Gratitude

July 16, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What are you thankful for today? Instead of stewing on what’s wrong, what you don’t have or what you can’t do…think about what’s good, what you do have and what you can do and give thanks to God for the good things and good people in your life. Don’t be too quick to overlook the gifts and blessings God has given you because He has promised to care for you and provide for your needs (Philippians 4:19; Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 41:10; John14:27). Thanks be to God for all He has done for us and continues to do in our daily lives. Amen.

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
²    Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
³Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his^[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at Palisade Head along the north shore of Lake Superior)

Trust

July 15, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A core element of Faith. It is usually based on the words and actions that are demonstrated to us in relationship. It is interesting to think about how easily we trust ourselves or other people sometimes and yet we are resistant to trust God and His plan. If anyone has made promises and delivered on them every time it is God not us. Turn towards God for everything, trust in Him and His will and you will see the goodness of the Lord. Amen.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

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“Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
¹¹For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

¹²Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.”

Psalm 84:10-12

(This photo was taken in June of 2020 at sunset on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

The Lord Is Good To All

July 14, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We live in a fallen world (Genesis 3) and we are surrounded by the sinful nature and our own sins. We have been told in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33) …so we should expect it. However, we still have hope because of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross for us. He has taken on all the sin of the world and has given us a Way to the Father. Trust in the Lord, do good things because the Lord is good to all He has made. Amen.

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

⁹The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 on the north shore on Lake Superior)

Peace And Hope

July 13, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Our source of peace, our source of hope…only God can provide peace and hope that can endure all troubles and suffering. The peace of Christ in your heart will hold you up through the most painful moments in your life and the hope from God will guide you on your path as events and circumstances, that you do not control, change in your everyday life. When we are willing to be humble, to confess that we have done wrong and we turn towards God and seek Him…we will find peace we never knew existed and we will have hope we have never seen before. May God’s peace be with you. Amen.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

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“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 May of 2020 at the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park in noerthern Minnesota)

Jesus

July 12, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Originally posted in December of 2019…

Immanuel…Light of the World…King of Kings…Lord of Lords…The Good Shepard…Bread of Life…Living Water…Prince of Peace…Wonderful Counselor…Lamb of God…The Truth…The Way…The Savior of the World. Amen.

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

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

Friendships

July 11, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Originally posted in August of 2014…

Being a friend means listening…just listening.

Being a friend means putting the needs of others before your own.

Being a friend means making time to be together.

Friends can share thoughts…thoughts about dreams and goals as well as disappointments and frustrations without judgment.

Being a friend means laughing together…often.

Being a friend means offering your shoulder when someone needs to cry because the pain is too great to be alone.

A friendship is a give and take relationship…if your give and take are not balanced evenly the friendship will suffer.

This give and take in relationships is also necessary in your spiritual life…your friendship with Jesus requires both give and take…

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know the master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

John 15:15

We all have a friend in Jesus. Begin or continue to listen, to make time, to share your dreams and frustrations, to laugh with your friend Jesus…it is the one friendship that will definitely last forever.

Peace.

Our Refuge In The Storm

July 9, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Originally posted in October of 2019…

When danger is approaching, where should we go to seek cover? Where can we be safe? Who can help us in our time of need? God is our rock and our refuge…He shields us and delivers us from the things that try to take hold of us. Our emotional reactions can quickly escalate and get out of control…God can help us with self-control. A relationship with Jesus Christ is a strong foundation that can withstand anything in this world. Seek the Lord in prayer and pick up a bible…read God’s word and take refuge from the storm. Amen.

Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2

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

Contentment

July 6, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Originally posted in July of 2019…

I hope you have enjoyed the music and listening for God in the talent of those who have been blessed to share the Good News through song over the last few weeks. This morning I am struck by gratitude for all the good things God has given. There is so much to be thankful for and yet we often choose to wish for things to be different or to have more or less of something. It seems to be human nature to desire more in some way, however, true joy and peace is found only in contentment. Think about how much we can enjoy the present moments in life each day if we begin with gratitude and thankfulness for what blessings we have been given and put Christ in the center of our lives rather than ourselves and our desires. Thanks be to God for all He has done for us and may the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

1 Timothy 6:6-7

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at sunset on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Compassion

July 5, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

Originally posted in September of 2018…

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)

Put Your Hope In God

July 4, 2020 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

Originally posted in December of 2018…

Good morning. Welcome to a new day. There are many things happening in your life today, yet God is still with you because He loves you. Sharing the lyrics and music of the song on my mind this morning. Here is “Find Rest” by Francesca Battistelli

“Find Rest”

He never sleeps, He never slumbers
He’s been awake at every hour
No tear catches Him by surprise
He’s never lost, He never runs out
He never lives in the shadows of doubt
No fear catches Him by surpriseFind rest my soul
Put your hope in God
Put your hope, put your hope in God

He always is, He always will be
He always has been everything I need
How can this be catching me by surprise
He’s ever strong, He’s ever faithful
His love is real, now nothing is impossible
‘Cause nothing catches Him by surprise

Find rest my soul
Put your hope in God
Put your hope, put your hope in GodI close my eyes, and I can see
The arms of mercy holding me
I close my eyes, and I can see
The arms of Jesus holding me

Find rest my soul
Put your hope in God
Put your hope, put your hope in GodPut your hope in God
Put your hope in God

Songwriters: Francesca Battistelli / Ian Eskelin / Jared Anderson

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