Author Archives: joyocala

Believing in it – whatever “it” is – gives us courageous motivation in the face of fear. We won’t need a money-back guarantee. Just God’s Word of promise will bring forth our trust in Him. A couple of Sundays ago … Continue reading →

“O Lord, You are my refuge and my shield.”  Psalm 119:114 I read this verse on my monthly calendar this morning.  I was especially taken with the word shield.   There are many words that come to mind when I think … Continue reading →

        Written in 1954 by Bob Merrill, a song Jimmie Rodgers made popular in 1957 was HONEYCOMB. (First Stanza) Well it’s a darn good lifeAnd it’s kinda funnyHow the Lord made the beeAnd the bee made the honeyAnd the honeybee lookin’ for … Continue reading →

The word “philosophy” comes from the Greek and means the love of wisdom. This being said, while “wisdom” has its place in a disciplined life, we should not rely too heavily on one’s wisdom. If we reverse the love of … Continue reading →

Brad was born in the summer between my junior and senior years in college.  I had just finished an Embryology course.  I had learned all about the beginning, middle and end phases of several organisms, including human beings.  I thought … Continue reading →

Last week I wrote about paying attention to your own insights in reading the Bible. That now concerns me a little since it might imply that one’s own private Biblical interpretation is to be preferred to anything anyone else teaches. … Continue reading →

I came upon a bookmark one day and took time to read the message on it. It is a poem written by Helen Steiner Rice and is worthy of sharing. I hope it touches you as it has me. The … Continue reading →

Occasionally, inspiration comes for a blog message through a recent event. This past Sunday the Gospel reading was The Good Samaritan. I arrived at church at my usual time, going through my mental checklist, getting things ready. Then a man … Continue reading →

I’d like to share with you today a poem by Edwina Gateley. Born in Lancaster, England, her experience includes nine months in prayer and solitude at a hermitage in 1982, a year (1983) on the streets of Chicago walking with … Continue reading →

According to Wikipedia, Paul Johannes Tillich (1886-1965) was a German-American Christian existentialist philosopher and Lutheran Protestant theologian who is widely regarded as one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century. He said, “The first duty of love is to listen.” … Continue reading →