Author Archives: joyocala

It’s fun to engage in some Christian-American history. If you find history mind-numbingly boring, my apologies. I will not even get started about the recent “black eye” history has been taking lately. This is a blog, not a debate platform. … Continue reading →

My new computer is proving to be a challenge.   Oh yes, it does lots of things well, better than my now deceased model.  But, there are also some frustrations, today’s being the lack of connection between computer and printer.   They … Continue reading →

Raising two boys was the BEST…well, except when it came to chores. For some reason, their dad and I had divided up the chores.  He did everything outside, watering the plants, cleaning and adding chemicals to the pool, mowing the yard, … Continue reading →

I save a lot of communications that have been sent to me during the year.  These writings strike me as a special lesson at the time and sometimes they come at just the right moment to help me get through … Continue reading →

I volunteered to read the Old Testament verses for last Sunday’s service in my summer church.  Wanting to be sure that I was reading the correct passage, I sent a message to the pastor.  “Father Bob,” I wrote, “are we … Continue reading →

Today commemorates Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany. Mary and Martha appear in three Gospel stories one about Jesus visiting their home where Martha serves (Luke 7:36-50), one in which Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44), and one … Continue reading →

For my birthday, my sister gave me the book Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, which was the motivation for the Broadway musical by the same name.  Although it was heavy reading (three pounds in paperback?), I enjoyed it so much that I … Continue reading →

We learn so much from Jesus the person. He was a strong leader, yet a humble servant. His behavior crossed the whole spectrum of humanity, from overturning merchant’s tables to washing disciple’s feet. He was never weak, even when submitting … Continue reading →

It happened again on Sunday.  Walking into church, I spotted someone I’ve know for some time. I’ve known their name for a couple years.  But then and there, at that moment, I had no idea what that name might be.  … Continue reading →

Lamentations 3:22-23, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” FAITHFULNESS means:   loyal, constant, staunch, steadfast, resolute, firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance. Faithful implies unswerving adherence to a person … Continue reading →