Thought for April 1, 2024

•  1748: Ruins of Pompeii discovered
• 1778: Oliver Pollock creates the $ symbol
• 1889: First dishwashing machine marketed
• 1891: The Wrigley Company founded
• 1905: SOS adopted as distress signal
• 1927: First automatic record changer--His Master's Voice
• 1929: Louis Marx introduces the yo-yo
• 1930: Bobby Jones begins his Grand Slam season
• 1934: Clyde Barrow kills two young highway patrolmen
• 1945: Battle of Okinawa
• 1952: Big Bang theory proposed
• 1954: Air Force Academy established
• 1967: Department of Transportation begins operation
• 1976: Apple Computer founded
• 1982: Canal Zone transferred to Panama
• 2000: Michelle Kwan wins her third World Figure Skating Gold
• 2004: Gmail introduced
• Born: William Harvey [circulation of blood], Otto Von Bismarck, Edgar Wallace [King Kong], Bo Schembechler, Debbie Reymolds, Jim ED Brown, Ali McGraw, Phil Niekro, Samuel Alito, 
• Died: Benjamin Pierce, Scott Joplin, William Newell ["At Calvary"], Helena Rubenstein, Marvin Gaye, John Forsythe

Thought:

What will you do for April Fools Day? Some trace the celebration to 1582 when the calendar was changed from Julian to Gregorian and the first of the year went from April 1 to January 1. Some people didn’t get the word and celebrated the new year on April 1--April Fools. Others trace the day to Roman times when March 31 was celebrated as "Hilaria" when people wore disguises and made fun of others. Recall some of the famous pranks:

• 1957:  BBC runs a report on Swiss farmers harvesting spaghetti
• 1985: George Plimpton writes an article about Sidd Finch, a pitcher who could throw 188 MPH
• 1962: Swedish television runs a story that black and white television can be seen in color by viewing through nylon stockings--many try it
• 1994: PC Magazine runs an article saying Congress will prohibit using the internet while intoxicated.
• 1996: Taco Bell announces it has purchased the Lberty Bell and will now name it Taco Bell
• 1998: People believe Alabama passes a law changing Pi [3.14159 etc.] to 3. Of course Indiana actually passed a law in 1897 fixing Pi at 3.2.
• 2008: BBC presents a documentary on flying penguins [available on You Tube]
• 2015: Cottonelle tweets that it will begin offering left-handed toilet paper.

Continuing to read the account of the events following the resurrection. Today, I am pondering John 20:19-23. It is the evening of resurrection Sunday. The followers of Jesus have gathered. Have you ever thought about what they were talking about that night? The women had been to the empty tomb. Angels had spoken, "He is not dead, He is risen." Peter and John had been to the tomb as well. Luke says, John "saw and believed." [20:8]. Peter and John had returned to the city. The disciples who had dispersed in fear now gathered again. We pick on Thomas as not believing, but can you imagine the conversations among all the followers--John believes, Peter did not understand. The women must be mistaken. When I see it I'll believe it. Could it be true? Do you recall what He said? How do I feel when I do not understand God's moving, God's timing, God's plan? Discouraged, confused, wavering faith, fear, doubt. And then Jesus speaks--Peace be with you. He says it twice. 

Think about that this morning. When things are confusing, scary. When I am afraid, anxious, in doubt. Listen! My peace be with you. If I have the peace that passes understanding, what happens to my doubts and fears? Where does my anxiety go? I am at peace with Jesus and in His peace I become like the disciples in the boat on the stormy sea. He whispers and the waves obey. He says "shush" and the wind calms. His victory over the grave and death purchased my peace. This brings to mind a story my grandfather told me. The Southern Baptist Convention was meeting at the Baptist Tabernacle on Luckie Street in Atlanta [now Olympic Park]. The meeting was filled with argument, conflict, disagreement. So the leader asked for everyone to take pen and paper and write down everything that was wrong with the Convention. They took up the stacks of papers. The people waited. The leader reported---there seems to be a lot wrong with our convention, but not a single person said there was anything wrong with our Savior! A man in the balcony started singing, "Amazing grace how sweet the sound." Everyone joined in--peace was restored. It started that night in the upper room--"Peace be with you." Because He lives--we have His peace.

Blessings

Larry