Baptism

 5 new converts were baptized on Easter Sunday at our second church in João Pessoa at Cidade Verde led by Pastor José Vieira. PTL!

Yesterday QPR drew 1 x 1 away to Preston North End. 

Yesterday we again brought people into our Care Centre's dentist, Dr. Lariza, from outlying places without public transport. All went off smoothly. I saw 2 Burrowing Owls on the way. 

My 'Folha de São Paulo' newspaper tells me about Jane Asher, a 95-year-old British woman, who is still winning swimming awards. Well done Jane!

Proverbs 8 (résumé): Wisdom's appeal

Proverbs 8 personifies wisdom as a woman who calls out "on the heights", "beside the gates" and "at the entrances" offering the foolish prudence and defending truth instead of wickedness. Lady Wisdom proposes instruction and knowledge instead of silver or gold, and she declares that she hates pride and arrogance. She says she has understanding and power, and by me princes and kings reign, and her fruit is better than fine gold walking in the ways of righteousness. She says that the Lord possessed her at the beginning of his work... before the world began... before the mountains and hills I was given birth... I was there when he set the heavens in place... I was the craftsman at his side... so blessed are those who keep my ways... whoever finds me finds life!

Proverbs 7 (résumé): Warning against the adulteress

 Initially in Proverbs 7 the father exhorts the son to internalize his moral teachings writing them "on the tablet of your heart". He says that then they will keep the immoral woman away from him. There then ensues the description of an encounter between a naive young man and a seductive immoral woman who seduced the man. "She took hold of him and kissed him... perfumed her bed... informs him that her husband is away on a long journey... and he went with her like an ox going to the slaughter and like a deer stepping into a noose!" So he warns his son to steer clear of such traps because "her house is a highway to the grave!"

Proverbs 6 (résumé): Warnings against Folly

Proverbs 6 brings more fatherly advice warning against folly such as guaranteeing others' debts, being lazy, and further counselling against adultery. Solomon recommends the ant as a hard working example to combat the sluggard. Laziness produces poverty, he says, which will come on you like a bandit! He then lists 7 things to guard against which God detests: pride, lies, violence, sowing discord,  a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that haste to evil, and bearing false witness. After this the writer returns as in the previous chapter to combat adultery and involvement with immoral women because a prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread! "Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched"? Therefore don't play with fire! "A man who commits adultery lacks judgement, and whoever does so destroys himself... his shame will never be wiped away!"

Proverbs 5 (résumé): Warning against adultery

Proverbs 5 is a severe warning against getting involved with sexual immorality and adultery. Says the writer that from the lips of an adulteress drip honey and she is a very smooth talker, but things end up very bitter cutting like a sword and ending in death and the grave. The writer exhorts his son to steer well clear of such women because if you follow such women you will groan at the end of your life. Drink water from your own cistern, he says! "May your fountain be blessed and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth... may her breasts satisfy you always and may you ever be captivated by her love. Don't get involved with another man's wife because you will die for lack of discipline!"

Proverbs 4 (résumé): Wisdom is supreme

 Proverbs 4 involves further fatherly advice to his sons extolling the supremacy of wisdom. The father recalls his own father's advice: "Get wisdom and understanding... do not forsake wisdom and she will protect you... wisdom is supreme"! He goes on to say that his sons' lives will be long if they live wisely. He then exhorts his sons to never walk in the ways of evil men... but the path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn... whereas the way of the wicked is like deep darkness. Wisdom is health to a man's whole body. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life... look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you"!

Proverbs 3 (résumé): Further benefits of wisdom

The well-known chapter 3 of Proverbs is a father to son guide on how to live a life pleasing to God full of his wisdom. Wise living, says Solomon, comes when you "trust in the Lord with all your heart". If you fear the Lord and shun evil "this will bring health to your body". Another key to living in God's blessing is to "honour the Lord with your wealth" and understand that divine discipline is in fact a demonstration of God's love. Solomon then goes on to say that wisdom is invaluable and worth more than silver, gold or rubies, and it helps you live longer with riches and honour, and helps you sleep sweetly. He says that a wise man is generous, living in integrity and peace. He concludes his fatherly advice showing that God blesses the home of the righteous but curses the house of the wicked.