Townsend area resident publishes book on God and Christian life
By Rebecca Henely
Staff Reporter
rebecca@middletowntranscript.com

            The story of Ray Sikes is a common one. After a period of drugs, alcohol and sex, Sikes eventually rediscovered his Christian faith, became born-again and now lives a less-sinful life in Meadow Vista with his wife and three kids.
            However, Sikes said he hopes his book, “Keeping it Between the Ditches: Living the Christian Life” will not only tell the story of his life and the lessons he has learned from God, but also break the negative stereotypes some may have of born-again Christians.
            In the first chapter, Sikes stated many see born-again Christians as “ultra-conservative, judgmental, Bible-thumping morons” and that he has been that type of Christian in the past. He describes himself now as a “Jesus freak, Southern-fried, hippie Christian.”
            He sometimes attends and plays bass in the liturgy at Townsend Free Will Baptist Church and loves the people there, but considers himself an independent, charismatic Christian.
            “I read the Bible a lot,” he said. “More than most pastors, I’d venture to say.”
            Sikes began work on his book three years ago. It was released right before Christmas 2007, but he is currently doing regional promotion. The book consists of 12 chapters, each about some aspect of life, from God and the church, to family and happiness, to money and sex.
            “I use a neat metaphor about a hot-rod mustang,” Sikes said about his chapter on sex.
            He speaks about each subject through telling the story of different parts of his life, including his childhood church in Washington, D.C., his music career, his work as a teacher and his marriage. Through the events in his life, he discovers moral teachings.
            “If I’m just talking about myself, that’s kind of narcissistic,” he said.
            Sikes said he tries to break the stereotypes of born-again Christians by being straightforward, honest and non-judgmental. He said Christians are supposed to change their negative behavior, but are also supposed to love everyone.
            “Sometimes, [Christians] come off as if we have it all together,” he said.
            However, Sikes said Christians themselves have their own real struggles and failings.
            “Christianity is a rescue more than a religion,” he said. “Jesus died for us. We didn’t earn anything.”
            Sikes said the title of the book is a loose metaphor for the “Highway of Holiness” concept, which urges people to live an upright, Christian life and not fall into one of the ditches on the edges. Some have asked him if this was a reference to a motorcycle accident he had last year, but Sikes said his son picked out the title. His son also designed the book jacket and his wife critiqued and edited the book.
            “If I didn’t have a family, I might have written more books,” Sikes said, “but I would have less to say.”
            Sikes said the book is written in plain language and for the most part only references the Bible, which makes it accessible to even those who do not read on a regular basis.
            “I think everyone who reads it could leave with something that benefits them in some way,” he said.
            Sikes’ book costs $15 and can be ordered at Amazon.com.