ESTARL
June 23, 2004
Yay. I like the Eastern Star. They hooked me up with some money for seminary. Just found out I got a nice little Eastern Star Training Award for Religous Leadership. So, just what *is* the Eastern Star you might ask? Good question.
Eastern Star is a social order comprised of persons with spiritual values but it is not a religion. Its appeal rests in the true beauty of the refreshing and character-building lessons that are so sincerely portrayed in its ritualistic work. A deep fraternal bond exists between its members. It is the wholesome relationship of sisterly and brotherly love brought about through high principles exemplified in our lives which makes us near and dear to each other.
While this is an Order composed of people of deep spiritual convictions, it is open to all faiths, except no faith. The personal welfare of our members is vital to all of those in the Eastern Star and it is considered a privilege to help another member whenever we can.
Tags: Eastern-Star, Masons, Scholarships
Posted in General
Adam Walker Cleaveland: 
June 23rd, 2004 at 11:55 am
i am a member, but i let my dues go, so they suspended me. my grandparents and mom were very active members, my grandpa was the head of the state (worthy grand patron) in ‘77, and my grandma was the head of the state (worthy grand matron) in ‘96. they even had personal license plates that said so. : )
congratulations on the scholarship - i’m sure it will be well used!
June 23rd, 2004 at 12:38 pm
You do realize, of course, that the Easter Star is a Masonic organization?
June 23rd, 2004 at 1:04 pm
Masonic? WHAT?!
(yes, Karl, I think I did know that…I’m glad they’re open enough to want to fund a Presbyterian student in seminary…)
June 23rd, 2004 at 3:45 pm
Didn’t Jesus say two contradictory but equally useful things about people who aren’t really aligned with him and his mission? I think that applies here. Congrats on receiving the scholarship. I guess one good thing about open organizations like this is that they don’t really care if you disagree with them on certain points. Huh.
June 24th, 2004 at 2:56 pm
Adam;
Isaiah 2:6
Justin how does your reference to the two statements Jesus made, square with the one He made in Matthew 7:21-23?
June 24th, 2004 at 4:56 pm
Damn Chris…thanks for that Holy Scripture that really convicted me. I’m totally going to write the Eastern Star and turn down the $2k right now. Thank you for your help…
June 25th, 2004 at 11:26 am
i know you’re kidding, but keep the money adam. i believe the old “evil” influences have been washed out of the organization long ago. the worst i’ve found in oes has been petty arguments, hurt feelings, power trips - all of which i’ve also seen in church.
June 25th, 2004 at 2:00 pm
Steph, no worries. Giving back the money would be completely stupid.
June 25th, 2004 at 2:18 pm
CHRIS:
Acts 8.21, 22; 13.10
June 26th, 2004 at 3:42 pm
Adam, whether or not you are convicted of anything is irrelevant to me, as we will all stand and answer for ourselves. This is is just a further proof that all that calls itself post- modern and emergent, is the same rehashed tripe that’s been around since Babel. Enjoy the money.
Tony, what’s your point?
June 26th, 2004 at 4:44 pm
Just so everyone knows what verses Tony quoted, here they are:
Acts 8:21-22: “You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.”
Acts 13:10: “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?”
Chris P., you are free to leave your comments here (I did ban you because frankly I’m sick of your rash generalizations and statements, but then I realized that I sometimes enjoyed reading them, so I un-banned you) - but seriously…Sometimes I wish you’d think about what you’re saying.
To equate my winning a Religious leadership scholarship from a religious organization that you happen to disagree with, with all things Emergent and Postmodern, and equating all of that to Babel…really.
June 26th, 2004 at 5:08 pm
Chris: I ask you the same: What’s your point?
But as to mine: you misuse scripture in the same manner Simon misused money and Bar-Jesus misused his influence–perhaps because Adam’s faith is a threat to you, a representative of the very mean-spirited religious leadership of Peter and Paul’s days. Hence the theme of Luke-Acts: God on the outsides, with the outsiders, with and for the very people you would suggest knock and Jesus does not know.
And, to leave the comments you do–in the way you do–directed at Adam, who is a brother of mine and a beloved of God–is to be, as Bar-Jesus–an enemy of the faith. In that case, perhaps you are Bar-Jesus–indeed, Jesus is in you, but that little Bar makes all the difference.
Furthermore, to speak in the manner you do–and suggest what you suggest–is to set yourself up in the place of Christ. And I would read Karl Barth re: the place of Christ and what Christ did in order to free humanity from the place only God should take place.
Indeed, Chris, I agree with you: God reigns. And that fact should temper your speech (and mine, for that matter).
Adam, leave Chris alone–go to the Gentiles….Let’s go to the Gentiles.
Here’s to God who quickens our hearts, arouses our souls, and calls us onward into and toward justice.
And in the face of those, Adam, who desecrate the faith, take heart that you stand with Christ.
Finally, Adam, you were right to un-ban him. Show him the welcome he refuses you.
June 28th, 2004 at 10:17 am
My, My! Who is being judgemental now? First of all how am I refusing Adam a welcome? He has commented on my blog and through email and I have never threatened to “ban” him or anyone else. I find the emergent types to be the most intolerant and arrogant, as are most who espouse leftist ideologies. You references through Scripture do not apply to me at all. You don’t even know me. Come and visit and see what is happening in ministry at the fellowship I serve, before you judge. You accuse me of painting with a broadbrush and every pomo blog that I have read uses a paint sprayer when it comes to those that they disagree with. Gee, I’m a religious enemy of the LORD because I quote the Scriptures that testify of Him. We are truly in the time when people with itching ears will gather men to themselves, to say whatever sounds good to them. If GOD is the all accepting creator and everyone gets saved and all religions and philosophies are valid (except modernism of course. How hypocritical!) then why send prophets to warn His people? Heck, why send JESUS to save them? As far as going to the gentiles, that is what I do everytime I comment on any of the emergent blogs. I am quite willing to let the LORD be my justification.
June 28th, 2004 at 12:46 pm
Wow, Chris–you really don’t have a point and you really don’t get it.
June 28th, 2004 at 9:30 pm
to quote a great philosopher:
“my cat’s breath smells like cat food.”