Blog
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
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 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 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
Meant to be
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA We all have stories. Could you be ready to write yours? It is my turn to encourage you to perhaps briefly tell of how you came to have faith in God. Six years ago when I told Bandon Bowers, Editor 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 Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA 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?
By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA 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 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
Categories
- a child's growth
- A vision with a message
- afterlife – what's ahead for us
- Aging-Later Years Benefits and Helps
- AI dangers
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- Alive and full of Joy
- alive–full of joy
- An Essential Element For Raising a Child
- angels
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- Beauty of nature
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- Building Faith
- Can God Help Us With Our Losses?
- can I be close to God
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- Healing Emotional Pain and Emotional Growth
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- Hunting for a peak?
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- is God for real?
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- Is there a God?
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- Is there an unforgiveable sin?
- It's about love
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- school shootings
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- state and federal governments.
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- What does "Good Friday " mean?
- what is ahead for us?
- what is ahead?
- What is Easter?
- what is next?
- what is truth
- what satisfies one's heart?
- what stopped my smoking
- what trips us up spiritually?
- what will the future hold?
- What's eating on you?
- when it feels more than we can bear
- Where To Find Comfort?
- Why are we here?
- Why God Made Us
- Why is the Bible important?
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