Don Blackwell

Why not let LOVE in?Every day we see things that, at first glance, seem rather ordinary – a mother bird foraging for nest-building supplies, notice that a family pet is LOST stapled to a telephone pole, a little boy falling off his bike, a discarded bunch of flowers on a roadside trash pile, a father holding his almost-teenage age son’s hand, and a sidewalk hug.But, several years ago, Don Blackwell realized that if we pay closer attention, open our eyes a little wider, and reawaken the sense of curiosity, awe, and wonder that accompanied our hearts when they came into this world, we can see beyond the “ordinariness”. We can see something extra. It turns out the “extra” is everywhere, hiding in plain sight, and it’s unspeakably beautiful. In these pages, you will see it too, learn, as Don has, from the insights the “extra” has to offer, and be inspired, as he has been, to continue the search for a lifetime.

Have you ever wondered why there are so many churches and they all teach different things? All claim to strive to follow the Bible, but end up in very different places doctrinally. Can they all be right or are we seeing the results of Jesus's warnings in Scripture? Jesus said there would be false teachers who would appear as wolves in sheep's clothing (Mat. 7:15). 1 John 4:1 says "do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." In this book, you will examine videos that were submitted by viewers to Aaron and Don as they seek to rightly divide The Scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15) and bring attention to doctrines that they believe to be false. Grab your Bibles and let's search the Scriptures together to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11).

Events wholly beyond our control can sometimes abruptly and profoundly interrupt our life journeys and the journeys of those we love. As they are unfolding, the physical and emotional trauma that often accompany such events present seemingly insurmountable obstacles to our ability to move forward. We become stuck, paralyzed by fear and uncertainty. Several years ago, one of those events drove Don Blackwell's daughter to death's doorstep. In the midst of her suffering, however, and largely as a result of her courage, Don came to realize that such events can also serve as critical points of reflection and opportunities for growth. He also realized that if we are willing to take a step back from the heartbreak of the moment and reflect on the matters of the heart that surround those events, they can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves, of those we love and of the human condition. "Dear Ashley" is a collection of those reflections and the intimate father/daughter letters used to convey them---shared in the hope that the unique perspective they offer will provide guidance, understanding and healing when life's challenges come knocking on your door.