Texas Freemason Magazine

By James C. “Chris” Williams, IV, Staff Writer - The Profound Pontifications of Brother John Deacon I have learned in my old age (and sometimes the hard way) that some things are just meant to be.  Or as my Dad would say…”It is what it is” or if he was especially philosophic “if it is inevitable, relax and go with it.”  At any rate I have decided that John being a big part of my life IS inevitable so I might as well relax and go with it.  It’s a good thing that I like him because if I didn’t, it would be really bad cause he seems to show up everywhere I go.  Pam and I had been invited to one of her co-worker’s wedding.  It was being held on an old ranch about an hour’s drive north through the beautiful Texas Hill Country.  It wasn’t a big wedding, but it wasn’t small either with about a hundred people there.  The weather could not have been better for the outdoor wedding and everything was, as Pam whispered to me while wiping away tears, “absolutely b...

 By Chad LaGrone, Grand Chaplain E.T.S How many of you are familiar with the acronym, E.T.S?   This is not a Masonic acronym or a sports channel like ESPN.   This phrase has its roots in military context, particularly with the marines that were in country during the 2003 Operation Iraqi Freedom; but has found its way to the civilian world in gyms, corporate board rooms, police departments, and so on.   My personal favorite setting to use this phrase is in my home, when doing life with three teenagers.   This phrase is “Embrace…the…suck.” EMBRACE THE SUCK It means to accept and endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with a positive or determined attitude.   My children will tell you that this is not one of their favorite “dadisms” that I share with them.   As a father, I will listen to their gripes about school, their friends, their siblings, and I will empathize for them for each instance.   However, if they choose to keep on with the same g...

  By James C. “Chris” Williams IV, Staff Writer - Profound Pontifications of Brother John Deacon As I begin to write this month’s article I have to chuckle a little remembering my monthly meeting with John.   I could tell when he drove onto the lot and parked in front of the shop that he was, shall we say, “in distress,” as he sometimes is.   As he slid out of that big F-350 I could see that he was either talking to himself or his truck.   I know this for two reasons.   First, he doesn’t have a clue what Bluetooth is, so I know he wasn’t talking on his cell phone and two, he has been known to actually talk to his truck….aka Blackie.   He was still mumbling to himself as he walked in the door.   “Hey Brother John,” I called out in as pleasant a voice as I could muster.   “Who’re you talking to?”   He just stared at me, and I knew he was still upset with me for what happened earlier in the month.   He stood at the counter and gave me a ste...

Sourced By Martin Solis, Staff Writer - From The Builder Magazine February to July 1926 PART I We are very pleased indeed to introduce to the readers of The Builder a new contributor.   Bro. Thiemeyer is young both in years and in Masonry, yet already he has made more progress in knowledge than many of his seniors.   He has chosen to deal with a very difficult, yet most interesting subject, and we have the promise of further articles from his pen. A DISCUSSION IN THREE PARTS Bro. Ernest E. Thiemeyer, Missouri THE INTERNAL DIFFICULTIES OF THE STORY NOTHING in the so-called Blue Degrees of Masonry even remotely approaches the Legend of the Third Degree for solemnity, beauty, impressiveness, or philosophy, it is, in fact, the summit of Craft Freemasonry.   As a subject of constantly recurring interest it has appealed to students as a problem to be solved, a mystery to be unraveled, and has attracted the minds of the greatest Masonic scholars of all tim...