Author Archives: joyocala

Last week’s Lenten scripture reading was from Mark 4:35-41.  Jesus and the Apostles are crossing the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm comes up and overwhelms the crew and vessel.  While this is happening, Jesus is asleep on a … Continue reading →

“I am sinking in deep mud, and there is no solid ground” (Psalm 60:2a, Good News Bible). I know exactly the sensation of sinking in mud. At Christmastime one year I was walking around my apartment complex looking at the … Continue reading →

I am pleased to share the message of a “guest blogger” today. She is an old friend and her words are written especially for those of us who sometimes feel so overwhelmed in the face of the hatred, discrimination and … Continue reading →

 I came to seminary in Columbia, SC nearly forty-one years of age. For the first time, I saw a Lutheran Church named Christus Victor – “Jesus, Victorious Champion.” “How neat is that!”, I thought. It comes from atonement theology, and … Continue reading →

I share this memory today. It is as vivid and painful as it was more than fifty years ago. To me it is a reminder that we are all lost until our loving Lord wraps his arms around us and … Continue reading →

 Matthew 25: 40-43 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from … Continue reading →

As most of you know, I write the “Volunteer of the Month” article for our monthly newsletter, Tidings of Joy.  It is a pleasure to interview these wonderful people of our church who give so much of themselves to spread … Continue reading →

 In the last chapter of John we read that after the crucifixion Peter, James, John and two other disciples went fishing one night on the Sea of Galilee, but when morning came, they had not caught a single fish. A … Continue reading →

It’s a shame even Lutherans don’t know about Sister Elizabeth Fedde (1850-1921), a Norwegian Lutheran Deaconess who established the Norwegian Relief Society to serve the Norwegian-American immigrant community. The Lutheran Deaconess movement started in Germany in 1836. By 1884, there … Continue reading →

Blessings abound! Are you breathing? Do you have your eyesight? Can you hear? Are you able to walk? I know, they are the basics of life, but what a gift to us from our heavenly Father. If you are reading … Continue reading →