Serve To Meet The Needs

March 1, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we look at what we do each day for work or what we are doing as a part of our daily routine…sometimes we find ourselves asking, ‘Why am I doing this?’ What is my purpose here?’ It is difficult to remember that our reason sometimes is just to provide for our families, friends or relatives who need us. A parent who stays at home to care for a child actually can easily see their purpose, it is to provide for the needs of the child, not to serve themselves but strictly to provide for the needs of another. The interesting part about this, is that purpose is true for all of us all the time…God wants us to love our neighbor as ourselves, care for the needs of others. For some reason we get caught up in the messages of the world that we become focused more of ourselves and less on others and then when we get older we start to wonder, ‘Why am I doing this?’ ‘What is my purpose?’ If we spend time in the Word of God and read about what He has planned for us, it is simple…focus on meeting the needs of others, not just financially but in all ways in relationship, spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, etc. May God’s peace be with you and those you serve today.

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“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:4

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at a rest area in South Dakota)

Every Person Is Unique

February 28, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We all have something that is different or unique about who we are today. It is these differences that make us interesting and uniquely qualified to help others in some way. Unfortunately, due to human behavior we have taken our differences as something to be judged by, a referendum that is reviewed on social media, chewed up by the general public and pushed aside as broken and no good. If we look to find out how we are to use our unique abilities we must consult with the One who made us. Every interaction we have is with another person created by God. This leads me to one of my favorite quotes – “Be kind to others because every person we encounter is fighting a battle we know nothing about” (many sources attributed to this quote). The point is God has a plan for each one of us and a purpose for us and because He created us out of His love it is a plan and purpose for our good. May your uniqueness be a blessing to others today.

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“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:9-12

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)

True Peace

February 27, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is only one way to find real peace while living on earth. There is only one who is our Savior, who gave himself up for us so that we may have life. There was no bargaining…He didn’t say I will do this for you if…He did it because He loves us unconditionally. In all the world and in all of human history you can only find true peace in Christ Jesus.

Several years ago I was a chaperon for a lock-in with the youth at the church…we were playing a game through out the church, I forget the name, but if your got caught during the game you had to go to prison. While in prison you would compete against others in bible trivia…if you answered correctly you were free to leave. One young lady decided early on no matter what the question, she had one answer…Jesus. She would say it quickly and excitedly even before I could finish reading the question…I would read ‘What was the name, Jesus! she would say…it seems she had figured out faith more quickly than most of us. No matter what questions or situations you are facing in your life the only answer is…Jesus!

May God’s peace be with you.

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

1 Peter 5:7

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Forgiveness

February 26, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Holding on to anger, rage and bitterness is unhealthy. We know this is true. Yet we still struggle to overcome the emotions of events. To be able to exercise forgiveness we need to fully understand the intent. It is not intended to say that an offender has been excused for their actions…rather it is a statement that we are not going to let the poor choices and actions of another keep us held in a state of stress and anxiety. Forgiveness should also be tied to some action to make a better future. If we hold on to the anger and bitterness they will show up in all areas of our lives and this is a destructive pattern. When we decide to forgive we are setting ourselves free from heading down a path of darkness. Again I offer a musical reference to speak to this message…check out this song called Forgiveness by Matthew West. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be 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 August of 2016 near Lake Dillon in Colorado)

Be Led By The Spirit

February 25, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In order to make change in the world that will last the best place to focus on changing is human behavior. An excellent place to start is with yourself. If you are willing to take on such a challenge you will find quickly that this type of change is difficult, especially for the human race. A change that will last can’t be done alone…will power, will only get one so far because we are weak and broken and we live in a world of darkness. A real change in behavior requires surrender. After we live for so long trying every which way to do things the way we believe they should be done and we become exhausted with the results…we become ready to ask God for help. This is just human nature. He will still take us up on the request no matter when in life you ask. When you realize that your only hope is in God and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit…go all in…this doesn’t mean go quickly…it means go in wholeheartedly with all that you have to give…completely surrender to God’s plan and you may be surprised at what is in store for you, your life and your relationships with others. May God’s peace be with you.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

What Faith Can Do…

February 24, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I have hope each day…I believe there is goodness in people (sometimes it is buried pretty deep inside)…I believe in helping others where and when I can…I believe that love conquers hate and anger…I believe in forgiveness…I feel anguish over the pain and suffering in the world…I strive to be patient (this one is really hard sometimes)…I am thankful for the people and relationships in my life…I am humbled by God’s creation of the earth and nature…

Do all of these statements and many others mean my life is easy? Or do I view life as easy?…Um no…in fact it is very difficult some days, however, as I started today by saying…I have hope.

Why?

Because of Jesus Christ and what He did for me and you…He came, He lived, He died and He has risen…and best of all He is coming back again!

I close with a great musical description called – What Faith Can Do by Kutless

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“Then Jesus told him, “Because have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:29

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

Prayer Does Matter…

February 22, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we don’t know what to do…we should pray. When someone acknowledges us with a positive comment…we should say a prayer of thanks. When something happens that makes us angry…we should stop and pray for God to guide our response. When we are blessed with an increase in pay…we should pray to ask God how can we share some of it. When we we are feeling alone in the world…we should pray to God to show us His presence. When a friend or family member is suffering from illness…we should pray to God to be with them with healing comfort. And one of the most important parts of prayer is not only speaking to God…we also need to be ready to Listen…there many ways God can speak to us…pay attention to your surroundings and what you hear and see in your everyday life. Prayer matters to God, how do I know? I know because Jesus told us it does…it is not about the right words or the right prayer or the right time…it is just about doing it, always and let God be your guide. May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“pray continually”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

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

He Knows

February 21, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter what you are going through in your life, whether you are filled with joy and gratitude about how well things are going or if you are struggling with sadness, pain and sorrow…God knows right where you are. In your every day He is with you, His Son came to earth and lived as a man and in His life here He experienced a wedding, friendship with individuals and a group, sadness, struggle with temptations. He traveled and experienced many of the same things we do today, just at a different time in the history of the world. The point is He knows what it feels like to feel all alone and to be tempted by evil and Satan himself. Trust in God and especially Jesus Christ His Son…He knows exactly what you are going through and is waiting to connect with you. May God’s love and peace be with you.

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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 September of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

Transformation

February 14, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A process of change or alteration…on our faith journey this is a core element in growing your faith. We come with questions, doubts, fears and hesitation. All the answers eventually end up at Jesus. It takes a different amount of time for each person to process the questions and doubts and fears but we all end up at the cross. That is not the end…Jesus and the cross are the answers and when we continue in our life and journey we take that knowledge and face many of the same questions, doubts, fears and hesitations only now we approach the things of this world with a new perspective because we have been transformed. The faith journey continues with the Holy Spirit guiding us, we can’t stop at the cross and not go out again into this fallen world…the love of God will change our perspective and we are to share that with others. May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Prayer

February 7, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Growing up prayer was about being able to memorize the lines of the Lord’s prayer, however, there wasn’t much talk about or at least I don’t remember hearing about the meaning of what we were saying and I don’t believe I was told that you can say other things or that you should take time to listen to God as well. I was taught more about a one way street, me speaking to God, and most television shows or movies at that time would indicate that a relationship with God meant keeping Him in a box with a glass door that read “In Case of an Emergency Break Glass.” Only in my adult life have I learned about a deeper prayer relationship and sitting in nature or in the quiet and listening. The ability to communicate daily and to grow in your time with God is a blessing…in means slowing down and not taking your cues from the frenetic rush of society or social media. It is about being present and aware of your surroundings and living each day. Prayer is the place to start connecting or re-connecting with God. May God’s peace be with you.

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