Homeless 1

Let’s play a word game.  I say a word or two and you think about the fist image that come sto your mind.  Ready?  Car.  Pet.  Office Building.  Homeless Person.

The image that many living in the US have is similar to the one posted to the left.  Is it what you thought of?  Let’s talk about homelessness, it has sure changed.  Especially in this economy.  

It is said that homelessness best describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are often unable to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing.

The issue and topic of homelessness is broad and very dynamic.  I do not profess to be an expert on this topic.  I am certainly wanting to bring awareness to our lives, perhaps if one person changes how or what they do, it could make a difference in the life of one other person.

Up to two million people in America spend their nights on the streets everyday.  Out of these people, thirty five percent are people with families and twenty five percent are below the age of eighteen. That means that there are 700,000 family members calling, cars, streets, shelters and the ground home each night.  Think about going camping in the wilderness, no restroom, no shower, no stove.  And now that is your way of life.

The topic and challenge of homelessness has been on my mind for some time.  it seems that each day or week there is a new “sign” for me to read or see.  Tonight, it was watching the news about Florida homeless families.  “...its only life” one girl said about living with her dad and sisters in their makeshift mobile home truck.  She went on to say; whenever I see a teenager fighting with their parents or arguing with them, or not doing what they are told it really hurts me.  They could be in my shoes, and I don’t want them to be, they need to learn to appreciate what and who they have in their life because this might be the last day they might have it.  Another young girl said that she was scared that someone would break in to get her mothers purse.

I am going to explore this more in the next day or two, I hope you will share the journey with me.  We need to consider the many possibilities that we have to help bring about real change.  If  you are reading this on your computer at work or home, you are among the 10% of the wealthist people in the WORLD!  

We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One family at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals

Can you see me? Can you hear me?

This will be a three part series of my recent trip to Ogden, Utah.

Part Three.  Can you see me?  Can you hear me?

I have been to the Salt Lake City area many times in my life.  The great Salt Lake, those hilly things.. oh yes, they are called mountains here.  (In Council Bluffs they are called foot hills.  Maybe because they are a little smaller)

I have NEVER noticed the mountains before.  Yes my eyes were open, and the mountains were just not in my visual range until this trip.  I heard them too!  I have never been called by nature to this degree in my life.  My former pastor talked about how “heaven” for him can be spending time laying on the edge of a cliff or hiking or running.  I heard what he was saying, but never ‘got it’.  This trip, I got it.  I hear it.  I see it.  I feel it.  I know it.  I don’t understand all that it is saying yet.

Catching up with the many friends out here was great.  Spending time with Phillip was incredible.  Seeing so many older friends and making many new connections was a great part of this trip. 

25^th Street in Ogden is filled with great shopping, great food and lively music on the weekends.  A hip, happening place to be.  Who would have thought?  Comfortable AND progressive. 

I was sad to go home as I felt that I had unfinished business there.  I didn’t know what it was but I know that I have some things that either the mountains will help me understand or being in Ogden will help me on my life journey with.  Only time will tell which or both!

There is light at the end of any tunnel.  I hope that as I continue my journey of life that I continue to seek the light, seek enlightenment and trust the journey it takes me on.  I love all that I know to be sacred. 

We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One mountain at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals

I know you!

This will be a three part series of my recent trip to Ogden, Utah.

Part Two.  I know you!

One of the things I like best is the shock value of going to a city, where people know you, and they don’t know you are coming and they have not seen you for 5+ years.  THEN, when you walk into them they glance at you, walk by, come to a complete stop, turn around and say… “I KNOW YOU!”  We laugh, we normally hug and spend a few minutes catching up. 

Most of the time I can tell instantly how they are in life, the eyes are the windows to our souls (and they don’t lie.)  I am so excited to see people who had once, not been in a good place in life; to be smiling, living life well and healthy.  And it pains me, perhaps makes me sad to see people whom are not doing well.  They “haunt” me in a way.  When I see a commercial, an event, a product, or hear a story that closely matches theirs it all too often reminds me of a string of other people whom I know or know of.  They do rest in my thoughts, in my prayers and my “wonders” I wonder how they are doing…

They say that each of us handles about 150 connections pretty well, beyond that we start to lose control and touch with those people (that is an average.)  I surely met 1/3 of my quota that weekend!  There were so many people that I re-connected with.  Some whom I had great times with, in the past, but just never kept in close touch.

Regardless if I am at home, traveling or in a place that I call home away from home, there is always a group of people who I know where they are at in life.  They were “broken” when I met them, when I saw them last and on my trip back, yes, they are still there.

