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
The Flow (CaD Nu 9)
I’ve discovered across my entire life journey that being a disciple of Jesus means learning to perceive, discern, and follow God’s flow. A chapter-a-day…
- Wayfarer
Spiritual Toddlers in an Adult World (CaD Nu 8)
In the tradition I was raised, the Reverend of our church was treated as a special class of spiritual person. Everything in the pomp and pageantry of the “high…
- Wayfarer
The Text as a Tool (CaD Nu 7)
It’s chapters like today’s where many a New Year’s resolution to read the entire Bible hit the wall. A chapter-a-day podcast from Numbers 7. The text version…
- Wayfarer
Dedicated (CaD Nu 6)
Along this life journey I’ve learned that there are times to dedicate myself to taking things to another level. A chapter-a-day podcast from Numbers 6. The…
- Wayfarer
Maturing Takes Time (CaD Nu 5)
Milo is seven and is an explosive bundle of unbridled, kinetic, little-boy energy. Underneath the exterior of all that normal physical energy lies one of the…
- Wayfarer
Colors (CaD Nu 4)
What struck me as I read is that God designated different colors of cloth for different items of the Tabernacle. Why? Because colors have meaning. A…
- Wayfarer
Echoes in the Ancient (CaD Nu 3)
Despite the Hebrews of “Numbers" being a people and a time that is strange to me, I see echoes of my own stories and experiences on this life journey. That is…
- Wayfarer
Ordered Procession (CaD Nu 2)
I find it meaningful that the first thing we find God doing at the beginning of the Story is turning chaos to order. A chapter-a-day podcast from Numbers 2…
- Wayfarer
Preparations (CaD Nu 1)
We are wandering through a fallen world filled with evil, sin, and tragedy. Jesus guaranteed His followers that we would face many kinds of troubles. He said…
- Wayfarer
Words for "The Anxious Generation" (CaD Php 4)
I have so many young people in my life, my family, and my circles of influence whom I love deeply. My desire for them is not to be mired in anxiety, but to…
- Wayfarer
Time to Forget (CaD Php 3)
Over the past few years, Wendy and I have discovered a difference in the way we perceive and approach life. As we have dug into it, it’s allowed us to learn…
- Wayfarer
The Exodus Paradigm (CaD Php 2)
One of the things that I’ve experienced on this chapter-a-day journey, and through my perpetual meditations on the Great Story, is that I have come to realize…
- Wayfarer
Trauma Bragging and Paul’s Chains (CaD Php 1)
There has been a trend of late on social media. Generation Z has been “trauma bragging.” A chapter-a-day podcast from Philippians 1. The text version may…
- Wayfarer
"The Influencer” and The Choice (CaD Eph 6)
In today’s chapter, Paul reminds me that it is The Influencer, and the kingdoms of the world over which he currently has dominion, that I struggle with daily…
- Wayfarer
Conjunction Junction (CaD Eph 5)
The message from Paul’s perpetual crossing at Conjunction Junction is simple, yet profound. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ephesians 5. The text version may…
- Wayfarer
My Green Thumb Pursuit Continues! (CaD Eph 4)
It’s summer, and here at Vander Well Manor my annual pursuit to develop a green thumb is in full swing! A chapter-a-day podcast from Ephesians 4. The text…
- Wayfarer
Knowing, or Knowing? (CaD Eph 3)
It’s one thing to know Jesus as in having a basic understanding of who Jesus is, His teachings, and what is believed about Him. It is another thing to know the…
- Wayfarer
A Larger Reality (CaD Eph 2)
Paul tells the believers in Ephesus that they are part of a much larger Story than they ever realized. Just like Lucy hiding in an old wardrobe and suddenly…
- Wayfarer
To Know Better (CaD Eph 1)
There is always an opportunity to know one another better. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ephesians 1. The text version may always be found and shared at…
- Wayfarer
Uncomfortable History (CaD Col 4)
One of the things I’ve observed along my journey is that many people are wholly dismissive of the Great Story because its contents contain bits that are…
- Wayfarer
