Kiva

I was recently introduced to an amazing organization, Kiva.org.

Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty.

Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of micro finance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.

Its addicting...

My first loan was to Geoffery, a single man from Kenya. He is a brick maker and works as motorbike transport. He needed $800 to buy a moulding machine and a motorbike.

I then "met" Nurali from Tajikistan, a 42 year old married man with five children. He was a pharmacist and needed $3,000 to purchase necessary pharmaceutical products.

From there I've been able to donate to people from Tanzani to buy fish and the Philippines to buy merchandise and El Salvador to buy medical supplies...there are hundreds of loans to choose from.

The great thing about the site is that we are loaning these people money - we haven't donating it. Before they can submit a loan request, they have to show how they plan to pay the money back, over time. As the people repay the loan - the money is redeposited back into my account and I can choose to loan the money to other individuals. In a way, the donation is recycled and can help people over and over again.

If you're interested in joining - here is a link: http://kiva.org/invitedby/bryce2424

My profile is: http://kiva.org/invitedby/bryce2424

"We meet our soulmates when we're on our soul path"

If you know me, you know I have an affinity for Greek mythology. I want my children to grow up learning the ancient myths and stories - I may ever go as far as giving my children middle names from Greek mythology - (Perseus, Achilles, and Pericles are my favorites...)

One of my favorite Greek myths involves the concept of soul mates. The Ancient Greeks believed the world is inhabited by people. But these people weren’t what we would consider to be “normal” - each “person” had two heads, four arms and four legs. These “people” were powerful. So powerful in fact that Zeus and the other Gods feared their strength. Trouble arose when the Gods heard that these beings that they had created were thinking about climbing to heaven to replace the gods themselves.

Of course the gods were upset. Some of them said that the easiest thing to do would be to destroy humankind. But Zeus, patient and wise, listened to their gripes and groans and malicious plans, and then came up with one of his own. He proposed that they should cut all these human beings in half. This would benefit the gods in many ways. First it would immediately double the number of people making offerings to the gods. And secondly, it would weaken the race. Effectively cutting their strength in half.

All the gods loved the idea and the humans were divided in two. The human race was confused, upset and feeling empty. Zeus, was filled with compassion and made a decision to help ease their pain and suffering. He made it so that each half was able to have sex with their opposite. And in their brief moments of love making they would be able to return to each other, becoming lost in their symbolical oneness if only for a short while. And since that day the human race has been in search for their soulmate.

Do you believe in soul mates?

I do.

I believe that I have another half out there - Someone that completes my soul. A soulmate that I am deeply compatible with in disposition, point of view, and sensitivity - someone for whom I have a deep affinity and a profound connection with. Someone that brings out the best in me and someone that I can relish the little moments with. Someone that I share an unspoken familiarity and mutuality with. 

I believe, as Richard Bach described, "A soulmate is someone who has the locks to fit our keys, and the keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and for who we're pretending to be. Each of us unveils the best part of one another. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person were safe in our paradise. Our soulmate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we're two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we've found the right person. Our soulmate is the one who make life come to life."

Granted, I don't think being in a relationship with your "soulmate" makes everything smell likes roses and leads to a relationship free of struggles or trouble. I believe that soul mates must work hard at their relationship and there are many unique challenges. If the essentials of love, respect and communication aren't present - any relation ship will fail, including one between soul mates. A soulmate relationship should lack intimidation, manipulation or abuse - should make you feel safe. 

Do you believe in soulmates?

101 in 1001

In my random ramblings through the intertubes, I ran across this site, Day Zero Project. The premise is to create a list of 101 specific goals to accomplish in 1001 days (2.75 years).

I started my list with 64 goals so far... take a look at tell me what I'm missing. I need to come up with some more...Oh, I just thought of another one.

http://dayzeroproject.com/user/bryceabplanalp

If you create your own list, be sure to let me know so we can follow each other.

...then fed by anyone else.

"I'd sooner be eaten by you then fed by anyone else."

- The Horse and His Boy by CS Lewis

I love the power of this quote.

How often can we say that to Jesus Christ?

That we would rather be caught up in His consuming fire than taken in by all the world's pleasures.That we would rather follow Him by faith into all the troubles of this world than live by the world's comforts...

Or in the words of the afflicted prophet Job, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." (Job 13:15)

Are we willing to be consumed by Christ, devoured by His saving grace, and slain by His atoning blood?

Five Laws...

The law of VALUE

Your true worth is determined by how much more

you give in value than you take in payment.

The law of COMPENSATION

Your income is determined by how many people you serve and

how well you serve them.

The law of INFLUENCE

Your influence is determined by how abundantly

you place other people's interests first.

The law of AUTHENTICITY

The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.

The law of RECEPTIVITY

The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.

My banner will be clear.

When I'm struggling in life it helps to remember who I am...

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.

I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience,

am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven.

My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few,

my guide is reliable, my mission is clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity,

or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the cause of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.

My banner will be clear.

A Forever Family

I want a family that laughs together, learns together, and loves together.