Author Archives: joyocala

The above might elicit the “yeah, sure” emoji. I recall the past, present and (likely) future sage wisdom of my father. “God never says ‘no’. It’s yes, not now, or ‘I’ve got something better in mind’”. Easier said than believed … Continue reading →

Repairing and restoring old clocks was Dad’s hobby.  His home was overflowing with the fruits of his labors.  And he was willing to repair and restore a family clock for anyone who asked; never did he charge a penny.  When … Continue reading →

      As an infant, I was baptized on a Palm Sunday, and according to those in attendance, I was “singing,” not crying but singing.  A choir member approached my parents after the baptism and remarked she was sure I would sing in … Continue reading →

This is another excerpt from Mitch Albom’s work entitled Have a Little Faith. The story tells of one of Albom’s last memories of a conversation he had with Rabbi Albert Lewis before he passed away. He shared he had asked … Continue reading →

All our lives we have desires, sometimes healthy, sometimes not. We look at our lives and based on society’s standards, we determine whether we are doing well or not. Instead of being content with food, clothing and shelter, we want … Continue reading →

Lent began yesterday with Ash Wednesday. It’s been less than 50 years since Lutherans in the U.S. recovered the imposition of ashes in its Lenten observance. The ashes are a sign of repentance, being sorry for sin and intending to … Continue reading →

That is not a pleasant-sounding word. We think of grease or some other tough stain on our clothing that can only be “Shout”-ed out. When we need to do a background check for a job which invariably includes that embarrassing, … Continue reading →

Blessings abound! Are you breathing? Do you have your eyesight? Can you hear? Are you able to walk? I know, they are the basics of life, but what a gift to us from our heavenly Father. If you are reading … Continue reading →

I seem to feel an obligation to take a family photo, whenever we gather for a holiday.  Do you?  I’m sometimes met with a chorus of groans, along with more enthusiastic agreement from others.  Then there’s the ritual of decisions:  … Continue reading →

        Where I grew up in Ohio, we lived very close to the county fairgrounds.  August was the month when two weeks at the fair brought the area so much activity.  When the fair emptied out, there was a stadium, empty barns, paved … Continue reading →