Friendship

April 13, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There are few things greater than the gift of friendship. Sharing experiences, listening to each other, laughing together, supporting each other. We were made out of God’s love and we were made to be in community with God and with one another. When we think about someone and it brings a smile to our face they are most likely a true friend. Make time for your friends as you know they are the ones who make time for you. May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”

John 15:13-14

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 at one of the covered bridges in Madison County, Iowa)

Spiritual Growth

April 11, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Spiritual growth comes when we continue to devote time to our personal relationship with God. Reading God’s word, spending time in prayer and in the quiet of His calming presence. The more we are able to center our lives on trusting God with everything the stronger our foundation of life will be. I have read about this in several different books, the writer explains a turning point, that point where everything starts to look and feel different…it is much different to read about it then to begin to start experiencing it. I began listening to christian music on the radio 20 years ago…I started reading faith based books and my devotional bible everyday 8 years ago…and I started this blog 5 years ago…I am just beginning to sense and understand what it means to trust God with my everything (yes I am a slow learner :). Just like one of my favorite phrases states…it is simple but it is not easy. May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

God Is Love

April 10, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Everything comes back to this…God is love. Why did God create the world, the animals and us…God is love. How did people in the Bible who had committed hurtful sins, like David, Rahab, Saul and others get used by God for the good of others…God is love. Why did Jesus come down from heaven to be born a man, to suffer, be tempted, get crucified for who He is and rise from the dead…God is love. In all that we are and all that we encounter everyday, it is most important to remember that we humans brought sin into this world and we are broken, but we are forgiven and we are saved because…God is love. May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

1 John 4:16

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

Be Thankful

April 7, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As I continue along my faith journey I am often reminded in different ways to remember to be thankful. When we look carefully at what blessings and gifts God has already provided we realize that we take so much for granted in our daily lives. Always concerned with others and what we don’t have or what we want next…it seems to be big part of human nature. If we take time every day to reflect on and give thanks for what we are grateful for it will help shape our perspective for the rest of the day. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever. For inspiration I recommend listening to the song of praise entitled Forever – by Chris Tomlin. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100

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

The Light

April 6, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Bible talks about Light in many ways. When we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He is our Savior and Lord, we begin to get a sense of this Light as we study the Word of God. When the Light of Christ shines in us we look different, we act different and we feel different than we use to. Acknowledging the Light is a shift in perspective, it is purposefully looking for the goodness, kindness and love in our actions and in the actions of others. It is being self-less, working for the good of others, it is coming along side someone and walking with them rather then trying to knock them down or push them aside to advance our own ideas. Seek this Light and shine it out to others and you will find peace. May God’s Light be with you.

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)

The Message

April 4, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We can bring the light of Christ to the world several ways. We can use more than words as actions are often more powerful then words alone. How we conduct ourselves in our everyday life tells a great deal about what we believe. How we react to both success and failure will tell others about what is deep in our hearts. Our attitude and the characteristics of our personality and how we apply them to helping others in need will tell a story about who has saved us. As we grow in our faith we learn from our past, we are thankful for the present and we know our future is secure with God. Share Jesus Christ with another person when the opportunity presents itself in your life. May God’s peace be with you.

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“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…”

1 Peter 3:18

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in northern Colorado)

Living Faith

April 2, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have been redeemed. Christ lives, He is in us and we are saved. Jesus did His part to save us and now it is up to us to live as a people saved by Christ. We are blessed with free will. We need to do our part to uphold our faith. Choose goodness, choose kindness, choose to help those in need, choose joy, choose to be encouraging and uplifting…we have already received more than we could have ever hoped for from Jesus Christ, now we are reconciled with God, let’s go out into the darkness of the world and share the light of Christ. May God’s peace be with you.

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

Luke 6:31

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

Good Friday, Reflect…Be Transformed

March 30, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There cannot be unexpected and jubilant celebration at the resurrection without the pain and tragedy of the crucifixion. Life is not always going to be sweet smelling roses and unconstrained happiness. It is because of our sufferings that we learn and appreciate the good things God has given us. When I think about the most difficult times of my past I begin to see my focus at those times was all self-centered, I was putting myself at the center of my life and that is not my place. When I notice the times when I have had real joy, peace and contentment it is when I have surrendered myself to God and His will. Only God can help us in the terrible times and events that are caused by humans and sin, only He can bring about the love, forgiveness, peace and joy. God does not make the bad things occur, we do that ourselves but He is always there ready to help us when we turn towards Him and His Son who sacrificed everything to save us. May God’s peace be with you.

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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 June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Share Goodness

March 28, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Whenever you can, share the goodness of life. Make eye contact and smile at other people, hold a door open, help someone carry things, be patient with others, listen instead of talking and support those in need without expectation of something in return. When we choose to live in community with one another we can see the goodness of the Lord in life. It is striving to get back to the basics of interacting with each other in a simple and kind manner. It is a choice, we are not victims of our environment or our surroundings unless we choose to be. If you don’t know how or where to start, I would recommend getting out into nature and be present in God’s creation. Nothing soothes my soul better than being outdoors in the amazing world God created. May God’s peace and the wonder of creation be with you.

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in northern Colorado)

Trials Of Life

March 26, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Everyone has knowledge and experience in trials and pain and suffering. No matter what type of front they display on a social media feed there is trial and pain in their life too. The problem with comparing ourselves is that many people are very skilled at hiding their pain, trying to ignore the suffering. Worse yet is the news media and the sad way they choose to display their view of the world. There is a phrase I have heard used more when I was younger and not as much now…“you get what you give” or “what you will get out of this is determined by what you put into it” To me this provides one of the things missing in society today…accountability. Easy street is not a real place or a way to live. That doesn’t mean that we never will feel happy or joy but it depends on where you are looking for it, it depends on your perspective. The one place that helps with every day life and builds a strong foundation to live on is the Cross. Come to the Cross and live. May God’s peace be with you.

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