Weekly meetings available to you are as follows:

Tuesday at 6:30 PM, Truitt Baptist Church - Pearl. Call Matt Flint at (601) 260-8518 or email him at matthewflint.makes@gmail.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.

Wednesday at 7:00 PM, Crossgates Baptist Church. Brandon Reach out to Matthew Lehman at (601)-214-4077 for further info.

Sunday night at 6:00 PM, Grace Crossing Baptist Church - 598 Yandell Rd. Canton. Call Joe McCalman at 601-201-5608 or email him at cookandnoonie@gmail.com.


Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Samson Society Newsletter - April 2023

 

Dive Deeper with Non-Traditional Meeting Formats

In my in-person meeting, we have been experimenting with a few departures from the traditional meeting format. These departures were always done for a reason - in this case, to encourage guys to become open and transparent with their brothers in the meeting.
VARIATION #1: STORY TIME
Our first experiment was getting people to tell their story to their brothers. All of it. Unvarnished. This is a firghtening proposition for some people, but an important step in your recovery.
The second week of every month is "story time." Someone volunteers to tell their story in the meeting, usually a week or two in advance. We do an abbreviated opening to the meeting. We make sure to pray and remind everyone about strictest confidence. Then the story teller for the evening has the floor - for the remainder of the hour if he wants. Everyone else gets to listen while he shares and throws everything he can out on the table for all to see.
In whatever time is left (we seem to run long on story nights), everyone else gets to comment and ask questions, always with nothing but love for the guy that just shared. It's cross talk that wouldn't normally be allowed in a meeting, but we allow it in this setting because it is really important to feel support after you just took the risk of sharing all of your dirt. No one is instructing the storyteller, just supporting him. If someone has a burning need to share something they have going on, that's allowed to.
The amount of honesty and transparency in our meetings has improved since we started sharing our stories. Honesty and transparency breeds more honesty and transparency. The bar is rising with every brave act of sharing.
VARIATION #2: A SILAS CHECK-IN MEETING
Every week we talk about checking in with your Silas and talking about what you're feeling, thinking, doing, and thinking of doing, but some guys don't have a Silas yet. Not every Silas uses those four questions to start a check-in. So we decided to do a Silas check-in meeting: we go around the room and everyone tells the group what they are feelng, thinking, doing, and thinking of doing. We also provide the feelings wheel to help guys put words to their feelings.
It was a struggle for some, but a good struggle, and is a useful exercise in being vulnerable and honest. Our hope is that in the process we can get some guys paired up with a Silas if they don't have one already.
If you have any questions about these non-traditional meeting formats, please contact me on Slack (user "Patrick").

Nate Visits the Unleash the Man Within Podcast

Nate Larkin recently sat down with Sathiya Sam on the Unleash the Man Within podcast to discuss how seminary actually worsened Nate's addiction.
LISTEN

Help Us Chronicle the Summit

We are in search of a videographer or team of videographers to help us capture the events of the Samson Summit (both the presentations as well as b-roll footage of gatherings and activities).
Whether it's your career or a hobby, contact us if you are interested in learning more information. 

What Happens When Meetings Get Icky or Sticky?

Join us on Tuesday, May 30 from 7-9 PM CT for our second of three meeting host training sessions. During this session, hosts by Roane and Roe Hunter will cover how to navigate those awkward moments in a meeting when things get icky or sticky. 
REGISTER

Are You a Good Salesman?

We are looking for men interested in helping Samson House raise funds necessary to support Samson Society's endeavors and events. If you can sell ketchup popsicles to a lady in white gloves or ocean front property in Arizona then please consider joining our new volunteer fundraising committee.
If you are interested or have questions, please reach out to Tom Moucka for more information.
REGISTER

March 2023 Meeting Host & Sub Winner

Thank you Randy Brash for hosting the virtual Freedom on Fridays meeting! We would like to give you a one-time 25% discount in the Samson swag 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.

Become a Sustaining Member of Samson House

Samson House exists solely for the advancement of Samson Society. In order to keep Samson Society free, we need individuals committed to providing monthly financial gifts.
We do not have dues, but we do have expenses. Please consider becoming a monthly financial contributor to Samson House, and help us keep the (metaphorical) lights on. Suggested donation is $20 a month, but please do not let that limit you if you are able to give more. 
DONATE

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!
Come enjoy the community, honesty and vulnerability of sharing your story with other Samson brothers who are looking to connect and heal. The cost for this retreat is $425. This price includes lodging for three nights, excellent food and beverages, training materials, an opportunity to hear other men’s stories, as well engage your own story in a safe and attuned way.
For more information, contact Chris Inman at chris@np-recovery.com
REGISTER
LEARN MORE

