https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/sex-relationships/article/gen-z-celibacy-9lk2ctwjb
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Hosting A Samson Society Newcomers' Meeting Has Bolstered Rob's Recovery / The Beauty Of Giving Back
Prior to me "gaining access" / being formally invited into the First Baptist Church Jackson in-person Samson Society group back in August of '14, the host, Mr. Don Waller, vetted me via a one-on-one counseling session. I know for a fact that I was somewhat unique in that regard because I watched, over time, as uncounseled bros would simply step into our meeting with no one having any prior knowledge of them or their story. As such, there were some individuals who arguably weren't well suited to be involved in this ministry.
If you know me at all, you've realized that I'm a very straightforward guy. As such, if I'm going to invest my time / energy in something, unless I'm unable (for whatever reason) to decouple myself at will, I'm going to need to believe that it's not a waste of my time in order to continue forward.
This is why I partake so little in culturally significant entertainment here at age 53. It's just so hard for me to look past the notion that I'm staring blankly at a plastic / projection screen whilst pushing plastic buttons.
Too, entertainment isn't real. Everything is scripted. Everything is staged. Everything is driven by profit. And frankly, it's just the same as it's always been ('80, '90s to today).
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There's never been a moment when involvement within Samson Society has seemed / felt like a time waster (& that's even when I was hosting an in-person Samson group at our church & there were just one or two brothers faithfully attending).
Another attribute of Rob's is I feel obligated to give back whenever I've received generously in kind. I believe this is via the Holy Spirit. Of course, this isn't always intrinsically possible, but when it is, I'm onboard.
And that leads me to why I jumped at the chance to host a "Newcomer's Meeting" when a slot came available.
Imagine counseling nine men simultaneously. I had the opportunity to delve into that during the latest weekly "Newcomers' Meeting" that I had the privilege to host.
Now, do I do anything other than listen to their stories? No. Do I do anything other than listen to how they found this ministry? No. Do I do anything besides listening to what their expectations are regarding participating within Samson Society? No.
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It's like I'm Don Waller now. Gently assuaging. Deliberately analyzing. Deftly summarizing (Samson Society as a whole).
What a privilege to give back. What a privilege too to be on the cusp of where the Lord will take these brave men as they delve into The Path
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
What's The Secret To Long-Term Involvement Within Samson Society?
There're two parts to properly answering this question.
1. You must have a strong backbone. Specifically, you're going to encounter all manner of men. With stories & personalities that run the gamut. Over time, you're going to suspect that some of these men aren't part of this community in regard to their recovery. And it's those that, once you realize this, can truly wear you down / get on your last nerve. Some of them wear a "recovery persona" (during meetings, in particular) that they use to qualify their presence because they're conscientious to their true intentions (otherwise they'd be mentally ill).
Samson Society is free / open to the public, therefore all manner of men gravitates to it (in line with their specific "interpersonal crisis" / needs). Considering the virtual meetings, it's even more of a free for all. And, I would argue, that much more "socially fluid". In other words, it's very easy to disguise oneself when you only truly exist within a thumbnail window / within a private chat network like Slack.
As such, keep in mind, this ain't no private, members-only Country Club. & it absolutely shouldn't be. This is one of the primary reasons I've invested of myself herein for as long as I have.
A quick tale: My wife and I are Presbyterian. There're numerous reasons for that, but one minute one is Presbyterians tend to not be crazy-ass or dumbasses (low intelligence). Earlier this year, a crazy couple showed up to our church (there're A LOT of crazy-ass / dumbass people in MS) and immediately began annoying the heck (accosting) out of anyone they were successful in making eye contact with. Eventually, they drifted away from the church as more and more Presbyterians would bolt whilst seeing them coming their way.
Samson Society has its proportional share (miniscule minority) of these folks. And it should. It's not a church (& certainly not a Presbyterian one). As such, you must learn to filter through these encounters whilst keeping a high-altitude / overarching perspective. In kind, you're going to need to brush past the tangential skirmishes that these men tend to provoke within the community itself (whilst absolutely refusing to get involved / passing judgement).
