Jon Acuff's Blog, page 178

Vietnam Update

Last November, the readers of Stuff Christians Like came together and did something crazy with God. I asked you to help raise $30,000 to build a kindergarten in Vietnam. I'd never asked for money before. I gave you no advanced notification. I used Facebook, Twitter and this blog. I thought it would take us 6 weeks.

We raised the $30,000 in 18 hours.

Blown away by the generosity we ended up doubling down and building two kindergartens for a total of $60,000. Today I am excited to share a photo o...

Too much grace.

A few weeks ago, someone online requested a DVD copy of me being sent to hell. When I told my youngest brother Bennett this, his reaction was simple:

"Oh come on! DVD? Doesn't heaven have better technology than that at this point? At the bare minimum I have to believe they've got Blu-ray."

He makes a good point. If the movies "Piranha" and "Step Up" are in 3D I assume heaven is using some sort of hologram technology. But that's not really the point of this. The point is that someone felt I was ...

Break up books.

The other day on a plane, I saw that the girl behind me was reading a book called "Before you get engaged." I immediately thought, "That has got to be a Christian book."

So when we started unloading the plane I asked her if it was. She verified my assumption was right. Then I asked her, "Does your boyfriend know you are going to dump him?"

OK, I didn't say that, but I would bet your pick of any three of my internal organs that they break up because of that book. We've talked before about how...

Suddenly realizing you're more conservative than you used to be.

I was surprised by my reaction to Jack Black's prayer to satan. Not that I expected a certain reaction, I hadn't planned for that moment, but my response still caught me off guard.

Last year at an MTV awards ceremony, actor/comedian Jack Black came out ridiculously dressed in a crazy muscle outfit. As part of a gag, he asked the audience gathered there to pray to satan. Here's the transcript of what he said:

"Since we're giving a rock reward tonight, who wants to pray to the devil with me...

Houston come hang out tonight!

I'm speaking in Houston tonight. You should come. I just talked with the church and they said I could invite my friends.

Here are the details:

Watters Road Church of Christ. Pasadena, 7:00PM

3616 Watters Road

Pasadena, TX 77504-2330

Here is the church website.

Want to Guest Post on Stuff Christians Like?

I would love for you to write a guest post.

What does it take? Here are 7 things to keep in mind:

1. The topic has to be unique to Christians.

"Hating to wait in line" is a bad topic to write about on SCL because that is not unique to Christians. Bipeds hate to wait in line. "Singing hymns while waiting in line" would fit however.

2. It has to be true.

Honesty is the cornerstone of humor. Blow it up, exaggerate it, expand it, but try to start with something that is true. Write about something...

What are you praying about?

Today's short Saturday question is simple. What are you praying about?

What's something kicking around in your head or heart right now?

What can the readers of Stuff Christians Like pray about for you today?

Overcommitting to God in Worship

(I'm not going to lie, if Becky and Joanna had not turned in a guest post, I probably would have just linked to the angry, public letter the Cavs owner wrote about LeBron James leaving his team last night. It was classic. But when someone breaks up with you, it's not time to write a letter, it's time to start doing P90X and getting all hott with two t's to make them jealous. Rookie move. I digress. Becky actually dragged her kids from Rhode Island to Massachusetts to hang out with my family w...

Sitting on dubs.

Yesterday, I did an hour long radio interview, during which I uttered the following statements:

1. My love language is like LeBron James', adoration.

2. The first rule of Holy Spirit, is that there is a Holy Spirit.

3. I'm not sure I'll be sitting in dubs in heaven.

All in all, it was a delightful experience. You can listen to the MP3 of it right here.

When Christians try to convert Christians.

This is going to surprise you, but sometimes, I put my foot in my mouth. Mostly, it happens when I am awake.

One time, a few years ago, I was in a big meeting with the CEO of our 3,000 person company. Our CFO had been let go. I asked the CEO a question that started with me complimenting him on how they handled the whole CFO situation. Only when it came out of my mouth, I said this, "After the whole CEO situation, …"

He, being the CEO, immediately said, "I think you mean CFO." Now most people...