A cure for cancer...well, almost!

Two months ago I signed on to join the staff at Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program. I knew that we only had funding in place to pay my salary for two months...but when you've got a proven method of saving lives - especially lives of youth - you would think funding might come a little bit easier.

Although it's not a cure for cancer, it's just as important. I still feel I'm enough of an 'outsider' from Yellow Ribbon to take a look inward and say this without feeling like I'm patting myself on the back - but the training/curriculum that YR has and uses is some damn good stuff. I'm mean, really good quality. The teams that have come together over the past several years to write, edit, proof, rewrite and produce our training curriculum is five star. This is some great material and there is documentation from third parties that it's working - it's teaching a lifeskill that is saving lives - of all ages.

So, when I look at the 'product' and see the impact it is making, and then think of the impact it could be making if expanded into new venues/markets/schools/faith communities/you name it....I feel a bit sick when it's not getting to the people that need it. Let's be honest, everything in society today costs money...again from the outside looking in - Yellow Ribbon does take money to run (like any business), but YR isn't running a multi-million dollar operation (although think of what we could do if we were.) If over 10 million YR cards can be distributed on a annual budget in the neighborhood of $150-165K...what happens if we double that?

To be honest, in eight weeks of being on staff with Yellow Ribbon, I've seen some amazing things happen - and I have faith that even more is around the corner. But, what I hate to see is people learning about YR after they've already lost someone they love. I know we can't save everyone - but I know we can make a bigger difference. A friend and mentor of mine always said that if something wasn't happening (that is part of God's plan), it's simply because someone isn't bringing their piece of the puzzle to the table. I can't help but wonder who out there has the missing pieces to this life-saving suicide prevention puzzle.

In a sense we have a cure for the 'cancer' that is suicide...we just need the bucks to get it out to those who need it.

In closing a verse that has helped me to stay focused these past two months: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap the harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

~C

Who's Blogging...an update

Last fall I wrote a post called "Who Should Blog."

I just thought I should post a quick update to let you know one of the "Who's" is now blogging...I take no credit for this new member of the blogging world, but I wanted to make sure all who wanted to check out this great thinker could do so. Drop on over to "Simply Max" and check it out.

~C

A new year and a new....

Happy New Years!

Sure, it's a bit late - but like someone said 'better late than never!'

So, I heard rumor that someone had be checking in here and were looking for an updated post from yours truly. So, I hope this may lend way to some more frequent updates here at Chris' Corner in 2011.

These past few weeks have been quite a transition and thus far I'm enjoying it - a new position with Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program (a lot more on that in future posts), a search for a church home (more later), and inching closer to Baby Hansen. So for now...

To help get you started, swing over to Pastor Perry's Blog and check out his latest "Forgive Us Lord!"

~C

1:1

What would living out Mark 12:31 this Christmas season really look like?

How would our world, your neighborhood - be impacted?

How could the perception of Christ's Church be changed if we took this passage seriously?

What it for every dollar you spent on yourself, your family, & your friends this Christmas you also spent a dollar on a neighbor*?

* neighbor being, the poor, homeless, hungry, naked, widowed, elderly, children...those who are in more need than us

Let's round down to the nearest hundred billion and say that American's will spend only $400 Billion this Christmas. If we took this 1:1 seriously one of two things would happen:
- We would spend $400 Billion on ourselves & $400 Billion on our neighbors
- or We would spend $200 Billion on ourselves & $200 Billion on our neighbors

either way we probably still have more than we need and the world would be changed forever, and that's just talking about 1:1 during Christmas 2010. What if we did this every year, or even better - what if we did this every day?

Don't be afraid to ask "what if" this Christmas - I think Christ would be pleased with our response.

His,
~C

It's coming - only 22 shopping days left!

Isn't it great that we have all the big-box retailers to remind us every year that it's Christmas time (or in reality that Christmas time is within 5-6 weeks from beginning). Some offer a count-down as you walk into their store (this many shopping days/weeks until Christmas), some put out Christmas decorations, toys, gifts, etc the day before Halloween, many start playing Christmas music (disclosure: I believe Christmas music is some of the greatest music in the world and to limit that to only 4 weeks a year is a joke - so this is the exception that can come out Nov 1st). The point is - they never forget to remind us what season is upon us.

