EmmDev 2026-09-28 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Strong Convictions - Gentle Hearts #2 Deja Vu

Strong Convictions - Gentle Hearts #2 Deja Vu

Yesterday we looked at the passage where Jonah was looking over the city of Nineveh (which had repented dramatically) and was hard-heartedly waiting for its destruction.

We know that during the triumphal entry Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
Here's what He said on another occasion:

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. (Luke13:34)

What a contrast we are dealing with here!
Yesterday we saw Jonah being angry and longing for vindication, caring little for the repentant inhabitants of Nineveh. Today we watch Jesus lamenting over a serial-offending hard-hearted Jerusalem and His longing is not vindication but love.

Listen to His words:
"I have longed to gather you like a hen gathers her chicks."
He uses a powerful maternal image of care and protection.
It's a picture of tenderness and nurture.

Martin Lund, a senior Presbyterian minister, tells a story of a farmer in the Cape Winelands who had a fire rage though his farm and it even burned down his barn and the surrounding coops and stalls. As he was walking through the devastation he came upon a smouldering heap that looked like melted plastic. In frustration the farmer kicked the heap and as the smouldering bundle flew through the air, seven yellow bundles scattered across the pathway. It was the mother hen that covered her chicks and burned to death while saving her little ones.

This is what Jesus did for us.

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Strong Convictions - Gentle Hearts #1 Hard Hearted

Strong Convictions - Gentle Hearts #1 Hard Hearted

In our last section of "Wisdom for Every Day life" we come to a delicate balance.
We live in a world where values are being eroded and right and wrong are being reduced to what is good for me. This leaves Christ-followers in a bind: On the one hand we want to present the gospel attractively, but we don't want to compromise on the moral and ethical standards of holiness, justice, and righteousness. We don't want to present a laissez-faire faith but we also don't want to be legalistic and prescriptive.

There are not easy answers to this conundrum.
I believe that part of the solution lies in understanding God's heart for the lost.

We'll start with the example of someone who missed this completely.

Jonah the prophet was called by God to preach the gospel to Nineveh.
He didn't want to. We don't know if he had history with the Assyrians or if he just saw them as "unwashed heathens." But he didn't want to bring God's word to them. So he ran in the opposite direction and God sent a fishy submarine to bring him back. Even his sermon reflects his disconnection, he doesn't urge them to repent, he simply pronounces judgement. The Ninevites respond and repent in a way that Jerusalem never did and God relents.

Jonah loses it. He had suspected that forgiveness was on God's agenda and when it happens, he is angry and embarrassed and he pouts. God provides a vine that grows over him to shade him. Then He provides a worm which eats the vine and it withers. Jonah is furious about the loss of the vine even though it was an undeserved privilege.

And so God speaks to him:

But the Lord said, "You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left - and also many animals?" (Jonah4:10-11)

The account of Jonah is a masterful presentation of a heart that has become privileged and superior.
Jonah's heart is hard.
He is entitled.
He is exclusive.
He is arrogant.

The hardness and pride of his heart is not only seen in his lack of compassion for the Ninevites but in the self-centeredness of his prayer in the belly of the fish. It's striking that immediately after his prayer, the fish vomits him onto the beach. (I can't help but think of Jesus who warns the lukewarm Laodiceans that He will vomit them from His mouth.)

When it comes to sharing our faith, having the right doctrine isn't enough. Accuracy of presentation isn't enough. Our convictions must be carried by a heart that cares about the people we are speaking to.

God numbers the people and even thinks about the animals.
Jonah is fuming about God being merciful and about a plant that shouldn't even have been there.

And the book ends on this note, leaving us to wonder if Jonah ever softened his heart...

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EmmDev 2026-09-26 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Contentment #4 - The Damage of Discontent

Contentment #4 - The Damage of Discontent

Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' " (Luke15:25-31)

Yesterday we looked at Asaph who "nearly lost his footing" due to discontent, but went to worship and found peace and contentment in his relationship with God.

Today we look at the older brother in Jesus' parable of the so-called "prodigal son."
The younger son was discontent, spent all his money, landed up in poverty and realised ("came to his senses") that true contentment could be found with his father.

While the younger brother's discontentment was explosive, expressive, and eventually short-lived, the older brother's discontent was of the festering kind. All looked well on the surface but underneath things were not good. He was going through the motions but was not really seeing how good he had it. He was like the nursery rhyme pussycat who went to London to see the queen and, instead of sitting on her lap and enjoying a bowl of royal cream, all he did was frighten a mouse from under her chair. The older brother had full access to his father and his father's blessings, but he chose to become miserable and it hardened his heart. Sadly he seems to have known what happened to the younger brother and just did not care.

