A Proverb a Day Keeps the Devil Away applies the principles of God found in the Book of Proverbs to daily living. Illustrations are used to trigger the memories of its readers to past and present experiences in life; hopefully, causing the lesson of each devotion to profoundly impact the reader. These illustrations stem from relationships, home, work, play, decisions, reactions, thoughts, injustice and justice. Some are humorous and some very serious. Each one demonstrates the theme of that verse. The Book of Proverbs is as timely as time itself. Times have changed but people have not. They still face the hard issues of life: the same fears and hurts, the same temptations and sin, the same struggle with what is right and wrong, and the same questions about what role God really plays in their life. This devotional study aids its readers in getting a grip on these challenges. Philip Ayers was born in Roanoke, Virginia, on March 2nd, 1948. He is the second born of a family of five. Very early in his life, his family moved to Salem, Virginia, where he resided until he joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of seventeen. He served in the Viet Nam conflict. He was wounded three times, and was awarded the Navy Commendation Metal with Combat "V" for heroic action in the face of the enemy. Philip played quarterback for the Marine Corps' national football team, the Quantico Marines. He was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant. Philip was saved on March 30th, 1980. Jesus Christ called him to ministry in 1981. He is the pastor of a local church in Roanoke, Virginia. He brings a large pool of experience and Bible knowledge to his readers.

For Mike Smith, a daily devotional time with God is essential for his spiritual health. As a young believer, he was challenged to read a Proverb a day. There are thirty-one Proverbs, and whatever is the numerical day of the month, he reads the corresponding Proverb. There is a reason Proverbs belongs to the wisdom literature of the Bible. Proverbs is packed with the little practical gems of advice for daily living. Mike has also gained much wisdom from his family, and in the book, he shares personal insights gleaned from various family members. A Proverb a Day is a devotional book with biblical interpretation and personal application. It is a good book for those just getting started in the habit of daily devotions, and yet it provides inspiration for more seasoned believers.

Poverty reduction is a worldwide concern, yet if the church is to play an effective role in its alleviation, an approach that is both biblical and contextual is required. In Poverty, the Bible, and Africa, Isaac Boaheng formulates a theology of poverty that engages Scripture, African traditional wisdom, and contemporary African concerns to create a paradigm for understanding and alleviating poverty in Africa. Boaheng highlights that, whatever our cultural context, God frowns upon materialism, extravagance, and love for riches; yet the author also demonstrates why a contextual theology must address people’s societal and cultural needs alongside spiritual ones. If we desire a model for poverty reduction that is both theologically sound and contextually appropriate, we must facilitate an encounter between the teachings of Scripture and the socio-economic, political, and religious realities of a particular context. Combining in-depth cultural analysis with careful exegetical reflection, this book offers refreshing insight into the challenge of confronting poverty in Africa. Boaheng’s approach, however, is relevant far beyond the continent and is transferable to any context where others are seeking to effectively understand and combat poverty.

African Proverbs for All Ages is a beautifully-illustrated, engaging picture book about the power of proverbs, how they evolve over time, and the wisdom of various cultures in Africa. It has been said that a proverb is a short sentence based on long experience. Whether you are young or old, proverbs can open your mind to a whole new way of seeing the world. We underestimate children when we assume they are incapable of understanding metaphor and deeper meaning. There are multiple ways that children learn, but for each method by which they learn, they need their imagination engaged and their visual sensibilities ignited. And as adults, we underestimate ourselves when we allow our lives to be about practical matters only. Proverbs can stir our soul and spark our imagination. --Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D. President Emerita of Spelman and Bennett Colleges In African Proverbs for All Ages, noted anthropologist and educator Dr. Johnetta Betsch Cole and award-winning illustrator Nelda LaTeef invite children and adults to explore and reflect on complex notions about relationships, identity, society, and the human condition. A Roaring Brook Press and Oprah Book

Sensitive to both literary form and theological content, Derek Kidner introduces Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes, explaining their basic character and internal structure. He also summarizes and evaluates the wealth of modern criticism focused on each book. Looking at all three books together, Kidner shows how their many voices compare, contrast and ultimately give a unified view of life.

Through firsthand research and personal relationships, Suzanne Woods Fisher has collected more than 400 proverbs that uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Plain People. These proverbs serve as teaching tools and maxims for practical living--but they're not just for the Amish. They're for anyone who seeks God's wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances. Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with you through life's joys and sorrows. This expanded edition of Amish Proverbs includes more than 200 additional proverbs, giving readers more of the wit and wisdom they crave.

From the best-selling author of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and After Dark, a rich and revelatory memoir about writing and running, and the integral impact both have made on his life. In 1982, having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, Haruki Murakami began running to keep fit. A year later, he’d completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and now, after dozens of such races, not to mention triathlons and a slew of critically acclaimed books, he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and—even more important—on his writing. Equal parts training log, travelogue, and reminiscence, this revealing memoir covers his four-month preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon and includes settings ranging from Tokyo’s Jingu Gaien gardens, where he once shared the course with an Olympian, to the Charles River in Boston among young women who outpace him. Through this marvellous lens of sport emerges a cornucopia of memories and insights: the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer, his greatest triumphs and disappointments, his passion for vintage LPs and the experience, after the age of fifty, of seeing his race times improve and then fall back. By turns funny and sobering, playful and philosophical, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is both for fans of this masterful yet guardedly private writer and for the exploding population of athletes who find similar satisfaction in distance running.