Contentment

August 13, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

1 Timothy 6:6-10

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“Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
⁶He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.

⁷Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

⁸Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
⁹For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”

Psalm 37:3-9

(This photo was taken in July of 2021 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Give Thanks

July 3, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18

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“Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100:4-5

(This photo was taken in June of 2021 in St. Croix State Park in northern Minnesota)

Contentment

April 29, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

1 Timothy 6:6-9

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“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:11-13

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

Contentment

February 25, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

1 Timothy 6:6-10

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“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”^[a]

Hebrews 13:5

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

Be Thankful…Be Content

November 20, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

1 Timothy 6:6-8

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

Contentment

July 6, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Originally posted in July of 2019…

I hope you have enjoyed the music and listening for God in the talent of those who have been blessed to share the Good News through song over the last few weeks. This morning I am struck by gratitude for all the good things God has given. There is so much to be thankful for and yet we often choose to wish for things to be different or to have more or less of something. It seems to be human nature to desire more in some way, however, true joy and peace is found only in contentment. Think about how much we can enjoy the present moments in life each day if we begin with gratitude and thankfulness for what blessings we have been given and put Christ in the center of our lives rather than ourselves and our desires. Thanks be to God for all He has done for us and may the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

1 Timothy 6:6-7

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at sunset on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Generosity And Contentment

May 27, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Give of yourself and be content when your needs are fulfilled. The brokenness of this world will tell you to want more and to get more. God has provided more than enough for everyone. Generosity and contentment are topics that are about much more than money in life. They are about all aspects of life…our time, our talents, our emotions, our faith. The more we are able to be content the more we can share when we have received an abundance. Take time to assess where you stand…where do you have more than enough on your hands and how can you share to help those who are in need? May the grace and peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

“For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. ⁵And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.”

2 Corinthians 8:3-5

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1 Timothy 6:6-9

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

Contentment

February 6, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What are we seeking in our daily lives? We all have needs and wants…at what point are we content with what we have? Ready to share any abundance we have received? This goes well beyond the financial status of our lives…though many of us get stuck on that one…the truth is if we are looking for contentment in the things of this world we will be disappointed as true contentment will not be found in money, a job or career, any human relationship or any amount of power or position…it can only be found in a relationship with God. Spend time in your relationship with Jesus Christ, read God’s word and you will give yourself the opportunity to know contentment that only comes from God. Amen.

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1 Timothy 6:6-9

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of Maui, Hawaii)

Contentment

November 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As the retail world bombards us with messages of the ‘greatest sale ever’…’lowest prices now’ and this year…’black Friday prices early’…it is a good time to seek contentment. This could be done by spending more time reflecting on all that we already have been given…realizing how much our needs are met each day and being…thankful. I find it interesting that the holiday intended to focus on gratitude is constantly getting pounded by the ‘get more’ self-focused attitude. Let’s work on becoming a new creation this holiday season and spend more time on being grateful for what we have, considering what abundance we can share with others and spend less time fulfilling our self-satisfying wants and desires. May the peace of the Lord be with you this holiday season. Amen.

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