Peace

May 7, 2020 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

True peace is from God. It is a perspective and an attitude that is not rooted in worldly desires amd motives. The path to peace begins when we turn in faith towards Jesus Christ and trust in His way. Amen.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7

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“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

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

Living In God’s Love

May 6, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Who we are in our daily lives says a great deal about our relationship with God. What we value and how we treat each other says more about us than our job title or the company we work for ever could. Cherish each day and the people in your life that mean the most to you. Live in God’s love. Amen.

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“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at the Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)

My Soul Finds Rest

May 4, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
²Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Psalm 62:1-2

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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 July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

He Will Renew Their Strength

May 3, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When you become tired and weary…frustrated and exasperated…looking for answers and your mind is swirling with questions…turn towards the Lord. Focus on Him, bring Him your worries and your burdens…He will help to quiet your mind and bring peace to your spirit. The Lord is a refuge for those who seek Him and nothing in this world can take His place. Amen.

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“Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹but 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 40:28-31

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

The Love Of Christ

May 1, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

This is the foundation of our relationship with Him. His love for us is the reason He sacrificed Himself to reconcile us with God, even though we are sinners. Even while He hung on the Cross He pleaded for our forgiveness. No matter what happens in your life never forget how much Christ loves you. Amen.

“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”^[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

Luke 23:34

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“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:16-19

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)

Take Time To Be Still

April 30, 2020April 30, 2020 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

“Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Psalm 37:7

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“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 46:10

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

An Encounter

April 29, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

The difference between faith and religion…faith is about trust and belief because we have experienced the Presence of God in our lives. Has it happened to you? It is hard to put into words…unexplainable…a time for me was putting together and delivering the eulogy at my father’s funeral. Not something I ever could have done alone…when I think about that time words are few, yet the ones that come to mind are comfort, unusual peace, clear thinking…that doesn’t fully cover it but what I can come up with…in the book of Exodus Moses was up on the mountain for 40 days with God without food or water, yet it does not say he felt hunger or thirst. An encounter with the Presence of God is unlike anything else in life. May His Peace be with you. Amen.

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“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14

(This photo was taken in September of 2014 on a walk near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Wait for The Lord

April 27, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Where have you seen God at work in your life? When you look back across your past, what moments or decisions do you believe God was working on for your good? He loves us and is always with us. When you pray? How do you pay attention for His response? He speaks to us many different ways. Be persistent, be patient and wait for the Lord. Amen.

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

Psalm 27:13-14

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

Nobody Like You

April 24, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Good morning. This morning has started as one of those days that I can’t stop hearing the words of a song playing over and over in my mind. The message in the words is clear…listen to the words of this song. I believe that God speaks to us in many different ways and it is up to us to listen. May peace and comfort be with you through the love of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Nobody Loves Me Like You by Chris Tomlin

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“Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
⁵Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.”

Psalm 25:4-5

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Hope

April 23, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What drives it? Why do we have it? It comes from belief…it comes from trusting. Even when no one believes there is any hope…hope persists. Think about the day Jesus was crucified…nobody, not even the disciples had hope. Jesus, their teacher, the one who performed miracles had died…yet with God anything is possible. Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia! The stories of hope with God in the bible go on and on…Sarah who was barren has a son…Moses and the Red Sea…Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survive the fiery furnace…Daniel in the lion’s den…Mary the virgin gives birth to Jesus and on and on it goes. Don’t give up hope…trust in God. Amen.

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