Sunday, February 10, 2019
The Fact
1. God exists. In the timeless mystery of
the Trinity, He is perfectly harmonious,
perfectly whole.
2. God is our Creator. He designed us to
live in eternal harmony with Him and
each other, and to care for the rest of His
creation.
3. Spurning God’s fellowship, we all have
sinned, forfeiting our created place and
losing our spiritual lives.
4. I myself have personally defied God’s
law and rejected His love. Alienation
from Him has produced darkness and
chaos in my life, for which I have often
blamed others.
5. God has continued to love me, even in
my active rebellion, and in Christ has
done everything necessary to restore me
perfectly to Himself.
6. As I accept responsibility for my sin and
find forgiveness in the finished work of
Christ, I experience reconciliation with
God and am progressively restored to
harmony with myself and others.
7. Despite the lingering effects of sin, I am
a restored son of the sovereign Lord,
whose Spirit is at work in my weakness,
displaying His glory and advancing His
A Day of Loneliness = 15 cigs
A number of articles like this one have piqued my interest over the past 6 months. More and more researchers / doctors / clinicians are growing very concerned societally with loneliness. Some call it an epidemic here in the western world. I can certainly relate by personally experiencing the most self-destructive year of my life whilst being friendless back in 2013.
Organizations like Samson Society were created to work against / resist isolation. It's about being intentional and seeking out authentic community. Come join us. If for no other reason than to improve your health.
Organizations like Samson Society were created to work against / resist isolation. It's about being intentional and seeking out authentic community. Come join us. If for no other reason than to improve your health.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Reservoir
Lakeside Presbyterian Church has been our (Turners) home church exclusively as reformed Christians within the Jackson Metro. It's a place that's local for us (close to home), and therefore not surprisingly, a church that saw fit to provide some of those initial authentic friendships that were microcosmic of the Samson Society experience. These were friendships that showed me to how much of a personal resource real-time support can be.
I approached the session at Lakeside 4 to 5 months in advance of this Samson Society launch back in the summer of 2017. Thankfully, they were very receptive, and soon thereafter, the meetings began on Saturday mornings at 7 AM.
Why so early on a Saturday morning?
Personally, it's convenient for me. Plus, I find that it's a fantastic way to start a weekend.
I approached the session at Lakeside 4 to 5 months in advance of this Samson Society launch back in the summer of 2017. Thankfully, they were very receptive, and soon thereafter, the meetings began on Saturday mornings at 7 AM.
Why so early on a Saturday morning?
Personally, it's convenient for me. Plus, I find that it's a fantastic way to start a weekend.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Brandon
The newest Metro Jackson Samson Society group meets on Tuesday nights at 6 PM at Crossgates Baptist Church in Brandon, MS. I've had the privilege of knowing Mr. Matt Flint, facilitator of this group, for a number of years. Starting with his Life Group, Matt has told his story with boldness, thereby impacting men's lives through his willingness to be authentic.
And it's authenticity that best sums up what Samson Society is. Though Crossgates Baptist Church bundles the group in with their other Life Groups, it's not completely fair to do so. Life Groups are essentially Sunday School classes. Their primary focus being Bible teaching and prayer lead by a teacher. And these are both worthwhile things, but they don't happen within a Samson Society meeting. Instead, Samson Society meetings are settings where men can talk openly about whatever is on their hearts / minds. In fact, they're expected to do so, otherwise they're just taking up space.
Matt's gift as a facilitator is essentially serving as a constant week to week. He opens the door for men to come, taking them through the Samson Society charter prior to listening in. It's his willingness to serve in this capacity that makes him so unique. Especially considering his youth.
How fortunate Crossgates Baptist Church is to now have a Samson Society meeting as a resource to that community of men!
And it's authenticity that best sums up what Samson Society is. Though Crossgates Baptist Church bundles the group in with their other Life Groups, it's not completely fair to do so. Life Groups are essentially Sunday School classes. Their primary focus being Bible teaching and prayer lead by a teacher. And these are both worthwhile things, but they don't happen within a Samson Society meeting. Instead, Samson Society meetings are settings where men can talk openly about whatever is on their hearts / minds. In fact, they're expected to do so, otherwise they're just taking up space.
