Humility

Humility

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Where is the focus of our life?  What is the center of our existence?  When others say kind things about us or something we have done, while this is encouraging, do we remember the One who made it possible for us?  We all are so easily distracted and this can be how we are led away from God and His plan for us.  The Book of Proverbs is filled with great reminders and statements about holy living.  These were spoken by Solomon who had been blessed with incredible wisdom from God…even He succumbed to distractions in his life on earth.  Nobody is immune and that is why daily interaction and communication with Jesus Christ is essential to finding humility and staying humble.  May God’s mercy and grace wash over us each day.  Amen

DSC_0158 publish

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 11:2

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

Humble Yourself

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Admit it when we are wrong…forgive others when they are wrong…be grateful…reflect and confess our sins to God…choose to serve the needs of others.  These are just some of the ways to practice humility.  The messages we receive all around us are ‘get more’, ‘climb higher even if it means running over others’, ‘me first’, ‘look out for number one’.  To guide us at being better at humility we should read the teachings of Jesus.  Work at simplifying our lives and living with the hope of eternal life.  The past five days for me and my family has included two funerals, difficult times, and yet this morning I am struck by the fact that there are others all around us that are suffering everyday.  It is so easy to get swallowed up by our own world of existence…however, God gives us community and fellowship with each other to help guide us.  Don’t try and go it alone, be willing to accept that we need each other…all of us do.  May goodness and kindness surround you in your daily life.

DSC_1523 publish

“Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:4

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

Humility

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To say there seems to be less and less of this in the world is an understatement…more then ever we are hearing about people shouting about their individual rights or their me and my group first mentality, which just drives the motivation of others to put themselves first, which does nothing more that create division and violence.  Imagine if more people were working for fairness for all people…instead trying to push and pull others down to get a step up.  My guess is that this is because of a lack of trust in society.  People can’t trust that other people will be honest and work for the best intentions of all.  Selfishness.  Think about what it felt like when someone did something kind and generous for you that had no benefit for them.  That is where God is.  The only one who can overcome the rule of self in the human race is God.  He can be trusted, He has kept every promise He has ever made and He has one promise left.  Turn to God and pray, trust in Him and He will bring you peace.

DSC_0027 publish

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior in Ashland, Wisconsin)

Humility

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC08480 publish

The following are the words written by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians…

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:1-4

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

Be Humble

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

dsc_0438-publish

The words of the Apostle Paul written in his letter to the Philippians when speaking about the humility Christ displayed when he came down in human form…

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

To learn more about these verses read Philippians 2:1-18

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

Seek Humility

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC_1006 publish

Faith is a journey because it is not something to be reviewed and learned once and then you check the box and move on because now you can say ‘I know about Jesus and who he was’…Faith is about a relationship with God our Father, Jesus his Son and the Holy Spirit.  It is a daily interaction with the Lord like all important relationships and it is a re-dedication to doing our best to seek Jesus and the words and examples he sets for us…in his life, death and resurrection…He is risen and alive today and he loves you!

Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians…

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should not look only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:1-4

(This photo was taken earlier this week at Glacier National Park in Montana)

There Is One

/ mcalcagno / 2 Comments

DSC07554 publish

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:2-6

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)

Called to Peace

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC_0172 publish

“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.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:12-15

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

Be Compassionate and Humble

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC06482 publish

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

1 Peter 3:8-9

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