http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/ A place for Masons to come and gather in a friendly forum. en Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:50:08 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/images/styles/mason/misc/rss.jpg http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/ http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/robert-birtch/start-ramblings-one-who-both-genius-moron-10/ Sun, 30 Jan 2011 05:46:06 GMT I'm guessing that I should make this blog somewhat of a life story. Very well, then I shall start at the beginning, which is a very good place to start. Are you all sitting comfortably? Right, let's begin.

My story begins on Wright Patterson Air Force Base hospital, in Xenia, OH on May 11, 1991. I was the first in a set of 3 children. When I was 2, we had to move to Upstate New York, and lived there till I was 4. I had a normal upbringing until I was 6 and started school. It was there that I noticed I had some...irregularities... compared to my peers. I was unusually intelligent for a child my age, and instantly seen as different, opening me up to much ridicule and torment from the other kids. It was also there that my want for popularity had started. I can't remember why, I guess I just saw some kid surrounded by other kids who were hanging on to his every word, and wanted to be like him. But I had some issues. Firstly, I was shunned because of an issue that I had with hygiene that had started after I'd broken my leg @ age 2 and had half of my body in a cast that went up over my waist. That accident would set my potty training back quite a bit. Secondly, I didn't dress like the kind of kid they wanted to hang out with, I didn't talk like them, or act like them; I wasn't one of them as far as they were concerned, I was less than them.

First grade, the hygiene issue was still with me. I had problems with letting go of small things, I also couldn't take a joke, and all these things stuck with me all the way until 7th grade, though I had the hygiene issue tackled by 5th.

7th grade was when things had reached somewhat of a climax for me. It was also when I joined DeMolay, so having all these guys that I could turn to if I needed support did wonders for my confidence, but it wasn't enough. Up until this point, I had a problem of when others would have fun at my expense, and I would overreact. I would be hellbent on starting a fight, and then playing the victim because I had been hurt worse than they had. I had this constant feeling like it was all about me, no one could be my friend, they were all out to get me.

But there was one who would be the nail in the coffin. Trey Combs. Back then, he was a real tough guy, and for what ever reason, he hated me. I had done nothing to wrong him, anyway. But nonetheless, he bullied me. What was worse was that he was in band with me, and his bullying forced me to quit playing trumpet. It sent him a message that I was his plaything, and he could get me to do anything his twisted little mind could think of. So at first he would spit on me in such a manner that it would feel like water was leaking from the ceiling. The process is called "raining" or gleeking", I believe. It all reached a pitch when one day in the locker room after gym class, he has upset to a point where I had made a very violent and graphic death threat. Given that US was still reeling from the Columbine High School Massacre and 9/11, my idle threat did not go unnoticed. I was immediately suspended out of school, and then given a choice. Either JDC, or a place called the Warren County Learning Center. [sarcasm]It was such a hard choice.[sarcasm]

Now, the focus there was not to help me improve academically, but socially. There, I would do easy school work, but also undergo some intense mental therapy sessions, in which I had learned some things about myself, and matured a great deal. I was still an Active DeMolay, and had even gotten another guy I met at the WCLC to join my chapter. We were as inseparable a pair as you might find any where. A regular Dynamic Duo. I had learned there that all my past struggles were problems that I myself were responsible for. All the fights were my fault. It took me some time to accept the reality, but I came to terms eventually.

I stayed there for 2 years, and then I was sent back to normal High School. Things had changed. I had grown up, as had all the other kids who picked on me. I actually achieved somewhat of a celebrity status when the movie "Superbad" had come out, because I bore a similar likeness to one of the main characters, McLovin, so at first I was like, "please stop calling me that." Then I decided to take it and make it my own, accepting it as part of who I was. I had also curbed my anger problem, I was less impulsive than before. I actually laughed when someone had made an attempt to frustrate me.Now I could hang with the best of them. I rode that golden ship all the way to graduation and beyond.

That is all for now. I want to leave you all hungering for more. See you all later. ]]> Robert Birtch http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/robert-birtch/start-ramblings-one-who-both-genius-moron-10/ http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/duncan1574/my-journey-freemasonry-9/ Mon, 08 Nov 2010 13:18:37 GMT As I review my decision to become a Mason, I find that this is where I have been going all along. I have studied many societal and religious... As I review my decision to become a Mason, I find that this is where I have been going all along.

I have studied many societal and religious systems. Bushido, Spartans, Templar Knights, Knighthood in general, Victorian, and many others.

My favorite movies and books that I re-watch and re-read have a highly defined moral system of brotherhood, camaraderie, and honor.

My heart longed for that place where chivalry, honor, and ethics rule.

I feel like Freemasonry could be that place. As I am very new to this endeavor I can not with calm definition say that this is the place, but all that I have seen, read, and witnessed gives my heart and soul due pause to believe that I have found that place. ]]> Duncan1574 http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/duncan1574/my-journey-freemasonry-9/ http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/masonicleader/masonicleader-website-8/ Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:14:47 GMT Brethren, I listed in my info that one of my hobbies is teaching leadership to Masons. I became involved in 1995 after attending Dr. John C.... Brethren,
I listed in my info that one of my hobbies is teaching leadership to Masons. I became involved in 1995 after attending Dr. John C. Maxwell's training course and trainer certification. Since then I have been actively involved in doing what I can to raise the level of leadership in the Masonic fraternity.