Matt's gift as a facilitator is essentially serving as a constant week to week. He opens the door for men to come, taking them through the Samson Society charter prior to listening in. It's his willingness to serve in this capacity that makes him so unique. Especially considering his youth.
How fortunate Crossgates Baptist Church is to now have a Samson Society meeting as a resource to that community of men!
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Paying homage to our mutual Enemy
Evil exists in our world. Anyone can attest to that fact, but as Christians, we attribute the author of it all to Satan.
The Bible is clear regarding what Satan's motives are as well as where exactly he rules.
For me, looking back on my life, I can see clearly evil handiwork. Even as a small child, I can remember being cognizant of fear that was rooted in something much larger than myself. This something was hidden away, waiting for an opportune time to strike.
All of the emotional trauma (& by God's grace mine is much less than many other's) that I've endured over my 46 years finds its root within this darkness.
No amount of Hollywood entertainment can equivocally represent the personal suffering that mankind endures at Satan's behest. Not to mention the temptation he consistently elicits.
For me personally, I have a grudge against this being, and as a Christian, I'm looking forward to witnessing his demise.
In the meantime, all of the Metro Jackson facilitators of Samson Society serve you in light of that coming day. May we all huddle together as men, supporting each other through the storm, within Samson Society.
The Bible is clear regarding what Satan's motives are as well as where exactly he rules.
For me, looking back on my life, I can see clearly evil handiwork. Even as a small child, I can remember being cognizant of fear that was rooted in something much larger than myself. This something was hidden away, waiting for an opportune time to strike.
All of the emotional trauma (& by God's grace mine is much less than many other's) that I've endured over my 46 years finds its root within this darkness.
No amount of Hollywood entertainment can equivocally represent the personal suffering that mankind endures at Satan's behest. Not to mention the temptation he consistently elicits.
For me personally, I have a grudge against this being, and as a Christian, I'm looking forward to witnessing his demise.
In the meantime, all of the Metro Jackson facilitators of Samson Society serve you in light of that coming day. May we all huddle together as men, supporting each other through the storm, within Samson Society.
Clinton
It didn't take any convincing of the pastorate at DaySpring Church in Clinton to host a Samson Society group on Thursday nights at 6 PM. Mr. Lance Bowser, facilitator, had been a part of the Downtown group at First Baptist Church for some time. Upon approaching the pastorate at his home church, DaySpring, they immediately said "YES!". Therefore, this group has been consistently meeting ever since.
Obviously, DaySpring church is non-denominational whereas the other 4 Metro Jackson local churches where Samson Society meetings take place are not. Does this set this group apart? Not at all. If fact, I would argue that because the setting is a non-denominational church, it's that much more in-line with the Samson Society itself.
Speaking of the Samson Society itself, I would encourage you to check out the website. There are resources available there plus information on the virtual Samson Society meetings.
Obviously, DaySpring church is non-denominational whereas the other 4 Metro Jackson local churches where Samson Society meetings take place are not. Does this set this group apart? Not at all. If fact, I would argue that because the setting is a non-denominational church, it's that much more in-line with the Samson Society itself.
Speaking of the Samson Society itself, I would encourage you to check out the website. There are resources available there plus information on the virtual Samson Society meetings.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Gluckstadt / Madison county - Grace Crossing Church
Mr. Joe McCalman, and elder at Grace Crossing Church, facilitates this Metro Jackson Samson Society group. This was the second group that took root within the Jackson, Mississippi area. Sunday nights at 6 PM is when they meet.
Joe is deeply passionate about Grace Crossing as well as this Samson Society group (which he facilitates). I encourage you to consider attending. My experience(s) there were so very enriching and memorable. Plus, it's Sunday which means it's relaxed and very laid back.
Joe is deeply passionate about Grace Crossing as well as this Samson Society group (which he facilitates). I encourage you to consider attending. My experience(s) there were so very enriching and memorable. Plus, it's Sunday which means it's relaxed and very laid back.
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