My name is Nate, but you can call me Samson. That’s the code name my friends have given me, and for reasons you may eventually understand, I’ve given the same symbolic name to each of them. Together, we are the Samson Society.
These are my best friends, the men of the Samson Society. Real men. Real Christian men. Real screwed-up Christian men. Separately we can act like complete morons, but together -- together we are a formidable force for good, an alliance to be reckoned with.
I haven’t always had friends. When I was little I had playmates, mostly my brothers and sisters. In school I had classmates. I am a congenial sort of guy, usually pretty well known around town and fairly well liked. In business and at church I have always had plenty of “hello-friends,” but not real friends, not the kind you can count on to carry your casket and look after your wife and kids when you die. Whenever anyone offered that kind of friendship, I disappeared.
During most of the last 28 years I had only one real friend, my wife, Allie. As far as I knew, she was the only person who knew my crap and loved me anyway.
It was hard on Allie, being my only friend. Sure, she wanted me all to herself sometimes. She liked the feeling of togetherness we experienced when my head was actually at home. But she got tired of being the only one who could confront me when I was wrong, advise me when I was confused, and cheer me up when I was depressed. I piled the weight of all my missing friendships onto her and then got mad when she acted like a girl.
What I needed was friends. Comrades. And now I have them. I’ve written the story of how it happened, along with random commentary about subjects as diverse as Linux, the Bible, baseball, and the killing of Julius Caesar.
I can promise you one thing. The story isn’t boring.
Adapted from the Introduction to
Samson and the Pirate Monks
By Nate Larkin
[Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006]
Hey, it has been a while since I have dropped by. I listened to your Christmas story today and enjoyed it so much. I had to play it for my boys. We all got a good laugh. Great writing.
Hello my friend. Hope you're having a wondeful Christmas season. Let's try and hook up for lunch sometime after the holidays. God's Peace to you and your family.
THANKS FOR THIS PAST WEEKEND YOU BLESSED US ALL(VINEYARD MENS RETREAT)I PLAN TO PICK UP A COPY OF YOUR BOOK WHEN I GET SOME CASH YOU BLESSED ME DEEPLY. THANKS AND MAY GOOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR BRIDE PREACHER KIDS STICK TOGETHER JEREMY
Hey Nate, thanks for the friend request! I had no idea what to expect when I clicked on your profile... I had a good laugh at corned beef and cabbage! Man can I ever relate to that story! Good stuff!
Pop by and check out a song or two off my album if you get time!
Thanks so much for all your love and support, your friendship is greatly appreciated. There are some FREE downloads at apollotunes.com. I’m working on my new album and you can hear some of the pre- production for it right on the site. Click the link to hear more and please feel free to download my music and share with anyone who may be interested. And please take a moment to sign up on my mailing list located on my profile page so we can stay in touch. Thanks for your time and energy. Enjoy the music!
I just read your book man. It was amazing. I'm currently looking a Samson Society group or similar in the San Diego area. If you or anyone reading this know of one, please message me.