I wonder who they surround themselves with that would allow them to remain broken, or in this continues state of need for… need for health, need for love, need for self preservation, need for a hug, need for tough love, need to stop addictions, need for…  A need for someone to say I love you and I would like you to think about changing your life, NOW!  

A Buddhist saying is “As the rain falls on the just and unjust alike, let your heart be untroubled by judgments and let your kindness rain down on all.”  Of course according to the Bible we are to love our neighbors as we do ourselves.  Both lessons of life are very difficult to live sometimes, are they not?  Let my heart be untroubled by judgments?  That is a tough one, especially when you know that person or that person is hurting so badly.  And love someone else as much as we love ourselves.  What if this neighbor really angered us or did us wrong or, or, or… 

I believe that in my life, I have had people look at me and see and say “what a mess!”, “so much potential”, “what a loss.”  And I give thanks to all those who stood by me, pushed me, pulled me, and lifted me who saw and thought “he can do it”, “slow down, shut up and listen, learn and watch”, “be still and know…” 

When I see people today whom I have not seen for a long time we both say “I know you”, and it is my hope that we take time to really make that true… do you KNOW me?  Do I KNOW you? 

We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One “I know you” at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals

Twelve Hours

This will be a three part series of my recent trip to Ogden, Utah.

Part One.  Twelve Hours.

As my long time and dear friend Phillip and I made our way across Nebraska, through Wyoming and into Utah it seemed, now, that it only took a couple of hours.  Although it was twelve hours and not a couple, the time did go by quickly. 

Phillip and I have known each other for over twenty years.  Through ups and downs, good times and bad, both of us being richer and poorer, our friendship has seen just about everything, including his father’s death.

I remember a friend of ours, Joe, came to me and asked to borrow a car to drive to Iowa.  I asked where and why.  He said, well, Phillip’s father has passed.  I said I am going too.  Joe asked, I thought you two were not getting along right now.  I said we are not, Phillip as an ass.  Joe said you really want to go?  I said, listen a friend is in need, we must go to him now.  And so we set out for the funeral.

We arrived and was introduced to the family.  We were getting ready to head back to Omaha and Phillips Mom insisted that we come over for more food (where would I possibly put MORE food, after being stuffed at the reception.  Church women DO know how to fix a meal!)  So we did.  And the family gathering turned into a laugh-fest, telling jokes, recalling times, and interweaving our life stories from Omaha with the family.  There were all in tears.  From laughing so hard.  I went to the kitchen for water, and Phillips mother was standing there just taking the “moment” in.  She thanked me.  I said I should thank you for all this food, I won’t eat for a week.  She said no, thank you for making people laugh.  Today, I recall that moment as time that was a slap in the head by that 2x4 saying… hey you are good at this do it!  (My calling.)

Phillip and I live in the same city and communicate often.  We have not, however, caught up on a few special moments in each other’s lives, so we did.  I VERY much enjoyed the ride out that if we turned around and came back the time I spent with Phillip was cherished and wonderful and was valuable enough for me to call a vacation.

We pressed on, through darkness and a small hill fire that really brought us to tears… that smoke was intense and incredibly thick.   It stayed with us the last hour of travel. 

Finally we reached Ogden.  The entire trip was filled with such scenery that we could click the camera at any point and we would have a perfect postcard.  The mountains, sunset, clouds and the ambience that nature provides is breathtaking!

I look back at how I have spend other twelve hour increments of time, and I realize I waste a lot of time.  I have many wonderful, “rich” people to spend it with.  The last twelve hours was so rewarding, warm and special.  I need to take more “time outs” to spend with those whom are important to my life.

We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One car trip at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals

Circles

One of the oldest, most widespread, and effective tools for creating personal and social change is the Circle. This organizational form is used for an array of purposes and appears under different names in a variety of contexts and cultures in countries around the world.

In Sweden and Norway, study circles are an institutionalized part of the adult education system, with millions of participants coming together in small groups to learn and engage with one another. In the United States, millions of people form self-organized literature circles, otherwise known as book clubs. In Japan, hundreds of companies like Toyota and Honda invite employees to join quality circles, a kind of self-managed work team, to develop employees’ talents and contributions and improve organizational processes and products. And in India, NGOs and banks regularly create lending circles to deliver financial services to the poor and to encourage community development.

Why are Circles so widely embraced? Because their very structure creates the conditions for personal and group growth and empowerment. As an archetype the Circle represents an ancient form of meeting that encourages respectful conversation. It stands in contrast to the Triangle, an alternative archetype of social interaction that reflects hierarchy and reminds people of their place within a power structure.

