Believe

June 11, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

How many times do you have to see something to believe it? How many stories do you have to hear to accept the facts? When something in life seems to be beyond comprehension what does it take for you to believe it? In the Gospel of John we see both the human side and the Godly side of Jesus…in chapter 11 there is the story of Jesus coming to where Lazarus the brother of Martha and Mary has been laid in a tomb. Lazarus has been dead for four days, starting at verse 35 and concluding at verse 44 Jesus shows all that He is…

“Jesus wept” – John 11:35

“When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” – John 11:43-44

There are many more stories throughout the bible that show the truth about who Jesus is and that God sent Him out of love to save us from our sins. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Son of Man, as He said…”I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” – John 14:6…Do you believe it?

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“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25-26

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

His Love Endures Forever

June 7, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Just when we think, ‘I am sure God is upset with me’ or ‘why do I feel so distant from God’ or any other self pity thoughts about our relationship with God…He shows us again that His love is all around us. Either through nature or through another person God shows up and reminds everyone He will never leave you or abandon you. When we make an effort to start with gratitude for what blessings we have been given, we learn to better understand how God is working in our life. God is love and His love is never-ending for us. He gave His one and only Son to be a sacrifice for us, out of love, and He continues to know you and to bless you because His love endures forever. May you see God’s love and peace present in your life.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

The God Of Peace

May 10, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Everyone is facing a battle and a struggle of some kind. It is natural in this broken and fallen world. Some battles are easy for others to see on the outside and some battles are kept hidden from others yet they rage on inside a person just the same. We are not equipped to fight these battles alone, the dark forces that exist in and around the human race are very powerful. Our Creator God knows this and He has promised to never leave you or abandon you. His presence is even more powerful than the darkness, He is the God of peace. He will calm your anxious thoughts just like He calms a raging sea. He has sent His one and only Son to be one of us to reconcile a relationship with us. And most importantly He loves us with an everlasting love. Bring your battle to Christ, no matter what it is, invite Him into your heart and mind and trust in God to bring you a peace like nothing you have ever experienced before. May God’s love and peace wash over you this day.

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“Peace 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 14:27

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

Strength

May 2, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When life is difficult and frustrating, where do we get the ability to move forward? What could possibly renew us? What makes some people so resilient? It has been my experience that there is only one thing powerful enough to lift us up out of any tragedy or trial…it is the Presence of the Lord. A relationship with Jesus Christ in the way to strength in the battle and rest when we are weary. To experience His presence we must do our part and be willing to spend time in devotions and prayer. God made a promise, He will never leave you nor forsake you and He always keeps His promises. Invite Jesus into your heart and into your life daily and you will be renewed each day. May God’s peace be with you.

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“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Walking In The Light

April 25, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Actions speak louder than words…words are an introduction, actions are the full story. In the life of Jesus we learn that He taught the people with His words and He showed the people the truth with His actions. Being true to our word is a characteristic that seems to be fading away in this ‘me’ first world. Living life by walking in the light is being very aware of what we say we will or won’t do and then following through with what we said…if we say, I will call you later, we need to be sure to do it…if we say I will pray for you, we need to offer an honest to goodness true prayer to God regarding that person. The concept in words is simple…the execution in daily life is the next step in our faith journey. May God’s peace be with you.

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“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

1 John 1:7

(This photo was taken in September of 2014 while on a walk in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Lord Is Knocking At The Door

April 22, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As we venture down the road of a life of faith and spiritual growth we will come to decisions and choices in life and as we learn to listen for God in our conscious, the trust part of faith will need to be addressed. Similar to yesterday’s post about prayer…there is saying I believe in God and I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came down from heaven, was crucified, died and was buried. I believe He has risen and He lives in me…and then there is actually living your life with trust in what you believe. Many of us get stuck at this point, myself included, we are searching to open the right door and to invite Jesus into every aspect of our life and yet we still end up going off the track and wonder what the heck happened here…one of the greatest gifts of God is that He loves us so much that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will continue to be with us every slow learning step of the way…Jesus will continue to knock at the door waiting for us to open it and invite Him in to eat with us. Don’t stop opening new doors, listen closely to God and read the Word of God to know which knock is the Lord. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

Revelation 3:20

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 of a Yucca plant near Carlsbad Caverns in southern New Mexico)

Saved By Grace

April 18, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We do not choose God, He chose us. He is our Creator, He sent His Son to reconcile us with Him. He continues to be involved in our everyday with the Holy Spirit. We have not earned this love nor do we deserve it for our behavior in this world. God gives to you freely out of His deep abiding love for you. No matter where you are or what is going on in your daily life…God loves you unconditionally…that is Grace. Turn to Him, seek Him and His Word. He is waiting to hear from you. May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

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

Courage

April 14, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It takes courage to be a follower of Jesus Christ in this world. It takes courage to not only say I believe but then to go out and act and do as one who believes. It takes strength and courage to stay the course of faith and let God be in control. We/I always want to take over control and management of life. Then we are surprised or sometimes frustrated when things go in a different direction then what we planned or tried to orchestrate. Trusting in God means surrendering the desire to control every aspect of your life…once again it’s simple but it’s not easy. Give to God all the things in your mind and in your heart and pick a few verses out to memorize so you can repeat them to yourself when needed. I have two recommendations for you Proverbs 3:5-6 and Philippians 4:13 they have helped me in many moments in my life and will continue to do so. May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 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

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

God Is Love

April 10, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Everything comes back to this…God is love. Why did God create the world, the animals and us…God is love. How did people in the Bible who had committed hurtful sins, like David, Rahab, Saul and others get used by God for the good of others…God is love. Why did Jesus come down from heaven to be born a man, to suffer, be tempted, get crucified for who He is and rise from the dead…God is love. In all that we are and all that we encounter everyday, it is most important to remember that we humans brought sin into this world and we are broken, but we are forgiven and we are saved because…God is love. May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

1 John 4:16

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

The Story Continues Today

April 5, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Bible is not a book that tells a story about past events and is not relevant to today. It is the Word of God and how God made the world out of love. The people of the world both back then and now have chosen to reject God, so the stories of the old testament and the new testament are about God’s pursuit of the people in creation. It is about the things He was and is doing to bring people back to His love. In the old testament it was battles, kings and prophets and in the new testament it is the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ His one and only Son. These stories are about God’s pursuit of humanity and it continues today. Pick up a Bible and see your place in God’s pursuit of you and people all over the world. May God’s peace be with you.

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