Perhaps to be able to explain suffering is the clearest indication of never having suffered. Sin, suffering, and sanctification are not problems of the mind, but facts of life-mysteries that awaken all other mysteries until the heart rests in God.

-Oswald Chambers

Once walking through the twisted little streets of Kowloon in Hong Kong, I came upon a tattoo studio. In the window were displayed samples of the tattoos available. On the chest or arms you could have tattooed an anchor or flag or mermaid or whatever. But what struck me with force were three words that could be tattooed on one’s flesh, “Born to lose.”

I entered the shop in astonishment and, pointing to those words, asked the Chinese tattoo artist, “Does anyone really have that terrible phrase, Born to lose, tattooed on his body.”

He replied, “Yes, sometimes.”

“But,” I said, “I just can’t believe that anyone in his right mind would do that.”

The Chinese man simply tapped his forehead and said in broken English, “Before tattoo on body, tattoo on mind.”

-Norman Vincent Peale in “Power of the Plus Factor”

Money will buy:

A bed BUT NOT sleep,
Books BUT NOT brains,
Food BUT NOT appetite,
Finery BUT NOT beauty,
A house BUT NOT a home,
Medicine BUT NOT health,
Luxuries BUT NOT culture,
Amusement BUT NOT happiness,
A Crucifix BUT NOT a Savior,
A Church pew BUT NOT Heaven.

What money can’t buy, Jesus Christ can give freely without charge.

Once there was a congregation in which every member was just like you. Each one cooperated and supported every church program just the way you have been doing. Everyone worked as hard and attended the same services and church functions as you do. The elders, the deacons, and the preacher were all as interested in the church as you are at this time. They put the same emphasis on their recreation, business, and other material affairs that you do. Each member gave to the church as you are giving. Within a year or so, this congregation….