Discontent made him bitter.
Discontent blinded him to the joy and privilege of his father's presence and goodness.
Discontent robbed him of the joy of his brother's return.

What is even more striking is that Jesus leaves the story open-ended.
We don't know if the older brother ever came around...

Discontent is a serious enemy.
It's subtle and steals our life and joy away from us.
Left unchecked it can make us as toxic and blind as it did the older brother in the story.

May we ensure that this does not happen to us!

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EmmDev 2026-09-25 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Contentment #3 - Asaph's Journey

Contentment #3 - Asaph's Journey

Psalm 73 is a Psalm by a man named Asaph.

It documents his journey through discontent to peaceful contentment.

He starts with a doctrinal statement, which, while true, is over-simplified:
"Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure."
The problem with this statement is two implications that can be drawn from it:
1. If things are not going well, then your heart may not be pure.
2. If things are going well, then your heart must be pure.

This does not match his experience and he struggles with the dissonance:
"But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone."

Here's why he was struggling:
"For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.
They don't have troubles like other people;
they're not plagued with problems like everyone else.
They wear pride like a jewelled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.
These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others."

And that leads him to question the faith sacrifices he has made:
"Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain."

And he realises that what he is struggling with is a big issue that could cause pain to his God community:
"If I had really spoken this way to others,
I would have been a traitor to Your people.
So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
But what a difficult task it is!"

Then comes the turning point and it is two-fold:
1. He goes to worship
2. He gets a bigger picture - the wicked will face judgment.
"Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
Truly, You put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.
When You arise, O Lord, You will laugh at their silly ideas
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning."

He recognises that discontent disfigured his soul:
"Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
I was so foolish and ignorant --- I must have seemed like a senseless animal to You."

And he realises that his relationship with God is the true source of contentment.
"Yet I still belong to You; You hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart; He is my portion forever."

And so he resolves to lean into his relationship with God...
"But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do."

Can you identify with Asaph's journey???

May we learn to lean into our relationship with God and find deep peace there!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(The full psalm is below...)

[A psalm of Asaph.] Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don't have troubles like other people; they're not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jewelled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. "What does God know?" they ask. "Does the Most High even know what's happening?" Look at these wicked people--- enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to Your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, You put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. When You arise, O Lord, You will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant--- I must have seemed like a senseless animal to You. Yet I still belong to You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is my portion forever. Those who desert Him will perish, for You destroy those who abandon You. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do. (Psalms73:1-28)

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Contentment #2 - Exemplified

Our reading is from Psalm 16 - It's called a "Miktam"
- We don't know what that means
- But every psalm that is called a Miktam is a prayer in time of trouble

(A miktam of David.) Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge. I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing." I say of the holy people who are in the land, "They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight." Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup; You make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let Your holy one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. (Psalms16:1-11)

So, this is probably a prayer in trouble.
But David reflects gratitude and loyalty.

In its simple structure, this Psalm exemplifies contentment...
David is urging us to:

1. REMEMBER that God is enough
   "apart from You I have no good thing."
   "Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup;"
   "You will fill me with joy in Your presence,"
   
   
2. TAKE NOTE that God has given us much
   "You make my lot secure."
   "The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places"
   "surely I have a delightful inheritance."
   
   
3. BE COMFORTED because God is with us and counsels us.
   "I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
   even at night my heart instructs me.
   I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
   With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
   
   
4. BE SECURE in knowing that God holds our future.
   "because You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
   nor will you let Your holy one see decay.
   You make known to me the path of life"

David can end the Psalm with:
"You will fill me with joy in Your presence,
with eternal pleasures at Your right hand."

Contentment is learning to recognise what we already have...
David is in trouble, but he can still say, "You are my portion."
He looks at his life and sees that his boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places.
He looks beside him and sees God's presence.
He looks ahead and sees God's eternal promise.

May we Remember, Take Note, be Comforted and Secure in the knowledge and experience of God as the One who is enough, who provides abundantly, who goes with and guides us and secures our eternity.

This is contentment: It is not an achievement or attainment - it is a Relationship.

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EmmDev 2026-09-23 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Contentment #1 - Where the Trouble starts...

Contentment #1 - Where the Trouble starts...

This week we look at Contentment and its enemies - Discontent and Comparison.
(I want to finish this series before we start the "Month of Mission" in October and so there will be a devotion each day, including the weekend to get us to the finish line on time...")

