Daily Living

May 17, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This is defined as the activities we perform on a daily basis for self-care related to our needs. Caring for ourselves related to food, hygiene, our living environment, etc. Many people take these items for granted and for many people just getting through the day regarding these things is a struggle, for a variety of reasons. The Fruits of the Spirit provided by God are not worldly possessions that require wealth or privilege, they are not only for certain people. God’s love is for all in creation and we all have a responsibility to learn, to grow, to care for and to share with others. Give thanks to God for each day and seek to live as God intended. Amen.

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“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.”

Colossians 3:12-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2015 while on a mission trip in Denver, Colorado)

Peace From God

May 9, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I saw a story about Mother’s Day and that the most popular request from Mom’s is to get a day away from their families. This is not true for all Mom’s, there was even an interview with one woman who was planning the whole day with her family and she spoke with a tone of…I know I am odd, but I just want to be with them. Wow, the human race is really messed up. We all, myself included, are so naive to look at life with ourselves in the center…we have allowed Satan to influence our perspectives so much that we have created a society in which “me time” is more important than anything else. We treat each other so poorly, that makes it hard to trust others. The only refuge, the one source of truth and peace is Jesus Christ. Seek Him and you will find true peace. Amen.

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

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

Free Will

April 23, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

God has given us the gift of free will. We are allowed to choose how we will respond to everything. When you think about it after everything that God has experienced with the human race…why did He do this? After all the things humans have chosen to do wrong starting with Adam and Eve, why allow us to choose? I believe it is because real love, joy and goodness offered voluntarily is the only kind worth having…the risk, of course, is we are filled with sinful hearts and minds and we often choose poorly and that is why bad things happen in the world. Use your free will to offer goodness, kindness, love and joy to others. Amen.

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“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:13-14

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)

Listen

February 22, 2019February 22, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is so much noise. So much useless information. So many false words and lack of integrity all around us. It becomes overwhelming and often the best thing to do is to turn…it…off. One of my favorite bible verses for bringing calm is Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God…” The society of the world and its desires are not interested in giving you peace. We must claim our time for quiet, we must prioritze sitting and listening for God’s voice above all others. It is the only source of true peace and real joy. God is with us, seek Him and listen. Amen.

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“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me.”

Revelation 3:20

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

Be Thankful

February 16, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is significant power in gratitude. It is one of the forces that can truly impact our perspective. The attitude of gratitude drives us to reflect and reconsider, it encourages a shift in focus on what is good, instead of what is wrong. It leads us to look for solutions, instead of problems. It helps us give thanks instead of complaining. Most importantly it takes the focus off of the self and the sinful nature within all of us. All that is good in our lives is from God, everything else is because of sin and selfishness, in us and in others. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1) Amen.

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“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

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

Developing Who We Are

February 2, 2019February 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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.

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“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

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

Transformation

January 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What does it look like? How should it feel? What is different? I certainly can’t answer these questions for others as this is a process of spiritual growth and the cornerstone of the spiritual life is our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For me it is still going on, as I have mentioned in the past, I am a slow learner. This process is about the change of perspective…when the bible talks about the dying of self and the rising of my focus on Christ, it is 100% in contrast with what I see and experience in the world. I have spent a significant amount of time talking about the Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22 because for me these behaviors are the keys to transforming my life. There are plenty of days and moments when I get derailed and the desires of the self bully there way into life…hey I’m only human…it is not about that we will make mistakes, what is more important is how we respond when the mistakes happen. That is one way things can be different in transformation. Have a talk with Jesus about it for yourself and look and listen for ways to change and to be transformed. Amen.

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“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Romans 12:2

(This photo was taken in September of 2014 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Merry Christmas…Joy To The World

December 25, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Merry Christmas Everyone! Christ is born! Peace to you and yours. Amen.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:13-14

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17

Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy) – Chris Tomlin

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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

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

Begin With Jesus

December 20, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

How can we start or restart focusing on our Faith journey. We can grow up going to church or not, we can be someone who attended Sunday school or catechism classes or not. We can be someone who has very little exposure or experience to organized religious practices…none of this matters when it comes to your Faith. Faith is bigger than religion…religious practices, worship services and activities at church are things we do as a part of our Faith journey. They can contribute to our learning and our spiritual growth along the way. Our Faith journey is more, it is everything, everyday and every interaction with others…and it begins with Jesus Christ and your relationship with Him. No matter what is happening, where you are or how you feel, turn to the One that God sends to save you, to strengthen you and hold you up…begin again with Jesus. Amen.

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“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he provided purification of sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty of heaven.”

Hebrews 1:3

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

Joy And Love

December 14, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Here we are back to discuss some more Fruits of the Spirit. Our relationship with Jesus Christ can help us get a better understanding of how these fruits show up in our lives. Let’s look at joy for a moment. The world’s definition of joy includes words like ‘good fortune’ or ‘possessing what one desires’…that sounds more like the emotion of happiness and satisfying the self. For me joy is more than a feeling, it is about comfort knowing that God is in control. It is about knowing God works for the good of all in every situation. Joy is as much about learning and growing in faith and sharing what we have learned with others. And love…show love to others in the same way God shows love to you. It is simple and yet it is not always easy. God never said life would be easy. I pray we seek to bear good fruit in the world according to God’s will. Amen.

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