Month: January 2016

Love…Words vs Actions

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC06998 publish

It is one thing to say the following words about Love but it is a whole other level of Love to live them in your daily life with others…

“Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

(This photo was taken by my wife in South Dakota and that is our son standing on a level above her to project his shadow in the image of the cross)

Living In The Light

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC09797 publish

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:29-32

He Is Always With Us

/ mcalcagno / 2 Comments

DSC07503 publish

“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.  You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid you hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.  Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there;  if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there you hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

Psalm 139:1-10

Our Strength Is In Him

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31

Regarding Interactions with Others

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Jesus states the following while speaking to his disciples…

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 6:37-38

Be Encouraged, Be Restored

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7

Stay Committed to Faith

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC08848

Success in life is most often tied to commitment…when you learn the details of a success story there is always a moment or moments along the way that a person had to make a choice to be committed to a vision or mission in order to see it through.  Our military personnel make a commitment to defend the flag and all that it stands for in this country.  It is commitment that leads to success in relationships and our everyday life.  When we reflect on our lives we all are committed to something right now…the question becomes how does that commitment tie into our faith and our relationship with God?

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be people of courage; be strong.  Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

When The Enemy Pursues You

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

IMG_20141015_061538394_HDR publish

While we live our faith journey on earth we will always need to be aware of the three things working against us…the flesh, the world and Satan.  We need to hold onto the Word and to prayer to nourish our faith and keep us strong.  David wrote many prayers in the Book of Psalms…this is one of my favorites…

“O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.  Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.

The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead.  So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.  I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.  I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.

Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails.  Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.  Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.  Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you.  Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.  In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.”

Psalm 143