Nick the Geek's Comments

Awesomologist : The Illusive Rapture

Tue, 9 Nov 2010 22:15:32 +0000

I've spent a good deal of my life reading what Jesus says, what Daniel says, what Paul says, and what John says. I tend to believe there will be a Great Tribulation, but I don't hold to some of the die hard statements on when the rapture will take place. It seems to be left intentionally blank, but historically and Biblically the Church has never been spared persecution, so I feel "pretrib" rapture tends to be something that exists because of pampered theologians that have not experienced real persecution. I also feel mid trib, (strict mid trib) is just an arbitrary interpretation without clear support. When it comes down to it, the church cannot experience God's wrath. The blood of the Lamb was spilled for that already. In a time of upheaval, the death and persecution of Christians, I don't believe things will be anything like the movies, I'm not sure we will be missed, and if we are it will just be to solidify the power of the antichrist.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Putting the wrong Bible verse on things.

Tue, 9 Nov 2010 14:32:32 +0000

Honestly, I think "thou shalt not commit adultery" on smarties takes the win. I'm not sure if an affair has ever been stopped by candy with Bible verses on it, if so I'll take that back. I've never seen it, but it has to exist. Someone in the world has to have Leviticus 19:28 tattooed on them somewhere. That would definitely be right up there with anti adultery candy.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Leaving church before it's over.

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 14:53:04 +0000

thanks for asking, I am still limping, but much better thanks to advice from CandySteele.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Leaving church before it's over.

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 14:35:58 +0000

I have never left church early, in fact I'm there long after everyone else. I'm holy like that. Also, it's my job to lock the doors and set the alarm. I have had many folks walk otu while I'm preaching. At first it bothered me, but then I realized the ones that leave will leave at the same time every Sunday. 11:50. A couple I know do so because they have to get to work, and a couple I know do so because ... well lets not go there. I've also done a billion embarrassing things in church, since I spend so much time there it's bound to happen. Just yesterday I was asked to demonstrate "rejoice" before the service. I read Philippians 4:4 and talked about sporting events, then I put the mic down and reenacted the crowd reaction to seeing their team pull off the last second win. One the first leap/scream I felt something very painful in my calf, but I went on for another 10-20 seconds jumping and screaming. Then I talked for a minute about rejoicing in church "and there was much rejoicing (unenthusiastic) 'yay'" and tried to walk off the platform without limping too obviously. Apparently you should stretch before rejoicing after you turn 30.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Listening to devil music.

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 17:30:13 +0000

I think I would mostly agree with it, though as you said "glorifies" is a debatable term. This is why I closed my original comment with this statement "How can we hope to stand firm in our faith when out inner thoughts are filled with the ungodly?" I have intentionally read books I knew were "ungodly" because I felt it was important to know what they said, other religious books, philosophy works that tear down God, and even fictional books that set out to destroy the Christian world view in a very intentional way. I have watched offensive documentaries, and even listened to music I feel is clearly glorifying the ungodly, to know what is happening. This is inherently different than filling myself with the ungodly. Even in that, I do not believe these things can destroy out salvation, they are powerful but not nearly that powerful, instead they weaken us like a non lethal poison might. Again I say, how can we hope to stand firm if our inner thoughts are filled with the ungodly? (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Listening to devil music.

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 16:53:30 +0000

I think I would agree that "ungodly" is a great definition of filth.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Listening to devil music.

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 16:49:51 +0000

I think we probably agree more than not on this. Chances are good that most of your music collection would not offend me in any way, unless you listen to rap or country, then I would be offended in the sense that I just don't care for that style on a personal level.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Listening to devil music.

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 16:46:55 +0000

I partially agree. For example, when I said "metallica" I wasn't intending to use that as an example of evil music, but of music that I haven't listened to in a long time, which is still within me. I think their music is among the best of their genre. I also believe there are a great many folks who feel they should only listen to Christian music, I am not among them. I congratulate them, but I'm not there. I believe there are many examples of music I don't listen to that are acceptable in a general sense, but maybe not for me. Still, there are absolutes and we corrupt ourselves. Yes, grace is a powerful thing and we are free to be able to listen to such as we want, even if it is outright and overtly evil. However, we are much strengthened by abstaining from the corrupting influences where possible. A great, though aging, example is "I kissed a girl" by Katy Perry. This song was wildly popular when it came out. As a youth pastor I try to keep up with popular music and I began hearing my students make a lot of references to this song. A LOT of references. They were often surprised when I picked up on them, and possibly shocked when I would talk to them about the song and what it glorifies. Never did I tell them they can't listen to it. I led them down the road, pointing to truth and letting them make their own decision. This is a pretty mild song compared to many out there, but it is very catchy and had my students talking about girl girl relationships in quasi coded references for a good long time. The only good part is that it gave me an opportunity for teaching with my students.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Listening to devil music.

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 15:42:00 +0000

many words are subjective in our culture, but those things are not so subjective in the Bible. The Bible is pretty clear on the correct context for sex, what constitutes violence, how we should approach money, and pretty much every subject that might fall under this. Yes some might try to add to it. Some may, for example, say the Song of Solomon is "filth" because it addresses sex, but it does so within the confines of the Biblical boundaries and using wisdom to teach. That's the problem, we all try to do what we think is right in our own eyes, but do we really ask God what eh thinks is right? Read Psalms 119. It paints a magnificent picture of the Law as something which should be sought and cherished. Culturally I think we see the Law as something to be discarded since we are now free, or something to be twisted into a bludgeon so we can beat others down. In Christ we should desire to please God, not try to see just how much we can get away with by arguing that I am free to watch porn because I think it is beautiful, not filth. (not saying this is your argument, I'm just following the "subjective" argument to the logical end if there are no boundaries)

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Listening to devil music.

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:55:05 +0000

I agree, there are plenty of things that are not Christian which I feel fall within the purview of this verse. I read many books that are not Christian, but which I would say are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. There are many non-Christian bands that fit this bill too. Certainly there is a world of Art outside the strict Christian venue which would fall under this verse. There is also a ton of filth that we fill ourselves with every day. Filth that has real power. Honestly I believe music to be among the most powerful influences because of its lasting power, the fact that we get songs stuck in our heads for hours on end. I'd much rather it be something extolling Christ, or at least something pure, than something glorifying destructive behavior such as violence or sex outside the God given boundaries.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Listening to devil music.

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:50:05 +0000

I never said suppress or regulate, that is the realm of law not faith. There is a difference between abstaining from that which the Spirit would object to, and censoring those things. Paul does not qualify what is "pure" but I think we can agree that highly sexual/violent art would not qualify as the Biblical concept of pure. Inf act, if we look, the world was destroyed because of "violence" "this is ok for me" is a very slippery slope. This is the attitude that led time and time again to israel's unfaithfulness. "And each did what was right in their own eyes." Not "an each did what was evil in their own eyes." They figured they were doing the right thing, but ignoring the Truth. Biblically there has always been a sense of absolute. Yes we are now free form the law, but was are also now slaves to righteousness. All things are permissible, but not all things are profitable. These balances are found throughout the New Testament, and tend to be ignored in favor of our own self interests. Also, please note, I have yet to say a specific style, or genre of music or art is inherently evil. I haven't even said that Christian music is the only acceptable music. There is plenty of music outside the church which is "pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy." However, there is a great deal that sounds great and is popular, so Christians try to justify it without really weighing the influence it has on their lives. If a Christian has honestly wrestled and prayed over something I might find objectionable and can say that it fits these Biblical concepts, then good for them. They are following Christ and not their own interests, but most folks I know haven't really done that. They are spiritually lazy and apathetic to the call of the Spirit because the most important thing in their life is them, not God. Again, I'm not saying this as a judgment of you. You haven't said enough on this matter, I am saying this as my experience with people I actually know.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Listening to devil music.

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:17:57 +0000

I wouldn't' disagree with type/style of music. Like I said, the devil music comment is a joke. However, we are admonished to build each other up in love and grace. As Christians it is our responsibility to help each other, and as a pastor it is a mandate that I teach these things. " Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." That is the point of "input/output" what you put in is what will come out. This is a scriptural truth, but it is also a global truth. It is no wonder that our society has become increasingly sexual and violent. Look at what we feed our minds and hearts.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Listening to devil music.

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 13:30:48 +0000

I like to throw the devil music card as often as humanly possible. What are you listening to, country? That's devil music This also works for rap, screamo, classic, R&B, pop, hiphop, bluegrass, .... and Christian music outside the realm of what I like, and if I'm in the mood even the music I like. Seriously though. I try talking to my students about the concept of "input/output." I spent a lot of time listening to a lot of bands I don't feel are appropriate now. Interestingly, even though I haven't listened to Metallica in about 15 years now, I get their songs stuck in my head constantly. This is true for a lot worse bands than them too. How can we hope to stand firm in our faith when out inner thoughts are filled with the ungodly?

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : The rarest church musician of all time.

Thu, 4 Nov 2010 14:52:55 +0000

Joe, I might agree if the existing organ wasn't already a very nice organ that worked very well or if it were used more than once. The person who had played the old organ was in poor health by the time I started attending, so he only played about 5 times prior to the new organ being purchased and was unable to play the new organ. No one else played it after the organist was brought in for the installment ceremony. They even removed the pipes from the old organ (did I mention the old one was a real pipe organ with electronic modulation to simulate the larger pipes? It was a very nice organ) so the main aesthetic value of an organ was lost.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : The rarest church musician of all time.

Thu, 4 Nov 2010 13:20:55 +0000

we have tow acoustic guitars, and electric guitar, and electric drum kit, and a keyboard. Occasionally we have a second keyboard and a violin. FYI, I don't have the correct mic for the violin so I've had to do a good deal of experimenting to get the audio nice and clean off the instrument without being in the way of the violinist. Additionally we have a guy that comes every so often. Not on the worship team or anything, but he brings his own tambourine. I didn't know people did that, but apparently they use to. Oh and RE the organist, our Bible College upgraded their organ while I was there. We were struggling financially and someone donated a few thousand for the new organ. The old one had been played 5xs during the time I was there and they had some crazy good organist come in to play the new one when it was first setup. That is the last time I saw it played. I'm a bit resentful that the struggling school was given a gift that expensive and that unused. It seems like they could have paid off someones tuition and been much more effective with their gift, but what do I know.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Having 2 Gods.

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 15:40:00 +0000

As a parent I want to protect my kids, spiritually and physically. The truth is the best I can hope to do is train them though. I wrote about that this week in a guest post http://www.makeadiff21.com/home-page/2010/11/1/pr... I think it's interesting though, God chooses to train us instead of keeping trials and temptations away. I wonder why. Must be better for us or something.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Finding out Justin Bieber is a Christian.

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 04:14:49 +0000

I think that's super cool. I wish we would spend more time praying for folks than tearing them down. Myself included.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Finding out Justin Bieber is a Christian.

Tue, 2 Nov 2010 14:30:09 +0000

we were watching the challenger live in school. I was in the 5th grade I think. Never saw a teacher move so fast to turn off the TV

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Finding out Justin Bieber is a Christian.

Tue, 2 Nov 2010 13:54:24 +0000

you know what would be so cool? If people supported him, encouraged him, and helped him to grow into a strong Christian man that relies on God and a close Christian community for his strength so he doesn't fall into the traps that have been laid out for him. Of course, that's just crazy talk.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Ignoring the soundtrack.

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:12:03 +0000

The reason doubt can be rough is because sometimes God is trying to reign us in. The trick is to know His voice. I find it interesting we give Thomas a hard time because he doubted, but he did get to experience something that set his faith firm. His doubt didn't prevent him from believing. Gideon did the same thing. He doubted God would call him and he tested God because he has no other way of knowing it was God. When he believed, though, he went all in. he let God take his army of 32,000 down to 400 and still trusted for the victory. That's pretty impressive. Once these men knew God's voice they could ignore the nagging doubts.