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 Sexual Attachment Conference

At some point in our lives, each of us will encounter difficulties in our sexual life. It might be a compulsive use of unwanted sexual behavior or a struggle to locate any sexual desire at all. No matter what sexual story you find yourself in, this conference will guide you to identify the key attachments that keep you stuck. Sexual desire issues are common, but they can also be a roadmap to healing.
Through the teaching of therapists Jay Stringer and Adam Young, you will learn:
  • How to identify your attachment style
  • How attachment shapes your sexual life
  • How to understand your arousal template
  • How to transform your sexual story
This virtual conference occurs May 5, 6, and is designed for men and women, couples, and small groups who are hoping to connect the dots between unresolved pain and unwanted choices.
REGISTER USING THE CODE BulkSAC2023 FOR $50 OFF
LEARN MORE

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Thursday, April 20, 2023

"Shame" - Stan S.

Shame and I were intimate companions for many, many years.

It started as a young child with voices telling me I was not good enough. I was not a good enough son, I was not fun or attractive enough to have friends, I was not fit enough to avoid being bullied about my weight, and I was not masculine enough to elude being called a sissy or “fag”.

The voices only grew louder and more matter-of-fact as I thought I was failing at becoming a real man. I thought a real man was expected to be athletic, brave, and confident with women. I did not see myself as any of those things.

This only became worse as I found myself drawn to look at and desire men, and long to have deep connection. This was the worst shame as I was taught to believe that being gay was the worst of all sins because it was both ungodly and disgusting. My father believed all gay people should be executed because they groomed children into their lifestyle. Being attracted to the same sex was not acceptable.

So, I started building the facade. Who I am is not acceptable, so I will have to make myself into something I’m not. So, I worked hard to be decent at sports, joined a fraternity, and learned to watch football, and pursue women. I worked hard to be “manly” in the worlds eyes, all the while feeling like a complete fraud.

I got married, had kids, and hid my secret shame of same sex attraction for 30 years. I told absolutely no one, and even was able to convince myself to a certain degree.

But the shame took its toll. On the outside my life looked good to everyone, but on the inside, my spirit was decaying. I had given my heart to Jesus, but I was afraid to trust him fully and felt unworthy of his love.

At first, I thought the shame would keep me safe. I depended on the shame to prevent me from failing, and to prop up the facade I had built. What I didn’t realize, was how shame had snuck around through the back door to destroy me from within. Slowly, despair and resignation filled my soul. I became exhausted with the weight of the disguise and started hearing new lies:  “None of this matters.” “You aren’t really loved or lovable as you are.” and “You are such a total fraud!”

So, in a moment, I gave up and gave in to my sin. However, instead of the expected relief and gratification, all it brought me was more shame in greater magnitude.

Thankfully, I did have my faith. The Holy Spirit was so kind to pursue me, speak gently, and give me hope.  He gently showed me the difference between a healing conviction that breaks down the lies, and toxic shame which only hides and condemns.

I was able to confess my sin and begin the healing process of overcoming the distortion of my desires, and begin to accept and love the unique expression of manhood that God placed in me. I’m still on this journey, but Jesus has been so kind to walk slowly with me, and bring godly people in my life to show me the power of the new covenant of grace. I truly have hope that I am being restored to the holy purpose for which I was designed.

I have learned to not be ashamed of my desires, but to sit with them and uncover what about them are true needs, and what is the lie. For me, the truth is, God made me for deep relationship and connection. He made me to see and admire the beautiful way he created men and praise him for the way we reflect his strength, confidence, and tender mercy. He has taught me the spiritual power of physical connection through a hug, holding hands during prayer, and putting a hand on a shoulder to manifest care through a physical modality. The distortion is the lie that any need for male connection has to be sexual. The Enemy of our soul does not typically tell us outright lies. He has found it more effective to distort the truth and mix in a heavy dose of fear and shame.

In closing, the Lord has used his Word to unveil truth throughout this process, but this passage has been especially meaningful because of the intimate language the author uses in the way He desires to connect with us, dispel the shame, and give us a fulfilling and significant life as we walk the healing path of his grace:

“Yahweh, you are my soul’s celebration. How could I ever forget the miracles of kindness you’ve done for me? You kissed my heart with forgiveness, in spite of all I’ve done. You’ve healed me inside and out from every disease. You’ve rescued me from hell and saved my life. You’ve crowned me with love and mercy. You satisfy my every desire with good things. You’ve supercharged my life so that I soar again like a flying eagle in the sky!”
Psalms 103:2-5 TPT