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
- Wayfarer
(WW) Interview with Dr. Bob Laurent
The night I made the life-changing decision to become a follower of Jesus, Dr. Bob Laurent was preaching. A bit further down the road, Dr. Bob was my…
- Wayfarer
Fullness (CaD Ruth 4)
Along my spiritual journey, I've learned that God sometimes gives a sign or a word and the fullness of its meaning is only understood further down life's road…
- Wayfarer
Proven Character (CaD Ruth 3)
difficulties, and suffering in life. Character is not a spiritual gift, nor is it cheaply acquired. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ruth 3. The text version of…
- Wayfarer
More than "Boy Meets Girl" (CaD Ruth 2)
But there's more going on under the surface of the "boy meets girl" romance in the story of Ruth. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ruth 2. The text version of…
- Wayfarer
Dealt a Bad Hand (CaD Ruth 1)
Bitter. What a great word for those times when I suddenly find myself playing a bad hand in life. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ruth 1. The text version of…
- Wayfarer
"What's it to You?" (CaD John 21)
Along my life journey, I've observed that we humans have a thing with equity and fairness. A chapter-a-day podcast from John 21. The text version of every…
- Wayfarer
Namesake (CaD John 20)
I'm not sure why my parents named me Thomas. A chapter-a-day podcast from John 20. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found and shared at…
- Wayfarer
"Taking the Bullet" (CaD John 19)
May I always be willing to "take the bullet" so to speak, and lay down my own life, time, energy, and resources, for my friends and their loved ones. A…
- Wayfarer
Contrasting Identity (CaD John 18)
How apt that the Divinely appointed human "leader" of Jesus' followers becomes the designated representative of human weakness. A chapter-a-day podcast from…
- Wayfarer
Me and Babel 2.0 (CaD John 17)
Jesus said His followers were "not of this world" but He says so immediately after praying that they remain in it. In the world, not of it. To quote Hamlet…
- Wayfarer
Trouble and Peace (CaD John 16)
What fascinated me as I read Jesus' words to His followers this morning was both the warning and the promise with which today's chapter is bookended. A…
- Wayfarer
"Friend" (CaD John 15)
The teacher's earthly mission is almost over. His followers' mission is just beginning, and they have no clue just how much things are about to change. A…
- Wayfarer
Peace Amidst Conflict (CaD John 14)
In the quiet this morning, I can't help but think about what chaotic times we live in. I can't help but think about the tremendous lack of peace I observe in…
- Wayfarer
A "New" Command (CaD John 13)
"Love" has been central to all of Jesus' teaching. So what's "new" about this command? A chapter-a-day podcast from John 13. The text version of every…
- Wayfarer
"All People" (CaD John 12)
In the quiet this morning, I'm feeling both inspired and challenged. I'm inspired by Jesus' example and His mission. At the same time, I am challenged to…
- Wayfarer
Motivation Revelation (CaD John 11)
In the previous chapter's podcast, I said: "Actions reveal identity." They do, but the identity doesn't lie in the actions themselves, but in the motivations…
- Wayfarer
Words and Works (CaD John 10)
Actions reveal identity. A chapter-a-day podcast from John 10. The text version can always be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com. Please feel free to "Like"…
- Wayfarer
Blinded by the Light (CaD John 9)
How fascinating, to think that the Light of the World causes some to see while causing others to be blind. A chapter-a-day podcast from John 9. The text…
- Wayfarer
Showdown! (CaD John 8)
Today's chapter is a showdown that has been building between Jesus and the religious institutional establishment, and it's an important one in the story. A…
- Wayfarer
Who is This Man? (CaD John 7)