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" "You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis3:1-6)

Look at Satan's strategy:

• He says "Did God really say "Don't eat from any tree in the garden?" "
  He twists God's words. God only restricted them from one tree, but suggesting that it was more, he makes God look petty and restrictive.
• Eve takes the bait, she corrects the serpent, but she does add to what God said.
  God said "Don't eat from it"
  Eve said "God says "you must not eat from it AND you must not touch it."
• This gives the serpent the gap
  I can imagine him touching the tree and triumphantly saying: "You will not certainly die."
  So now he makes God look like He makes empty threats.
• Then he plays his trump card. ---> Discontent.
  "God is holding out on you. He doesn't want you to be like Him."
• All of a sudden the tree's fruit looks:
  - good for food
  - pleasing to the eye
  - desirable for gaining wisdom.
  And Eve eats and Adam too.

Discontent and Comparison lie at the heart of so much heartache in the Scriptures.

• Cain compares himself to Abel and kills him.
• Joseph's brothers are jealous of his pretty coat and the favouritism it represents and sell him as a slave.
• The Israelites forget the whips and labour of Egypt and they think of the leeks and onions, and complain about Manna.
• Saul is Jealous because of a song the women sang about him and David and tries to kill David.
• David looks at Uriah's wife and wants her, even though he has wonderful wives already and so he takes Bathsheba and kills Uriah
• King Ahab is king over all of Israel but is jealous over Naboth's Vineyard and Jezebel has Naboth killed

I call it the "Tyranny of More"

Can you think of times when discontent, comparison and their meaner brother, jealousy have clouded your judgement, messed up your decisions and soured your life?

We should be vigilant and thoughtful...

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EmmDev 2026-09-04 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Seasoned Words #4 - How to do it...

Seasoned Words #4 - How to do it...

After laying a doctrinal foundation for eleven chapters, Paul now reminds the church in Rome to live out their faith practically. Part of this practical living is peacemaking, de-escalation and conflict resolution. Let's see what he says:

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans12:17-21)

How do we do all the things Paul is talking about?
How do we live in peace with everyone? How do we de-escalate anger, conflict and hostility?"

I think it takes three important steps:

1. PAUSE
   Slow down. Don't match the emotional temperature.
   Bring great calm into tense situations. Make sure you're not taking things personally and not acting out of emotion.
   
   
2. DISCERN
   What is actually happening?
   What's beneath these words?
   Where is emotion and anger blinding people?
   Where is there commonality?
   
   
3. SEASON
   Start with humility.
   Speak words that fit the moment.
   Make people feel heard and taken seriously.
   Make sure that what you are aiming for is to reveal grace and not your cleverness.

And, at the end of the day remember what the stakes are:
We are not trying to win arguments but to win people's hearts.
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EmmDevs will be pausing for two weeks...

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EmmDev 2026-09-03 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Seasoned Words #3 - Abigail's Example

Seasoned Words #3 - Abigail's Example

Our reading comes from the life of David, before he became king and while he was running from Saul. It was a tense and stressful time and a man named Nabal offended David greatly. The offense was so great that David set off to kill Nabal and wipe out his household.

Thankfully, Nabal's wife, Abigail, was a wise women who, when she heard about the offense, put together a wagon of supplies and set off to meet the furious David. Our reading is long, but the devotion is short...

Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. Then she told her servants, "Go on ahead; I'll follow you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal. As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there were David and his men descending toward her, and she met them. David had just said, "It's been useless -- all my watching over this fellow's property in the wilderness so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good. May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!" When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. She fell at his feet and said: "Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name -- his name means Fool, and folly goes with him. And as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my lord sent. And now, my lord, as surely as the Lord your God lives and as you live, since the Lord has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal. And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my lord, be given to the men who follow you. "Please forgive your servant's presumption. The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the Lord's battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live. Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel, my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant." (1Samuel25:18-34)

Abigail's quick thinking, positive action and sincere words are a really excellent example of how to de-escalate a volatile situation.

• Her generous gift to David and his men indicates her serious commitment to healing the rift.
• By coming alone she indicates both vulnerability and trust
• In her words Abigail is both humble and smart:
  - she acknowledges Nabal's failure,
  - she recognises David's destiny and the pressure he has been under,
  - and she is bold enough to show David that giving in to his anger will damage his reputation.

Her actions and attitude stop David in his tracks and he exclaims: "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands."

We are called, like Abigail, to be peace-makers.
Very often we will have to begin at a place of brokenness.
We will step into anger, tension, frustration and hurt.
And, with God's gracious help, we can bring calm and resolution.

