Rob's Son-In-Law (Attribute) Wish List

Years ago, a local attorney turned pastor turned nonprofit executive director (who now runs a very successful nonprofit here in Mississippi) distributed (monthly emailed commentary) a future son-in-law attribute wish list.  And it was an extensive list that was framed as a transcripted essay written to his daughter.  As such, it was heartfelt, demonstrating his sincerity in attempting to protect his offspring from choosing a future husband unwisely.

As you might imagine, the list was heavy on spiritual performance with the tone of westernized masculinity sprinkled throughout.  All in all, there was no doubt that it was authored by someone reared smack dab in the buckle of the Bible Belt (who'd also successfully completed law school + seminary training).

In response to this, I wrote an email to this guy (he's about 10 years older than I am), and to my delight, he acknowledged with a reply.  Unfortunately though, in spite of his committing to follow up at a later date (post calendared mission trip to the Caribbean), he chose not to.

My email to him simply posed the question:  Would you bless the betrothal between your daughter and her fiance if you knew he struggled with homosexual desires?

And I asked this question because his future son-in-law attribute wish list didn't mention the basics.  I mean like, none of the basics.

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Therefore, today I'd like to speak briefly about Rob's future son-in-law attribute wish list, but I'm only going to include one line item because I do believe it's of primo importance.  From there, I'll leave the remainder of the attributes up to my daughters.

Firstly though, let me share some images that I recently harvested (photographed with my iPhone 7).  

The Delta Business Journal, is a monthly regional Mississippi newspaper that's focus is business genres.  Each month, this publication publishes a transcript of an interview with a local executive / business owner / farmer, etc. within.  One of the stock questions asked of the interviewee is for his / her FAVORITE BOOK.

As you can see, these two photos are taken from that transcript page (page 11) within both the January and February '22 publications, and it's important to note that both of these interviewees were men.

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So here's the deal:  Please Caroline, Anna, Laura Turner, do not consider a man to be your husband who might respond - to any degree - as these gents did regarding their FAVORITE BOOK.  Instead, look for men who consider reading a privilege and embrace / relish it (or who at least have enough sense to lie / make something up relative to being posed with such a characteristically revealing question).

In closing, always remember that talk is cheap and the written word is rich and therefore life / world changing.

For goodness sakes, think of your dear old dad in this regard.

Thanks so much. 

Lagniappe

Recommended Reading - Take A Few Minutes To Pray (Each Day) For Our Troops As They Nobly Respond To The Russia / Ukraine Escalating Crisis

 What the U.S. military is doing in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine - The Washington Post

Recommended Reading

 The Contagion of Cowardice | Desiring God

Recommended Reading: "3 Common, Cringeworthy Introvert Experiences"

 Hey guys. Stephen here. It's been a while since I contributed here. I really have no explanation for why, except that I have been mentally disengaged from a lot of things as of late. You will hopefully be hearing a little more from me on the blog over the next few days or so.

Doing life as an introvert can be extremely challenging at times. Recently, this article popped up and gave me all the feels. I definitely related to #3 on the list. I can be a very good conversationalist when the situation calls; usually, I do better one on one with conversations that take place on a deeper level than most guys are willing to engage in. But random chit-chat / shooting the breeze? Forget about it. Too draining. 

This is a very short read, but really helps to explain the mindset of introverts!

~S

3 Common, Cringeworthy Introvert Experiences

Rob's Intolerance For Political Extremists Within Samson Society

The Seeds of Political Violence Are Being Sown in Church (thedispatch.com)

Here's a little bit about me (as a typical Samson guy):

I don't support (time / money) any other national / international parachurch organizations other than Samson Society and Desiring God.  I most definitely do not support social media corporations (though I do have a placeholder LinkedIn account - to support my family's business).  I do not watch television, and that includes streamed television.  You should know that I absolutely loathe television programming.  In my opinion, it is the bane of western culture.

The reason for this (regarding the last two items) is:  I have - what I believe to be - better uses of my time.  And, I'm (by God's grace) intelligent coupled with emotionally healthy.

Now, there are boatloads of individuals out there who're much more intelligent than I am, but they may just be emotionally (mentally) unhealthy.  And inversely, there're boatloads of emotionally (mentally) healthy individuals out there who're not - overall - very intelligent.

I cannot stress enough how blessed I feel relative to what God's personally gifted me with (which I've cited above).  None of which I take for granted.

