Offer Kindness

July 18, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Every single person is fighting a personal battle within themselves…every single one of us. Don’t be so quick to judge and assume your knowledge about any situation or individual. Be different, be kind…listen and seek to understand. The quickest way to diffuse an escalating situation is kindness and compassion, not pushing your personal agenda. Turn towards Jesus and ask that you are filled with courage and the ability to see others with His eyes. Amen.

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“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:8-10

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

The War Between Guilt And Grace

July 17, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are forgiven…Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sins…we can let go of our guilt and live in God’s grace…because in the battle that rages on within us and within others…Grace wins everytime. Amen.

Grace Wins by Matthew West

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”

Ephesians 2:8

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Forgiven

July 9, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As we grow on our faith journey it seems some behavior changes happen somewhat easily and for others, we keep going the wrong way. We get stuck and feel powerless to change what we know needs to change. It is at this point that the road to the Savior seems to narrow and we begin to see how truly amazing God’s grace can be…learning to have humility…to surrender…to admit we need Him even when we know we don’t deserve it…this can be a difficult step in our lives and it takes courage, yet it is the only way, Jesus is the only way to joy and everlasting life. From the most tragic events can come the greatest joy…if you ever doubt it…remember what happened between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. May God’s grace wash over you. Amen.

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“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”

Psalms 51:1-2

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Integrity

June 14, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Honesty…sincerity…trustworthy…truthfulness…decency…morality…respectable. These are rare qualities in today’s world. We all have sinned and have done things against the will of God. Admitting we are wrong is so difficult when the world keeps sending out messages that ‘Me’ first is how we should want to live. It is true that God is love, however, this does not mean any and all behaviors are acceptable to Him…take a look at Proverbs 6:16-19 or Proverbs 8:13 for some examples of behaviors God despises. We live in a fallen and broken world and our ability to admit and confess when we are wrong is the starting point to turning away from behaviors that hurt ourselves and others. Amen.

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

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

Beyond Forgiveness

June 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have been saved…the price has been paid…God has forgiven us for our sins. However, this is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of the rest of your story and your faith life. There is more for you to learn and do…there is a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ beyond forgiveness. Jesus is your Savior but is He the Lord of your life? Turn toward God in prayer and ask Him to help you see what’s next? Amen.

God’s Not Done With You by Tauren Wells

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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 August of 2018 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Forgiveness

May 21, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Everybody makes mistakes, everyone makes poor choices. There are examples of this throughout history. The most prominent names in the bible committed sins, except for one. We are broken, we are weak, we give into temptation and the human race is responsible for bringing sin into the world. Even still we can be saved…Jesus Christ the one without sin who was crucified and died…He is Risen and He is our Redeemer. No matter what you have done or left undone, turn towards God and confess yours sins and you will be saved. Amen.

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“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9

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

Repentance

April 8, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To admit when we are wrong…to be accountable for our actions and behaviors…to walk in truth. The hardest part is typically the first step when it comes to repentance. It takes a level of humility that pride is fighting against. Since we live in a broken and fallen world we know that judgement will come from others even though it is not theirs to deal out. The foundation of our faith, a relationship with Jesus Christ is what we all need to be able to move through repentance and begin to turn away from sinful behaviors. Offer up your repentance to God and His Son Jesus and begin to heal the wounds of guilt and fear. Amen.

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1 John 1:8-9

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

Acknowledge Your Mistakes

March 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Mistakes and errors will happen, we all will make them, it is guaranteed because we are broken. We need strength and courage that only comes from Christ to admit to our mistakes, to acknowledge them and then strive to do better. If we spend our time always trying to conceal or hide things all we are doing is delaying the inevitable truth. The best that we can do when we make mistakes is to be open and honest about them and learn from them…the truth is failure is not an end it is just one step closer to success for those who won’t give up. Trust in the Lord and you will be amazed at what you can learn. Amen.

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, his is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while traveling through Colorado)

Forgive As You Are Forgiven

March 11, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

Many of us have something or someone in our life or in our past that stirs us up quickly. Just the mention of that situation or person begins to increase our blood pressure and we feel the tension increase. The bitterness and anger is only hurting us, we need to move through the pain and frustration to the other side, we need to seek to forgive. To be clear this does not mean someone else is getting a pass for something that was wrong and hurtful, rather it is declaring that you are not going to allow that issue or problem to define your attitude going forward. To forgive is to let go of the past and the pain and to embrace the new and the possible. This is a process and takes time and God is ready to guide us and hold us up through it all. Amen.

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

Ephesians 4:31-32

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

The Grace Of God

January 29, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have been saved…the battle has been won. Jesus Christ gave of Himself to save us and to reconcile us back to God. We are not made to do life alone, God our Creator made us out of His love and His Son sacrificed His life because of His love for us and the Holy Spirit is guiding us through our days with God’s love. We haven’t earned it, we don’t deserve it. It has occured because of the mercy and grace of God our Father. He is not a distant figure in the sky looking for ways to punish us for every mistake, He is doing everything for our good, not according to our plans rather according to His. We would do well to turn towards God and thank Him and seek to grow our relationship with Jesus Christ. Amen.

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