Author Archives: joyocala

Originally posted in 2016 by our friend Warren Dear Lord: Your word has a way of pulling us up short..  We discover how vulnerable we are when we measure our sinful nature against the truth of your word.  Temper is … Continue reading →

Growing up, I was always a little envious of the Irish girls in my class.  When St. Patrick’s Day came around, their moms would let them put some green food coloring in their hair as part of the celebration of … Continue reading →

Lutherans commemorate Gregory the Great today. Gregory, whose name means, watchful, was the Bishop of Rome or Pope from 590 to 604. He was well educated and from a wealthy family. His great-great grandfather had also been Bishop of Rome. … Continue reading →

I’ve been reading quite a bit about Archimedes lately, and in the course of that reading have learned more about the Library at Alexandria.  It was founded around 300 BC and in the next two centuries it accumulated most of … Continue reading →

If it’s so good for the soul, why is it so danged hard? At least in this season of Lent it should get a little easier. Confession means repentance, change. You know, the hard work of being a Christian. Everything … Continue reading →

Daylight Savings Time began yesterday.  My body is still rebelling.   What do you mean it’s time to get up?  I want another hour!   I’ve not figured out how such a small time change can be so disruptive, but hopefully in … Continue reading →

Are you lifting weights? Are you lifting heavy furniture? Are you lifting others in prayer? Are you lifting high the cross as a beloved hymn suggests? Ol’ Man River, the ballad from Show Boat, uses these words: “…Body all aching, And wracked … Continue reading →

Originally posted in 2018  by our friend Joey So there I was, 7 years old, and wanting to play hide and seek with my two older brothers. I pestered them until they gave in and said, “OK, you hide here … Continue reading →

When I was young and recently married, Rich and I thought that 5 children would be a nice comfortable number for our family.  I have always liked the numbers 5 and 10.  They are easy to add and track.  I … Continue reading →

Ever hear a seventeenth century praise band? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYnizZskFQ8 This is an aria for four voices on the hymn “Jesu meines Lebens Leben” (Christ the Life of All the Living) set by the German-Danish composer Dietrich Buxtehude. It’s what you might … Continue reading →