Christian Living

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Dogs

by Tyler Dirks

To obtain maximum appreciation of this analogy you will need to partake of Wes Anderson’s 2018 film Isle of Dogs. If you haven’t already seen this film, it is heartily suggested that you (a) postpone your reading of this correspondence, cancel your plans for the next 1h 41m, watch the film, and then resume reading; […]

Flight Attendants, Please Prepare For Landing

by Tyler Dirks

It’s been a six month voyage, but we are now making our final approach and denouement of 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Here’s a preview of the final scene… Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. I, Paul, write this greeting […]

intermission [the HE>I roadmap]

by Tyler Dirks

PROLOGUE. John said, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away […]

Don’t Follow John (Part II)

by Tyler Dirks

Jesus was enjoying time with His friends at a house party. Some Pharisee folks were monitoring Jesus, and they were upset with Him for attending this party. Why you ask? That’s a good question. It seems like, if Jesus attends a party, then there is absolutely no way to condemn Him, because He’s perfect. But […]

Don’t Follow John (Part I)

by Tyler Dirks

The thing you gotta know about John was that …he was a sensation! All kinds of people from Judea and all the region about the Jordan River were flocking to John, and they were hanging on his every word and confessing their sins to him and being baptized by him! Really try to imagine the […]

Your Secret Life

by Tyler Dirks

“When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Jesus of Nazareth Use the space below to write or doodle the details of your secret life:

Jesus Said What!?

by Tyler Dirks

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” [seems like Putin is ‘inheriting the earth’] “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” [seems like the merciful get taken advantage of] “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my […]

It’s Fun to Fight Consumerism

by Tyler Dirks

The other day my friend said to me, “I notice that you’re always talking about the tragedy of consumerism, and you seem to be deeply disappointed with people treating church as a commodity.” I said, “Yeah, that’s accurate.” So then we launched into a conversation about whether or not the Minimalism Movement was the solution […]

Singing & Submission

by Tyler Dirks

The other day my friend Brian asked me, “How do you know if a community is filled with the Holy Spirit?” I said, “Speaking in tongues, signs & wonders, shouting, clapping, and wild dancing!” Brian said, “mmmm.” “What do you mean ‘mmmm’?” I asked. Brian said, “How do you address people in ECLT?” I was […]

The Eccentric Rabbi

by Tyler Dirks

Once upon a time some theologians asked an eccentric rabbi to do a miracle. The eccentric rabbi claimed to be God, so it’s understandable that the theologians wanted to see some kind of confirmation. But the thing is, the eccentric rabbi had already done lots of miracles, and the theologians had proved to be unsatisfiable. […]