This week, I had the good fortune of listening in to a Pirate Monk podcast that was recorded recently, and on it, Mr. Nate Larkin announced the venue and dates for the 2019 Fall Samson Society Retreat.
Dates: November 1-3, 2019
Location: Lakeshore Camp & Retreat Center Eva, Tennessee
This retreat is essentially one part gathering of Samson Society men from around the world and one part opportunity. The former caters to the Samson men who participate exclusively in the Samson Society virtual meetings. The latter benefits everyone by offering information / inspiration / training on topics that are usually very relevant to Samson men.
Last year, there were +/-100 men present, the weather was cool, and the food was great! The setting is clean and homey. Plus, it's sited on a beautiful (quite large) lake.
There's opportunity to participate in as much or as little group activities as one would like, but truly the highlight of attending is simply engaging formally with a group of men who are dedicated to a men's ministry that's making an impact around the world.
Weekly meetings available to you are as follows:
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, Foundry Church - 3010 Lakeland Cove, Flowood. Call Matt Flint at (601) 260-8518 or email him at matthewflint.makes@gmail.com or Lance Bowser at (601) 862-8308 or email at lancebowser@msi-inv.com.
Wednesday at 6:00 PM, First Baptist Church Jackson - Summit Counseling Suite - 431 North State St. Jackson. Call Don Waller at 601-946-1290 or email him at don@wallerbros.com.
Monday at 6:30 PM , Vertical Church - 521 Gluckstadt Road Madison, MS 39110. Mr. Roane Hunter, facilitator, LifeWorks Counseling.
Sunday night at 6:00 PM, Grace Crossing Baptist Church - 598 Yandell Rd. Canton. Call Joe McCalman at 769-567-6195 or email him at cookandnoonie@gmail.com.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Anticipatory
I anticipate attending a Metro Jackson Samson Society meeting each week. Since I facilitate the Saturday morning meeting at Lakeside Pres, that's the one and only I tend to attend, therefore obviously, I'm biased towards it. But, prior to Lakeside allowing me to facilitate that meeting, I still anticipated attending a weekly meeting somewhere within the Metro.
I'm an introvert, therefore meetings use up a lot of my personal energy. Afterwards, it takes time for me to recover from that, especially considering the after-meeting that immediately follows a Samson Society meeting. Considering that, I know the importance of meetings that are productive in terms of assisting everyone involved with direction and focus with whatever the group may be tasked with.
What's different about a Samson Society meeting is the only direction or focus given is that which is provided by those who choose to attend, and even then, I would argue, if they're Christians, the ultimate overseer during the hour is the Holy Spirit.
Typically a meeting is very much brought under control by the invitees. Each individual represents a pragmatic qualifier tied to why they're there, and through that, there's the inevitable hierarchy of importance seated around the table. Samson Society meetings are the opposite of that. There aren't any essential people, therefore rank simply can't be felt. It's refreshing actually to look across the room and not see any other man but horizontally, and this, for an introvert like myself, makes the situation much easier to stomach.
Too, this concept also applies relative to dress, race, demeanor, and so on. It makes for an incredibly level playing field.
Within these circumstances, everyone's prone to speak from their heart. It is so good. I love it! Thanks be to God for Samson Society.
I'm an introvert, therefore meetings use up a lot of my personal energy. Afterwards, it takes time for me to recover from that, especially considering the after-meeting that immediately follows a Samson Society meeting. Considering that, I know the importance of meetings that are productive in terms of assisting everyone involved with direction and focus with whatever the group may be tasked with.
What's different about a Samson Society meeting is the only direction or focus given is that which is provided by those who choose to attend, and even then, I would argue, if they're Christians, the ultimate overseer during the hour is the Holy Spirit.
Typically a meeting is very much brought under control by the invitees. Each individual represents a pragmatic qualifier tied to why they're there, and through that, there's the inevitable hierarchy of importance seated around the table. Samson Society meetings are the opposite of that. There aren't any essential people, therefore rank simply can't be felt. It's refreshing actually to look across the room and not see any other man but horizontally, and this, for an introvert like myself, makes the situation much easier to stomach.
Too, this concept also applies relative to dress, race, demeanor, and so on. It makes for an incredibly level playing field.
