Devotional Guide

What most people talk about when they talk about devotionals is a book that helps you grow.

“Devotion” is a big clue to a devotional’s use. Faith, fidelity, piety, duty are all elements of devotion.

So why would you want to use a devotional? What will it actually do?

Well, believers use devotionals as a way to grow closer to Deity and learn more about life.

Kappa Alpha Order’s Devotional Guide is not meant to be read in one sitting. It is designed for you to read a portion and think about personal application either corporately or individually. By praying every day, believers develop a stronger relationship with their God. Devotions, the act of reading passages and praying, are a staple in most denominations. This resource is intended to be a spring board to a lifetime of devotion to Bible study and prayer.

This resource is not exhaustive but is an attempt to encourage connecting to the spiritual foundations of the Kappa Alpha Order. Use it in conjunction with your Bible studies, establish accountability partners and seek guidance in your quiet time. Are you a believer? If so, it is important to give an account of the Hope that is in you so you can complete that work begun in you with reverence toward God who will in turn work in you for His good pleasure. Seek Excellence and discover Perfection.

Dieu et les Dames!

The Devotional Guide was developed/written by members of the 2011-2012 Devotional Resource Task Force: National Chaplain Dwain Knight (Delta Kappa – Stephen F. Austin State ’04), Deputy Chaplain Fitz Conner (Gamma Eta – Florida State ’03), and Deputy Chaplain Loyd Gentry (Alpha Delta – William Jewell ’55).

Table of Contents 4

Fresh Start

6

Doing Battle

8

Courage Rest

Hope

12

Compassion

Criticism Dreams Friendship

Mercy

24 26

Believe

10

Nobility

22

Gratitude

14

18

32

What to Read When Prayers

20

30

Generosity Justice

16

28

34

35

Chapter of Sorrow

37

An online version of this Devotional Guide and additional devotional resources may be found at www.kappaalphaorder.org/devotional.

3

Fresh Start Opening Prayer: Dear Lord, as I start a new year I realize that I need a fresh start in many places in my life. I need a fresh start in my relationship with you. I need a fresh start in my relationships at home and at school. I want a fresh start with my health, with my school work, with my personality and really everything. The truth is I know that I can’t do any of this without you. I don’t even want to try to do it without your help because I always fail miserably. Help me to be patient with myself and with the people that I love. We all need to make changes so forgive me when I am hard on others. Forgive me when I am impatient with you, Lord. Give me the strength to come to you every day so you can give me the courage and the desire to start this year walking more closely with you, loving you and living my life in a healthier more joyful way. Amen.

Read: Philippians 3: 12-15 (NIV 1984) “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.”

This is an invitation to let go of the past and move toward a new future. It is a move toward maturity when we let go of the past and allow God to show us new ways to live, new ways to relate and new ways to think.

Think: What does God want you to do differently with your life this year?

Pray to God about it and consider telling someone you trust who will pray for you and support you as you seek to do some things differently this year.

4

Give me the strength to come to you every day so you can give me the courage and the desire to start this year walking more closely with you, loving you and living my life in a healthier more joyful way.

5

Doing Battle In 2 Chronicles 20 we are told the story of King Jehoshaphat who was facing a vast army coming against him and the people who lived in Jerusalem.

Jehoshaphat loved God and prayed the following:

“We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you!” The Lord answered Jehoshaphat and said, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.

For the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you.”

(NIV 1984) Some of the battles we face seem as vast as an army and we do not know what to do! God was clear with Jehoshaphat and He is clear with us. “The battle is not yours, but God’s! You will not have to fight your battle. You are invited to stand firm and see what the Lord will do. The promise is deliverance. The promise is that He will be with you. You don’t have to know what to do; just keep your eyes on the Lord.

Spend a few moments using Jehoshaphat’s prayer above to pray about your own battle.

6

7

Father, give me the courage to be who you want me to be.

Amen.

8

Courage “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.�

Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV In the book Walk the Talk, authors Harvey and Ventura teach that courage is doing what's right - following our Guide; refusing to compromise principles, despite pressures and temptations to the contrary, and taking a stand against what's wrong speaking out, whenever we see others do things that are incorrect or inappropriate.

Unquestionably, both of those require guts and fortitude...they require courage.

