Run To The Lord

October 24, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

Life will be filled with times of joy and peace and times of struggle, frustration and sadness. This is true for everyone in every season of life. The one steady and stable thing we can cling to is Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. There is nothing He can’t handle, no circumstances or loss or celebration He is not aware of or walking us through. We were never promised life would be easy, however, we were promised that God will be with us through it all. Run to the Lord…He is right there waiting for you. Amen.

DSC_0939 publish

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

The Joy Of The Lord

October 22, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ¹²My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:9-12 NIV

When you feel lost, discouraged and unsure of what to do or where to turn. Put you hope in God. Turn towards Jesus Christ and offer up your situation to God in prayer. Pray to the God of the universe who is with you and for you…no matter what. Priase Him and trust His way. The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Joy Of The Lord by Rend Collective

DSC00094 publish

“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

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

God’s Love And Faithfulness

October 16, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

No matter where we go or what we do God’s love and faithfulness are always more powerful than anything in this world. We spend our days searching for something…happiness, justice, peace of mind and we believe we will find it somewhere on earth. Yet the whole time God offers a path to find these pursuits. It begins with a belief in God and His goodness. Every promise He made He has kept and the last promise has yet to come, and Jesus Christ will come again. I pray we have the courage to stop putting our faith in things created by mankind and put our trust and faith right where it belongs…In God We Trust. May you see God’s love and faithfulness at work in your life. Amen.

DSC02384 publish

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

Psalm 115:1 NIV

(This photo was taken in June of 2015 on the side of the road while driving through South Dakota)

Rest In Him

August 29, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

“In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.”

Psalm 4:8 NIV

Balance…for every moment we are rushing and running at a chaotic pace we should have equal time to rest with God and renew our minds, body and spirit. We are not made to travel as supersonic speed all the time every day…and those who try will crash and burn…physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Trust the Creator and His Word…don’t over schedule, strive to have balance, learn to say no to some things and listen to the Holy Spirit as your guide. Walk with God.

DSC_0323 publish

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2021 in Rocky Monuntain National Park in Colorado)

Serve One Another

August 3, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 4:8-11 NIV

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

Galatians 5:13 NIV

We each get to choose each day the attitude we will embrace and how we will act when interacting with others. God has given us instructions in His Word and He has followed up His Word with actions that show His love, His grace. Our job, our purpose is to seek Him and live out His will in our life every day. Put your trust in Lord and choose to live as He has taught us.

DSC_0229 publish

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2021 at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

God’s Consistent Character

July 15, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17 NIV

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”

Malachi 3:6 NIV

God is faithful and trustworthy. He keeps His promises…He is consistent in character for all generations. All good things come from the Lord.

DSC_0135 (2) publish

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8 NIV

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

Developing Who We Are

July 11, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.^[b] ⁴And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. ⁵May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.”

2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 NLT

The faith journey takes us on a road of self-awareness and growth. As we read God’s Word and the teachings of Jesus, we hear messages about our attitudes, our behaviors, our words and our actions. These are all things that we can control in our everyday life. Instead of wasting our time worrying and wringing our hands about what other people are doing, thinking or saying we would do well to focus that effort on developing the Fruit of the Spirit in our own lives and relationships. After all, we have the most control over one thing more than any other…how we choose to respond. May we strive to grow the Fruit of the Spirit in who we are in the world. Amen.

DSC_1554 publish

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

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

Seek First His Kingdom

July 10, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8 NIV

Living a life with faith first…it sounds so simple, yet living in this fallen world it is often hard to do. The bible is a great guide for life…the world will tell you it is not…there are those who believe it is an outdated book filled with stories that are more like fairy tales…that the world is so different now than when it was written that it is not applicable to life today. That is exactly what Satan wants us to think. The fact is the bible is the truth, based on actual events and it is the Word of God…take time to read it every day and it will change your life.

DSC07415 publish

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.“

Matthew 6:31-34 NIV

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving in northern Colorado)

Gratitude

June 28, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.”

Psalm 136:1 NIV

“This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24 NIV

One of the first steps towards a new attitude is starting with gratitude. Give thanks for what you have received…instead of worrying about what you don’t have. Appreciate what has been done for you…instead of worrying about what others don’t do. Stop comparing…start praising! The path to a new attitude begins with gratitude.

IMG_5059 publish

“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. ¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2014 at a lake in central Minnesota)

Fruit Of The Spirit…Joy

June 11, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Joy is not something that will come from our worldly circumstances or pleasures…joy and peace will come from our relationship with Jesus. Even in the worst of times this relationship will bring you through and comfort you.

DSC_0001 5-28 publish