Do You Not Know? Have You Not Heard?

April 27, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There are so many different verses in the bible that can become a connection point for us. God’s Word is filled with life application instructions and teachings. I have heard people say I son’t know what to do, or all I can do is pray…the power of scripture and prayer should not be underestimated. If you haven’t seen it or you are unsure if God is present in your life…give this a try. Pick up a bible and find words that may apply to your situation…not sure what part of the book to go to…go out onto the internet and type ‘bible verses about (insert your topic here).’ The world is filled with darkness, evil and suffering…choose to follow the light that has been given to us and see what God has planned for you. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31

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

Anything Is Possible

April 26, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Why do we doubt so much? Why is it so hard for us to believe what may be possible with God? When we are willing to surrender to His plan and His way in His time, there’s no telling what can happen. Look at the stories in the bible…Abraham and Sarah had a child they had so longed for when Sarah was 90…the 5000 were fed when all that was available to eat was a few fish and some bread…Lazarus is raised from the dead after being gone for a few days…and there are so many more examples. When God is involved in a situation anything is possible. We must turn to Him first with whatever we are facing and remember He is not a genie in a bottle who sometimes grants wishes…He is our creator, our savior and our guide who always has good things in store for us. Trust in the Lord and watch to see what He has in store for you. May the joy of the Lord be with you.

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“For nothing is impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

The Lord Is Knocking At The Door

April 22, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As we venture down the road of a life of faith and spiritual growth we will come to decisions and choices in life and as we learn to listen for God in our conscious, the trust part of faith will need to be addressed. Similar to yesterday’s post about prayer…there is saying I believe in God and I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came down from heaven, was crucified, died and was buried. I believe He has risen and He lives in me…and then there is actually living your life with trust in what you believe. Many of us get stuck at this point, myself included, we are searching to open the right door and to invite Jesus into every aspect of our life and yet we still end up going off the track and wonder what the heck happened here…one of the greatest gifts of God is that He loves us so much that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will continue to be with us every slow learning step of the way…Jesus will continue to knock at the door waiting for us to open it and invite Him in to eat with us. Don’t stop opening new doors, listen closely to God and read the Word of God to know which knock is the Lord. May God’s peace be with you.

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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 him, and he with me.”

Revelation 3:20

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 of a Yucca plant near Carlsbad Caverns in southern New Mexico)

Rest For The Weary

April 20, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Each day brings us choices, decisions, questions and some answers. On some occasions these can pile up on us pretty fast and become a burden to wade through. When the way forward is blurry or getting difficult to understand we need to take sometime and be with Jesus. He set the example…several times you can read in the bible that Jesus would go off on His own or with one or two of the disciples to pray. To be with His Father in heaven in nature and stillness. We are not made to “on” all the time 24-7, we need better balance. Make your rest time with Jesus a priority at whatever point in a day makes sense for you. Make God’s peace and joy be with you.

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

Matthew 11:28-29

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

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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