Follow your conscience instead of "following the crowd".

Refuse to take part in hurtful or disrespectful behaviors.

Sacrifice personal gain for the benefit of others.

Speak your mind even though others don't agree.

Take complete responsibility for your actions...and your mistakes.

Follow the rules and insist that others do the same.

Challenge the status quo in search of better ways.

Doing what you know is right regardless of the risks and potential consequences.

Our brothers who are graduates of the United States Military Academy repeated the "Cadet Prayer" during chapel services.

"Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole truth can be won. Endow us with the courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy; that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy."

That is truly the essence of courage.

9

10

Rest Opening Prayer: Father, I have a busy day ahead of me and I need your help. I need your help with school. I need your help with fraternity stuff. I need your help in all the places where I’m fouling up. My first move is to try to manage it myself yet I know I need to learn how to depend more on you. It doesn’t come naturally to me yet I realize that you are not only eager to help me but that you promise to do so. I am grateful for that and I’m grateful for you. You have given me so much. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Read: Matthew 11: 28 (NIV 1984)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

This is a promise from Jesus. He is offering the kind of rest that only He can give. It is more powerful than an afternoon on the couch watching football, more satisfying than sleeping in and more energizing than anything we come up with to get refreshed. Spend a few minutes telling God the things going on in your life right now that are like burdens in your life and in your heart. The things that wear you out emotionally, physically and mentally.

Closing Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to believe that you will take all of my burdens and give me rest. Help me to understand that you will do things with them that I could not have done on my own. I can’t thank you enough for caring about the details of my life, even the ones that seem small and insignificant. It is such good news to know that I can give it all to you.

Now teach me how to leave it in your hands rather than try to control it myself. I need the rest that only you can give! Thank you, Lord. Amen.

11

Compassion "As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion . . .�

Colossians 3:12a (NRSV) There are few words in any language better than the word "compassion." It comes from Latin and means "to suffer with" or "to feel with."

Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird appears on everyone's list of "best books ever written."

Some would even say that it is "the best book ever written." In one memorable scene Atticus Finch says to his children, "If you want to understand another person, you must crawl inside their skin and walk around with them."

What an excellent description of compassion! Compassion means to be able to get inside other people, to see through their eyes, to feel with their feelings, and to think their thoughts.

The French have a proverb that says, "To know all is to forgive all." This proverb is saying to us if we could get inside the skin of our enemies and people we don't like and experience the things they experience, we would understand them and treat them differently. We would treat them with compassion.

Compassion is more than a word. It is a way of life that comes more naturally to some than to others. It is an action that "speaks louder than words."

Today, tomorrow, and the day after that, intentionally look for ways to show compassion to someone. It will make a difference in their lives and in yours!

12

O God, help me this day to have the right attitude towards all with whom I come in contact.

Amen.

13

Father, teach me your ways and help me to choose wisely.

Amen.

14

Nobility “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Acts 17:10-11 (ESV) From the Ten Commandments of the Bible, to All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, people throughout history have searched for a way to define and quantify admirable behavior. The code of chivalry is, at its heart, simply a handbook for good conduct. But chivalry was not a mandate from the powerful to the downtrodden, nor a directive from the chosen unto the masses. It was a set of limitations which the strong and mighty placed upon themselves with the realization that setting a good example sends a message which is far more powerful than any words on paper.

Today, we’re not too different from those knights in the Middle Ages — we have a great deal of wealth and resources and freedom at our disposal, and we can use (or misuse) them in nearly any way we like.

Perhaps that’s why people are finding the concept of chivalry so relevant to modern life. Perhaps, like those knights in shining armor hundreds of years ago, we want to experience the satisfaction of knowing that we have championed the right causes and embraced the right principles, not because we were told to do so, but simply because we have chosen to follow that path.

In short, that’s what chivalry is — a choice. It is the choice to do the right things, for the right reasons, at the right times.

15

Criticism "Reckless words pierce like a sword."

Proverbs 12:18 (NIV) "You can't please everyone." There's always going to be someone around to tell you how to do your job, how to live your life, how to do this or that. There's always going to be someone around who thinks they know more than we do and who can do things better than we.

When someone says to us, "I hope you won't mind my telling you this," you can be sure they will.

