Wayfarer

In the quiet this morning, I spent a few moments thinking back to other times when "Life Happened" along the journey. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 15. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

In the quiet this morning, I find myself grateful for the experiences I've had with many different flavors of Christian traditions and belief systems. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 14. The text version can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

In the quiet this morning, I find myself thinking about the "bare and ugly place" that the Shire becomes when it was enslaved by systemic rule-keeping. It is such a great metaphor for lives that become enslaved by religious rule-keeping. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 13. The text version can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

This past weekend, the world was stunned when the opening ceremony of the Olympics featured a parody of Michelangelo's The Last Supper using drag queens and a large lady with a plunging neckline in place of Jesus. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 12. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

God's generous and gracious love for others does not diminish His love for me, it just means there's more love to go around than I ever thought possible. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 11. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com . The message Tom references in today's podcast: https://youtu.be/s1pv9kTPI30?si=zsGn_k8TCyUqe91K

Along my life journey, I have received my share of "poisoned pen letters" from zealous rule-keepers warning me of my impending damnation. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 10. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

I feel shame in confessing it because it feels so petty. It's true, however. I have to own it. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 9. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

I have always held that all great stories are a reflection of the Great Story, and I found this to be true with Harry Potter . A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 8. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

I think we all have at least rubbed shoulders with fundamentalist-type rule-keepers. They aren't hard to recognize. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 7. The text version can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

From beginning to end, water plays a major role both physically and spiritually. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 6. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

There are important aspects of maturity that one learns in this life only through struggle. It's good to have good companions on the journey. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 5. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

It's so easy to slip into the mode of rule-keeping and virtue-signaling. The history of humanity proves to me that this always ends up in hypocrisy, secret sins, condemnation of others, and self-righteous pride. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 4. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

The spiritual realities these two groups shared were greater than the differences they experienced in their rift about rules. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 3. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

The way to help lead a sinner to repentance is by being extraordinarily kind to them. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 2. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

The idea of a suffering, servant-hearted Messiah dying on a cross was antithetical to citizens in the heart of the most powerful, most wealthy, and most worldly of human Empires. Most Romans looked down upon Jesus' Message as foolishness. A chapter-a-day podcast from Romans 1. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Along my spiritual journey, I have found that there are some lessons that I learned in a moment while there are other lessons that have required my lifetime to learn. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Chronicles 19. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Along my life journey, I've observed that both politicians and pundits like to connect Presidents with their predecessors. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Chronicles 28. The text version can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

I find it fascinating the things that people choose to talk about and those they keep secret. What is perhaps even more fascinating are the motivations that drive the silence. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Chronicles 27. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Into what short phrase will my life be reduced by those who knew me? A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Chronicles 26. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

When it came to Temple musicians there was no age or educational restriction. God wanted young and old, experienced and inexperienced, both teacher and trainee to play before Him. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Chronicles 25. The text version can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

More and more, I'm blown away by the connections that tie the Great Story together. Like the one I found today. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Chronicles 24. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Authority. Who has the authority? From family systems to federal governments, our lives are governed by various authorities. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Chronicles 23. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

One of the things that I love about history is its power to inspire. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Chronicles 22. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

In many ways, the entire Great Story from Genesis to Revelation is about the conflict between human empire and God's Kingdom. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Chronicles 19. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

I'm reminded this morning that following Jesus' teaching means treating others, even enemies, with humility, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Chronicles 19. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .