Humor In Pentecost

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Bro. Adam spake, in part concerning some 
humor I forwarded to H-F yesterday:

* My point is simple:  On a mailing list such as Higher-Fire which is
* supposedly  moderated by Apostolics/Pentecostals such as myself, why are the
* words "heck" and "H***" being used in the context of a joke?  For that
* matter, why not blatantly use the word "HELL" instead of hiding behind a
* cowardly shield of asterisks?

Hmmmmm... when I recieved this from a "Joke of the Day List" (JOTDL) that 
doesn't send out a bit of humor each and every day, I realized that the 
"heck" that the listowner of the JOTDL isn't probably christian since he
is an equal opportunity jokester.  So, I took the particular language that
he used in the description of weather in Minneapolis much like I would if
I were hearing it in my own ears from an unbeliever.  I wasn't alarmed by
the use of "heck".  Maybe because in this context "heck", though implicit
in referring to hell, is what I would call a correct statement.  As I absorb
scripture, I realize that the fires of hell are hot hot hot in which the
comparison of it to Minneapolis is quite dramatic and true.  I didn't 
take the context of that particular phrase as vulgar swearing or with real
strong emphasis.  To me it was just a set up to the remainder of the Winter
Weather Thermometer.

However, in that same post, when the description of the temperatures at
minus sixty degrees originally stated HELL, or that HELL FREEZES OVER, I 
did take that somewhat offensively and seriously considered deleting it
from the humor forwarded.  At the same time, I thought there was some 
value (albeit little) in keeping it as part of the joke as being semi-
censored with the *bleeping* out of the main word of offense.  In contrast 
to the "heck" phrase, I did find that the HELL phrase was questionable and 
potentially dangerous.  I realize that it was still just another phrase of 
words, that particular combination, I couldn't completely ignore.  Maybe 
I should have exercised my email scissors and performed a HELLectomy, or 
should have HADESized or GEHANNAcized or some other equivalent.  

* After all we're Pentecostals, not David Lettermen!  [sic]

Yup... I understand.  At the same time, I take it that some saints out
there might be in high-stress situations that maybe a little laughter
can help to lighten the load and help them get through the day a little
easier.  I see it as medicinal.  

* So, here comes my topic for discussion...Should there be humor in Pentecost?

Definitely!  Just like in all things, there's a season for it.  I don't
think humor is appropriate at funerals, preaching of the word, the altar call,
or other times during a worship service or even a business meeting....  On the
other hand, humor is one of the best gifts we can share during fellowship with
the brethren and sistren after service when we go over to the fellowship hall
or go out to eat, etc. 

* I understand the need for joy in Pentecost, but do we really need levity and
* humor?  My stand on this argument is that Joy is from God and Humor is of
* the Devil.  Any rebuttals?

Joy definitely comes from God.  After all it is of the fruit of the Spirit.
I personally love to laugh.  I like a good laugh via the means of a good
joke or I love it when the Spirit of the Lord comes upon me and I begin to
laugh.  

I believe that God has a sense of humor.  And I believe that as we are made
in the image of God, we have one too!

This is kinda like an argument about the use, misuse, abuse of about anything
that is questionable.  Good and bad sides to it.  My intention to post those
were not to tear anybody down and make them feel bad.  I was hoping that there
might be someone out there that would indeed benefit by a little break in the
posts to Higher-Fire.  Like I said, maybe it helped to get someone over the
edge of a sticky problem by having a release of laughter.  Maybe some 
endorphins are released into the bloodstream that would eliminate or reduce
pain.  Maybe some additional white blood cells were created and sent on their
way to an infection.  Maybe someone was depressed and just needed a little 
shot of humor.  Maybe a little jolt of humor is good to kinda perform a soft
reboot of the mind.

I think humor is good.  Especially in it's place.

Bro. Tyler
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