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What’s to be gained?
Yesterday, I eyed Gary’s sharp-looking, “gym” jeans thinking maybe they would fit me. He watched as I was stepping into them, defying gravity with strategic maneuvers. Of course, I heard his words, “They aren’t going to fit!” Well, guess what, they didn’t. Even though the faded label on my jeans READ MORE
“Who needs God?
Recently, we needed help for a household repair. A plan was in place for a carpenter to do the work. When Monday came, no carpenter at 7 a.m., but rather a phone call. The man apologized saying, “I am sick.” Being concerned that he might have Cov-19, I said, “We READ MORE
God’s ‘major surgery’ on a grandmother’s heart
Freedom Joy Le page Smith, MA, BCC 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 experi- ence occurred. With very few exceptions, everything I purchased over READ MORE
Why does God need praise?
Talk about praising God doesn’t take place much. In fact it can be a little frightening to some. Visions of fanaticism come to mind--people shouting “Praise the Lord,” and “Hallelujah” can be unsettling for some. Although, praise to God is rightfully vocalized, it more often exudes gently as we inwardly READ MORE
For everything there is a time
While still in January, can we take a big look at the year just past, viewing 2019 as a good book just finished? Among all the happenings, was there a highlight to savor? A time of feeling very much alive, or very much loved? One pictorial moment that stands out, READ MORE
Old challenges seen afresh
Old challenges seen afresh Years back our then bachelor son, Tim, “lost his heart” to a lovely, young woman. He was inspired, yet, distraught as her job found his friend moving to another state. However, Tim seemed tireless, able to make a “short distance” out of the 450 miles it READ MORE
Why did they crucify Him?
Have you ever wondered why Jesus, who went about healing and giving hope to the multitudes, became hated and hung—nailed to a cross? What is in hu-man nature that can produce such heinous behavior? Several years ago, I attended a workshop where in small groups we discussed what Christ’s life READ MORE
Life—what’s it all about?
Many years ago while training as a chaplain in a Phoenix teaching hospital, I faced what is perhaps the hardest of all questions. “What’s this life all about?” Here lies a person whose company took a tumble.“I’ve tried to stay on top financially,” he said, adding, “My wife left me READ MORE
The making of precious gems
Life is full of irritations, large and small. People and circumstances can aggravate, and sometimes frustrate us. We would not be human otherwise. Yet our responses have lasting effects. This is best seen in the lowly oyster. When a foreign body like a grain of sand, an undeveloped egg or READ MORE
A slip of the tongue
Words can play tricks on us. Years back, I was struggling with a tremendous urge to help one of our sons avoid being steamrollered by a problem. But my son is an adult, so I prayed “Father, give me the strength not to ‘mettle’.” Raising three sons to manhood has READ MORE
The power of grandparents
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 are her grandchildren. Inwardly, we “closed our noses” while seeing READ MORE
The secret empowerment . . . of hardships
Early in life at youth camp, I sang with fervor, “Shut in with God in a secret place, there in His presence beholding His face. Gaining new power to run in this race—oh, how I long to be shut in with God.” Then, as an adult, I discovered what it READ MORE
There’s one more thing . . .
So, now you have taken the challenge. You have answered the question, “If I could do anything in the world I wanted – no holds barred – what would it be?” Hold it! There’s one more thing . . . After deciding what we want to achieve in life, plans READ MORE
All systems are GO!
On New Year’s Eve, someone asked, “What is the difference between a resolution and a goal?” After thumbing through a dictionary, I found a “resolution” means to have “a firm determination to do something,” while a “goal” is “the purpose toward which an endeavor is directed.” Most of us have READ MORE
Take heart: There is a lie afoot!
Some of the most impressive words once heard in a sermon involved the uniqueness of each living person: “Each of us has love to give to God—that no one else can give.” As exquisite as this blue planet appears, there is something even more beautiful. The giftedness, talents and abilities READ MORE
The prevailing wind
Years ago at our Idaho home, I found a stalk of corn growing in my petunias. This was odd, because the petunia boxes sit on our deck ten feet above ground. No doubt the corn was planted by a bird as a feeder sits on the top deck rail directly READ MORE
What’s New for Christmas?
What’s new for this Christmas? Perhaps a season where funds are low and life seems topsy turvy? And, if so, should we despair, and indulge in self-pity? Or, can we feel challenged to experience the true meaning of Christmas by simply scattering some kindness to others? Today, I saw such READ MORE
What floats your boat?
In past years, God captured my attention regarding my fears. Huge uncertainties about the future and qualms about the present seem to siphon off much of the peace and joy Jesus called “abundant life.” It is those “little foxes” of fear that can rock one’s boat--big time! The other night READ MORE
Get your hand off the rope!
Have you experienced thinking you had forgiven someone only to feel uncomfortable the next time you saw them or heard their voice on the phone? Or, struggled with no longer being able to see him or her as the loving person you once enjoyed? There is a tenet in psychology READ MORE
There is a lot to learn from nature.
By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC Have you ever noticed geese as they wing their way through the skies? With the exception of those who found their ways to our dinner tables, these gracious birds continue to form notable “V’s” while in flight. Have you wondered why geese fly READ MORE
On Counting Our Blessings . . .
Today, 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 of wheels—then the driver jumps out to help. He quickly tells us READ MORE
Philanderings and “At-one-ment”
It was early. The chill of the mountain’s coming night hung over camp as I unleashed our Beagle, Honeybee, and headed up trail, planning to await the sunset. It was August, and beautiful. Honeybee steadily traversed the hillside, yet stayed fairly close, until the summit. There, while I stood transfixed READ MORE
The Beauty of the Weasel
The word “weasel” lends itself well to mental pictures. Imagine what a psychiatrist could do with such a word. To “weasel out” is to escape duty or avoid consequences. “Weasel-eyed” describes a sly, sneaky look. Being called a weasel is getting close to “snake in the grass.” When I was READ MORE
By the Book . . .The Essense of True Love
Published in Today's Herald-News Nov. 1, 2019A Chaplain’s journey is often times serious—and sometimes humorous. Years back, while at a party held in Scottsdale for mental health counselors, an artist was there doing caricatures. He asked me a few questions, then within a few minutes, voile! I was shown on READ MORE
It’s a Jungle Out There!
With each of my books, my dear husband Gary--with whom I have lived and loved for so long--has put his heart into the works. On my website, you will see what Gary has written for my first two books. Now, he has written for the recently published children’s book, The READ MORE
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