Author Archives: joyocala

A couple of months ago my wife, Paulette, got hearing aids. She had been warned in advance that it was difficult to adjust to them, that by amplifying sounds they also amplified noise, and not to expect too much. She … Continue reading →

We can be thankful that we live in a time when we are not afraid to consider the whole humanity of Jesus. He was a person, of course! He cried, he got hungry, tired, and then he bled and died … Continue reading →

Our family’s first ancestors to arrive in America were farmers fleeing the potato famine in Ireland. Their new home must have seemed so strange compared to the “old country.” But they wanted to belong in their new homeland, so when … Continue reading →

Before there was written language, stories were told and passed down through generations. People shared news of events as they passed along well traveled roads. They told of happenings, events, births, deaths, tragedies and shared life through conversation. Many days, … Continue reading →

She suffered, as many teens of her generation, addicted to alcohol at 14, lured by the world to drugs/depression and grave eating disorders. This was her cross to bear. Despite her years of good recovery, during my cancer diagnosis years … Continue reading →

Huh? What’s this? Well, this is a composition that was performed recently by our local symphony and chorus. The piece was written by Eric Whitaker, an American composer, for the band at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas after he … Continue reading →

Today we remember that day in 1517 when Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses. We Lutherans take this as something akin to publishing the Declaration of Independence, but it really wasn’t like that. The 1953 film Martin Luther portrays it … Continue reading →

Recently there was a very heartwarming story in the news. ESPN College Gameday was filmed in conjunction with the Iowa-Iowa State football on September 14. In the background twenty-four year old Iowa State fan Carson King was seen holding up … Continue reading →

In modern music, whether it be jazz, rock or any genre with a rhythm section, keeping time is of crucial importance. Ideally the drummer sets the tempo. If they speed or drag, it is hard for the guitar, bass and … Continue reading →

This week it’s Halloween, next month Thanksgiving, and check your calendar but December brings Christmas. The stores are hard pressed to remove the pumpkins, put out the Thanksgiving décor, and all the while be ready for the biggest of all … Continue reading →