Learn, Teach, Give Thanks

February 1, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Faith is a journey. Not an event, not something we do to check the box…it is a life learning and life-giving experience. We learn by reading God’s Word, spending time in prayer and our own experiences…we share with others the things we have learned and we learn from others experiences…we help others by sharing the things we learn and we give thanks to God for all that He has done for us. God is with you, right now, today and He wants a relationship with you…turn towards Him every day…learn from Him…share with others what you have learned and give Him thanks and praise. Amen.

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“Let 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 3:15-17

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

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)

What A Friend

January 28, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What a friend we have in Jesus. He has done more for us than anyone ever could…He reconciled us to God. Here is a hand clapping, foot stomping song of praise and thanksgiving for our Friend, Jesus. Amen.

What A Friend by Matt Maher

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“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:6-8

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

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)

Perspective

January 2, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

Outlook…viewpoint…position…approach…frame of mind…attitude. What feeds your perspective? What are you consuming with your eyes, your ears and your mind? What experience or experiences are framing your view? All of these are inputs into your perspective and they shape your attitude. If we choose to allow our point of view to be shaped by what goes on around us in a world filled with me first, self-centered, get more attitudes we will become like the world. The best defense is to build a foundation within your heart and mind that is based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We can’t stop the world from trying to influence us, yet we can choose to turn away from the sin and run towards our Savior and Lord. Jesus said;

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Begin or continue to build a strong foundation for your everyday life…trust in the Lord and you will find peace. Amen.

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

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

Thanks Be To God

December 22, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is hope…even at times when it feels like there is no hope…God is still on the throne in heaven and even though things don’t go the way we want them to, or how we want them to, or things don’t happen when we want…we still have hope for the future because of Jesus Christ. No matter where you are or what is happening or not happening in your life, look around your life for what is good, look for what you can be grateful for and give thanks to God. Amen.

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“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:57

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

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)

The New Has Come

December 3, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

There is always hope for a new way and it begins by having a new attitude or new perspective. If you wish things to be different or you believe there is something missing in your life and you are not sure how to find it…you must begin by changing you. There is a phrase/quote that is used by some groups that sums this up really well…’the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different result.’ The bible also tells us this, we must become new again and see things with new eyes and a new attitude. We don’t have to do this alone; we can begin by turning towards Jesus Christ and inviting Him into our hearts and minds. May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

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

Contentment

November 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As the retail world bombards us with messages of the ‘greatest sale ever’…’lowest prices now’ and this year…’black Friday prices early’…it is a good time to seek contentment. This could be done by spending more time reflecting on all that we already have been given…realizing how much our needs are met each day and being…thankful. I find it interesting that the holiday intended to focus on gratitude is constantly getting pounded by the ‘get more’ self-focused attitude. Let’s work on becoming a new creation this holiday season and spend more time on being grateful for what we have, considering what abundance we can share with others and spend less time fulfilling our self-satisfying wants and desires. May the peace of the Lord be with you this holiday season. Amen.

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”

1 Timothy 6:6-9

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

Gratitude

November 15, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Where do you see God today? If you think for a moment where did you see Him at work yesterday? When was the last time you recognized what God has done for you and you took time to give Him thanks? An attitude of gratitude starts by taking time to acknowledge what needs have been met by God in your life and offering thanks to God for those blessings. It is easy to slip into a mode where we take things or people for granted. A decision to be grateful is a change in perspective that can put to rest the worries and anxiety about what we don’t have and redirect us back to giving thanks to the Lord. Thanks be to God for His love, mercy and grace. Amen.

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