Author Archives: joyocala

It has become a tradition for me to write something about St. Patrick (or Padraig in Irish), the patron saint of Ireland on March 17. This is a celebration day for Irish all over the world and for others as … Continue reading →

A dimension of Christianity that is not “of” the world is transcendence. That is, there is something that is beyond the ordinary, physical world. There is God who is actively involved in this world. In dealing with the “in the … Continue reading →

As a little boy, Albert Schweitzer was frightened by the face of the Devil appearing in his father’s church during services. There it was staring down from a frame near the organ. Fortunately, it disappeared when his father began preaching. … Continue reading →

I am an amusement park wimp. I am afraid of heights and being flipped upside-down. I am afraid of falling. There are better uses of my time, my nerves, and my gastric processes, than 40 seconds of pulse-racing, blood-pressure-exploding terror. … Continue reading →

Have you adjusted to Daylight Saving Time yet?   It’s a challenge.  I’ve always been inclined to awaken when sunlight comes through the window, regardless of the numerals on my clock.  It works pretty well in retirement. Daylight is a marvelous … Continue reading →

        I was walking the other day and encountered a friend, walking just ahead of me.  She was walking quite slowly wearing a back brace.  I caught up to her and we chatted about her recent surgery and her obvious progress.         Interestingly, her … Continue reading →

                                                                                                                                                                        Last week some friends and I attended the showing of the movie The Jesus Revolution. It is based on the real-life revival of Christianity in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.  The movie took place during a time of much … Continue reading →

Or maybe the Procrastinating Gardener.  Yep, that’s me.  I really do love to plant and tend and watch plants grow and mature.  But often, I buy the plants and seeds and they sit for weeks without getting into the soil. … Continue reading →

How should Christians live in the world? Some answers to that question provoke cries of “No politics in church!” I’ll start with obligations, not politics. The Old Testament teaches our obligations in the commandments. We are to honor our parents, … Continue reading →

The Joy Devotional Blogs were started by Pastor Ed Holloway during his ministry at Joy. When he retired, Annie Schank took on the responsibility of continuing these daily blogs. Today’s blog is adapted from her post in March of 2017. … Continue reading →