First of all, if you're wondering what in the world "TruePravda" means, I suggest you read this early entry. With that cleared up, I suppose you're wondering a little about who I am.

My name is Jared Bridges. It's not a particularly common name. There are only few that come up on a Google search anyway. My first name, Jared, was somewhat of a problem for me growing up. I've been addressed as Jerry (most common), Jarret, Gerald, Derek, and even Jason on occasion (I still don't know where that one comes from). I'm rather happy with my name, though perhaps the happiness stems from the fact that I know people will have a hard time with it.

But enough silliness about names. You now know mine if you didn't before, and that's a good start. There are more important issues at hand to discuss, aren't there? Issues like, for example, where I live, and what I do all day, and whom do I know and for what purpose I write this blog. So, as we used to say as kids when we jumped our bikes off the homemade plywood ramp, "here goes nothing!"

I reside in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, although I still consider myself to be an expatriate Tennesseean. My blood runneth orange, though I walk in the valley of bluegrass. The reason I am in Louisville is because, until recently, I was a student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a stellar school that challenged me more than I ever could have imagined. I graduated in December 2003 with a Master of Divinity, having majored in Biblical and Theological Studies. Though I do miss it a bit, it's nice to be finished with formal education for a while, as I can now pursue my own studies. As you might have guessed from the type of school I attended, I plan to go into the Christian ministry.

I've had many ask me why I have chosen this vocation, and I usually find it hard to answer aside from the fact that this vocation has somehow chosen me. I've always had a rather negative view of ministers—especially those who love to call attention to themselves. But somehow God has put me on this path, and all I can do is follow. I know this is not the usual story of "calling into ministry" that one hears, but I'm pretty confident this is what lies ahead of me, regardless of the lack of an experience involving a lightning bolt (or a pitch fork!). If you'd like to read more about my spiritual journey, read this ancient document that I wrote.

I live with my beautiful wife Lori, who survives my warped personality with the utmost grace. It is she who encouraged me to begin this website. We were married in 2001 in Knoxville, TN. I am happy to say that marriage is indeed a wonderful thing, and I wouldn't trade my wife for the world. Right now we're pursuing ministry opportunities in the former Soviet Union—I'll have more on that as more information becomes available.

So, here are a few of the answers you may have been seeking when you clicked the "About" link. I'll leave it to my posts to dispense any further information. It's more fun that way anyhow...

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