Only for fools

The timing of April Fool's Day this year, (just one day after the Resurrection), makes an interesting conversation starter. Can you imagine how difficult it was for the original disciples to:

a. Believe that Jesus had been raised from the dead?
b. Tell others about it!

They would have seemed like crazy fools. 

And yet, here we are - 2000 years later, still talking about the miracle of the Resurrection. If it had been a silly joke, it wouldn't have gained any traction, and the idea of the Resurrection would have soon faded from memory. However, the reality of this miracle continued to gather momentum amongst the disciples and as soon as Jesus appeared to them, they no longer felt so foolish.

Thought: There are people that still think we are foolish to believe in Jesus and the Resurrection. I am content to be considered a fool.

Psalm 2:1 - "What fools the nations are to rage against the Lord! How strange that men should try to outwit God!"

Living in Grace

D3LM3

April Fools

On this April Fool's day is it worth thinking through the fact that every generation produces it's fair share of fools. No matter how much we study history, people still keep repeating the same mistakes from the past. It is little wonder that Solomon has nearly 30 references to fools or foolish ways in the book of Proverbs.

 

Proverbs 1:22 -“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

Proverbs 13:20 - Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

Proverbs 23:9 - Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.

So, before we point our fingers at the 'fools' out there, let us make every effort to check our lives first.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The month of Fools

April is known as the month of 'Fools' in some circles. I am not sure about the whole month, but at least the first of April is called "April Fools Day." In keeping with this theme I came across some interesting quotes on being a Fool, as well as some thought provoking words from the Scriptures.

Enjoy these thoughts and may we all ask God to help us act with less foolish than in the past.

“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” - Søren Kierkegaard

“Any fool can criticize, complain, and condemn—and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” - Dale Carnegie

“When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools.” - William Shakespeare, King Lear

How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord! Only fools refuse to be taught. Listen to your father and mother. What you learn from them will stand you in good stead; it will gain you many honours.” – Proverbs 1:7-9

Ephesians 5:15-16 - So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

April Fools - Lent #25

Solomon has a fair amount to say about fools, so I thought that on this "April Fools Day" we should reflect on some of these words. He actually mentions 'fools' over 70 times in the book of Proverbs, eleven of which appear in Proverbs 26 alone.

"Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool. Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!" - Proverbs 26:1

"Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool." - Proverbs 26:8


"Pound on a fool all you like—
you can’t pound out foolishness." - Proverbs 27:22 (Message)

It seems that our world is not short on foolish people - we see them at every turn. However, best we reflect on our own lives before other people refer to us as being 'foolish'. There is a thin line between farce and  honour.

I leave the last thoughts on foolishness to Paul. This is what he had to say to the church in Corinth.

• "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18

Don't be counted among the foolish this Holy Week.

Living in Grace
D3LM3