Over the past month I have read a multitude of "Best of the Decade" articles on anything from movies to music to athletes to news events. I suppose I could write a best of list about any sort of cultural artifact. However it is people that move me. People that inspire me. People that energize me.

With that in mind, I'm going to write about the people and friends that I have met at some point during the past 10 years that have had an impact upon me. (I could write a book about my friends that I have known longer than 10 years.)

Some of these are close personal friends. Others are those that have had some impact upon my life even though we may not know each other that well. All are people that I would love to spend more time with. As I compiled this list I was stunned at the amazing people that I have met in the past 10 years. Hopefully I am a better person for having known each of these people.

Books, movies, music, etc will eventually pass away. People last forever.

Andy Crouch - I met Andy at a retreat a few years ago. Talking with Andy and reading his book "Culture Making" has had a huge impact upon my thinking about cultural change. Beyond being absolutely brilliant, Andy is one of the nicest guys you could possibly meet.

Andy Millette - Andy and I met at church quite a few years ago and discovered that we had some mutual friends and a lot of mutual beliefs. Not only have we become good friends but we have worked together on some fun projects as well. Andy's conviction in his beliefs and his energy inspire me.

Chris Rank - Chris is one of those people that I haven't figured out how we didn't meet 20 years ago. We have a crazy amount of mutual friends and we have even been in the same room multiple times over the years. The mutual connections are mind-boggling. Not only is Chris a fantastic photographer and designer but an even better friend and person.

Chris Heuertz - I met Chris at a retreat a few years ago and learned about Chris's ministry to the poorest of the poor throughout the world and learned about his time spent with Mother Teresa. I thought at first that his experiences might cause him to be jaded or to lack joy in life but I discovered otherwise. Chris has a joy and passion for life and for loving others that I aspire to. Still hoping to find an opportunity to go enjoy a big time college football game with Chris one of these years.

Daniel Homrich - I met Daniel at a luncheon a few years ago. Daniel started Innocence Atlanta, a non-profit dedicated to stopping sex trafficking here in Atlanta. I have been impressed with Daniel's energy and creativity. And I've enjoyed grabbing a good beer with him on occasion as well.

Dave Blanchard - I'm not sure when I first met Dave at his pub, the Brick Store Pub in Decatur. Over the years I have gotten to know him better and have even played soccer with him recently. His contribution to community in Decatur cannot be overstated. While many will point to the great beer or the great atmosphere at the Brick Store, the secret ingredient is Dave Blanchard and his co-owners who are some of the best guys you could ever want to meet.

David Batstone - David is another one who inspires me with his work. David is president of Not For Sale and works to stop modern day slavery. It would be entirely understandable to bring a sense of righteous anger to working on this issue yet David channels his energy into thoughtful positive actions that seek to bring together people. Yet another one of my favorite people to sit down and enjoy a beer with at a pub.

Dave Dunay - Dave was a co-worker a few years ago. I've long done a poor job of creating too much separation between work and personal that I long didn't make friends with co-workers. Dave was one of those guys who was just too good of a guy to not want to go hang out with him away from work. While we no longer work together, I don't consider Dave just as a guy that I worked with but as a real friend.

Eric Metaxas - I had long known who Eric was before I met him in NYC last year. And we hit it off immediately. Not only a brilliant thinker and engaging conversationalist, Eric is one of the most genuinely nice people I have ever met. I wish I were in NYC to spend more time with Eric. I aspire to be like Eric. In many ways, Eric Metaxas is my role model.

Eric Volz - A few years ago my friend Nick Purdy told me about this business associate of his in Nicaragua who had been falsely accused of murder. As I learned more about the story of Eric Volz I was compelled to write about him on my blog and to tell others of his story of injustice. Eric was eventually released from prison about two years ago and I was able to get to know Eric better. Eric is a model of faith and perseverance and I know that he will do great things in the coming years. I'm honored to know Eric.

Michael Dunaway - Wow! What to say about Michael Dunaway? Dunaway defies all labels and all stereotypes. He is fiercely loyal to his friends and to his principles. If I wanted an adventure of epic proportions, Dunaway would be my first phone call. Something is wrong with you if you know Michael Dunaway and don't love the guy.

