A Thankful Spirit

February 25, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

What are you thankful for today? How often are we able to see something to be thankful for during difficult times? It is not easy…yet it is a choice. An attitude of gratitude may not come naturally to us but we should strive for it…because it can make such a big difference in our lives and the lives of others. We don’t have to do it alone…start by thanking God for Jesus Christ and what He did for you at the Cross and see where you can go from there. Amen.

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

(This photo was taken in March of 2021 at a State Park in northern Minnesota)

Attitude Of Gratitude

January 25, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 NIV

He will never leave you. He is with you, He is for you. No matter what happens, give thanks to God and strive to focus on choosing an attitude of gratitude.

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“Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

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

Be Thankful

January 8, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

What are you thankful for? How often do we take time to be thankful during difficult times? It is not easy…yet it is a choice. An attitude of gratitude may not come naturally to us but we should strive for it as it can make such a big difference in our lives. We don’t have to do it alone…start by thanking God for Jesus Christ and what He did for you on the Cross and see where you can go from there. Amen.

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Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

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

Reflecting On This Year With Gratitude

December 30, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
²Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.

³For the Lord is the great God,
    the great King above all gods.
⁴In his hand are the depths of the earth,
    and the mountain peaks belong to him.
⁵The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.”

Psalm 95:1-5 NIV

As we approach the New Year, take time to reflect on what has transpired in your life over the last 12 months…where do you see God? Where do you see yourself in putting your trust in Him? What difficult challenge did you face or are you still facing that you have had unknown courage to keep going? Have you had any moments of unexplainable joy, contentment? What situations worked out better than you expected? There are so many ways both big and small that God has shown you He is with you…did you notice? Give thanks to God for the gifts and blessings in your life and pray that He continues to help you see Him. Most importantly give thanks to Jesus Christ for what He has done and continues to do for you every day.

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
²    Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
³Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his^[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100

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

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Joy to the World…the Lord has come! The promise has been fulfilled and we are saved because Christ has come. Give thanks for Him…because Jesus has come we can have Hope, Joy, Peace and Love. Thanks be to God for this amazing gift. Merry Christmas!

Joy To The World by Chris Tomlin

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“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 2:11 NIV

(This photo was taken in December of 2013 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Thanks Be To God

November 24, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10 NIV

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

1 John 4:7-12 NIV

Happy Thanksgiving! Give thanks to God for all the gifts and blessings in life and for His presence to get us through the struggles and difficult times. God is good…thanks be to God. Amen.

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“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV

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

Be Thankful…Be Content

November 20, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

Jesus Christ suffered and died for you because He loves you. He has risen…He is alive and wants to help you in this life and spend eternity with you. Give thanks to Jesus, not only with words but with how you choose to live your life every day. Amen.

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV

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

God Is Good…Be Thankful

November 18, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
²    Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
³Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his^[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.“

Psalm 100:1-5 NIV

Take time to reflect on your life and remember what God has done for you. Think about the storms you have already come through…how He protected you or guided you safely. Remember that no matter what God loves you…He is with you and within you. Jesus left the comfort of heaven to come down and live as one of us…He sacrificed Himself to be beaten and crucified and to pay the penalty for our sin so that we could have a relationship with God. God will do for you that which you can’t do for yourself…put your trust in the Lord and give thanks to Him.

Forever by Michael W Smith

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:12-17 NIV

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

The Attitude Of Gratitude

November 14, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 NIV

Remember God is not distant…He will never leave you. If God feels far off it is because we have wandered away from Him. He is with you, He is for you. No matter what happens, give thanks to God and strive to focus on an attitude of gratitude.

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“Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

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

His Love Endures Forever

October 15, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.”

Psalm 145:8 NIV

Trouble will come…we will experience suffering and loss in this world…yet we do not need to have fear and we do not need to be afraid. We are loved by God with a love that is greater than anything we face. Pursue a personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior and our Lord, meet with Him every day…He sacrificed everything to save you because He loves you and His love will endure forever. Amen.

Forever by Michael W Smith

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