Living In The Light

March 8, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

²⁵Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶“In your anger do not sin”^[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”

Ephesians 4:22-28

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^“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:29-32

(This photo was taken in October of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Love God, Love People

January 7, 2021 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

All actions and behaviors of violence and destruction are wrong…the actions and behaviors of violence that took place last summer were wrong and the actions and behaviors of violence that took place yesterday are wrong…both events are same actions and behaviors. Nobody can rightfully condone violence at one event and condemn it at the other…all actions and behaviors of violence are wrong, last summer and yesterday. We need more listening that is seeking to understand even when we don’t agree, more kindness, more compassion. If we choose to condone violence at any time…we are just going to get more violence. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32

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

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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

God’s Grace

December 9, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

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“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

(This photo was taken in September of 2020 at sunrise by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Spread An Attitude Of Gratitude

November 25, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One act of kindness, compassion and thankfulness can set off a chain reaction…

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

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:12-15

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“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Compassion Of Christ

November 7, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.

⁴¹Moved with compassion,^[a] Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” ⁴²Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.”

Mark 1:40-42

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“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. ³⁶When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Matthew 9:35-36

(This photo was taken in September of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

Living As God’s People

November 6, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Colossians 3:12-13

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“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:14

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

Mercy…Compassion…Forgiveness

October 17, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. ¹⁰Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’”

Zechariah 7:9-10

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Ephesians 4:31-32

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

Humility

October 5, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹²I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

¹³“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

¹⁴“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 18:10-14

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“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[a] Do not be conceited.”

Romans 12:14-16

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at Palisade Head along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

The Goodness Of God

September 30, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

All that is good is from God…all that is suffering, troubling and leads to struggle is from darkness and evil…these are not from God. Jesus Christ was sent by God to save us becasue the darkness has come from our sins. Amen.

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

John 12:46

Goodness Of God – Jenn Johnson

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

⁹The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Compassion

September 18, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Sympathy…empathy…understanding…tenderness…gentleness…mercy…love. Amen.

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.”

Psalm 103:8

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“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷Very 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 5:6-8

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 along the North Shore of Lake Superior)