Someone reading these words right now is hurting from a harsh word aimed at them recently. A few quick observations about criticism: (1) Some take criticism too seriously and allow it to eat away at them. (2) There are times we need to listen, being grateful for friends who point out flaws we fail to see in our lives.

(3) Some criticism needs to be dealt with. How, is up to us to decide. (4) The only way to avoid criticism is to say nothing, do nothing and be nothing.

16

Lord, help me to choose my words of criticism carefully and give me strength to correctly handle any criticism directed my way.

Amen.

17

Dear God, give me the patience to persevere with every task and every dream until it is completed.

Amen.

18

Dreams "Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams for when dreams go life is a barren field frozen with snow."

Langston Hughes Have you ever known or heard of an individual or an organization becoming successful without having a clue of where they wanted to go or do? Neither have I. Dreams give us something worthwhile to aim for. A dream is like a compass, telling us the direction in which to go. And if we move in any direction other than toward our dreams, we're going to miss out on those opportunities necessary to succeed.

The key to reaching our dreams is persistence. The dreams of dreamers are not always accepted by others. But this doesn't stop the dreamer. Consider the plight of some of our most successful dreamers.

Walt Disney was fired by an editor of the Kansas City Star because "he lacked ideas."

He went bankrupt several times before he ever built Disneyland. Leo Tolstoy, author of War and Peace, flunked out of college, described by his professors as "both unable and unwilling to learn."

Michael Jordan, perhaps the greatest basketball player of all time, did not make his high school basketball team his sophomore year. Winston Churchill failed the sixth grade.

Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before finally succeeding. Let not a one of us become too quick and too willing to "throw in the towel,"

19

Friendship "Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin."

Proverbs 18:24 (NRSV) A British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a "friend." The winning definition read, "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."

True friendships are rare and priceless. When asked the secret of his life, a successful businessman answered, "I had a friend." We need friends and we need to work to be a friend.

When I think of friendship, I think of one who exhibits the qualities of patience, kindness, gentleness, and faithfulness. A friend does not seek his own interest. A friend is not anxious to impress others or cling to inflated ideas of his own importance.

There is one particular example of friendship which remains with me as vividly as the moment I first heard it as a boy. It's about Jackie Robinson, the first black man to play Major League baseball. Everywhere he traveled, venom flowed freely. There were fastballs at his head, spiking on the bases, brutal epithets from the opposing dugouts and fans in the stands.

During one particular game in Boston, the taunts and racial slurs seemed to reach a peak.

In the midst of all of this, another Dodger, a Southern white man, Pee Wee Reece, called timeout. He walked from his position at shortstop toward Robinson at second base, put his arm around Robinson's shoulder, and stood there with him for what seemed like a long time. That gesture spoke more eloquently than words. It said to everyone at the game that day, "this man is my friend."

20

Remind me, dear God, that to have a friend, I must be a friend. What a friend I have in Jesus!

Amen.

21

22

Gratitude Opening Prayer Dear Lord, Thank you for loving me even when I ignore you. Thank you for reaching out to me even when I don’t feel like you are there. Thank you for your forgiveness that gives me a new start and thank you for your promises that give me hope. Thank you, father, that you have a plan for my life and that you created me for a purpose beyond anything I could even imagine. I can’t wait to see what you have in mind. I can’t wait to see what my future will look like but in the meantime help me to keep my eyes on you. Help me to keep you at the center of my life. Help me to learn that when I do that my life will make sense more and more. Thank you for never giving up on me. I know that I need you more than I even understand. Amen.

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 (NIV 1984)

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Talk to God about some of the challenges going on in your life right now and invite him to teach you something in it, to grow your faith, to help you become more patient as you go through it. (This is learning how to give thanks in all circumstances, not just some because God can teach us so much when we are going through difficulty).

Remember: We can be “joyful always” because we belong to a God who is in control and will bring good out of every situation. Our job is to “pray continually” and “give thanks in all circumstances” even when it seems odd to do so.

Closing Prayer Dear Lord, teach me how to thank you every day, not just some days. Help me to live this day with gratitude and thanksgiving for my blessings and for my challenges knowing that you are helping with all of it. Help me to put my life and this day in your hands.

Amen.

