The Good Shepherd

July 11, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Shepherd, of all the roles on earth, we can read in several places in the bible that Jesus is the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23, Isaiah 40:11, John 10:11-18). In today’s world a shepherd seems like a character in a story of a very different world, not an actual role in a society. To understand more about why is Jesus the Good Shepherd we look more closely at Psalm 23. Some of David’s words and descriptions of the Shepherd are as follows: He leads me; He restores my soul; He guides me; I will fear no evil; they comfort me; my cup overflows. A shepherd provides everything the sheep will ever need. Leadership, a restoration hope, guidance, protection, comfort and blessings…love. Most importantly for the sheep a shepherd will lay down his life for the sheep to keep them safe from evil. Jesus Christ has done all things possible for you to have life, turn or return to Him as He is our Good Shepherd. May God’s love and mercy be with you.

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“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

John 10:14-15

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 near the Minnesota and South Dakota border)

Walking In The Light

July 10, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Getting out of the cycle of pray-commit sin-repent-repeat means changing our behavior and our attitude. It says in many places in the bible the path to peace is to humble your self before God (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6) and admit you are a sinner who is unable to improve yourself alone. This is true humility. It is very far cry from what the self-serving world is telling us we should be doing. We must learn to walk in the light of Christ…to me this means not judging others, not holding on to anger, offering to help those in need and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ and His redeeming grace. To walk in the light is to trust and know that no matter what you encounter, God is good, He loves you and He will guide you if you are willing to follow Him. May the grace and peace of God be with you.

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“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

1 John 1:7

(This photo was taken in June of 2012 at sunset in northwestern Wisconsin)

The Conclusion

July 9, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher explores several aspects of life on earth searching for meaning. The word ‘meaningless’ is used repeatedly in this book. The Teacher reviews wisdom, pleasures, time, toil, advancement, riches and often states similar phrases like‘…it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him – for this is his lot.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18) Finally after thorough discussion is complete in Ecclesiastes 12 a conclusion is reached…this is a lesson that every person can learn from, this is a lesson that keeps the values of eternity in view for all of us. To summarize what the verses below state: Life without God is meaningless. May you find peace and joy in the glory of God this day.

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“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Give Good Fruit

July 8, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Our lives are filled with choices and decisions. We are the ones responsible for the attitudes and behaviors we present to the world. We are blessed with the redeeming blood of Christ. We have been forgiven for our sins. Let’s go out and give good fruit. No matter what your circumstances or your place in life today you can give the good fruit we receive from the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t take money and it doesn’t take a certain level of influence in society. The Fruit of the Spirit is all about making the choice to behave as we have been instructed to. We should not expect the world to always be kind and generous to us as it is broken, however, we know that no matter what, God is with us and He is holding us. May we share the blessings the Lord has given to us with others.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)

His Love Endures Forever

July 7, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Look around the world and the things happening today, when you stop and think about all the darkness and evil present in this world and then think about that even though He knew we are broken God still sent His Son to save us. Jesus took on all the sin for all the people in the world, He himself was innocent, yet Jesus took our punishment so that we could be reconciled with God and why did He do it? Because of love. When you are feeling the pain and suffering of life, when you don’t know where to turn or what to do, turn to Jesus Christ and invite Him into your heart and life. He knows you and He loves you and He will always be there for you. May you sense the goodness of the Lord today.

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the Minnesota and South Dakota border)

Anything

July 6, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

God can help us with anything…everything! If we are worried about money, He can help with that. If we are worried about physical health, He can help with that. If we are concerned about our emotions or how we are feeling about issues He can help with that. If we are struggling with family and friends or social relationships, He can help with that. The important things to remember about God is He will and does help with everything on His terms not ours, not on our timeline and not with our outcome as His top priority. He has a far greater plan and outcome in store for us if we will just trust in Him. Here is what I have learned from my relationship with God. Be patient and persistent and pay attention for resolutions to situations that you never even considered. Be humble, willing to speak honestly and learn how to listen. Spend time with Him everyday and grow your relationship. Forgive others, do not be quick judge and do not stay angry. God is with you, He is holding you in the palm of His hand, be thankful and be willing to tell others of His great love for us. Anything is possible when we learn to trust in Him. May God’s peace, joy and love be with you.

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“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)

Creator

July 5, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is good to take a walk and soak in God’s creation. To look around and see the intricate details that exist. The flowers, the trees, the water, from tiny bugs to mature wildlife our God is truly creative and imaginative. It is so easy to lose focus in life, to think that whatever is happening or not happening in our little piece of the world is the beginning or end of everything…we are neither. It was God who created the world and everything in it and humans cannot improve what God has created, we are here to assist to help maintain what God is sustaining. In order to do our part well, we need to have a relationship with the Creator and an appreciation for His creation. As the poem by Cecil Frances Alexander states; “All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.”

May the awe and wonder of God’s creation be present in your life.

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“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.”

Psalm 24:1-2

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Praise The Lord

July 4, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Today is recognized as Independence Day in the US. A holiday where people can gather and celebrate freedom. It is a day where we should give thanks to the Lord for all we have in our lives. Take a moment and reflect on your surroundings, people in your life…all of the good things are gifts from God. If it is difficult to see goodness, take some time to work on your relationship with God, talk to Him and listen in the quietness of time alone with God. You were created out of love by God, He is with you and you can have contentment, security, peace and hope for a future in a way that only God can provide by choosing to turn to Him and His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. God is good…all the time…and all the time…God is good! Praise the Lord. May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you.

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“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”

Psalm 146:1-2

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Cross

July 3, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Come to the Cross…A place to bring your burdens…Savior…Salvation…Forgiveness…Peace. The Cross of Christ, this is the place we should turn to in all situations. This is where God sent His One and Only Son to be crucified to save us from our sins. This is where our relationship with God is reconciled. There are problems and struggles everywhere you can’t change everything for everyone, but He can. You can’t change everything but you can change something, you can change one thing that will make a difference in the world…You. Jesus said ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ (John 14:6) Open your heart and mind and invite Jesus Christ into your life everyday. This will make the world a better place. May God’s joy and peace be with you.

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“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

John 19:30

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)

God’s Word

July 2, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Instructions…directions…guidance…wisdom…understanding. It takes a certain attitude to be willing to follow instructions, to accept wisdom from another or to trust the guidance of someone else. We have to be humble, willing to admit we don’t know our way around a situation or place. This is easy when we are using one of our devices of “convenience,” a cell phone, Ipad, computer, etc. It is more difficult when we start involving other people in our need for assistance. We are challenged to learn how to have humility, to accept our level of knowledge for what it is and to seek out wisdom and to learn from others in history. God’s Word is the instruction manual for life we all can use. It provides the Way to make it through this world, it does not say do this and life will be easy and always happy. It is more honest than that and more about providing wisdom and guidance as help from those who already have lived on earth and know the troubles human beings will have in life. Pickup a bible and seek the understanding that God provides. The test for this book is happening all the time in our daily life, how are you answering the multiple choice questions of your life? May God’s mercy and grace be with you.

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