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Here's a little bit about typical Samson guys (as it pertains to religion):

Guys who step into Samson meetings - all in all - with a Charismatic / Pentecostal / Assemblies of God Christian mindset aren't your typical attendee.  And that's not to say these guys don't / wouldn't recognize the benefit(s) of relational accountability.  It's just that their heavy emphasis on what I'll call Holy Spirit spiritualism versus Biblical theology tends to alienate them (because of the aforementioned statistical trend).  Too, in general, I have found that the typical Holy Spirit spiritualism guy tends to bank on his religious emotions (as a state of mind) moreso than his more theologically grounded counterpart.  

My grandmother (dad's mom) was Charismatic, therefore I grew up witnessing her mindset / emotional religiosity firsthand.  This, coupled with her emotional / mental unhealth served to alienate her (plus she was just a mean, self-centered virago).  This familial connection declares my bias.  So there.

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Here's a proposed scenario, taking into account a typical Samson meeting (per my experience facilitating & attending):

So what if a low intelligence or emotionally (mentally) unhealthy or Holy Spirit spiritualism zealot (or some combination therein) steps into a Samson Society meeting?  What's to be done?  

They should be welcomed in with open arms.  And yes, their individualistic differentiator(s) will be noted by everyone else.  And yes, it may very well impact the typical pacing / vibe of said meeting.  But, I would argue, instead of resenting the unexpected (via their presence), everyone should push hard through it by cranking up the vulnerability / level of engagement.

Why?

No one's in control of any Samson Society meeting.  It's foundationally a horizontal experience.  As such, the Society doesn't discriminate.

Also, who's to say your emotional / mental health won't deteriorate someday?  Or your intelligence be similarly impacted?  I realize religious framework rarely changes overnight / over time, but it has happened.  In other words, you may not see yourself today as anything other than a __________.  But that too may someday change.

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So, why bring all of this saccharine, open door verbiage (about me, Samson guys & hypothetical Samson meetings) into a post titled with the word "intolerance"?

Honestly, I simply felt the need to unpack those items from a set vantage point before I divulge my take on individuals who Rob chooses to avoid - within the context of a Samson Society community.  Individuals who relay their extremist, politically motivated behavior therein or otherwise.

Now, keep in mind that I said behavior.  Not just opinion / talking points.  B-E-H-A-V-I-O-R.

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If I'm made aware of a Samson guy whose crossed the political extremism line by promoting / participating in violence against our government, in my mind, they've stepped into a role that immediately topples them from our shared communal plane.  

Even if they're lacking in the intelligence / mental health department or are committed to the most high-voltage Charismatic sect out there.  Even if.

Nothing can excuse political extremism coupled with violence.  Why?  It's the work of Satan for such a time as this.  

Samson Society must not usher in terrorists.  Their behavior is a disgrace.

And I realize that the church has and will likely continue to ignore this topic.  Just as it ignores so much that it should not.  

God bless the Samson Society.  

Lagniappe 

Recommended Reading - Begin Your Day With Sex!

Romance After Kids: Ten Ways to Keep the Fire Burning | Desiring God

Recommendation #1, I first heard - many years ago - from Dr. Laura Schlessinger.  Though I've / we've never attempted it (as a set routine), I / we therefore cannot vouch for it personally.  Nevertheless, it sounds like a great idea.  Especially if you can agree together to roll back the alarm clock +/-45 minutes in order to be intimate.

There's no denying that one's mind is clearer first thing than at any point during the day.  And, I would argue, morning climaxes typically aren't premature.  Hence, the ascent towards orgasm tends to be just as pleasurable.  Perhaps this is because you're overall less fatigued / your mind is clear to focus on being sexually intimate.  

Sex / romance after dark (evenings) no doubt does coalescence with tradition.  The winding down of the day, alcohol consumption, and the release of sexual desire - built up over the past +/-12 hours.  

But, a toasty, relaxed spouse's bod (after a comfy night's sleep) might be just the thing needed to kickstart one's day.

There's no excuse relative to not getting laid.  So long as each spouse is willing to think outside of the box on occasion.

Happy Valentine's Day 2022.

Recommended Reading If You're Considering Divorce (Or Have Received / Drawn Up Divorce Papers As Of Late)

How a divorce can make you sick — and even lead to early death (nypost.com)