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Special Blend Interview: Jonathan Acuff Takes "Stuff Christians Like" To Print

By Bonnie Gray • October 21, 2009 • 20 Comments

It’s counterintuitive to admit to your flaws, especially in Christian circles.  Author Jonathan Acuff unflinchingly shares his faith, intersecting comedy and conviction in everyday life.

For our Special Blend Interview today, I’m shining the spotlight on Jonathan Acuff, blogger and author of Stuff Christians Like, whose debut book has been dubbed the next “Christian Classic Living Handbook“.

On one hand, I was sort of nervous. You never know what will happen when you talk to a guy who is highly skilled at blogging about the funny things we Christians do.

On the other hand, when I thought back to the first SCL blog post I read, Refusing The Gift of the Desert Road, I felt right at home with a spiritual brother.

So, grab yourself a cup of coffee and join my interview with Prodigal Jon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SCLbook

Jonathan Acuff’s Print Debut: Stuff Christians Like

Hey, Jon!

I want to thank you for being generous with your time, hanging out here at Faith Barista.

Given your “baby” is finally available for pre-order on Amazon, you probably have celebrations queued up with your wife, two children, and gaggles of friends. Wahoo!

Lemme jump right in and ask my first question:

You caught my attention with the Desert Road post because you talked about a difficult subject without trying to look good in the process.

You describe yourself as, “wildly impatient, selfish, arrogant”, while concluding, “I still struggle with the desert road concept”.

How do you explain your ability to post confessionals out on the blogosphere for everyone to see?  Do you close your eyes and click “publish” quickly before you change your mind?

That’s a great question. I get nervous about almost everything I write, so I’d be lying if I said I didn’t worry or think about the stuff I am sharing.

Especially knowing that coworkers and family members are reading the site from time to time.

But a missionary once told me to not look down.

He encouraged me to just keep climbing up.

So I try to avoid “looking down.”

Nice. That’s a great quote for blogging and faith walking.
It’s counterintuitive to admit to your flaws, especially in Christian circles.

Was there a significant event that triggered this ability to hang dirty laundry out so well?

Without a doubt.

My life fell apart in the summer of 2005.

More than fell apart, I really blew it up with some bad decisions and some consequences that I deserved and could not change with my own power.

I couldn’t fix me with me and out of that I started to try to share my scars, in the hopes that other people wouldn’t get the same ones.

Many of us can relate, although I’m not sure how many would post it up on cyberspace.  You are definitely called!

It’s no surprise that you’re a fan of Jerry Seinfeld.  You got me laughing at myself when you “got judgy”, writing about watching too much TV.

What’s been your relationship with laughter, and how has God used it in your faith walk?

I honestly believe laughter is a gift from God.

When you go on a mission trip to another country, you are always able to laugh and play with the kids there.

I think laughter has a universal appeal and that God loves to express His love through love.

Couldn’t agree more.  Laughter is the best faith medicine.

Reading SCL is like “opening a box of chocolates”, as Forrest Gump would say.  You never know what you’re gonna get. On minute, you’re our buddy. The next minute, you’re a spiritual heat lamp, putting us in the hot seat.

… Like the time you tweeted — “Does Kanye deserve less grace than I got?”

What type of posts do you enjoy writing the most: contemplative, funny, convicting, or confessional?

Serious Wednesday posts are my favorite because they force me to wrestle with something in my own life before I can write them.

While we’re on the topic of tweets, I noticed you’ve been tweeting Proverbs quite a bit.

Which passages in the Bible are you currently most drawn to in your spiritual season?

The Prodigal Son is a constant favorite, but Isaiah 30 is another section I regularly return to.

Interesting combination…

I hesitate to bring this up, but there have been some pretty negative comments posted on the blog (anonymous ones, I might add).  It’s sad, considering we are called to love one another.  Makes me think “What in the world?!”

How do you handle negativity in your blog and personal life?

Poorly. I would say I handle it poorly.

But my wife has been a constant source of encouragement and wisdom in that area.

I hate negative comments and I spend way too much time thinking about them, but my wife challenged me one day.

She essentially said, “Worrying about an anonymous stranger said about you is like following a stranger on the highway so you can ask him what he meant when he flipped you off.”

I would never do that in real life and that helps me remember to let the hate stuff go.

Wise words.  As the saying goes, “Behind every successful man… is a woman.”

Okay, on to happier topics!  I like that you’re meditative in your posts, like Why God Goes Quiet.

