Get to know these folks . . .

First things first, this may not be the most thought provoking or spiritual blog, but I wanted to give a little background on the friends whom I have listed under my links. I am thankful God has placed these friends in my life and all of them have helped form who I am to some degree. That being said, I would encourage any of you to click on their links and peer a little into their lives. These are all genuine friends who love Jesus and have truly been a blessing in my life.

David Joseph (aka Micro, Fly Guy)
I met David through my involvement with Student Venture a few years ago when he was a senior in High School. Upon graduation, David began interning for Student Venture and taking classes at the College of Biblical Studies. Last summer he began working at Texas State Bank and through God's grace we ended up in the same department. David loves the Bible and is one the rare Christians who actually shares his faith with anyone he meets. Friends, co-workers, couriers, you name it. The Human Resource Department here told us it was OK to read our Bibles on a break, but not to try to "convert" people. Although we know that we don't convert people (God does . . . Salvation belongs to him), keep David in mind because I don't think that will prevent him from sharing the Truth. David has the spiritual gift of teaching and it is always a joy to hear him proclaim the Bread of Life. He also can eat mass quantities of food and is skilled in poetry and break-dancing.

Jim Hamilton (Dr. Hamilton)
I met Jim a few years ago when I started my first semester of Greek and I have been blessed to have him as a professor over the past four semesters. At a time when I thought about leaving SWBTS, God brought Dr. Hamilton to our school and this was a major factor in me continuing my schooling there. Jim has a contagious passion for the supremacy of Messiah Jesus and a true love for the original languages. Some of his prayers include revival for our Southern Baptist Churches and helping train up a generation of pastors who know and teach the whole counsel of God through expository preaching and examination of Hebrew and Greek. He is currently the interim pastor at "Baptist Church of the Redeemer" in Sugarland. He has become a dear friend and mentor and I'm excited about the possibility of joining his church. Anyone who has an opportunity to hear him preach or take a class from would be plain dumb to pass on that opportunity. I consider our seminary blessed to have this man and I consider myself blessed to be his friend. Outside of his love for theological studies, Jim played college baseball and is an avid runner. Him and his wife Jill have a son named Jake.

Travis Cardwell (TBC, TCard)
Travis is an Associate Pastor at First Baptist in Liberty where he lives with his wonderful wife Alicia and their two children, Caraline and Brayton. (I'm hoping to join their family at some point . . . is it legal to adopt an Uncle?) I met Travis four years ago when we began our journey at SWBTS. He has become one of my best friends over this time and I am thankful God has grown this friendship. Travis is commited to the Truth this is evident in his life and ministry. God has done a lot of similar work in both of us in regards to our values and beliefs in theology, church, family, ministry, etc. and we tend to chat quite often. (He even takes phone calls up until midnight . . . not bad for a married guy!) Travis and I are praying for opportunity to do a church plant at some point and he is definitely a guy that I could began that journey with. His wife makes incredible chicken spaghetti and his children are good at answering the phone! The only negative thing about Travis is that he lives in Liberty which is an hour from Houston. (I still forgive him, though)

Ross King
I met Ross and his wife Staci while standing in line to watch Lake Placid about 6 years ago. I had just bought one of his cd's "Big Quiet Truth" a few weeks earlier (my first Christian CD purchase) and they happened to be a few people in front of me and I thought he looked familiar so I said "Are you Ross King?" Six months later I began attending Community Church, where he was one of the pastors and over the past five years our friendship has grown. I appreciate and value every conversation with Ross and his influence on me has been exponential. The way I saw him, Scot Stolz, and Worth Whitley (other pastors at that church) doing church and ministry has had a profound influence on me. Outside of being a pastor Ross travels and leads in worship through music. He has a true gift and a God-given ability to speak real Truth through his music. Ross loves Jesus and all of his songs promote the fame of our King and bleed biblical truth. My friend David and I play his songs for others to hear and the other day we heard a "believer" say "ah, his music is OK, but his music isn't that great." We are pretty positive that this person is not saved. If you ever have the opportunity to hear him play, check it out and buy all of his cd's. He has a great sense of humor and Staci and him have a wonderful son, Samuel.

Nicole Starch
I met Nicole the first time I went to Community Church about six years ago. My brother was with me and her and a friend asked us to go to Fuddruckers after church and we went and had a great time. Ever since then I have continued to build my friendship with Nicole and she has been a wonderful friend. She has given me advice and counsel time and time again and from earlier on I always felt comfortable confiding in her. She has a true passion for following Jesus and for being as authentic as possible. Nicole works at First Baptist Bryan and has just released her debut cd. It is quite possible that I have been anticipating this cd more than anyone else and it has been playing in my car, at my home, and in our office at work. Go buy seven or eight copies and give them everybody you know. Nicole is a dear friend and a humble person. Her only negative trait is returning phone calls. Maybe I can buy her a pager for Christmas . . .

Jason Kates
I met Jason somewhere on the sports fields at 2nd Baptist about four years ago. He is a fierce competitor and we have played flag football, softball, ultimate frisbee, and basketball a little here and there. Much like me, Jason is trying to shake the sports image and have Christ be the defining mark in his life. He has become a great friend this year and I'm thankful that we were able to go beyond the realm of sports and center our friendship on Christ. He is a genuine, sincere person who has a heart for the Lord and for loving others. We are on the dangerous journey of attempting to figure women out and it's been a trying season. Jason and I both desire to be great husbands and dads, so we have had some great conversations. Jason is perhaps the best quarterback in all of flag football and we tend to connect on a few TD's every now and then. Also, we are also hoping we will be brothers-in-law someday.