Samson Society - "The No Bull Briefing" - December 2021

 

THE NO BULL BRIEFING - December 2021

THANK YOU! As the end of the year draws near, we wanted to take a moment to share with you how much we've grown. Thank you for your continued support of our mission of rescuing families by helping men live in the freedom of authenticity.  SPREAD THE WORD To help you share the word about Samson Society or Sarah Society, we have created half-sheet flyers that you can email, print and hand out, or send via text to anyone you know that may benefit from connecting with authentic communities of healing. Click the images below to access the pdf files. JOIN US! Pirate Monks gathered on the first weekend in November. It was an amazing time. Now, thanks to the capabilities of modern technology, we are able to present an Online Version of the retreat for those who could not attend.   For those men who were able to join us in Eva last month, use the coupon code healtheboy to attend the virtual retreat for free! REGISTER For the second year in a row, Samson Society has received a year-end matching gift: every new contribution (excluding current monthly gifts)  between now and the end of the year will be matched dollar for dollar, capped at $65,000.  Also, consider doing a crowd fundraiser through Facebook. One Samson supporter recently hosted a Facebook fundraiser and raised several hundred dollars from friends and families. Interested? Feel free to use this language: Join me in supporting Samson House this holiday season. The Samson Society provides a safe place for Christian men to bring their real selves and say the real truth about the things they have kept hidden. It's a space of grace on the addiction battlefield, where men can be transparent without judgment or shame. Your donation helps rescue families by helping men live in the freedom of authenticity.  Remember, Samson Society doesn't have any dues or fees, but we do have expenses. Your contribution is an investment that pays dividends in your recovery and that of many others. We rescue families by helping men live in the freedom of authenticity. DONATE TODAY We are currently approximately 39% of the way to our end goal of $65,000.  GIVING TO SAMSON HOUSE CAN EASE YOUR 2021 TAX BURDEN Do you have stock, qualified retirement funds, donor advised funds, or crypto currency you want to donate for the benefit of Samson House? Through our partnership with New Horizons Foundation Inc, 501c3, there are over 20 ways to give, most of which will lower the amount you pay to the IRS. Give to Samson House, help rescue families, and pay less to the IRS in taxes - GREAT IDEA! It’s easy - just contact New Horizons Foundation (800) 531-4075 [option 1] for more information. Giving in 2021: This opportunity will likely go away in 2022. The CARES Act was passed by Congress on March 25, 2020, and signed into law on March 27, 2020. Part of this law allows taxpayers to apply up to 100% of their AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) - that’s right, 100% for calendar-year 2021 when giving to qualified contributions. To learn more, contact your tax professional. Remember: all new and one-time contributions, Nov 1 - Dec 3, are DOUBLED thanks to this year’s Matching Grant (up to $65,000.00). Spread the word to family and friends, and if your company shops on Amazon consider using Amazon Smile and designating Samson House.

SUPPORT@SAMSONSOCIETY.COM WWW.SAMSONSOCIETY.COM

"Joy" - By Max Morton

During this Advent season I have been meditating on Joy.  This is the season of Joy.  It is a reminder to me that Joy is the thing that seems to elude me.  Ever since God revealed Psalm 16:11 to me 10 years ago (for those who know my story it was a particularly joyless time in my life), I have been seeking Joy and it eludes me.  Joy is the thing that seems to be lacking.  I look for it.  I try to find it in the simple pleasures of everyday living in a fallen, sin-cursed world, but somehow, I can't seem to wrap my arms around it. 

Then there is this TRUTH:  Hebrews 12:1-3. 

Jesus knew a JOY that enabled him to endure the cross with its extra helping of shame.  That JOY was me.  It was his love for me; a joyous expectation of the communion we would share in his Kingdom. 

I am beginning to scratch the surface of this buried treasure that he finds his JOY in me and the only way I can experience JOY in this life is to find it in him.  His JOY is me, my JOY is him. 

The writer of Ecclesiastes bemoans the futility of life on planet Earth, for those of us "under the sun." This is the echo of Eden that causes man to wonder "It is not supposed to be like this."  As I center my focus on my JOY being in Jesus like his JOY is in me, I begin to experience the simple joys of this life where I am merely a pilgrim passing through on my way home. 

The joy of my first cup of coffee each day,

a made bed, 

a car that cranks, 

the joy of a job well done. 

The joy of the sound of laughter from my friends and family, 

Christmas presents under the tree, 

sausage balls on Christmas morning, 

the joy of laying down in a good bed at the end of the day, knowing I navigated this fallen world yet again, and tomorrow is one day closer to his return, one day closer to hearing "Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the JOY of your Lord." 

In this season of peace and JOY I pray we all find true JOY in the One whom this season is all about. The angels announced it as "Good news of great JOY" and gave glory to God.  JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD HAS COME.  Let my heart prepare him room, and find in him the source and every expression of JOY. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

"Immanuel" - By Max Morton

To me, one of the most amazing aspects of Advent is to meditate on Immanuel-God with us. God in all majesty, glory and splendor coming to "be with" me. More amazing still is the thought of Christ "in you" the HOPE of glory (Colossians 1:27). God, in Christ, the visible manifestation of the invisible God, God himself in all majesty, glory and splendor laying all that aside, literally emptying himself of his majesty, glory and splendor to take up humility, the earthly limitations of human flesh and learning obedience through suffering, even to the point of death (Philippians 2) in order to "be with" me.

With me in my frailty and failure. 

With me in joy and sorrow. 

With me in pain and persecution. 

Because he came as Immanuel, God with me, and was obedient unto death, God raised him from the dead and glorified him with a name above every name. I bow my knee and confess with my tongue that Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. This confession means that he is not only "with me" but his resurrection power lives "in me" by the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. 

Christ in me displaying the glory of his kingdom. 

Christ in me giving me peace and power. 

Christ in me training me through suffering to learn self-control.

Christ in me replacing my fear with his perfect love. 

Christ in me expecting a glorious hope. 

In this season of believing and hope, I meditate on the One who came as Immanuel to be with me and the One who remains as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He in me is the hope of glory.

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‎The Male Room: Rescued from drowning - an extraordinary story - The Male Room Episode 8 on Apple Podcasts