23

Mercy In Micah 6:8, the term for “mercy” is chesedh, God’s unconditional grace and compassion. Compassion scares us to death. It threatens our privileges, it demands change in our social structures. Compassion is far more than a warm fuzzy feeling, a smile of encouragement or a hand-out. Compassion sees the dignity of every child of God, and acts to protect and promote that dignity, even at a cost to ourselves. To risk our privileges and our comfort is to fulfill our commitment: to proclaim the Good News of compassion, to love our neighbor as ourselves, to work for justice and peace, respecting the dignity of every human person.

Mercy or compassion is being patient with others, even when it is hard.

The Bible says in Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy."

(NIV) So by you showing mercy, being forgiving of other people, you are actually not only helping them, you are helping yourself.

I will love mercy if I have experienced mercy...

I will love mercy if I understand mercy...

I will love mercy if I want to be shown mercy... In other words, to love and do for others is to act like God acts toward you. To love mercy is to love the way God loves you and to do mercy is to be like God to other people.

There is balance to be had between Justice and Mercy. Justice puts the emphasis on the action; mercy puts it on the attitude or motive behind the action. To walk with God, then we must do justice, out of merciful love.

"Mercy, detached from Justice, grows unmerciful." C.S. Lewis

24

Father, aid in my balance between justice and mercy.

Amen.

25

26

Believe Opening Prayer Start with this prayer: Dear Lord, You are an amazing God, your promises are real and I know I can count on you yet I struggle to do so. I struggle to believe that you can actually help me. I need help in so many places in my life that I hardly know where to begin. I need help with school. I need help with relationships. I need help with my future. As I read your word in the Bible please help me understand it and live as though it’s true. Amen.

In Mark chapter 9 we find a story about a father who brings his son who was sick with what was believed to be an evil spirit, to Jesus for healing. Read what happens next.

“Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’ “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 9: 21-24 (NIV 1984) You may feel the same way. “I believe, help me overcome my unbelief!” The good news is that Jesus’ promise is not just for this father and son. It is a promise for you. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Notice that Jesus answered their request of “if you can help us” with ‘If you can?” This is his personal guarantee of help! Count on him.

A question for you: What seems impossible in your life right now? Is it a broken relationship? Is it a problem that won’t go away?

Pray about it to God using this prayer: Dear Lord, please take (name the impossible thing in your life) and bring healing and help to this situation. I can’t do it, Lord. I can’t fix it. Only you can make something good happen out of this. Help me to trust you with it instead of trying to manage it by myself.

Somehow I seem to make it worse. Though I struggle with unbelief…I am counting on you, Lord! Amen.

27

Hope "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore, I hope in Him!" The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:24-26 NKJV More than just a safety net in times of tragedy, hope is present every day in a modern knight’s positive outlook and cheerful demeanor — the shining armor that shields him or her, and inspires people all around.

Hope is like an anchor when you feel like you are about to be swept out to sea. In the most real sense it is the idea that the Greater Power is holding us in the palm of his hand.

It is peace when the doctor has spoken to you about the possibility of facing cancer. It is comfort from the unknown when financial ruin looks like a real possibility. It is the calm when the storm of a broken relationship looks like the inevitable. It is the realization that no problem you have is too small and no obstacle you face is too big for God. It is also the realization that he deeply cares for every individual on this earth. The fact is, God loves everyone with the same powerful love. And when discovered, it is one of the greatest blessings of all.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV

28

Father, Direct my steps in such a way that the Hope that is in me is evident.

Amen.

29

Generosity “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”

Proverbs 11:24 (ESV) The Bible is clear that we are to be generous to others. The Bible is so true in that it is better to give than receive. Are you a generous giver of your time, energy and money?

Sharing what’s valuable in life means not just giving away material goods, but also time, attention, wisdom and energy — the things that create a strong, rich and diverse community.

Many religious traditions include references to generosity of spirit. It is also used in secular contexts. While a precise, common definition does not exist across these contexts, the usages share certain consistent qualities.

Generosity of spirit means that an individual chooses to give of his own free will.

Generosity is not required by a higher power or coerced in any way so that it is voluntary.

Generosity of spirit can transform situations, particularly those that seem immutable.

