I have always been fascinated by words and phrases and their histories along with culture’s mores and taboos regarding what is acceptable and unacceptable to say. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 32. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

Jesus looks nothing like a human emperor, pharaoh, or caesar grabbing power, conquering by force, and clinging to it through intimidation, fear, and violence. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 31. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

One of the overarching themes of the entire Great Story from Genesis to Revelation is God’s expressed desire to be known and to have a relationship with the pinnacle of HIs creation, human beings who have the free will to choose or refuse to be in a relationship. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 30. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

When I see evil in the events and the headlines of my daily news, I am reminded that this is the Story. This spiritual conflict will continue with all of the tragic aftermath in its wake. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 29. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

One of the things I’ve observed on this earthly journey is that I will always be able to point to people I know and people I know of who have tremendously more wealth than me. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 28. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

Rob Henderson’s Essay on Luxury Beliefs referenced in today’s podcast.

Ancient Tyre bragged of its beauty, its power, and its wealth. They believed themselves and their trade indispensable to the nations and therefore believed themselves untouchable. [Cue: Enter the prophet Ezekiel] A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 27. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

The entire Great Story from Genesis to Revelation is really about the conflict between God’s Kingdom and human empire. Human history is a study in the rise and fall of human empires. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 26. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

Sometimes on this chapter-a-day journey there are moments of synchronicity. Today is one of those days. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 25. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

There is no way around the fact that human spiritual progress requires pain. Conversely, a life of ease and affluence is a surefire recipe for spiritual immaturity. And a related truth is what M. Scott Peck discovered in his research for The People of the Lie: evil only responds to the power of blunt force.

A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 24. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.

In today’s chapter, God through Ezekiel offers a raw and rather shocking metaphor regarding the unfaithfulness of the divided kingdoms of Israel (Samaria) and Judah (Jerusalem). They are presented as daughters of the same mother who become prostitutes, getting “in bed” with other nations. A chapter-a-day podcast from Ezekiel 23. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.