Author Archives: joyocala

Round 1: Fear nudges you. Round 2: Fear begins to take up space in your mind and thoughts. Round 3: Fear chomps down and takes hold of you. Where is your faith? Remembering the story from Matthew 8 about Jesus … Continue reading →

It’s still dark out. Way too early to get out of bed. And yet this song won’t get out of my ears . . . The old 1974 Karen Carpenter hit, “Close to You.” Over and over, the lilting tune … Continue reading →

Originally posted on June 29, 2018  Have you ever experienced a poke from God, while engaging in less than wise behavior? Oh, I don’t mean bad or sinful behavior.  I mean things like questionable eating decisions or watching movies into … Continue reading →

I’m an obsessive person. When I do something, I REALLY DO IT. Take this blog for example. It’s just before Christmas, and I am writing a devotion for June. The advantage of my obsessiveness is that I get things done. … Continue reading →

Today, technology seems to change at lightning speed. The internet only was thought of in 1993, and the first iPhone came out in 2007. Music CDs are almost obsolete, and videotapes are. AI (artificial intelligence) is producing changes that most … Continue reading →

Do you ever find yourself wondering why prayer seems to be so hard? It is hard oftentimes to quiet your mind enough to be prayerful. I have even, in desperation, squeezed my eyes shut as if it would help me … Continue reading →

Yes, Lord!  These words come so easily in times of joy. We celebrate the birth of a new child; yes, Lord – this is a preciousl moment.  We pause to gaze at a particularly beautiful sunset – once again, yes … Continue reading →

The title of today’s blog may call to mind the 50’s television sitcom of the same name, starring Robert Young. Debuting in 1954, Jim Anderson guided and resolved his family’s problems. When I think of my own prayers to our … Continue reading →

Sometimes when I begin to pray, I have no words. My thoughts can’t cut through the clutter of my world, my activities, my plans, my family, my friends. Something agitates my brain. I feel an itch. I feel my heart … Continue reading →

Time and the weather. Two dependable topics of conversation. We talked about the weather a couple of weeks ago. So, let’s look at time. Are you confused by the passage of time? Do you remember when the days of winter … Continue reading →