His Ways…

September 16, 2021 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

It’s not about you…the message is clear you should not be at the center of your life. This is not to say that you don’t need to properly care for your mind, body and spirit that is clearly outlined in the bible as well. However, everything that happens should not be viewed only from the perspective of self. Consider a different perspective and trust in the Lord. Amen.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

“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

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“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Colossians 3:2

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Dillon, Colorado)

God’s Faithfulness

August 28, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Deuteronomy 7:9

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“He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Psalm 91:4

(This photo was taken in August of 2021 at a field near Kimball, Minnesota)

Open The Eyes Of My Heart

July 14, 2021 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27

Open The Eyes Of My Heart by Michael W. Smith

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

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

Overcoming Fear

June 21, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

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“All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷Peace 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 14:25-27

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

Love And Forgive

March 7, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Love and forgiveness are actions not an emotion and a thought…love is more than feelings and forgiveness does not mean that a wrong that someone else did is Ok. It is how you choose to respond that shows love and forgiveness…choose to respond according to God’s Word. Amen.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13

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“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[a] Do not be conceited.

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[b] says the Lord. ²⁰On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^[c]

²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:14-21

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Love God, Love People

January 7, 2021 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

All actions and behaviors of violence and destruction are wrong…the actions and behaviors of violence that took place last summer were wrong and the actions and behaviors of violence that took place yesterday are wrong…both events are same actions and behaviors. Nobody can rightfully condone violence at one event and condemn it at the other…all actions and behaviors of violence are wrong, last summer and yesterday. We need more listening that is seeking to understand even when we don’t agree, more kindness, more compassion. If we choose to condone violence at any time…we are just going to get more violence. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32

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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

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Renew Your Perspective

November 21, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

“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

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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

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

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)

Actions Of Hope

September 16, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

An action of hope means getting practical. Working and doing things with trust in God’s plan even when the circumstances don’t reveal it. Actions of hope are a way to live in faith and to put your trust in God. In Jeremiah 32 there is a story of Jeremiah buying a field at a time when Babylon was coming to capture the city…this was not a logical action at the time rather an action of hope because God had said the people will return to buy fields, build houses and live in this land. Destruction was coming yet Jeremiah bought a field. Turn towards God in faith and ask for His guidance for opportunities for you to take actions of hope in your life. Amen.

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“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling in North Dakota)

Our Role

August 30, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”