The Most Romantic Letter in the World

Letter to Mr. Hasseltine Asking for His Daughter's Hand in Marriage 

by Adoniram Judson

"Young Judson, before he had resolved to be a missionary, had made up his mind to the sufferings and privations which he well knew were in store for him. He thus wrote to Mr. Hasseltine, of Bradford, when asking for his daughter's hand:"

"I have now to ask whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world? Whether you can consent to her departure to a heathen land, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life? Whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death? Can you consent to all this, for the sake of Him who left His heavenly home and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls; for the sake of Zion and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with a crown of righteousness brightened by the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Saviour from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?"

Sigh... This has to be the most romantic letter of all time, even though it's not addressed to the lady. It shows the man's adoration and respect for the father, telling the truth without holding back. Wow. I'm just blown away. I pray that there are still guys like this out there.

Blessings!

Christa :)

Good Ol' Spurgeon!!!

This was posted on the blog "pyromaniacs" and wanted to share it further! Wow. This guy knew the Truth and what it cost those in the past to stand for it!

Remember how your fathers, in times gone by, defended God's truth, and blush, ye cowards, who are afraid to maintain it!

Remember that our Bible is a blood-stained book; the blood of martyrs is on the Bible, the blood of translators and confessors. The pool of holy baptism, in which many of you have been baptized, is a blood-stained pool: full many have had to die for the vindication of that baptism which is "the answer of a good conscience toward God."

The doctrines which we preach to you are doctrines that have been baptized in blood,—swords have been drawn to slay the confessors of them; and there is not a truth which has not been sealed by them at the stake, or the block, or far away on the lofty mountains, where they have been slain by hundreds. It is but a little duty we have to discharge compared with theirs. They were called to maintain the truth when they had to die for it; you only have to maintain the truth when taunt and jeer, ignominious names and contemptuous epithets are all you have to endure for it.

What! do you expect easy lives? While some have led through seas of blood, and have fought to win the prize, are you wearied with a slight skirmish on dry land? What would you do if God should suffer persecuting days to overtake you? O craven spirits, ye would flee away, and disown your profession!

Be ye the pillar and ground of the truth. Let the blood of martyrs, let the voices of confessors, speak to you. Remember how they held fast the truth, how they preserved it, and handed it down to us from generation to generation; and by their noble example, I beseech you, be steadfast and faithful, tread valiantly and firmly in their steps, acquit yourselves like men,—like men of God, I implore you!

Shall we not have some champions, in these times, who will deal sternly with heresies for the love of the truth,—men who will stand like rocks in the center of the sea, so that, when all others shake, they stand invulnerable and invincible? Thou who art tossed about by every wind of doctrine, farewell; I own thee not till God shall give thee grace to stand firm for his truth, and not to be ashamed of him nor of his words in this evil generation.

An Interesting Take on Prayer

At youth group last night, Jeff Lambin did a message on Hypocrisy and how to know how to see it. Oe of the points he made was really amazing. It's about our prayer life. When was the last time you prayed for someone's growth? When was the last you prayed for spiritual growth? When was the last time you praised God for spiritual growth in anyone's life? Usually when we get together and we're like, "OK can you pray for Bob, he's going through a hard time with sin", "Pray for Sally. She's just a slut and I want to be nice to her", "Pray for my friend's cousin's friend's uncle who has cancer". Do we ever think about the fact that 1, yes we are supposed to "cast our care upon Him, for He cares for you" but 2, "In EVERYTHING give thanks". It always bothers me when people never pray for their own sanctification. It's like they are afraid to say, "I'm a sinner and I need Jesus." Yes, we NEED Jesus! EVERYDAY! If I go one day without spending time with the Lord, reading His word and praying for knowledge, I have the hardest times throughout my day keeping my eyes on Jesus. As Christians, we are to have a hunger and a thirst for righteousness. I LOVE reading God's word! I LOVE talking to my Father in Heaven, praising Him, confessing to Him, thanking Him and humbly asking Him for somethings.

On a last note, John MacArthur put this in his footnote on 1 Peter 2:2 - "A Christian develops a desire for the truth of God's word by 1) remembering his life's source, 2) eliminating sin from his life, 3) admitting his need for God's truth, 4) pursuing spiritual growth and 5) surveying his blessings". I just love it because it kind of ties into what I said above about prayer in our lives. I hope that as you, whoever you are, go along and pray for growth in your own life and others and study His word! There's no other way to be sanctified apart from communion with God on a daily basis.

RUN!

A few minutes ago, I watched a Youtube video of Joel Osteen (JO) on "60 MInutes". Wow. I couldn't believe all the things I was hearing. The news reporter actually asked JO about why his books only focus on "self-Improvement" and that looking to yourself was the best way to gain in life. He even asked JO, "Shouldn't Christians be looking to Jesus?" TO which JO replied, "Well, uh, there's some scripture in it..." Some isn't enough dude! It should be permeated, dripping wet with scripture in it's RIGHTFUL context! It should not be you, JO, changing lives! It's ALL GOD! It breaks my heart to see the MILLIONS of people who are being led straight into the lake burning with fire and brimstone every day, every time this false prophet opens his mouth! It makes me sick and I am thrown to the floor in agony of the souls that will not see the glory of God because of this demonic-doctrine! Brothers and sisters, I pray that you will reach out to those who are lost. Show them the Truth! I heard on the radio about a guy that was witnessing and the lady asked him, "What can I believe in? Nothing in this world seems stable." To which he replied, "Well, the only Truth out there is the Word of God." What a great answer! Go out and preach the truth! Run towards the conflict and fight with all you have against the rulers of darkness! Shine the Light of Christ in everything you say and do! Don't be afraid! "If God is for us, who can stand against us!" (Romans 8:31) Below are the videos that I watched today. The first one is JO's interview. Then watch the video "RUN" by an amazing pastor in New York City. Blessings my brethren!

God Saves Bad People

Saw this on "Wretched"'s Facebook this morning. Wow. What a message.