LUTHER'S LIFE

+Upon his return from a home visit, as Luther fought his way through a severe thunderstorm, a bolt of lightning struck the ground near him
+”Help me, St. Anne” the frightened Luther screamed, hoping to escape the lightning. “I will become a monk!”
+In July, 1505, as required on entering monastic life, Luther gave away all his possessions, even his prized book
+By all evidence, Luther was extraordinarily successful as an observant Augustinian, just as he had been a student
+He did not simply engage in prayer, fasts and ascetic practices (including going without sleep, enduring bone-chilling cold, and flagellating (whipping) himself, he pursued them earnestly