Worry And Anxiety

January 19, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The first time I highlighted some verses in my bible it was Matthew 6:25-34…they stood out to me. They told me something nobody else has ever told me about worries, fears and anxiety…those verses told me why I don’t need to worry all the time about everything. God is in control, He knows what we need and He knows what is best for us…now when we get off track and try to live our lives separate from God we end up getting ourselves in some pretty dicey situations…that is not God doing that to us that is all on us. So, if we want to see change in our lives and our situations it is up to us to put God first in our lives and to seek His will. Life will still have trouble but we know with God all things are possible. Amen.

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

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

Rest With Him

January 18, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What can we do…where can we go…to get a moment of rest? True rest and refreshment of your mind, body and spirit is found when we take time to rest with God. It can be in prayer, reading God’s Word or even just sitting quietly in a peaceful environment. There are these and many more ways to spend time in your relationship with God…how you do this is between you and Him…if you do this, well that is all up to you. Take time to rest with Him. Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while visiting Rocky Mountain National Park)

Trust

January 17, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Firm belief…confidence…faith…count on…believe in…truth…certainty…love. The darkness and evil of the world are constantly working to turn us away from God and God is constantly speaking to us. Seek Him, seek His will, believe He has good things planned for you and be patient. Amen.

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

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

God’s Love

January 16, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is powerful…it has been sent to us in the form of His one and only Son…it can flow through us when we show love to one another…it has stood the test of time and it will endure forever. Amen.

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“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. 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 4:9-12

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

Do Your Best

January 15, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The struggle is real…we strive and we press to finish and to see the result…only to find the race is not over…there is more that needs to be done. We were made for community to lift each other up and encourage one another. Each of us has been given different gifts to offer to others, we can’t be everything to everyone and if we try, we will be going off course with God’s plan. Learn what God has planned for you and the blessings and abilities He has given to you for this life. Seek to do your best according to God’s will and you will find peace. Amen.

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:1-3

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

Transformation

January 14, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Change…modify…reshape…rebuild…renew. This is the work of the Holy Spirit within us. We are not able to do this alone, although we often try. In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us the answer to the question, ‘how can I change?’ “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6 If you truly want to seek a change in your life seek your relationship with Jesus Christ first and you will be transformed. Amen.

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“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24

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

Reflect And Give Thanks

January 12, 2020 / mcalcagno / 4 Comments

It is so easy to stay in “go” mode…day in and day out. Moving from one thing to the next with the calendar driving how we spend our time. When we learn to stop and reflect, we get the opportunity to realize and appreciate what blessings and gifts God has given us. No matter where we have been, who we have been with or what we have done or left undone…God has been right there with us every day, every step of the way. Take a moment to reflect on your life and give thanks to God. Amen.

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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

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

He Is Our Hope And Peace

January 11, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Our Hope…

“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

Our Peace…

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

John 14:27

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(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the south shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin. The bible verse creation is courtesy of the Bible Lens App)

Nothing Can Separate Us

January 10, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is nothing on earth in your life that is more powerful than the love of God…nothing. Trust in the Lord…He sacrificed His life to reconcile us with God…this is the greatest gift you will ever receive. Turn towards God and trust in Him. Amen.

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“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:37-39

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

Hope

January 8, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is always hope…if you can’t see it or don’t believe it…look again. Life is not about whether or not hope exists, rather it is about what you see and what you believe…there is always hope. If you don’t believe it maybe you are looking for it in the wrong place…have you ever lost something where you live, like keys or something similar and you are certain of the last place you saw them and you scour the area all around with no luck? Then eventually you find them in a completely different place that has nothing to do with your original thought? If you don’t see hope or don’t believe it exists you may be looking for it in the wrong place…pick up a bible and read, turn towards Jesus Christ and pray and you will find hope. Amen.

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