Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. - Proverbs 15:1 To be wise is to be able to control your tongue. A new theme on speech is found in this chapter. A wise man is gentle in his speech and the fool likes to seek arguments to stir up anger. We are taught not to be quarrelsome. (1 Tim 3:3) To stay away from quarreling and living in peace is the goal of the wise. But fool always attract trouble, fight and discord. The wise man exercise gentleness in speech to gain listeners and to be able to give godly advice. To be gentle in speech pleases God. James says, "but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." -James 3:8 The tongue is the most difficult to deal with, but Proverbs teaches with wisdom, we can give gentle answer. Let us ask God to give us wisdom to help us control our tongue in order that our speech will be pleasing to God and fill our mouth with praises unto the Lord our Savior. Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. Psalms 119:175

Proverbs 10:1

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. -Proverbs 10:1 (NIV84) We come to a new section which is marked by the heading "The proverbs of Solomon". In this chapter we find most of the proverbs are antithetical in nature. That is to say, the second line will teach something opposite the first line as in verse one. The first five verses give us a contrast between a wise son and a foolish son which is very different from what we have seen earlier in a wise women being contrasted with foolish women showing us two ways to life. In this verse, we see how the behavior of children will result in the happiness of the parents. What a joy to have wise and obedient children against the headache and grief of having foolish and wayward children. This is a warning to parents to instill wisdom to children. To have joy raising up children with wisdom, parents must first be wise and what better way than to study and apply the book of Proverbs. And if you do learn the wisdom contained in this book, it will automatically drive you to meditate on the Word of God daily and teach the same principle to your children. To all of us whether we are parents or not, let us ask God for wisdom for God will give to us generously. (James 1:5) I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. Psalms 119:162 ------------ * If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Bibles for the children

Presenting Bibles to the children during the Childen Camp in central Mulu. The children cannot wait to read the Word of God.

THE CHILDREN OF CENTRAL MULU

From John Calvin's Institutes

"unless you first grasp what your relation to God is, and the nature of his judgment concerning you, you have neither a foundation on which to established your salvation nor one on which to build piety towards God." [Inst. 3.11.1]

This was found in an article by Peter Jensen on "Calvin's among the students" when Jensen was commenting regarding Calvin's account of faith.

From the book "Engaging with Calvin" edited by Mark D. Thompson [Apollos]

Sunset at North Berwick

Ben Wyvis

The path that leads up to Ben Wyvis. Starting is gentle but the middle part is steep and rocky. The top is windy but the view is breathtaking.