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One gigantic Gift—Anno Domini
Red heart shaped sky at sunset. Beautiful landscape with road. One gigantic Gift—Anno Domini By Joy Le Page Smith The birth of Jesus, has instigated advantages far beyond what can be quickly put into words. One “for instance,” is the way we mark time: "AD" or Anno READ MORE
Having trouble sleeping?
Most of us have experienced painful events in our life’s journey. Sometimes these are huge and stand out in our minds. We may try to suppress the occurrences. However, the subconscious mind holds considerable sway in our lives having registered these happenstances. If only we could heal this inner angst, READ MORE
Do emotions affect body chemistry and therefore our health?
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA, Board certified chaplain Science is telling us that the brain and the organs of our bodies are closely connected. These newer revelations of medical research called psychoneuroimmunology (PNI*) clearly reveal the influence our thoughts, our emotions have on whether or not we READ MORE
Help With Granting Forgiveness
Why do the work it takes to forgive? We begin to feel better, as we have less emotional pain to manage in our daily lives. Our relationships have potential to change. We physically release the toxicity that builds up in our cells due to emotional anguish. Hurt, sadness, fear, anger, READ MORE
Questioning God . . . an answer came
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith Yesterday, after reading more about the war initiated by Russian president, Vladimir Putin, I asked God, “How should I pray about this?” The war is non-comprehensive and incalculable. I, like most people, have felt helpless to make a difference. Immediately, after saying that prayer READ MORE
Do dreams speak truth to us?
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Spiritual Mentor When a person desires to relate with God, a number of things happen. For one, guidance comes–and this is where the very depths of that person’s being can be affected. Sometimes, a message will come mystically allowing for what READ MORE
Why balloons so easily reach our souls
Last Friday morning as thirty-some balloons filled the sky on my drive to work I was awestruck. I felt my heart arise with them. Then while on the job with a grieving family, I asked, “Have you gone outside to see the balloons. Immediately, the “yes” of this family showed READ MORE
Domestic Violence — does it also involve emotional abuse?
By Joy Le Page Smith This opening story of a friend is told with permission. “My husband only hit me once? And, once was enough! "That much I knew--and said, ‘If you ever hit me again, I'll take this baby (pointing to our three month old child who was sitting READ MORE
Tips for teaching children how to identify what they are feeling
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Dr. Gordon Mate, author of When the Body Says No, states that children who hold their emotions in rigidly are taxing their nervous systems. When the adults in their lives discourage their expressing difficult emotions, children have no other recourse than to hold READ MORE
Training for Hospital Volunteer Chaplains
Elements of an Effective Pastoral Care Encounter By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Author of The Chaplain is In: Journal to Health and Happiness Do more listening than talking. Listen in a new way: listen with the heart. (I pray inwardly as I listen.) Sense where the person READ MORE
Teaching children to value feelings
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Dr. Gordon Mate, author of When the Body Says No, states that children who hold their emotions in rigidly are taxing their nervous systems. When the adults in their lives discourage their expressing difficult emotions, children have no other recourse than to hold READ MORE
Inner Healing Exercise
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC This is an exercise that has really helped me. It is amazing help when emotional pain is great within this experience of life. For best results, lie down (or sit quietly) envisioning the entirety of your torso covered by a huge sponge. READ MORE
The ins-and-outs of setting boundaries: with yourself, yes, but also with others
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Someone once said, "If it feels like a kick in the stomach, it's probably a kick in the stomach.” That is true. Yet, you can mentally block the kick as adroitly as one practicing the martial art of Aikido. Once you get the READ MORE
Tears: How they help the body heal, as well as the soul
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, Board certified chaplain 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 READ MORE
A new idea . . . Please tell me what you think
It has been a privilege to write this column weekly for the past two years. However, I can no longer dependably write, as I have taken a position at the hospital in which the majority of my "thought life” is "on the job.” I have treasured the encouraging comments you wrote READ MORE
All God’s creatures . . .
One evening as Gary and I were sitting on the patio a little owl showed his presence (maybe her presence). We were pleased and started talking to the owl in low, inviting tones. With big eyes he slowly stepped toward us, stopping every few steps. We kept sending “sweet nothings” READ MORE
Is there an unforgiveable sin?
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Phil, 14 was just a kid. He was quiet, polite and a good student. No one could know what was ahead or how he would change lives—until the day the call came. “Hello, Joy. Have you heard about Janet?” “What do you mean?” READ MORE
Have I commited the unforgiveable sin?
Scripture indicates there is an unforgiveable sin. But, only one. Mark 3:28-29, “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”— 30 because they said, “He READ MORE
A lollipop?
Last Sunday First Communion was celebrated at church. We watched as these little darlings were called up to the altar, two girls and two boys. The children were dressed “to the tee,” with the little girls wearing beautiful white gowns. They were followed to the altar by parents and grandparents. READ MORE
The decision has been made!
We are going back to church. Our ages see us “stepping toward the top rung on the ladder of life,” yet, both of us took the best possible care of our health. We did put off getting the COVID vaccine for many months after it became available. Neither of us READ MORE
What is the purpose of life?
We arrive on earth as a small tenuous life force. We grow, develop and learn. We experience. We laugh. We cry. And, eventually we die. How long we get to be here is undeterminable which makes life all the more valuable. It is a mystery, one we cannot solve on READ MORE
Is there life after death?
Who has ever lived without this question arising from one’s consciousness from time to time? This little story titled, “Twins in the womb” by an anonymous author that prompts further thought. One day a mother conceived twins. One child was a girl; the other a boy. Months passed, and they READ MORE
Talk about a transplant
Vacation. What has happened? Has this word lost its health? There used to be a time when we made plans for leaving cares at home to find some scenic hideaway for refreshing the soul, a “vacation.” Now it seems more like a spending spree—seeing and doing as much as possible READ MORE
Back to School – no matter the age
School has started once again. Do you ever stop to savor those early memories—especially from grade school—noticing again the ones that make you smile, and those that still bring a twinge of pain? My most vivid school memory, while in the third grade, has nothing to do with what happened READ MORE
Prayer, a wondrous mystery
By Joy Le Page Smith, M.A., BCC www.healinglifespain.com While attempting to learn more about prayer, I have made a concerted effort to draw from others their perceptions of prayer. I am receiving three types of comments: 1) those claiming prayer to be a challenging, yet rewarding experience; 2) those stating READ MORE
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- What does "Good Friday " mean?
- what is ahead for us?
- what is ahead?
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- what satisfies one's heart?
- what stopped my smoking
- Why God Made Us
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