Dwell (CaD Col 3)
As Wendy and I have rediscovered the joy of truly dwelling at home, it provided a really powerful metaphor in the quiet this morning for what Paul is getting…
- Wayfarer
Decapitated Religion (CaD Col 2)
As a disciple of Jesus, I believe that if I diminish Jesus the Christ in any way, I’ve lost connection to the head and have become decapitated from the Truth…
- Wayfarer
Spiritual Health Assessment (CaD Col 1)
As I meditated on four things Paul mentions in today’s chapter, I thought to myself what a simple checklist they were to do my own spiritual health assessment…
- Wayfarer
The Way of Jesus Exemplified (CaD Phm 1)
The thing that I love about the story of Philemon is that it perfectly illustrates the way of Jesus. A chapter-a-day podcast from Philemon 1. The text version…
- Wayfarer
Condemnation by Accusation (CaD 2 Cor 13)
Did you know...?” The voice asked on the other end of the phone. Then spewed a long litany of salacious and slanderous allegations regarding someone on my…
- Wayfarer
Struggle Required (CaD 2 Cor 12)
Along my life journey I have observed that we humans beings are given to a desire for everything to be easy and pain-free. We want to be healthy and wealthy…
- Wayfarer
Boasting of My Weakness (CaD 2 Cor 11)
If I ever lose sight of this simple reality, then I’ve completely lost the thread of what it means to be His disciple. A chapter-a-day podcast from 2…
- Wayfarer
Paul’s Pissing Match (CaD 2 Cor 10)
Occasionally, I have found myself in old-fashioned pissing contests prompted by individuals who have questioned my motives, credentials, authority, and…
- Wayfarer
The Fruit of Generosity (CaD 2 Cor 9)
I have a tat on my right bicep referencing Psalm 112 because the right arm is a metaphor of blessing, and the bicep is a metaphor of strength. It reminds me…
- Wayfarer
I’ve Never Regretted Being Generous (CaD 2 Cor 8)
I confess that I was not a generous person as a young man. Generosity has been something that has grown within me as I have grown and matured in God’s Spirit…
- Wayfarer
The Good Form of Sorrow and Shame (CaD 2 Cor 7)
The world could use some sorrow that leads to positive change. A chapter-a-day podcast from 2 Corinthians 7. The text version may always be found and shared at…
- Wayfarer
Of Differences and Discernment (CaD 2 Cor 6)
My experiences and observations along this life journey are that there are sheep and goats in every denomination and every local church. A chapter-a-day…
- Wayfarer
Spiritual Senses (CaD 2 Cor 5)
I think it might be very possible that as my physical hearing dulls my spiritual hearing becomes more sharpened. A chapter-a-day podcast from 2 Corinthians 5…
- Wayfarer
Outward Appearances, Inward Realities (CaD 2 Cor 4)
Outwardly, it would appear that the emerging generation are outwardly blessed with affluence, education, technology, safety, security, and health in ways and…
- Wayfarer
People, not Policies (CaD 2 Cor 3)
In today’s chapter, Paul uses a simple but beautiful metaphor as he tells the believers in Corinth that they themselves are Paul’s “letter of recommendation.”…
- Wayfarer
One-Side Correspondence; Two-Sides Love (CaD 2 Cor 2)
As I read today’s chapter, I thought about my mother’s letters. It’s amazing to me that people forget that the “book” that we know as 2 Corinthians is not a…
- Wayfarer
Comforted to be a Comfort (CaD 2 Cor 1)
As I experience God’s grace, comfort, peace, joy, and faithfulness through difficult seasons, I am equipped and called to help others do the same. A…
- Wayfarer
The Choice and Outcome (CaD Matt 28)
I can’t help but to consider that Jesus told me that I have the same choice that He was given. A chapter-a-day podcast from Matthew 28. The text version may…
- Wayfarer
The Guilt of Innocent Blood (CaD Matt 27)
In my thoughts, words, actions, and relationships, I don’t want to mindlessly be just another example of how the world works. A chapter-a-day podcast from…
- Wayfarer
Humanity’s Spiritual Graduation (CaD Matt 26)
I think of Jesus’ death and resurrection much like graduation in our culture. It is a rite of passage out of childhood and into spiritual adulthood. A…