Generosity of spirit encompasses more than just giving money. It includes giving time, thoughts, words and ideas so that it is multi-faceted.

Generosity of spirit generates change because it foments action. True generosity of spirit requires taking action to make a difference. It is a tool to create a better world.

True generosity of spirit begets further generosity. By truly giving of yourself, you generate more abundance in your own sphere.

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7(ESV)

30

Father, May I make a difference with my generosity of spirit.

Amen.

31

Father, despite the injustice that surrounds us, let me be that life that demonstrates justice.

Amen.

32

Justice “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 NKJV There certainly seems to be no shortage of injustice surrounding us. It cannot be enough to be no worse than others when you are supposed to be setting the standard.

We cannot settle for being “no worse than anyone else”. We are supposed to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We are supposed to be a beacon of goodness showing the world what excellence really looks like. We are supposed to communicate this through brotherly love and serving the broken world giving care to those in need.

We must not settle for anything less.

It is time for us to live just lives among people who have no intention to live justly.

Are there people around us who are hurting, or hungry, or thirsty, or alone? It is our responsibility to brighten the corner where we are.

This is not to say this is easy. It’s not. But it is our responsibility. Our calling as believers is to live lives that are marked by justice. Anyone, after even a cursory reading of the news, will see that there is a real need for living out this principle.

Our critics say much blood has been spilled and much injustice done in the name of Christianity. It is not good enough for us to sit back and say those who did such were not really Christians or comfort ourselves by saying ‘we are all just reforming sinners’.

We need to live justly, so wherever we go we leave justice in our wake and not destruction.

33

What to Read When‌ Listed below are some of the issues that everyone goes through. It can be added to or subtracted from as a resource. Check out the list and you will probably find the one that you may be going through right now. Read it carefully and then read the scripture associated with it and you will see that there is an answer.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

34

When you are lonely or fearful, read Psalm 23 When you want courage for you task, read Joshua 1 When your faith needs stirring, read Hebrews 11 When you are in danger, read Psalm 91 When there is sorrow, read John 14 When God seems far away, read Psalm 139 When people fail you, read Psalm 27 When you worry, read Matthew 6:19-34 When you have the blues, read Psalm 34 When you are discouraged, read Isaiah 40 When doubts come upon you, read John 7:17 When you feel down and out, read Romans 8:31-39 When you want rest and peace, read Matthew 11:25-30 When you forget your blessings, read Psalm 103 When you have sinned, read Psalm 51 If you want to be more fruitful, read John 15 For the ideal Christian, read Matthew 5 When the world seems bigger than God, read Psalm 90 For a secret of happiness, read Colossians 3:12-17 For an idea of Christianity, read 2 Corinthians 5:12-19 For an idea of religion, read James 1:19-27 When you want Christian assurance, read Romans 8:1-30 When you grow bitter and critical, read 1 Corinthians 13 How to get along with people, read Romans 12

Prayers Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever.

Amen.

Franciscan priest Father Mychal Judge, who was killed on 9/11 at the World Trade Center Lord, take me where you want me to go.

Let me meet who you want me to meet.

Tell me what you want me to say, And keep me out of your way.

Irish Blessing May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields and Until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

35

Robert E. Lee Prayer memorized and offered by President Truman “Help me to be, to think, to act what is right because it is right; make me truthful, honest, and honorable in all things; make me intellectually honest for the sake of right and honor and without thought of reward to me.� (From the Truman Library)

The Prayer of St. Francis Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

The Serenity Prayer God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as he did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that he will make all things right if I surrender to his will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with him forever in the next.

—Reinhold Niebuhr

Robert E. Lee was known to use this prayer when asking grace over the daily meal "Lord, send us anywhere, only accompany us. Place any burden upon us, only sustain us. Sever any ties except that which bind us to Thy heart. Bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies, and our souls to the service of Christ."

36

Chapter of Sorrow Before the ceremony, each brother takes from a basket on a table at the entrance to the chapter room, funeral home, church, or graveside, a sprig of evergreen, wrapped with florist tape, with a crimson rose (evergreen sprigs alone may be used.) The Number IX, or an alumnus, shall make preparations.