Identity is a major theme that weaves its way through John's writing and the stories he chooses to share from the voluminous number of stories he could have…
- Wayfarer
#FreeFish4All (CaD John 6)
It appears to me that Jesus' motivation was to bring a Kingdom to this world that looks nothing like the kingdoms of this world. A chapter-a-day podcast from…
- Wayfarer
Stupid Question (or Not) (CaD John 5)
"Do you want to get well?" On the surface, it seems a stupid question to ask a paralyzed man, but maybe it's not stupid at all. A chapter-a-day podcast from…
- Wayfarer
Contrasts (CaD John 4)
As I look back on my journey as a follower of Jesus, I recognize that it has been a process of learning who I truly am in relationship to who Jesus truly is. A…
- Wayfarer
Birth, and Identity (CaD John 3)
Like U2 trying to steal "Helter Skelter" back from what Charles Manson made of it, I want to get back to the meaning of a simple word picture Jesus gave to a…
- Wayfarer
Two Sides of Jesus (CaD John 2)
In the quiet this morning I find myself desiring to embody two character qualities that John identifies in Jesus. A chapter-a-day podcast from John 2. The text…
- Wayfarer
Just Like My Ol' Man (CaD John 1)
Yesterday, I posted an old photo of my parents on social media. Friends were quick to comment how much I look like my father. A chapter-a-day podcast from John…
- Wayfarer
Road Trip (CaD Ex 13)
Road trips are good for the soul (in more ways than one). A chapter-a-day podcast from Exodus 13, originally published June 2, 2020, on the Wayfarer blog at…
- Wayfarer
Doing Something (CaD Ex 12)
I'm reminded this morning that Harriett Tubman led approximately 70 slaves to freedom on some 13 missions. Seventy out of some 6 million slaves. She…
- Wayfarer
Villains, Justice, Wrestling (CaD Ex 11)
Some mornings my soul is overwhelmed with questions. Like Jacob, I find myself wrestling with God. The Moses story will always be relevant in a fallen world…
- Wayfarer
God Revealing, Then and Now (CaD Ex 10)
An adult can't reason with a two-year-old by getting him or her to sit and listen to you read a psychology textbook that explains his or her need to modify…
- Wayfarer
Judgment and Judiciousness (CaD Ex 9)
Judgment and being judicious are two very different things. Jesus condemned the former and encouraged the latter. A chapter-a-day podcast from Exodus 9…
- Wayfarer
A Spiritual Contrast (CaD Ex 8)
Following Jesus is about following His example and humbly putting God and others ahead of myself. A chapter-a-day podcast from Exodus 8, originally published…
- Wayfarer
Being "Like God" or Being "Like God" (CaD Ex 7)
If I want to be "like God" by sitting on the throne of my own life looking out for numero uno, doing as I please, and determining my own way with every step…
- Wayfarer
Spiritual Hearing and Sight Impairment (CaD Ex 6)
Along the way, I've learned that if someone is spiritually deaf and blind, it simply means I need to keep speaking in love, listening patiently, acting kindly…
- Wayfarer
Seemingly Safe Assumptions (CaD Ex 5)
Wendy and I have, of late, participated in multiple conversations with others who are grieving. The grief being experienced is not the result of the death of a…
- Wayfarer
Divine Call, Human Reluctance (CaD Ex 4)
I can always find an excuse to not serve. There's always something that I can conjure up as an excuse that I am "lacking" (education, knowledge, experience…
- Wayfarer
The Call (CaD Ex 3)
Along the way, I observed something that was common to all of them. Within each of those tribes were individuals who were members of the church, and those who…
- Wayfarer
"Out of the Water" (CaD Ex 2)
Along the journey, I have often found that the profound things of God are often quite simple, and hidden in plain sight for "those who have eyes to see." This…
- Wayfarer
Of Tribe and Time (CaD Ex 1)
Today's chapter-a-day podcast from Exodus 1 was originally posted at tomvanderwell.com on May 12, 2020.
