Author Archives: joyocala

I’ve been having great lunches this week: cucumbers and tomatoes picked fresh from our garden, drizzled with some Italian dressing and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. And I’ve been having fresh-picked blueberries in my morning cereal. Everything’s really starting to … Continue reading →

(with acknowledgment to NYT bestselling author Matthew Kelly) His book “Holy Moments” was gifted to me, and I “re-gifted” it to an  end table in our church narthex. If you attend or are a member of Joy, maybe you noticed … Continue reading →

The Summer Olympics are here!  Athletes train for years to compete at this highest of levels.  They have waited four years since the last summer Olympics and will wait another four for the next.  The pressure is on for a … Continue reading →

When you pray the Lord’s Prayer, one line is…Thy (Your) Will Be Done. Do you mean that? Are you really asking for God to provide what is HIS WILL? Oh my, that is tough one! Sometimes or possibly many times … Continue reading →

When we are preparing to delve into uncharted territory (or waters), we enter with a certain degree of trepidation. To leave what is comfortable and secure takes considerable courage. I have never been much of a risk-taker. There is a … Continue reading →

This past Sunday had a hit parade of Biblical readings.  The reading from Samuel provides the basis for a rather racy and violent novel. But I don’t want to write about David and his actions. The portion from Ephesians offers … Continue reading →

When I can’t think of a topic for a devotion, I thumb through my small journal where I write down interesting things I read. About a year ago I was reading the writings of Hadewijch of Antwerp, a Dutch mystic … Continue reading →

From Porgy and Bess, Gershwin shared, “Summertime and the living is easy…” Well, those of us in Florida, know that sometimes the oppressive heat of summer is NOT easy. If instead we focus on the warmth coming from within us, … Continue reading →

When you’ve been “churched” all your life, you can spot the “Marys and Marthas” in a congregation. (I’m still searching for the male counterparts – Mark and Martin, perhaps?). “Martha” is the busybody, the worker bee. “Mary” is the reflective, … Continue reading →

I have a small flower garden:  a few roses interspersed with annuals like vinca.  In the twenty years we have been in Florida I have enjoyed puttering in this little space.  It’s peaceful and relaxing.  Today I was focused on … Continue reading →