The Wanderer
My name is Jeremy Walker. By God’s grace, I am a Christian, and a preacher of the gospel, and a pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church in Crawley, West Sussex, UK. I am married to Alissa, and we have two sons, Caleb and William. My interests and concerns will, I hope, become apparent in the development of this blog. I hope that my efforts will have something of the character of Charles Spurgeon’s The Sword and the Trowel, being a record of combat with sin and labour for the Lord.
The title of this blog and its tagline are derived from two primary sources.
One main source is The Wanderer (or here), an Old English poem that I genuinely enjoy and on which I wrote an essay while studying at university, which explains something of its relevance. This wanderer is called an eardstapa (‘earthstepper,’ if you like), and this is why my blog address is http://www.eardstapa.wordpress.com/.
Another source is the writings of John Bunyan. The current tagline is the opening line of The Pilgrim’s Progress – “As I walked through the wilderness of this world . . .”, but Bunyan’s other great allegory, The Holy War, begins with a similar notion: “In my travels, as I walked through many regions and countries, it was my chance to happen into that famous continent of Universe.” These two books had a profound effect on me in my early years, and capture something of the idea of an interested pilgrimage.
In addition, the notion of being an outcast and a stranger (echoing that Old English poem again) is a Biblical one. Speaking of the faithful, the writer to the Hebrews describes those who “had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Heb 11.37-40). Again, there is that seminal text in Psalm 119: “I am a stranger in the earth; do not hide your commandments from me” (v19). This is good company to be in.
My only concern is that the name can sound vague and indefinite. Wanderers are not necessarily going anywhere, but Christians are pilgrims – travellers with a definite destination. However, I wander through various media, seeking to observe things of use and interest, scavenging as I go, and so it does not seem too out of order.
Being a Walker myself, these various themes seemed to chime nicely, and so I went for it.
This blog, then, is a record of my travels, combats and labours as I walk through many regions and countries in the wilderness of this world as a pilgrim and stranger. I hope it will prove a help and encouragement to fellow travellers on our way to the heavenly Jerusalem.
If you are interested in walking along with the Wanderer, please consider subscribing.
To get in touch, email <contact[at]mabach[dot]org>.
Hi Jeremy,
Didn’t know you were a blogger, been dabbling in that pool for a while now myself.
Paul
JP
Wednesday 4 June 2008 at 18:23
Hello Jeremy,
I had a wonderful visit with your dad here in NY, (I am a friend of Pastor George McDearmon). I learned much about the present condition of the cause of Christ in the UK; enjoyed it very much. I hope the Lord grants you much wisdom in these days.
Pastor Dave Bissett
Tuesday 21 October 2008 at 03:29
Hello, Jeremy,
I found your blog when googling suggestions for dealing with brambles, having spent a good few hours battling with them and pondering the parallels with dealing with sin myself.
Blessings
cindy honaker
Saturday 28 February 2009 at 16:22
Hello!
As a fellow believer in Christ (by the grace of God), I simply want to encourage you to allow God to strengthen you in all areas as the Church faces the trials of this modern age. Keep pressing on! Do not lose hope–Christ is the victor over all things, and He is returning.
1 Peter 1:1-9
Hannah
Wednesday 25 March 2009 at 21:38
Jeremy – just wanted to let you know I stumbled across your name/sermons on Colossians in Sermonaudio.
I have been so blessed and helped by them. Thank you
for your ministry of the Word – it has fed my soul.
May God bless you!
Pastor Kevin Landis
Friday 8 May 2009 at 02:58
Thank you, my friend.
Jeremy Walker
Friday 8 May 2009 at 09:21
Jeremy,
I happened upon your blog while searching for a picture of a crown of thorns, and ended up spending some time enjoying the glow of it. I appreciate men like Bunyan, and Spurgeon, and also “modern Puritans” such as Iain Murray and the “Banner of Truth” brethren. It seems to me (from my limited perspective) that there is more of an effort to maintain Biblical balance in the Puritan-inspired Calvinism of England and Scotland. Thanks for the edification.
Grace & peace,
Derek Ashton
theoparadox
Monday 22 June 2009 at 14:15
Thank you, my friend. You make an interesting comment about the “Puritan-inspired Calvinism” of the British Isles. I do think some of the emphases that come out of a Calvinism developed through the Puritan tradition point in directions that are not always appreciated or highlighted in some expressions of Calvinism today. I am glad that your soul was warmed in visiting the blog. I appreciate your leaving an encouraging comment.
Jeremy Walker
Monday 22 June 2009 at 21:00
Dear Brother,
I have been a believer in the doctrines of grace since around 1978. I have also pastored churches for some 20 years, though my message of grace was rarely appreciated among those who I was associated with. I have stumbled across your website, and hope to review more in time.
I have been told that Brantleys came from England to the new world, possible as far back as the 16 hundreds. Just wonder if you know of many in your area. Looking forward to hearing from you.
tim m. brantley
Saturday 12 September 2009 at 08:38
Hello, friend. Good to hear from you and thank you for your note. I am afraid that I know of no Brantleys in Crawley. Of course, that does not mean that they are not there. God bless.
Jeremy Walker
Monday 14 September 2009 at 14:44
Enjoyed your blog, and your theme/title description- have thought of pilgrimage as a unifying metaphor in my own life and ministry for some time. We named our 3rd son “Pilgrim.”
The pastoral charge was helpful too, as I’m being ordained next month. At the fresh age of 56.
Thanks again.
http://thedaysman.com
http://ordinationpapers.wordpress.com
wally metts
Tuesday 22 September 2009 at 03:33
Have a look at Mount Zion Chapel Library in the U.S. (google it) It is a wonderful source of Reformed/Banner/Puritans solid teachings along the lines of what your blog lists reflect. I think you will enjoy it and all its stuff is free.
Jamie O'Connor
Tuesday 13 October 2009 at 20:08
Thank you, Jamie. I know Jeff Pollard a little, and think that much of the material coming out of Mount Zion Chapel Library is excellent. I would encourage readers of this blog to become subscribers.
Jeremy Walker
Thursday 15 October 2009 at 09:50