Author Archives: joyocala

Today is All Souls’ Day, a day for remembering the faithfully departed. Lutherans in the U.S. aren’t familiar with the day since we have tended to merge All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day and observe it on the first … Continue reading →

For one of his “Jaywalking” segments on the Tonight Show Jay Leno asked random people to name one of the Ten Commandments. The producers were surprised when the most common response was “God helps those who help themselves.” What a … Continue reading →

Years after the Civil War, someone asked the Confederate General George Pickett, famous for his heroic yet failed “Pickett’s Charge” at Gettysburg, why he thought the South lost. Stroking his beard, pretending to think long and hard, he answered, “Well, … Continue reading →

Tomorrow will be the day, October 31, All Saints Eve.  Or let’s be honest, we all know it much better as Halloween.  Pumpkins, ghosts, black cats and witches decorate the stores.  Kids have decided on this year’s costume.  And candy.  … Continue reading →

        Matthew 7: 7-11 (The Message version) “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for … Continue reading →

What does Jesus mean to you?  I know He means different things to different people for different reasons in their lives.  Here is a list. You probably have felt some, many or all of these things at various times in … Continue reading →

Last Saturday, while cleaning up from our church Yard Sale, there was a distinctly joyful noise coming from the church next door. They had a swinging band, and the pastor was leading them in some very engaging and exciting responses. … Continue reading →

Today commemorates three Lutheran hymn writers. It’s hard to imagine worship without hymns, but for a long times there was little or no congregational song. It was Luther who saw the value of people singing and made provision for hymns … Continue reading →

My grandfather (maternal) came to this country from Hungary sometime before WWI and worked at Studebakers in South Bend, Indiana. This was when they first started making automobiles, but were still making wagons. Shortly after WWI he bought a farm … Continue reading →

When I look around, I see JOY! I see “refreshment” and trusting God’s promises… I see Outreach and Stewardship often having the same mind and purposes… I see slow and steady winning the race… I see genuine warmth and love… … Continue reading →