Put Aside Your Fears

April 19, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The journey of faith becomes more difficult if we let our fears have the power to stop us. If we allow our fears to be sustained in our thoughts and in our actions we are feeding them. We can be strengthened against our fears by the Word of God and by connecting in a community of faith. Fear is a weapon of evil and darkness and it can be very powerful if we allow it rule in our lives. We must remember that God is good, He already knows much more about us than we realize, He loves us and He has forgiven us. Be renewed by developing your personal relationship with Jesus Christ…after all He gave all He could in order to save us. May God’s peace be with you.

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“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:17

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 at the natural entrance to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico)

Saved By Grace

April 18, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We do not choose God, He chose us. He is our Creator, He sent His Son to reconcile us with Him. He continues to be involved in our everyday with the Holy Spirit. We have not earned this love nor do we deserve it for our behavior in this world. God gives to you freely out of His deep abiding love for you. No matter where you are or what is going on in your daily life…God loves you unconditionally…that is Grace. Turn to Him, seek Him and His Word. He is waiting to hear from you. May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

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

In God We Trust

April 16, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

These are the words that help to form a new nation. As we fight our internal struggles our hope is tied to our belief in God. There is so much in life that can be good, if we have the courage to build a personal relationship with God. We must be prepared to humble ourselves, to know we are not the center of the universe or our own lives. When God is at the center we look to Him and His Word. God created us out of love, He has forgiven us with His One and Only Son and He can guide us with the Holy Spirit. Take the next step in trusting God whatever that is for you and see what He has in store for your life. May God’s love and joy be with you.

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

Psalm 119:105

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

What Can I Do?

April 15, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This is an excellent question. One that we can ask of God anytime and in any situation. Asking questions and seeking the answers from God first are an excellent way to start letting God be in control. When we are willing to ask for help we are admitting we don’t have all the answers or finally admitting we tried to answer the questions of life several times on our own and we are ready to surrender to God’s answers. This is very humbling and yet such a lift of burden all at the same time. I am sure you have heard the phrase…God is good, all the time and all the time, God is good…while it can be used as a mantra or a call and response exercise the truth of what that states is accurate. It is our perspective that needs the adjustment not God’s plan. Be open to questions, ask them to God and be prepared to listen to His answers not only the answer you want. May God’s peace and goodness be with you.

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“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:10-12

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

Easter Sunday…He Is Risen!

April 1, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The tomb is empty…He is not there…Jesus Christ has risen…He lives! Only God can help us in this world. The Cross and the Resurrection are proof of God’s love and God’s power. No matter where you are or what you are facing in life turn towards God, invite Jesus into your heart and mind and read the Word of God. He can overcome anything if we turn to Him and trust Him. He is risen…thank you God almighty…He Is Risen!

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“He is not here, he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”

Luke 24:6-7

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Good Friday, Reflect…Be Transformed

March 30, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There cannot be unexpected and jubilant celebration at the resurrection without the pain and tragedy of the crucifixion. Life is not always going to be sweet smelling roses and unconstrained happiness. It is because of our sufferings that we learn and appreciate the good things God has given us. When I think about the most difficult times of my past I begin to see my focus at those times was all self-centered, I was putting myself at the center of my life and that is not my place. When I notice the times when I have had real joy, peace and contentment it is when I have surrendered myself to God and His will. Only God can help us in the terrible times and events that are caused by humans and sin, only He can bring about the love, forgiveness, peace and joy. God does not make the bad things occur, we do that ourselves but He is always there ready to help us when we turn towards Him and His Son who sacrificed everything to save us. May God’s peace be with you.

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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 June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Share Goodness

March 28, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Whenever you can, share the goodness of life. Make eye contact and smile at other people, hold a door open, help someone carry things, be patient with others, listen instead of talking and support those in need without expectation of something in return. When we choose to live in community with one another we can see the goodness of the Lord in life. It is striving to get back to the basics of interacting with each other in a simple and kind manner. It is a choice, we are not victims of our environment or our surroundings unless we choose to be. If you don’t know how or where to start, I would recommend getting out into nature and be present in God’s creation. Nothing soothes my soul better than being outdoors in the amazing world God created. May God’s peace and the wonder of creation be with you.

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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 June of 2013 while traveling in northern Colorado)

Holy Week

March 27, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This is the week that we remember the events at the core of our faith. Jesus Christ doing what He came to earth to do, not for Himself but for us. He gave Himself as a sacrifice to reconcile us with God. That’s what we are remembering this week. He died and He conquered death by rising. His sacrifice is our salvation, Jesus did what is very hard for me and you, He looked first to interest of others knowing that God the Father would care for Him. It wasn’t easy and He prayed so hard about being able to do it that He began to sweat blood. In end He did it…He came, He lived, He died, He was risen and has ascended to the Father…and He will come back again. He did it all for us because He loves us. During this week take time to think about Him and how you can honor Him by serving the needs of others you are with each day. God loves you and may God’s peace be with you.

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

(This photo was taken in September of 2016 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Perspective

March 24, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We all have opportunity every day to choose how we see the world and people in it. Our perspective has many influences, personal experience, things we read, things others tell us, our own emotions and the things we see happening. If we allow our perspective to be formed with out consulting with our Creator are we really putting all we can into our beliefs? Information provided by the human race always seems to have a selfish agenda of the those who distribute the data. The only source of truth I have found is God and His Son Jesus Christ. If you haven’t done so, I invite you to allow the Word of God to be an influence on your perspective…I recommend starting with the Gospel of John. Believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ His one and only Son and the Holy Spirit and you will find the peace and joy of the Lord. May God’s peace be with you.

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“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7

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

Everlasting Peace

March 23, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Throughout the days, weeks, months and years of life you may come across reflections of a time or times when you remember moments of life with peace. Where were you? What was going on in your life and in the world? Who were you with? Do you remember what it felt like?

For me these times involve my time with family and friends most often…usually these moments are times of simplicity, not in a rush or hurry, not worried about the plans or the meal. They were definitely times of less technology in our daily life. Whatever those moments are for you, say a prayer to ask God to help you make time to do those things and to be with those people whenever and however you can. It is that peace that feeds us to get through the times when we are unsettled and stressed. May God’s peace overwhelm you and be with you.

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