:37:27]So, >> and there's a lot of prep work from hammering out the roof going on. So, >> speaking of while while while you you're on with us, um you know, Arlington is is a vanguard lodge, right?

[01:37:44]>> I they y'all have been for many years and it's just it's just a rolling continuous, you know, progression that it's it's just a given at this point.

[01:37:55]I mean really, you know, I if the uh if the next master of our lodge does what the last one did, I mean, we do that stuff every year.

[01:38:04]>> So, >> it's it's down to a science now.

[01:38:07]>> You would have to stop programs to not guard this year. Sorry. We we've done it long enough. We're not doing it this year.

[01:38:15]>> Um, who who is who is do y'all have a committee that that does your Vanguard?

[01:38:22]um your Vanguard awards and keeps track.

[01:38:26]>> No, I've kind of recommended that.

[01:38:29]I I've been trying to push that to have a committee track it.

[01:38:35]>> Yeah. Um, but in all honesty, it's a a certain pastmaster and our secretary who track it and keep I guess you could call them a committee, but uh I keep trying to push for a separate committee of other people to, you know, and just at the state of meeting stand up and just say, "Hey, you know, we we uh just honor the teachers this year. That's 3B on the Vanguard thing." Yeah. you know, just put it all out there and keep track and tell us because if you state it in the me minutes, that counts as evidence that it's been done.

[01:39:13]>> Yes.

[01:39:13]>> So, you don't have to provide any other proof. Minutes count as proof for our Vanguard. So, >> if we have a committee stand up and just call on the committee, one of the problems of Vanguard, in my opinion, is the paperwork to actually get it. So if you've got a committee report every month, you know, or you know, if nothing happened, they can just say nothing this month, but next month we're going to be doing Lamar metals or whatever. Um, but yeah, if you just got a committee reported, that that gets rid of the paperwork. You just submit the minutes, you're good.

[01:39:47]>> Nice. Nice. That's that's good to know.

[01:39:50]And I'll make sure and include that.

[01:39:52]I've been planning on doing a a show on it. In fact, I need to talk to Brad Hoff and Daniel Dutton before Before we leave tonight, um after we close off the live, um I want to talk about that with you guys before we get off the live. I'm going to go ahead and and do final thoughts. Um, but for all you guys out there who have been considering the Vanguard, um, right now is really when you need to already have, um, an idea of your of your vision and and your your, uh, the have a an outline for next year already.

[01:40:34]And you need to have that passmasters meeting right now. have a pastmasters dinner and meeting and talk to them about all the things going on within your lodge and and your goals on and your vision and and what you want to do with Vanguard because that's part of the Vanguard award is is having that passmasters meeting. So, you want to do that uh leading into the the new year that's coming up. So, I would recommend that any of you lodges that are considering that are wanting to do it for the first time, make sure you set that up right away so that that can be part of the plan because if you're if you don't have buy in on it, then then it it it's going to be a lot harder to get done. But having that passmasters meeting, they can already you can go through the the list of things that that are part of the awards and check off everything that you're already doing. So then you can go back and look and see what what you need to add to it to complete the list. Um, but that's just a little tidbit before we go. Uh, so you brother stay on the on the on the on online on online as soon as as soon as I close this up and I'm going to give my closing thoughts real quick and then we'll close this down.

[01:41:54]Friends and brothers, thank you so much for well as all of you uh out there that watch the show, listen to the show, however you you catch us online. Um, if in good old-fashioned, you know, bad husband policy, um, we're going to salute the moms next week because, you know, it's Mother's Day this week. So, we're going to, you know, salute them next week. And the way that we're going to do that is that you're going to ask your your wives or or your girlfriends who um you know, you can ask both, but don't ask them in the same in the presence of each other. ask them if they have any questions about Freemasonry and and questions that that they would like answered because I'm sure that and then we're going to go through those questions next week on the show because I'm sure that there's other uh wives out there that would be interested to know and maybe we'll be able to give tidbits to other other uh people as we go along on how to answer their wives when they ask. Right? If you're watching the show, then you'll get to learn tidbits from other guys on on how to answer those questions that you get. And and you might just learn how to not answer some of those questions that you get because I can tell you there's some questions that I've been asked that I did not answer correctly because I got in trouble when the way that I answered them with my wife. She didn't like my answer. You're not We're going to have fun with it next week. So, uh, that's going to be our point of conversation is we're going to we're going to, uh, even if you want to bring your wife on the show, you can. If you don't, like my wife, she said she didn't want to come on the show, but she thought a good thing to do would be to ask the husbands, to ask the wives, write it down, and answer those questions on the show. And, uh, and have a salute to the mothers out there. Uh, I love the topic tonight talking about initiation and and the basically the the last rights of masonry. It is the last right. The last right of passage that that we'll go through that that we're aware of is death. And it's a very somber and and and uh solemn thing to consider.

[01:44:19]I know that I've been through a lot of of death in my lifetime with with family members a lot better. Not only can I offer help to other people in a in a kinder and and more understanding and empathetic way as a Mason, but I also understand it and comprehend it a little bit better myself and and have a little bit easier time with it. And Daniel, I'm Um, glad that you're on the show with us tonight. I appreciate you initiating this conversation.

[01:44:56]Um, I am sorry for your loss of your dad and and you know, I'm going to tell you right now that he was a great man because I know his son and