A Picture of Change: Fraternity's Story in Images

Sept 12, 2025, Newsletter #115

Dear Brethren and Friends,

Special Announcements:

BROKEN ARROW LODGE #243 SUSTAINING MEMBER PROGRAM 

As the cost of everything continues to rise, we at Broken Arrow Lodge are not immune. Our operating expenses continue to increase while our dues collections remain relatively stable. The members voted to increase the annual dues a year or so ago but that only affects the “duespaying” members. While any member may contribute, this program is predominately geared towards our Perpetual and Life Members. All funds raised through this program will be used for operational expenditures, leaving all monies raised through our various fundraisers available for charity, which as everyone knows is “the chief of every social virtue”. 

There will be four tiers of giving: 

· “Quarter” Club A total of $25, which will cover the cost of a Member’s Per Capita. 

· “Century” Club A total of $100, which will cover the cost of one day’s operational costs of the lodge. 

· “243” Club A total of $243, which helps the lodge remain vibrant and active in our community. 

· “Penta Centennial” Club A total of $500, which goes a long way towards improving our lodge. 

Funds will not require a single payment, rather, they may be paid incrementally on a schedule of “your” choosing. As recognition, at the end of the year, a document will be prepared with the names of those individuals that met the for each level, which will then be framed and hung on the wall in Honor of those who gave. 

Each year, a new list will be prepared, replacing the previous year’s list which will then be placed in the archives of the lodge, as a memento commemorating the donations.

Note: This program begin immediately. You may send a check to the Lodge or make a donation at https://balodge243.square.site/.

My Ramblings by W:. Scott A. MacDonald © 2025

Out of the Mouth

The spoken word has tremendous power. And it is powerful not only to those who hear us speak, but to our own minds. 

For instance, saying “I am in control” to yourself everyday in the mirror, will begin to re-wire your brain and you will begin to believe it. It further manifests itself in subconscious behavior as your subconscious mind begins to work in ways to fulfill that command it has been given. 

Re-wiring your brain to be “in control” has several benefits:

1. It promotes empowerment.

2. Reduces anxiety.

3. Fosters a “growth” mindset.

4. Focuses you on those things in life that you do have control over.

5. You become the architect of your own joy.

6. Self-affirmation activates brain areas related to self-processing and the brain’s reward system.

7. Positive thoughts reduce cortisol, the stress hormone.

Feeling out of control can also negatively affect the type of society you want to live in. People who feel a lack of personal control prefer a culture that imposes order. This produces a self-fulfilling prophecy, because as your culture produces more control, you become more  anxious about  not having control. 

We also impact those around us with our words. For those of us with children, we have all experienced the power of saying a word and having our child repeat it, sometimes to our great embarrassment. But to me as a father, hearing my children repeat a piece of advice I gave them is a great pleasure. About once a year I ask my kids, what is something positive you learned from me? I challenge you to ask your children (or other younger relatives) this question. See what they say. 

The Bible also speaks about the power of words:

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 25:11 A Word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 

A final thought. Yesterday was the anniversary of the attack of 9-11. We need to remember the sacrifice of those who died that day and to keep the surviving families ever in our prayers. The animals who did the attack were deceived by words they learned from their culture. Let’s pray that evil never prevails.

Lord, help us to be positive and exact control over our lives keeping Your word as the bedrock. In His name I pray. Amen.

Lodge Calendar

Sept 16 (Tuesday) - Stated Communication. Dinner at 6 pm, lodge at 7 pm.

Sept 23 (Tuesday) – Presentation by MW Brad Rickelman. Topic “To your tents, O’Israel”. This is about Lodge Leadership.

September 27 (Saturday) - Fish Fry at the Lodge. 5 pm to 8 pm or whenever we run out of fish. We need volunteers to help work on this fundraiser for the Lodge. Tickets are $12 each. Lodge members will be receiving 10 tickets in the mail to sell or buy.

Sept 30 (Tuesday) – Family night 5th Tuesday. Trivia Night. Bring family and friends. Dinner at 6 pm.

Oct 7 (Tuesday) – Stated Communications. Dinner at 6 pm and lodge at 7 pm.

Oct 14 (Tuesday) – Lodge fellowship. Dinner at 6 pm.

Oct 21 (Tuesday) - Stated Communications. Dinner at 6 pm and lodge at 7 pm.

Oct 28 (Tuesday) – Lodge fellowship. Dinner at 6 pm.

Oct 30 (Thursday) – District 12 – Tulsa 71 - 5925 E. 9th St., Tulsa 74112. Dinner at 6 pm program to follow.

November 7th and 8th (Friday & Saturday) – Grand Lodge in Guthrie, OK. Open to all Master Masons. Come and participate in the governance of your Grand Lodge and meet Masons from all over Oklahoma.

Hope you all have a great weekend. See you at the next meeting!

Sincerely, 

W:. Scott A. MacDonald, Treasurer and Membership Calling Chairman