Sunday, September 28, 2014

Preacher Feature: Aaron Davis

Aaron Davis's nickname is the Tattoed Preacher. His mission in life is to touch the untouchable and reach the unreachable. No small task, but his 17 years of ministry experience in areas that most people won't go give him an edge.

And speaking of edge, I am a fan of his edgy look. From the bald head to sleeved-out arms to the bike he rides. But it brings up a question: what should Christians look like? In my opinion, there is no set standard of dress that makes one holier than another. It takes people from all walks of life to reach people from all walks of life.

Would you be willing to bring the word to gangsters, thugs, and drug dealers?

No?

Me either?

God bless men like Aaron Davis who are brave enough to put their lives on the line to do it because the rough crowd they minister to are totally worth the risk. Every soul is worth it. (John 3:16)

It was a life without God that got them into those situations, and it is only a life with God that can get them out.

Aaron Davis is the author of two books, Love Thy Neighbor...? and The Spirit of Religion, which can be found on Amazon.


In John 17:20-21 Jesus prayed, "My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father--that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me." (NLT) The Christian church continues to find points of contingency by which they justify their divisions. Many do not realize that it is not the Spirit of God under which they operate, but a subtle counterfeit named Religion. The Spirit of Religion has been the greatest opposition of the Christian Church since its inception. It was the "religious" leaders of Jesus' day who were influenced by this spirit and continually sought to discredit Christ and his teachings. Those who were bound by this spirit sought to silence Christ, and eventually found cause to kill Him. This same spirit at work today continues to cause division, among Christians as well as between Christians and non-Christians. This book has been written to expose the evil influence that Satan has had upon the Christian church under the guise of religion and to release those who have been bound by religions chains by establishing a true relationship with God. Issues addressed in this book include: What is the Spirit of Religion?What is the difference between church doctrine and sin?Why do Christians judge? What does it mean to "be ye separate?"What does the Bible say about those who are Tattooed or Pierced? What is the difference between having a religion and experiencing a relationship with God? ....and much more.

Buy on Amazon!


In John 17:20-21 Jesus prayed, "My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father--that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me." (NLT) The Christian church continues to find points of contingency by which they justify their divisions. Many do not realize that it is not the Spirit of God under which they operate, but a subtle counterfeit named Religion. The Spirit of Religion has been the greatest opposition of the Christian Church since its inception. It was the "religious" leaders of Jesus' day who were influenced by this spirit and continually sought to discredit Christ and his teachings. Those who were bound by this spirit sought to silence Christ, and eventually found cause to kill Him. This same spirit at work today continues to cause division, among Christians as well as between Christians and non-Christians. This book has been written to expose the evil influence that Satan has had upon the Christian church under the guise of religion and to release those who have been bound by religions chains by establishing a true relationship with God. Issues addressed in this book include: What is the Spirit of Religion? What is the difference between church doctrine and sin? Why do Christians judge? What does it mean to "be ye separate?"What does the Bible say about those who are Tattooed or Pierced? What is the difference between having a religion and experiencing a relationship with God? ....and much more.

Buy on Amazon!

I challenge you to live a life without judgement, to see people's hearts and not skin, to dress yourself in the Holy Spirit, disregarding current fashion trends, and to truly love thy neighbors. This doesn't mean you have to love what they do, but it does mean showing them God's love regardless. Who knows? You may be the missing piece in their life puzzle.

Each morning, I receive a daily Bible verse on my phone. Today, I read Matthew 18:5-6: "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."

You may think you are not leading anyone astray because you live a straight-laced life, but if you pass judgement on others and make them feel inadequate and unacceptable in God's eyes, then you are as guilty as the sinners. Judging others and making them feel unworthy actually drives them further away from God. Love thy neighbors. Love their spirits. Look through the behaviors and outer coverings and see them as God sees them.

My hero, Henry Hearth, is a bit of a rebel. Driven from religion by hypocrisy and judgement, he struggles. I call him my:

Bad News Bringing the Good News!

I pray you'll love him as much as I do! Listen. Do you hear that? He's revving that engine, checking his mirrors, and heading straight for Sweet Home, Texas...

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Romance Framework in Sweet Home

Lovin' this reno show on HGTV featuring two writers-turned-renovators. But more than that - the hubby is scruffy, tattoed minister!! For those of you following my Sweet Home, Texas series, you're in for a treat. The next installment in the series - HENRY - features a tattoed, motorcycle-ridin' minister hero. Not at all based on this man, but every time I watch, I can't help but think, "That's Henry!" A dream home construction brings wandering framer, Henry Hearth, back to Sweet Home, Texas, where he begins the framework on Dr. Bliss Ayers' home...and a new life!

My Big Family Renovation