Wayfarer

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...

Sometimes, we need a friend who knows us well enough to give us the encouragement and affirmation we need, and who we know cares for us enough to give it. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ephesians 1. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Iowa farmland is among the richest, most productive in the entire world which means that it is of great financial worth. Because of this, living in Iowa gives you a front row seat to what land can do to the human heart. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 48. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

What many people don’t know is that “shalom" which is literally translated into English as “peace” has a meaning that cannot be simply contained by one comparable English word. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 47. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com . “I’m Not Okay” with lyrics by Jelly Roll

Jesus came to build on this seed that Ezekiel’s vision is planting and do something  new . Jesus came to tear down distinctions of race, class, and gender A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 46. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com . The WSJ article referenced in today’s podcast .

Throughout the Great Story, beginning in  Exodus , God has been trying to provide humanity with a vision for  how things can and should be . A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 45. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Jesus came to usher in a new age of humanity in which the Temple is no longer a bricks-and-mortar building but a flesh-and-blood organism. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 44. The text version can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Why would God give Zeke this vision and instructions for a Temple that has never been built? A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 43. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Do you want to know what makes an evening of great theatre? The scene changes! A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 42. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .