Believe

May 10, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

You most likely know the information and the stories written about in the bible. You know the names of most of the books of the bible and many of the names of the people. There is one name that is above every other name, there is one who did the unthinkable for the undeserving. Jesus. You know about Him…the question is do you believe it? Believe in the power of God…believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, who died and was rasied to life and lives in you today…when you believe you can achieve anything. Amen.

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

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“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:20-21

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

Peace From God

May 9, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I saw a story about Mother’s Day and that the most popular request from Mom’s is to get a day away from their families. This is not true for all Mom’s, there was even an interview with one woman who was planning the whole day with her family and she spoke with a tone of…I know I am odd, but I just want to be with them. Wow, the human race is really messed up. We all, myself included, are so naive to look at life with ourselves in the center…we have allowed Satan to influence our perspectives so much that we have created a society in which “me time” is more important than anything else. We treat each other so poorly, that makes it hard to trust others. The only refuge, the one source of truth and peace is Jesus Christ. Seek Him and you will find true peace. Amen.

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

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

Prayer

May 4, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we want learn more about someone or grow our relationship with them…what do we do? We spend time with them, we talk with them often, we listen and we focus our energy on them. This has always been how friends become best friends, this is how people who have just met grow into a relationship of love and this is what God wants to have with you and me…more than anything else. A close personal relationship. Spend time with Jesus and invest in your relationship with the Lord. Amen.

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“pray without ceasing”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking along the north shore of Lake Superior)

God’s Word

May 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we have questions or when we need guidance or when we seek comfort, the Word of God can provide for us in all these situations as well as in every other situation we may encounter. There is a sense of peace not found in the world that can come over you when you make time to read God’s Word and pray each day. There is guidance in there that we will not find anywhere else. May the peace of the Lord be with you on your journey. Amen.

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“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105

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

God’s Grace

April 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We see it on display in His actions…He sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to save us…He gives us an opportunity to learn from Him through His Word…even while we are still sinners He forgives us…He gives us the Holy Spirit as a guide through our daily life…He will never leave us or abandon us no matter what. That is truly amazing grace. Amen.

This Is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham

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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.”

Ephasians 2:8-9

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

Holy Saturday…Preparation Day

April 20, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is finished…Jesus, the Messiah, had been crucified and died. We all know the coming glory of tomorrow…however, when these events were happening, it is hard to comprehend the level of sorrow and sadness that had to exist. Unfortunately, there are people in today’s world who suffer at a deep level of sorrow because of sin and evil. Our saving grace and our truth is we know that from the most devastating of tragedy, God will renew and restore us and He has shown us an example by what we will celebrate tomorrow. Trust in the Lord for He is good and His love endures forever. Amen.

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“Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in the tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.”

Luke 23:52-54

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

Holy Week

April 14, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is Palm Sunday…the day we celebrate Jesus entering the city…the moments and events of the coming week are in honor of the facts that changed everything in the world thousands of years ago. It is all very relevant today, and this week in history was not the End…it was the End of the Beginning…think about the events in the life and death of Jesus this week and all that He has done for you. Amen.

End Of The Beginning by David Phelps

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“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Revelation 22:12-13

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

Sing Praise

April 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Today is a day of worship. Give thanks and praise to the Lord. May we be comforted by His mercy and grace and know that God is with us…Forever. Amen.

Forever by Chris Tomlin

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“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; his is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:9-11

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

Guided By The Holy Spirit

April 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we put our trust in God and believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us grow spiritually. It can be difficult to tune in to the Holy Spirit during the hustle and bustle of daily life but that does not mean God is not present with you. Evil and darkness will go to great lengths to keep us from our connection to God…make time to connect to God’s presence in your life and tune into the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli

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“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:26

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

Spiritual Battle

April 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The goal of the prince of darkness is to turn us away from God and keep us focused on other things. He will use everything and anything available in this effort. The more we choose the distractions and the less time and effort we spend on our relationship with Jesus and reading God’s Word the easier his job becomes. God knows all about this battle and He provides us weapons of faith to fend off these attacks. Take a look at Ephesians 6:10-18 and you will learn about the Armor of God. Turn toward God in prayer and through the Holy Spirit, He will guide you during all the events in your life. Amen.

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