What Is Faith?

June 17, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is belief…it is trust…it is confidence…it is optimism…it is hope and it exists because of God’s love and what He has done for us. It is not complex, it is simple. Faith and religion are not the same thing. Faith is about your personal relationship with Jesus Christ…religion is about the ways people choose to practice their faith. Your faith is between you and God, first. Start by seeking Him, believing in Him and trusting Him and He will guide you and your life from that point forward through any and all circumstances. Amen.

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“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 August of 2016 near Glacier National Park in Montana)

Comforted

June 13, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To restore a sense of well-being…to soothe…console…reassure…to ease the grief or burden. To pursue your faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is about finding your starting point or ending point to each day. It is about coming back to the place that most feels like home in your heart. If you are seeking this comfort, choose a time that works for your situation and every day spend time with God…it will change your life in ways you can’t imagine. Amen.

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“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:31

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

He Cares For You

June 12, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When situations in life bring us down or when we are struggling and our path is difficult, our human minds may wonder, ‘does God care what is happening to me?’ God is always with you…when you find yourself in a place like this, stop and pray. Not some memorized words, rather a real heart felt prayer asking God to help you see your way forward. God does care for you…He sent His Son to die on a cross to save you and to be able to have a relationship with you. Seek Him and His will for you and your life and you will find peace. 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 August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Prepare The Way

June 10, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. He gave up everything to save us and to reconcile us with God. Seek Him and prepare your heart and mind to follow Him in all that you do. In Him we will find peace, courage, strength, wisdom, joy and love. There is nothing on earth that can compare to Him. Amen.

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“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”

John 1:5-9

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

What Do We Learn?

June 9, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To be patient…to be courageous and to seek wisdom. To trust in the Lord and to keep doing good things whenever you can. We learn that all that is good comes from God and we are blessed to be a blessing to others. We learn that God the Father is our Creator and Jesus Christ is His one and only Son who sacrificed Himself to save us and that when we believe we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Spend time reading God’s word and praying…learn about the amazing relationship available for each of us with God because of Jesus. Amen.

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“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14

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

Persistence

June 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Do not give up…don’t assume you know the outcome…they say failure is a stepping stone to success…or as Dory the fish says “just keep swimming.” We will always have the opportunity to stop trying to do something. Maybe the answers for a situation are related to trying a new approach or a new way rather than quitting. If we are able to surrender control and trust in God and His plan, we may find new outcomes we didn’t imagine were possible. Bring your worries and struggles to the Cross and let Jesus lead the way. Amen.

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“Let us not become weary of 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 June of 2013 near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)

Humility And Strength

June 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It’s not about me…it’s not about how everything affects me or makes me feel…I am not the center of everything. Each of us is one person, created by God and how we choose to live and interact with others on a daily basis is what we can control more than anything. Our actions and how we choose to respond to the actions of others is up to us. Put God first, read His word and pray. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and give thanks to Jesus Christ for His love, His mercy and His grace…if you are wondering how will I ever do this or get through this…know that strength can be found in weakness. Amen.

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“…For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:10

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

Give Thanks

June 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Focus on what is good…focus on the blessings you have been given…what are the gifts and talents God has given you that you can share with others? There is nothing that can separate us from God’s love. He created us and this world, He has given us free will, He has kept His promises to us…it is up to us to seek Him and His will…it is up to us to pick up God’s word and read, it is up to us to pray and deepen our relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God for all He has given us. May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“…Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:19-20

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

Beyond Forgiveness

June 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have been saved…the price has been paid…God has forgiven us for our sins. However, this is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of the rest of your story and your faith life. There is more for you to learn and do…there is a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ beyond forgiveness. Jesus is your Savior but is He the Lord of your life? Turn toward God in prayer and ask Him to help you see what’s next? Amen.

God’s Not Done With You by Tauren Wells

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“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6

(This photo was taken in August of 2018 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Friends

May 30, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Often times, not always, these are the people who are more like our brothers and sisters than the ones in our family. There is trust, honesty, a sharing of experiences, giving as often as receiving and love. Some friends are only for a period of time in our life and others last the whole way through, even when there are gaps of time. Like everything else that is good they are a gift from God. Who are your true friends? Give thanks to God for those people and say a prayer for them and their life this day. Amen.

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