Believe

March 22, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

God loves you…God is with you…Bring all your worries and your fears to the Cross and trust in Him who died to save you. Our faith is free but it is not cheap, when you plant the Word of God in your heart nobody can take that from you. Believe in God the Father…believe in Jesus Christ His Son our Lord and live knowing…God loves you…God is with you. Amen.

We Believe by The Newsboys

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“Do not let you hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”

John 14:1

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

The Grace Of God

January 29, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have been saved…the battle has been won. Jesus Christ gave of Himself to save us and to reconcile us back to God. We are not made to do life alone, God our Creator made us out of His love and His Son sacrificed His life because of His love for us and the Holy Spirit is guiding us through our days with God’s love. We haven’t earned it, we don’t deserve it. It has occured because of the mercy and grace of God our Father. He is not a distant figure in the sky looking for ways to punish us for every mistake, He is doing everything for our good, not according to our plans rather according to His. We would do well to turn towards God and thank Him and seek to grow our relationship with Jesus Christ. Amen.

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“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling through northern Colorado)

Change

January 28, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Life is not about what the world and other people are doing to us, it is about what are we doing to be a light, to encourage others, to be helpful and supportive, what are we doing to be different? Micah Tyler released a song last fall…he introduces the story behind the song in the video I am sharing today about change and being different.

Different by Micah Tyler

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“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalms 51:10

(This photo was taken in December of 2013 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

How We Connect

January 6, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

People and relationships, these are two important elements in seeking and finding peace and joy in life. The world says that money and comfort/convenience is what you need to be happy. Focusing on others feeds our spiritual life and focusing on the self only feeds the self. As with everything in life it is our choice. God is pretty clear about the value of free will. He is not interested in having a people that just do things at His command. We are responsible for our behavior and the way we treat each other. The best place to start is with our relationship with Jesus Christ…begin, continue or renew your relationship with our Lord and Savior and will find peace. Amen.

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Colossians 3:12-13

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 on Paradise Island, Bahamas)

Grace

November 23, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This has been defined as the unmerited favor and love of God. It is because of the grace of God we can be saved. Along our faith journey we will trip, we will stumble and we will get knocked down by sin and the sinful nature. It is not a matter of if this will happen, rather it is about when it happens how do we choose to respond? God’ grace provides us a way to get back up, to keep trying to do better. The bible is filled with examples of people who stumbled significantly in their lives, we are not alone in our mistakes. Jesus Christ came to save them and to save you and me. No matter what the struggle is, no matter what level of darkness you feel like you are surrounded by…God’s grace is for you too. He loves you and He sent His Son to give you the way back to Him and His love for you. I pray we trust in God’s grace and love to guide us in overcoming all obstacles and for His way to lead us in our lives. Amen.

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“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

Mercy And Compassion

October 20, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Grace…forgiveness…kindness…sympathy…generosity…tenderheartedness. It seems like sometimes people with these character traits are cast aside by society as weak or out of place. The fact is these behaviors are what make a community, a business, a church and a family strong and connected. It is focusing on living in this way that encourages others and keeps us from dwelling on self-centered behaviors. This reminds me of bible verses in the New Testament, such as: “…The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Luke 10:2) Meaning the number of people hurting, suffering and in need is many but those willing and able to help is few. Prayer and acting with these behaviors and finding the way God is asking you to serve others is a wonderful way to turn towards God and step out in faith on your faith journey. May we all be strong and courageous in showing mercy and compassion to others. Amen.

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“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.”

Zechariah 7:9

(This photo was taken in July of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Amazing Grace

September 29, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This is the message God has put on my heart this morning. Below are the words, I encourage you to go find your favorite recording of it and listen to it. May God’s love, joy and peace be with you.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

Written by John Newton

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God…”

Ephesians 2:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

Compassion

September 15, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To be helpful…thoughtful…aware of the suffering of others…a desire to provide help and support…understanding the needs of another. One of the strongest elements of humility is compassion. Being aware that others are suffering and need assistance and then going and doing something that provides help and support. We all have different roles in our relationships with others, which means there are many different ways for us to provide help and support depending on who needs us and what has happened to them. When you know or get a sense inside you that you should do something for someone else but you are unsure what it is you should do, do not ignore that feeling, turn to the Lord and ask Him to help guide you to what the other person needs…then listen and watch for His reply. Be careful not to do something you believe they need from your perspective, rather be sensitive and aware of what they say they need. Compassion does not have to be something difficult and complex in order to be helpful…often times it is the simple and thoughtful things that make the biggest difference for others. May God’s grace and mercy flow through us and into our relationships.

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9

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

God’s Grace

July 19, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

He calls us…He is speaking to us in a variety of ways…He knows the mistakes we have made…He forgives us…He lifts us up…He loves us. In all that comes at us on a daily basis in today’s world we are bound to mess up. Whether we are trying to do too many things for too long or trying to control the outcome of events, we were not made to do things this way. We have been given the gift of God’s grace…we don’t deserve it, we can’t earn it. He gives it to us freely, it is up to us to turn to Him, to praise Him, to seek His guidance and know that He will carry us through anything in this life. “Not to us, O Lord not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 115:1) God is our Creator and He loves us unconditionally, He wants us to have good things, take your burdens to Him. May you know God’s grace and mercy in your life.

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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 2018 at a park in New Hope, Minnesota)

The Needs Of Others

June 21, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We all have been given gifts and talents to use in the world. While we are all unique the gifts we have are to be used to not only support ourselves, they are also the way we can help others in need. It is important to learn and accept the gifts and talents God has given us and to seek out ways to use them to honor God. Selfishness is running rampant all over the world and therefore the needs of people are many. Can we help everyone? No. Does that mean we should only worry about ourselves? No. We should strive to do whatever we can, for whomever we can, whenever we can, wherever we are…even if it only helps one person in that moment in time, it is helping someone in need. May God’s grace and peace be with you.

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