Anyway - it seems earlier and earlier every year we begin to get those reminders about the coming Christmas season. Even with all of these fun reminders, I still hear so many people say "I can't believe there are only 23 days left until Christmas - how am I ever going to get all my shopping done and all those gifts wrapped? It baffles me. We can already predict that it's 55 weeks & 1 day until Christmas 2011, and another 52 weeks to that if you need to know when it will be here in 2012. It's really not that hard to figure out.

But, we find ourselves in a similar position to people during the first Christmas - yes there was a bright shinning star, the angels announcement, and even Moses had a heads up that Christ would be coming. Yet, it still snuck up on them....maybe it was because there was no holiday section set up 8 weeks in advance at the local Shepherd-Mart? Who knows?

God was and is The One who is never caught off guard - by the first Christmas or this Christmas. It was no accident, twist of fate, or some random last-minute decision. Christmas, and Christ's coming have always been a part of God's grand plan. All in the works since before the creation of the universe.

We often may feel like Christmas crept in while we were not looking, but the first Christmas and the Christmas of 2010 did and will come at the perfect time - precisely when God wanted.

Don't let the rush of retail, the glamor of un-needed gifts, the frustration of family, or anything else steal away the true reason God sent us such an amazing Gift on Christmas day. After all, it would be tragic if we, who know the true meaning of Christmas, celebrate the holiday without acknowledging the Messiah.

His,
~C

What Should I Give?

In following my last post - I thought I'd throw some suggestions out there of some organizations that you might prayerfully consider giving to this Christmas.

Remember what you give is between you & God - just ask Him what you should give and chances are He'll give you an amount that you're gonna think is too much...but if it's from God - trust Him, when has He ever let you down...Worship Fully!

Living Water International

People's City Mission (Lincoln)

Heifer International (give some animals)

Compassion (the gift that will keep on giving - Sponsor a child this Christmas)

Yellow Ribbon (yes, I have a bias here - but I know the support they receive will continue to save lives from suicide)

Or here are a few other random ideas: each time you pass a Red Kettle this month (Salvation Army) drop in all the change you have in your pocket/purse. Next time you pass a homeless person (you know, the one holding the sign, or walking through downtown) take 30 minutes and buy them a meal or cup of coffee...don't just buy and run, break bread with them - share Christ's Love by sharing with & getting to know them. Or, just ask God to move your heart and when you get out of bed each morning say "God I'm available today" - allow Him to show you how He wants you to give this season...trust me - you'll see opportunities cross your path!

Merry Christmas!
~C

My Christmas List...

At 28 years old, I think I'm quite content with all that I have. This past month I posted various things I was thankful for - falling in with the theme of Thanksgiving! But, when I look at all that I have, I feel blessed. Then, when I look at all I have compared to what many in our world do not - I still feel blessed, but I feel a stir within me.

I have known since I was much younger that I enjoyed giving more than receiving. I think most of this is credit to The God who has blessed me thus far in my life. I know that when I give to the least of these, I am giving to Christ. And let's face it; Christ came into this world to GIVE for you and me - so shouldn't I, as I strive to be like Christ always desire to give whatever I can to others...thus showing them The Christ that I claim to follow.

What good is it if I get one more un-needed trinket or gift certificate or the latest electronic gadget or......?



Every time I here about Advent Conspiracy it opens my eyes to how crazy we've made this entire Christmas season....we see stress levels increase, debt increase, and we seem to lose focus of what Advent & Christmas are really supposed to be about...Him, born in a manger. Honestly, let's just start with the clean water...one place says American's spend over $400 billion on Christmas every year....and it would only cost around $10 billion to provide clean water to those around the world who don't have it.

So, for Christmas this year - instead of more stuff that I don't really need (yes, I am human and there are things I want....but need - no, not really) I wish we could all

- Worship Fully (like those who came to see Christ at His birth) we get more excited at our birthday's - let's actually get a bit excited and really celebrate and worship The King!
- Spend Less
- Give More
- Love All

I think it's what He would want!

Start a new tradition this year,
Celebrating Him,
~C