jeffnevins Posted June 6, 2006 Group: Senior Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 207 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 806 Content Per Day: 0.12 Reputation: 141 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/09/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/21/1973 Share Posted June 6, 2006 Thanks to God for His Son. God bless you all. Now the gritty stuff: It's just an unpleasant day for me because if I go to this Masonic Lodge party, I don't know if I'm compromising my faith and friendship w/a close friend (see Mason post). If I don't go, my family, also Christians, will practically disown me (not very Christianlike behavior). I don't know what God wants me to do, only what other people want. No matter what I choose, I lose, it sems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anika Posted June 6, 2006 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 2 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 62 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/04/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted June 6, 2006 Just go, but don't participate in any of the rituals or prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffnevins Posted June 6, 2006 Group: Senior Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 207 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 806 Content Per Day: 0.12 Reputation: 141 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/09/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/21/1973 Author Share Posted June 6, 2006 Thanks- Very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerioke Posted June 6, 2006 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 97 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 5,850 Content Per Day: 0.84 Reputation: 128 Days Won: 0 Joined: 03/19/2005 Status: Offline Birthday: 08/11/1911 Share Posted June 6, 2006 Thanks- Very much. Can you take a friend who is like minded? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepherdsgrace Posted June 6, 2006 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 14 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 880 Content Per Day: 0.13 Reputation: 4 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/28/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted June 6, 2006 Sometimes we can simplify things by asking ourselves if we can do this In the Name of Jesus and can I do it in faith? God bless you as you make this decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfw Posted June 8, 2006 Group: Junior Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 0 Topics Per Day: 0 Content Count: 109 Content Per Day: 0.02 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/31/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted June 8, 2006 Be sure you've got the whole armor. If asked whether you'd like to join, remember that oaths are forbidden for the Christian (let your yes be yes and your no be no). If you won't swear to their bloody and secret oaths, they should let you be. This is indeed the gritty stuff. And they will almost certainly play a PR game with you, pointing to "church men" in their midst, and emphasizing the good works that is their public face. Remember that Satan played games with Eve, downplaying the clear command of God while emphasizing the "benefits" of forbidden fruit. But don't be afraid. The Lord will sustain you and give give you all the grace you need in time of temptation. Be strong in the Lord. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anika Posted June 8, 2006 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 2 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 62 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/04/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted June 8, 2006 let us know how it went, Jeff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffnevins Posted June 8, 2006 Group: Senior Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 207 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 806 Content Per Day: 0.12 Reputation: 141 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/09/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/21/1973 Author Share Posted June 8, 2006 Thanks, all. Well, I went into the place and saw old photos on the walls, stuff in a glass case, etc. I had dinner w/the family (some people called Rainbow Girls served the food). A reporter from a small-town newspaper interviewed an Inspector about the Lodge. I listened to his spiel grimly. Then everyone filed into "the room" for the 50-year (Master Mason) award for my grandpa, but once I saw the bible on a stand in that room w/all those weird symbols (no cross around), and guys putting on white loincloth-thingies, I walked back out, sat in the lobby and silently sobbed for a long while. I was pretty discreet about it no one really noticed it. After they finished in there, my family filed out, and understood that I loved them, just not the Masonic stuff. No one asked me to join- one look at my face might've given one the answer. Back to work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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