Wayfarer

Jesus taught that "God's kindness is what leads to repentance." I've observed along the way is that we humans always want to go back to the "my moral purity leads to acceptance" model. Chapter-a-day podcast from Psalm 15. Text of every chapter-a-day podcast can always be found at tomvanderwell.com.

The Wayfarer Weekend Podcast features special guest Kevin Roose discussing how the "Chapter-a-Day" journey began, and what it means to cultivate true companionship on the road of life. How do you develop an intentional relationship, depth, and accountability?

It's so easy for me to get sucked into being dismissive, diminishing, and disrespectful to the "other" writing those words that appear magically in my social-media feed. Chapter-a-Day podcast from Psalm 14. The text of all chapter-a-day podcast episodes can be found at tomvanderwell.com.

Along the way, I've learned that the road is going to have its ups and its downs. There are going to be good times and bad. It may not be about me, but it's certainly for me if I'm willing to learn what each stretch of the journey has to teach me. Chapter-a-day podcast on Psalm 13. Text version can always be found at tomvanderwell.com.

In the quiet this morning, I'm thankful for David's little ditty. It reminds me that we are not the first generation of humanity to think everything was going to hell in a handbasket. Chapter-a-Day podcast on Psalm 12. The text version of every chapter-a-day podcast can be found at tomvanderwell.com.

In the quiet this morning, I am reminded of the many times I have written in these posts that I believe life is part of the Great Story that is being told from Genesis through Revelation. If I really believe what I say I believe, then the chaos and upheaval I'm currently reading about and experiencing through social media are part of the current chapter of the story we happen to be living in. (Chapter-a-day podcast on Psalm 11; Text version can always be found at tomvanderwell.com)

It's interesting that towards the end of today's psalm David appeals to God as "King forever and ever." At the end of his personal, earthly power that has fallen short of bringing justice to everyone, David appeals to God as the only higher authority who can step in and do something about it. Welcome to one of the most perplexing spiritual mysteries of the Great Story. (Chapter-a-Day podcast on Psalm 10; Text versions of all chapter-a-day podcasts can always be found at tomvanderwell.com)

Here's the thing I'm observing: In this moment of time, everyone feels oppressed by those who don't look the same, feel the same, think the same, or see things the same way. (Chapter-a-Day podcast on Psalm 9; text of each chapter-a-day [CaD] podcast can always be found at tomvanderwell.com)

This morning I'm thinking about creation, and my responsibility to exercise my dominion in caring for it, tending it, and serving it. Not because I worship it, but I worship the One who created it, and it's a specific duty I'm honored to have been given. (Chapter-a-Day podcast on Ps 8; text version of every chapter-a-day [CaD] podcast can always be found at tomvanderwell.com)

Along my life journey, I matured from the childish notion that every negative thing that happens to me is some kind of divine retribution for my wrong-doing. At the same time, I've recognized that my mature adult brain can find itself reverting back to childish patterns of thought and behavior, especially when I'm reacting to unexpected tragedy or stress. (Chapter-a-Day podcast on Psalm 7; Text version of all Chapter-a-Day [CaD] posts can always be found at tomvanderwell.com)