An Encounter

November 7, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1 NIV

Faith is about trust and belief because we have experienced the Presence of God in our lives. Has it happened to you? It can be hard to put into words…unexplainable…one experience in my life was when I was putting together and delivering the eulogy at my father’s funeral. This is not something I ever could have done on my own…when I think about that time my words to describe it are few, yet some that come to mind are comfort, unusual peace, clear thinking. The process of putting together the words came naturally by talking with people from all parts of Dad’s life and God had prepared me to speak in front of others in several experiences in my past both in work and at church. It was an incredible experience. An example of an encounter with God from the bible is found in the book of Exodus…Moses was up on the mountain for 40 days with God without food or water, yet it does not say he felt any hunger or thirst. Moses had all that he needed because he was with God. An encounter with the Presence of God is unlike anything else you will experience in life. Faith is about a personal relationship with God. Where has God shown up in your life? Think about it…give thanks and know that He has been with you. Amen.

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“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14 NIV

(This photo was taken in September of 2014 on a walk near Plymouth, Minnesota)

An Encounter

April 29, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

The difference between faith and religion…faith is about trust and belief because we have experienced the Presence of God in our lives. Has it happened to you? It is hard to put into words…unexplainable…a time for me was putting together and delivering the eulogy at my father’s funeral. Not something I ever could have done alone…when I think about that time words are few, yet the ones that come to mind are comfort, unusual peace, clear thinking…that doesn’t fully cover it but what I can come up with…in the book of Exodus Moses was up on the mountain for 40 days with God without food or water, yet it does not say he felt hunger or thirst. An encounter with the Presence of God is unlike anything else in life. May His Peace be with you. Amen.

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“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14

(This photo was taken in September of 2014 on a walk near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The New Self

February 29, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It’s not too late…it’s never too late to confess your sins and ask Jesus into your heart and mind to be renewed and to create the new self. What you need to know is you can’t do this alone and the changes must start on the inside not on the outside. Real change occurs when we commit to a new attitude and we surrender our ways for His way. Some bible verses that speak to the new self are; 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-24, Romans 12:2 and many more. Trust in the Lord to lead you and guide you to a new life. Amen.

All Things New by Steven Curtis Chapman

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“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

Colossians 3:7-10

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at the Bontanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)

Wisdom

November 26, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The ability to think and act using a combination of knowledge, experience, understanding, insight and common sense. Wisdom does not promote the self or self-intelligence…it is humble, compassionate, faithful and understanding of the needs of others. To continually seek to learn and grow and share what you have learned is to be wise. Seek wisdom from the Lord and you will find peace. Amen.

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