"The No Bull Briefing" - June 2022

 

THE NO BULL BRIEFING - June 2022

Ask an Expert By Jim Cress, Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, Certified Multiple Addictions Therapist, Certified Parter Trauma Therapist (IITAP) There are a number of crucial questions when it comes to people in recovery.  Some of these ponderings are more shallow, while others are deeper.  If you think about it, acting out in my addiction somehow made sense.  It felt good. I was able to momentarily escape some of the realities in my life. I had used this medicator since childhood.  Who knows, maybe my addiction to pornography, or sexually acting out in infidelity may have kept me alive.  Pain is real.  Childhood and family of origin pain is palpable. So now you have come to a place in your life where you have a longing to live free from the obsessions and compulsions of sexually acting out.  At least you think you want something more.  Whether your sexual secrets got discovered, or you stepped up and disclosed your infidelity, you find yourself standing here at this D-Day wondering what your future holds.  Will my partner ever forgive me?  Will she ever be able to heal from the damage I’ve done?  And yes, am I even sure I am ready to go “all in” with what will be required of me to walk a path of integrity, healing, and honesty? Read More Have a question you would like answered? Send it our way and we will see what we can find out for you! Join us in Eva in November! In addition to our customary workshops and Silas walks, our annual retreat will feature Roane, Eva, and Roe Hunter as our presenters. Roane and Eva, international bestselling authors of Sex, God, and the Chaos of Betrayal: The Couples Road Map of Hope and Healing from Infidelity, Affairs, Pornography, and Sexual Addiction, are licensed and certified Sex Addiction (CSAT) and Multiple Addiction (CMAT) therapists and supervisors, as well as popular speakers at churches, seminars and retreats sharing their remarkable journey from false intimacy to redemptive intimacy.   Along with their son, Roe, who is also a licensed counselor and CSAT, they conduct couples' intensives and workshops, men’s intensives and coaching retreats, and women’s intensives and retreats, in addition to their private practice.    The theme of their presentations will be: Sexual Brokenness: A Family Affair. Learn More Live in the Freedom of Authenticity Show your patriotic and Samson pride with these new shirt designs (available in a variety of shirt colors) declaring the freedom of authenticity. Shop Today May 2022 Meeting Host & Sub Winner Thank you James Calderazzo for hosting the Pirate Squirrels of Destin in-person meeting! 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. GREAT NEWS! As of June 12, 2022, the CDC no longer requires air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. So join us in Italy this October! There are two destination options: separate men's and women's retreats happening in the Apennine mountains, about 2 hours away from Rome on Oct 7-9 (LEARN MORE) a men's retreat in northern Italy at Forterocca near the French border on Oct. 14-16 (LEARN MORE) Hear a little about what Kaka Ray, one of the retreat speakers, will be speaking about at the Italian retreats in this Pirate Monk Podcast! 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! Blue Ridge Samson Society Retreat If you're looking for a place to connect and learn to tell your story, join us for the upcoming Blue Ridge Samson Society Retreat.  Dates: Friday, August 5 (4 pm) - Sunday, August 7, 2022 (1 pm) Location: Blue Ridge, GA Cost: $300 (plus registration fees), which includes lodging, meals and storytelling materials. Registration through Eventbrite What will we do? We will have a great time of fellowship, sharing stories, and building community in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It will be an awesome time to go deeper into what God is revealing in your story. Plus, you get to connect with other men and hear THEIR story to help you process yours. It's gonna be a tremendous weekend of healing together! Email Chris Inman at chris@np-recovery.com if you have any questions. We hope to see you there! Calling men to begin "breaking the darkness" in our lives and in our world by walking and living in authentic brotherhood. The purpose of our retreat is to help men dare closer to Jesus and find freedom in our lives by learning to be ruggedly honest and supporting one another as broken brothers in confidential spaces. The retreat will feature Nate Larkin, nationally known speaker, author or "Samson and the Pirate Monks," and founder of the International Samson Society. Find out more about the Seattle Retreat 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! Email us at samsonhouseoffice@gmail.com. We all know the struggle - we go to our group meeting, we leave feeling so great and determined, and late at night the next day we’re on our own again and deep in temptation. And in those moments it’s hard to take that step and reach out to our Silas or other brothers who can be our rescuing angels.That’s why fellow pirate monk Chandler Rogers built Relay: it’s an app that will match you into a team of Samson brothers to stay connected and accountable 24/7. The “red flag” SOS button at the bottom of the app just takes one tap to send a notification to your whole team that you need support - it makes vulnerability much easier. Relay also helps you track your sobriety streak, set daily goals, start conversations, and build relationships.Download the app and then use the code SAMSON to join a team with other Pirate Monks + receive a one-month free trial!To learn more about the app and the Relay team, check out Chandler’s Pirate Monk podcast interview with Nate Larkin. Partner With Us as We Grow Samson Society does not have dues or fees, but we do have expenses. Help us introduce more men to recovery by making a monthly contribution (suggested $20.00, if you’re able give more, please don’t hesitate). We will work tirelessly to keep your trust.  Considering how much time and expense we have put into unwanted, unfulfilling habits, many of us have recognized it only makes sense to invest in our own and other’s recovery. DONATE Connect with us on social media!