A Great Story!

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
May 19, 2010

I love getting e-mails from our readers, I just wish they would leave their names that way I could give them credit.

I received this one yesterday; anyone who has pets will really like this. You’ll like it even if you don’t and you may even decide you need one!

As I was reading this it brought tears to my eyes, reminded me that I once had cancer and it my pet Sheppard Buddy was always there for me.

 Here is the e-mail I hope you enjoy it.

We would like to know what you think. Please drop us a line so that we can post your comment. dan@goldcoastchronicle.com

 

 

 

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named ‘Lucky.’   Lucky was a real character.

 Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy.  

Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.

Mary or Jim would go to Lucky’s toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky’s other favorite toys.     

Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer.   Something told her she was going to die of this disease……in fact; she was just sure it was fatal.

She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.   The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky.  

A thought struck her….what would happen to Lucky?  

Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary’s dog through and through.

If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought.  He won’t understand that I didn’t want to leave him!  

The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks.   

Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital.  

When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn’t even make it up the steps to her bedroom.  Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap… 

Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn’t come to her when she called.    It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn’t understand what was wrong.   Shecouldn’t move her head and her body felt heavy and hot.  

But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem.  She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! 

While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life.

 Mary forgot about dying.   Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day.   

He had covered her with his love.

It’s been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free.   Lucky.   He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

 

 

Remember…..live every day to the fullest.  Each minute is a blessing from God.  And never forget….the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. 

They are the ones that care for us.

If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours!   

Live simply… Love seriously.  

Care deeply.  

Speak kindly.   

Leave the rest to God.

All you are asked to do is keep this circulating, even if it is only to one more people, in memory of anyone you know that has been struck down by cancer or is still fighting their battle.

 

Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer.Amen

Teen Connection on Mother’s Day

By Tracey Jackson
May 9, 2010

Why are there so many closed doors in our house?
Who’s on the other side?
Teenagers are allusive
they’re always avoiding
Why do they feel they must hide?
Though we’ve been told someday they’ll
out grow it
we’ll have to just wait and see
Someday we’ll find it
The Teenage Connection
My child, my heartbeat and me

 

Now I just took some serious liberties with my friend Paul Williams’ amazing song The Rainbow Connection.

But being that this blog is for the Partnership for Drug-Free America and the fact that he is so involved in the sobriety movement, he won’t care.

Today  is Mother’s Day, which means mothers are being paid attention to whether the attention givers really want to or not.

Families are taking Grandma out to brunch despite the fact that she may aggressively quiz them about hair length, tattoos, drug experimentation and love choices.

Mothers are being given breakfast in bed, handmade cards and if Zale’s has their way, lots of diamonds.

Even teenagers are venturing out of their caves (a.k.a. their rooms) with a few if not cheery, hopefully coherent words of affection and appreciation — though they may be simultaneously texting as they recite them.

And then the whole family will sit through a meal, though the teens may be texting while eating. 

Yet they are honoring mom despite the fact they might not have spoken more than seven full sentences to her in the last week.

Mind you this is not all kids nor is it all families. Some are better and some are much worse. 

But the average teenager is about as interested in interacting with their parents as Obama is in becoming a Birthed.

It often starts around 13, when they pretend they don’t know you in public — unless of course your credit card is on its way out of your wallet and headed in their direction. 

And pretty much everything you say – unless it is “yes” to an unreasonable request– is considered lame.

By 15 their rooms are their sanctuaries and often times its Enter at Your Own Risk, or just plain Stay Away.

When you do enter and attempt a “normal” conversation that could start with something as simple as “Do you have much homework?” you get volleyed back, “Why do you always have to tell me what to do? I can run my own life!”

Psychologists talk about their frontal lobes being underdeveloped; I feel like their ears have some filter system in place where every phrase uttered by a parent is turned into an insult.

“It’s cold out today, you might want a sweater” is met with an angry, “Why do you have to be so controlling?”

At this point when connections are not happening everything feels misinterpreted and an air of alienation hangs over the family.

This is a very frustrating period for both parents and kids. They are branching out and carving their independence and usually without much regard for our feelings: they have to do it, but it’s not easy for us to watch the person we knew disappear like a ghost.

Consequently we end up either confronting them with what we perceive to be (and often is) their rudeness, which only escalates into more rudeness and more shutting down or we go off, tail between our legs to lick our wounded feelings in silence, and stew.

What I found has worked the best in our house is when Taylor gives me the vibe that she is in a bad, introspective, or a I-want-to-be-left-alone mood, I just leave her be.

I learned to respect her need to be away from not just me, but all authority figures, and many people. 

This means not taking it personally — not an easy thing for me to do — but I find when I do this, she somehow gets that I am acknowledging her individuation from me.

By not taking it personally, she does not become defensive.

By my ignoring her and doing my own thing, she eventually reappears on her time, in her way, and the space is then free for connection.

