Gratitude

November 15, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Where do you see God today? If you think for a moment where did you see Him at work yesterday? When was the last time you recognized what God has done for you and you took time to give Him thanks? An attitude of gratitude starts by taking time to acknowledge what needs have been met by God in your life and offering thanks to God for those blessings. It is easy to slip into a mode where we take things or people for granted. A decision to be grateful is a change in perspective that can put to rest the worries and anxiety about what we don’t have and redirect us back to giving thanks to the Lord. Thanks be to God for His love, mercy and grace. Amen.

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“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalms 118:24

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

A Different Attitude

November 13, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A change in perspective…focusing on eternal values rather than worldly values…living with the Fruit of the Spirit in mind at all times…getting rid of pride, selfishness and worldly ambitions and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Lord, help us to be different, not better than but different from the ways of the world. Amen.

Different by Micah Tyler

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“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Peace

November 10, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In the Gospel of John chapter 14, Jesus speaks of peace. If you have ever wondered ‘where is God in all of this?’ or ‘Where can I find peace?’ True peace requires a new perspective…the words of Jesus in John 14:27 “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.” He comes right out and tells us ‘not as the world gives’…if we are looking for peace according to the world’s values, we will not find peace only heartache and suffering. The one way the only way to find peace is through a committed relationship with Jesus Christ. Turn towards Jesus and away from sin and you will find peace. Amen.

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

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

Thanks Be To God

September 21, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What are you thankful for in your life today? Giving thanks is not reserved for once a year in November. Being thankful and having gratitude is about changing your perspective to a positive point of view. It is easy to focus on what is wrong, what I don’t have and what I can’t do or even what other people are doing wrong…be different…take inventory of your life today…look around, what are you thankful for? Pray about it and ask God to help you to continue to see the good. All that is good is from God and for that we give Him thanks. Amen.

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“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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

Listen

August 10, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Seeking help…it is hard to do for many of us. First step, admit we need help. Second step, seek assistance…first from God and from others that God puts in our lives. If that isn’t hard enough many of us lose focus on the last step…we need to listen. We often spend our listening time preparing our response instead of truly listening. We can miss God’s will for us if we fail to listen. May we all be better listeners in our daily walk. Amen.

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“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:20-21

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

Self-less

August 4, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of the most tragic afflictions of our time is selfishness. The me first with a lack of consideration for others attitude, constantly assessing my place in the world compared to others and then determining my own value based on what others think about me. 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. Imagine the impact on human relationships when people are looking to lift others up instead of tearing them down. I am not suggesting we ignore self-care rather we put God first to guide us in the way we live. I pray that we all take time to be humble and serve others more than we look to be served. May God’s peace be with you. Amen.

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“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)

Relationships

July 21, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The attitudes and behaviors we choose to use towards each other are significant factors in our relationships. If we are self-focused, we will have many difficulties in our relationships or if we over extend ourselves in serving others and we lack self-care we can become unable to help anyone. Our guide for daily living is found by spending time with Jesus and reading God’s Word. Feeding our faith and doing it daily is the best thing we can do to influence all other areas of our lives. The most important relationship we will ever have is with our Lord and Savior, when we start with that and stick to it, everything else will get better. May you be comforted by God’s love today. Amen.

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

(This photo was taken in July of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Attitudes And Behaviors

June 25, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Attitude

by Charles Swindoll

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…we cannot change that people will act a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

Different by Micah Tyler

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“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Romans 12:2

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Give Glory To God

June 18, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We do not live for ourselves…we were created by God with a purpose…our lives are not about us. Selfishness and selfish behavior are poison in the world…they are harmful to us and to others. Give and it will be given to you…seek and you will find what you are looking for…Take time reflect on what God has done and is doing in your life, give thanks and give glory to God. Amen.

Not To Us by Chris Tomlin

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“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

Psalm 115:1

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Father Of All

June 16, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To all the Fathers out there:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

God the Father, is the Father of all. None of us will be as good of a Father as God is to us. We will make mistakes, yet as long as we stay close to the Lord, He will encourage us, strengthen us and help us to do better. Do your best…and leave the rest up to God. Amen.

Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin

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