attitude

When Doubts Arise…Faith Can Overcome

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:29-31 NIV

DSC_0164 publish

“As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle;
    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You make your saving help my shield,
    and your right hand sustains me;
    your help has made me great.
36 You provide a broad path for my feet,
    so that my ankles do not give way.”

Psalm 18:30-36 NIV

(This photo was taken on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Do Not Give Up

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.“

Galatians 6:9-10 NIV

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 seems to be really good and the memory of bad times seem to be really bad

Sometimes our bad memories start to take us down a path so that even the present moments of our life are seen through a negative perspective

This is a quick spiral downward and we can get stuck in the swirl of negativity

We must have the courage to choose a new perspective, a more balanced view of everything

Fortunately, the Word of God along with our relationship with Jesus Christ can provide that perspective

When times are hard and it feels like you are making no progress on anything…do not 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 NIV

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

Choose Joy

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

10 “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

John 15:10-11 NIV

Father God, thank You for our constant access to Your presence

Because You are near, we can experience joy in all things

Help us remember our joy is not based on our circumstances

Too often, instead of trusting You, we let our problems direct our behaviors

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, so that we can strive to live with undefeatable Joy

In Jesus name, Amen

Joy by for KING & COUNTRY

DSC_1529 publish

“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

(This photo was taken near Lake Dillon in Colorado)

Faith Commitment

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

Success in faith is tied to commitment

When you learn the details of a someone’s story there is always a moment or several moments along the way that a person had to make a choice to stay committed to a vision or mission in order to see it through

The truth is we are all committed to something…money, fame, pride, an additction?

  When you reflect on your life…what are you committed to?

Then ask yourself the question how does what I am committed to relate to my faith and my relationship with God?

Trust Him with everything

DSC_1448 publish

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be people of courage; be strong.  Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken near Arches National Park in Utah)

Humility…Perspective

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”“

Matthew 20:26-28 NIV

When something needs to change…start with your perspective

How do you view yourself?

How do you view others?

Rather than complaining about how I am not being served

Consider what has God provided me with that I can share to serve others

Time? Money? Good physical health to assist the needs of others?

Ask God to guide you and lead you in how He wants you to serve

DSC_0604 publish

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13 NIV

(This photo was taken along Beartooth Pass near the Montana and Wyoming border)

Do Your Best…Wherever You Are

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Live in the present today…what is the next right thing to do?

God is with you, right where you are

If we are always looking towards the past or the future we may miss who or what God is putting right in front of us…today

Do your best for God today, wherever you are and no matter who is around you

He will take care of the rest!

dsc_0836-publish

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.“

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

(This photo was taken near Glacier National Park in Montana)

Love And Faithfulness

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.”

Proverbs 3:3 NIV

DSC_0005 (3) publish

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.”[a]

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

(This photo was taken at a park near Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

Focus On God And His Word

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.“

Deuteronomy 6:5-6 NIV

DSC_0054 publish

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”

Romans 8:5 NIV

(This photo was taken on a bridge near Winterset, Iowa)

Wherever You Go…God Is With You

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.“

Psalm 23:1-4 NIV

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.“

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

DSC_1554 publish

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

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

Hope…Nothing Is Impossible For God

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”

Jeremiah 32:27 NIV

Hope…What drives it?  Why do we have it?

It comes from belief…it comes from trusting God

Even when no one believes there is any hope…hope persists

Think about the day Jesus was crucified…nobody, not even the disciples had hope

Jesus, their teacher, the one who performed miracles had died…yet with God anything is possible

Jesus is risen!  He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

The stories of hope with God in the Bible go on and on…Sarah who was barren has a son…Moses and the Red Sea…Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survive the fiery furnace…Daniel in the lion’s den…Mary the virgin gives birth to Jesus and on and on it goes

Don’t give up hope…trust in God!

DSC09023 publish

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37 NIV

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