Jon Acuff's Blog, page 177

The most dangerous vehicle on the road.

Last weekend, my wife and I went to Nashville. It was a lovely time full of loveliness and lovely sights that we loved. But, on the way back to Atlanta, we almost got run off the road.

Out of nowhere, a powerful, possibly haunted, vehicle stormed up behind me. I shifted over into the right lane with my cat like reflexes and let them pass on the left. Despite the 85MPH blur that drove by me, I was able to identify the most dangerous vehicle on the road …

The church youth group van.

If you've...

One letter that changes everything.

"So why are you airing our dirty laundry in front of the world? They already hate us, why give them ammunition?"

Someone online told me that a few weeks ago about something I wrote concerning us Christians. Their fear was that I was adding more fuel to an already ugly fire. Their concern was that the world already feels we're hypocritical or fake or unloving, do we really want to agree with them? And I honestly thought they were asking a very smart, kind-hearted question. Should we really...

"Serenity Now," Seinfeld as a Thriller.

This is the funniest thing I've seen in a long, long time. What a difference editing and mournful music can make. Perfect, perfect Seinfeld clip. What if Seinfeld was a thriller? Video after jump.

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Predicting the end of the world too often.

"What sort of aquatic hell hound is this?" [image error]

That was my first thought when I played go fish with my kids and this spawn of satan popped up. Look at it. It's got a horse's head, a dolphin's flippers and Prince's hair from the Purple Rain video.

It's horrifying. It's hideous. That isn't a sunset in the background, that's blood from the people it undoubtedly murdered much like the sharks in what was LL Cool J's best fish based films, "Deep Blue Sea."

It might just be the fourth horseman of the...

Becoming an expert on Africa after a 6-day mission trip.

"Please tell everyone that our streets are not chock full of lions."

That's the sentiment a reader in South Africa wanted me to share. Apparently, he felt like Christians in America sometimes believe Africa is very similar to the Disney movie, "Swiss Family Robinson."

Remember that one? They lived in a tree house and ate coconuts and zebra. They had monkey butlers and were constantly worried about wild animals and/or pirates.

Although the pirate phenomenon is making a spirited comeback, I'm...

5 reasons

I haven't mentioned the Stuff Christians Like book in a few months, but today I thought of a few reasons you should pick up a copy:

1. It's full of brand new, never before seen ideas. (More than 80)

2. It's got what I think is the best Serious Wednesday post in it. (Mustard ice cream and the broken bowl.)

3. It makes a fun group study book. (Folks are studying the running themes like guilt and fakeness. I'm starting to skype in and discuss the book with them.)

4. It's illustrated, so your kids...

Win 1 of 5 free books.

I just started reading the new book "Imaginary Jesus." It's by a guy named Matt Mikalatos. Turns out Matt and his publisher are cool with us giving out 5 free copies to readers of Stuff Christians Like. As a big fan of "free books," I figured that might work well.

So, enter by leaving a comment on this post by Tuesday, July 20th.

Here's the question:

"If you spent the afternoon with Jesus, what do you imagine you two would do?"

That's it. Let's read free books.

Let's check out Imaginary Jesus.

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Having a Spiritually Competent Conversation (or at least the impression of it)

(I'm sorting through dozens of awesome guest posts right now. One that came my way is from Michael Kelly. You might remember him from the prosperity gospel post. He writes great stuff and this is proof of that. Enjoy.)

Perhaps you've been in an awkward situation like this one. You are leaving a conversation about Lady GaGa and Skittles. It was an enjoyable time, and you felt like you held your own nicely. People appreciated your wit and cultural relevance. But though you are adept in...

I can't stop watching the Old Spice Guy.

He's unstoppable. Here are four different versions. In the first, someone copies the style with their own message. In the second, he responds to Alyssa Milano, of "Who's the Boss," fame. In the third, he proposes to someone for a twitter follower. In the fourth he addresses someone who said they would name their kid "Old Spice." Big fan of these. Probably about 14 minutes until someone develops a church version.

First Video – Spin Off

Second Video – Proposal

Video 3 – Alyssa Milano

Video...

Hating Harry Potter, giving Gandalf a free pass.

Once upon a time, there was a wizard. Though his background was shrouded in mystery, there was little doubt he was the most powerful wizard in the land. He had a deadly enemy, but good friends, including a red headed guy he always hung out with. People that should have loved him, once instead made him spend his nights in a small, prison like room. He rode the backs of winged animals and had a bitter rival who hated him. Christians had an incredibly strong reaction to the books he was in...