Anxiety

Forgiveness

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Holding on to anger, rage and bitterness is unhealthy.  We know this is true.  Yet we still struggle to overcome the emotions of events.  To be able to exercise forgiveness we need to fully understand the intent.  It is not intended to say that an offender has been excused for their actions…rather it is a statement that we are not going to let the poor choices and actions of another keep us held in a state of  stress and anxiety.  Forgiveness should also be tied to some action to make a better future.  If we hold on to the anger and bitterness they will show up in all areas of our lives and this is a destructive pattern.  When we decide to forgive we are setting ourselves free from heading down a path of darkness.  Again I offer a musical reference to speak to this message…check out this song called Forgiveness by Matthew West.  May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_1523 publish

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Lake Dillon in Colorado)

Be Led By The Spirit

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In order to make change in the world that will last the best place to focus on changing is  human behavior.  An excellent place to start is with yourself.  If you are willing to take on such a challenge you will find quickly that this type of change is difficult, especially for the human race.  A change that will last can’t be done alone…will power, will only get one so far because we are weak and broken and we live in a world of darkness.  A real change in behavior requires surrender.  After we live for so long trying every which way to do things the way we believe they should be done and we become exhausted with the results…we become ready to ask God for help.  This is just human nature.  He will still take us up on the request no matter when in life you ask.  When you realize that your only hope is in God and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit…go all in…this doesn’t mean go quickly…it means go in wholeheartedly with all that you have to give…completely surrender to God’s plan and you may be surprised at what is in store for you, your life and your relationships with others.  May God’s peace be with you.

DSC01031 publish

“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 June of 2013 near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

What Faith Can Do…

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I have hope each day…I believe there is goodness in people (sometimes it is buried pretty deep inside)…I believe in helping others where and when I can…I believe that love conquers hate and anger…I believe in forgiveness…I feel anguish over the pain and suffering in the world…I strive to be patient (this one is really hard sometimes)…I am thankful for the people and relationships in my life…I am humbled by God’s creation of the earth and nature…

Do all of these statements and many others mean my life is easy?  Or do I view life as easy?…Um no…in fact it is very difficult some days, however, as I started today by saying…I have hope.

Why?

Because of Jesus Christ and what He did for me and you…He came, He lived, He died and He has risen…and best of all He is coming back again!

I close with a great musical description called –  What Faith Can Do by Kutless

DSC_0597 publish

“Then Jesus told him, “Because have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:29

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Choose Faith Over Fear

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In today’s world it seems we are constantly being asked…Where do you stand?  Which side are you on?  What is your position on this issue?  Social media has intensified everything and because we are human and filled with sin and evil desires, social media has become a disaster, I heard this quote not long ago “social media the cesspool of questionable human behavior” -Dr. Donald Mallard, fictional character on NCIS.  Human behavior…that is the primary reason we are right where we are in today’s world.  A significant number of people have chosen to pursue anger instead of love, worry instead of peace, jealously instead of joy of another’s success, self-serving instead of acting to serve others, resentment instead of happiness and most tragically the majority of people have chosen fear instead of faith.  God is still offering mercy and grace, forgiveness for all…turn to Jesus, invite Him into your heart and life.  Ask the Lord how should I respond, I promise you Faith over Fear will do much more to protect and save people than anything the human race can create on its own.  I pray that more people will come to Christ today.  May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0438 publish

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.  From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:6-7

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while driving through North Dakota)

Prayer Does Matter…

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we don’t know what to do…we should pray.  When someone acknowledges us with a positive comment…we should say a prayer of thanks.  When something happens that makes us angry…we should stop and pray for God to guide our response.  When we are blessed with an increase in pay…we should pray to ask God how can we share some of it.  When we we are feeling alone in the world…we should pray to God to show us His presence.  When a friend or family member is suffering from illness…we should pray to God to be with them with healing comfort.  And one of the most important parts of prayer is not only speaking to God…we also need to be ready to Listen…there many ways God can speak to us…pay attention to your surroundings and what you hear and see in your everyday life.  Prayer matters to God, how do I know?  I know because Jesus told us it does…it is not about the right words or the right prayer or the right time…it is just about doing it, always and let God be your guide.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

DSC_1355 publish

“pray continually”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Parenthood

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A parent, when you “sign-up” for this role like many things it is not a destination or finish line process or position…no matter how you become a parent you are being entrusted with growth and development of a young person in the world.  This will require sacrifice, if you are unwilling or unable to sacrifice either time or other endeavors you planned at one time in life…you are setting yourself and the child up for a significant amount of suffering on top of what struggles come with the job and being a parent will be so much harder than it already is in life.  The best step to take as a parent at any point in the parenting process is a very important step, that is to examine yourself and your relationship with God…because the role of a parent requires sacrifice of self, your relationship with God will be a good indicator of your ability to set yourself aside when necessary to help and support others.  Parenthood…this is not about you…seek God and use God’s Word to learn how to be a parent just as God the Father is a parent to you.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

DSC06712 publish

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

The Light Of Life

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We frantically run around looking for the answers to events we can’t possibly comprehend…we reach for futile attempts to feel in control. This has been true throughout human history…just pick up a book and read about it (I have one in particular I would recommend).  We are in the dark, evil and the prince of this world is real and he is very busy and he is very happy if you choose not to acknowledge him.  Another book I am currently reading is ‘The Case For Christ’ by Lee Strobel, as I read about his process of coming to Christ I reflect on things and wonder why have so many people in today’s world have given up on faith? The only answer I come to is…that is exactly what Satan is constantly working on anger, hate, selfishness, fear, worry and a whole host of sad human behaviors that keep us in darkness.  If we don’t turn to Jesus, if we don’t seek Him and the Word of God we will continue to be lost souls.  I pray you see God’s presence somewhere in the world today.

DSC06178 publish

“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

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

First Seek God

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we are preparing for something such as hosting a holiday with family and friends or going on a trip or taking on a new position or job, even planning a wedding.  We often spend a great deal of time and effort planning and doing all the little details to get ready or some people choose to spend very little time planning and they just do…either way in both scenario’s we often don’t stop and pray about it to God.  Sometimes we do but that is right before we eat or right before we walk in the door on our first day or as we step on the plane to leave.  It feels kinda like, ‘Ok God I spent a great deal of effort getting ready and checking all the boxes to do this, now you make sure it all goes as I have planned, Oh and don’t forget the…’ we are human it appears to be in our nature.  What if when the possibility of something to be planned is presented we go to God first and seek His plan to see if it is what He has set for us?  It will be hard at first as changing behavior always is and we will still go our own way sometimes, (I recently did this and am making my way back to God’s plan) in the end it will all be worth it to follow Him.  May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0993 publish

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:33-34

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

Don’t Give Up

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Our lives are filled with moments and memories…some are good times and some are difficult.  We all tend to embellish a bit in our memories, the memory of good times seem to be really good and the memory of bad times seem to be really bad.  For many there seems to be more bad memories that start to take a person down a road where even the present moments are seen through their eyes with a negative perspective.  This is a quick spiral downward and we can get stuck in the swirl of negativity.  We have to have the courage to choose a new perspective, a more balanced view things and we are fed that perspective when we read the Word of God.  When times are hard and it feels like you are making no progress on anything…don’t give up, keep pressing on, keep believing…that is your faith at work.  Goodness will come to those who believe in the hope that God provides through Jesus Christ.  May God’s peace be with you.

DSC06949 publish

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Colossians 3:12

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

Self-less

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of the most tragic afflictions of our time is selfishness or being self-focused.  The look at me, make sure I have more than others, constantly assessing my place compared to others and then determining my own value based on what others think or tell me they think about me mentality.  This perspective pushes God to the side and puts me first as the top priority.  This has always been an affliction on human society and it seems to have grown exponentially since the explosion of social media.  One of the world’s greatest needs right now is more humility and less selfies.  Imagine the impact on human relationships when people are looking to lift others up as often as they care for themselves.  I am not suggesting we ignore ourselves rather we strive for a better balance in the way we live.  I pray that we all take time to be humble and serve as much as we look to be served.  As usual with faith it’s simple but not easy.  May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_1549 publish

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition of vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)