Prayer Is Powerful

June 23, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is anyone one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.“

James 5:13-15 NIV

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous one is powerful and effective.”

James 5:16 NIV

(This photo was taken near the border between South Dakota and Minnesota)

Gifts And Serving One Another

June 22, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Romans 12:6-8 NIV

Father God, remind me what humility and serving others looks like

Thank You for the gifts and blessings You have provided me

Change the way I think and act, and teach me to put others first in a healthy way that honors You

In Jesus name, Amen

“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in is various forms.”

1 Peter 4:9-10 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling near the South Dakota and Minnesota border)

Our Good Father

June 21, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV

Being a parent requires a willingness to sacrifice to serve the needs of others

What we give up is nothing compared to the loving and nurturing relationship we can have with our children throughout life

Once again God has set the example of a Father who has given up so much so that He can have a loving, engaging and nurturing relationship with us

We would do well to not take Him for granted

He is our Father, who loves us and wants good things for us

Take time to be with Our Good Father

Good Good Father ft. Pat Barrett by Chris Tomlin

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.”

Psalm 103:8 NIV

(This photo was taken on a lake in central Minnesota)

God’s Faithfulness

June 20, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
²³They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
²⁴I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV

Father God, even in the midst of many troubles, You are faithful

When we are tired, overwhelmed, burnt out or grieving, Your love still covers us

Thank You for showing us kindness and mercy every day

Your steadfast love endures forever

Great is Your faithfulness!

In Jesus name, Amen

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

(This photo was taken in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

Patience and Persistence

June 19, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁴Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV

Don’t give up…don’t give in…be encouraged, trust in the Lord’s way

Continue to pray for that person or situation

God is with you and He will lead and guide you

When you grow tired rest in Him…find peace in God’s Word

The one who persists and is patient is the one who will see God’s plan and God’s timing

“pray without ceasing…”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV

(This photo was taken along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Facing Trials…Persevere

June 18, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27 NIV

We are not made to do this life on our own…so many people try to go it alone

We need belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord

We need a community of believers to pray with us and for us

Every trial can provide growth in our relationship with Jesus

The trials will keep coming, that is just part of what we are facing in this fallen world

There is hope, there is joy and there can be peace if you believe in God and trust Him with your life

He has shown His love for us through the sacrifice of His One and Only Son

Whatever are you are facing today…take it to the Lord in prayer

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, becasue you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

James 1:2-3 NIV

(This photo was taken while on a hike near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

God Watches Over You

June 17, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
²My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

Father God, in You I have all I need

When trials come sometimes I forget that You are in control

I need You to make me strong and courageous

Please give me courage I need to trust in You

Remind me that You are with me, and that You will continue to instruct and guide me no matter what happens

In Jesus name, Amen

“The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
⁸the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.”

Psalm 121:7-8 NIV

(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Light Of The World

June 16, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 NIV

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning. ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome^[a] it.”

John 1:1-5 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

The Lord Of My Everything?

June 15, 2026 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

“In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Proverbs 16:9 NIV

Sometimes I struggle with my faith when it comes to opening up to the Lord for all things

Not only the parts of my life and my heart I think He wants to be involved in…that would be God on my terms

I have come to learn…it does not work like that

God is the God of everything and Jesus Christ is Lord of all

All of creation, all people in all nations since the beginning of time and His love is for everything and everyone

His grace and His mercy will endure forever

It can be so difficult for my finite mind to comprehend the totality of God and His love

He is more than the God of Sunday morning or Wednesday evening…

He is more than the God of when I really need help or a crisis is happening…

He is more than a beautiful sunrise or sunset when we do feel more of His presence

He is also the Lord of housework, the Lord of daily errands, the Lord of trips to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, He is the Lord of where you work and He is the Lord what you do…He is the Lord of everything

The best part of all?

This means He is right there waiting to hear from you about everything

If He is your Lord and Savior that doesn’t mean everything will be easy and good…yet He is with you through all of it

May we know God’s presence, His love, His joy and His forgiveness

In everything

“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of the life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 23:6 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

A Prayer For Peace

June 14, 2026 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NIV

Father God, You know that we need You

We are sorry for all the times we have pretended that we are fine on our own

Please forgive us

Today, we come to You just as we are and we give You all of our anxieties, all of our cares and all of our worries

Please replace our worry with peace

Replace our anxiety with hope

And replace our concerns with confident trust in You

We know nothing is too hard for You and that You are greater than anything we face in this world

Grant us Your peace

In Jesus name, Amen

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

(This photo was taken in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)