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PATH TO LIGHT Masonry is a journey often referred to as a path to light. As we each travel upon our own individual paths. We often pause and look around us, wondering.
Should I embark in a new direction? Am I doing the right thing?
The most difficult answers are the ones that contradict the heart. We gravitate to our own comfort zones, usually embracing that which we know. The pauses which we reflect upon our journey, we seek that light on the horizon. Searching the edge of the sky for a sign or signal, looking into the night for that bright light to point the way. Pondering the meaning of life and love. Each seeking that higher purpose, the reason for our life. At some point in our lives we will stop and ask ourselves.
How can I help? What can I do to make it better?
Then there is the awe inspiring thoughts of insight, that fade as quickly as they came. Unfortunately each one of us usually looks for the unique one of a kind idea. That one that will inspire others, the one idea that will be our mark, or dent as it will. The one thing to show after we lay down the working tools of life, that we were here. Each of us wants to be remembered after we leave this world. It is human nature, it is how God made us. Even the most vile and evil person wants to be remembered.
We will never know how the one act of kindness or generosity affected those around us. One little moment in your existence could have an effect on one persons day, which may cause them to smile a little more or even maybe help another. Offering assistance or even a kind word could even help save another, from the most darkest of thoughts or despair. Restoring their faith in mankind, even if for just a day.
The purpose of this letter is to make you think about one thing. The purpose of life is not to leave a legacy after your gone. It is to leave your impression at least once on someone else’s day, not in the unique one of a kind splash. But in that one act of kindness which will make the difference for someone, even for the smallest amount of time. If you only do this once in your life, you served your purpose. At that moment even if you did not know it, you were on the right path.
I don’t know about you, but I hope, my path allows me to make my dent at least once and the real joy will be, not even knowing I did, until I stand before God on my day of reckoning. The purpose of life is to serve each other without need for lasting impressions, but to have that one moment in time. When we react without thinking and support someone just because, they need it, whether they ask or not. Terry Gardner
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THE PURPOSE Upon your initiation into a Lodge of Entered Apprentices, those solemn events that night started with 3 burning tapers. Illuminating the 3 great lights of Masonry, the choice before you after being brought to light is which path you will take from there. But rest assured that everyone chooses a path. For some the path takes twists and turns, starts and stops, for others it starts that night and never ends until they lay down the working tools of life. Masonic light is the secret of our fraternity, but that secret is different for each person. It is not some cosmic secret of ancient knowledge, but rather of self knowledge and awareness of what we as men are truly capable of. Men with a caring and giving heart, working to help our fellow brothers and mankind in general. Improving ourselves both spiritually and as living beings, not only for our own peace and contentment, but for the betterment of the soul. We try and offer a calm voice in times of strife. We give charity when it is needed, love and support when times are dark. To all men in this fraternity of ours, we learn that fellowship and help is but a handshake or word away. When in need of comfort or confidence we need only communicate on the square and can have faith in that our secrets will be held with a tongue of good report.
Most people do not realize they have a choice or even understand what the path to Masonic light means. The answer is, for each of us, different. What do you need and desire of masonry? What do you offer for the good of masonry? What truly induced you to become a mason?
For some it is family history, their fathers and grand fathers where masons. For others it is the idea of belonging to an ancient group who has withstood the test of time and therefore must offer something unique to its members. Yet to others it is a craving to dig within the rituals and allegory to find the hidden meanings, to understand the history behind the ritual. To each one a path is chosen, the path can be many things and appear before us in a multitude of directions. Many brothers join the Blue Lodge to never return, or may join only so that they can give their time and money to other Masonic appendant bodies, such as the Shrine or Scottish Rite. Others desire to remain solely in the Blue Lodge never venturing away from its outer doors. Within the lodge Brothers usually fall into several distinct groups, those who teach the work, those who desire to learn and teach and those who appear at every function and event. Some brothers work to promote the fraternity in a positive light, wanting to make us better known and understood in our community. Others give for the sake of giving, knowing that the reward of giving is a feeling that cannot be felt by any other means.
Our paths sometimes cross another, run parallel or even go in opposite directions of others. But be confident in the fact that each one of us has embarked upon the path to light. The true secret is understanding what Light means to you. So on first being brought to light in that Entered Apprentices obligation, think back to what your first thoughts and impressions were. Were you moved by the words? Were you amazed at the brothers ability to memorize the work? Were you in awe of the solemnity of the ritual? Were you moved by the ancient proceedings? Was it just relief that you had survived the unknown? Was it surprise at the religious aspect of your initiation?
Each and every brother before you knelt at the altar and took the oath and prayer of a mason. They have all felt the pull of the heart and the confusion of the event. The roll of emotions as they took in the brothers standing before them. What made them choose masonry? Each one of us sought out masonry, for our own reasons. That spark of missing light. Of feeling a part of our inner being, that voice deep inside us that tells us it is time and masonry is the place. That very first decision to enter a lodge, was the very first step to Masonic Light, ever be it small. The looking within and feeling the tug of the craft, from behind it’s closed doors. The sense of belonging, of finding a new home and knowing that the friendship contained within the lodge doors were lasting and unique. Just know that in your heart your path has no right, nor wrong, for it is your path, only your path. That the light you receive along the way illuminates your choices and guides your heart in your endeavors, both in the fraternity and without the outer doors.
To all my Brothers, walk carefully, along your path that lights from within.
Fraternally Terry Gardner
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BLANCHARD#395 MASONIC LODGE |
BLANCHARD EASTERN STAR |
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Band of Brothers This Fraternity of ours or rather this little band of brothers has many faces. The faces of Brothers, Sisters and children each with a separate life and yet at the same time a common thread, Masonry. Imagine if you will a golden thread fluttering in a spring breeze, anchored at both ends. One tied to the Holy Bible Square and Compass, the other held by you. The slack is fluttering back and forth up and down gently billowing in the clear day's breeze. People walking past, around, over and under it as it stretches over a lifetime of paths, twists and turns. The Golden Thread of life and charity touching and holding everyone it brushes, not tightly or restrictively but more as a boundary or guide. Easily breakable or stepped outside of, but for most of us, we tread within the bounds of that Golden thread. We teach our children that the thread of life is but a fragile thing, to be cherished and truly marveled at. That actions have reactions, the difference in good and bad, right and wrong. We live by examples in our community not by doing the large and well noted things, but by living below the fold, and doing the right thing for God, Country and Family. This common thread of masonry touches not only the lives of the members but also those we love, support, teach and even those we interact with. Most important those we lift up and dust off after they have stumbled. The shining face of peace and tranquility that beckons from beyond the inner door. We can do more as a Band of Brothers then we could ever hope to accomplish on our own. This fraternity of ours holds so many individuals with different beliefs in God and Life, yet everyone meets and holds the other in respect and in admiration of the acts we perform, as individuals and as a Band of Brothers. The common bond, Masonry, is not only the thread but the cement that binds us. For we all know we can meet and part as brothers. I am often amazed at the different individuals I have met in my search for light and my travels along life’s path, I would not have met so many nice people and been made to feel so welcome in the many cities and states I have been had it not been for Masonry. Freemasonry has given me the confidence to know that wherever I travel I have support and a safe haven in the event of trouble. Seeing that symbol on a brothers car or Truck identifies a common bond and secretly I know our paths have both traveled upon the same checkered pavement. That our bodies have knelt before the altar and made the oath of Brothers. To each and everyone I have met who has welcomed me without reservation, thank you, your kindness and Masonry’s has changed me, made me a better man and truly a better Christian. God bless the many faces of this Band of Brothers.
2-17-07
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