Acquired Taste

by Tyler Dirks

I was chatting with some friends recently about Jesus Freaks. And of course you cannot discuss Jesus Freaks without talking about John the baptizer. John was obsessed with Jesus! Before John was even born, he was leaping with enthusiasm for Jesus in his mother’s womb! He was always saying stuff like, “Jesus infinitely outranks all […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]