Forgiveness

February 24, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This is something we need to give as much as we need to receive it. Forgiveness is more than God’s grace given to us through Jesus Christ…we need to be able to give forgiveness to others as well. If we choose to hold on to the pain, the bitterness and the anger it will eat away at our very life and end up affecting our relationships with everyone. To forgive is not to say someone gets a free pass for hurting you…it is the act of letting go of the things that are continuing to hurt you in your daily life. Christ will help you through this…come to Cross and give thanks to Jesus for His forgiveness of your sins and ask Him to help you find your way to give forgiveness. Amen.

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“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32

(This photo was taken in September of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

Amazing Grace

January 31, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the border of Minnesota and South Dakota)

Jesus Knows…

January 24, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

He lived a life on earth…He was born as a baby…He was a toddler…He was a teenager, we don’t get to read about that time in the bible but He had to live it to get to the age of 33…He experienced hardship, pain, bad things that other people did to Him, He experienced unfair judgement by people that didn’t know Him, He was bullied…He experienced temptations of the devil and He suffered punishment as an innocent man. Jesus knows about everything and anything you are facing in this life, not only because He is the Son of God but because He experienced life on earth with other people…just like you and me. Jesus knows and He wants to walk with you on your journey…there truly is no better guide for us in life than Jesus Christ. Amen.

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“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Hebrews 2:18

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

Saved By Grace

January 3, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we read in the Gospel of Matthew 26 and the Gospel of Luke 22 there is a section that describes Jesus taking 3 disciples with Him and going off to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane…in these moments of prayer we get to see both the human side and the Godly side of Jesus…He prays “…My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” – Matthew 26:39 In these moments right before He is to be arrested, which He knows is coming, Jesus pleads with God the Father to find a different way to save us…and in the same breath He shows us humility and God’s grace by surrendering to God’s will. We have been saved from God’s wrath by God’s grace. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:8-10

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

Repentance

December 31, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Acknowledge…admit…regret…sorrow…to turn away from wrong doing…to change. The prayer I have prayed the most in 2019 is Psalm 51…it was written by David after he had committed terrible sins…we are all broken, every person since the beginning of time, the sooner we can acknowledge where we are wrong the more we can grow in faith…come near to God and He will come near to you. May God’s forgiveness and love flow through you in the new year. Amen.

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“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

He Understands

December 11, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In the bible, Jesus is referred to as the Son of God and also as the Son of Man. During His life on earth He was God in human form. He knows what it is like to be one of us living on earth. If you have ever thought, ‘God doesn’t seem to care about me’ or ‘God is far too busy to care about my problems’…take a look at Jesus, read about His life in the New Testament of the bible…He knows about life on earth, He understands what you are experiencing. Trust in the Lord and you will find peace. Amen.

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“Jesus wept.”

John 11:35

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

A Prayer

November 22, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

There are many people written about in God’s word. They were people with lives on earth and time after time we read about the things they did in their life…they did some really bad things…lived sinful lives and hurt themselves and each other…scroll through your social media feed…turn on the a news channel…how are we any different today? We all have the same human sickness…sin and sinful behaviors. One person in the Old Testament, David, is described in Acts 13:22 as ‘a man after God’s heart’ this same man committed terrible sins when it came to a woman named Bathsheba. When confronted about his sin David wrote the words of Psalm 51 as a prayer for forgiveness of his sins. I find verses 10-12 of this Psalm powerful verses to memorize as a prayer when you are tempted by sin. May God’s grace and peace be with you. 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

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

Grace

October 8, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is hard to believe but truly anyone can be saved. Yes, even that person in your life. God’s grace is so much greater than our sins. The bible is filled with examples of people who had so many and such hurtful sin in their lives that God forgives. Read Jonah to see how much God will relent so that all people can be saved. Find it in your heart to forgive and pray for that person in your life…let them see the light of Christ in you. Amen.

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“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:4-5

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Be Humble

October 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Treat others with respect…be willing and able to ask for help…be grateful…be patient. When you are using your gifts to help and benefit others, they may say kind things to you and about you…give glory to God not yourself. He created you and blessed you…give Him thanks for your blessings and be thankful for the courage to use your gifts. The more we learn to be humble the greater we can be used by God. May God’s peace be with you. Amen.

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“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 14:11

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

Rich In Love

October 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter how far we wander off…God will invite us to come back to Him. His grace…His mercy…His compassion is all encompassing. Whatever your circumstances are…turn towards Jesus Christ…He died to save you and He is ready to walk with you. Amen.

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