Author Archives: joyocala

Writing about Sabbath Days and discovering the Trinity in an Old Testament lesson made me realize next Sunday is Trinity Sunday. Sundays were always special when I was a kid. They had the aspects of a Sabbath Day. We always … Continue reading →

 Charity played an important role in the early Church. Justin Martyr (100-165 A D) gives a description of an early church service in his apology, and it is noted that an offering was taken that was then distributed to orphans, … Continue reading →

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3) This gospel begins where Jesus does – with creation. Like an artist whose personality leaks through the canvas, Jesus is revealed in and … Continue reading →

What’s the thing I’m most likely to lose sight of when things don’t go smoothly, hope. I watch the news. I see nothing but wars and rumors of wars.  I lose hope that peace can be achieved. I think of … Continue reading →

        Big prayers pour into Heaven from all of us, healing for a loved one, end the World Pandemic, (at this writing) stop the invasion of Ukraine and the senseless slaughter of civilians, and unite our torn nation. This loving God, who … Continue reading →

In my former church, our pastor would end every worship service with the words, “Come Spirit Come!  Blow Spirit Blow”! Everyone called it out in unison and even the little children would join in with exuberance.  We had a banner … Continue reading →

I read a mediation this morning about faith that I found interesting enough to share with you.  The reading began with an explanation that many of us think of faith as something that we either have a lot or a … Continue reading →

I have a Bible passage that drives me crazy. You’ll have to look at it to understand my problem. Read Genesis 18:1-15 God appears to Abraham. That’s clear. Abraham sees three men. That’s also clear. Here’s my problem: are all … Continue reading →

 A couple years ago I heard the Thomanerchor, the St. Thomas Boys Choir from Leipzig. This 800 year-old-choir is the same one that Johann Sebastian Bach himself directed and wrote music for. It is no longer a church choir. It … Continue reading →

It is certainly not precise, but Christianity is in another new season. It has been five hundred five years since the Protestant Reformation. Monumental change in all areas of life ensued as human history entered modernity. Many believe we are … Continue reading →