Silas #1.1

I actually wasn't so sure I would have the privilege of obtaining another Silas, yet I did so today.  

I do not simply choose to ask any Samson man to be my Silas.  Instead, I wait for God's prompting.  And frankly, I'd no idea if God would necessarily prompt, particularly at this time.  But he did.  And here I am.  Partnered with another man.  For as long as he'll have me.

What's unique about this relationship is its history.  For this man served as my very first Silas back in 2011 / 2012 before I knew the Samson Society verbiage, much less anything of the Samson Society.  

Here's the majority of a letter of thanks I wrote to this man back in October of 2018:

"I’m writing to thank you for showing me firsthand just how effective being in community truly is for Rob relative to sanctification and personal growth. The friendship that we had while you were youth pastor at Lakeside [Presbyterian Church] represented a period of time for me that literally changed my way of thinking as it pertains to what men can and should be doing for each other as brothers in Christ.  In fact, I would go so far as to say, without a shadow of a doubt, that my memory of our kind of friendship represents to me today my most cherished long-term goal in life. 

Were it not for your willingness to be authentic during our lunch that day at Jerusalem Café in Fondren, I seriously doubt that I would be as well versed in the power of community to the degree that I am. Thank you for taking that risk with me and for in turn giving me permission to do the same with you.

Lakeside served me well by introducing me to you and your family all those years ago, therefore I see our church as a place of significant episodic good work within the life of the Turners. Today, my family continues to enjoy worshipping there, and I’m privileged to facilitate one of four Samson Society groups in the Jackson Metro every Saturday morning on site.  In many ways, I do so in honor of my memory of the support I found during our time together.  Thanks again and much love to you and your family."

I wrote this due to my then growing friendship with Lakeside's now current youth pastor, and his willingness to triangulate between our friendship and my / his previous / present one.

To my surprise, my old friend responded to this correspondence almost immediately, and I used that opportunity to encourage him to attend the 2018 National Samson Society retreat.  Unfortunately, he wasn't able to do so, but he did attend in 2019, 2020, and this year's.  As such, during each of these annual weekend retreats, we were given the opportunity to reconnect.  Too, I attended a regional retreat he co-lead back in the summer that also provided opportunity for us to patiently resynchronize.  

I have great respect for this brother in Christ, but I'm also humbled to know that he would be willing to provide this service to me (again) all these years later.

The greatest defense / offense I have at my disposal as a Samson guy is my willingness to be vulnerable with my Silas.  Particularly when I'm tempted to consume pornography or soon thereafter (post consumption).  

Gay pornography is only becoming more and more pervasive, prevalent, mainstream, and customized.  I remain just as defeated relative to my sense of deep seated worthlessness.  Establishing a healthy, helpful, ongoing emotional connection with my Silas personally works against both of these truths.

Thanks be to God for Samson Society.