I asked for strength--

and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom--

and God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity--

and God gave me brain and brawn to work.

I asked for Courage--

and God gave me dangers to overcome.

I asked for love--

and God gave me opportunities

I received nothing I wanted--

I received everything I needed.

My prayer has been answered.

--From the Family of Michael Job, an Indian Christian Medical student who was killed in June of 1999 because of his father's evangelistic activities--

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Where there is no cross, there is no crown.
This lesson cannot be learned from books, and
men do not usually taste this sweetness. This rich
life does not exist in a comfortable environment.
If the spices are not refined to become oil, the
fragrance of the perfume cannot flow forth; and if
the grapes are not crushed in the vat, they will
not become wine.

-From a Chinese Christian-


-From Voice of the Martyrs "Extreme devotion"-