Wayfarer

The author of Hebrews is writing to an audience of believers in the middle of a grueling real-life marathon. They are at risk of hitting the wall. The author knows it. A chapter-a-day podcast from Hebrews 12. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

When today’s chapter speaks of the unseen — of walking toward a country you’ve never seen, of trusting a God that cannot be measured — it presses all my deepest buttons. A chapter-a-day podcast from Hebrews 11. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

There is a spiritual reality and an earthly reality. Spiritually I am graciously and mercifully forgiven forever, eternally cleansed from sin’s stain. Physically, I am a wayfaring stranger continuing to make my way through this world of woe. A chapter-a-day podcast from Hebrews 10. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Troubled times. Political corruption. Nationalism zealously on the rise. Assassinations increasingly common. Political resentments. Religious fervor. Arrogance of the ruling class. I’m not talking about today. A chapter-a-day podcast from Hebrews 9. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

If I miss this thread in the Great Story, it’s like me watching the original "Star Wars" movie and thinking Luke and Darth Vader are unrelated antagonists. A chapter-a-day podcast from Hebrews 8. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

As a shame-based person, I can tell you that shame will always doggedly remind me what a worthless wretch I am. A chapter-a-day podcast from Hebrews 7. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

The rain of grace keeps falling; what I tend determines what grows. A chapter-a-day podcast from Hebrews 6. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Along my journey, I’ve come to realize that there are certain spiritual truths that require effort, pursuit, experience, and even suffering in order for them to be revealed. A chapter-a-day podcast from Hebrews 5. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

There is then a spiritual “rest” that Jesus offers “Today” as shelter amidst the violent daily storms that arise unexpectedly on this earthly journey. A chapter-a-day podcast from Hebrews 4. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Today's chapter whispers a simple but fierce truth to me in the quiet this morning:  Faithfulness is a daily choice. A chapter-a-day podcast from Hebrews 3. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

The God who spoke galaxies into being also whispers comfort beside our hospital beds and tax forms and broken dreams. He doesn’t rescue from afar; He wades into the flood beside us. He sanctifies our suffering by sharing it. A chapter-a-day podcast from Hebrews 2. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

The author of Hebrews has forever been steeped in mystery, but from the opening sentences there is no doubt what the book is about. A chapter-a-day podcast from Hebrews 1. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com. YouTube video referenced in today’s podcast: https://youtu.be/b9tmOyrIlYM?si=fyUh4xrrD5ooFRm1

There is a spiritual waxing and waning that most people experience across their lives. The spiritual journey is not an event but an epic story. A chapter-a-day podcast from Nehemiah 13. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Being home. What a crazy thought. For most of my life, that desire barely existed inside me. A chapter-a-day podcast from Nehemiah 12. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Sometimes, God needs people who simply have the faith and willingness to show up and do what needs to be done. A chapter-a-day podcast from Nehemiah 11. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Nehemiah and the Hebrews’ story is really a love story between God and a people saying again:  “We’re still yours.” A chapter-a-day podcast from Nehemiah 10. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Truth is always found at the point of tension between the two extremes. Whether in QA or in Life, the covenant relationship between God and humanity is constantly finding the tension. Today’s chapter is a great example. A chapter-a-day podcast from Nehemiah 9. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Nehemiah's restoration of the walls and gates of Jerusalem led to a very different type of restoration. A chapter-a-day podcast from Nehemiah 8. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

As I embark on a new work week, I’m quietly grateful for my Senior Director of All the Things. Order is a  good  thing. Order is  holy . A chapter-a-day podcast from Nehemiah 7. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Faithfulness isn’t measured by enthusiasm at the beginning but by integrity at the end. A chapter-a-day podcast from Nehemiah 6. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Yesterday’s chapter was about external opposition from neighboring enemies. Today’s chapter is about the enemy within. A chapter-a-day podcast from Nehemiah 5. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

If I were standing in Nehemiah’s sandals, I would be descending into. a brooding puddle of pessimism. But Nehemiah was the right man for the job. A chapter-a-day podcast from Nehemiah 4. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

The Kingdom of God begins with every believer, no matter who they are, no matter what they’ve done, no matter how they are gifted, no matter what they do for a living, no matter their present circumstances. A chapter-a-day podcast from Nehemiah 3. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

In the quiet this morning, I’m reminded that on this journey I never stop praying, never stop planning, and never stop paying attention. The hardest part is often waiting for God’s providence. A chapter-a-day podcast from Nehemiah 2. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .

Sometimes the best seasons begin with the greatest challenges. A chapter-a-day podcast from Nehemiah 1. The text version may always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com .