THE NO BULL BRIEFING - October 2022

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER to Join Us in Eva!

We don't want you to miss out on this opportunity to join us the first weekend in November for the national retreat!

If you are on the fence about coming, we promise it will be worth the investment of your time and finances. There will be workshops led by your fellow Samson brothers, time for fellowship (and late night conversations) around a campfire, and the ability to leave your masks at home and experience the magic of the Room of Grace.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

All who attend the annual retreat in November will also be the first to hear about our upcoming larger-than-life 2023 Samson Summit featuring a prominent personality. While in Eva, you will have the opportunity to pre-register for the summit at a discounted rate AND receive a free summit t-shirt.

This early bird price is only available while you are at the 2022 retreat.

Samson's First Annual Serve Day

Calling all handymen and not-so-handy men to stay an extra day after the national retreat to participate in our first annual Samson Serve Day!

A few improvements are needed before the new Samson House building can welcome its first guests, including interior painting, a bathroom renovation, installation of mini-split AC units, and reconfiguration of the kitchen.

Have room in your schedule to stay an extra half-day? Possess skills, tools, muscle, or a positive attitude? We will be sending an email with project needs and a link to sign up to help very soon.

All volunteers will be able to stay or camp on property Sunday night, but please recognize the house has no furniture.

Virtual Workshop Opportunity

In order to experience healing from past wounds - as well as grow and mature into who you were created to be - you have to understand your story.

You may have tried many things to find healing - books, conferences, prayer, even therapy - but there's still something missing.

What if you engaged your story? What if understanding your past experiences in life - particularly in your family of origin - could help you make sense of why you think, feel, and act the way you do in the present?

There is a connection between the past and the present. The good news is that it is possible to make sense of your present life by understanding your past story.

By the end of this workshop, you will:

understand why exploring your story is essential for healing and growth
make linkages between your present life and yoyur past experiences in your family of origin
actually do work on your story (during the workshop you will complete two exercises designed to help you make sense of your story).

This workshop, featuring Adam Young and Cathy Loerzel, will occur via Zoom on Saturday, November 19, 2022.

Elijah and the Angel, a Samson

By Garry

This past Tuesday, my therapist brought up an illustration from the New Testament when an angel ministered to Elijah as he was fleeing Jezebel. As I was processing the scripture, I thought of Jezebel as being the physical representation of evil.

As Elijah sought to escape death, he obviously, as the scripture states, grew tired. Physical strength evaded his person, and couldn’t we also say that he was not only starving physically from hunger and strength but also spiritually? If he was anything like me, I wonder why I must be going through the crap being dished upon me. One thing that I connect with here is that I most definitely find myself starving spiritually….not by anyone’s own fault but my own. That leaves me as Elijah…down for the count.

Elijah was later awakened by an angel who ministered to him through the provision of food and thought. Just like Elijah, we find ourselves in various life circumstances, some good, some bad, and again like this man, fleeing evil. I know that over the course of my MANY years of life, I have not been fleeing evil, especially over the past 19 month but instead, have been embracing it. I see myself hanging onto the coattails of the shit done to me and that I have done to myself and others….the things that has kept me focused on the destructive and not the healing.

In reflecting on this section of scripture, the thought also came to mind that here within Samson, we each hold an incredible opportunity to be figuratively speaking, an angel in a brother’s life. I often stop to mourn the sadness, the what is versus the joy of what can be. In in the wake, my physical, emotional, and spiritual self lays unable to pursue the remainder of the day much less the next day or week.

Over the past two years, I have stayed in contact with guys from the Samson family. It is these guys who arrive and render aid to me who like Elijah, finds myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually broken. A phrase speaks volumes to me about the angel, his knowledge of Elijah’s situation when he says, "The journey is too great.” What a compassionate and beautiful thing to express. Not only does the angel say this, but he provides in a mighty way for this man of God.

This leaves me with the thought of what I will do for another Samson today that says, “I will not leave your side because the journey is too great for you to do by yourself.” That is what Samsons have done for me. Is that what you will do for another in need? It is okay if today, you are Elijah and need providing for. It is also okay for you to be the angel that ministers to a Samson who is in need.

In closing, this morning I sent this reflection to a Samson who lives in Oregon. He in turn, sent this scripture to me, scripture that had been sent to him this morning: “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Galations 6:2

September 2022 Meeting Host & Sub Winner

Thank you Kyle O'Donnell for hosting the Apex Ambassadors in-person meetings! We would like to give you a 25% discount off one item in the Samson merch store as a thank you for donating your time and talents! Please check your email inbox for your discount code.

Each month we will draw one name, so be sure to complete the host form online every time you host or sub a meeting to be entered in to the drawing. You receive one entry for each time you host or sub during the month.

Regional Retreat Opportunities

Planning a regional Samson retreat? Let us know at samsonhouseoffice@gmail.com or drop it on the #upcoming_event channel on Slack so we can help you spread the word!

Monthly Resource Corner

Each month, Samson Society will promote a resource that you may find helpful on your journey. Feel free to share any podcast episodes, blog posts, books, or documentaries that you find enlightening!

The Daring Ventures At Home Library consists of webinars, lectures, Q&As, downloadable PDF tools, and more. It is growing rapidly, with new resources being added every single month. You'll never miss out on any resource in the digital library as a Full Access Member.

Want to learn more about Jake? Check out this recent episode on the Pirate Monk Podcast and search his YouTube channel for short, but informative, videos.

Our Annual Matching Gift Fundraiser is Baaaaack!

All work and no play makes Samson a dull boy. So give us grace (and come play with us...) as we have a little fun kicking off our annual matching gift fundraiser.

Every donation (excluding recurring gifts) made to Samson House between October 1 and the end of the year will be matched dollar-for-dollar by an anonymous donor, up to $50,000.

Double your impact and double the reward of partnering with us as we work to rescue families by helping men live in the freedom of authenticity

DONATE