Between tweeting, blogging, working and being dad, how do you find the time to be meditative on top of everything? Do you sleep?

Ha, I don’t sleep enough, but I’m trying to practice a Sabbath day during the week.

I get up at 5AM every morning to make sure I fit in the things I need to do.

I think a big part of it is that you always have time for the things that you really care about.

I really care about Stuff Christians Like and sharing God’s love that way, so I make time for it after my time with God, my time with my wife, my kids and my job.

It’s an ongoing exercise, practicing Sabbath.  You’re a hard worker.

Okay, so your debut as published author of Stuff Christians Like is scheduled for April 2010.

After his first book, Blue Like Jazz, got published, New York Times best-selling Christian author, Don Miller, said that he “woke up one morning, and was no longer inside a story and life no longer made sense.” (Quoted from in an interview with Michael Hyatt.)

What part of your story does this first book play in your life?

Again, great question.

I don’t know.

I would say I am learning to hope again.

When you break your life, you forget how to hope.

You get cynical and afraid to believe in the goodness of God because what if it goes away?

What if the other shoe drops?

The book, the whole experience to me, feels like I’m learning to be vulnerable and hope.

Beautifully put.  It sounds like this book is God’s gift to you.  Not just because you’re getting published, but because of what it says about God’s love.  It’s opened your heart to risk again.

What’s up ahead?

Worshipping and obeying.

I hope to do a second book and speak more.

But above all, regardless if this whole thing is just some weird two year season that fades out, what I want to keep doing with my life and my heart is worshipping and obeying.

That sounds like such a cheesy Christian answer, but I’m trying to stay faithful to the things that won’t change.

And the call to worship and obey won’t.

Doesn’t sound cheesy at all. It’s the continual call God circles us back to, that leads to finishing well.

Finally, give our readers an itch to get that book of yours.

Why do you love it and what do you hope folks will get out of it?

The book is the best thing I’ve ever written.

It’s like the Stuff Christians Like Blog concentrated and amplified.

Zondervan illustrated the ideas and did an awesome from start to finish with it.

I hope folks laugh and wrestle.

Sounds like a double-shot of faith.  I can’t wait!

Well, time has flown quickly, hasn’t it?  I’ve enjoyed the conversation.

One last thing, Jon.  Even though you’ve referred to yourself as the prodigal son in Jesus’ story of homecoming, I see a growing resemblance to the father, welcoming us with love and grace in the walk of faith.

Keep on. May God bless you in ways we cannot see, because those are the true treasures that will satisfy and last into eternity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, that about wraps up this Signature Blend Interview: Jonathan Acuff.

Hopefully, it was so good, it left you wanting more!

No worries. Here’s what to do:

SCLbook

1. Pre-order Jon’s book, Stuff Christians Like, so you can be first in line!

2. Head on over to Jon’s blog, Stuff Christians Like, and get an SCL shot of faith!

 

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20 Comments

  • Reply Russell Holloway October 21, 2009 at 2:31 am

    Nice Interview. I haven’t bene reading Jon’s blog, but I will now. If I leave any negative comments, I’ll also leave my name 🙂

    Blessings to you Jon and Bonnie!

  • Reply Tweets that mention Special Blend Interview: Jonathan Acuff Takes “Stuff Christians Like” To Print | Faith Barista -- Topsy.com October 21, 2009 at 2:39 am

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by JustPeachyBabyBlog, JustPeachyBabyBlog. JustPeachyBabyBlog said: *Stuff Christians Like Interview* How does @prodigaljohn handle negative comments? http://bit.ly/4fAX8n Get the Scoop! […]

  • Reply *Michelle* October 21, 2009 at 4:10 am

    This was awesome to read…….I have always enjoyed visiting both of your blogs. I pray that God continues to bless you both as you bless others.

    Peace~
    *~Michelle~*

  • Reply Chrystie October 21, 2009 at 5:09 am

    Great interview, Bonnie! Thanks for doing it. It gave me more insight into him and increased my desire to buy his book. I love that he says regardless of what happens in the future, the call to obey and worship will always be there. Love that!

  • Reply katdish October 21, 2009 at 5:57 am

    Thanks for interviewing Jon. He’s the reason I started blogging in the first place and I love the genuine community that’s been built because of Stuff Christians Like. He’s like the Kevin Bacon of the internet. Every online relationship I have made is either a direct or indirect result of Jon Acuff. Not even kidding. And how come you never let ME interview you Jon? Okay, so I never asked…but still.

