Renew Your Strength

May 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Many aspects of life on earth can make us weary and tired, shaping our perspective to approach life with negativity, doubt and fear. We often forget, daily, that we can choose our attitude and perspective for this day. If we focus all our thoughts and energy on the problem and why me, then we may get stuck and begin to spiral downward. We can be renewed and draw strength by turning our focus to the Lord. No matter what you are facing remember God is in control and if you put your trust in Him, your strength will be renewed. Amen.

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“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but 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 40:29-31

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)

Prayer

May 4, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we want learn more about someone or grow our relationship with them…what do we do? We spend time with them, we talk with them often, we listen and we focus our energy on them. This has always been how friends become best friends, this is how people who have just met grow into a relationship of love and this is what God wants to have with you and me…more than anything else. A close personal relationship. Spend time with Jesus and invest in your relationship with the Lord. Amen.

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“pray without ceasing”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking along the north shore of Lake Superior)

Quiet Time

May 3, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Busyness is a distraction that keeps us away from spiritual growth. Living life at a frenetic pace not only wears down the body physically it also wears down and dulls your inner spirit. We were made to be more balanced in our daily lives. The example has been shown to us by Jesus…He often went off to be alone and pray, even when many people were clamoring to be with Him or near Him. If you reflect on your life over the past few days, weeks and months…how much time have you spent quietly, in solitude, just you and God? Seek balance in your daily life and you will find peace. Amen.

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“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Mark 1:35

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

The Presence Of The Lord

May 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When have you felt like you could sense the Presence of God? When have you felt like God has come near to you? Where were you? What was going on in your life or around you? How often do you ask or have you been asked where do you see God in this? All that is good is from God…all that is dark and evil is from the prince of darkness and human nature. Look to see the Presence of the Lord in your life and you will see that He has been with you every step of the way. Amen.

Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli

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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 July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

By Faith…Persevere

April 28, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

How do we grow in faith? How can our faith become the cornerstone of who we are? It depends on your perspective…if your faith is more about religion and performing for the approval and acceptance of others, you will find it a poor foundation that will easily crumble. Faith is a living part of who we are, we must feed our faith as often as we feed our physical body…faith is fed by reading the Word of God everyday, praying and seeking the will of God for our lives…we build and grow our faith by establishing and building our personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. That is the foundation that has stood the test of time and that is the foundation that God promises will sustain us. Turn towards Jesus and begin building a foundation of faith that will last. Amen.

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“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give you a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:6-7

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

Courage

April 16, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Brave…bold…stouthearted…spirited…determined. When we come to a situation or scenario that is beyond our control we get a glimpse of the powers that exist beyond ourselves. It forces us to look at the world and our life with a different perspective. It takes courage to have heartfelt compassion…it takes courage to be truly humble…it takes courage to admit we are broken and we need help. It takes courage to move forward after a tragedy of any kind. Our inspiration for courage should come from the One who was more courageous than any other in His life, His death and His resurrection. Jesus Christ…turn to Him in prayer for your courage to face whatever is weighing on your heart today. Amen.

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

Joshua 1:9

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

The Lord Is My Rock

April 15, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have been saved…we have a fortress of salvation…we have been delivered by Jesus Christ to eternal life. Trust in the Lord, there is no greater strength than the love of God. When we fall down He will pick us up, He renews us and restores us. His Word is a shelter from evil. When it feels like the world is crashing down around you look to the Lord for He is our Rock. Amen.

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“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 in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

The One Who Is In You

April 13, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Don’t forget the power of the Cross. The world is filled with violence, evil and darkness. The attempts to distract us and pull us into the things of this world are relentless. Read the Word of God and memorize some verses that speak to you…the verse you choose may change over time and different verses will come to mind as you plant the Word within you. The prince of darkness despises the Scriptures and it will defeat him. This is one of the foundational reasons I started to write this blog six years ago…so that we could learn how to take our faith with us…everywhere we go. The Word of God planted inside us is greater than anything in the world. May the peace found with Christ be with you. Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling through northern Colorado)

Work In Progress…

April 12, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We do not have all the answers…we do not know all the reasons why…whatever is happening, whatever is going on, we need to remember God is with us and as long as we are here He is not done with us yet. God’s Word does not change but there is always more for us to learn from it. Turn to God in prayer and ask Him to give you eyes to see His will for your life, this day and every day. Amen.

Diamonds by Hawk Nelson

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“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

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

Practice What Is Preached

April 11, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The faith journey has two main elements…the first is learning about and getting to know God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit. It is a transformation on the inside, a redemption. The second element is about making Him known. Taking what we have learned and have experienced and sharing it by helping others in need, whatever that looks in your life. Both elements are vital to our spiritual life and to the Kingdom of God, as either one without the other has little lasting value or impact. Take time to know Him and create space in your life to make Him known. Amen.

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