Wayfarer

"People of the lie" have always been a part of the mix in this world. This is a reality that I must always consider as I look around me and try to interpret the signs of the times. A chapter-a-day podcast from Jude 1. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

The tagline "a series of unfortunate events" popped into my mind as I sat in the quiet this morning pondering not only the tumultuous events that are unpacked by the author of Judges in his three-chapter epilogue but also the tumultuous events that we've been living through in the past two years. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 21. The text version can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com...

Despite all of the advancements we enjoy in our civilized society with the rule of law, our human "tribal instincts" remain very strong. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 20. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

I don't have to look very hard to find acts of violence not that much different than the ones in today's chapter. And, in the Levite's call to action, I hear echoes of what our society is proclaiming right now: "We have to do something!" A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 19. The text version can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Like the Prodigal Son, I had to find myself spiritually starving in the muck in order to realize my need. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 18. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Over the past several years, I have observed my world becoming increasingly disordered. There is no question that the pandemic affected the ordering of our personal lives in ways we're still trying to understand and grapple with. On top of that, a daily perusal of the news has shown me increased political disorder, social disorder, cultural disorder, and economic disorder. A chapter-a-day podcast...

In the quiet this morning, Samson's story leads me back to my own life, and my own story. I, like every other human being who has ever lived, have my own sins, flaws, and weaknesses. Left unchecked, my story would be far more tragic than it's already been. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 16. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Along my life journey, I have known certain individuals who became antithetical life examples for me. In other words, they were individuals whom I regarded as persons I never wanted to be like. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 15. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

In the quiet this morning, I'm taking my meditation of "my story" one layer deeper. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 14. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

When my life journey is over, I will cross into eternity. Here on earth, I will become a story . A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 13. The text version can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

And so, it begins. Today's chapter contains the first hint of trouble between the Hebrew tribes since the settlement of the Promised Land, but it will certainly not be the last. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 12. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

As a boy, I remember that my prayers were often contract negotiations. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 11. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Along my life journey, I've learned that there are different kinds of leadership, and that leadership is not one-size-fits-all. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 10. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

History is filled with those who use threats, violence, and intimidation for personal gain. What begins as bullying on the school playground can easily become a way of life in adulthood. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 9. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

On the surface, Gideon appears to be saying the right thing but doing the exact opposite. Gideon refuses to become king, but he embraces all of the privileges that a monarch would have claimed in that day. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 8. The text version of today's podcast may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

So, on one hand, today's chapter is just one in a number of great stories about military deception. But, it was God who told Gideon to get rid of 19,700 of his troops and attack with just 300. It's very easy for me to focus on the event and lose sight of the context. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 7. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

In the quiet this morning, I couldn't help but think of myself and my own fearful doubts about the things to which God has called me. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 6. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

 Along my own life journey, my own thoughts and perceptions have been transformed, as God has surrounded me with strong, gifted women. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 5. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Today's chapter is one of the most unique in all of the Great Story. In what is a predominantly patriarchal culture, God uses two women to respectively lead and deliver the Hebrew tribes from their enemy. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 4. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

I am the "I" in "idolatry." It's not if I will have my personal idols, but in what or whom will I invest my heart, soul, mindshare, and resources. I'm going to spend them somewhere. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 3. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

"I'm drunk," he said to me as I stood and put my arm around him. I didn't really need him to tell me this. He reeked of it. It was a rather unconventional state to be in at a mid-morning worship service. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 2. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

The Hebrew tribes conquered the Promised Land, divided the land, and settled into their allotted territories. Joshua is dead. But, the assignment still isn't finished. A chapter-a-day podcast from Judges 1. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

The thing that struck me as I read this call to commitment was that Joshua didn't ask the people which god they would believe. He asked them whom they would serve. A chapter-a-day podcast from Joshua 24. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Humanity is still in the toddler stage of development and relationship with God. Having parented a couple of three-year-olds, I can tell you confidently that eventually there will be willfulness, disobedience, attitude, stubbornness, and tantrums. There are always tantrums. A chapter-a-day podcast from Joshua 23. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

It always fascinates me where fear comes from and where it leads people. A chapter-a-day podcast from Joshua 22. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .