inspired.

i forgot to put up this quote earlier because it is so long, but it's definitely worth reading. it's from to the golden shore, and is part of a conversation between adoniram judson and his wife, after adoniram was back in america from burma and giving a short speech after a church sermon.

After the sermon he had spoken for some fifteen minutes "with singular simplicity, and ... touching pathos," as Emily thought, of the lover of the Saviour, "what he has done for us, and what we owe to him."

As he sat down [Emily recollected]... it was evident, even to the most unobservant eye, that most of the listeners were disappointed. After the exercises were over, several persons inquired of me, frankly, why Dr. Judson had not talked of something else, why he had not told a story... On the way home, I mentioned the subject to him.
"Why, what did they want?" he inquired; "I presented the most interesting subject in the world, to the best of my ability."
"But they wanted something different--a story."
"Well, I am sure I gave them a story--the most thrilling one that can be conceived of."
"But they had heard it before. They wanted something new of a man who had just come from the antipodes."
"Then I am glad they have it to say, that a man coming from the antipodes had nothing better to tell than the wondrous story of Jesus' dying love."

i love this. i want this passion and singularity; no complications. there is no greater story.

to the golden shore.

in the past couple of days, i've been reading a book called "to the golden shore: the life of adoniram judson." though lengthy, i highly recommend it; i've only got about 20 more pages to go (which i will be reading as soon as i finish this)! here's a description of it i got off amazon that sums it up extremely well:

We'd call them a bunch of kids today. The youngest was 18, the oldest in his early 20s. Full of faith, they left their moms, dads, homes, security and everything they knew. Their destination was certain danger and misery, possible torture and death. Most never returned.

Little visible progress, illness, obstacles, death of friends, co-workers and their own children, illness, antagonists, indifference, illness, financial concerns, war, illness, discomfort, loneliness, depression, persecution and cultural and language barriers plagued them. The first few years seemed to yield no progress. The missionaries were discouraged. They contemplated giving up. Some actually did leave. Then things got worse.

But the Judsons and others were so convinced of their faith and so confident that their obedience to God's will would produce fruit that they never gave up. And eventually their work yielded fruit. First, one convert. Then a couple other converts and a lot of people who were seriously interested started showing up at their door. On some occasions people literally begged to hear about Jesus and for copies of the gospel tract that Adoniram Judson had printed in the Burmese language. The rest is history.

It's an inspirational book, and one can appreciate the work of God throughout the book from Judson's infancy to the Karen people who eagerly accepted the gospel.

In addition to Adoniram, the respective characters of his wives were discussed in depth. One can't help but admire with amazement the determination, courage, godliness and fervency of all of these women.

This book is impeccably researched. Names, dates, events and details are abundant throughout the book's 500+ pages. The author has done extensive research. The author has also left a comprehensive bibliography and laments that some of Judson's letters home were destroyed (at his request) after the death of his first wife.

some of my favorite quotes from the book:

about adoniram--
"it may literally be said that he was a man of one idea, and that was, love, to Jesus, and a desire to manifest it in all its varied forms."

in his wife nancy's journal:
"Jesus is faithful; his promises are precious. were it not for these considerations, i should, with my present prospects, sink down in despair, especially as no female has, to my knowledge, ever left the shores of America to spend her life among the heathen; nor do i yet know, that i shall have a single female companion. but God is my witness, that I have not dared to decline the offer that has been made me, though so many are ready to call it 'a wild, romantic undertaking.'"