Author Archives: joyocala

I never want to lose the wonder that I feel when I look at the world around me. When I stare across this wide beautiful lake at sunset, I see the “purple mountains majesties.” Shaded in glorious hues from the … Continue reading →

More about Christmas today because I discovered some Danes celebrate Jul i Juli, Christmas in July. I once did a Christmas in July for kids as part of a Vacation Bible School course. They loved it. Children seem to celebrate … Continue reading →

Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews is called the faith chapter. In it the author recounts the stories of Old Testament who had acted on faith. The author doesn’t say that we inherit any goodness or faith from them, … Continue reading →

Guess how many times Jesus said to his disciples, “be born again”? Once, in John 3:3 in his conversation with Nicodemus. Do you know how many times he said, “follow me”? More than thirty. This is where some churches miss … Continue reading →

Summertime . . . I’m blessed to enjoy some travels. It’s been a year since I headed north. Time spent with extended family is precious; our moments together seem so few. We have so many precious memories, but children grow … Continue reading →

What is lightning? It is a tremendous burst of energy created in the clouds and striking earth instantaneously at speeds incomprehensible to the human mind. It can be extremely dangerous, killing people on the ground, starting fires, burning thousands of … Continue reading →

So much emphasis on sunscreen these days . . . Should I wear SPF 15 or SPF 30? I’ve decided to skip it! I’m tired of rubbing on a dollop of busyness. Too busy to thank God in prayer. Too … Continue reading →

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 get those all the time. I mean things like questionable eating decisions or watching movies into … Continue reading →

Last Sunday was the Nativity of John the Baptist. That means it’s only six months until Christmas. Augh! I read Christmas stories all year long. A favorite of mine is in Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 Wind in the Willows. In the … Continue reading →

Bzzzzzzzz. Swat, swish, ah, those pesky pests that flit against our feet or worse yet, into our faces. Have you ever had a nagging buzz from within? A pesky pest of a thought. A tingling nudge that wouldn’t stop. I … Continue reading →