Thought for Today

You can't limit the love you receive - only the love you give. And to limit that is truly tragic. ARTYAL - Always Remember That You Are Loved

Jay Simser

Thought for Thursday

I had a thought the other night as I was drifting off.

"It doesn't matter whether we love God but that He loves us. And he does you know because God is LOVE."

A thought

I was reading my blogs this morning and there is a lot about the illegal actions of the previous administrations treatment of prisoners. They should be brought to justice for what they did. And not only them, but also all of the Congress persons who knew this was going on and did nothing about it. Our government is supposed to be a system of checks and balances. Congress has as much responsibility to hold the line on illegal/unconstitutional activity as do the courts who are just now getting around to taking care of the business they were appointed to do.

Oklahoma City Bombing - 15 years later

Last summer I was in Oklahoma City for the Red Cross of Constantine meetings. I took an afternoon to visit the site of the Oklahoma City Bombings. Today marks the 15th anniversary of that terrorist bombing.

I did not write about my feelings that day because they were so personal. To be there where this horrible event took place moved me more that I can say. I remember hearing about it on Television but it was not the same. Standing there where it happened and seeing the memorial with its silent testimonials and remembrances that people put on the fence outside the memorial was very emotional.


I cannot understand how someone could perform such an act.

You can read a moving editorial here.




Today the site has been transformed into a touching memorial I can still remember sitting under the tree that survived the blast and still has pieces of the blast embedded in it.. It is called the Survivor Tree and the Memorial Web Site describes it:

The Survivor Tree, an American Elm, bore witness to the violence of April 19, 1995, and withstood the full force of the attack. Years later, it continues to stand as a living symbol of resilience. The circular promontory surrounding the tree offers a place for gathering and viewing the Memorial.

As I sat there I was moved by the quiet and silence. Even the Park Ranger spoke with a subdued, reverent tone. I almost did not go to visit this site. I am glad I did. Today I am remembering this event and send my thoughts to all those affected by this tragedy. When you think about it whether or not we are aware of it we were all affected by it. Take a moment today to pause and send your thoughts to those still recovering from the Oklahoma City bombing.

CNN - 15 years later victims, residents remember.

Wikipaedia Article

NATIONAL MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM Website.

Oklahoma City marks 15 years since bombing.

Symbolism of the Memorial

First thought of the day

Be open to another's spirituality - Each in their own way worships only the One.

Thursday Thoughts

This is Acacia Fraternity where I went tonight to pick up Brother Trevor. Acacia Fraternity has the best GPA at Iowa State. The guys playing Frisbee on the front lawn came over to see why I was taking pictures of them. The Fraternity used to be affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and you had to be a Mason to belong to the Fraternity. Our Worshipful Master Jeremy is their Advisor. They told me that they call him their House Mom. I was very impressed with all of them. We need to build and maintain our relationship with this fine group of men.
After the picnic I drove by McFarland Clinic and saw this tree - I had to take a photo of it to share. Right now no matter where you drive there is beauty to see. I love living in Iowa, especially in May and June.

These two are also at McFarland Clinic.

C. Y. Stephens Auditorium is a wonderful asset for Iowa State. Lots of great shows. This is where the Lodge went to see "The Producers" earlier this year.

Another view of the area around C. Y. Stephens.

Last night I had a horrible time going to sleep. I got up at 2:30 and was up until 3:30. It was not fun. Things running around in my head and regrets and thinking. Ever have a night like that" No fun. Fortunately when I did get to sleep the boys let me sleep in until 8:15. I have been kind of dragging all day.

I did the usual things this morning. Read my blog and e-mail visited with Kurt Hoffman and Tim Bonney. We are working to start a new Lodge in Iowa. There will be more about it as it develops. It is really kind of exciting. The concept is a Lodge where we return to some of the practices of early Masonry with study of philosophy, education as well as striving for a more formal meeting and excellence of experience for all involved.

I also got a letter out for the Red Cross of Constantine to let people know who we will be balloting on for membership in the order. This group is one of the most prestigious groups in all of Masonry. I have always said that it was a greater honor for me to be asked to join St. Bartholomew Conclave than it was to have been Grand High Priest. I have been Recorder of our Conclave for 23 years and I enjoy the job. Unfortunately there is now a problem and I am not enjoying it as much as I used to. It is no fun to have to be around someone who obviously doesn't like you and does not appreciate what you have done. So I am considering making some changes. But enough of that. You really aren't interested.

