Author Archives: joyocala

You may be familiar with the beautiful song, “El Shaddai.”  Perhaps you’ve heard it sung by Amy Grant.  It begins with the two lines: “El Shaddai, El ShaddaiEl-Elyon Na Adonai” I’ve tried to uncover just what those words mean.  Not … Continue reading →

        I kinda’ have music on my mind often, whistling throughout my day, humming and singing, too. From the 60’s (yes, I remember the 60s lol), The Supremes sang, Stop! In the Name of Love (’65) and Dionne Warwick sang Walk on By (’64). … Continue reading →

We are living in a “Must Have” world.  We feel we must have the best house, the fanciest cars, the most money in our bank account, the latest fashions and the most “toys”.  We hear sayings like “he who has … Continue reading →

Ever hear that phrase? Remember teen dances. I remember the chaperones at my high school prowling the dance floor and reminding dancers to leave room for the Holy Spirit. In other words, don’t get too close to your partner. I … Continue reading →

One Saturday a group of us gathered to make mandalas. “Mandala” (Sanskrit for “circle”) is a device used in many eastern religions.  It’s a circular pattern of symbols that can express the spiritual journey. Our mandalas were made of large … Continue reading →

Sometimes you learn something, but you don’t know you’ve learned it until years later. When I started seminary I lived in an old house with three other seminarians–two seniors and a middler. The others taught me a Jewish table grace that … Continue reading →

     I am sick and at home today, but thanks to God, my mind is still functional enough to crank out thoughts.       Up on the shelf of our spare bedroom closet are several photo albums. I was … Continue reading →

Paul speaks to us in Romans 8:14-15. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought … Continue reading →

      Psalm 118:24-25 “Thank you for responding to me; you’ve truly become my salvation! The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone! This is God’s work. We rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it! This is the very day God acted — let’s celebrate and be festive! Salvation now, God. Salvation … Continue reading →

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.  Isaiah 53:6 I think all of us can honestly say at times … Continue reading →