Surrender and Rest

January 3, 2022 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

This post was originally published in November of 2021…

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

Luke 9:23-24 NIV

The more we try to take control and hold on tight to all circumstances the more life slips through our fingers. We were never meant to carry all of our burdens alone; we are not meant to fix everything or try to get things to meet our expectations. God doesn’t need us to define our purpose in life, only our surrender to bring us to it. Turn towards Him and daily give yourself to His way in your life. Trust the Lord with everything. Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest. ²⁹Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls. ³⁰Serving me is easy, and my load is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NIRV

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

Surrender and Rest

November 21, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Luke 9:23-24 NIV

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Matthew 11:28-30 NIRV

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

His Way

November 19, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

Stay focused, stay patient, stay committed. Too often in life we get distracted by our surroundings or circumstances. This is the work of darkness and evil…the less time we spend with God the less committed we will be to Him. Some days will be more difficult than others…yet be persistent and don’t give up. God loves you, He is with you, trust His Way. Amen.

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“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:10-12 NIV

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while traveling through the state of Washington)

Purpose

October 30, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Everything has now been heard.
And here’s the final thing I want to say.
Have respect for God and obey his commandments.
This is what he expects of all human beings.”

Esslesiastes 12:13 NIRV

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,^[a] for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 ESV

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“So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. ²⁰Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.”

Matthew 28:19-20 NIRV

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

Commit Your Way To The Lord

October 24, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Commit to the Lord everything you do.
Then he will make your plans succeed.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIRV

“In their hearts human beings plan their lives.
But the Lord decides where their steps will take them.”

Proverbs 16:9 NIRV

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“I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIRV

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)

Walking With God

September 24, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^[b] ¹⁵If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

¹⁶So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Galatians 5:13-16

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“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly^[a] with your God.”

Micah 6:8

(This photo was taken in October of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Teach Me Your Way

August 6, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.”

Psalm 27:11

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.”

Psalm 143:8

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“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3

(This photo was taken in July of 2021 at Alberta Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Serve One Another

August 2, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 4:8-11

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

Galatians 5:13

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“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2

(This photo was taken in July of 2021 at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Doing Good

July 5, 2021 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Galatians 6:7-10

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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

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

Only God Can…

June 22, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Save us…

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

Heal us…

“He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.”

Psalm 147:3

Comfort us…

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

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