faith perspective

The Voice of Truth

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC06710 publish

In this world that is fallen and filled with sin and lies we have many thoughts and opinions speaking to us through many forms of communication.  Yet while Jesus walked on earth he taught using the phrase “I tell you the truth…”  He spoke this phrase more than 75 times as recorded in the New Testament.  With so much input coming at us in the world from so many sources it is important to seek the one voice of truth.

This is not always easy…in fact when Jesus spoke he knew not everybody would openly accept the truth.  In our lives the harder it is, often means it really is the right thing to do.  Truth takes courage, truth takes trusting that no matter what happens God has got you in the palm of his hand.  He knows what you are facing, He knows your fears and the temptations pressuring you…open your heart, mind and soul to Him.  He has the truth and his Son delivered the message of truth personally to us.

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’.”

John 8:31-32

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 at Falls Park on the Big Sioux River in South Dakota)

Seek Him In Everyday Life

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC07417 Publish

At the beginning of the Book of Proverbs the first few verses in chapter 1 provide instruction for involving God in your everyday life decisions.  It describes a purpose and theme for the proverbs of Solomon.

“for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Proverbs 1:2-7

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 while driving through Rocky Mountain National Park)

Music and Life

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I have said many times how music has played a significant role in my faith journey.  Every so often a song or hymn comes to mind as a message and because of technology I can go find it and listen to it.

This morning it was a song that was popular about 10 years ago but the message is still very true today.  The story behind the music is the original composer wrote the song as an instrumental and asked his favorite novelist to write the lyrics.  The composer then had the song performed for the first time at his mother’s funeral.  It’s intent became that you can relate to it by applying it to your own personal life…I chose to use it as a worship hymn to God because in the end we can do nothing without Him.  Here are some lyrics from “You Raise Me Up”…

Original composer Rolf Loveland, Original lyrics by Brendan Graham

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.

When Jesus was teaching his disciples he said:

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

John 15:9-11

Today how does our Lord raise you up?

Do Not Worry

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

2012 018 publish

This is the first section I ever highlighted in my bible…we waste so much time not trusting that God will provide all that we need that it is difficult to get to what he intends our lives to be…

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field  grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you , O you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:25-34

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2012 while driving to a lake in NW Wisconsin)

Don’t Give Up

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC07559 publish

There are many paths in life to choose from…don’t give up on loving others and doing good as Christ has instructed us to do.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Galatians 6:7-10

(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer of 2013)

Family First

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC07421 publish

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:12-13

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado while on a Family road trip)

Fruitful Living

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC05997 publish

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

(We were able to take this photo in May of 2013 on a lake in NW Wisconsin after many years of attempts and practicing Fruits of the Spirit such as peace, patience, faithfulness and self-control)

The Cheerful Giver

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC07203 Publish

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Our Foundation

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

IMG_20150722_155504791 publish

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2

(This photo was taken while on a mission trip during the summer of 2015 near Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado.)