I've observed that humans like to think that everything in life should be hunky-dory and if it's not then there's a problem. Jesus never taught that train of thought. A chapter-a-day podcast on Psalm 31. Text version can be found at tomvanderwell.com.

In the quiet this morning, I couldn't help but feel the joy of David's escape of death, but the unbridled praise is rooted in his absolute fear and hope-less despair at the prospect of dying. A chapter-a-day podcast on Psalm 30. Text version can always be found at tomvanderwell.com.

This Wayfarer Weekend podcast presents the Beginner's Guide to the Great Story which is intended to give anyone with little or no background or understanding of the Bible a basic summary and overview of the Bible and its various sections, along with suggestions for the best places to dive in for yourself. In Part 8, we explore the "Gospels" (literally "Good News") which contain the Jesus Story along with the "Acts of the Apostles," which is the sequel to Luke's Jesus Story and tells of the early decades of the Jesus Movement that turned the Roman Empire upside-down.

Growing up in Iowa, I learned very early in life that it's important to make sure you always have shelter from the storm. That lesson is layered with meaning that has nothing to do with the weather. Chapter-a-day podcast from Psalm 29. Text version can always be found at tomvanderwell.com.

Almost every pain-point I experience on life's journey can be traced back to unhealthy patterns. Growth, progress, and maturity necessitate the breaking of unhealthy patterns and the establishment of healthier ones, even those patterns that were once good for me but have actually become unhealthy. A chapter-a-day podcast on Psalm 28. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can always be found at tomvanderwell.com.

I have come to understand that my mental diet is as important to my health and well-being as my physical diet. A chapter-a-day podcast on Psalm 27. The text version of every chapter-a-day post can always be found at tomvanderwell.com.

In the quiet this morning, I get why followers of Jesus went back to the old edifice complex. For 1700 years we rebuilt temples made with human hands and ignored one of the fundamental changes Jesus came to make on Earth. We shifted the dwelling place of God from ourselves back to church buildings, cathedrals, and basilicas. A chapter-a-day podcast on Psalm 26. Text versions of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found at tomvanderwell.com.

Along my spiritual journey, I've experienced that understanding the theme of order, disorder, reorder doesn't lessen the sting of life's disorder when it occurs. It has, however, helped me put the disorder into perspective. A chapter-a-day podcast on Psalm 25. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can always be found at tomvanderwell.com.

Part 7 of our Beginner's Guide to the Great Story explores the books of the prophets (Isaiah through Malachi) and provides some basic insights to help understand the Bible's prophetic texts. 

What really led to transformation for me was when I realized that all my human appetites were good and created within in me by God. Paul realized it too when he said "Nothing is unlawful for me. It's just that some things aren't beneficial." The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can always be found at tomvanderwell.com.