Posts from January 2022

8 Items

Growth & Health

by Tyler Dirks

The smartest person to have ever lived said, ‘The true paradigm for growth and health is as follows: unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.’ We most typically, and most vehemently, tend to believe that the picture below better represents growth and […]

That Happened! [excerpts from the life of Samson …final episode]

by Tyler Dirks

Samson “served” as President of Israel for 20 years. #ThatHappened! This begs the obvious question, “What kind of leader was Samson?” Was he a master diplomatist? Was he organized, clear-headed, and poised [like Deborah]? Was he – at least – reliable, and steady (e.g. did he keep regular office hours)? …None of the above. Samson […]

UrgentSearching

by Tyler Dirks

[Matthew 11] John’s starting to have second-thoughts about Jesus of Nazareth. John asks, “Are you THE ONE who is to come, OR SHALL WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?” *Imagine your boss comes up to you & asks, “Should I look for another person to do your job?” That stings! Jesus says, “Tell John that I’ve befriended […]

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

by Tyler Dirks

Let’s think about the motion picture Nacho Libre. The film is loosely based on the story of Fray Tormenta (“Friar Storm”, a.k.a. Rev. Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez), a real-life Mexican Catholic priest who had a 23-year career as a masked luchador and competed in order to support the orphanage he directed. There are a few things […]

Run Forest Run

by Tyler Dirks

Forest Gump ran for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hrs. Whenever you think about Forest Gump you can envisage: The guy who ran to collect Jonathan’s arrows (1 Samuel 20:36). Ahimaaz (2 Samuel 18). Running into battle (Psalm 18:29). The sun …running its daily course with joy; like a bridegroom (Psalm 19:5). […]

That Happened! [excerpts from the life of Samson continued]

by Tyler Dirks

Warning, excerpts from Samson’s life contain large quantities of inappropriocity. Proceed with caution. So you remember how Samson had the hots for a lady in Timnah, and they got hitched; and then Samson stormed off during the wedding reception because he was angry with some fellas over a gambling fiasco? Well, after Samson cooled-off a […]

Attending Church(es): The Screwtape Letters [Chapter XVI]

by Tyler Dirks

I was listening to The Screwtape Letters on Hoopla while driving to climb with Will this morning. I found the 16th letter to be particularly constructive, so now I share it with you: My dear Wormwood, You mentioned casually in your last letter that the patient has continued to attend one church, and one only, […]

That Happened! [excerpts from the life of Samson]

by Tyler Dirks

The angel of the Lord appeared to Samson’s mom and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.” Samson’s dad said to the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you?” And […]