Sir Knights, I hope this finds you well. I cannot believe that the year is already more than half
over. July got here in a hurry. This July is special, because it is the 250th birthday of the United States of
America. As Christian Warriors, we as Knights Templar share a little with the brave men who fought to
free this country. I was reading this week about our Brother George Washington, and the General
Orders he gave to the troops. George is falsely considered by historians as a deist instead of a Christian.
Now I cannot speak to the salvation status of Brother Washington, but his actions and orders seem to
suggest that he was a Christian. One of his first General Orders that he made to his troops was to ban
foul language, and to appoint Chaplains. He also mandated that every soldier that was in a company
that had a chaplain was to attend church, and if they were in one that did not have one, to find the
nearest church on Sunday and attend there. He is recorded as saying that it is more important to be a
Christian than to even be a soldier. He stated that they could afford to offend God, if they were going to
win.
The call to be Christians and Warriors spoke to my heart, because that is among the vows that
we have agreed to. We find ourselves in a very similar place 250 years down the road. Will we fight for
what is right? With Jesus being the Plumbline? Or will we fight for what is easy? There is a wonderful
song that is my 5 year old Granddaughter’s favorite songs at the moment, while she loves Monster by
Skillet, and Zombies by We as Human, her current favorite is called All That Matters by Skillet (Link –
https://youtu.be/MjDEr8ghkRk?si=fFX4sgBJujkUcv7X) It seems to encapsulate what George Washingon
talked about being the most important thing for his army. I think it is also is something that we can hold
onto during this time in history.
I would like everyone to consider bringing a few boxes of band-aids to commandry. I would like
to donate band-aids to the 3 children’s homes in Lubbock. We all know that children love to have a
bandaid when they are hurt or their feelings are hurt. This is one of the programs that I would like to do
this year. I would also like to do a clothing drive to go to charity. I will also make plans for any that want
to, to go and feed at the soup kitchen one day. I think that being servant leaders is important, as well as
doing for the least of these as Jesus relayed in His teachings.
I would like to discuss upcoming events. We have Chapter and Council installations on July 25th
.
Jeff will then open his first meeting as TIM. We also will have our Inspection on October 17th starting at
9, breakfast at 8. This is one of the bigger days for our Commandery. Another big day comes the
following weekend where we will host the Outdoor Order of the Temple at Lake Godstone in Jacksboro.
This will be an event for the Grand Commandry of Texas and will be a wonderful time for family. Lake
Godstone is a Christian camp that has it’s own private lake. There will be time for fellowship and good
food. The experience is amazing. I hope that you will attend and help us put this on.
As always here are some events in the history of the Knights Templar for the month of July.
• July 1, 1099 – The Knight Templar Forces captured Jerusalem.
• July 4, 1187 – The Knights Templar Forces lost the battle of Hattin. Which greatly weakened the
Order.Here is a tribute to the 4th of July similar to the one that I gave at our last Stated Conclave.
We assemble this evening…
under the blessing of Almighty God…
and in the spirit of Christian charity…
To commemorate two hundred and fifty years…
since a nation was born…
in the cause of liberty.
As Knights Templar…
we are taught that our highest duty is not only to country…
…but to God.
And it is by His providence…
that nations rise…
and by His will…
that liberty endures.
Two and a half centuries ago…
in a world governed by crowns and empires…
a bold declaration was made.
That man…
created in the image of his Creator…
was not meant to live in bondage…
But in freedom.
As Thomas Jefferson expressed:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident… that all men are created equal…”
“…that they are endowed… by their Creator… with certain unalienable Rights…”
Sir Knights…
These words speak not only of government…
But of divine order.
Rights… are not granted by man.
They are given by God.
And with such gifts…
come sacred responsibilities.
The Founders of this nation understood this well.Before there was independence…
there was oppression.
Before there was victory…
there was sacrifice.
And when the moment demanded courage…
Men rose.
As Patrick Henry so forcibly spoke
“Give me liberty… or give me death!”
Those were not words lightly spoken.
They were the words of men… prepared to stand…
for what was right…
Even at the cost of their lives.
As Knights… we understand that call.
To defend the innocent…
To uphold the just cause…
To serve… with honor and faith.
For a Knight does not seek comfort…
He seeks righteousness.
The colonies… though separate…
became united…
As Brothers in purpose…
bound not by chains…
But by conviction.
As Brother Ben Franklin said
“We must all hang together… or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
They chose unity.
They chose sacrifice.
And in that sacred pledge…
they declared:
“…our Lives… our Fortunes… and our sacred Honor.”
Sir Knights…Honor.
This is a virtue we hold dear.
For without honor…
there is no integrity.
Without integrity…
there is no justice.
And without justice…
there can be no liberty.
Through trials of war…
through suffering and loss…
the cause did not fail.
Because it was guided…
Not by chance alone…
But by faith.
As Brother Washington stated:
“The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty… is… entrusted… to the hands of the American people.”
Sir Knights…
That trust…
is now ours to bear.
We are taught…
to be soldiers of the Cross…
To walk in humility…
To serve in righteousness…
And to defend the freedom…
that allows men to worship God… according to conscience.
James Madison reminds us:
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”
But men are not angels.
And so we labor—
To build…
To improve…To uphold the good.
Tonight…
as the heavens are lit with fire…
Let us remember…
That the greatest light…
is not in the sky…
…but in the hearts of men.
A light of faith…
Of courage…
Of liberty.
On this 250th anniversary…
Let us renew our vows—
To God…
To our Country…
To our Order…
To live with honor…
To act with courage…
To stand for truth…
And to ensure…
That the flame of liberty…
Never fails.
Prayer
And to ensure…
That the flame of liberty…
Never fails.
God bless the United States of America…
And may the spirit of 1776…
endure… under His divine providence…
forever.