Be Humble

February 9, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we take time to reflect and think about how we interact with others and what our relationships with others look like, what do we see? Are we good listeners? Do we seek feedback? How do we handle missteps or miscommunications? The triat of humility is lost on many in the world. If we want to learn about it we should read about the ultimate example of humility in the bible, turn to the Gospel of John, chapter 13…that is a standard of humility all of us can learn from…may we all seek to find ways to be humble in this world. Amen.

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“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

John 13:13-15

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

To Know Him

February 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As it has been said, faith is a journey not a destination. So what does that mean? For me it is about making progress, every day. We learn, we pray, we live, we give thanks, we cry for help, we forgive others and we learn some more. We are human, we live in a broken and fallen world. Nobody is perfect, even if their social media profiles try to project it. We are not made to do this life alone. We need to know Him, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. He gave His life to save us and to reconcile us to God. Give faith a chance, spend time learning about Jesus Christ and His birth, His life, His teachings, His death and His resurrection. Pickup God’s Word and seek Him daily, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Amen.

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10

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

Trust

January 12, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Why is it so hard? What are we trusting? If my foundation of trust is related to how everything affects me…I will have very little trust of others…and they with the same perspective will have very little trust in me. If everyone has a center of self, then we all will be disappointed, frustrated and unable to trust. Stephen Covey talks about trust in relationships as an emotional bank account…with deposits and withdrawals. These are the behaviors we exhibit in our relationships. The faith perspective is what relationship is at the center of your life, your heart and your mind? Is it you with everyone else…or is it Christ and your relationship with Him? The world tells you that you are at the center of everything…the Scriptures tells us that Christ should be. This is a change in values, a change in perspective, a change in attitude…it takes time and Jesus Christ will be there with you every single step of the way. Amen.

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

Proverbs 3:5-6

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

Jesus Is The Only Way

November 25, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of my favorite things about faith is simplicity. It seems to be human nature to try to make things more complicated and difficult then necessary. To fill life with worry, anxiety, frustration and unhealthy fear. If we want peace, if we want joy, if we want loving and caring relationships then we must come to Jesus. He already knows all about us whether or not we have acknowledged Him. He knows you, He loves you and He died to save you. Seek Him and live. I pray for the new found and growing relationships people have with Jesus Christ. Amen.

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“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)

Humble And Gentle

November 19, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Be respectful…good listener…have compassion…acknowledge others needs. These are ways we can be one with the Spirit that is within us. These behaviors are neither common or natural to many people. Striving for these ways is learning to live differently than the world tells you how to live. When we put Christ in the center of our lives we are a new creation and our old ways are left behind, life should be different, our attitude should be different and the joy and peace of the Lord will be much more common in our every day. May the grace and mercy of God the Father wash over us and make us new. Amen.

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“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Ephesians 4:1-2

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Follow Jesus

November 7, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Commitment…dedication…devotion…faithfulness. Our spiritual growth will show signs of all these things over time. The faith journey is more than a one time decision to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and life…don’t misunderstand me, that is absolutely the right first step. The journey continues from there with a daily giving of ourselves to the will of God for our lives. It is prayer about everything, it is learning to let go of those things we cannot control nor should we try to control. It is about learning to accept the love and forgiveness of God in your heart and mind and then turning outward toward others to share that truth in service and kindness. My prayer is for us all to give of ourselves to Jesus each day. After all, He gave all He had of His life in this world to save us. Amen.

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“Then he said to them all: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Luke 9:23

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at City Park in Winterset, Iowa)

Judging Others

November 6, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are all broken…we are all fighting a battle of some kind…we all need the saving grace of Jesus Christ. None of us is in position to be in judgement of another. Jesus spoke very clearly about this in the Gospels. A summary statement would be, you will get whatever you give. How we choose to act is what we will get back from others. I struggle with snap judgments and emotion filled responses at times as much as anyone and I am reminded of humility, goodness and kindness when I spend time reading God’s Word and in prayer. May we continually seek growth in our spiritual life and our relationship with Jesus Christ to guide us to living life with the Fruits of the Spirit. Amen.

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“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Luke 6:37

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)

Do Not Be Afraid

October 23, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Fear can be powerful, if we let it. It can stop growth and progress, it can create major detours in our lives and relationships that none of us planned on taking. It is a weapon of evil that is used frequently on everyone. We can overcome fear, we can proceed with care and caution while still moving forward on the path God has put before us. We can’t do this alone and the good news is we don’t have to. God sent Jesus Christ into the world to save us and to teach us. We are not alone and if you find yourself in circumstances wondering ‘how is this going to change or get better?’ Remember, all things are possible with God. I pray we take our worries and our fears to the Lord and let Him guide our way. Amen.

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“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

Luke 2:10

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

Fellowship

October 11, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Friendship…companionship…togetherness…mutual support…shared interests. A coming together and spending time together, that is what I think of when I think about fellowship. It is encouraging to come together and be able to openly discuss issues and topics while setting aside judgement and comparisons. In order for fellowship to be effective there is an element of forgiveness that must be present, because we are human, we will make mistakes and we will need to ask for forgiveness. The other key element that is necessary for fellowship to work is time. We need to devote time to fellowship and friendship. This is also true for our relationship with God. He has forgiven us of our sins and He is wanting us to spend time with Him. Reflect on your life and the people in it…with whom do you need to devote more time and where is a lack of forgiveness present? I pray that we turn towards God and ask Him to help us to see where fellowship is needed in our lives. Amen.

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“For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.”

Matthew 18:20

(This photo was taken in July of 2014 by one of my best friends at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Be Transformed

October 7, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

If we want to see a change in our lives and the world we must begin by being changed in our minds, in our hearts and in our soul. A desire to see change is one thing and probably a good first step…but then what? To be renewed, to be transformed and to truly have it be a new way of living and seeing means working on ourselves with God as our guide. Repent, believe and pray. We need to begin with repentance, admit our wrongs and our brokenness to God and ask God to give us the courage and wisdom to do better. Next we must believe in the power of God, pick up the Bible and read Scripture…believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God and our Savior who came down from heaven to save us, was crucified, died and was buried and that He has risen. Then we need to pray…in the morning, during the day and at night. Pray for our new behaviors, pray for our family and friends, pray that more people will turn towards God rather than away from Him. These are the things that will truly change your life…not according to the world’s standards but according to God. May we all be blessed with the courage and wisdom to be transformed into what God created us to be. Amen.

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