A Strong Foundation

April 10, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The best things are built by starting out with the development of a strong foundation. A solid foundation helps to support missteps, mistakes and accidents along the way. If we try to build something without developing the foundation the endeavor will eventually fail and end up as a pile of rubble. The foundation of our faith is our relationship and daily interaction with Jesus Christ and the Word of God. These are the elements that will help us build and grow our spiritual life and sustain us through the most difficult things the world will throw at us. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:11-12

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Attitudes And Actions Of Love

April 9, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Compassion…mercy…grace…forgiveness…humility…kindness…faithfulness…selflessness. Who should we share these with? Everyone…family…friends…neighbors…co-workers…strangers…people we will only pass by once in life today only to never encounter them again…look around at your surroundings throughout the day. What is the source of this amazing love? God, He is the source of perfect love. Seek the Lord and you will find love, joy and peace. Amen.

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“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

1 John 4:16

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

Repentance

April 8, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To admit when we are wrong…to be accountable for our actions and behaviors…to walk in truth. The hardest part is typically the first step when it comes to repentance. It takes a level of humility that pride is fighting against. Since we live in a broken and fallen world we know that judgement will come from others even though it is not theirs to deal out. The foundation of our faith, a relationship with Jesus Christ is what we all need to be able to move through repentance and begin to turn away from sinful behaviors. Offer up your repentance to God and His Son Jesus and begin to heal the wounds of guilt and fear. Amen.

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Sing Praise

April 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Today is a day of worship. Give thanks and praise to the Lord. May we be comforted by His mercy and grace and know that God is with us…Forever. Amen.

Forever by Chris Tomlin

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“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; his is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:9-11

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

Saved By Christ

April 6, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A sacrifice…an offering of redemption…grace…mercy…humility…love…Savior. There is nothing or no one in our lives as compassionate as Jesus Christ. He lived a life on earth just like everybody else…only He suffered more than anyone else and He did it knowing it was going to happen the whole time. He offered Himself up to take the punishment we all deserve and He did it to save you and to save me. Give thanks and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Guided By The Holy Spirit

April 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we put our trust in God and believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us grow spiritually. It can be difficult to tune in to the Holy Spirit during the hustle and bustle of daily life but that does not mean God is not present with you. Evil and darkness will go to great lengths to keep us from our connection to God…make time to connect to God’s presence in your life and tune into the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli

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“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:26

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

The Word Of God

April 4, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Holy Bible…The Good Book…The Scriptures…The Word of Life…The Living Word…the Truth. It is more than a compilation of stories about people who lived thousands of years ago…it is God speaking to us, teaching us principles of life and the story is not over at the end of the Book. It lives on in all of us today because of Jesus Christ…He has risen and He lives! Take time to read and hear the Word of God in your life, you will find the stories about struggles and comfort are very similar to our lives today…the principles are still the same. The reason it is stood the test of time is because it is the Truth. Amen.

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“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be throughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Take Time to Rest

April 3, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

There is always more we could be doing. More on the checklist of things to do…how many items on our checklist make room for living a balanced life? We seem to prioritize the activities of “getting things done” pretty easily, when do we rest? To be clear sitting still scrolling through social media is not rest. Resting and restoring yourself is about calming your mind, body and spirit…when and how do we rest our minds and emotions? The first step is figuring out what place or environment best provides you the opportunity to calm your mind, your body and your spirit? What time of day or night? The next step is to make it a priority and designate time in your schedule. As always, be sure to include God’s Word and prayer in your time as the only true source of peace in life is Jesus Christ. Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 sitting by the lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Spiritual Battle

April 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The goal of the prince of darkness is to turn us away from God and keep us focused on other things. He will use everything and anything available in this effort. The more we choose the distractions and the less time and effort we spend on our relationship with Jesus and reading God’s Word the easier his job becomes. God knows all about this battle and He provides us weapons of faith to fend off these attacks. Take a look at Ephesians 6:10-18 and you will learn about the Armor of God. Turn toward God in prayer and through the Holy Spirit, He will guide you during all the events in your life. Amen.

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“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Ask Yourself

April 1, 2019April 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Is this how I would like others to treat me? When we get into interactions and activity we can quickly lose sight of how we are treating other people. Our emotions can blind us to our impact on those around us…the first step to understanding how we are being received is to observe closely the reactions of others to us and the next step then is to ask yourself how would I like someone to treat me in this situation? If more of us would just take a moment to assess ourselves in this way, more often, things would be much different in the world…unfortuantely selfishness, pride and a host of other sins keep getting in the way. Turn towards Jesus in prayer and ask Him to help you open the eyes of your heart. Amen.

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