Jim Qualls is husband of 38 years to Janna, proud dad to two grown daughters, proud to have acquired two fine sons-in-law – and would love to show you pictures of his two little granddaughters. He is also a cyclist, nature enthusiast, singer, cowhand, cancer survivor and COVID-19-induced pneumonia survivor.
He is currently serving as a member of Good Faith Media’s strategic advisory board for news and opinion.
- What story, verse or passage from your faith tradition’s sacred texts has significantly influenced / shaped your life?
Psalm 23, Psalm 121 and Matthew 5, just for starters.
The 23rd Psalm early on had personal meaning for me, as I grew up in green pastures, which I still frequent to this day. And that part about “goodness shall follow me” has always proven true.
Psalm 121 has taken on more meaning for me as I spend as much time as possible in my beloved North Georgia mountains. I love to look “unto the hills.”
Matthew 5 has taken on more and more layers of meaning over the years as I’ve grasped how central these concepts are to following Christ, and that’s what it’s all about. That’s what we must recapture in our churches and individual lives.
- Who are three people (other than your family) who have shaped your life and worldview? And why?
Randall Lolley, one of the most exuberant, thoughtful Christians I’ve ever known.
Brantley Seymour, my long-term home church pastor, who was such an example of scholarship, diligence and who, to this day, is the image of God in my mind.
Janna, my wonderful, beautiful wife of 37 years (who I met 40 years ago this day as I write this). She has sanded me down, been a supreme example in good and bad times – oh, I could go on and on.
- List three of your “desert island” books, movies or TV shows.
Surely, the Bible in my head and heart would be the lightest way to go.
Of course, my self-authored book, Take Care of Yourself, would help on that island and packs lightly. And there’d be some kind of nature book, maybe Aldo Leopold’s Sand County Almanac.
I can’t think of a must-have movie, but I’d like to catch “Good Morning America” on that island TV.
- What is one of the most critical issues people are facing today?
I’ve got to list environmental degradation and climate change at the top because of its all-encompassing effects, affecting people worldwide, including us, especially including the “least of these.”
Behind that, I’d have to point to selfishness and anger as the fueling forces of these and so many other ills.
- What are a few of your hobbies?
Cycling has been a passion for years. Nature, waterfall hikes and more, another passion. Singing has been so much a part of my life for over 45 years. And a lifetime of varied experience with cattle has been fun – just ride somewhere with me and I’ll show you.
- If you could freeze your life into an already-lived 10 seconds, what would they be?
I’m not ready to freeze my life into 10 seconds – too many wonders still to behold.
- Our tagline at Good Faith Media is, “There’s more to tell.” What’s your “more to tell”?
My “more to tell” is that most of us still don’t intimately know enough about the love and goodness of God in Christ – that should fuel everything we do as churches and individuals.
Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens.