Gratitude

April 4, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is needed now more than ever…the world focuses all it’s time on what is lost or has been taken away. Gratitude is an attitude, a choice. When you look at life you choose how you are going to view circumstances and that view depends on your beliefs. If your beliefs are based on the false truths the world teaches you are sure to be disappointed and have a negative view of life…if you build your beliefs on the foundation of a relationship with Jesus Christ you can seek the wisdom that comes from God and that can provide a peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen.

“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

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“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:18-20

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Add To Your Faith

April 1, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The faith journey is an on-going learning and growing process. It is about our relationship with Jesus Christ and how it impacts life. It is not a to do list of check the box things and move on to the next…it is interwoven into our daily life. We can choose to acknowledge it or not. If we want to know peace that surpasses all understanding…we should choose to explore faith and see what God has planned for our journey. Amen.

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“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Peter 1:5-8

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

He Is With You

March 23, 2020 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

No matter what, no…matter…what! No matter where you have been, no matter what you have done, no matter how long you have strayed or how long it takes you to learn…God is with you and waiting to hear from you. Profess your faith, confess you sins and trust in the one who stays with you through all things. Amen.

The God Who Stays by Matthew West

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake in Plymouth, Minnesota)

Taste And See

March 17, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

If ever there was a time to explore faith…to grab a bible, sit down and ask God the questions you want to ask…if ever there was a time to be able to step away from the busyness and read what God has said in the bible. As with everything, the current days are all about your perspective…you can choose to complain about what you can’t do or where you aren’t able to go…and focus on why a self-serving life is not satisfying…or you can take the opportunity to learn more about God your creator and to seek a relationship with Jesus Christ…take time to taste and see what faith is all about. Amen.

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

Psalm 34:8

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 while visiting the Bahamas)

Trust

March 16, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

Even when I can’t see, I trust you to guide and lead me. I don’t have all the answers but I know you love us and you are working for good things. Our sins in this world blind us to your goodness. Forgive us, comfort us and help us remain in your love every day. Thank you for sending your Son to save us and reconcile us to you. In His name we pray…Amen.

Blessing I Can’t See by Building 429

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

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

Redeemed

March 9, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We must be willing to give forgiveness, to let go of bitterness, anger and pain as our Father in heaven will forgive us. Forgive, be forgiven and you will find peace. Amen.

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

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“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:14-15

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

God’s Timing

March 8, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of our greatest struggles is trying to control or believing we are in complete control of time. If we live like this, we will experience tiredness, frustrations, fatigue and lacking energy because we are living apart from God’s will. God gives us free will and we have a responsibility in how we choose to live our lives and those choices have consequences. If you want to learn more about God’s time, pick up the bible, read Genesis or Ecclesiastes or whatever Book in the bible you choose…our time in life is about so much more than the numbers on our devices. Spend time with God each day and learn about His love, His plan and His time. Amen.

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“Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:14

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 in a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

With Hope

March 6, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The world looks at hope as wishful thinking, unrealistic or a daydream. The biblical definition of hope seems to be more like a confidence and belief in what God has promised and trust in His faithfulness. We may not ever fully understand or be able to comprehend things while we are here, yet with hope, provided by Jesus Christ we know that anything is possible. Be patient, be persistent, keep doing good things and believe with hope that comes only from God. Amen.

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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 June of 2013 while visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

God Speaks To Us

March 4, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

His Word is filled with His messages to us. If you have questions for God or about God, pick up a bible and begin to read. The bible is the Word of God and no matter how many times you read something in the bible it can be a new learning or new understanding unlike anything else. It never changes yet you can be changed forever. Amen.

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“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Hebrews 4:12-13

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

By Faith

March 3, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When our faith is strong our foundation is solid. When we live by faith our motives and our purpose are clear. When we walk in faith our troubles will not disappear but God has promised to walk through them with us. By faith we will know hope that surpasses all understanding. By faith we will find peace that comes from God. Amen.

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