Author Archives: joyocala

Hm?  Which pathway through life have you chosen? God has given His creation of humans FREE WILL, so which way will you choose? I must say when driving, walking, biking, usually the choice of left or right depends solely on my … Continue reading →

Some of you can remember where you were and what you were doing when Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941.  Most of you will remember where you were and what you were doing when you heard of the … Continue reading →

Today is a happy day!  Today is a day to rejoice!  Today is a day to celebrate! Well, the weather is cloudy and cool.  The house needs to be cleaned.  The laundry needs to be done.  However, all those things … Continue reading →

I went to seminary at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. It’s located in a massive 1960s glass and steel building. It’s hard to know what the building is. It’s even hard to figure out how where the entrance is. … Continue reading →

On the third day of the unfolding of God’s creation plan, vegetation, nature and big pieces of the puzzle were beginning to meld together. His plan, His map, His brochure for The Best Places to visit…He created it all! Elaborate … Continue reading →

Some of you are “cradle Lutherans” who were on the Cradle Roll of the congregation you were baptized in. Our ecumenical partners, such as United Methodist, Episcopalians and Presbyterians had similar “pipeline” programs. The process of faith formation was very … Continue reading →

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”  Colossians 3:23 Whatever the tasks that we are given, we do everything for the Lord.  It’s so easy to look at our … Continue reading →

I just read somewhere the other day a statement that stuck with me, “Communion is not just a ritual to take but rather should be considered a blessing to receive.” I liked this statement.  It really resonated with me.  Thinking back to … Continue reading →

When I was a little girl, I attended Sunday School like most of you reading this.  We did the normal things that everyone probably did, including starting at the gathering area where we sang Bible songs and our birthdays were … Continue reading →

Last Sunday, the homily was delivered by a young man on his way to a new adventure.  He was going away to college.  Leaving the small rural Vermont town that he has called home for eighteen years and traveling to … Continue reading →