Author Archives: joyocala

In the early days of the pandemic, I heard and saw the expression, “I’ve been training my whole life for this”. It was tongue-in-cheek humor. When we began to settle in and comply with the guidelines to socially distance, stay … Continue reading →

If my counting is correct my friends, this is the 11th day of Christmas.  I’m already humming, “On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . .” The twelve days of Christmas mark the period … Continue reading →

Mother Teresa wrote about peace with these words, “The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service; the fruit of service is peace. Let us not … Continue reading →

I recently listened to my CD of the music from the Broadway musical “Rent”.  I have loved it since I saw the show on Broadway about 25 years ago and I especially liked the song “Seasons of Love”. The lyrics … Continue reading →

Our blogs over the last few weeks have sorted through the happenings of 2020-good and bad.  No one will deny that it has been quite a year.  I admit that I was excited last January.  There was something that felt … Continue reading →

New Years Day is the Festival of the Name of Jesus. Although it became  a feast day because Jesus was circumcised when he was eight days old, I suspect some spoil-sport church calendar maker decided that making January 1 a … Continue reading →

Originally posted on December 31, 2017 Having lived through many New Years since 1952, I’ve seen crises, famines, wars, rumors of war, earthquakes, and hurricanes. There were vast changes from the Cold War era until now. Through it all, I realize … Continue reading →

 This is my last blog in the horrendous episode of history that was 2020. I think we should declare this upcoming January 1st “National Hindsight Day.” Most of us want this year in our rearview mirrors. I should allow for … Continue reading →

Today, December 28, we remember the massacre of the innocent children of Bethlehem by the order of King Herod.  When Herod realized that he had been tricked by the Magi, in a rage he sent murderers, saying to them: Slay … Continue reading →

Experiment:  Try singing “…I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.  Where?  Down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart.  I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart.  Down in my heart today….” (Lyrics from a Christian song … Continue reading →