God’s love

Roots

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

DSC_1250 publish

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Colossians 2:6-7

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

The Goodness Of God

/ mcalcagno / 1 Comment

Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson

“The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:9

“The Lord is good,
    a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,”

Nahum 1:7

“Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8

DSC_0199 publish

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.”

Psalm 107:1

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at sunrise along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Renew Your Perspective

/ mcalcagno / 2 Comments

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1

DSC_0061 publish

“I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14

(This photo was taken in September of 2020 at sunrise by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

The Grace Of God

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

John 1:17

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

DSC_0273 publish

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

(This photo was taken in June of 2020 at sunset by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

A Season Of Giving

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Remember that giving is about much more than money.  Too much time spent focused on self only leads to sorrow and trouble.  What has God blessed you with that you can give?  Who does God want you to give to?  Think about these things and act in faith.  Amen.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

DSC_0142_1 publish

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Galatians 6:9-10

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

One Hope

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:1-6

DSC_0228 publish

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

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

The Power Of Prayer

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The power of prayer does not come from what words you say or what order you say them in…the true power of prayer comes from the One who answers prayers and whether you believe in Him.  A prayer offered with doubt and hesitation or out of routine is not the same as one offered from the heart with honesty, sincerity and belief in God.  Pray and believe.  Amen.

DSC_0005 publish

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Mark 11:22-24

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

God’s Love Changes Lives

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is the most powerful thing in our world.  Nothing can compare to it…no matter where you are, no matter what has happened or is happening…God’s love can change what you believe is impossible.  Trust Him, seek His Word, believe, confess your sins and surrender you ways for His way.  Amen.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

1 John 4:7-11

DSC_0661 publish

“No 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 4:12

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

Honor Those Who Have Served

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

John 15:12-13

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

1 John 3:16

DSC_0681 publish

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Commitment

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.”

Matthew 22:37-38

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

Luke 9:23

DSC02384 publish

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

(This photo was taken in June of 2015 while traveling in South Dakota)