Author: mcalcagno

He Is Always With You

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The definition of the word promise includes the word ‘assurance’…when we give or receive a promise it is intended to give peace that something is going to happen or will be done.  When a promise is broken it takes a big toll on trust in a relationship.  As I continue on my faith journey there is one promise that has continued to be true ever since it was made thousands of years ago…it is assurance that we do not have to face anything in life alone…unfortunately as humans with free will we try to face many things alone.  I share today’s thoughts with you so no matter where you are today you will remember no matter how bad your circumstances are you are not alone…God is with you…look for him and listen for him…

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

                                                                                                Deuteronomy 31:8

May we all find peace today and see how God is working in our lives right now…because…He is with you!

Small, Simple Acts Of Kindness Really Can Go an Incredibly Long Way. This Woman Is An Inspiration.

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Blankets suddenly started appearing on park benches in Boston last February. Attached to the blankets were notes, which read the following:

“These blankets are not lost! If you are cold, without shelter, and looking for comfort then they are for you! Please take one. Enjoy, and know that you are important.”

kindness - free blankets

Each also had a $5 dollar gift card packed in that could be spent on food.

The blankets were a great gift for those without homes that had to endure the cold winter.

But the mystery of who put the blankets there still remained. Until now. As media attention around the blankets rose, someone told the press about Cathy O’Grady.

“It was me,” she admitted. “Somebody squealed on me… but I’m not bummed about it. If I can motivate other people to help out, that’s the purpose of all this.”

O’Grady, an accountant from nearby Watertown, has been heading…

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Encourage Kindness

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We see and hear so much negativity, hopelessness and violence in this world every day.  Sometimes I think the media forgets about all the good people and positive things that happen each day.  I am not saying we should ignore talking about the bad things…we just need some balance in the distribution of information.  I have read a quote in a few different places recently that speaks to the attitude of kindness we all need to remember…

“Every person you encounter every day is fighting a battle that you know nothing about.”

I understand that to say, don’t be so quick to judge another person without knowing all the facts and do not trust any form of media to provide all the information necessary to be informed about an event or issue.  I have stated in the past the Bible is a great instruction manual for life and here are a few encouraging verses…

“Peace 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

“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

May we all find peace and a positive outlook today.

Trust

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Trust

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

                                                                Psalm 37:3-4

Share

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Today share something with another…share whatever you can.

Share some kindness…share your smile…share some food…share your ears by listening…

Share your heart with God…in prayer.

Today while driving I saw a message on a license plate of another vehicle “PSALM34”…this got my attention and made me wonder.  What does Psalm 34 say that would prompt this individual to put it on their SUV.  So I read it.  Here is one of the verses…

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

                                                                                                Psalm 34:8

I am thankful for the person who shares this message with any person on the road that may notice it on their vehicle.  They have no idea how they impacted me today…just think how many people they may be impacting for Christ every day because of one decision they made for God sometime in the past.

Never underestimate the impact you can have on someone else even if you never see the results firsthand…especially when you choose to live your life according to the Word of God.

So I will say it again…share something today with another person…you never know it may be just what they need or it may be just what you need too…

Peace to you.

Friendships

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Being a friend means listening…just listening.

Being a friend means putting the needs of others before your own.

Being a friend means making time to be together.

Friends can share thoughts…thoughts about dreams and goals as well as disappointments and frustrations without judgment.

Being a friend means laughing together…often.

Being a friend means offering your shoulder when someone needs to cry because the pain is too great to be alone.

A friendship is a give and take relationship…if your give and take are not balanced evenly the friendship will suffer.

This give and take in relationships is also necessary in your spiritual life…your friendship with Jesus requires both give and take…

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know the master’s business.  Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

                                                                                                                John 15:15

We all have a friend in Jesus.  Begin or continue to listen, to make time, to share your dreams and frustrations, to laugh with your friend Jesus…it is the one friendship that will definitely last forever.

Peace.

Every Step We Take

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There are times in our lives where we may begin to feel lost or distant from God.  These occasions are the perfect time to turn towards faith by prayer and by reading the Word of God.  In fact, even during good times it is appropriate to look to your faith and praise God for all that he has blessed you with in life.  Transforming your thoughts to be more about your relationship with God and how he is working in your life can start in small ways.  It can be a gratitude journal, morning and/or evening devotions, writing or reading books, maybe listening to christian radio.  Whatever fits who you are and what you like to do…if you are not sure how to transform your thinking then ask God in prayer…invite him to help guide you…after all he made you and he knows what will be your way.  The important thing to remember is that everyday in life is a gift and every thing we do…every step we take in life…either leads us closer to or farther away from our relationship with the Lord.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

                                                           Psalm 119:105

Peace to you.

Take It Home – Mission Trip “The Challenge”

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Every year the mission trip provides a great shift in perspective and helps you realign your thinking about what is truly important and it inspires you to want to be different when you get home.  The hardest part about the mission trip is when it is over everything else in your life hasn’t changed since you left.  The only thing different in your life when you get home will be you.  The challenge then becomes to live your life differently and with purpose in your everyday life otherwise your experience and exposure slowly becomes just a memory and the fire and inspiration that began on the trip fades away.

Today was my first day back to “life” and it was hard to adjust.  I pray all of us will strive to keep the fire burning is some way.  Maybe in small ways at first and bigger ways every now and then. Thankfully we are part of an excellent church community that provides support and opportunities to serve.  If you ever get the chance to go on a short term mission experience try it…you will be amazed at what you will learn about yourself and others plus it is the best way to light a fire in your soul that may just give you the boost to…”Take Your Faith With You”  after all it was after I returned from a mission trip a few years ago that I was inspired to start this blog you are reading today.

I hope you enjoyed reading about our trip this year and I will post again soon.

May God’s peace be with you today and always.

It Matters – Mission Trip “Serve Wherever You Are”

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It is Thursday of Mission trip week and we are living full throttle for Christ!  The message for today can be summed up quite simply…do whatever you can, whenever you can, wherever you are.  Your act of service or kindness does matter, even if you don’t have direct interaction with the receiver of your action.  We should strive to include acts of service and kindness in our lives daily.  If you don’t feel like this is part of your life right now, start small.  Change one thing in your routine that is not about you.  Start out once a week or whatever you can do.

My service group spent 4 hours today loading a 53′ semi trailer full of medical supplies including beds for transit that will be sent overseas for people with little or no medical facilities so they can get the medical attention they need.  The organization that coordinates this effort is run by 20 full-time staff and 15,000 volunteers.  The vast majority of the volunteers will never encounter the individuals who benefit from the supplies being available but that doesn’t lessen the impact of their work…it is still necessary.  This activity was not on our schedule this week originally but we were asked to do this instead of our planned event after a different group was unable to make it and it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of the week.

Whatever you are able to do for others is important and it does make a difference…believe it and do something whenever you can…wherever you are.

Peace.