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Feeling frazzled with too much to do? Sad? Depressed?
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, M.A. Please realize the importance of taking good self-care. There is only one of you in this world! You have something to give that no one else can give. If you have not found the "something" yet--you will, but doing so will READ MORE
God’s surgery on a grandmother’s heart
With the approach of Easter, so also does Bethany’s birthday. Thirty-three years ago, this “little teacher” came into my family. Just prior to her birth a rather strange experience occurred. With very few exceptions, everything I purchased over several weeks seemed flawed in some way. Back to stores I go, READ MORE
The power of Grandparents
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA My Grandmother Margret chewed tobacco. She grew up in Arkansas in the early 1900s at a time when most teenagers savored this practice. But Grandma continued this into her old age. Certainly, this was a questionable behavior for us who READ MORE
Tears: How they help the body heal, as well as the soul
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA It is said, “Healing the soul is like peeling an onion.” This is true. The layers of pain, resentment, bitterness, and sorrow come off one by one. No matter how many conferences attended and books read in hopes of getting more comfortable in READ MORE
Glean the Essence of the Bible’s Appeal — within Less than an Hour
Glean the Essence of the Bible’s Appeal -- within Less than an Hour Presented by Joy Le Page Smith, MA Each Scripture passage listed below has strengthened, inspired or encouraged many people through the ages. Much of what God is about can be found within these readings. These brief offerings, READ MORE
God cares when we fall
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA One sweet, sunny day while on a walk with Gary, I recalled a spot where I fell some 20 years ago, having slipped on loose gravel at the corner of South Palo Verdi and Fiesta Drive. Suddenly we hear the squeal READ MORE
How can the Bible be more easily understood?
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA Some people say the Bible is too hard to understand. Once I heard “reading the Bible is like eating fish, savor the meat and leave the bones on the plate.” That makes sense because there is hardly ever a time of reading the READ MORE
Is soul’s lamp on — or off?
By Chaplain Joy Le page Smith, MA Most people are exclaiming concerns as to "the way the world is going." Change is exceedingly apparent. Yet, a YouTube lifted my spirits today; so, I will share this amazing short video, here, in hopes it does the same for you. I found READ MORE
A great loss to our community
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, The tragic death of Walt Foxcroft at the early age of 43has shaken our hearts to the depths here in this community. It is unspeakably difficult to think of this happening, so deeply rending an event for his wife and family. All who READ MORE
Is soul’s lamp on — or off?
By Chaplain Joy Le page Smith, MA Most people are exclaiming concerns as to "the way the world is going." Change is exceedingly apparent. Yet, a YouTube lifted my spirits today; so, I will share, here, in hopes it does the same for you. At the beginning you may wonder, READ MORE
Black holes can seem to happen in our lives
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA Early in my mid-20’s divorce became part of my life for safety's sake. I married at 17 and gave birth to my first of three sons at age 18. Eight years into the marriage I could clearly see I had no other good choice but READ MORE
Pondering “end times”
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA Have you ever wondered about the passages in the 2 Peter 3:11-12, that bespeaks of a great fire to take place before “that day” when a new heaven and earth comes to be? Sometimes I find the courage to ask God a question, then READ MORE
A young doctor asked “Could you give me a blessing?”
It was easy to recite the blessing of Numbers 6:24-26 from the Holy Bible on the day the young doctor asked, "Could you give me a blessing?" It is one often recited for patients. “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon READ MORE
My near death experience
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA Many people have had near death experiences. Their stories are of great interest, allowing us to peek “beyond the veil” of life on earth. My near-death experience is a “heaven sent” event that astounds me to this day! I had no urge to make READ MORE
How to deal with difficult emotions
By Chaplain Joy L. Smith, MA Few people realize that validating their emotions is one of the best things they can do for their physical health, as well as for their emotional and mental health. Many people fear their emotions, as they don’t know how to manage them. Many READ MORE
Journaling sessions and tips for enhancing your spiritual journey
Chaplain Joy L. Smith, M.A., Spiritual Director Once while attending an eight-day silent retreat, I discovered the edge of my comfort zone, a boundary beyond which I did not want God to go. As I examined this boundary with the help of my spiritual director, I found it was READ MORE
The Power of letting go
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Most of us have heard the story of “how to catch a monkey.” Find a jar with an opening large enough for a monkey’s hand to enter when the jar is empty. Yet, the opening also needs to be READ MORE
When in trouble
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA When something happens in life that is unsettling, we are not at our best. We are stressed! This blog post extends “numbers to call.” As if help is as close as a “phone.” For instance, we often need support when we are in READ MORE
Are You wanting “Better Health” and “Greater Energy?”
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Four years ago, I met a friend who had cancer and chemotherapy twice. She told me of discovering an all-natural food product, Juice Plus+ that she was using to help her body recover from her cancer battle. The warranty was impressive, so READ MORE
Building Healthy Coping Skills
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA Building healthy coping skills Learning to cope with the difficulties of life is a task we learn through trial and error. This writing is about exploring ways to circumvent difficult feelings and distracting thought patterns through pleasant escapes. We can distract ourselves from READ MORE
Are You Afraid of Death? (I Was)
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA I had a hard time staying alive between the ages of 13-35. First, I had encephalitis with high temperatures for many days with sleeping sickness, at age 13; then at 18, I started forming blood clots in my legs and abdomen. There were READ MORE
What Makes People Great?
Chaplain Joy L. Smith, M.A. Mental Health Counselor – Spiritual Mentor As I look back on the people who influenced me while I was young, several come to mind. I recall as a teenager being profoundly touched by one particular individual. Decades have passed, yet I can still READ MORE
Which is greater, wisdom or intelligence?
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, M.A. Intelligence finds human beings wanting to know, “Is there a God.” Many people lean into intelligence, wanting to know what God wants of us humans. This leads to reading the Bible where it is made clear in Psalms 111:10, “The fear of READ MORE
What more do you want?
What more do you want? By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA Within my time here on Earth, events have happened that defy explanation, even gravity! Therefore, as a human dwelling on tera firma, this sees me seeking to know more about God. Given that fact, the experience shared below READ MORE
Quick helps for when in trouble
Quick Aids available NOTE - Feel free to share this blog--but please credit my website Help with Granting Forgiveness Dealing with Difficult Emotions - Finding Emotional Freedom Tips for Teaching Children How to Identify What They Are Feeling Are You Suffering from False Guilt What Are You Ashamed Of? “To READ MORE
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