Hope

When Trouble Comes…

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We all face trials and struggles.  The one thing we can control during these times and situatons is how we choose to respond.  Many of us quickly try to gain control and take charge, determined not to let the situation get the best of us…others do an about face and get away from the situation as quickly as we can.  All of us can do better if we start with bringing the situation, the difficult time or difficult relationship, start with bringing our anxieties and worries to God…First!  Not waiting until after it gets worse or something unexpected occurs…going into battle against darkness and evil without God is like a soldier heading into a battle without any weapon.  The more we turn towards God first the more likely we will find peace and be able to overcome the troubles of life.  Amen.

DSC06492 publish

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

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

His Sacrifice Saves Us

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter what you are facing…no matter what things are going on around you…no matter what decisions or worries you have…remember that Jesus Christ died once for all sins, for all people.  We all are broken, we all need His forgiveness for our sins.  God has shown us His grace and mercy through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Do not fret or be discouraged…trust in the Lord and you will find peace.  Amen.

DSC_0018 publish

“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

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Renew Your Strength

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Many aspects of life on earth can make us weary and tired, shaping our perspective to approach life with negativity, doubt and fear.  We often forget, daily, that we can choose our attitude and perspective for this day.  If we focus all our thoughts and energy on the problem and why me, then we may get stuck and begin to spiral downward.  We can be renewed and draw strength by turning our focus to the Lord.  No matter what you are facing remember God is in control and if you put your trust in Him, your strength will be renewed.  Amen.

DSC_0228 publish

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall;  but 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 40:29-31

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)

Easter Sunday…Christ Is Risen!

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

He is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!  Hope has been restored and renewed, Jesus Christ has defeated death.  Life is a gift, an experience to live and to share with one another, and with God in control all things are possible.  Put the risen Lord first in your life and you will find the Fruits of the Spirit.  Christ Is Risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

DSC06492 publish

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

 1 Peter 1:3

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

Troubles Can Be Overwhelming

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Our thoughts are often the driver of our hearts and our actions.  The more we think about and focus on something, the more likely it will lead us to doing something.  The problem is the amount of inputs and sensory overload we are getting from darkness and evil tend to keep us dwelling on our sins and the sinful nature within us.  It truly is a struggle and can be all consuming.  The only source of Light is Jesus Christ.  The only way to get help in removing the blinders to goodness and good things is God’s Word.  Faith will not make the evil and darkness disappear, rather it provides the tools and the resources we need to promote the Fruit of the Spirit.  Faith helps us shine the Light of Christ for us and others to see in this dark world.  Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ our Light of the World.  Amen.

DSC_0376 publish

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:21

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

Hope

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Sometimes it is all we have…often times we have a hard time seeing it.  We get consumed by our circumstances and our emotions.  Our hope is because of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.  All that is good is from God and all that is darkness and evil is from sin and the sinful nature.  We can trust in God to lift us up, to give us strength and to guide us to peace and joy.  It is up to us to seek Him and His will for us.  May the grace and mercy of God’s love be with us all.  Amen.

DSC_0485 publish

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave your nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

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

Faith

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Belief…trust…comfort…patience…persistence…love…joy…strength…encouragment…Hope!

May our faith help us to see and to know the presence of God’s love in our daily lives and relationships.  Amen.

What Faith Can Do – Kutless 

dsc_0001 publish

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

True Hope

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

People are constantly seeking answers to difficult questions in life from a worldly point of view.  Approaching situations with this perspective and mentality leads to phrases like…’I don’t know what else to do’…’It will never get better’…’I have tried everything’…’I give up.’  We were not made to do things alone.  We are created out of love and that love is from God.  He wants a relationship with us, all that is good in our lives is from God.  Darkness and evil, the bad things in life, are rooted in sin which is the way of this world.  Our hope, our peace comes from God and our time spent in our relationship with Jesus Christ, His Son, our Lord and Savior.  Be renewed by the hope that we have in Jesus.  Amen.

dsc_0396 publish

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.”

2 Corinthians 4:7-8

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Madeline Island in Lake Superior)

We Are In His Hands

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter where we are, no matter what our circumstances, we are held in God’s hands.  He is our Creator, our Savior and our Guide for this life.  Things will go wrong, people will make mistakes and darkness will try to overcome all.  What we need to remember is God knows us, God loves us and He is working for the good in our lives today and everyday.  He can renew us, restore us and strengthen us…when we invite Jesus into our hearts and minds and trust in Him.  Let go of the things that are not for you to control and know God has you in the palm of His hand.  Amen.

dsc_1523 publish

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24

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

 

Hope For The World

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The birth of Jesus is proof of God’s love for us.  God chose to send His Son to save us.  We will have struggles, suffering and difficulties in this world, yet our hope in goodness, kindness, compassion and love comes from our belief in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  We can’t control what other people will do, say or think and focusing all our time on trying to change someone else will only lead to frustration.  We can only control how we respond to others and the attitude we choose to present to the world.  Let us choose love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.  By faith, we can be the hope for the world by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and His saving grace for everyone.  May the peace and love of Christ be in us all today and in the New Year.  Amen.

DSC_0089 publish

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 5:3-5

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