Shows / Wayfarer
Wayfarer
Tom Vander Well is author of "This Call May Be Monitored (What Eavesdropping on Corporate America Taught Me About Business and Life)" A "wayfaring stranger" life's road. Husband, father, writer, CEO, actor, playwright, preacher, back porch musician, and follower of Jesus, he shares his thoughts and observations on the journey. Each weekday he offers 5-10 minute Chapter-a-Day (CaD) reflections on one chapter of the Bible, perfect for a daily commute. Longer reflections are on the Wayfarer…
Episodes
WayfarerMy Good Luck Charm (CaD 1 Sam 4)
When I was a child I can remember praying for the silliest of things. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Samuel 4. The text version can be found and shared at…
- Wayfarer
Spiritual Sight and Hearing (CaD 1 Sam 3)
Along my spiritual journey, I have learned that spiritual hearing and spiritual sight require both God and me. There is a "revealing" that comes from God. But…
- Wayfarer
The Movement and the Institution (CaD 1 Sam 2)
In the forty years that I've been a disciple of Jesus, I've watched many of the mainline church institutions and denominations splinter and implode. I…
- Wayfarer
The Valley and the Mountain (CaD 1 Sam 1)
There is beauty and power in today's chapter that is easy to miss if you've never trekked through the Valley of Infertility. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1…
- Wayfarer
"Yet, I Will Rejoice" (CaD Hab 3)
In the quiet this morning, I confess that I identify with these ancient words. We are living in strange times. Things are changing at a rapid pace. Times are…
- Wayfarer
Sleeping With the Enemy (CaD Hab 2)
As I pondered God's answer to Habakkuk regarding the use of the Babylonians for His purposes, I couldn't help but think of that sports fan who has to endure…
- Wayfarer
Habakkuk's Cry (CaD Hab 1)
What could an ancient Hebrew prophet with a silly name have to say in 600 B.C. that is in any way relevant to my world today? A chapter-a-day podcast from…
WayfarerThe End is the Beginning (CaD Rev 22)
One of the periods "I felt most alive" is not deemed acceptable to some. It was a period of time after my divorce. A chapter-a-day podcast from Revelations 22…
- Wayfarer
Death-to-Life (CaD Rev 21)
Life and death. Resurrection. Death-to-Life. It is THE meta-theme of the Great Story. A chapter-a-day podcast from Revelations 21. The text version of today's…
- Wayfarer
The Books (CaD Rev 20)
I've always loved books. From junior high school through college I always worked or volunteered in the school library. I also worked for the same bookstore…
- Wayfarer
The Wedding (CaD Rev 19)
I mentioned yesterday that Wendy and I were at a wedding this past weekend. The dinner was amazing. At one point between savory bites, Wendy looked at me, her…
- Wayfarer
The Funeral (CaD Rev 18)
In John's day, those reading today's chapter understood "Babylon the Great" to be the Roman Empire. The Romans were known for their creatively tortuous…
- Wayfarer
Rogues Gallery (CaD Rev 17)
This morning, as I meditated on the chapter, I found myself once again finding the world of comic books an apt parallel. A chapter-a-day podcast from…
- Wayfarer
Love and Justice (CaD Rev 16)
I remember in college when some buddies of mine introduced me to an entirely different genre of comic books. They were not the bright cape-wearing superheroes…
- Wayfarer
The Bigger Picture (CaD Rev 15)
On a grand scale, the Great Story is about slavery. A chapter-a-day podcast from Revelation 15. The text version of today's podcast can be found and shared at…
- Wayfarer
Wisdom to Know the Difference (CaD Rev 14)
I'm so glad that we all have the opportunity to grow beyond the little twits we can be as children. A chapter-a-day podcast from Revelation 14. The text…
- Wayfarer
My Choice (CaD Rev 13)
Along my journey, I have often found it helpful to reduce life's complexities to the root binaries such as good or evil, death or life, and/or positive or…
- Wayfarer
Not of this World (CaD Rev 12)
I proceed on this another day of an earthly journey, believing not just that Jesus offered a helpful guide for behavior in this temporal, earthly existence…
- Wayfarer
Prophetic Pondering (CaD Rev 11)
There are mornings on this chapter-a-day journey when I feel as if I am left with more questions than answers; Mornings when I am more perplexed than inspired…
- Wayfarer
Justice (CaD Rev 10)
Over the past couple of days, I have been watching a documentary about Roman Catholic priests who committed terrible acts of child abuse and subsequent…
- Wayfarer
"Gonna Change My Way of Thinking" (CaD Rev 9)
Along my spiritual journey, I've observed that it's easy to get lost in the minute details of apocalyptic literature. Instead of getting buried in the minutia…
- Wayfarer
Ignorant, Mindful, and Ready (CaD Rev 8)
Disruption of supply chains, disruptions caused by war, supply shortages, famine, inflation, economic disruption, anger, and violence: sound familiar? A…
- Wayfarer
"Every Nation, Tribe, People, & Language" (CaD Rev 7)
