The Walters 5

I wanted to go to India for several reasons. One of which was to keep missions on my mind and heart. If I don’t take intentional steps to keep the nations in front of me then I just begin to think the world revolves around me and my (ridiculously small) problems. Secondly I wanted to go on this trip to be uncomfortable. It’s good for me to sweat like crazy (even though we ended up in a fairly cool area!), it’s good for me to eat food I wouldn’t choose, it’s good for me to sleep in a hotel that most folks wouldn’t set foot in, it’s good for me to see that my brothers and sisters in India are content with eating the same basic food for every meal, every day. It’s good for me to hear about an Indian brother who’s been beaten for his faith by Buddhists. All this gives me a perspective on my relatively easy life and reveals potential idols in my heart, like the desire to be comfortable.

Throughout my time several things rose to the forefront of my mind:

1. I read way too much secondary material (systematic theologies, etc) and not enough Bible. We had to teach on various topics at a moments notice and I was slow to pull up Scripture in my mind and nervous to shoot from the hip. Secondary material is good but the Bible is better. The Bible is more needful. The Bible must remain numero uno priority.
2. I’m like the guy who loves to talk about fishing but rarely fishes. Forget just talking about fishing, I love going to conferences about fishing, reading about fishing, talking about fishing, buying sweet lures to increase my fishing effectiveness but I rarely drop a lure in the water. My brothers and sisters in India put me to shame in their evangelistic zeal for the Lord.
3. I don’t believe in the power of the gospel. Becoming familiar with philosophy is good (it’s strengthened my faith) and studying apologetic issues is good. But through studying these things I have inadvertently put less faith in the gospel. Not everyone struggles with philosophic issues and not everyone needs to hear the cosmological or the teleological argument for the existence of God. The gospel is simple and it’s profound. The gospel saves brilliant men and illiterate men. Not everyone needs heady arguments, they need to hear the gospel. The gospel is powerful and effective even if it’s proclaimed by some hick preacher down by the river.
4. I love comfort.
5. Seeing worship done differently half-way across the world makes me inclined to be less dogmatic about methods of corporate worship.
6. The gospel is not western. The gospel applies to all people of all cultures of all times. It doesn’t require people to become western. It requires people to trust in Christ alone and follow Him.

I’m headed to India next month from the 15th to the 31st. I’m going with 5 other students and a prof from Southern. Our goal is to conduct mini pastors conferences with house church pastors in north India and evangelism. We’ll be working alongside long term missionaries to support their efforts. Details are a little sketchy. I’ll share more soon.

I’m excited about going. I don’t know about you, but unless I intentionally do things to remind myself of the nations then I just start to think that the world revolves around me and my family and school and work. Please pray that the Lord would work mightily through us and that we would support the efforts of the long term missionaries on the ground.

If you want some real missionaries to pray for then take a look at Nick’s blog and The Heinrich’s blog. These guys are faithful soldiers that could use your prayers.

This morning I read this prayer from The Valley Of Vision and was encouraged.

O Lord of the Oceans,

My little bark sails on a restless sea,

Grant that Jesus may sit at the helm and steer me safely;

Suffer no adverse currents to divert my heavenward course;

Let not my faith be wrecked amid storms and shoals;

Bring me to harbour with flying pennants,

hull unbreached, cargo unspoiled.

I ask great things,

expect great things,

shall receive great things.

I venture on thee wholly, fully,

my wind, sunshine, anchor, defence.

The voyage is long, the waves high, the storms pitiless,

but my helm is held steady,

thy Word secures safe passage,

thy grace wafts me onward,

my haven is guaranteed.

This day will bring me nearer home,

Grant me holy consistency in every transaction,

my peace flowing as a running tide,

my righteousness as every chasing wave.

Help me to live circumspectly,

with skill to convert every care into prayer.

Halo my path with gentleness and love,

smooth every asperity of temper;

let me not forget how easy it is to occasion grief;

may I strive to bind up every wound,

and pour oil on all troubled waters.

May the world this day be happier and better because I live.

Let my mast before me be the savior’s cross,

and every oncoming wave the fountain in his side.

Help me, protect me in the moving sea

until I reach the shore of unceasing praise.

What a year it has been!! In January we made the big move to Louisville, Kentucky. We were welcomed by a crazy ice storm leaving us without power for 5 days. B.J. soon began his classes at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. When spring arrived we were pleasantly surprised with beautiful  blooming trees. The summer was a great break from the busy semester. Fall was gorgeous (check out earlier post for pictures). They really have four seasons here!! With the seasons changing, we are reminded that there are seasons in our lives and how each one is important for the next. This season of school and parenting is only preparing us for the next season of our lives.  We don’t know what the next season will hold but we are trying to be faithful and enjoy where we are right now.

Naomi, 6, had a busy year. She is in the first grade, taking piano lessons, and played soccer on a team that B.J. coached.  In November (on B.J.’s birthday) she fell after her last soccer game on top of her trophy and broke her collar bone. She is not wearing her sling anymore and is doing great.  We are so proud of her efforts and her positive attitude.

Ethan, 4, kept us entertained this year. Ethan is learning along side Naomi. He loves to play games, play catch, fish, or just do anything that involves moving. Ethan also played soccer this year and loved it. I think I am getting a glimpse of what B.J. was like when he was a little boy.

Levi, 1, has also kept us entertained this year. He is such a lively little boy.  He could be described as silly, stubborn, tough, active, noisy, and fun.  He is learning words, kicking a soccer ball, loves music, and laughs all the time.

I (Christin) am  staying busy schooling Naomi and Ethan, playing with Levi and Ethan, keeping Levi and Ethan out of trouble, keeping Naomi on task, and keeping Ethan busy.  A friend told me a saying that I think fits my home perfectly: “Cleaning the house is like brushing your teeth and eating an Oreo cookie at the same time!” So true!! With three kids and a dog, this saying describes it perfectly.   The duties in the home are never done.  I know I will miss it one day.

BJ just finished his second full semester at Southern Seminary. He loves the godly professors and the rich, challenging content of his classes. He recently changed jobs and works as a sales rep. for Verizon Wireless (anybody need a cell phone?). Although he’s very busy with school and work we’ve grown in our relationship this year and are grateful for God’s grace to us during this hectic time.

As Christmas is upon us we pray that your hearts are directed to the child who came to the earth to redeem us from the curse. May you bask in His goodness and find your satisfaction in Him this Christmas season.

Enjoy a few pictures from 2009.

So we recently got some XMas gifts in the mail from our fam and one of Naomi’s presents was in a gift bag. You know, the type that just has some tissue paper covering it. I was thinking that might be too tempting for the kids to take a sneak peak but I decided not to re-wrap it. I overheard the kids whispering about something and decided to look into the situation. Both kiddo’s denied any wrongdoing and plead innocent. I decided to investigate further. Here’s a transcript of the interrogation.

BJ: “Ethan, did you look at the present inside the gift bag?”

Ethan: “No” (with a face that basically says, “uh-oh”)

BJ: “What color is the box?”

Ethan: “Pink”

Busted.