It Takes Courage…

January 17, 2022 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Courage is not the absence of fear…Courage is the willingness to move forward without knowing the outcome…to admit we don’t know the answers…to be patient…to share and be vulnerable with another person. Having courage is placing your trust in God ahead of fear…it is about not allowing fear to stop you or defeat you. It takes courage to seek the Light…to surrender your plans for God’s plan…it takes courage to live the life that God has intended for you…and where can you find courage? In a relationship with Jesus Christ. There you will find strength and courage to seek His will and live with hope from God. Amen.

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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 NIV

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

Remember What God Can Do

January 4, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Don’t you know who made everything?
    Haven’t you heard about him?
The Lord is the God who lives forever.
    He created everything on earth.
He won’t become worn out or get tired.
    No one will ever know how great his understanding is.
²⁹He gives strength to those who are tired.
    He gives power to those who are weak.
³⁰Even young people become worn out and get tired.
    Even the best of them trip and fall.
³¹But those who trust in the Lord
    will receive new strength.
They will fly as high as eagles.
    They will run and not get tired.
    They will walk and not grow weak.”

Isaiah 40:28-31 NIRV

Haven’t Seen It Yet by Danny Gokey

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling along Beartooth Pass)

Freedom Isn’t Free

November 11, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This post was originally published in May of 2019…

Freedom requires humility, sacrifice and a willingness to put the needs of many before one. Freedom is the result of human beings working together for a common cause…not by shouting and trying to tear others down. Freedom is earned through courage and a belief in something greater than self. Jesus Christ is the one who provided the example of sacrifice and the willingness to forgive…we all would do well to read about Him and His example of love. Time to put down the flaming arrows of hate and to serve one another in love.

Thank you God, for all the people who serve and have served in the military services of this country…thank you for their willingness to put themselves in the line of fire so others can prosper. I give thanks for them and their families that sacrifice so much in the name of freedom for all of us. Amen.

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Mount Rushmore National Memorial)

Renew Your Perspective

November 10, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This post was originally published in November of 2020…

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

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“I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁴Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV

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

Keep God’s Word In Your Heart

November 4, 2021 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

What are the verses of Scripture that speak to you? Comfort you? Remind you that God has got you? This is part of the essence of Take Your Faith With You…store God’s Word in your heart so that no matter where you are or what is happening, you have the ability to call on God for strength, courage and comfort. Here are some verese that have guided me on my journey…

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
²My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”^[a]

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

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

Our Source Of Strength

September 26, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
²but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
³That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.”

Psalm 1:1-3

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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
⁸They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

(This photo was taken in September of 2021 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Peace That Surpasses Understanding

August 22, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

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“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵Let your reasonableness^[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7

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

Stay Committed

August 16, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3

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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

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