Wayfarer

Just yesterday morning, over coffee, Wendy and I recounted some painful moments and relationships we've experienced over the years. With each one, we were able to look back and see how God used those moments and difficult stretches of the journey both in our lives and the lives of others involved. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 45. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast may be found...

Along my journey, I've observed that certain themes are recurring in family systems. I have found these types of patterns fascinating and meaningful in gaining both understanding and wisdom. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 44. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found at tomvanderwell.com .

In the quiet this morning, I can't help but think about the decisions we make in our lives that will have a generational impact on our descendants. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 43. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com

One of the lessons my family history adventure taught me is that family is not either/or "good" or "bad," but rather it is both/and good things and bad things. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 42. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

In my experience, one never "gets over" a soul wound (especially father wounds). Rather, I have to "get through" it and do the hard work of understanding just how intimately the wound is a part of me. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 41. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

The notion we have any control in this life is an illusion. The Sage of Ecclesiastes calls it "hevel." It's like trying to grab hold of the fog. But there's a parallel reality I must consider as a follower of Jesus. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 40. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

The whispers are subtle, yet powerful messages whispered into my soul from childhood. The whispers form, and then reinforce, deeply held beliefs about myself, others, and my place in the world. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 39. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Times change, but humans of every time and place in history are human. In that, there is nothing new under the sun. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 38. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Favoritism is not only insidious when it's directly and blatantly practiced by a parent, but I've seen it be just as insidious when it is unjustly perceived and projected onto a parent by a child. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 37. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

While the Kingdoms of this world continue to divide, disconnect, separate, and antagonize, Jesus calls me to be an Ambassador of God's Kingdom where the goal is to be one Body, connected, unified, and loving. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 36. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

One of the things I've discovered along my spiritual journey is that the return is often as important as the destination. In some cases, they turn out to be one and the same. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 35. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Some mornings I find myself thinking about these big macro thoughts and issues of our world, culture, and society. I always try and end my time in quiet with the question, "What does this mean for me today?" A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 34. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

They say, "Time heals all wounds." Sometimes it's true, but not if my brain replays that uncomfortable, tense moment with my friend over, and over, and over again. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 33. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

This morning, I have to confess to my own internal wrestling match with God, for which I might just have Olympic-worthy talent. And, that's not a good thing. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 32. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

On this Wayfarer Weekend (WW) podcast I welcome Kathie Evenhouse, co-author of Strake the Match, Light the Fire, a book that unpacks a simple, yet powerful spiritual tool for handling tragedy and adversity in a way that leads to overcoming.

While the sentiment of Laban's words, taken at face value, may sound like a heart-warming desire between loved ones, that is definitely not what Laban and Jacob were communicating. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 31. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Sometimes, the seemingly irredeemable characters are essential to the ultimate story of redemption. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 30. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Sometimes being a "chip off the ol' block" has less to do with looks and more to do with how we think, behave, act, and react within a family system. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 29. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

In marriage, we often think about "two becoming one" but rarely do we discuss the prerequisite of "leaving" our parents and our family system. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 28. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Death and funerals tend to bring out all of the "fun" in family "dysfunction." A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 27. The text version of all chapter-a-day podcasts can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

In the quiet this morning, I find myself with what is a much-needed reminder given the core motivations of my heart. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 26. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

I make value judgments every day. What do my decisions and choices reveal about what I value, and what I don't? A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 25. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

In the quiet this morning, I find myself asking a lot of questions that don't have specific answers in the Great Story. And, while I don't have a lot of specific answers, I find myself comfortable with a conclusion. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 24. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Our culture is obsessed with living well, but I don't observe many people who consider what it means to die well. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 23. The text version of all chapter-a-day podcasts can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Abraham blazes the trail of faith. Abraham foreshadows what God is going to do. Abraham's faith echoes through history past, it resonates through the crucified Christ, and it is transmitted into the prophesied future. A chapter-a-day podcast from Genesis 22. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .