By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA

Yesterday while in conversation with a friend, she asked, “Why did you become a chaplain?”

How does one tell a long story in a few minutes?

Looking back, with more time to think about the answer, my thoughts go to the fact that for some of us it is the hard things of life—or the terribly, terrible hard things of life that most fully lift us higher than our heads and fill us with a “knowing” there is something we “must do” with our lives. At least that happened to me when my close friend was murdered by her 14-year-old son.

After getting the call that made this tragedy a truth in my life, I went screaming and crying, driving my car down off the hill from where we lived to the river below–a quiet place where I could try to pull myself together. I was still crying my heart out when suddenly I saw her. Yes, God let my friend come to me. She looked beautiful beyond her earthly self and the gown she wore shone as if there was white light within the fabric.

She said, “I understand everything.” I was absorbing the sight of her, trying to grasp how she could understand. Then she said, “You have your work cut out for you. Go for it!”

I was, of course, stunned. I had just seen and heard a person speak who had died a horrible death!

Yet, in my heart I knew the truth behind her being sent to me was bigger than the life I was living. I was a young mother with three little sons. I was often in church with them as they played alongside within the pews. I recall a certain chorus we sometimes sang that carried the phrase, “Here am I, ready for thy bidding. Lord, send me.” It was from Isaiah 6: 8, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”

Numerous times as I sang, “Here am I! Send me,” there was an inner knowing that there would be more than being a mother and a wife. As wonderful as these roles are . . . I knew there would be more for me to do while here on Earth.

My struggle with grief and the deep depression led me into what was told two weeks ago in an earlier column carrying the story of my friend’s death. Here, I will say that healing did come slowly, and a lot of living took place–even a move to Arizona. I had felt a call to chaplaincy about ten years before and had taken one of the four required units of Clinical Pastoral Care (CPE) at a training hospital in Boise. The “felt call” to that ministry most likely originated because of my struggle to stay alive from age 13 to age 36, which saw the hospital setting become like a second home for me. Yet, I had to step back from the training in chaplaincy; I had poor boundaries. Each day I worked the pain patients spoke of found me unable to let it go; I took it home and suffered over it. The pain became too much. So I went back to freelance writing. I thought that the role of chaplaincy was history for me.

However, after settling into the new home we built in Arizona, I decided with my friend Flo to attend a retreat at The Holy Trinity monastery, in  St. David, Arizona. This was a place of peace and quiet to which I liked to return, periodically. When we arrived at the monastery, a hospitality nun, Sister Susan Baker, greeted us, then directed us to the building in which we would find our rooms. I walked into my room, took a deep breath, then a second look. On the wall was a picture of Jesus, His head crowned with thorns. There was blood dripping onto His face and neck. But what had astounded me was seeing one long red drop of blood on the outside of the glass covering that picture.

I immediately called, “Flo, come here!” as her room was across the hall from mine. She came into my room, saying, “What, Joy?”

I said, “Look at that picture!”

Her eyebrows shot up as she said, “Oh, my God! Let me out of here!” And she ran out to find the hospitality nun. Before long the two of them rushed in.

Before their arrival, I sat on the bed and prayed, “Lord, what are you trying to tell me?”

I heard these words, softly entering my mind, as if they were my own thoughts, yet I knew it was the Lord who was speaking: “I am acquainted with suffering.”

The impact of the message was totally riveting! Yet, it would take the next five days for me to realize that I was truly being called to serve those who lived with pain, along with many who would die.

When Flo and the hospitality nun entered my room Sister Susan looked at the blood on the glass, paused a moment, then swiftly moved to the sink where she began to dampen a cloth.

She was going to wipe the blood off the glass! But I was not ready! I exclaimed, “Please, don’t do that! Not yet.”

But Sister Susan proceeded, then said, “If this happens again tomorrow, we will all be in trouble.”

I was not sure what the nun meant. She suggested that I talk to the Benedictine Prior, Father Louis Hasenfuss, about this in the morning. He was the spiritual director for retreatants. She had arranged an appointment for me to see him at 10:00 a.m. Upon seeing Father Louis, I immediately told him of my experience.

He said, “Many unusual things take place on these grounds.” Then he told me of some instances in other parts of the country where similar things happen, letting me know that signs of blood or tears appearing on the faces of statues in sacred places were not rare. He helped me trust the impact of the event. It must have been a blessing that the blood on the glass did not reappear. It had done its work; I had come to the monastery to hear God, and that had happened.

Father Hasenfuss spent time with me each of the five days of our visit at the monastery. He listened, mostly, and then on the last day, he said, “Joy, what stands out in my mind is that you have done one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education in Idaho, 12 years ago. Have you ever thought about finishing that education in Arizona and becoming a Board-certified chaplain?”

The possibility the priest presented brought a resounding, heartfelt joy, for I was recalling the words heard after seeing the blood on the artwork. The suggestion felt exactly right. I lost no time finding a teaching hospital where my Clinical Pastoral Education could be continued. Thirty-five years have passed since I finished that year of training and gained a Master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. After Board certification was granted, I began serving at our local hospital, eventually becoming the Director of Pastoral Care. During my three years in that post, I taught at least twelve lay-people elements of pastoral care needed to equip them for serving within the hospital as duty chaplains.

Looking back on it all, I see there is nothing God cannot help us through. For sure, healing from this experience was a slow, difficult process. Even though many years have passed it can still bring a huge sense of sorrow and loss. I pray for Phil and the family he may now have. I pray he chooses to let God fully heal him—and lead his life.

As for me, I am who I am today because of all the people God has put in my life–even Janet and her young son Phil. My call is clear: to be there for people who are going through the hardest of all things that humans endure. I was (and still am) learning every “inch” of the way within my continuance of life.

Joy Le Page Smith is a Board-certified clinical chaplain. View her children’s book as a video at healingwithjoy.blogspot.com Also, find many articles addressing life’s difficulties at Healing-with-Joy.com

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, one from each book of the Old Testament and the New Testament, capsulate intrinsic truths for a vital and vigorous life.

Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Exodus 3:14 – “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.'”

Leviticus 11:45 – “I am the Lord who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore, be holy, because I am holy.” [“Egypt” can be seen as representing our sinful state before we hear God’s call to us to be like Him.]

Numbers 14:18 – “The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”

Deuteronomy 6:5-6 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.” [See Exodus 20 for the 10 commandments and Matthew 22:36-40 for “the greatest” commandment according to Jesus.]

Joshua 24:15 – “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Judges 6:14 – “The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have’” Ruth 2:12 – “May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” 1 Samuel 16:7 – [God said to Samuel] “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Ruth 2:12 – “May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”

1 Samuel 16:7 – [God said to Samuel] “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

2 Samuel 7: 22: 22 – “How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.”

1 Kings 2:2-3 – [David’s charge to Solomon] “I am about to go the way of all the earth. So, be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in His ways, and keep His decrees and commands, His laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses wherever you go.”

2 Kings 23:3 – “The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord–to follow the Lord and keep His commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.”

1 Chronicles 16:15-16 – “He remembers His covenant forever, the word He commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant He made with Abraham, the oath He swore to Isaac.”

 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”- “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”- “How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.”

Ezra 3:11-12 – “With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; His love to Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.”

Nehemiah 8:10 – “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Esther 4:14 – “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther 4:14 – “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

Job 13:15 – “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him; I will surely defend my ways to His face.”

Psalm 19:14 – “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart  be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalms 34:7 – “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”

Proverbs 19:20 – 22 – “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails . . . What a man desires is unfailing love: better to be poor than a liar.”

Ecclesiastes 12:1, 13, 14 – “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them’. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

Songs of Songs 8:7– “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” Isaiah 6:8 – “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ He said, ‘Go and tell my people.’ ”

Isaiah 6:8 – “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ He said, ‘Go and tell my people.’” Isa. 30:21 – “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

Jeremiah 29:11-14 – “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity.’”

Ezekiel 18:22b- 23 – “’Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?’ declares the Sovereign Lord. ‘Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?’”

Daniel 9:18-19 – “Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act!”

Hosea 2:23 – “I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people;’ and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”

Joel 2:13 – “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and relents from sending calamity.”

Amos 5:14 – “Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say He is.”

Obadiah 17 – “But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will possess its inheritance.”

 Jonah 2:6-7 – “But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.”

Micah 6:8 – “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Nahum 1:7-8 – “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares f

Nahum 1:7-8 – “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him, but with an overwhelming flood He will make an end of [Nineveh]; He will pursue His foes into darkness.”

Habakkuk 3:19 – “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.”

Zephaniah 2-3 – “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Haggai 1:6– You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough;
you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;
and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”

Zechariah 1:3 – Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return to Me,” declares the Lord of hosts, “that I may return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:16 – “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.”

Now for one passage from every book in the New Testament

Matthew 1:24-27 – “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Mark 1:14-15 – “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’”

Luke 9:20 – “’But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘God’s Messiah.’”

John 3:16-17 –“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Acts 4:31-33 – “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.”

Romans 3:23-24 – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

1 Corinthians 13:3 – “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 – “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Galatians 5:22-25 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Ephesians 1:5-8 – “In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

Philippians 1:9-11– “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

Colossians 2:13 – “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins”

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 – “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 – “We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.”

I Timothy 4:12 – “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

2 Timothy 1:8-9 – “So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time”

Titus 3:3-5 – “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously.”

Philemon 1:4-7 – “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.”

Hebrews 4:14-16 – “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

 James 1:22-25 – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

1 Peter 1:3-4 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you, who by faith are shielded by God’s power until of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

2 Peter 1:3-4 – “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

1 John 3:16-18 – “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

2 John:5-6 – “And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”

3 John 11– “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”

Jude 20-22 – “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt  . . .”

Revelations 3:20 – “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

All Scripture quotations, in this publication are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. All rights reserved worldwide.

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, but the “bottom-line” proves exceedingly worthwhile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS3V0qc5wpU

Within Jesus’ teachings while He was on earth, He urged His followers to know that in the future there would be an exact right time for Him to return to the earth.

He spoke of consequential signs that will prepare us to realize the time of His return is getting close.  The video above shows events taking place now that are definitely among those signs of which Jesus spoke. These events are unfolding currently throughout the earth. Is His return immanently close? For sure, He wants us to watch and be prayerful. Why? So those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior can be ready for His return to the earth. 

Jesus’ parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins found in Matthew 25: 1-13, serves well in underscoring the message of this above video making it exceedingly clear what Jesus wants of His people when His return takes place:

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

Revelation Chapter 1 assures us that no one is going to miss seeing His return, as “every eye shall see him.” He will come in the clouds. He is coming to gather and reward “the church” meaning those who are His–those who seek His guidance daily through prayer and reading the Holy Bible. Those who are in a love relationship with Him for our hearts are His home. The “church” is not about a building or a denomination. Rather, the word “church” rightly describes God’s people –those who seek to serve on earth in ways that generate the life that lights our souls (seen by Jesus as “oil in our lamps.”). The “light” that shines in our lives is the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. We share that night among our families, friends and all who the Lord nudges us to reach out to and help. Being aware, listening and watching enables us to serve where help is needed in the world. Our watching for His return comes naturally when reading the Bible is a frequent practice.

Revelations 1: 5-8, “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen . . . I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Upon the Lord’s second coming He expects to see “light in our lamps,” as the fire of our love for the Lord shines brightly in our souls.

Credit for this link shown above goes to John MacArthur and Crossroads.com.

About the author: Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain. She is reaching readers with her books and websites in up to 32 countries. View her children’s book as a YouTube at healingwithjoy.blogspot.com Also, find many helpful articles addressing life’s difficulties at this site, Healing-with-Joy.com

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 my story public until reading 90 Minutes in Heaven in which Pastor Don Piper tells about his experience of being taken to heaven.  A close friend convinced Don to tell his story. When he did, people were helped in amazing ways. It served to say to me “Tell your story.”

My “near death” experience is different. I didn’t get to see heaven or even experience God’s presence. Yet, I was pulled up and out of my body, to answer a question.

Here’s how it happened. I was taking a nap one afternoon. My husband, Gary, was sleeping beside me. I awoke with a pulling sensation at my chest.  I also felt a pressure in my chest–but no pain. This takes place in a second; it happens very fast! I didn’t have time to wonder what was happening before I was “taken up.” I came out of my body and was moving to the ceiling. My first thought was “I am dying–and I have no pain, no fear.” Then, I felt a spiritual presence at the ceiling where I now was. This felt unlike what I’ve experienced in the past when sensing and feeling near to God. I didn’t see anyone, yet I knew this “presence” was one of authority.  Perhaps an angel who asked, “Is there any reason why you can’t go now?”

I recognize this as the most important question of my entire life and instantly answer. I said, “Yes,” as I thought of something I could do that would make it easier for Gary once I leave earth.” And, as soon as I said, “yes,” I went back into my body—very naturally and smoothly; an easy re-entry that felt “natural.”

Imagine how powerful this experience was and how it struck me. I jumped up off the bed. As my feet struck the floor, I wondered, “Why” did this happen to me?”  Today, all these years passed, I clearly realize this experience was not only real, but it brought tremendous gains.

I know, now, that the actual departure from the body happens like slipping out of a silk gown when a single button is released. Yes, something physical must be released before our spirit can leave our bodies. (I think of the “silver cord” mentioned in Ecclesiastes 12:6?)

My near-death experience tells me a lot. For one, there is no pain while leaving the body—and no fear. How great it is to know that the actual process of leaving the body to be with God is so quick and easy. The pressure in my chest was strong, but painless: only the sensation of being “drawn or pulled” out without any struggle. Nothing but surprise was felt as I realized I was moving toward the ceiling. God, alone, knew where I was going.

After this “happening,” my feet hit the floor as I stood with new realities. More than ever before I KNEW GOD IS REAL with much more clarity and on a deeper level! I could not think of much else for at least a week. And, I had not done the paperwork (that I wanted to do “first”) for two years. I thought once that was done God would “take” me up again, only this time there would be no “asking” whether or not I am ready. Ha! Yet, when I did finally do the paperwork I was left here on terra firma! This part is hard to understand.  Still, ever since this “happening,” I have pressed into God more than ever. I seek to listen for His lead more and more–and can hear His voice more clearly. This must be because I want to stay in close touch with Him. Therefore, I have a greater adventure in life than before. This does not mean I no longer make mistakes or poor choices. Yet probably I do see more clearly when these happen. I expect more of myself and I treasure every single day.

As you read this, take a few minutes to think about what you believe will take place after this life—after we leave this body behind. Do you fear “the next chapter” when done, here, on the globe? If you would like to know more about what Christians believe God wants to provide within eternity, then write asking for that information at the address provided below.

There are literally hundreds of admonitions within the Bible telling readers not to be afraid. For those who are afraid, making peace with God can be a step towards putting your trust in His help from here on. “Fear of God” can be seen as a virtue—the virtue of wisdom. This fear is clarified in Proverbs 8:13, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil.” Proverbs 1:7, shows this kind of fear as being “the beginning of knowledge.” (The Bible is full of what you will want to know in preparation for the best kind of life, here, and also in Heaven.)

Notice how you feel after reading this. It is shared here to help readers be assured that “there is a God” and that we will all go to Him come the end of this life. Reading this will ideally help you know it is easy for the spirit to move out of a person’s body. As mentioned, I felt no pain or fear within the moment of my release. The reason for that may be because I know the Lord as my Savior in life and at death.

It could be quite enlightening if you write what thoughts come to your mind as you finish reading my story. Journaling is a powerful tool for working through what one believes about life—and death—and what we want our lives to exemplify going forward.

Here is another priceless truth: We are not alone at death. We will be accompanied by Heaven’s “go-betweens” or gently sent back if our departure from the body is premature. If you want to see a clear example of this, click on my blog button and scroll to the entries titled, “O’ death where is your sting.” This example of the angels being present at death happened to a man I have known for many years. His wife has given permission to share it.

The experience of having been asked, “Is there any reason why you can’t go now will stay with me until I truly depart one day, however soon, or not. Today, I leave the thought with you, “Are you ready for the last moment of your life?” If not, and if you want help reaching that readiness, please do email me as instructed above. Doing so will bring amazing and wondrous changes to the life you are living now.

About the author: Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain. Visit her website at Healing-with-Joy.com to view her children’s book, a YouTube video titled, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places. On that site you will find many articles addressing life’s difficulties. A new Google site titled Healingwithjoy.blogspot may add to your enjoyment. Joy now has readers in up to 32 countries.

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 the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding has all those who do His commandments.”

Comprehending this “fear of the Lord” is a major step in feeling safe with God. People who best succeed in this quest read the Bible concertedly as a practice within their daily or weekly endeavors. This is the key to finding what God desires for each of our lives. And, the support that comes to us within this practice indelibly marks the path in ways that define us as “God’s people.” A very nice part of this is that we find no need for any addictive escape patterns, such as leaning on alcohol and drugs. Our only addiction (if we can call it that) is seeking to know more about God and the love He has for us.

So, for sure, a practice of studying the Bible does not find us shaking in fear of God. This lifetime journey brings comfort within the trials of life, along with a peace (“that passes all understanding”) and a felt joy that uplifts one’s soul.

Scripture says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” This is not about dreading harm from Him. It is about the reverence we hold for God the Father, Jesus the Son and their presence, experienced through the Holy Spirit at work in their lives.

Once a person hears the Lord’s “knock on the door of her or his heart” and consequently opens up to wanting God in their lives—communication quickens, and the most amazing things begin to happen. Wisdom finds us seeking to learn everything we can about God. We want to be close to Him—as love, peace and joy abound within the interaction we now have with God through prayer and watching Him work within our hearts each day. We thirst to follow where He leads us. When we do something wrong, His Holy Spirit within quickly “speaks up.” We want to repent. We want to “abide” in the beautiful relationship we have with our Lord. (By the way, being “righteous” simply means “right living.”)

Isn’t this similar to the way we are with our human loved ones? It is not that we are in fear of them. No. We treat them the way they deserve to be treated because we want to be in continuous connection with them. If we fail to be respectful of a loved one, we know it quite quickly–and do what we can to set things right. That is not about “fear” that cripples us. It is wisdom that keeps prompting us to stay in good stead with our loved ones. We want their presence in our lives. What we fear is losing the closeness we enjoy within our loving relationships. This is wisdom. The same is true of “fearing the Lord.” Offending Him makes us feel insecure within our relationship with Him–one that keeps our lives in the fulcrum of God’s goodness.

So, which is greater, intelligence or wisdom? There can be no comparison! These go hand-in-hand. Without the one, we don’t have the other.

In today’s world, we see what happens when one prefers to only listen to their own voice from within to decide what is right or wrong for them. Bankruptcy happens–in ways that are even more harmful than losing their property or money.

This is why “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Psalms 111:10, promises, “A good understanding has all those who do His commandments.” No more sense of loneliness or loss. God promises a life of provision and protection—a life that holds meaning and purpose for those who want to live in a right relationship with Him.

See website Healing-with-Joy.com for multiple free helps with depression, disillusionment, disappointment and many matters that derail us in life. Her books and blogs are read in up to 32 countries. You may also enjoy Joy’s new Google site at Healingwithjoy.blogspot.com

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 is one of several “encounters” that keep me on a quest for knowing what is most important in life.

A couple of decades ago I was awakened by a pressure on my chest and then a “pull, pull, pulling” sensation. Suddenly, I was out of my body and rising toward the ceiling. I said to myself, “I am dying and I feel no pain and no fear.”

This all happened so fast; I didn’t have time to ponder further for a presence was felt from above me at the ceiling. I did not see anyone; yet I knew this “presence” was “an authority.” I was asked a question: “Is there any reason why you can’t go now?”   

I knew through and through this was the most important question –ever! Another thing I knew was that I was about to leave Earth—any second now. An answer came instantly.

“Yes!” I said. I thought of something I could do that would make it easier for Gary and our sons once I leave. And, as soon as I said, “Yes,” I went right back into my body.

Obviously my “Yes” was understood and allowed. Being sent back into my body went easy and smoothly. Felt natural.  

Once “back” my amazement saw me jumping off the bed. As my feet hit the floor my astonishment was huge!

Looking back on it I know that every second of that happenstance was laden with meaning. Yet, the greatest part of all was knowing that God cared enough to allow such an encounter.

I also knew more surely than ever: there is a God! In fact, a God with amazing power, one who cares a great deal about the lives of humans.

Getting out of this body is easy–when God lifts you out! Obviously, something physical had to be released within my body before my spirit could depart. Perhaps this is the “silver cord” of Ecclesiastes 12:6-7. “Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed . . . and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”

In this experience, it was as if God had asked, “Have you done all you want to do with your Life?”

Following this powerful event my foremost desire has been to be “ready to go!” I want to enter eternity satisfied with what I have done with my life. I might look like a workaholic . . . but not so. I am simply seriously trying to make a difference in the world.

My website at Healing-with-Joy.com is one of the tracks taken since my determined quest to do something worth of “the God who Created me.” Being there for others—particularly those who are suffering—has become what life is all about for me. I have joy in the work and look forward to going to a place much bigger—and far, far greater. Once there, all the “hard stuff of Earth” will make sense.

About the author: Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain. Visit her website at Healing-with-Joy.com to view her children’s book, a YouTube video titled, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places. On that site you will find many articles addressing life’s difficulties.

By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

Reading the Bible brings truth to the soul. It holds a lot of wonderful words full of truth and hope–promises that reach deep within prompting love toward God and towards others. The Bible is laden with concepts and conditions that heal our hearts and greatly enriches our lives.

Yet, God extends clear expectations and there are consequences when we ignore those directives and do whatever we please. This is as true for nations as it is for individuals. Take China for instance.

During the 70’s and the 80’s the government of this communist country decreed that married couples have only one child. Abortion was made available and heavy consequences followed people who defied the government’s directive. Consequently, this ruling curbed the birthrate.

Within the decades that followed couples espoused the stance of “one child only” and adapted to it. Given time, this took root in the depth of China. Couples came to believe that more than one child would create an unbearable load of work, timewise, taking more from their lives mentally, financially and physically than believed manageable.

Today, the Chinese government is doing all they possibly can to promote couples to have more than one child. They are now urging three children per family and monitoring couples closely, tracking the numbers.

In the very first chapter of the Bible, Genesis 1:28, we read that God blessed the men and women He created and said, “. . . be fruitful and multiply fill the earth and subdue it.”

A belief in God is not part and parcel to communism of course. Yet the Chinese government is presently pursuing God’s directive “be fruitful and multiply.” One of the posters governmental officials are using states, “Life is the continuation of love.” Sounds like something with which God could easily agree.

However, atheistic China is not promoting the love of God or the truths of Scripture. They are simply faced with a declining population that threatens economic growth. Consequently, China’s policy makers are once again inserting themselves into the lives and choices of couples pressing them to make babies. Guess what: they are no longer promoting abortion. The motive behind the switch of policy is not repentance over loss of many millions—perhaps even billions—of babies. Rather, it is about economic losses.

Their new practice of knocking on doors, questioning and supplying prenatal vitamins are now in place stating clearly, “Our country needs more people.”  They are trying to correct a huge mistake by pressing again into matters of procreation.

In 1 John 4:8, we are assured, “God is love.” And, we are “made in the likeness of God,” according to Genesis 1:27. Loving and the sharing of love are part and parcel to God’s plan. This element of humanity needs to be highly valued by all due to its all-inclusive benefits. Ideally, the rules of governments will respect and defend such “paybacks.”

After all, it is not “treasure on earth” or the power of “gross national product” that matters. What matters is coming to know what God wants of our lives and following it as best we can. We make mistakes, but can readily correct them. God totally forgives through the redemptive work of Christ—once we ask. Following Jesus’ teachings makes way for Him to do a glorious work in one’s life. The surprising part is the abundance of peace and joy that result!

Author information: Joy Le Page smith is a Board Certified Chaplain who is also a newspaper columnist. Her four books are on Amazon and also at Healing-with-Joy.com. Visit her website where you will also find hundreds of FREE helps to people who are hurting. Also view her children’s book, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places FREE.

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 one and only place able to support human life within the galaxies—He had big plans! Making us in His own image meant we have the where-with-all to imagine and complete amazing things. Being created with full ability to make choices allows for unlimited growth coupled with enjoying how pleasureful it is to create and achieve. Seems true most of us can master whatever we set our minds to do.

Clearly, we are also given full freedom whether or not to choose to become one who loves God and desires to grow in trust of Him within this experience of life. If one’s response to that is, “Yes I choose God’s guidance and help” this creates a strong inclination to read “the instruction book,” known as the Bible.

Personally, through following the truth and the wisdom of the Bible, I have gained peace, hope, comfort and joy based on realizing God’s presence in my life. I believe this is the fast track for ultimately becoming the people He knows we can become while here on terra firma.

Ultimately, the most pertinent choice we make in life is deciding whether or not to believe that God continually extends to us an invitation to enter a relationship with Him. Once our consciousness becomes open to the Divine—and if we fully embrace this happenstance—our advancement as a person holds huge potential.

What if—while here on earth—each of our life experiences is preparing us for what is ahead in eternity . . . and can actually advance our “whys and wherefores” beyond what we could ever imagine?

Surely our strengths and abilities increase as we surpass the trials that we endure. Think of how these may hardwire us for what is ahead . . . for “doing stuff” in the heavens. “Made in His image” surely does mean we have great empowerment to get beyond our difficulties in life  through the strength perseverance and persistence He extends to us. Our overcoming efforts may well highly influence what we are able to do within the setting of eternity. Meanwhile, the more we are able to care about others . . . the more we love  . . . the more we are like our Creator.

1 John 4: 7-8, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

God’s love is the ultimate—and above any other love we can experience among other humans. Why would His love not be a love that sees us expanding, developing and advancing within our personhood throughout life here on Planet Earth as well as within eternity?

About the author: Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain. Her articles and blogs are read in 32 countries. Joy’s four books are available on her home page at Healing-with-Joy.com where readers can view–FREE–her children’s book titled, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places.

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 reported to USA Today on a study of heat waves transpiring in the Southwest U.S., Mexico, and countries in Central America caused. He related great concern, stating, “The results of our study should be taken as another warning that our climate is heating to dangerous levels.”

Yet, the heat waves are not only confined to the Americas. Last month (May) is now confirmed as the hottest May on record globally. According to the World Weather Attribution group heat waves happen when an area has been underneath a large and lingering region of high pressure known as a heat dome which occurs when hot air is being trapped close to the ground and further heated under skies of sunshine.

“Unsurprisingly heat waves are getting deadlier,” Friederike Otto of Imperial College London.  One of the study co-author said due to North and Central America becoming 1.4 degrees hotter, “millions more people are being exposed to dangerous heat. It is human nature to slip into denial when we cannot bear to look at something.

Many of us have experienced real trouble in life because we refuse to look at a truth that faced us. But, if wise, we humans can change our course of direction in order to avoid a calamity.

Stephen Hawking, famous physicist and cosmologist predicted before his death that “Humanity is at a “tipping point.” Saying in a video that “The Earth will turn into a giant fireball.”

Unfortunately, it seems the whole earth and its inhabitants’ are at that exact point right now. We absolutely must do something to preserve our planet.  But, who feels enabled to take on global warming? When we put solar panels on the roof of our home in Arizona, cutting our use of fossil fuels, the carbon footprint for this household lessened considerably.

Fossil fuels from coal, natural gas, and petroleum products are generated by the Earth’s fossilization process.  Although using these fuels has helped the world develop into what it now is—we now face a “stop sign” through resulting global warming.

What lies ahead is an indisputable threat to us. The future could hold a collision with nature so large that we humans have no resources available to thwart it.

Yet, those who hold the power to form policies to adequately address this matter are split in their reactions—causing lack of action.

Some among our governing individuals, and others who are seeking election say, “It’s not truly a problem,” in so many words. Some claim climate changes come and go through the history of the earth acting as if “This, too, shall pass.” Yet, some are listening to the scientists who are pointing to the truth that calamity is ahead unless we move swiftly so changes can be made.

Some cosmologists and astronomers are mightily concerned—enough to leave their original careers in order focus their expertise in math and programming to confront global warming. Dr. Anna Cabre, an oceanographer, left cosmology to study the effect global warming is having on marine animals and the ocean’s circulation patterns. She intends to design an interactive map to assist with international climate negations.

Bernadette Rodgers, former head of science operations at NOIR-Lab’s Gemini South, uses techniques to map plastics and other pollutants on Earth. She said, “The physical world doesn’t listen to politicians. It follows its own laws.” In speaking of human-caused emissions disrupting Earth’s carbon cycle, she says, “It is established science.”

Continued efforts are made to look for other places in the cosmos where humans could live—when needing to escape the mess we have made of the earth. Travis Rector, an astronomer at the University of Alaska Anchorage and a founder of Astronomers for Planet Earth who edited “Climate Change for Astronomers,” said “people are often surprised to learn that astronomers are engaged in climate change work. But there’s a very strong overlap between the science of astrophysics and the science of climate change. We understand, more than anyone else, that Earth is our only home.”

On a matter as important to all who inhabit the earth, why would our policy makers not want to listen to the voices of the experts whose life work involves studying events that are now seen as holding threatening catastrophe to the globe we live on? The people who have “the facts” have involved themselves with decades of studies. Would it not be best to heed their advice over the voices of others who stand on slippery agendas?

This is difficult because the matter of climate control is truly threatening. Looking straight at a truth that we feel inadequate to change brings feelings of helplessness–and is something we generally turn our backs on. The truth is that every American, during this year of election, can do their homework. We can know precisely what each political candidate plans on doing going forward, if elected, about what they will do, or not do, about greenhouse gases are trapping heat in the earth’s atmosphere and contributing to climate change.

Would it not be wise to look solidly at this matter to save our planet? If so, backing down from such a high point as we are at with the use of fossil fuels is of inherent importance.—even the most important of all issues on which to make sure our policymakers take action—now.

What is behind a politician’s agenda who does not take this matter seriously?

If we care about this wonderful home allowing for life as it orbits the sun, we must hear what people like Raissa Estrela an astrophysicist at NASA Jet Propulsion Labs has to say, “We have this beautiful diversity of life that took us more than 2.5 billion years to reach; now, over just a few hundred years, humans have altered Earth’s hard-won atmosphere and endangered its unique biodiversity.” Maybe if we act fast, we can stop this maleficence so our children and grandchildren will have a chance to breathe easily—or breathe at all.

We all know stop signs are intended to help people stay safe. Yet, how safe will humanity be if we run this stop sign? Scientists know the answer to that. Why on earth would we want to avoid backing off from majorly depending on fossil fuels?

Every one of us has a stake in this. Read the Fact Sheet prepared by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. You have enough time before the election to discover the intentions of candidates as regards the matter of what they will or will not be doing about this imminently threatening matter of continuing to use fossil fuels at the same rate that currently places us in front of the largest and deadliest threat with which humans have  

In 1988 Environmental and Energy Study Institute, declared that “addressing climate change is a moral imperative, which has since guided our work toward our vision: a sustainable, resilient, and equitable world.” Their fact sheet is available at: FactSheet_Fuel_Externalities_2021.pdf

We the people have the power right now. We can study the election candidates asking to know what their intentions are regarding the matter of global warming. Not one of us can afford to be ignorant on this.

The Earth is a gift. Our role is to treasure the gift of the Earth and take care of it.

For information as to how to reach a candidate’s headquarters this link offers help–https://healing-with-joy.com/testing-candidates/

Author information: Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain, mental health counselor, author of four books, available at Healing-with-Joy.com and at Amazon.com.