  • Reply Nick the Geek October 21, 2009 at 6:04 am

    I won’t lie. I am jealous that you got to interview the Jon Acuff. I say “the” because one day everyone will be all “you got to interview the Jon Acuff” because there will be a lot of people changing their names to Jon Acuff to try and cash in on the fame.

    Great job and great questions, but you should have pushed harder. It’s not a real interview unless you leave the interviewee in tears.

  • Reply Jon Acuff October 21, 2009 at 6:06 am

    I was crying on the inside Nick. I was crying on the inside.

  • Reply Heather Sunseri October 21, 2009 at 6:07 am

    That was a wonderful interview, Bonnie.

    “Do you close your eyes and click “publish” quickly before you change your mind?” I loved this question and Jonathon’s answer. I feel like that every time I post or say anything.

    Sounds like a great book. I’ve seen it in a few places over the last couple of days. Congratulations, Johathon!

  • Reply Sarah Salter October 21, 2009 at 10:16 am

    Good job with the interview, Bonnie! Is he going to give you a free, autographed copy of the book in return for the interview? If he isn’t, he totally should. You did great! 🙂

  • Reply bman October 21, 2009 at 10:35 am

    I’m really excited for the book. I love the artwork on the cover, and, as always, SCL is entertaining. Bummer that it’s not out ’til April!

    It’ll help me get caught up on all the other books I have to read! ha!

    Thanks for this post! Great interview!

  • Reply Candy October 21, 2009 at 10:36 am

    Great interview. SCL was the first blog I ever read, and I have no idea how I found it. I tell everyone I know him, sort of like when he said he told people he knew Donald Miller (I think it was Donald Miller? Maybe another Donald?) It’s like he gave us all permission to do that. “My friend Jon writes this cute little blog….”

  • Reply Helen October 21, 2009 at 11:34 am

    Jon’s posts are often inspiring, but always inspiring.
    I found SCL through Ironic Catholic, but it wasn’t until SCL that I was found by katdish, found Sherri, and with them became part of a wonderful on line community.
    I have every intention of purchasing Jon’s book, but I am hesitating to preorder because I want my copy autographed. Is he autographing the preordered copies, because then I am so ordering immediately!

  • Reply melissa October 21, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    I found your blog from bianca’s “in the name of love” blog….and I’m SO glad I did! I have yet to read SCL blog and I look forward to checking it out. I could also relate to the level of transperacy Jonathan talked about…i went, am going through, a season of “stripping” down of me and God building it all back up….on my blog i posted my lament to God, my cry and what i think God was trying to show me…because that’s what we all do in our darkest hour and God certainly calls us to cast our burdens on Him AND our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

    can’t wait to dive more into your blog and SCL!

  • Reply Brett Barner October 21, 2009 at 7:15 pm

    Great interview! I’m a quiet, but regular reader of SCL. I’m very excited for the book, and I’m glad that this lead me to your blog Bonnie! Keep up the great work, both of you!

  • Reply Chris Sullivan October 21, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    Great interview Bonnie

  • Reply Holley Gerth October 21, 2009 at 7:42 pm

    Great interview, Bonnie! It felt like eavesdropping on you and Jon having a cup of coffee together–just the way you’d want, right? Jon, congrats on your book! I think it’s going to be absolutely amazing. You and I have the same agent. I’m sure I’ll be hearing, “Why can’t you be more like Jon?” from Chip sometime soon. Blessings on all you do, Jon, and you too, Bonnie! You both do wonders with words.

  • Reply Bianca October 22, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    WOOWOO! I can’t wait for Jon’s book to come out 🙂 Thanks for a great inside look at the man behind the blog!

  • Reply Ginny (MAD21) October 23, 2009 at 6:17 am

    “….When you break your life, you forget how to hope.”

    What a GREAT line. I had a similar experience about 9 years ago. Fortunately my God was greater than the situation and all the damage it caused.

    Terrific interview. Can’t wait to see the book.

  • Reply The Best Of Faith Barista 2009: The Top 10 | Faith Barista December 31, 2009 at 12:31 am

    […] 1.  Special Blend Interview: Jonathan Acuff Takes Stuff Christians Like To Print […]

  • Reply Dave Wilson December 31, 2009 at 9:13 am

    Great interview and great site! I’ll be adding you to my RSS feed right away.

    God bless!
    Dave

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