This morning, I'm left admitting (once again) that I know that I don't know the answers to some of these questions. There are couple of things, however, that I…
- Wayfarer
"What Do You Expect?!" (CaD Rev 6)
"What do you expect?!" I find that an apt question with regard to the bleak description that Jesus, John, and the prophets foreshadow regarding humanity's…
- Wayfarer
The Alpha Point and the Omega Point (CaD Rev 5)
In Light of today's chapter, I see my earthly journey in the context of an eternal reality that begins before the Great Story and will flow beyond its final…
- Wayfarer
Crowns and Surrender (CaD Rev 4)
As children, we like to wear crowns and tiaras and pretend we're kings and queens. As adults, we do the same thing it's just that it's usually less visible and…
- Wayfarer
Spiritual Self-Exam (CaD Rev 3)
In the quiet this morning I find myself taking Jesus up on His encouragement to the Laodiceans. I have an annual physical examination, what about a regular…
- Wayfarer
Hearing the Simple Truth (CaD Rev 2)
Along my spiritual journey, I have observed that it's easy to seek out the secret mysteries beneath the text to the point that I ignore the simple truth that's…
- Wayfarer
The Rabbit Hole and the Three Questions (CaD Rev 1)
To be honest, I have a love-hate relationship with Revelation. I love the mystery and the metaphor. It's fascinating and I find important spiritual truths…
- Wayfarer
People of the Lie (CaD Jude 1)
"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…
- Wayfarer
Series of Unfortunate Events (CaD Jud 21)
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…
- Wayfarer
Tribal Instincts and Higher Law (CaD Jud 20)
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…
- Wayfarer
Violent Times (CaD Jud 19)
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…
- Wayfarer
Willful Independence (CaD Jud 18)
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…
- Wayfarer
Order, Disorder, Reorder (CaD Jud 17)
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…
- Wayfarer
A Confession (CaD Jud 16)
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…
- Wayfarer
Who I Don't Want to Be (CaD Jud 15)
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…
- Wayfarer
Achilles' Heel (CaD Jud 14)
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…
- Wayfarer
Living a Great Story (CaD Jud 13)
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…
- Wayfarer
And So, it Begins (CaD Jud 12)
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…
- Wayfarer
Childish Notions (CaD Jud 11)
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…
- Wayfarer
Leaders are Not One-Size-Fits-All (CaD Jud 10)
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…
- Wayfarer
Two Paths (CaD Jud 9)
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…
- Wayfarer
King, or Not? (CaD Jud 8)
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…
- Wayfarer
Different Ways (CaD Jud 7)
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…
- Wayfarer
Willingness (CaD Jud 6)
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…
- Wayfarer
Deborah, the Leader (CaD Jud 5)
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…
- Wayfarer
Women and Prophets (CaD Jud 4)
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…
- Wayfarer
The "I" in "Idolatry" (CaD Jud 3)
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…
- Wayfarer
"This Chain That I Must Break" (CaD Jud 2)
"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…
- Wayfarer
"Git 'er Done!" (or not) [CaD Jud 1]
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…
- Wayfarer
At Your Service (CaD Jos 24)
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…
- Wayfarer
Success(ion) and Failure (CaD Jos 23)
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…
- Wayfarer
The Fear Factor (CaD Jos 22)
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…
- Wayfarer
A Good Place (CaD Jos 21)
So many of Jesus' teachings are predicated on the fact that I will face difficulties, hostility, pain, loss, and trials on this life journey. A chapter-a-day…
- Wayfarer
Justice Then and Now (CaD Jos 20)
Some of our most epic stories have ridiculously high body counts. A chapter-a-day podcast from Joshua 20. The text version may be found and shared at…
- Wayfarer
The Reward (CaD Jos 19)
Joshua and Caleb received an earthly reward for their faith, and that got me thinking about eternity. A chapter-a-day podcast from Joshua 19. The text version…
- Wayfarer
Go! (CaD Jos 18)
It was the largest project, to date, that our company had ever landed. And, it was on me to write, produce, and present it. I froze. A chapter-a-day podcast…
- Wayfarer
Land of Entitlement (CaD Jos 17)
Along my life journey, I have heard so many stories of families torn apart by disputes over the family farm and land. A chapter-a-day podcast from Joshua 17…
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Small Things, Big Consequences (CaD Jos 16)
In the quiet this morning, I find myself pondering the reality that small things can have large, far-reaching consequences. A chapter-a-day podcast from Joshua…