Name: Kenneth B. Cole Jr., 50.
Member of: Southwood Presbyterian Church, 1000 Carl T. Jones Blvd.
Your job: I am a trial lawyer. In essence, I am a "civil prosecutor," in that I file lawsuits which hold corporations and people accountable for breaking the civil laws of our society, similar to how "criminal prosecutors" hold people accountable for breaking the criminal laws by which we live.
Criminal defendants go to jail when convicted, and the civil defendants in my lawsuits are held accountable financially for the damages and injuries they inflict on others.
How your faith influences your daily life: I had a friend who asked me once why I acted differently than a lot of other lawyers he knew. His question gave me the chance to talk with him about Christ and about trying to live a life helping those less fortunate.
That desire to help others has always been a big part of what made me become a trial lawyer. The people I represent are hurting or have lost a loved one, and they truly need my help.
In Deuteronomy 10:18, God says that "He defends the cause of the orphans and the widows, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing." Jesus said that when we do something "for the least of these," it is as if we did it for Jesus.
Every time I have the opportunity to represent a widow, orphan, or poor person who has been injured or who has lost a family member, I can feel the deep pain they are suffering, and I want to make sure the bad guys are held accountable.
This accountability is what forces bad guys to act more safely in the future so others don't get hurt.
How your faith has changed since childhood: I decided to become a Christian at the age of 10 after I read a book about the "end times." It was a scary book, and I didn't want to be left behind when all the Christians went to heaven.
Over the years, however, I have learned that basing your faith on fear is like building a house on sand. Fear simply doesn't provide a good foundation and faith built on fear will erode too easily during tough times.
The more I study the Bible, the more I see that God is not about fear. Instead, He is about love.
Therefore, as Christians, we should not be living lives based on fear of the economy, fear of other religions, fear of political parties, fear of those who are different than us, or fear of that new neighbor.
We are better people when we realize that God loves us enough to provide what we need. We are better people when we love those who have different religious or political views. We are better people when we love those who have a different skin color.
And if we can love others the way that Jesus loves us, those other people are much more likely to want part of what it is that allows us to show that kind of love to others.
Describe your sense of calling: In addition to being a trial lawyer, I have always enjoyed working with young people. Because I was a college football player, it was natural for me to start coaching my boys in sports at a young age.
I therefore got to know a lot of the kids who were on little league baseball, soccer, football, and swim teams, and had the chance to influence their lives, even if in just a small way, by acting as a little league coach.
I also have had the chance to be a volunteer coach in middle school and high school.
Now that my boys are older, I have begun volunteering with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. By combining my faith with athletics, I have been able to work with at-risk kids in some of the schools around Huntsville
Those efforts recently led to the evangelist Nicky Cruz coming to town for an entire weekend of events to reach out to the youth of north Alabama
Advice for the discouraged: Discouragement is a part of the Christian life just as much as a secular life. However, the Bible tells us that we should find contentment in our present circumstances even when they happen to be discouraging.
That doesn't mean that Christians shouldn't strive to make our circumstances better, but it does mean that other people should see something different about how Christians face difficulties.
My Dad used to tell me that "The difficult we do immediately. The impossible takes a little longer."
That's good advice to help you overcome difficulties, at least if they can be overcome.
The best way to not dwell on difficulties, however, is to go do something good for someone else. There is always someone who is having a more discouraging time than you are having.
When you help others, you spend less time worrying over your own difficulties, and you are better able to find contentment in your present circumstances.
A favorite verse: I have always found comfort in the promise of Jeremiah 29:11: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Spiritual Journeys are a conversation about faith and personal philosophy from a variety of people. Please send nominations for this feature to Kay.Campbell@htimes.com, 256-532-4320.