Strength From The Lord

June 5, 2020 / 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

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“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

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at Cascade State Park in northern Minnesota)

Rest…Restoration

June 1, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

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“Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31

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

Courageous

May 20, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

You were created out of God’s love…He is with you…do not be afraid, be courageous. Amen.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly^[a] with your God.”

Micah 6:8

Courageous by Casting Crowns

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“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

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 at the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park in Montana)

We Must Humble Ourselves

April 25, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It’s not about me. There is a significant difference between self-care and self-centered. To be humble takes courage, to admit that we make mistakes and poor choices with an attitude of seeking redemption is a path to peace. Jesus taught us about humility…

“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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“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14

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

Hope

April 23, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What drives it? Why do we have it? It comes from belief…it comes from trusting. 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. Amen.

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“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37

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

Walking With God

April 22, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

A faith journey. It begins with prayer. It grows as we read the Scriptures, spend time in devotions, engage in our communities, serve others…it transforms us with a new attitude centered on God and His will for us. Trust in God, spend time on your relationship with Jesus Christ and pray…pray about everything, every day. Amen.

“Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly^[a] with your God.”

Micah 6:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

A Solid Foundation

April 8, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we stand on the foundation of faith and a personal relationship with God, we can trust that where we stand is firm ground and even though all around us is uncertainty, fear and anxiety we are held by God’s love and we will be guided through the troubling times if we stay close to Jesus and God’s word. The only solid foundation we will find in this life is with God. May His peace be with you. Amen.

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“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ¹²My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:9-12

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

Do Not Be Overcome

April 2, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The bible tells us that we will have trouble in this world…it states clearly that we can persevere through trials and temptations. The bible also gives us examples of people who lived and suffered and how they interacted with God and lived their lives with faith. At times it wasn’t pretty, they didn’t live lives that were sweet and easy all the time. Read about Abraham and Sarah, read about Joseph. Look through the pages of David’s life. Take time to read about the life of Jesus. Yes, there are struggles, trials and suffering and a life of faith and living in God’s love doesn’t mean they will disappear…it provides you the courage and the hope to get through the difficult times. Do not be overcome by darkness and evil look to God and pray and you will see hope. Amen.

“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

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“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:21

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Be Present

March 31, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Stay alert of your thoughts, words and actions. It is so easy to slide down a dark path and to be led astray by temptations. Keep the Word of God in your heart and verses will come to mind when you need them most. When an opportunity presents itself, share your faith and what you believe respectfully. Trust in the Lord, He is with you. Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Overcome Trouble

March 7, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The battles are many and they are different for all of us. The darkness and evil of this world are constantly attacking us and everyone is fighting a battle of some sort…chose to overcome trouble, believe in Jesus Christ. He has fought this fight and He has overcome the trouble of this world. Stay strong in the battle find courage, strength, wisdom, peace and hope in the only One who can provide it, your Savior and Lord. Amen.

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