Freemasonry

[Keeplookinup]

For the last year or so, while watching various programs on the History channel about Freemasonry (which I never knew much about), I have come to really call into question some of my family history. My maternal grandparents, my parents and my paternal grandfather were all members of the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star. My maternal grandparents were VERY involved...back in the 1960's this was like THEE social club to belong to. They were also very active in our church and to me, as a child, loved the Lord very much. Especially my maternal grandmother. My father, to my knowledge, never, EVER had a relationship with Jesus and would only go to church when my mother made him. I know my mom loved the Lord!!

My question....they were HIGHLY respected and admired members of the community. It disturbs me to NO END that there may be a question about their salvation, when I have always been secure that I will see them again. (Well, not my dad sadly). My mother wanted an Eastern Star "service" at her funeral and, against all our wishes, we complied.

I have a closet full of "memorabilia" from my grandparents heyday. In the past looking through their things and at pictures made me feel close to them. Now I just feel troubled. My brother doesn't want me to discard anything, but I just have an uneasy feeling, after some of the things I have learned. Like I had lived in some fantasy world.

Just wanted to hear from some of my forum friends on what they would do and what should I DO with all of this?? I know I can't change the past, but well....you know!

Thanks! Sue

[mattfivefour]

Sis, talk to the Lord about what to do and He will answer you. From man you will get many answers, some no doubt godly. But which is which? Personally I think it a good and healthy display of our human love to keep those things which provide precious memories of our loved ones. I would caution you not to let Satan get one over on you and cause you emotional anguish by making you think you need to divest yourself of those memories. But the Lord knows and He will direct you. If you are determined to serve Him, His answers will not create any confusion or turmoil in you at all ... the very opposite of what Satan's answers do.

As to the matter of relatives who have died— with the exception of my first wife and her parents, I have no idea whether any of my loved ones are currently with the Lord. And I loved them all very much. Some were particularly dear to me. It used to bother me that they might not be with the Lord (in some cases I KNOW they are not) until I realized that a) everybody chooses their own place of eternal existence and all were given chances to make the correct choice; b) I think of them as MY loved ones, but they were God's loved ones eons before they were ever mine, and He is as concerned over the fate they chose as we are ... in fact more so ... since He left Heaven and suffered and died for them; and c) since there will be no tears, no sorrow, no sadness, no remorse, no pain of any kind in Heaven, when we get there if we discover some of our loved ones are not, we will be filled with all the knowledge of God, so we will clearly understand who is there, not there, and why, and will not be heartbroken ... rather we will be so blessed in the presence of the Lord and our brothers and sisters that we will rejoice throughout eternity. We may find that hard to accept in the flesh, but I believe God's Word and so I believe what I have written to be true.

I hope this helps.

[Keeplookinup]

Sis, talk to the Lord about what to do and He will answer you. From man you will get many answers, some no doubt godly. But which is which? Personally I think it a good and healthy display of our human love to keep those things which provide precious memories of our loved ones. I would caution you not to let Satan get one over on you and cause you emotional anguish by making you think you need to divest yourself of those memories. But the Lord knows and He will direct you. If you are determined to serve Him, His answers will not create any confusion or turmoil in you at all ... the very opposite of what Satan's answers do.

As to the matter of relatives who have died— with the exception of my first wife and her parents, I have no idea whether any of my loved ones are currently with the Lord. And I loved them all very much. Some were particularly dear to me. It used to bother me that they might not be with the Lord (in some cases I KNOW they are not) until I realized that a) everybody chooses their own place of eternal existence and all were given chances to make the correct choice; b) I think of them as MY loved ones, but they were God's loved ones eons before they were ever mine, and He is as concerned over the fate they chose as we are ... in fact more so ... since He left Heaven and suffered and died for them; and c) since there will be no tears, no sorrow, no sadness, no remorse, no pain of any kind in Heaven, when we get there if we discover some of our loved ones are not, we will be filled with all the knowledge of God, so we will clearly understand who is there, not there, and why, and will not be heartbroken ... rather we will be so blessed in the presence of the Lord and our brothers and sisters that we will rejoice throughout eternity. We may find that hard to accept in the flesh, but I believe God's Word and so I believe what I have written to be true.

I hope this helps.

Thanks my brother!! Yes, these things mean memories to me, but I can't tell you I am THAT hung up on them. My brother (who is not a believer), for whatever reason, seems to think they are worth holding on to. So for now, they will continue to occupy the box at the very top of my closet. You are right, the Lord knows my heart and knows that IN NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM do I want to be deceived. But there is that little voice in my head that says "that stuff doesn't represent the 'right stuff' so get rid of it". I'll wait til I know it's time. As for seeing them or not again, you're right; once we all get there we'll really be way too happy to feel sadness. It's hard though, when they are people that were so loved DOWN HERE. Thanks for the wise words...always appreciated!!