Do Good Things

January 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This statement is all about being focused on persistence and patience. We often get stuck on narrow minded results of our actions or words. We lose sight of the fact the God is working for the good of all people and each of us plays a role in a much larger story that we will not always be able to see the results of first hand. His will and His plans are so much greater than ours and so it comes down to our willingness to trust in God’s plan more than our own desires. We know what it means to do good, we understand how to bear fruit in our daily lives and it is our responsibility to strive to do those things and leave the rest up to God. As they say, God is good all the time and all the time God is good. May we be blessed to share the goodness of the Lord today and everyday. Amen.

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 on the shore of Elliott Bay in downtown Seattle, Washington)

The New Creation

January 23, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

We often believe the most difficult battles will come from what the world and others are doing to us. The actual battle that is most difficult to fight is within, it is the battle against the self. The self is stubborn, persisent and demanding, always wanting to be at the center of life regardless of how that impacts our actions and others around us. We are blessed with the opportutnity to choose our attitude, our behaviors, our values and our beliefs. Self-awareness is the first step in learning our tendencies and noticing the habits we have developed in our thoughts and actions. Self-awareness is learned through self-reflection, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, understanding your values and learning what situations and people bring about an emotional response from you. It often helps to keep a journal and it is important to invite God into the process…after all, He created you. The more you learn the better prepared you are to grow and change. Peace be with you on your journey. Amen.

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

2 Corinthians 5:17

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

Seek The Light

January 20, 2019January 20, 2019 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

In our daily lives we are surrounded by messages of temptations, judgements and propaganda telling us what we should think, what we need to do, what brand of this or that, that a ‘sensible’ person uses. In the era of social media it has evolved into pop-up ads and notifications within streams of other information. This is all the work of darkness and evil. No matter what outlet you choose the attempt to pull you away from God will be present. There is a light for all of us and it is the Word of God. Seek Him and His Word and you will find hope and peace in a dark world. Amen.

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“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalms 119:105

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

How Deep Is Our Faith?

January 19, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I have heard the faith journey described as a process of working from the inside, out. The first part of the journey is transforming and changing the inside of ourselves…our thoughts, our beliefs, our attitude and our behaviors…removing the focus on sinful desires and self-centeredness as we learn and grow in our personal relationship with Christ. As the inside changes we become better equipped to share what we have learned and to provide encouragement to others on the journey, just as we have been and will be given assistance on our own journey. The question today is regarding that inside part of the process…the learning and growing and the depth of our inside transformation is not to reach a destination. The more we learn and grow and spend time in our reltionship with the Lord the deeper and stronger that relationship becomes. As discussed yesterday the battles will come at us in this life and a deep, strong relationship with Christ is the most powerful weapon we have when it comes to fighting evil in this world. Continue to strengthen and grow your relationship with Jesus Christ. Amen.

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“But blessed in the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green, It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 while walking on a trail in the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Battles Along The Way

January 18, 2019 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

We read in the Bible about what this life will be like, it even has it in red letters for us to indicate that these are the words of Jesus…“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 Yet all of us attempt to get through things alone, at least the first time or several times for us slow learners. We are not alone on this journey…no matter who or what or how much trouble we are facing in this world nothing is to too big for God our Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Maybe in order for more humans to take note, life should come with a warning label…WARNING: Life will be difficult do not try this alone. Take time to seek Jesus, read about His life on earth, His teachings, His sacrifice, His victory. It is all available for you to read in God’s Word and God made sure you would have the opportunity to see it and to know Him. Peace to you on your journey. Amen.

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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 2013 near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

The Love Of God

January 17, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To know the love of God means you are in tune with your relationship with Him and you know Him versus just knowing about Him. The love God has for us isn’t something to be measured or compared to others. It is an experience, it is about a relationship with Jesus Christ, His one and only Son. It is the reason we were created, it is why Jesus sacrificed Himself for us and it is the one thing we can always count on in life, no matter what. Seek to learn about God’s love for you and spend time getting to know Him. Amen.

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“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

1 John 4:10

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

The Foundation Of Our Faith

January 15, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Jesus Christ. His birth, His life, His words, His teachings, His love, His grace, His mercy, His willingness to forgive us, His ability to take our punishment, His death, His resurrection. If you are looking for answers, seek Him…If you are struggling with a situation, ask Him what you should do…If you are grateful and thankful for blessings in your life, thank Him. He is our Light in a dark world. Open yourself up to Him and you will find peace and joy. Prepare The Way of the Lord in your heart. Amen.

Prepare the Way – Holy Redeemer Church, Performer: Daniel Schmit

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“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

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

What’s Different?

January 14, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

How has your faith shown up in your daily life? When you reflect on your attitude, your perspective and your daily living and compare it to a previous point in time, what do you notice has changed? Some of our old ways have faded, some are taking longer to adjust…this is the process of spiritual growth. Not everyone will encounter a burning shrub in the desert like Moses or directly encounter Christ on the road like Saul who became Paul. Our journey will be different, yet our God who is with all of us is the same. Be aware of who you are, the people in your life and what you can offer someone in need right where you are and pray. Pray for wisdom and courage, pay attention to what God is up to in your daily life. That alone will be different than the way we were before. Amen.

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“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

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

Trust

January 12, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Why is it so hard? What are we trusting? If my foundation of trust is related to how everything affects me…I will have very little trust of others…and they with the same perspective will have very little trust in me. If everyone has a center of self, then we all will be disappointed, frustrated and unable to trust. Stephen Covey talks about trust in relationships as an emotional bank account…with deposits and withdrawals. These are the behaviors we exhibit in our relationships. The faith perspective is what relationship is at the center of your life, your heart and your mind? Is it you with everyone else…or is it Christ and your relationship with Him? The world tells you that you are at the center of everything…the Scriptures tells us that Christ should be. This is a change in values, a change in perspective, a change in attitude…it takes time and Jesus Christ will be there with you every single step of the way. Amen.

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

Proverbs 3:5-6

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

The Cross

January 11, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I offer to you today some praise and worship through music. Think about the things that keep you distracted, struggling and full of worry…bring those things to the only place where you can find healing and peace. The Cross.

The Cross Has The Final Word by The Newsboys

The Cross Has the Final Word

Newsboys

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Sorrow may come in the darkest night
But the cross has the final word

There’s nothing stronger, nothing higher
There’s nothing greater than the name of Jesus
All the honor, all the power
All the glory to the name of Jesus

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Evil may put up its strongest fight
But the cross has the final word

There’s nothing stronger, nothing higher
Nothing greater than the name of Jesus
All the honor, all the power
All the glory to the name of Jesus

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
The Savior has come with the morning light
The cross has the final word

O-o-oh! Woah-o-o-oah!
All glory and honor is Yours
O-o-oh! Woah-o-o-oah!
All glory and honor is Yours
Is Yours!

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
He traded death for eternal life
The cross has the final word (oh nothing higher)

Oh, the cross has the final word (nothing better)
The cross has the final word (all the power)
The Savior has come with the morning light
The cross has the final word

Songwriters: Cody Carnes

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