In a well-functioning Circle, members experience a strong sense of belonging, a compelling commitment to shared goals, a high level of accountability to themselves and to the group, a robust climate of joint problem solving and learning among peers, an intense feeling of involvement, and high trust relationships. Everyone sees herself as an equal part of the whole. The nonhierarchical nature that is the foundation of Circle interaction encourages every member to be a facilitator and a leader by sharing her knowledge and skills.

It is my opinion that “worship” as “we in the US know it” should be a circle.  A community.  Being that circle is about conversation, well that leaves many religions out.  I believe in questions, learning, growing and allowing everyone the free agency to recognize what their truth is, what their enlightenment is.  It is after all, their life isn’t it?

We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One circle at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals

Wedding Vows

“Do you take this person to be your wedded spouse to live together in marriage?

Do you promise to love, comfort, honor and keep them for better or worse,

for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others,

until death do you part?"

Although these vows are not used that often today, they used to be the “standard” for all weddings.  With celebrity marriages lasting hours, days and months, there are some that take that vow seriously, until death do them part.  (And yes, others who are still fighting for the right to have the ability to marry the one they love.)

The Yeager family describes their mother and father as being “old-fashioned.”  “They believed in marriage, till death do you part," said son Dennis Yeager.  "Staying together for 72 years is good. I'd say that's exceptional," said daughter Donna Sheets.

"Anybody come over -- she was the hostess with the mostess. She just seriously -- the more she did -- the more she smiled," said Dennis Yeager. "Dad would be the center of attention, like, 'Weee look at me,' and mom was like 'get him away from me!' You know we even got a picture like that."

Norma didn't really want the distance, and family said she hardly left Gordon's side for 72 years.   "They just loved being together. Everybody argues once in awhile, but they still, he said 'I have to stick around. I can't go until she does because I have to stay here for her and she would say the same thing,'" said Dennis Yeager.

Dennis Yeager said the couple left home last Wednesday to go into town, but they didn't make it. The couple pulled in front of an oncoming car. The Iowa State Patrol crash report said the other driver attempted to avoid the crash but was unable to stop in time. "I rushed from Des Moines where I was working and saw them in the hospital," said Dennis Yeager.

In the intensive care unit of Marshalltown's hospital, nurses knew not to separate Gordon and Norma.  "They brought them in the same room in intensive care and put them together, and they were holding hands in ICU. They were not really responsive," said Dennis Yeager.   

Gordon died at 3:38 p.m., holding hands with his wife as the family they built surrounded them.  "It was really strange, they were holding hands, and dad stopped breathing but I couldn't figure out what was going on because the heart monitor was still going," said Dennis Yeager. "But we were like, he isn't breathing. How does he still have a heart beat? The nurse checked and said that's because they were holding hands and it's going through them. Her heart was beating through him and picking it up."

"They were still getting her heartbeat through him," said Donna Sheets.  At 4:48 p.m., one hour after Gordon died, Norma passed too.  "Neither one of them would've wanted to be without each other. I couldn't figure out how it was going to work," said Donna Sheets. "We were very blessed, honestly, that they went this way."  "They just loved being together," said Dennis Yeager.

For this couple, the vows they took at their wedding where more than just nice words to be read aloud.  The Yeager’s lived a life of love and had a love for life.  They shared that through their family, friends and love for one another.  May they rest in peace and enjoy eternal love with one another.   

 We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One vow at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care.

INCLUSIVE LIFE   (402) 575-7006   info@inclusivelife.org

In Omaha at 105 S. 49^th Street, Omaha, NE 68132

In Council Bluffs at 500 Willow Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Holiday Values

Back in the “good old days” when an ice cream sundae cost a fraction of what they do today, a 10 year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. “How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked. “50¢,” replied the waitress.  The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

“Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. “35¢!” she brusquely replied.  The little boy again counted his coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn’t have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip. 

The American values that we often debate over, talk about and often times long for are not vanished.  They are perhaps at times a bit dusty, but not gone.  As we enter the holiday season I challenge each of us to send at least one greeting card to a soldier or retiree at a nursing home whom we don’t know.

The cost?  Price of a stamp and a card.  The return?  Priceless for the soldier who may feel forgotten, the retiree with no family.  Send more than one, maybe one each or each week if you are blessed enough to have that resource.

Check your phone book (ok, Google) to find a nursing home in your area.  Or simply send a card to:

A Recovering American Soldier

 c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center

6900 Georgia Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20307-5001

We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One card at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals

Words

The Power of Words...

Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me!  How many of us remember hearing that as a youngster or saying it?  (I do!)