I did have a wonderful time at the picnic. One of our Brothers originally joined a Prince Hall Lodge. He is a great guy and Arcadia is lucky to have him. Prince Hall Lodges began in the early years of our country and Prince Hall was a black man who was initiated into Masonry. He later obtained a Charter from the United Grand Lodge of England and all Prince Hall Lodges are descended from that Lodge. They have always been recognized.

Picture by Doug Petty

The other American Lodges broke away from the United Grand Lodge and, in essence, became self-constituted Lodges. I think that perhaps, we are legitimate now but there is that break in our history.

Some southern states still do not recognize their Prince Hall counterparts. A fact I personally find disgraceful. One of our Brothers (Charles Martin) is about to be expelled from Masonry because one of his Grand Lodges (Kentucky) does not recognize Prince Hall Masons. His trial is May 23 and he writes to me that he will be expelled. Because Kentucky will expel him he will also be expelled from his Lodge in New York State. No matter that New York recognizes its Prince Hall Lodge if he gets kicked out in one he gets kicked out in another. IT IS NOT RIGHT. I am personally of the opinion that Iowa should drop recognition of all of the racist states who have not recognized their Prince Hall Lodges.

If you watched the TV coverage of Mrs. Clinton's victory in West Virginia you saw the raw face of that racism. When will people realize that God created all people? Everyone is worthy of our love and respect especially about things that they cannot help. I refuse, however, to respect or honor those ignorant people who will not move forward from prejudice. The thing that makes a difference between the color of my skin and Brother Aaron's is a tiny, tiny gene that is so small that it can't be seen without the aid of an electron microscope. What a tiny thing to have caused so large and hurtful a problem Grow up people!

I am going to continue to work for full inclusion. Brother (and he will always be my Brother) Charles Martin is in Iraq working a job so that one of our soldiers can be free to do something else. He is sad because he will be expelled from the Lodge in which his father raised him and because there is nothing that can be done about it. I checked and I would have welcomed him into my Lodge but Iowa has the same rule as New York. I hope that some day he will be able to return to Masonry. In the meantime I will boycott Kentucky. I did not watch the Derby and will continue to send my thoughts and prayers to Brother Martin. I am certain that his Ashlar is more fit to be a part of the Temple than those who will expel him. But that is just one Mason's opinion. ARTYAL - Hugs, j

Masonry's Purpose

"[The} Pillar of Intellect opens to us the secret laws of nature and represents the central process of education, the never-ending search for Truth…constant and careful study of the vast spectrum of human learning."

I heard those words at a second degree the other night. Then on a list I am on Robert Davis of Guthrie, OK had this to say in response to a man who said that the Blue (symbolic) Lodge was enough Masonry for him.

"I suppose I could agree with you if situational and principles ethics, philosophy, comparitive religion, maturity, valor, and self examination were not important in a man's life. To say that all you ever need to know about Masonry you learned in Blue Lodge is like saying all you ever need to know about religion you learned in your faith. That would seem to be in opposition to the significant theme in Masonry that we should balance faith with reason, science with inspiration, rational thinking with intuition, etc.

The value of the various teaching systems in Masonry is that they broaden our ability to develop critical thinking skills. This can't help but improve us as men and as contributing members of our society.

I heartily agree with you that if a man joins the higher Masonic bodies just to say he has a higher degree than another brother; then he has learned little and understands less about what it means to be raised a Master Mason.

Sadly, there are far too many caught in that paradigm. But there are also many seekers among us who participate in, and make a life long study of all that Masonry has to offer because we know it to be a non-dogmatic path to self enlightenment which can lead us to a clearer understanding of Truth.

That is a journey that is not defined by limits. It is experienced by degree or process (and I'm not talking about numbers here).

I applaud what you know; and I have personally learned from many of your posts. But I also know there is much more in Masonry that would have much meaning to you."

I have found Brother Davis to be very perceptive. I had tried to respond to the Brother who had written that the Blue Lodge was enough but Brother Davis says it so much better than I.

I am always pleased when I find a new Mason who is interested in reading and studying about the craft. There are layers upon layers of things to study and every time I pick up a book or read or attend a degree I learn something. I think that is why I keep coming back. The fraternal aspect is important and in fact Masons have become my "family" in more ways than one but the constant looking for answers to questions and thinking new things challenge me.

Of course you can do that elsewhere but nowhere else is the individual so responsible for his own growth. No preacher or government official or teacher telling me what to think. I must find Masonry's secrets for myself.

Be loved. Hugs. j