Good Clean Fun

"This is a laid-back Sunday," the dealer said during a recent poker outing.  "If you have any dirty jokes to tell...."

Trouble is, he made that invitation to the wrong person.  "No," we admitted.  "I only know the clean ones."

Whether you're at the poker table or in a workplace, this advice from the Bible could come in handy:

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient; but rather giving thanks. - Ephesians 5:3-4 (KJV)

Some people look at verses like this and conclude God hates any kind of fun - far beyond a poker game, maybe even joke-telling.  But this is another case where a change in Bible translation makes a big difference....

Nor should there be any obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. - Ephesians 5:4 (NIV)

We're led to think the emphasis of this warning is against "X-rated" language and humor.  After all, the Bible shows God sometimes laughs.  Really.

...But the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. - Psalm 37:13

Some of the things which make God laugh might surprise you.  We did a Bible study about that several years ago, when we wrote comedy to make a living.  Well, we tried to write comedy.  These days, we feel more likely to make money with a straight than a punch line -- but we'll throw in a one-liner at the table from time to time.