Try not to ask “What’s wrong? 

What happened?

Are you in a bad mood? 

 Why aren’t you talking to me?” 

 This gets the door slammed faster than almost anything.

If I want to connect yet feel the wall being erected, I will tell her about something that happened to me that day, something rather banal that is not full of subtext.

Even something as benign as “I got my hair cut today” might be met with “You hate my hair! Why are you always judging me?”

Today I found the prettiest flowers at the market. Today I read a funny article online.

Say something upbeat, not about them, neutral and not open for misinterpretation.

Be in the moment, it’s usually where they are most of the time.   “When I was your age I felt…“is heard as a lecture. 

All you will get back is “I don’t need a lecture.” Slam.

The other thing that I have found really works is to do nothing but just be there. It’s hard, as parents we want to connect – we miss that little koala bear attached to our hip, and truth be told they miss it too which is partially why they are so aggressive at times.

They want you and don’t want you and hate the fact they want you and hate the fact they need you while they don’t want to need you.

So when I’m feeling that way, I sometimes just go in her room — after I ask if it’s OK; privacy is everything at this age.  

I bring my laptop and just hang out with her; saying nothing, just being there, amusing myself and asking for nothing in return from her. 

I’m giving her the message that I’m here if you want me, we don’t have to talk. Then the most amazing thing happens — she starts chatting up a storm.

We’re connecting because I haven’t demanded it. And when that happens, it feels like Mother’s Day no matter what day it is.

The good news is: it is a phase and they do come out of it.  And from what I hear, you get years of laughs and jokes at everybody’s expense – especially on the holidays.

 

Happy Mother’s Day!

 

Source: Drug Free

 

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@goldcoaschronicle.com

National Day of Prayer

By Larry Miller
GCC/Staff
May 6, 2010

Despite the ruling of Judge Crabb, the National Day of Prayer will take place as planned.

Despite the judge’s fear that religion, and possibly even morality, would intrude into the secular bastion of government at all levels, most of American’s see no problem with this recognition.

On the other hand, perhaps it is a blessing to many politicians who don’t have to endure the hypocrisy of attending an event recognizing a power higher than them.

The point is that “We the People” declared our independence.

“We the People” formed the more perfect union.

It is “We the People” who drive the economy and “We the People” who pay the taxes and fight the wars.

So it is only appropriate that “We the People” take the lead once again. We do not need consent, yet, to gather and pray.

The National Day of Prayer is about our relationship with our creator, not about compliance with judicial edict.

Even should they decide to outlaw the recognition rather than just remove governmental support, we must say, with Peter, “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:9)

Coming before the Lord has long been a tradition of American leaders from the time of George Washington and Ben Franklin. Presidents, generals, congressmen, senators… even some judges have recognized, not only of the value of religion, but of encouraging its practice.

It has taken many years to evolve from honoring the worship of God to denouncing it.

With everything going on in our country there certainly is a lot to take to the foot of the cross.

The obvious things are threat to the livelihood of so many who live along the gulf coast, the strife along our southern border, the massive unemployment we are seeing, the growing intrusion into our lives by governments at all levels, and our military men and women around the world… the middle east in particular.

However, most of all, we could be seeking leaders with an honest fear of God and a desire to follow His way.

Yes, there is so much we have to take before Him. No, you don’t have to gather for corporate prayer.

Yet it is by standing together and seeking divine guidance, that we know we are not alone, and we are putting those arrayed against us on notice that their time is short.

Whether in this lifetime, or the next, we shall be victorious and they will be finished. On that note, we also need to pray for changes in their hearts as well.

If you can, get together with other and pray for our land and ourselves that we will be able to set the example and show the rest of our country the way out of the mess we are in.

 

Source: Political Christian

 

 

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. san@youngchronicle.com

We Need Prayers

By Shirley Dobson
May 6, 2010

We sometimes feel a bit ashamed to find that most of our prayers occur during severe hardships.

Yet Martin Luther seemed to view the situation differently:

 

Except under troubles, trials, and vexations, prayer cannot rightly be made. God says:

“Call on me in the time of trouble”; without trouble it is only a bald prattling, and not from the heart; it is a common saying: “Need teaches to pray.”

 

That’s a strong statement! God certainly wants us to pray at all times, not just in moments of crisis (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

But Luther makes his point – when times are good, our natural tendency is to drift away from God.

Likewise, trials seem to bring out our most fervent prayers. Let’s thank God for allowing troubles that drive us closer to Him.

Praise and thank God for the burdens in your life; repent of any failure to be grateful for them; ask for His help in the specific difficulties you currently face; yield to Him by not complaining.

 

 

Source: National Day of Prayer

 

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Cell Phones for Soldiers

By Hank Richards
YC/Staff
Apr. 29, 2010

Americans will replace more than 150 million cell phones this year, with the majority of phones either discarded or stuffed in a drawer. 

