Blog
A designated driver—or dedicated driver?
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Recently a fellow chaplain told of her growing edge, admitting how bothered she can get at other drivers on the road. She said, “I don’t know why people ignore signs—or at times even the lights!” I noticed the intensity of this kind READ MORE
Thinking outside the box
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Scripture says it well, “God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Throughout scripture both men and women are spoken of as “man.”) When God created this beautiful Planet Earth where we reside—the READ MORE
Do you feel the urge?
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC We all have experienced nudgings to write a “word of thanks” or one which carries encouragement. That happened to me recently after reading the article in Today’s News-Herald that featured Jean Bishop’s reflections after 30 years of public service. There was a lot READ MORE
Solace for the soul
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA Board certified chaplain Two articles appearing in both the Friday and Sunday Havasu Religion page of Today’s News-Herald were no doubt helpful to many. One was titled “The Camino, a Catholic pilgrimage. . .” and the other was “Feeling 10 feet tall,” the READ MORE
“Ya gotta” love those instructions!
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA I ordered a coffee table from Amazon for our backyard patio that has LED. What fun imagining a coffee table that can provide a light show while sipping the brew. Soon a big box was at our door. A friend helped Gary READ MORE
The softer side of grief
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA On an early Sunday morning, while away from home, I pondered with awe the beauty throughout the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Numerous things there spoke of the power and the presence of God. The hardness of marble altars, stone floors and wooden pews spoke of strength. Then I looked at the people. They were soft. Vessels of earthen clay, yet filled with spirit. Many shy away from being called "soft." But the softness I READ MORE
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everytime we think of God we feel loved?
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Part 1 of 2 Unfortunately many of us don’t. Why? Because our lifestyles, our wishes, our thoughts go adrift. The soul has a hard time thinking God could love it. Yes, we live in our skin and we know there are times READ MORE
Our hearts are God’s home on earth
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA The words above came to my mind one morning during my prayer time. Yes, I do get up early, around 5 a.m. Here is the “why” and the “how” of it. During the first few decades of my life, prayer happened for me READ MORE
Testing candidates
Ameican democracy voting booth How to contact the headquarters of election candidates - on a need to know basis. Help can begin here: https://justfacts.votesmart.org/ Before voting be sure you know the candidate's sentiments on matters of most importance. Global warming is now a proven fact astronomers and cosmologists say, READ MORE
Are we ignoring a “Stop Sign?”
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC The Bible helps us know God has expectations of us. Whether or not we follow those expectations makes quite a lot of difference as to how life will play out. The Bible also makes sure the fact is clear that our personal READ MORE
Global warning— a “Stop sign” we are ignoring?
Global warming— a “Stop sign” we are ignoring By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Some of us may feel our throats tighten while reading the results from a meteorological study on heat waves caused by climate change. Izidine Pinto, researcher and study coauthor at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute READ MORE
In what do you place your trust?
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, Board Certified Chaplain Is it your political party? Your bank account? Your relationships? Or, are you placing your trust in God? If not, all else can fail you. Pray for the peace of God to settle your READ MORE
Pondering a birthday . . .
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, Board Certified Chaplain As years slip by, do you feel you are accomplishing what you want in life? My next birthday will be here in a couple of days. The numbers keep growing. Am I living my dream? And what is my dream? Being READ MORE
What’s next after this? What will eternity be like?
By Le Page Smith, MA, Board certified chaplain Take a pencil or pen, make a circle. Now make another and another creating more and more circles around your initial circle. Do this over and over until you want to stop. But, give it a “go” for a READ MORE
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every time we think of God we feel loved?
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA Board certified, clinical chaplain Unfortunately, many of us don’t "feel" loved by God. Why? Because our lifestyles, our wishes or our thoughts go adrift. Our soul has a hard time thinking God could love it. Yes, we live in our skin and we know READ MORE
Earth’s creatures—our teachers?
Head shot of a barking owl, ninox connivens, called the winking owl. By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Earth’s creatures—our teachers? Watching rabbits in our yard, here in Arizona where my husband Gary and I have lived for 30-some years, has been a READ MORE
More are close to suicide–than we know
A collection of Semi-Transparent coloured locks overlaid with a outline of a key. Placed over a male and female profile silhouette. By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC After reading the article titled, “Suicide—what can we say,” a reader wrote, “Through your words, I got a glimpse of READ MORE
Supportive book for children – free to view
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, Board Certified Clinical Chaplain Children need to feel supported and able as they face their world. A children’s book, offered at healing-with-Joy.com can help a child gain these strengths. FREE for viewing The book Titled, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of READ MORE
We are not alone . . . angels encountered!
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC When the evidence of my husband’s second cancer came to our house it was 3 o’clock in the morning. We made a fast trip to the ER, but it was jammed. He was in exceeding pain. And, his agony lasted for 12 READ MORE
Suicide—what can we say?
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Years back Gary and I hired a man with great tree expertise to trim the trees about our home. We chatted frequently and he became a friend while beautifying our trees. He told of his “past life” as an executive with an READ MORE
Questions a chaplain encounters
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Sometimes within my work as a chaplain there is as much humor as there is sadness. Some questions are expected, yet others can pin my soul right to the wall. For some my visit is a time when, in different ways and READ MORE
“The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away . . .”
Freedom By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Last March when the Mount Olive Lutheran Church Men's Workmen Team said “yes” to building an altar for the chapel of Havasu Regional Medical Center, I was overjoyed. Through the years of serving as a volunteer duty chaplain at the READ MORE
Why are we here? What truly matters?
By Joy Le page Smith, MA, BCC While Gary and I were having lunch with our friend, a retired military man, we talked about a book titled Why the Universe Is the Way It Is. Having just read Hugh Ross’ book, my enthusiasm is piqued by this scientist’s findings. Our friend READ MORE
“I’m Going Home”
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC About two decades ago, I met James[1]. He was one of my first patients in hospice. After talking a few moments, he said, “I haven’t been in church for many years. But, I was a Sunday school kid. Every Sunday, until I was READ MORE
Yes! There are gains in going with God
The majority of people on earth innately perceive there is a God A PATIENT ONCE ASKED, "WHAT WOULD BE GAINED IF I SAID 'YES' TO GOD? Chaplain Joy Le READ MORE
Categories
- afterlife – what's ahead for us
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- alive–full of joy
- An Essential Element For Raising a Child
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- What does "Good Friday " mean?
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- what is ahead?
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- what satisfies one's heart?
- what stopped my smoking
- Why God Made Us
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