"Glamorous Powers" by Susan Howatch

The second book in the "Church of England" series . . . another insightful look at raw humanity.  The author uses terminology that may be offensive to some, but if you can work your way through that, it's well worth reading (e.g. "psychic" is used not as an occult reference, but in its dictionary meaning "of or relating to the psyche [mind]").  I have been profoundly affected by the realizations that came to me when I read this book.  Mainly I have a greater desire to be held in strict accountability in the realm of dreams and visions.  Bland as this may sound, it moved me deeply!

Again, the author did a superb job at characterization:

Jonathan Darrow

• "Without suffering, in fact, there would be no life as we know it; we'd all be wooden images, utterly static, in a world where nothing ever happened and where God's love would fall on barren soil."
• I had a sudden awareness of God's generosity, and the next moment I was overwhelmed by the boundless and indescribable nature of the divine love.  I opened my eyes--my physical eyes--and for a split second the psychic and material visions collided so that my oak cross on the altar vibrated with light.  I saw Christ crucified, Christ redeemed--and at that moment it was imprinted on my mind that I was finally liberated from all my past guilt.  The tide of forgiveness was too strong; no anguish and self-hatred could face it and survive."

Francis Ingram

• "How typical!" said Francis in disgust.  "You think you can do anything, don't you--even read your subconscious mind!  It never occurs to you in your arrogance that your subconscious mind may be beyond the reach not only of your intellectual powers but of your tiresome psychic powers as well!"

Anne

• "I know you're not [complaining] and sometimes I worry about that too.  I don't think it's good for you to bottle everything up and pretend that everything in the garden's lovely . . ."