Author Archives: joyocala

We share these words of wisdom posted by Pastor Ed in 2015. The future… unimaginable! And yet we try, often with trepidation and fear. We forget that God has plans for us for heaven and for this world. Believers are … Continue reading →

This seldom-used descriptor of Jesus is at the same time embracing and excluding. Embracing as only the truest of friends could be, yet distinct from the group of sinners. He is not one, even though he IS, by his own … Continue reading →

This African American spiritual hymn has come to us through many generations.  The original author is unknown, yet the lyrics are powerful and simple.  Numerous stanzas have appeared over the decades, but always the same refrain “Give me Jesus.”  It … Continue reading →

        “I’m strong to the finish ‘cause I eats me spinach, I’m Popeye the Sailor Man”….and of course, in the same cartoon was his pal Wimpy.  There have been times when I was definitely strong (thanks be to God) and yet I … Continue reading →

I enjoy how the Nightly News with David Muir always ends with a positive story.  I know I have mentioned in several of my blogs how the media tends to focus on doom and gloom.  I don’t always watch the … Continue reading →

I had a strange thing happen to me on the day of my father’s funeral. Around communion time, I noticed a very red “flutter” just outside one of the chapel windows. The object bounced up and down and went back … Continue reading →

A disadvantages I had as a pastor was that I grew up in the church. Why is that a problem? Because I can’t remember a time when God wasn’t real to me. I didn’t come from unbelief to belief. I … Continue reading →

So you come to the end of the prayer. What do you do? Even a beginner would retort, “You say Amen.” All right, but why? It’s a word that expresses truthfulness and certainty. Jesus used it before he spoke some … Continue reading →

Where will the great American experiment take us? I would rather hope that we are more concerned about where our faith journey takes us. I think that as we get older, with more of our lives in the rearview mirror, … Continue reading →

Today’s hymn comes from the days I spent worshiping in a small Baptist Church.   The building may not have been large, but every pew was filled and oh could they sing!  No hymnals were needed, no words in a bulletin; … Continue reading →