The Answers Are Found At The Cross

January 20, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

History is filled with events and stories of struggle, despair, war, judgement and injustice. People of all generations have pressed for money, power and self-centered convenience. This continues in the present day for all of us…I like everyone else am a sinner and have succumbed to temptations and poor decisions. These behaviors are the result of human beings inviting sin into the world. It seems like defeat is all around us and that is just how the prince of darkness wants you feel. Yet even today there is hope…there is hope of goodness, faithfulness, kindness, peace, patience, love and joy. And it begins at the Cross of Christ. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

Philippians 2:5-8

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

Give Thanks

January 19, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is easy to get caught up in the minutia of life everyday and forget that God is with you. In fact that is exactly what the forces of evil want you to do, evil wants you to believe you are all alone and you should only look out for yourself. God knows the struggle…Jesus faced the devil in the desert and He has overcome death and evil through His death and resurrection. Connect with the Lord today and be thankful for Jesus who has fought the battle and won. May God’s peace be with you.

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“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:57

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

Use Your Spiritual Gifts

January 17, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are all uniquely made by God. In each one of us there are gifts and talents that we have that were given to us to use to help others in some way. These may not be fully developed yet but they are still there. Seek to find what your gifts and talents may be…when you are able to do something that feels like no effort at all and yet others are so thankful for your effort that may be telling you something about your gifts. Another way to learn about your gifts is to look through a list of volunteer opportunities and whichever one speaks to you and makes you think ‘I could do that’…then go and do it. You were made for a purpose find ways to seek out what that is and when you find it do more of it. May God’s peace be with you.

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“We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

Romans 12:6-8

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Give Your Time And Gifts For Others

January 16, 2018 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

We all have received spiritual gifts and blessings in this life…these are not always related to worldly power and finances. The gift of time and the ability to choose your attitude are two things worth more than all the money in the world. Don’t take these gifts for granted…do something, do an act of love today…it doesn’t matter what size of an act it is. Even if your action shows kindness and love to only one other person the ripples of impact can travel far beyond you in this world. May God’s peace be with you.

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“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Matthew 25:35-36

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Let The Light Of Christ Shine

January 14, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we open ourselves up and invite Jesus into our heart and lives we will receive the gift of Holy Spirit to guide us and our thoughts. Leading us to a life that is filled with the fruits of the Spirit. In order to get there we must surrender the desire to serve ourselves be willing to serve the purpose that God has planned for us. This is not easy and it is not a one moment event, it is a daily journey to learn to die to self and live to God, changing from the sinful nature of this fallen world to an eternal nature of the Spirit. The world is dark but Jesus is the Light in the darkness. Shine on. May God’s peace be with you.

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

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

He Renews Our Strength

January 13, 2018January 13, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One important aspect of a relationship with God the Father, Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit is the power to renew us and restore us when we get off course or off track. When you spend time growing your relationship with the Lord you learn to become aware of His presence…there are few words that can describe the peace that comes from knowing that God is with you every moment of every minute of every hour of every day of your life. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and restore you…trust in Him…he is the one person that gave up everything he had to save you. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

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 40:28-31

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

Always With You

January 12, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of greatest mindset shifts that needs to occur on the faith journey is knowing no matter where you go or what you do God will always be with you. It is up to you to recognize Him and to be aware of his presence through the Holy Spirit. We all get off course and make mistakes or poor decisions as we live in a broken and fallen world. God knows this and wants to have a relationship with you to help you through life. Whatever is on your heart today…give it to Him…leave it at the foot of the cross and see what happens. May God’s peace be with you.

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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 July of 2016 at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

In God’s Hands

January 9, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The bible often makes references to God the Creator as the potter and we are the clay. I tend to forget that we are in his hands every day and he is working for the good in our lives and even when things are marred and scratched or broken, God is still at the wheel and has re-creative power to help shape and mold us into something better. We were not made to formed once and put on a shelf…God wants us to be engaged in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ…and not to worry because He is holding us in His hands. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

Isaiah 64:8

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

Faithfulness

January 5, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Every generation of people has struggles and suffering…God wants to help us and guide us through the struggles. We suffer because humans beings invited evil into the world… God never said come follow me and life will be easy. If fact the bible states…“In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome this world” (John 16:33). He knows what you are facing every single day of your life, he knew it before you were born and he sent His One and Only Son to show us how much he loves us. Trust God’s plan by spending time with him each day, read the bible and you will see God’s faithfulness surround you. May God’s peace be with you!

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