What we know, today, is that sticks and stones do break bones, and often leave scares.  And we know that names and words do not break bones, and they often leave scares.  Let’s just see how…

I invite you right now to find a piece of paper.  Any will do.  I ask you to write down a few words, words that you remember either calling someone else or being called in your life.  Go ahead.  Write them down.  Now, I would like you to crumple up, roll up and smash that piece of paper in your hands.  Go ahead.  Now, I would like you to unfold it.  And using your hands make it as smooth as you can.  Go ahead.  Roll it back out.  Stroke your hand across the paper trying to get out every last crease.

Hold that paper up in your hand.  Are all the lines gone leaving the paper exactly as it was BEFORE the words were written?  No.  No the wrinkles and the words remain.  Perhaps a bit faded or hard to read but they are still there nonetheless.

And so are those words.  Much like sticks and stones, words can have a lasting impact on ones life.  In both a positive and negative way.

For those separated by distance, perhaps traveling for work, confined, imprisoned, military deployment, or life journey letters, emails and voice mails can mean the difference for so many trying to stay connected to family, loved ones and friends.  It is that needed vital link to their life.  Without them they can feel disconnected, alone, and without.

And words can be powerful in a harmful way as well.  If you tell someone that they are pathetic, they will become pathetic.  If at work you tell others that someone is lazy, no good and worthless, they will become lazy, no good and worthless. 

A great teacher said “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”  And so shall we have that opportunity.    

We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One word at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals

Running

It has been written that the best way to cross the finish line is one step at a time.  Never give up, never quit, and never give in are all reminder that have been spoken to most of us at one time or another in our life.  Most all of my in-laws are all runners.  They enjoy running, biking, walking and entering marathons too!  You would think that since I am round, like a bike tire, I could join them in this journey, but no, running is just not for me.

My partner Jonathan has always said never give up, always keep going.  His email is runner34424.  He held the best marathon running time (until recently beat by his brother) and that was 3 hours, 44 minutes and 24 seconds.  Running for over 3 hours (26.2 miles!), are you crazy?  I get out-of-breath running to my fridge! (kidding)  I applied this logic to other areas of my life and found that I am a runner too.  Sure, it is easy to say I have ran from things in my life, and that is true I have.  I am speaking directly to the things I have ran to or towards. 

The biggest and most recent is Inclusive Life.  This is a ministry that I created in 2009, and it continues to amaze me what will unfold the next day.  Religion is such a “hot topic” word for so many for so many reasons.  Some I share!  I am beginning to understand that my focus is not ABOUT religion, it is focusing on the human being and their journey or truth or enlightenment.  All in all that has been a pretty mild “run” for me. 

The steep hill I run is when I process these thoughts: The number of people have been harmed, killed or changed forever in the name of religion.  The territorial behavior of many places of worship and “clergy” who believe they “own” certain groups of people or territories.  Those that preach and teach and talk about radical inclusivity and their actions (and those of their places of worship) do not match that message.

I have a message; YOU are beautiful.  YOU are loved.  YOU are worthy.  Just the way you are.  And that applies to all, without exception.  Now THAT is radical.  THAT is Inclusive Life!

 So as my in-laws continue to run, one step at a time.  I continue to explore how we can fit together in community, worship our diverse beliefs and still come away loving, respecting and enjoying each other despite the different paths we walk.

 We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One step at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care.

INCLUSIVE LIFE   (402) 575-7006   info@inclusivelife.org

In Omaha at 105 S. 49^th Street, Omaha, NE 68132

In Council Bluffs at 500 Willow Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503

AIDS

December 1^st will mark World AIDS Day.  Observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. It is common to hold memorials to honor persons who have died from HIV/AIDS on this day.  Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day.

Governments of other nations have followed suit and issued similar announcements.

How has HIV/AIDS touched you, your family, or your life?

To many, it has claimed their life.  As a former American Red Cross, Instructor Trainer for the HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention program I have taught classes, and have spoke at schools and churches on this topic.  Personally I have lost countless friends to the disease.  I see young human beings engaging in high at risk behavior today and I sit amazed that after knowing that it is a preventable disease, why anyone would take a chance. 

I ask that as December 1^st approaches we all consider what we can do to help educate our youth and others engaging in high risk behavior.  For some it may be a donation, it may be getting involved and volunteering.  I ask each of you to consider doing something different.  Talk about it!  With co-workers, family, neighbors, friends, loved ones, and yes, strangers.  Arm yourself with facts, information and a commitment to make a difference.

RESOURCES

http://aids.gov

http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/default.htm

 We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One saved life at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care.

INCLUSIVE LIFE   (402) 575-7006   info@inclusivelife.org

In Omaha at 105 S. 49^th Street, Omaha, NE 68132

In Council Bluffs at 500 Willow Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503