As I rub shoulders on a daily basis with people it is amazing how everyone, regardless of age or experience, has a story to tell. Lately, I have learned to sit back and take in what others may want to share even though their intention may simply be to engage in small talk. If the eyes are the window to the soul, the mouth is the window to people's passions. We talk about what most intrigues us or what has captivated our minds lately. Given our current economy and new president, these are often a topic of discussion as many try to work out what they themselves believe through conversation and debate. It is refreshing though that even in these tumultuous times there are many who have a deep passion for impacting the world around them. Instead of being tossed to and fro by a 600 page bill passed by Congress or the relentless influence of the news media, some have chosen to be steadfast and shape their worldview around things eternal.

I have a friend, Shannon, who obviously loves her family and ministers richly to her children and husband. I have another friend, Linda, who is constantly about restoring relationship and glorifying God through outreach to the misguided or those wandering. I have made friends recently with a man named Larry, who is passionate about being wise with his finances and he is proud of his successes; not boastful, but thankfully proud. Just today, I was privy to a number of stories being told.

So what is your story? What are your passions? What consumes your thoughts and drives your conversation? I am anxious to hear what gets your wheels turning and what moves you to action. My hope is that in sharing these stories we can begin to see that life is not an existence of group-think or status quo, but rather an array of passions that can be channeled into a common purpose or cause.

IAP is an organization that, at its core, displays commonality, but we are also a collective of independent thinkers and doers, each with their own story, who partner with others to compliment what is being done around the world to eradicate poverty and exemplify Christ to all people. So tell me your story and I will tell you mine; together we can change the world.