The Lord Of My Everything?

June 15, 2026 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

“In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Proverbs 16:9 NIV

Sometimes I struggle with my faith when it comes to opening up to the Lord for all things

Not only the parts of my life and my heart I think He wants to be involved in…that would be God on my terms

I have come to learn…it does not work like that

God is the God of everything and Jesus Christ is Lord of all

All of creation, all people in all nations since the beginning of time and His love is for everything and everyone

His grace and His mercy will endure forever

It can be so difficult for my finite mind to comprehend the totality of God and His love

He is more than the God of Sunday morning or Wednesday evening…

He is more than the God of when I really need help or a crisis is happening…

He is more than a beautiful sunrise or sunset when we do feel more of His presence

He is also the Lord of housework, the Lord of daily errands, the Lord of trips to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, He is the Lord of where you work and He is the Lord what you do…He is the Lord of everything

The best part of all?

This means He is right there waiting to hear from you about everything

If He is your Lord and Savior that doesn’t mean everything will be easy and good…yet He is with you through all of it

May we know God’s presence, His love, His joy and His forgiveness

In everything

“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of the life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 23:6 NIV

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

Greater Is The One Who Is In You

May 21, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4 NIV

We are constantly under attack from Satan, the world and the flesh

The Good News includes this one critical point

Greater is the God within you than the one who is in the world

He is with you, He is within you

Greater by MercyMe

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“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?“

Romans 8:31 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

A Full Life

April 17, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.^[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:9-10 NIV

A full life…according to what definition?

The world defines a full life very differently than what Jesus is speaking about

The worldly way is about money, possessions, popularity and finding the easy, most self-centered convenient way

The worldly way asks what can I get others to do for me?

God’s way is a very different perspective…

It is about the Fruit of the Spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

God’s definition of a full life is about loving God, loving others and sharing the Good News

His way asks what can I do today to show the love of God?

What can I do today to love others?

How will you choose to define a full life?

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do 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 12:1-2 NIV

(This photo was taken near the Black Hills in western South Dakota)

But God…

April 2, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Genesis 50:20 NIV

“David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.”

1 Samuel 23:14 NIV

“My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:26 NIV

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

These are just a few of the verses that remind us no matter what we are facing

No matter what we think is not possible or unchangeable

God can do anything

The world will tear us down…Satan will lie to us…

Even our own flesh wants to do the things we do not want to do

Just remember, we are powerless on our own

But God can do anything…

And it is possible that the next moment of our life might be a “But God” moment

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“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.“

Romans 5:7-8 NIV

(This photo was taken at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

Be Courageous In The Faith

February 23, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

There are many elements of life working against those desiring to follow Jesus

The world, the flesh and Satan all are like a rushing river of water trying to keep us away from God and His Word

We must learn to stand firm in the faith…to be courageous

To speak the truth with respect, kindness and compassion

Remembering God is with you, no matter what

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“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV

(This photo was taken in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

Strength From The Lord

February 7, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“I love you, Lord, my strength.

²The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield^[b] and the horn^[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:1-2 NIV

Joy Of The Lord by Rend Collective

“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 in while traveling through Wyoming)

Persevere Under Trial

February 5, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. “

James 1:2-5 NIV

Don’t give up…keep praying…keep trying…be persistent…have courage…believe

Everyone is challenged by something in life

Everyone is fighting a battle of some kind

It is in these situations that we can see the power of God

We can see His mercy and His grace when we shift our perspective off of worldly treasures and worldly ways

God is holding on to you through everything the world is throwing at you

Trust in Him…Hold on to Him and persevere through trials

I Am by Crowder

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“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12 NIV

(This photo was taken standing on one of the Bridges of Madison County near Winterset, Iowa)

I Will Praise You In The Storm

January 25, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

James 1:2-5 NIV

“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 23:4 NIV

When the darkness seems overwhelming

What can we do?

Take refuge in the Lord and pray

He is our Rock

He is with us in this storm

Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

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“But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
²When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
³For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;…”

Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Hope…Nothing Is Impossible For God

January 24, 2026 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

“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!

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“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37 NIV

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

Grace…Hope…Peace

January 14, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we^[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we^[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³Not only so, but we^[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope.”