Within these circumstances, everyone's prone to speak from their heart. It is so good. I love it! Thanks be to God for Samson Society.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Hear Joe McCalman preach!
March 10, 2019 is a big day at Grace Crossing Baptist Church in Gluckstadt, MS. Our very own Metro Jackson Samson Society facilitator, Mr. Joe McCalman, will be preaching! Let's not miss this opportunity to support Joe as he provokes his audience towards the gospel message.
It will no doubt be a great day!
It will no doubt be a great day!
Sunday, February 10, 2019
The Pact
1. God is the sole owner of the Samson
Society and its only authority. No
member may speak for the entire Society.
2. All members of the Society are equals —
friends and fellow servants, bound by
love and honor. No member may
command the obedience of another.
3. The Society owns no property, collects
no dues or fees, pays no salaries, incurs
no debts.
4. The Society is an extension of the
Church Universal. It is not a corporate
entity and can make no contracts with
congregations, denominations, causes or
campaigns, regardless of their merit.
5. Any two or more persons who believe the
Fact, who agree to follow this Path and
join this Pact, may initiate a meeting of
the Samson Society.
6. We hold in strictest confidence any
personal information shared by other
members, unless permission to divulge it
is given by any whom its disclosure
might affect.
7. Members are fully authorized to create
and distribute, freely or for profit,
personal explanations and applications of
the Society’s principles — if they neither
alter nor violate its Charter and do not
prohibit others from copying their work.
Society and its only authority. No
member may speak for the entire Society.
2. All members of the Society are equals —
friends and fellow servants, bound by
love and honor. No member may
command the obedience of another.
3. The Society owns no property, collects
no dues or fees, pays no salaries, incurs
no debts.
4. The Society is an extension of the
Church Universal. It is not a corporate
entity and can make no contracts with
congregations, denominations, causes or
campaigns, regardless of their merit.
5. Any two or more persons who believe the
Fact, who agree to follow this Path and
join this Pact, may initiate a meeting of
the Samson Society.
6. We hold in strictest confidence any
personal information shared by other
members, unless permission to divulge it
is given by any whom its disclosure
might affect.
7. Members are fully authorized to create
and distribute, freely or for profit,
personal explanations and applications of
the Society’s principles — if they neither
alter nor violate its Charter and do not
prohibit others from copying their work.
The Path
1. Believing The Fact, I surrender to God in
simple faith — making no promises, but
merely asking for His aid.
2. I start attending meetings of the Society,
and from its members I select a Silas, a
trustworthy traveling companion for this
stretch of the road.
3. In honest detail, I describe to God and to
my Silas the course and consequences of
my attempts to live apart from God.
4. Encouraged by my Silas and others, I
develop the daily disciplines of prayer,
study and self-examination. I abandon
self-help, asking God instead to do for
me what I cannot do for myself.
5. I choose to trust the Body of Christ,
weighing the wisdom of my friends
when facing decisions and seeking their
strength when confronted by temptation.
6. When I can do so without injuring
anyone, I make amends for damage I
have caused. If direct amends are
impossible or inadvisable, I demonstrate
my repentance in other ways.
7. I offer myself as a Silas to others. Each
day I ask God for the grace to seek His
kingdom rather than my own, to serve
those He places in my path rather than
simple faith — making no promises, but
merely asking for His aid.
2. I start attending meetings of the Society,
and from its members I select a Silas, a
trustworthy traveling companion for this
stretch of the road.
3. In honest detail, I describe to God and to
my Silas the course and consequences of
my attempts to live apart from God.
4. Encouraged by my Silas and others, I
develop the daily disciplines of prayer,
study and self-examination. I abandon
self-help, asking God instead to do for
me what I cannot do for myself.
5. I choose to trust the Body of Christ,
weighing the wisdom of my friends
when facing decisions and seeking their
strength when confronted by temptation.
6. When I can do so without injuring
anyone, I make amends for damage I
have caused. If direct amends are
impossible or inadvisable, I demonstrate
my repentance in other ways.
7. I offer myself as a Silas to others. Each
day I ask God for the grace to seek His
kingdom rather than my own, to serve
those He places in my path rather than
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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