COOL CAT

Cab Calloway was one cool cat.

MASONRY - some light

I am a Freemason. I thought I'd post some essay material which would shed a little light on my Fraternity. We are not a cult. Every Mason in the world believes in God, in whatever way that Deity is manifested to them. Each Masonic lodge opens meetings with a Holy Book on an altar in the center of the room. Bible, Talmud, Koran, Veda, sometimes several, depending on the beliefs of the members attending. We have prayers to open and close lodge. Masonry encourages Morality, Brotherly Love, Charity, many cardinal virtues.

the square and compasses.

The letter "G" stands for God








opening prayer:

Most holy and glorious Lord God,

the Great Architect of the Universe,

the giver of all good gifts and graces,

 in Thy name we have assembled

and in Thy name we desire to proceed in all our doings.

Grant that the sublime principles of Freemasonry

may so subdue every discordant passion within us,

so harmonize and enrich our hearts

with Thine own love and goodness

that the Lodge at this time

may humbly reflect that order and beauty

which reign forever before Thy throne. 

Amen

prayer at lodge closing:

accept our humble thanks for the many mercies and blessings

which Thy bounty has conferred on us

and especially for this friendly and social intercourse.

Pardon, we beseech Thee, whatever Thou hast seen amiss in us

since we have been together

and continue to us Thy presence, protection and blessing.

Make us sensible of the renewed obligations we are under to love Thee,

and as we are about to separate and return to our respective places of abode,

wilt Thou be pleased so to influence our hearts and minds

that we may, each one of us, practice out of the Lodge

those great moral duties which are inculcated in it,

and, with reverence, study and obey the laws

which Thou hast given us in Thy Holy Word.    

Amen

SERMON on the MOUNT part 1

I am presenting this scripture in three parts. Mathew chapters 5, 6, and 7. I spaced them out with a couple hours in between. The Sermon on the Mount            Mathew   chapter 5                                                          N I V   1Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them. The Beatitudes He said: 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Salt and Light 13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. The Fulfillment of the Law 17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Murder 21“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,a and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sisterb c will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’d is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. 25“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. Adultery 27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’e 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. Divorce 31“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’f 32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Oaths 33“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.g Eye for Eye 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’h 39But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Love for Enemies 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbori and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Part two will be posted a bit later this morning. If you want to get a bible and read it I would be pleased.