“Most people don’t realize that donating their unwanted phones can have a tremendous benefit for a worthy cause like Cell Phones for Soldiers” said Hank Richards, writer and business owner with the Examiner.

The Cell Phones for Soldiers program was started in April 2004 by 13 year-old Brittany Bergquist and her 12 year-old brother Robbie of Norwell, Massachusetts, with $21 of their own money.

Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised several million dollars in donations and distributed hundreds of thousands of prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas. 

Their goal is to help soldiers serving overseas call home by providing as many soldiers as possible with prepaid calling cards.

Through generous donations and the recycling of used cell phones from drop-off sites across the country, Robbie and Brittany have already distributed thousands of calling cards to soldiers in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

ReCellular, Inc. was selected as the exclusive recycler of Cell Phones for Soldiers. Phones donated through the program are sold to ReCellular and the money is used to purchase calling cards for troops in need.

The phones are sent to ReCellular which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers enough to provide an hour of talk time per phone to soldiers abroad.

Hank Richards  has teamed up with ReCellular and other companies such as Best Buy, AT&T and Lamar Sign Company  to promote Cell Phones for Soldiers.

“One of the founding principles of my company, Capital Earnings & Research, is to build a successful business that is both socially and environmentally responsible,” says Richards.

 “It is a great honor and privilege to offer support to such a worthy and inspiring effort as the Bergquists’ Cell Phones for Soldiers program and that of ReCellular, Inc. ”

Through increased fundraising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise additional money in the next few years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones with prepaid service to allow soldiers abroad to see their families on a regular basis.

If you are interested in joining a direct benefit charity and partnering with Cell Phones for Soldiers, contact Monte Doran at (248) 644-0800, ext. 255 or by email at mdoran@clearblue.biz

If you want to make a donation by credit card, go to the Donate Money  page and follow the instructions provided.

The donation will go to the Cell Phones for Soldiers fund account at South Shores Savings Bank.

You may also send a check, money order, or prepaid calling card directly to:

 

South Shore Savings Bank

400 Washington Street

Norwell, MA  02061

 

Visit  http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/  for more information, including a list of donation and collection sites across the country or contact ReCellular, Inc. by email at  cellphonesforsoldiers@recellular.com

 

Source: Examiner

 

 

Editor’s Note: Contact Hank Richards by email at  editor@pronlinenews.com or call him at (256) 417-6084. 

Richards is a prostate cancer survivor and a nationwide public speaker on the issue. If you would like to schedule him for your speaking venue, call the listed number above.

Robbie & Brittany Bergquist – File Photo

We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

National Day of Prayer

By Fox Nation
Apr. 16, 2010

A federal judge in Madison has ruled the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional.
 
U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb reached the conclusion in a lawsuit the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison-based group of atheists and agnostics, brought against former President George W. Bush’s administration near the end of his second term.

The foundation argued the day violates the separation of church and state.
 
Congress established the day in 1952 and in 1988 set the first Thursday in May as the day for presidents to issue proclamations asking Americans to pray.
 
A message left at the U.S. Department of Justice, which represented the government in the case, wasn’t immediately returned.

 

Read The Full Article

  

  

Source: Fox Nation

 

 

 

Editor’s  Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

 

Gods Rules for Parents

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
Apr. 4, 2010

Do you know what “Joylogy” means? It is the study of caring, sharing, and listening and Sacrifice.

This was written by Mr. Jeineke in 1975

We would like to know what you think: dan@youngchronicle.com

What is a Joyologist? A joyologist then would be one who studies joy logy. Frankly our world could use a great many joyologists whose mission in life is to actively research the effects of discussing and sharing joy.

The research could branch out into how joy affects our careers, family lives, and friendships. The very act of doing the active research should spread jubilation throughout the world and bring about positive results. What a fun job!

All one needs to start with is to share the words joyism, joy logy, and joyologis with others. Use the words daily and make them a part of the world’s vocabulary.

The upcoming year is going to challenge us all. Here is something we need to think, this is from an unknown reader. It is called: God’s Ten Commandments for Parents

 

  

By Unknown

1. My hands are small; please do not expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture, or throw a ball. My legs are short; slow down so that I can keep up with you.

2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; let me explore it safely; do not restrict me unnecessarily.

3. Housework will always be there; I am little only for a short time. Take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.

4. My feelings are tender; do not nag me all day long (you would not want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness). Treat me as you would like to be treated.

5. I am a special gift from God; treasure me as God intended you to do – holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by, and discipline me in a loving manner.

6. I need your encouragement (but not your empty praise) to grow. Go easy on the criticism; remember you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.

7. Give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday I will be prepared to make the decisions life will require of me.

