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UN-FAMOUS

by Tyler Dirks

The most famous, influential, important person in history. We didn’t even know He had arrived. We didn’t know He had arrived because the announcement was made by a deranged vagabond, and His arrival was in hicksville. Moreover, beyond the broadcasts of the deranged vagabond, the only other form of announcement came via astrology. This announcement […]

Books That Really Do Something To You

by Tyler Dirks

I have a rock climbing buddy named Roth who loves to read. As we’ve ‘talked books’ he’s mentioned that certain books ‘really do something to him.’ There are hilarious books, riveting books, inspiring books, intriguing books, ruminative books, etc. But then there are books that intimately impact you, and convert you to a cause, and […]

A Point Of Emphasis For Fyodor

by Tyler Dirks

“The more stupid one is, the closer one is to reality. The more stupid one is, the clearer one is. Stupidity is brief and artless, while intelligence squirms and hides itself. Intelligence is unprincipled, but stupidity is honest and straightforward.” – The Brothers Karamazov [Fyodor Dostoevsky] Tyler’s commentary… truth is often disdained and dismissed in […]

Wholehearted, Hell or High Water, Attendees!

by Tyler Dirks

Once upon a time God hosted a huge party. A lot of ‘important & impressive’ people were invited, but none of them came to the party. Some of the ‘important & impressive’ people declined to attend because they were preoccupied with renovating and decorating their houses. Others didn’t show up because they were busy with […]

God’s Value System (Psalm 119)

by Tyler Dirks

Do me a favor and read Psalm 119. As you read through this Alef to Tav 176 verse poem, underline or highlight the words “love” “meditate” “whole heart” “consumed with longing” “law” “precepts” “rules” and “testimonies”. If you do this, approx 1/2 a dozen pages in the middle of your Bible will be almost fully […]

God’s Value System (Underlying Ambitions)

by Tyler Dirks

When Jesus confronts His friends about their argument regarding which one of them was ‘the greatest’ (Mark 9), He is forcing them to see that their underlying ambitions are all about compensating for their deep sense of inadequacy. As the prophet Samuel said to King Saul, “You are little in your own eyes” (1 Samuel […]

instead of instagram

by Tyler Dirks

Our primary conversation partner tends to be our phone. Doomscrolling. Social media binging. Fox News fretting. CNN hysteria. NPR self-righteousness and victimizationism. Etc. We need to limit our conversations with these outlets. They are toxic. They are not constructive. They do not cultivate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, or self-control. We cannot […]

God Insists

by Tyler Dirks

Remember that time John was stuck in prison and he sent his friends to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Or what about that time when the disciples of John came to Jesus, and asked Him, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your […]

G.E.T.

by Tyler Dirks

‘Operation Athens’ is in the works for 2023. In preparation for this mission the question must be begged: Why go to Greece? Certainly, the deployed ECPC operatives will exercise their unique abilities, special skills, and general helpfulness in Athens. However, the primary purposes of the mission are as follows: 1. GLIMPSE our future. America has […]

Joe Moe Dan & Dumbledore

by Tyler Dirks

We want things to “make sense.” We attempt to force people, decisions, and incidents into simplistic categories of “black” and “white”; “appropriate” and “inappropriate”; “abuse” and “care.” But then we read the most authoritative and active account of history and we find that people, decisions, and incidents are complicated, messy, and mysterious. For instance, once […]