Humility

April 25, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Modesty…humbleness…meekness. Let go of pride and trust the Lord to lead you. It may be uncomfortable, it will be difficult…God never promised life would be easy but He has provided the Way, the Truth and the Life through His Son. Invite the Lord Jesus into your heart and life circumstances, no matter what you have done or what you have not done, He wants to hear from you. May the grace and peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

Who Am I by Casting Crowns

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“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you…”

James 4:7-8

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Attitude

April 24, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A way of thinking…a point of view…outlook…perspective…belief. How would you define your attitude toward God? What is His role? How much time during a typical week are we thinking about God? The Bible has many of examples of different people and their attitude towards God, it describes their beliefs and actions. There is a lot for us to learn from those people. From Genesis to Revelation, we read about those who put God at the center of their lives and those who did not. The best example of an appropriate attitude towards God is that of Jesus Christ…He took time daily to walk with God and this is what He seeks from us as well. Spend time with Jesus every day and define your attitude towards God. Amen.

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“He has showed you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Sacrifice

April 17, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

An offering…to give up something of value to serve a greater cause or to help others. During this Holy Week we recount the events that led to the greatest sacrifice in human history. Jesus Christ suffering and sacrificing Himself to death on a cross in order to save us from our sins. And just when we may wonder ‘what more could He do’…He spoke these words while hanging on the cross, “…Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34 Whenever I reflect on these events, I typically end up asking myself the same question in my mind…’what have I done for Him, after He has done so much for me?’

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“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Ask Yourself

April 1, 2019April 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Is this how I would like others to treat me? When we get into interactions and activity we can quickly lose sight of how we are treating other people. Our emotions can blind us to our impact on those around us…the first step to understanding how we are being received is to observe closely the reactions of others to us and the next step then is to ask yourself how would I like someone to treat me in this situation? If more of us would just take a moment to assess ourselves in this way, more often, things would be much different in the world…unfortuantely selfishness, pride and a host of other sins keep getting in the way. Turn towards Jesus in prayer and ask Him to help you open the eyes of your heart. Amen.

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“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Luke 6:31

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

Believe

March 22, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

God loves you…God is with you…Bring all your worries and your fears to the Cross and trust in Him who died to save you. Our faith is free but it is not cheap, when you plant the Word of God in your heart nobody can take that from you. Believe in God the Father…believe in Jesus Christ His Son our Lord and live knowing…God loves you…God is with you. Amen.

We Believe by The Newsboys

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“Do not let you hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”

John 14:1

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Forgive As You Are Forgiven

March 11, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

Many of us have something or someone in our life or in our past that stirs us up quickly. Just the mention of that situation or person begins to increase our blood pressure and we feel the tension increase. The bitterness and anger is only hurting us, we need to move through the pain and frustration to the other side, we need to seek to forgive. To be clear this does not mean someone else is getting a pass for something that was wrong and hurtful, rather it is declaring that you are not going to allow that issue or problem to define your attitude going forward. To forgive is to let go of the past and the pain and to embrace the new and the possible. This is a process and takes time and God is ready to guide us and hold us up through it all. Amen.

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“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 June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Holy Living

February 20, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is a choice we face every day…what is the way we are going to choose to live this day? Others are going to do, say and think things and we do not control that. Our response is up to us and nobody else. The sinful nature is going to push hard for selfishness and putting the self before others, do we have the foundation of faith to be able to put on the full armor of God? To learn more about the armor of God grab your Bible and look to Ephesians chapter 6. The truth in everything begins at The Cross…start there and see what happens next. May the mercy and grace of God wash over us this day. Amen.

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“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

Colossians 3:7-10

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 on walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Be Thankful

February 16, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is significant power in gratitude. It is one of the forces that can truly impact our perspective. The attitude of gratitude drives us to reflect and reconsider, it encourages a shift in focus on what is good, instead of what is wrong. It leads us to look for solutions, instead of problems. It helps us give thanks instead of complaining. Most importantly it takes the focus off of the self and the sinful nature within all of us. All that is good in our lives is from God, everything else is because of sin and selfishness, in us and in others. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1) 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 October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Our Hearts And Minds

February 11, 2019 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

What are the thoughts and things that stir up your heart and your mind? Sometimes, we make it too easy for evil to ensnare us. We get so easily distracted and consumed by the things of this world and forget what we have learned from God. Daily time with God’s Word and in prayer is the only resource I know of, for helping us to reset and refocus our hearts and our minds. The self and the sinful nature will not give up on tearing you down and breaking you apart. Find wisdom, strength and courage in Jesus Christ. He knows more than anyone the battles we are facing as He too lived on earth and was tempted by the devil. Seek Him and God’s Word and your heart and mind will be restored. Amen.

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“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Colossians 3:1-2

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)

Servant Leadership

February 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This is a way of being a leader that has care and empathy for others as much as anything. A servant leader understands that we is far greater than me. They include others in decision making, they pay attention to the growth and potential of those around them, they are not only good for a group or organization, their presence is necessary for sustainable growth and success. You know a servant leader when you see one as they tend to be different from the majority of leaders…they listen, they have high self-awareness and they are often shining a spot light on others. The greatest example of a servant leader we have is Jesus Christ…He gave of Himself to everyone and anyone, no matter what the “rules” of society were at the time. He taught others and set them up for growth and success, and with Him as their leader, the disciples spread the message that has changed the world like nothing ever has or ever will. They shared the Good News and it is still impacting the world today. They were leaders working to serve as they were taught, knowing the greatest success will come when you empower others to be future leaders. Seek the Lord Jesus Christ and His leadership as He is always working for your good. Amen.

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