Humor In Pentecost

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[ Originally From: mbasset@iconn.net (Mark Bassett) ]
[              To: higher-fire@prairienet.org       ]
[         Subject: Re: Humor In Pentecost           ]
[         Reason : Checksum Error Rejection         ]

Seems like I had a few random thoughts here, so, before plugging into
an 8 hour work day ... for your consideration. (Don't remember who
wrote the quotes included here, but I appreciated them... Bro. Foster
perhaps ?)

On Wed, 10 Apr 1996 04:03:39 -0400 (EDT), you wrote:

>I understand you adversity toward the slang and sometimes questionable usage
>of the english language, and the need to be careful with humorous
>situations, 

And we all should be. This has less to do with godliness than with
manners and good behavior which we call civilization. We have people
whose ideas cover a quite a range. Some are of the notion that
offenses were made to distinusih the righteous' ability to notice,
while others seem to think that civilization itself is antichrist.

Nevertheless, we are the salt and the light of a formidable
generation. However we meet that challenge, it will have included some
self-restraint and some refusal to compromise. Is that too broad ? :)

>I have used humor in many instances to gather together the audience I am
>about to preach to. 

Perhaps some have not noticed that humor is the most powerful
converter of the human consciousness on the scene today. EVERYTHING is
supposed to be "funny". People respond to humor. Humor is an essential
part of life. Study humor, ... it has been around for a long, long
time. The Bible is full of what we would call the humor of pathos. 

One essence of himor is to allow a person to have a comfortable and
safe place to reflect upon a matter. From this vantage point, a person
commits his actions in full view of the alternatives. He is relaxed,
he feels free to decide for himself. He is comforted in a momentary
cessation of the pressure and stress of thinking and responding "on
his feet". 

Those of us who tend AWAY from the errors of protestant Calvanism
appreciate humor for this reason. People respond from the heart when
they are treated well. 

Calvanist leaning preachers, on the other hand, see humor as a
defiance of the seriousness of the purpose of God. In thier minds, man
is reduced to a helpless and flighty imp who needs to be driven to
escape his natural inclinations. Others however, believe that man is
OFFERED the door of the gospel, and in this love and grace, God
continues to show a high respect to the free will of man.

>Two of the many preachers I know that have effected many of the meetings I
>have attended are Ron Libby and Jeff Arnold, but use humor and it has it's
>effect.

Both of these guys no doubt canget in hort water from time to time
also. However, as those of us who know will admit, they are both VERY
effective preachers, and godly men.

Those who have been with Billy Cole much know also that he can change
gears on a dime. An interested mind is an available mind. One that
looks as sober as a banker may also be a thousand miles away from the
pew which it seems to occupy.

>My conclusion is Joy is certainly of God, Humor is not of the devil, but is
>part of the human experience.  My advise.....don't take being Pentecostal
>too serious you might develope a sanctimonious attitude that will drive away
>people that need God.  

Amen! Lets not be scared of being *normal* !

Finally, I would like to know HOW one would propose to take
spontenaity, fun and lively conversation OUT of the children of God ?

Seems like thats a pretty good representation of what I got when I
tossed out my long, sad, religious face on the wall after receiving
the Holy Ghost :)