8. Do not do things for me; that makes me feel that my efforts did not measure up to your expectations. I know its hard, but don’t compare me with my brother or sister.

9. Do not be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, and parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it’s a great way to show us kids that your marriage is something special.

10. Take me to Sunday school and church regularly, setting a good example for me to follow. I enjoy learning more about God.

 

 

Source: Joyology

Holy Land in 3D

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
Apr. 4, 2010

 I received this from one of my readers; it shows the true meaning of Easter. You will understand, just follow the directions.

This is one of the things that computers are best at doing. You can move around and see this place from all angles. 

Just experiment and you will have a fascinating experience. This is amazing. It is your trip to the Holy Land. View the Church in 3D.

When you open up the site, go to the bottom of the picture and click on one of the smaller pictures. 

When it comes up, double click on the big screen picture and you will be able to really zoom in and do a 360 look all around. 

It is a beautiful presentation. 

Makes you feel like you are right there!

Click on the link below and click on picture and use curser to scroll up and around the pictures. You can see all the way around each room, plus from floor to ceiling! 

You may also click on the menu and watch the films advance automatically.   After each finishes, wait a few minutes for the next one to load.

 

The Holy Land Church in 3D

 

Source: 360 Tr.

 

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

We Need A Smile

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
Apr. 4, 2010

With everything that this President, is doing to this Country which is not good. We all need a laugh. This was sent to me by one of my readers. I hope it will bring the same smile that it has brought to me.

A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn’t want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe.

So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn’t notice her.

She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.

The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew.

She did this for the whole week.

As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy’s little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week.

Finally she said to Timmy, ‘Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week?

Do you know her?’

Timmy nonchalantly replied,

“Yeah, I know who she is.’

The little girl said, ‘Well, who is she?’

‘That’s just Shirley Goodnest,’ Timmy replied, ‘and her daughter Marcy.’

‘Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us? ‘

‘Well,’ Timmy explained, ‘every night my Mom makes me say the 23rdPsalm

With my prayers, ‘cuz she worries about me so much.

And in the Psalm, it says, ‘Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow

Me all the days of my life’, so I guess I’ll just have to get used to

It!’

The Lord blesses you and keeps you; the Lord makes His face to shine upon

You, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon

You, and give you peace.

May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always?

I know you smiled!

 

If you have something that you would like to share with our readers. You can sent it to dan@youngchronicle.com

LOVE is Patient and Kind

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
Mar. 1, 2010

Do you know what “Joylogy” means? It is the study of caring, sharing, and listening and Sacrifice.

This was written by Mr. Jeineke in 1975

We would like to know what you think: dan@youngchronicle.com

What is a Joyologist? A joyologist then would be one who studies joy logy. Frankly our world could use a great many joyologists whose mission in life is to actively research the effects of discussing and sharing joy.

The research could branch out into how joy affects our careers, family lives, and friendships. The very act of doing the active research should spread jubilation throughout the world and bring about positive results. What a fun job!

All one needs to start with is to share the words joyism, joy logy, and joyologis with others. Use the words daily and make them a part of the world’s vocabulary.

The upcoming year is going to challenge us all. Here is something we need to think, this is from an unknown reader. It is called: God Teaches LOVE is Patient and Kind 

 

 

By Katherine Kehler

 

Love never gives up. Love cares for others more than for self” (1Corinthians 13:1).

 

Someone shared this story with me and it reminded me of how often we make judgments about situations or people without knowing all the facts. How wrong we can be:

A man was travelling home by bus, when the bus stopped to pick someone up, a father with several children got on. The children were very unruly. They wouldn’t sit still.

They kept changing seats and were fighting. They were doing all the annoying things that children do when parents don’t control them.

The father had taken the seat beside the first man, who by now was getting more annoyed by the minute, thinking, why doesn’t he say something to control his children?”

Finally, he could take it no longer. He turned to the father and blurted, your children are out of control. Why don’t you do something?”

“Yes,” The father replied, “I suppose you are right. But you see, we have just come from the hospital. Their mother died this morning. They don’t know how to handle it and neither do I.”

Wow! Talk about blowing it.

So often our judgments are based on outward appearances. We make them on hearsay or base them on our limited knowledge and experience.

God looks at people’s hearts. Isaiah 11:3 has this to say about Christ:
He will not judge by the way things look. He will not judge by what people say.

The more we allow Christ to take control of our lives, the less likely we will be to make quick judgments about people or believe rumors. As we ask Him to put His love in our hearts we will become more like Him.

 

Lord Jesus, Your love is perfect. Thank You for being so patient and kind with us. When you judge and discipline us, it is because you have all the facts and it is for our good.

Love always rules everything you do. We, on the other hand, are so often harsh and self-righteous when analyzing the actions of others. Today, we confess our critical and unkind attitudes to you and ask Your Spirit to enable us to be patient and kind. Amen.

 

Source: Joyology

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