Month: March 2024

He Has Risen!

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

Acts 2:23-24 NIV

DSC_0084 publish

“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.”

Luke 24:2-8 NIV

(This photo was taken at a park in Winterset, Iowa)

Surrender

/ mcalcagno / 1 Comment

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

Luke 9:23-24 NIV

Father God, my life is Yours.  Please take every part of it.  Every area of my life that does not honor You…take it.  Every insecurity, every fear, every selfish desire and past mistake…I give it all to You.  Please put those things to death so that I can experience Your abundant life.  In Jesus name, Amen.

DSC_0021-1 publish

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Good Friday…God’s Love

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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 NIV

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation.  God has shown you just how much He loves you, cares for you and values you.  He sent our Savior, His Son, who sacrificed Himself for our Salvation.  Thanks be to God for His everlasting love.  Amen.

DSC_0015-1 publish

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

A Foundation Of Faith

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” [21] [a]“

Matthew 17:20-21 NIV

Firm Foundation by Cody Carnes

DSC_1523 publish

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.“

Matthew 7:24 NIV

(This photo was taken near Dillon, Colorado)

The Voice of Truth

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

Good and Gracious God, thank You for the gift of salvation and for being the one true way.  The world desperately needs Your truth and light.  Guide our steps to be bold in sharing Your truth with those around us.  Use each of us to point others towards You, and bring us back to Your way and Your truth when we stray.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Voice Of Truth by Casting Crowns

DSC06710 publish

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’.“

John 8:31-32 NIV

(This photo was taken at Falls Park on the Big Sioux River in South Dakota)

It’s All About You…Jesus

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
    the righteous run to it and are safe.“

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.“

Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

Heart Of Worship by Michael W. Smith

DSC_1355 publish

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield[a] and the horn[b] of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2 NIV

(This photo was taken while driving in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Commitment

/ mcalcagno / 3 Comments

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

John 15:7 NIV

Father God, I want to seek You with all my heart.  You are my everything…so let my thoughts and actions match my words.  Help me draw closer to You.  Guide my decisions and inspire me with new dreams.  I want to honor You with all that I am and all that I do.  In Jesus name, Amen.

DSC_0135-1 publish

“You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Palm Sunday

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c]

“Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven!”

Matthew 21:8-9 NIV

Yes You Are Worthy by Eagle Brook Music

DSC_1567 publish

“You are my God, and I will praise you;

    you are my God, and I will exalt you.

29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.“

Psalm 118:28-29 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling through Colorado)

The Price Of Salvation

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

John 15:13 NIV

Father God, thank You for sending Your only Son to save us.  Thank You for creating a way for us to know You personally.  Becasue of Jesus’ sacrifice, our sins are forgiven!  Please help us never take that for granted.  Help us to recognize and glorify You in every area of our lives.  In Jesus name, Amen.

DSC_0126 publish

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Praise Him

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song.

3 For the Lord is the great God,
    the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
    and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.

6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
    let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
7 for he is our God
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    the flock under his care.”

Psalm 95:1-7 NIV

King Of Kings by Hillsong Worship

DSC_0656 publish

“Praise the Lord.[a]

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.”

Psalm 150:1-6 NIV

(This photo was taken in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)