Number I, or an alumnus in charge: Brothers, the roll of the chapter has been called, and one has (some have) failed to answer. May he (they) answer that heavenly summons to life everlasting! We have gathered here to honor our deceased brother. As a brother of Kappa Alpha Order he has lived having faith in God, been a good man, brave knight and brother faithful until death. The name and KA record of the deceased brother shall be read.

Number III or alumnus: Remember now thy creator, in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain.

In the days when the keepers of the house shall tremble and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders have ceased because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of much shall be brought low.

And also they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way. And the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth not to his long home and the mourners go about the streets. Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the well broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust returneth to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!

Rejoice, O young man in thy youth! Let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes! But know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. Ecclesiasts 11:9-12:8.

37

Number II or alumnus: Trust in the lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shall be fed.

Commit thy way unto the lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noon-day.

Rest in the lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the lord; and he delighted in his way.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the lord holds him up with his hand.

I have been young, and now I am old: yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Various from Psalms 37.

Number I: We come now to proclaim our love and honor to the memory of our friend and brother who has been called away from us. Coming here, we are in solemn remembrance of the ties and ideals which bound us so closely together with him.

Our friendship with him had, as its incentive, the challenge of climbing higher. Even as the knights of old despised that which was low, and readily cast aside those things which hindered them in scaling the heights of greater things, so did we, along with our brother(s), endeavor to strengthen one another in order that we might achieve some higher plane in mortal life.

But even as the knights of long ago were conscious of human weakness and frailty and therefore reached up for something greater than mere material strength in those things which have ever lifted up the hearts of men. In our love with this brother we honored the cross, for in it we seethe sufferings and triumphs of him who once bore it up the steps of the Calvary.

Together we honored the ideals, which underlie purity of mind and heart; realizing that the great battles of life are fought within a man’s own soul. With courage, then, we fought, remembering always that there is no lost cause in this war. Together we honored the sweet spirit of hope, helping one another to find and grasp those things, which, though unseen, are nevertheless real. We experienced that happiness which comes from doing good, and striving, daily, to be more like the deity, with whom this brother will spend eternity.

As members of Kappa Alpha Order, we are all taught to despise what is low, and to act ever upon the belief that a man’s mind is superior to matter, the spiritual to the physical. It leads us onward and upward to the skies from whence we spring. As always the ascent was difficult. We, along with this beloved brother, have overcome many obstacles remembering that the acquisition of wealth is nothing compared to knowledge, development of character and the unending task of living a good life in the eyes of God, and that the true character of a good man is formed by his associations.

38

Our hearts are sad at this parting. Yet there is no bitterness in our sadness, for in the very presence of death, we claim the triumph of our belief that the spirit of man is greater than his flesh; that the mind of man is greater than matter; that the soul of man is greater than his body; and that love, purity, and holiness are better than malice, lust, and wickedness. These virtues do not die. They survive the grave. So also is it with those who emulate them. Then with unfaltering trust in Christ our king, we wait the day to hear him say, “I am the resurrection and the life.�

To our departed brother, we say this: as we have welcomed you into Kappa Alpha Order with our hearts and you have committed your life to our keeping, and wore the cross upon your breast, we now share our talisman with you one more time.

All brothers present form a procession two by two and place their talisman on the bible on the altar, the ranking officer to be last. At the funeral home, or graveside, the talisman should be placed in a receptacle near the casket, directly on the casket itself, or in the grave.

Number I: We commit our brother into the hand of our Almighty God. Your past has been noble; your accomplishments many and you have enriched our lives by sharing your life with us.

Let us pray: our Father, we give you thanks for the breath of life so we may come before you to celebrate the life of our brother. Take him into your loving care, and lead him as he completes his life’s journey to your everlasting kingdom. Grant him eternal rest, O Lord, and let your light perpetually shine upon him.

Now the hour of final adjournment has come. May the lord be with this brother and all of us and keep us in sickness and in health, in prosperity and in adversity and even unto death.

We ask these things in your name who taught us how to pray, saying: Our father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Amen.

Go in peace brothers, and let the light which shined through this departed brother, shine in your hearts.

In case of a funeral service, this program is to always be coordinated with the minister or officiate in charge. The ceremony may be used at a chapter meeting, a banquet, an alumni meeting, a meeting of the court of honor, or any formal occasion.