- Wayfarer
The Reckoning (CaD Matt 25)
In each of the three parables of today’s chapter, there is a final reckoning. A chapter-a-day podcast from Matthew 25. The text version may be found and shared…
- Wayfarer
My Desire (CaD Matt 24)
Just last week I celebrated my 59th birthday. That mean’s I’ve entered my 60th lap around the sun. And, that has me thinking about what’s out there on the…
- Wayfarer
Earthly Kingdoms (CaD Matt 23)
I don’t control large, complex human systems of government and religion, though I have tremendous influence on the small human systems of family, business, and…
- Wayfarer
The Microscope & the Wide-Angle Lens (CaD Matt 22)
For me, the most powerful spiritual lesson in today’s chapter is not under the microscope but in the wide-angle lens. A chapter-a-day podcast from Matthew 22…
- Wayfarer
Life’s Chorus (CaD Matt 21)
In today’s chapter, the crowd plays a significant role. A chapter-a-day podcast from Matthew 21. The text version may always be found and shared at…
- Wayfarer
“I Want to See!” (CaD Matt 20)
Today, I complete my 59th lap around the sun. In the quiet I hear God’s Spirit whisper to my spirit the same question He asked of the wife of Zebedee. The same…
- Wayfarer
Jesus and the Eagle Scout (CaD Matt 19)
History has dubbed the young man in today’s chapter as the “rich young ruler,” but I think “eagle scout” is a more apt moniker. A chapter-a-day podcast from…
- Wayfarer
Recitation and Relationships (CaD Matt 18)
Sometimes the traditional, yet out-of-date, wording of famous passages like The Lord’s Prayer are like a comfy old sweatshirt that wraps you in the warmth and…
- Wayfarer
Mountains of Meaning (CaD Matt 17)
Mountains are yet another metaphorical theme that runs throughout the Great Story in ways I've never seen or understood until now. A chapter-a-day podcast from…
- Wayfarer
He Walked Away (CaD Matt 16)
Along my chapter-a-day journey over the years, I’ve learned that spiritual lessons are found in Jesus’ actions as well as His words. A chapter-a-day podcast…
- Wayfarer
Traditions: Serious and Silly (CaD Matt 15)
In the quiet this morning, I love the fact that Jesus poked the big dogs from Jerusalem regarding their rabid hypocrisy when it came to their traditions. Less…
- Wayfarer
“Why Do We Pray Before Meals?” (CaD Matt 14)
It was a simple enough question. There are so many things in life that we do because they are habitual or traditional. We rarely stop to ask “Why?"A…
- Wayfarer
Soil and Spirit, Weather and Weeds (CaD Matt 13)
The difference between the 25% of seeds that became productive and fruitful plants in Jesus’ parable and the 75% of seeds who didn’t make it was the quality of…
- Wayfarer
Amidst the Conflict (CaD Matt 12)
My heart is heavy and sad this morning. I have recently found myself in the midst of many conflicts. I don’t like conflict. I confess that I don’t do it…
- Wayfarer
The Great Omission (CaD Matt 11)
In the quiet this morning, I find myself thinking about the spiritual posture that Jesus is asking of John. It is a kneeling, open, and surrendered posture. It…
- Wayfarer
Cutting In at the Cultural Dance (CaD Matt 10)
I’ve learned along my life journey that sometimes one has to do something novel in order to “cut in” during a deep-seated cultural dance. A chapter-a-day…
- Wayfarer
Exclusive vs. Inclusive (CaD Matt 9)
I long ago took off my Junior Holy Spirit badge pretending that I had exclusive rights, insight, or editorial control of the Story God is authoring in me or…
- Wayfarer
The Revival I Missed (CaD Matt 8)
While I was in high school, a spiritual revival broke out. I and my friends in our holy huddle had nothing to do with it. Zero, zip, zilch, nada. A…
- Wayfarer
Wallflower (CaD Matt 7)
It is only later in life that I have learned to recognize one of my patterns of behavior. The truth is that I am, at the heart of things, a wallflower. A…
- Wayfarer
“How Not to Be a Dick” (CaD Matthew 6)
When our friend Nathan was entering adolescence, I read a review in theWall Street Journal of a clever little book of etiquette for boys by Meghan Doherty…