Wayfarer

In the routine and complacency of everyday life, it's easy to fall into spiritual atrophy. No matter what anyone says about my spiritual need, I just go about my life and don't respond. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 18. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Elijah's life and experiences metaphorically point to what God has done, is doing, and will do later in the story. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 17. The text version of today's podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Jesus' people wanted a Messiah who was a divine version of the top-down power under which they'd suffered for centuries. But from the very beginning, Jesus was the living embodiment of God's word through the prophet Isaiah: "My ways are not your ways." A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 16. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

At this point on life's road, parenting is more of an advisory position. That doesn't mean, however, that I don't have influence. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 15. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Nowhere in the Great Story does God promise a person a life free of difficulty or tragedy. In fact, He promises the opposite. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 14. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

When my spiritual journey as a disciple of Jesus began over forty years ago, I was given a very simple directive by God's Spirit. In many ways, I consider it my Prime Directive, though I've received other directives along the way. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 13. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com . Leave me a voicemail message!

Our grandparents were "the greatest generation" who grew up during the Great Depression and gave their lives to save the world from tyrannical evil in World War II. Our parents' generation put men on the moon. In my mind, there was no limit to what our generation could accomplish. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 12. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

My impression of wealth is always in relationship to the small percentage of earthly Rockstars who have way more of it than me. By that standard, I never think I'm wealthy. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 11. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

As I look back at historical figures, it's easy to want to place them in binary camps of being a "good" person or a "bad" person. I find Solomon to be human, like me. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 10. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

God warned Solomon and his descendants that their lack of faithfulness would result in the destruction of the Temple. What was also destroyed was Solomon's legacy. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 9. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Along my spiritual journey as a disciple of Jesus, I have come to believe what I once heard U2's Bono utter in an interview: "I think things are already written." A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 8. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Solomon spent seven years building God's Temple. He spent thirteen years building his palace. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 7. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

We human beings love our religious traditions. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 6. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Jesus' taught His followers to live with purpose, prioritizing God's Kingdom above the things of this earthly life. In doing so, He spoke of a legacy of things that will remain for eternity when every earthly treasure has long since burned away. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 5. The text version can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

History reveals that it is Solomon's flaws and blind spots that result in his great kingdom dying with him. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 4. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

I confess that it's tempting to view Solomon's prayer request as a name-it-and-claim-it formula... A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 3. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

On his deathbed, David tells Solomon to be obedient to God and keep the Law of Moses. He then immediately tells Solomon to "settle a few of the family accounts" Godfather style. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 2. The text version can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Every human system (e.g. families, committees, churches, councils, school administrations, community groups, businesses, and etc.) is a "game of thrones." A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Kings 1. The text version may be found and played at tomvanderwell.com .

How apt, I thought, that in this morning's chapter we find Zephaniah's predictions of doom and gloom giving way to hope and salvation. And, amidst the hopeful promises God gives through the ancient prophet is the simple phrase "I will bring you home." A chapter-a-day podcast from Zephaniah 3. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Like most Americans, I'm finding myself perpetually caught off guard by our current political landscape. A chapter-a-day podcast from Zephaniah 2. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

There is something innately human about the way humans flock to bad news. A chapter-a-day podcast from Zephaniah 1. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

I want to pay the price for my sin. I need to pay the price for my sin. I can't believe that my guilty conscience can be absolved in any other way than for me to personally pay the price and feel the pain. A chapter-a-day podcast from 2 Samuel 24. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Sometimes the real story is in the details. Even as human beings sharing life together, what makes our community and conversation transformational is found in the depth and detail of our sharing. A chapter-a-day podcast from 2 Samuel 23. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

I appreciate David's word picture, but rocks, caves, fortresses, and strongholds have not been a strong part of my personal journey living most of my life in Iowa. A chapter-a-day podcast from 2 Samuel 22. The text version may be found and played at tomvanderwell.com .

I'm discovering that wisdom lies in channeling my available resources in the most constructive, efficient and effective ways. A chapter-a-day podcast from 2 Samuel 21. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .