gdp's Comments

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : 2 words that are shaping culture right now.

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 04:04:27 +0000

I'm a youth group leader, but I want to desire God as much as I encourage the kids to.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Having a curious reaction to the prosperity gospel.

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:06:48 +0000

Jon, I've been struggling with this exact question as I read through Anne Jackson's new book "Permission To Speak Freely". There's so much pain and suffering that needs to be addressed, and if we don't allow that to be addressed then we're not doing our job as a church. But what about hope? What about God's goodness? What about those who have trouble trusting that what God is doing in them is for the good of those who love Him?

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Building benches instead of frisbees.

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:20:09 +0000

Thank you, Jon. I've been feeling "overburdened" with the amount of ministries I've been involved with at church, and sometimes I complain about not having any evenings free. But the truth is, I don't feel burnt out at all, and I know I can take a rest when I need to. What I do brings me joy. Even though it's hard and it seems like I have no life, I know I have more of a life than ever before.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Pastors who read sermon notes from an iPad.

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:24:26 +0000

I go to THE Apple church. Seriously, you can see Apple HQ from the parking lot of my church in Cupertino. If you're a Christian working at Apple, chances are you attend my church. Although everyone has the newest iPhone as soon as it comes out, and a lot of people own iPads, I'm proud to say that my church doesn't use any unnecessary technology. In fact, I kind of wish we used more technology to enhance the message. Just not an iPad...or any Apple products if possible.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : The reformed rock star.

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 16:33:20 +0000

Last I heard, Michael Sweet from Stryper is now one of the lead singers of Boston. Tell me Boston's "Peace of Mind" doesn't have Christian undertones!

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : The North vs. the South.

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:38:00 +0000

I'll second this one. As a Bay Area native, coffee is vital to Christian community. People in California always need excuses to hang out, or else we're wasting time. Coffee is the perfect reason to keep people around church for an hour so they meet each other. I also agree that there's a new wave of churches trying to be more artistic and less formal in their worship. Just yesterday I went to a church where a guy painted on a canvas during the whole service based on how the spirit moved him. It was fantastic to see worship expressed in some way other than music. Sort of the perfect blend of hippie and tradition.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Beth Moore and Jenny.

Tue, 11 May 2010 15:52:01 +0000

Hey Jon, maybe you're like John the Baptist saying "Prepare ye people the way of [Jenny Acuff]!" I thought her guest post was great, and I'm really looking forward to the two of you tag-teaming the Christian subculture. (Does that mean you're beating it into submission? Are you wearing a Tapout shirt?) This is exciting!

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : 5 free autographed books from Pete Wilson

Sat, 8 May 2010 18:50:26 +0000

Sounds like a book I need to read... I think God put me on earth, at this stage in life, to minister to high school students. Who knows what He has in store for me in 10 years...

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : 6 chances to hang out next week.

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:03:46 +0000

Darnit Jon, you always go to SoCal! Where's the love for the Bay Area? I'd take a weekend trip to go to SoCal I guess, but you're always there on a Wednesday or something.

The Church of No People : Do I Still Get a Lollipop at the Doctor\'s Office?

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:04:34 +0000

Hey David, can I get one of your tinfoil hats? Thanks for spewing a bunch of random apocalyptic nonsense at us. Everyone knows the "church" isn't doing the best job, but you're preaching to the choir here. America is not a Christian nation as much as we all want it to be. And it's not worth arguing when this nation stops following Christian values like praying in school. It's like asking Babylon to hold Jewish customs back when the Jews were exiled there. My recent post Confusion about fasting

The Church of No People : Do I Still Get a Lollipop at the Doctor\'s Office?

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:45:26 +0000

Wow, Matt. You summed up everything going on in my mind about health care reform. Plus you summed up everything that's right or wrong about America's Christian church (at least pertaining to politics). Thanks for your point of view at least making me feel better that there are other Christians who struggle with this as well. And yeah, you need a show opposite Glenn Beck/Pat Robertson/Rush Limbaugh so people can listen to a sane person's political views. My recent post Confusion about fasting

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Christian Greeting Cards

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 16:17:22 +0000

"He's working, you just can't see him...he's obscured by a cloud."

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Telling someone they shouldn’t tell you about their fast.

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 16:56:21 +0000

I can't say I've ever fasted, and I always feel guilty about it because all of my friends in college used to go on these random fasts that made me feel unholy. But the truth is, I'm trying to bulk up, and that requires food. Although, Daniel and his friends kept to their diet and became stronger than all the other candidates so I guess that's not really an excuse...unless God is using me for a different purpose than Daniel.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Assuming God is a morning person and satan is a night owl.

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:21:26 +0000

I'm a night-owl. I've looked back on my journaling and the stuff I wrote late at night astounds me...not that I remember writing a lot of it. Only problem is I have even more trouble waking up the next day, and I'm usually tempted to read a book instead of spend time with God before I go to bed.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Win a Nook from Stuff Christians Like.

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:57:30 +0000

I got the book!

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Approaching Lent in 4 ways.

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:26:09 +0000

I grew up being forced to give up sweets for Lent. Then the last few years I've tried giving up something I shouldn't be doing anyway. Once I did a media fast, which was kind of cool but it didn't work out too well. This year I'm trying to change my personality by actively trying to stay away from cynicism. It's been a huge challenge already, and it's only day 2...

The Church of No People : Love Month: It's Time for "The Talk"

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:34:34 +0000

I think if there's anything that got me serious about remaining pure, it was simply a desire to follow God. I was trying to follow God's plan for me, and curious if I could get away with having sex, masturbating, whatever, while still following and honoring God. As much intellectual discussion as I had on the topic, I never really got there. Then God just put it on my heart one day to stay pure. Not that it was easy. A desire to stay pure doesn't always include action (or lack thereof) when that moment arises. I don't think the answer is telling kids not to do something, but instead to inspire them a desire for God (somehow...), and watch things fall into place. My recent post The silver lining

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Throwing up.

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:19:58 +0000

Beautiful post, Jon. I recently installed Covenant Eyes and I considered it one of the greatest victories I've ever had over sin. I'm even debating allowing the boys in the high school group I lead be the ones I'm accountable to...or maybe even their parents. Whatever is most-likely to make me stay clean on the Internet. I'm basically trying to make it a huge disaster if I fail, although I think there needs to be some grace involved there somewhere. Otherwise, I'm trying to vomit up cynicism and destructive sarcasm. It's only been 3 hours since I decided to give it up for Lent, but I've already become aware of how pervasive it is in every conversation I have.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Win 5 books from Matthew Paul Turner.

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:20:50 +0000

My favorite song? Probably "Set Me Free" by Casting Crowns

The Church of No People : Atheist Interview: Bruce Sheiman

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:19:38 +0000

If there's one thing that's been difficult lately, it's been reading comments of atheists on news sites. Hearing this intelligent, unbiased perspective by someone who God simply hasn't chosen to touch yet is like a light through the clouds. I even went to atheistNexus and read Bruce's blog post about morality and loved it. I only wish I could have commented, but I would have had to be a member of the community :(. I believe the greatest difference between the religious and the nonreligious is the concept of denying self. In the heat of the moment when making a moral decision, I think it's very difficult to understand God's will in that situation and deny our own desires/angers/fears. My recent post The silver lining