Half-way through reading a book titled "The Heavenly Man" about a Chinese christian who suffered horrific and extended torture, many times to the brink of death. I am struck by the way the miraculous becomes part of everyday life in these circumstances. Dreams, visions, superhuman endurance, impossible escapes, etc. are all reported and in the circumstances are perfectly believable.
I know many people who long for the 'effects' but is there a price to pay? Is it all the wrong way round? I don't know anyone who longs to be imprisoned, beaten up, electrocuted and starved.
Why do we want such things? Is it to bolster our faith? Is it that fragile?
What of those who stand on a platform in their expensive suits, transported by their limousines and supported by their huge bank accounts,proclaiming to the faithful that such prosperity is their God-given right? The miraculous is their stock-in-trade to prove the validity of their ministry.
And so God weeps for His people.

We've started going through the book "The Calvary Road"by Roy Hession. The first chapter is titled "Brokenness" and speaks of death of self, sparking questions along the lines of 'being taken advantage of'.
I haven't heard such a theme being spoken of much lately, but know that this book has marked a turning point in many a Christian life. Am I stiff-necked or am I willing to become a worm for Christ?
Comments welcome.

2 posts in one day after the long silence!
Just heard that a colleague who was due to retire next month has had a heart attack and is in intensive care. Makes me reflect further on the whole business of worrying. He had put a lot of effort into preapring for his retirement and was financially secure. What's it worth now?

Well I've been a bit busy including a week in the USA, so no posts to the blog for a while.
My week in the USA was very helpful to me. I travelled with a chap who is very rich. At the end of the week I was just so glad to be me.
I had begun to worry about pensions and things, but there's no answer these days. If I end up destitute in my old age I would still rather be me, so no more worrying! I remember reading something about today having enough to deal with, without worrying about tomorrow or the day after.
Another thought that seems to have become prominent if a little obvious is that there is only any perspective in life when there is sadness. Strangely enough it relates to attempts to introduce a company car policy. We don't have one where I work, and I've been trying to suggest that we should. What happens is that everyone wants a better car than their previous one. Where does it all end? It rather reflects the Western method of prayer - we ask for things, then when we get them we want more or better. When do we ask for sadness so that we may have a true perspective?