Author Archives: joyocala

I was eight years old. In my Easter basket was a novelty toy–a rubber elephant head pin. It connected to a tube with a bulb at the end. When you squeezed the bulb, the elephant’s trunk unfurled. That Easter Sunday … Continue reading →

I’ve always liked the Breton’s Fisherman’s Prayer, and there have been a number of times in my life when I’ve felt the need to pray it. There are several versions and proposed sources for the prayer, but they contain the … Continue reading →

The Easter resurrection story features an angel. Like all who came before and have come since, his message was one of reassurance. “Do not be afraid.” “Everything’s going to be okay.” Along with the momentary fright there is a longer, … Continue reading →

Yesterday we celebrated Easter, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, a day of joy and new beginnings.“He lives, he lives who once was dead!”  The greatest news we could receive.   Because he lives, we too can live.  How fitting that … Continue reading →

Prayers. Tears. Arrest. Denial. Shock. Trial. Mocking. Beating. Crucifying. Forgiveness. Grace. Sorrow. Such a Holy week, yet so much stress. The agony and pain insufferable. Would we like to embrace our departed loved ones again? Most definitely I would love … Continue reading →

 Maple Springs Methodist Church was on an arterial street near our home in Winston-Salem, so we often passed by it. It was always pleasant to do so, but two times of the year were special. The first was in the … Continue reading →

Holy Week has been a part of my life since I was an infant. I know that my mother probably brought me to the Good Friday service at church when I was less than a year old. This week is an important time for Christians who … Continue reading →

I am always drawn to Maundy Thursday worship, to hear the lesson from John where Jesus gives the Mandatum, the command, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also … Continue reading →

I grew up in Chicago so what do I know about sheep? For goodness sake, they had sheep in the zoo so we deprived city kids would know what real sheep look like.  Fortunately, I had a seminary professor, Dr. … Continue reading →

Most of you know the spelling for a certain place or condition. My title is based on that, but in a more positive way. Instead of the familiar “h-e-double hockey sticks”, I’m thinking about one of God’s free gifts, that … Continue reading →