Another hint that works wonders for me:
Focus, focus, focus on the motive behind why you're truly here. And this leads me to point #2.
2. You must be a men's minister at heart. Firstly, for yourself and then for others. So, what does it mean to be a men's minister?
You must have a specific curiosity towards men that drives you forward. All manner of men (including the crazies). Young, middle-aged, old. Every demographic, race / creed and sexual orientation. As such, this curiosity will provide a never-ending drive towards discovering / engaging with men as Jesus exemplified within the gospels and as scripture alludes to as a whole.
And you do this firstly FOR YOURSELF and your own recovery. Not to make lifelong friends or to pad your resume.
Men's ministers feed off other men, and in turn, they're shored up / buttressed in kind. How?
I find that first & foremost, it happens by forcing me out of my own head. Thereby, by marinating on other needs / stories, I can best manage my own (forced perspective).
Is there anyone on planet Earth who's more "upstairs" than Rob? I doubt it. Blame it on me being an only child, I suppose. Each & every time, via my intentionality, Samson Society provides the opportunity for me to step out of the attic and into the sunlight.
In closing, Jesus made a point to tolerate the Judases and Peters, "sons of thunder" and so forth. And he did this without driving wedges / tipping his hand as to what his true feelings were for any and all individuals within that motley crue. Sure, he had his favorites, but those feelings were likely mutual.
In the end, he loved these men as the ultimate men's minister! Therefore, it's his example that we should follow as we continued forward along The Path.
Stay committed men. Samson Society needs your tenure.
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Friday, August 1, 2025
Men Who've Chosen To Pursue Sexual Relations With Other Men Have Been Sold A Bill Of Goods
The Remarkably Successful 7-Point Plan from 40 Years Ago to Normalize Homosexuality
Besides these bullet points, there're two (somewhat related) technological shifts that have played a massive role in not just normalizing sexual relations between the same sex but perpetuating them.
1. Readily available (online) gay pornography
2. Social media
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Men who experience same-sex attraction typically embrace the trappings of western culture wholeheartedly. In other words, if it involves a screen, they're onboard. Perhaps it's due to the self-loathing they experience whereas screen time serves as a massive distraction.
Online gay porn, within the wider world of porn, is the fakest. Typically, men who participate therein aren't remotely attracted (sexually or otherwise) to other men. Instead, these are men who exhibit the physical appearance / mannerisms / swagger that's attractive to same-sex attracted males (minority viewership). From there, they're paid handsomely to disparage their handsome bods, in front of digital cameras. The abuse of erection drugs then enable the homo-lust illusion.
Watching gay porn, particularly whilst a child, will seriously fuck up a youngster's sense of reality. As such, normalization of the abnormal ensues.
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Same-sex attracted men have broken sexualities. And this is true of every sinner that's ever lived / will ever live on this planet. We, as a whole, are a fallen people. In the past, there was no convenient means for same-sex attracted individuals to relationally connect. Hence, their minority status / isolation protected / chastened their virginity, so to speak.
The Internet changed all of that. For the worse.
Homosex is typically intensely pleasurable / forbidden fruit. Light the match (particularly at a youthful age) and the heat / blaze tends to consume. Especially so when the experience is akin to bringing two "fateful souls" together for a night(s) of passion.
I've seen these illicit, depraved junctures described as deeply religious milestones within same-sex attracted individual's lives.
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What's the lesson here?
If you're same-sex attracted, first & foremost, put yourself on a very short leash.
The less screens, the better. The most antiquated / dated tech, the better. Sentinel software (like Covenant Eyes) is mandatory. Incorporate it into your life as tightly as you do your most cherished routine.
In closing, embrace contrarianism. Look at those around you who're similarly same-sex attracted and live your life COMPLETELY OPPOSITE. All the while, pray for everyone. Serve humbly. And wait expectantly for that day when you'll be meeting Jesus face-to-face. Hope of glory is more potent than any false narrative / yarn Satan can weave.
August 2025 - "The No Bull Briefing" Samson Society Newsletter
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