Glenn Lucke - I believe I met Glenn through blogging a few years ago and then discovered that we had some mutual friends. Glenn is the most thoughtful and intelligent commentator on American society that I know. On top of his brilliance, Glenn has been a huge encouragement to me in my endeavors in the best possible way.

Jamie Tworkowski - Jamie is the founder of the non-profit To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) and another guy that I met at a networking retreat a few years ago. I recently read a story in Rolling Stone magazine about Jamie and was bummed that the author couldn't seem to grasp that Jamie is the real deal. Jamie is one of the nicest people I have ever met and has no agenda other than loving others. I pray that I can learn to love others as unconditionally as Jamie does.

Jeff Shinabarger - I'm not sure I even remember how I met Jeff Shinabarger. And I thought I knew a lot of people until I met Jeff. Jeffs creativity overflows so much that you can't help but be inspired while hanging out with Jeff. I'll be surprised if an article isn't written about Jeff in the NY Times or New Yorker in the next 10 years.

Joe Carter - I met Joe years ago when I first started my blog. Joe and I had emailed back and forth about various topics and eventually I decided to call him. Since then Joe has been a fantastic sounding board when thinking about politics, culture, and faith. Every time I think I have written something well on a topic, I find that Joe has likely done it better - more thoughtful, more persuasive, better written. I'm grateful that Joe has taken the time over the years to talk to some guy like me who just knows him through his writing.

Marc Porlier - Hard to think about the past decade without thinking about my friend Marc Porlier. I don't know a person who knows Marc that doesn't think he is the smartest person they have ever met. Marc has forgotten more than I will ever know. And Marc is yet another guy that I can hang out with over a beer and be challenged in the best possible way.

Mike Kruger - I first met Mike as "Expat Teacher", a regular visitor and commenter on my blog. Mike has been a wonderful foil and friend over the years to challenge my thinking and talk about our differences. It would have been harder to have debates with Mike over the years if I hadn't known what a great guy he was.

Patrick Connelly - Patrick is high on my list of people that I wrack my brain over every day figuring out how to get them back to Atlanta. It seems like I have known Patrick longer than I actually have. There is nobody I trust more than Patrick to confide in on something or to work through my thoughts with. In many conversations or even debates, I would be happy to defer to Patrick to represent my thoughts. And I'm always looking forward to that next time for us to hang out and enjoy a beer or some Jameson.

Richard Doster - I don't remember how Dick and I met yet we have so many mutual friends. Dick has been a tremendous inspiration in his dedication to being the best writer he can possibly be. And his books have moved me to tears in his understanding of the human condition.

Rusty Pritchard - Oftentimes I am worn out being around issue-oriented people who are too serious and single-minded. I met Rusty at a networking retreat a few years ago and realized immediately that he was passionate about the environment and his calling to educate others about "creation care". Yet Rusty cares about people to an even greater extent than he cares about the environment. I need more people around me like Rusty Pritchard to challenge my thinking in such a compelling manner.

Scott Kauffmann - Scott Kauffmann proves the adage that oftentimes the wisest are those with few words. I met Scott at my church a number of years ago and still feel the void left when he moved to NYC. I regret that I didn't get to know Scott better before he left. I can think of few people that I would rather have a business mentor and friend.

Shayne Wheeler - I believe I met Shayne around the time he left my church to start a new church in Decatur. Shayne's love of his community and the people there is astonishing. Whenever I run into someone who has bitter feelings about Christianity or church, I always think that I would like them to meet Shayne. Shayne is high on my list of people that I wish I could spend more time with and get to know better.

Todd Bouldin - My friend Curt Portzel introduced me to Todd a couple years ago when I was visiting out in Malibu, CA. Todd and I hit it off immediately with our similar backgrounds in politics. I can always count on thoughtful intelligent commentary from Todd about politics, culture, and faith. Even though we often disagree, Todd constantly renews my faith in civil dialog.

Troy Bronsink - I met Troy through some friends a few years ago and realized that he is one of those magnetic personalities that you just love to be around. Hilariously and ironically, Creative Loafing named Troy as one of Atlanta's Least Influential people a few years ago. Oh that I were as un-influential at Troy! Troy's joy for life, the church, and people is infectious.

I wish I had room here to write about all the great people I have met over the past 10 years. I truly love all of my friends.