Grand Commander’s Message (September 2022)
Greetings Sir Knights,
We are having such a great time visiting with the Sir Knights of Texas. You guys never cease to amaze me with your dedication, your comradery, your love for each other and Jesus Christ. You make the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Texas what it is, a great organization dedicated to helping others and defending Christianity. I know pride is a sin, but I am very proud to be part of your organization. You continue to teach me and show me the way to salvation. Being a Christian Knight is the height of my masonic career and I am blessed to call you Brother and Sir Knight.
While visiting Southside Commandery I learned of a program you might just consider supporting. It is called Samaritan’s Purse. If gives us the opportunity to bring joy and relief to children across the globe. This is a Christian organization whose mission is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Through this project, Samaritan’s Purse partners with local churches worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations.
Franklin Graham is President of Samaritan’s Purse and states “every box is an opportunity to reach a child with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Check out their website for more information: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
Sir Knight Tim Gould is the coordinator of this program for his business and has agreed to coordinate it for the Grand Commandery of Texas.
His contact information is:
- Cell: 817.586.5884
- Office: 817.768.6020
- Email: email; tgould@spartan5ssolutions.com
This is a great opportunity for your Commandery or other Masonic body to get involved in helping children. Please check it out.
Becoming trustworthy. To gain trust you must trust in others and then be worthy of trust in return. To be worthy of trust means, for one thing, you keep your word. If you commit to doing something, do it. If you promise something, fulfill that promise. If circumstances prevent you from living up to what you have promised or committed to, go to that person, or group and tell them why you cannot fulfill your promise, own it. You want to be the first one to tell them you will not be able to perform whatever it is you promised to do. Do not let them hear it first from someone else. By being first, by owning up to it, by going to the person face to face and admitting you cannot do whatever it was, you gain rather than lose trust. Life situations occur, they interfere with our plans and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations at times. What marks you as a trustworthy individual is how you handle yourself when this happens. This is what will define your ability to be trusted.
For many Sir Knights, Commandery meetings and functions are an afterthought or a low priority in their masonic lives. We all are members of a Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council. We join those prior to becoming Christian Knights. We take jobs in those bodies which makes it difficult to find the time to participate in Commandery. Perfectly understandable. Those bodies need you just as we do. I encourage you to fulfill your obligations to them in the best possible way. Commandery carries a larger burden on its members than any others. Our purpose is to help others before helping ourselves. To guide others along the same Christian path we took. It is therefore fitting and proper that you be active in other masonic bodies. While you are there, tell them about Christian Masonry. If outside the lodge, tell them about Jesus Christ. Give all Brethren the opportunity to become a soldier for Christ. That is our duty, that is our purpose, that is what it means to be the twelfth Apostle of Jesus. When time permits, be in the Asylum. Be around fellow Christians. Ensure this organization continues its mission by continuing its existence. You are among the select few. You have earned the trust of other Sir Knights, the elite of the Masonic Fraternity. You are the Twelfth Apostle of Jesus Christ, and you are needed.
God bless each of you and God bless the Grand Commandery of Texas
Richard R. Jernigan
Grand Commander 2022 – 2023