…presented at Hiram Lodge No. 319, Hagersville, November 9, 2006.

Right Worshipful Sirs, Very Worshipful Sirs, Worshipful Sirs Distinguished East and Brethren All.

Tonight on the eve of the District Deputy Visit to Hiram Lodge I would like to talk to you about Faith or Fear. Faith opens doors to a new future. It allows us to take new routes and explore different avenues. When we are grounded in faith we have the courage to travel to destinations we've never visited. This extremely potent question: Is it and act of faith or is it an act of fear? Faith supports us in making choices from our highest selves from the part that is deeply connected to all that that is and all that will be. When we are making choices that are sourced by our spiritual essence and are grounded in faith, we experience unbounded freedom.

Faith is a Friend by our side. Faith acts as the floor beneath our feet. When we make choices rooted in faith, we trust that there is a power, and unseen force, guiding us. When we have faith we know that we are being taken care of. Faith gives us the ability to look beyond our immediate circumstances and imagine brave new choices for the future. Faith means trusting in something beyond what we know. Faith gives us strength and reassurance and leaves us bathed in the wisdom that we are never alone.

Faith is the foundation for spiritual life. When we make the choice to act from faith rather than fear we are able to view the world from a higher perspective Faith invites us to believe in something we cannot see feel or know. When our actions are based on faith we are choosing to put our trust in something besides our fears.

Fear on the other hand keeps us rooted in the past. Fear of the unknown, fear of abandonment, fear of rejection, fear of not having enough, fear of not being enough, fear of the future- all these fears and more keep us trapped, repeating the same old patterns and making the same choices over and over again. Fear prevents us from moving outside the comfort- or even the familiar discomfort of what we know. It's nearly impossible to achieve our highest vision for our lives as long as we are guided by our fears.

Our fears tell us what we can and cannot do. They tell us to play small and be safe. Our fears cause us to try desperately to hold onto habits and behaviours even when they no longer serve us. Fear is the root of our negative patterns. Fear keeps us going around and around in circles, never allowing us an exit to a better life.

Fear shuts us down, while faith opens us up. Our fears are made up of anger, pain, worries, resentments and insecurities. Faith is made up of hope, possibility trust and an inner belief in the benevolence of the universe.

Do you have Faith that you will be guided to the circumstances that will give you exactly what you need. When you live in a faith based life you resign as general manager of the universe. Faith asks us to surrender control of our lives. Surrender is an act of courage. It is a divine path that gives us access to realities beyond what we know. To surrender and live a faith based life is to acknowledge the divine nature of the universe. To surrender affirms that we trust in a higher power to tend to our needs and guide us in a direction of our hearts desires.

Faith equals trust.
Faith offers hope
Faith offers opportunity
Faith offers promise.

When we live with faith we will be blessed with the support and the partnership of the universe.

Brethren I thank you for the kindness that you have afforded me this evening and I close with words of wisdom from Wor Brother Elgin Smith:

"Make Sure that after all the hard work of climbing the ladder of success when you reach the top of the ladder you've leaned it against the right building."