- Wayfarer
Give and Live (CaD James 5)
In the quiet this morning, I am reminded that the current chaotic times are a cakewalk compared to what it would have been like to be a poor day laborer in…
- Wayfarer
"Damned Spots" (CaD James 4)
Almost anyone who has committed awful acts can attest to the fact that a guilty conscience can really do a number on you. I know this because I write from…
- Wayfarer
Peeling the Onion (CaD James 3)
I have discovered along my spiritual journey that spiritual growth is a lot like peeling an onion. Every time I work to peel off a layer of pride and…
- Wayfarer
Counter-Cultural (CaD James 2)
In the quiet this morning, I'm reminded of the simple power that mercy, kindness, goodness, and gentleness can generate. A chapter-a-day podcast from James 2…
- Wayfarer
Not Without Struggle (CaD James 1)
On both my life journey and my spiritual journey, my progress is measured, not by distance, but by maturity, wisdom, and the yield of love produced in me. A…
- Wayfarer
Jounrey's End (CaD Ecc 12)
was not about the futility of this earthly life, but really about what's valuable in this earthly life. Here at the end of his dissertation, I still feel it…
- Wayfarer
Brewing Interpretation (CaD Ecc 11)
Today's post finds me considering the intersection of Hebrew wisdom and ancient Akkadian brewing practices. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ecclesiastes 11. The…
- Wayfarer
Topsy-Turvy Times (CaD Ecc 10)
The context of history doesn't change my present circumstances or current events, but it does change the way I frame my thoughts and understanding of my…
- Wayfarer
What in the Hebel? (CaD Ecc 9)
In a few hours I will be muttering to myself, "Where did the day go?" A chapter-a-day podcast from Ecclesiastes 9. The text version may be found and shared at…
- Wayfarer
Humility and Uncertainty (CaD Ecc 8)
Along my life journey, I've observed that creation, life, and relationships are complex things. There are simple truths, but there are few simple answers. A…
- Wayfarer
The Two Certainties (CaD Ecc 7)
In the quiet this morning, I hear God's Spirit reminding me through the words of the Sage that all my tomorrows are simply "what ifs." There are really only…
- Wayfarer
The Point (CaD Ecc 6)
Isn't it ironic that when I hear the name "Ebenezer Scrooge" my first thought is about what he was, not what he became? A chapter-a-day podcast from…
- Wayfarer
Of Spirit and Paperweights (CaD Ecc 5)
I confess that I was not great with money for much of my life. It was a lesson that ended up being a long, hard stretch for me on both the spiritual and…
- Wayfarer
(WW) Andy Bales on Skid Row
This Wayfarer Weekend podcast is a conversation with Andy Bales, CEO of Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles. Andy talks about the insurmountable and seemingly…
- Wayfarer
The Value of "Another" (CaD Ecc 4)
A few weeks ago I happened upon one of those heart-warming stories that almost sounds too good to be true. I dug into the story. This is what I learned. A…
- Wayfarer
The Inescapable Fact (CaD Ecc 3)
Along my life journey, I've observed something ironic. We entertain ourselves ceaselessly with stories in which death is the main ingredient, yet most of us…
- Wayfarer
Present (CaD Ecc 2)
After all the seeking, pursuing, toiling, mulling, regrets, frustration, and investigation, the chapter ends with a simple, humble observation from the Sage. A…
- Wayfarer
Valuable (CaD Ecc 1)
When I was young I kept getting stuck thinking that the author of Ecclesiastes was waxing existential pessimism. The further I've gotten on this road of Life…
- Wayfarer
Endings and Invitations (CaD Mk 16)
Today's chapter is the end of Mark's biography of Jesus, and it has its own back story. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 16. The text version can be found and…
- Wayfarer
(WW) Ron L. Deal Talks 2nd Marriages and Blended Families
On this Wayfarer Weekend podcast: A great conversation with my friend Ron L. Deal (seriously, we've known each other since elementary school) who has dedicated…
- Wayfarer
Success (CaD Mk 15)
Measuring "success" is such a spiritual, emotional, and mental trap. A chapter-a-day podcast from Mark 15. The text version can be found and shared at…