Tomorrow we'll look at some practical how-to's...

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EmmDev 2026-09-02 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Seasoned Words #2 - Peacemakers

Seasoned Words #2 - Peacemakers

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew5:3-12)

There's really not much I can add to our reading.
Our world is full of war and conflict.
- Nation against nation
- Corporation against corporation
- Race, Culture and Tribe all locked in conflicts
- Gangs, Families, Spouses and Siblings damage each other with words, actions and inattention
- Friends and Neighbours are separated
- Religions, Ideals and Ideologies are at loggerheads.

And there's open conflict, hidden conflict and unspecified aggression.

And we're all hurting.

The Sermon on the Mount is the pinnacle (pun intended!) of Jesus' teaching.
In His striking introduction Jesus lists the nine groups of people as "blessed."
The seventh "blessed" is reserved for the peacemakers.
Those who de-escalate.
Those who are agents of reconciliation.
Those who reduce conflict, misunderstanding and aggression.

Each blessed state has its own reward: the Kingdom, comfort, the earth, being filled, mercy, seeing God or a great reward in heaven. However, to me, the reward of peacemaking is significant - being called "children of God."

And to some degree, the best peacemakers are those who are poor in spirit, who have mourned, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness and yet show mercy and remain pure in heart. And, interestingly, peacemakers are persecuted and insulted by those who don't want peace.

With our words, attitudes and closed-mindedness we can aid and abet conflict.
We need to make deep-rooted adjustments to undermine the powers that work against peace.
Being a peacemaker is not a hat we put on and take off as needed, it needs to be part of our nature.

When the deep desire for peace or wholeness or "shalom" is deeply rooted in us,
it seems that we most resemble God,
and people see it and call us His children.

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EmmDev 2026-09-01 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Seasoned Words #1 - De-escalation

Seasoned Words #1 - De-escalation

In the sixth week of our Wisdom Series we look at "Seasoned Words" which is all about conflict resolution, de-escalation and peace-making in a world where outrage, conflict and vilification is the order of the day.

The book of Proverbs lays a great foundation by recognising the importance of the tongue. The tongue is a box of matches that can start great fires. We need to learn to use it well.

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. 4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. 18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. 23 A man finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word! (Proverbs15:1-23)

We have some modern-day proverbs too. My favourite two are:
"Words are like toothpaste, once they've been squeezed out you can't put them back."
"Make sure your brain is engaged before putting your mouth into gear."

But let's reflect on the proverbs we've read...

• vs.1 We all know that it is not only the words, but the tone with which they are delivered. Spouses know the subtleties of this one... "What's wrong honey?" "Nothing..." (When "Nothing" is spoken with folded arms, averted eyes and monotone you know trouble is brewing!) When harsh words are countered with harsh words, tempers flare quickly. But when harsh words are met with an even and reasonable tone, it calms the conversation.
  
  
• vs.2 Jesus warned that whatever fills the heart will flow from the mouth. When we feed our hearts and minds garbage, the mouth will echo that. It's amazing how people who didn't swear and cuss will eventually begin to do that if everyone around them and the movies that they watch do that. Wholesome talk (output) flows from wholesome input.
  
  
• vs.4 I find it so interesting that in this proverb, deceit functions as the opposite of healing. This is a very sobering thought. When our words are constructive, uplifting and affirming, we bring healing and this healing is a tree of life. Look at environments where this kind of speaking is the norm. People flourish, laughter abounds and self-images are solid. Look at environments where deceit, division and manipulation are the norm. What do you find there? Crushed spirits. (I can't imagine a greater sadness.)
  
  
• vs.7 The contrast here is striking. The wise spread knowledge with their LIPS, but although fools spread folly through their words, it is their HEARTS that the proverb writer sees. This should give us serious pause for thought.
  
  
• vs.18 The hot-tempered man stirs dissension, the patient man calms a quarrel. This speaks of an inner state. The hot-tempered person lives with anger that is ready to emerge at any point. Dissension gives them a place to vent. The opposite is patience, someone who is more at rest in themselves. Their peace is contagious.
  
  
• v.23 All our other verses have contrasted the positive and the negative. This verse dwells on the powerful benefit of a constructive and thoughtful tongue. It celebrates the apt reply and the timely word. Choosing the right tone, the appropriate words at the right time yields a result that is good and brings joy to the speaker. This should be our goal.

As we go into this week of seasoned words, may our words be constructive and timely and reflect a wholeness and patience within us that we nurture and protect.

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