I would look forward to discussions in this forum and invite you to visit my leadership website www.masonicleader.com
Mike Clevenger, PM
New England Lodge #4
Worthington Ohio ]]> masonicleader http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/masonicleader/masonicleader-website-8/ http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/native-fighting-bear/new-year-just-minutes-away-5/ Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:43:46 GMT It's almost 2010 & I'm really hoping thing will get better for the new year with the president that we have now, I just found out from my wife that if we break even on our taxes for the 2010 year, we may end up losing our taxes to our government,looks like another miss hap by our president. This is just great, there are a lot of people who rely on that money to help get their bills taken care of & to help give them a boost to get thing caught up. I f this happens, there will be more homeless than before. Lets just pray that this never goes through.
Signed:
Native Fighting Bear ]]> Native Fighting Bear http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/native-fighting-bear/new-year-just-minutes-away-5/ http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/native-fighting-bear/my-interest-freemasons-increasing-4/ Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:08:44 GMT *My interest in to the Freemasons has increased more as I read more of the entries in this site. I definitely would like to learn as much as I can... My interest in to the Freemasons has increased more as I read more of the entries in this site. I definitely would like to learn as much as I can about the Freemasons. I just hope I can find more information as I can.:):D ]]> Native Fighting Bear http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/native-fighting-bear/my-interest-freemasons-increasing-4/ http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/ashlar2006/taking-over-my-life-3/ Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:34:12 GMT I have been accused by my profane friends that Freemasonry has taken over my life in the years that I have been a Mason . They claim that I'm a different person and not like my old self . If this is true , which I belive it is , then I'm happy to admit then , that I am a different man . We are looking down the barrell of our 30's and closing in on 40 and yet they live their lives like we are still in high school . Drinking and partying are still number one in their minds . I've grown up and have chosen a different path to walk . This path has led me to a better place . I find nothing wrong with spending my Friday or Saturday night in a lodge rather than in a bar . In fact , I look forward to it . I'm now calmer and subdued , I'm polite and curtious , I obey the law and act upon the square . I have even found my way back to the church . If this is wrong , then I don't want to be right !

I knew that I did the right thing by becoming a Freemason when my nephew , after seeing the change in me , came to me and told me he also wanted to be a Mason . The very same young man that used to tease me when I first joined the lodge , now wants to become one himself . He stated that if the teachings of Masonry are this profound to change a person's outlook on life , then he wants to be a part of it . If you ask me , that's saying a lot for the fraternity .

I'm proud to be a Freemason . I will forever walk and act as such . The anti-masons and detractors can say what they will about our fraternity but nothing will ever diminish this fact . ]]> Ashlar2006 http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/ashlar2006/taking-over-my-life-3/ http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/ashlar2006/brothers-sidelines-2/ Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:38:05 GMT This is a shorter version of an education paper I have written for my lodge . I shortened it down because of my slow typing . I have sat on the... This is a shorter version of an education paper I have written for my lodge . I shortened it down because of my slow typing .
I have sat on the sidelines for the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft degrees at other lodges in my district and in my own lodge where there may only be two or three brothers on the sidelines , or in some cases , I was the only one . But Brothers come out of the woodwork for the Raising of a young Mason . I have wondered to myself why that is . One degree is no more important than the one before it or the one after it . Yet , we wonder why these newly initiated Brothers never come back to be Passed or Raised . The Entered Apprentice degree is where we make the first and greatest impression on a new candidate . Which do you think would leave the biggest impression and bring him back ? Most , if not all of the seats on the sidelines filled in support of this new Brother coming into our Fraternity , showing him what brotherhood is about ? Or him coming to light and looking around and finding only the officers and a couple of Brothers on the sidelines ? I think we know the answer to this one .

As for the Fellowcraft degree , again we should all come out in support of our Brother . And it wouldn't hurt , even for the oldest Mason , to have a refresher course in the beautiful and instructive lessons of these lectures in this degree . Somtimes I think we lose sight of these lessons .

So the next time a Brother tells you they are going to have an EA degree at their lodge and asks you to come and visit and you think , I'm just to busy , think how you would have felt if others thought the same way when you were initiated . It's only a couple hours that you'll be there , and there's nothing on TV worth watching anyways . ]]> Ashlar2006 http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/ashlar2006/brothers-sidelines-2/ http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/ashlar2006/why-i-love-fraternity-1/ Wed, 26 Dec 2007 20:40:51 GMT When I first came in to the fraternity I really didn't know what to expect , but I liked what I read about it . I met men of great importance in my town . Doctors , judges and men of wealth . I thought they would look down their noses at me , being a blue collar worker . But to my surprise we met as friends . I now see these men out in public , away from the lodge and they greet me with a smile ,a shake of the hand or a slap on the back . These very men , I thought would have nothing to do with me ,now meets me on the level .

Not long ago I was in an accident that left me somewhat crippled . I was having trouble paying my doctor bills and close to losing my house . My brothers would come by to check on me and one day I noticed that my pile of bills seemed quit a bit smaller and then found out , when calling these doctors I owed money to , that the bill was paid up . It seems that my Lodge brothers were taking a bill from my wife as they left and paid them for me . There are no words I can express for my gratitude to these men .

To all who wonder what the fraternity is about . It's about men of all creeds , religions and stations in life to meet as equals and as brothers . To learn how to subdue your passions , to walk upright and be a good man . Becoming a Freemason is one of the most important things I have ever done in my life and I will never regret . ]]> Ashlar2006 http://www.freemasonhall.com/community/blogs/ashlar2006/why-i-love-fraternity-1/