Wayfarer

It’s a struggle to sometimes even connect ancient realities with my 21st century reality. I live in the most affluent country in the world in arguably the greatest time to be alive in human history. So, what am I supposed to take away from Paul’s reality and example? A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Corinthians 4. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

There is something very human about the way we love celebrity. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Corinthians 3. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

As I meditated on a number of challenges I’ve been navigating recently, I found myself thinking about the outcomes Jesus says He wants from me as a disciple. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Corinthians 2. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Paul reminds me that I shouldn’t be surprised when the world misunderstands, belittles, and/or maligns my faith in Jesus. Quite the opposite, I should expect it. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Corinthians 1. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

One of the things I’ve learned about myself across the years is that I have a penchant for occasionally spiraling into a pessimistic funk. People are always surprised to learn this, but you can ask Wendy. It’s a thing. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 16. The text version can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

As human beings, the crowd continues to have a tremendous impact on lives, culture, and personal decisions. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 15. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

I confess, my life journey is dotted with mistakes, poor choices, and moral failures. I’ve made some doozies. Buy me a pint sometime, and I’ll tell you some stories. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 14. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

So, which is it? Are things worse than ever, or better than ever? A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 13. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

One of the things I’ve observed along my life journey is that human empires will always attempt to crush or eliminate any anonymous cog who threatens their system or the power and wealth of its leaders. I refer you to any daily news outlet for evidence. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 12. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Today’s chapter contains one of the strange, head-scratching episodes in the entire Jesus Story. Why on earth would Jesus curse and kill a fig tree? It seems so random and out of character for Jesus. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 11. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

I got a call the other day from a team member. I don’t know what the issue was, it went unstated, but my employee sheepishly asked me if I would help complete a project for them. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 10. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

But the “mountains” in the Great Story are not meant to be accurate examples of scientific, geological definition. Building on yesterday’s post/podcast, the “mountains” are metaphors. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 9. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

How often did Jesus use creation and every day pieces of life as a teaching device? Mustard seeds, weather, pearls, sheep, sons, gates, shepherds, wine, debt, and bread. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 8. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

My real job, my boss told me, was the ability to take objective data and effectively communicate the same results to these two very different audiences. These audiences, by the way, typically have little appreciation or understanding of one another.  A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 7. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Along life’s road I’ve observed that crowds are fickle, fame is fleeting, what’s popular isn’t typically true, and people are generally attracted to all three like flies to feces. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 6. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

By regularly recounting those waypoints and expressing gratitude for God’s faithfulness I am strengthening my faith for the unknown troubles, tragedies, and challenges that may be awaiting me just ahead. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 5. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com . The Chosen clip mentioned in today’s podcast can be watched by clicking on this link .

One of the things that is often lost on casual readers of Jesus’ teaching is His relationship to the ancient Hebrew prophets. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 4. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

What was meant to be, and used to be, full of retreat, refreshment, and relationships had slowly become a burden on multiple levels. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 3. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

One of the things that I have learned along my life journey and in my career is that when you step up into the spotlight in front of a group of people, and you have something to say, you make yourself an easy target. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 2. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Along life’s road I discovered that the closer and more enticed I become with the Kingdoms of this world, the harder it becomes find the eternal treasures that Jesus said were most important. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 1. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

There’s a veritable plethora of ways one can pray. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ephesians 6. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

If I was “mic’d up” like players and coaches in the NFL and then all of my words for a day were run through AI to summarize and describe all of things I’d spoken yesterday, what would the result be? A chapter-a-day podcast from Ephesians 5. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

The further I get in the journey, the more I find myself mindful of how I invest my words. I have a daily budget of words that I’m going to spend. How am I going to spend them? A chapter-a-day podcast from Ephesians 4. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

It’s funny how life changes. I was always on the go as a kid. I find myself these days feeling entirely the opposite. I love to dwell at home. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ephesians 3. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

As an actor, understanding why my character makes certain choices, says the words he says, and does the things he does requires a cocktail of psychology, imagination, investigation, and meditation. The “why” is critical to the “what.” Along my journey, I have found this to also be a spiritual truth. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ephesians 2. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell...