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I have been a misplaced Hillbilly living in Columbus, Ohio, for 10 years now. I miss living in my native West Virginia, but I am willing to make sacrifices for my wonderful wife, Aunalie, and my two terrific little boys, Jamey and Kristopher.

I have a fantastic extended family--I'm lucky that I have 2 moms and 2 dads: my mom and stepdad, my dad and stepmom, and doubly lucky that neither set has treated me like a "step-" anything. I have 2 sisters and 3 brothers, (Jennifer, DJ, Wayne, Jason, and Richard), though sadly, little brother Jason is no longer with us physically, as he gave his life for us in Iraq on October 5, 2007. I have great in-laws, Theresa and Terry Agin, George Robinson, Doug and Amy Robinson (with Isabel and Darren, and another one on the way), Barbie and Allan Page (with Zackery, Chase, and Abigail), Aunalie and Gene Robinson, and Barbie Grewell. I have a huge extended family, located mostly in West Virginia (truly "Almost Heaven!"), some great friends, but most of all, I have salvation in my Lord, Christ Jesus.

I am living proof that good things sometimes comes out of war--I met the Lord while my Dad was serving in Iraq. Being an Army brat, I got used to the separation, but a hot war adds a whole different layer to the intense feeling of missing your parent. A friend kept telling me about the peace Christ offers, I kept saying "sounds great...I'll go over here now."

He said something that stuck with me: Run all you want, Christ ain't leaving.

Knowing Jesus has delivered me from many sin areas, from hatred of myself and others, and has led me to some great friendships born of the Lord. I try to live to let others know about what Christ has given just to KNOW you. I can tell you that he saves physically, too; before I knew Christ, when I was 18, I attempted suicide, but the firearm I used mis-fired. "For it is his desire that none should perish." A friend told me that he knew that I would be one of His, so he stopped the gun from working.

I spend a lot of my time working on our non-profit foundation, the Thirty-Eight Twelve Memorial Foundation (www.jasonmarchandmemorial.org), dedicated to the mission of keeping the memory of our hero, my little brother Jason, alive. We have 2 or 3 annual fundraisers to raise money for the Jason N. Marchand Memorial Scholarship, given every spring to a worthy student at Doddridge County High School in West Union, West Virginia. I am proud to say that with the Lord's help, we have given the first of what will be many in May to Sarah Davis, a student who will be attending Glenville State College in Glenville, West Virginia.

I attend Crossroads Community Church in Obetz, Ohio (I can walk there, so there's no excuse for missing, right Pastor Rob?). It's a wonderful place, and I have finally been able to let go of some of the disappointments that the world will always deal your way.

"But if you believe in heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9, paraphrased). Yes, Lord Jesus, come and make me holy, make me WHOLLY YOURS! I'm ready to do battle for you, Lord; I'm yours and yours alone.

Writing, Guitar Playing, Lyric Writing, Singing, Sports - Fans, Theology, Parenting, Exercise, Concerts, Music - Listening, Music- Playing

anything on the History Channel, ESPN, anything WVU on TV Jonathan Kellerman, "Patton: A Genius For War", Mystery Science Theater 3000

tobyMac., Shawn McDonald, Newsboys, Chris Tomlin, John Reuben, David Crowder Band

I was the perfect Christian child growing up, except I was NOT a Christian. I despised the church, gave God the finger, but went through the motions of being one of His. I put everything in my life in front of Him.

I made it to the Air Force Academy--no easy feat--and I...failed. I had never struggled at anything I had ever tried before like that, but it was clear that I was not suited for it. (I ended up getting an honorable discharge, based on an injury during a wrestling match suffered during BCT.)

It was not until my father was sent to war (he's a 35 year veteran) in Iraq, that I started to really examine my life. I was terrified that he would not make it back (he did, and retired September 30, 2007), and I could find no comfort. A coworker started telling me about Christ, and when I basically told him I was not interested, he said "Run all you want, Eric, He ain't going away. I feel a real burden to talk to you about Him." Over the next few weeks, I read this and that, until I came back from a camping trip with the "startling" realization that I needed something more. The next day, I said that this Jesus guy sounds pretty good to me. There wasn't any huge moment, yet, but I would say that June of 2003 was when I accepted Christ. It was not until October of that year that I realized the full impact of the decision I had made.

My wife and I were at a Michael W. Smith and MercyMe concert (the one that Michael put out on DVD later that year), and MercyMe was playing the song "Spoken For." During the chorus, the words that hammered on me were "To hear you say 'This one's mine'..." I truly felt the embrace of Christ at that moment. I cried like a baby when I realized that the Creator of the universe loved me so much, even when I hated Him so much, that he still died for...ME!

Things have changed. Since January of 2005, I have been working at a wonderful company. I have the first very, very real friends of my life, ones that I never have to worry about double-crossing me. I am a real husband. My kids even seem to like me (since I'm the Dad, I have to prepare for the day that I am in all ways "Uncool," but they are 5 and 7, so that day ain't here yet!). I have no fear of anything because I have the blessed assurance (and reassurance) of knowing that no matter what happens to me, my Jesus loves me, literally to death--and resurrection!

My mission used to be all about me, and this world--finding everything that would take the place of God in my heart to fill me. I was very achievement-oriented and -addicted. Now that addiction is Christ--His Word, His Love, His very presence in my life. Shawn McDonald has said it best--"All I needed is your love, to come and fill this heart of mine."

Thank you so much, Lord Jesus, for saving me.

Those with PASSION. There's not much point in doing much if we don't do it with passion. (I am very passionate about Christ, but I don't soapbox...I am very VOCAL about the Mountaineers!)