Author Archives: joyocala

I often think about CHOICES I have made in my life and how different my life might have been if I had made different selections.  The same is true with the CHANCES I have taken, mostly good and some less … Continue reading →

During this pandemic year of 2020, the importance of a vital and active Stephen Ministry has been confirmed.  At Joy, the membership in the Ministry has taken a significant hit-we have lost over half of the Stephen Ministers.  Loss of … Continue reading →

One piece of esoteric theology that I read recently was excerpts from Ranulph Higden’s “The Mirror for Curates.” Ranulph was a Benedictine monk who lived in an English abbey from 1299 to 1364. He wrote this book as a guide … Continue reading →

We take this “senior moment” to thank Jim for four years of blog writing, as we reluctantly accept his retirement from regularly sharing his musings with us.             Have you ever gone in a room and forgot why you came … Continue reading →

  Within the past couple of days, Ocala begin to feel the outer bands of Tropical Storm Eta. You know it’s been an active hurricane season when we run out of names and start using the Greek alphabet! Winds and steady … Continue reading →

 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7 Do … Continue reading →

No, this will not be about autumn, though I do miss the smell of autumn, a distinctive scent of leaves and coolness.  I’m conjuring up a wonderful mind photo of colorful fallen leaves, herbal tea, sweater-weather and good memories. Instead “the … Continue reading →

I have heard it said many times this year “I can’t wait until 2020 is over”.  It has been challenging on so many levels, but I know many times in the past society felt the same way.  Times were difficult … Continue reading →

This is a blog that I originally wrote in January 2019.  This week, Rich and I are on a little vacation and I am looking for a quicker way to get a blog to you, gentle readers.  As I read … Continue reading →

If you ever read Psalm 16 in the old King James Version, you came upon an oddity in verse 9. “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” What in the world … Continue reading →