Light of Life

March 18, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Everyone goes through storms in life. Some storms are dark clouds with some hail, rain and thunder and lighting while others storms can be tornadoes or hurricanes. When we watch the news coverage of weather events like these if it is often the next day and people are out helping each other clean up and the left over debris and trash is put into a pile to be removed, it is usually a bright and sunny day as the storm has passed by and new day has dawned. This is exactly how we should try to process the storms of our lives…even the most horrific storms have a next day when the sun will shine and we can pick up the pieces and begin again. The best way to seek this light of life is with Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit and know you are not alone. Besides when major weather event moves through an area we are not the only ones whose house gets hit…we are all much more alike in the events of life then many of us are willing to believe. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0782 publish

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

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

Prayer

March 17, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This is the beginning of a personal relationship with God. It is not a place to worry about saying the right words in the correct order rather it is about being honest with yourself and talking in truth to God about everything and anything. A strong personal relationship always begins with communication, honest, heart-felt and a willingness to be vulnerable shows true commitment and trust. Then when we are looking for the answers we must be open to a possibility of something we did not think was going to happen because with God anything is possible, even the unthinkable. Open up your heart and mind in conversation with God and then watch for the amazing things that will happen. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC02384 publish

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Philippians 4:6

(This photo was taken in June of 2015 while driving through South Dakota)

Friends

March 14, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Throughout our journey in life out of all the places and people we will encounter there are only a few who will last as our true friends through it all. These are the few who know us better than any others, they know more about us and we have built up a significant amount of trust in our relationship with them. They are the ones we want to call when we are struggling and they are one of the first people we want to celebrate with when things are going well. We are willing to do more to help them and they are more willing to help us. A true friend listens without giving you instructions on what you should do, a true friend sacrifices and makes time for us, a true friend accepts us unconditionally just as we are and a true friend is willing to stand by us no matter what happens. As you can see this is a very high standard of friendship and we strive to meet it with a few people but the only one who can attain this level of friendship without fail is Jesus. He set the bar on friendship and the human race should be eternally grateful. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0158 publish

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:11-12

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

Be Different

March 11, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

So much of our time is spent in comparing ourselves with other people and the world with social media feeds the anxiety and stress of these comparisons. We are all made by God, with each having gifts and talents…we are made to work together for the good of ourselves and others. Don’t get caught up in the differences as a bad thing or a reason to try and be something other than just yourself. We are all God’s children. Trust in God and the difference you can make when you have a close relationship with Him. On this day of worship I share a song entitled Different – by Micah Tyler. Be different in having a strong connection with God our Father, Jesus Christ his one and only Son and the Holy Spirit. May God’s peace be with you.

IMG_20141016_105740553 publish

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

Romans 8:16

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

Living Hope

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter what you are facing, no matter what struggle is pressing you down…when you devote your life to faith in Jesus Christ you will have access to a deep well of Hope. Imagine what it may have been like for one of the disciples, living during Jesus time on earth…the Savior, the one who was coming to save the people, had been born and living on earth…healing the sick and living a life according to God, which was very different from many others on earth. He had come and they were following Him…and then He allowed himself to be captured beaten and flogged and then crucified…because of who He was, imagine those three days after Jesus died…

Then the most amazing thing occurred and from the most tragic of circumstances, Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to many of them…He conquered death. This same Jesus is with you no matter what…put your Hope in Him. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0124 publish

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

1 Peter 1:3

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

Redefine Needs

March 3, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are fed a daily dose of what we should get or do to make our life easy, more convenient. The messages from the world and society are ‘get more,’ define yourself according to the world’s standards…this is all to keep us away from pursuing a life of faith and a relationship with God. The more we focus on our lifestyle comforts and what the world tells us we need to be considered successful, the less time and effort we focus on building up our faith and spending time with God. Just the way the prince of darkness wants it…to break the cycle we need to take courage and stand up to the barrage of ads and prodding to live by the standards of this world. People get frustrated when something doesn’t have instructions or information about ‘how to’…life and faith happen to have an instruction manual and it was delivered to us by the manufacturer…our Creator and loving Father. Pick up your bible, spend time with God and seek His instructions on what you Need. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC06178 publish

“Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Luke 12:15

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

True Peace

February 27, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is only one way to find real peace while living on earth. There is only one who is our Savior, who gave himself up for us so that we may have life. There was no bargaining…He didn’t say I will do this for you if…He did it because He loves us unconditionally. In all the world and in all of human history you can only find true peace in Christ Jesus.

Several years ago I was a chaperon for a lock-in with the youth at the church…we were playing a game through out the church, I forget the name, but if your got caught during the game you had to go to prison. While in prison you would compete against others in bible trivia…if you answered correctly you were free to leave. One young lady decided early on no matter what the question, she had one answer…Jesus. She would say it quickly and excitedly even before I could finish reading the question…I would read ‘What was the name, Jesus! she would say…it seems she had figured out faith more quickly than most of us. No matter what questions or situations you are facing in your life the only answer is…Jesus!

May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0183 publish

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

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

Forgiveness

February 26, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Holding on to anger, rage and bitterness is unhealthy. We know this is true. Yet we still struggle to overcome the emotions of events. To be able to exercise forgiveness we need to fully understand the intent. It is not intended to say that an offender has been excused for their actions…rather it is a statement that we are not going to let the poor choices and actions of another keep us held in a state of stress and anxiety. Forgiveness should also be tied to some action to make a better future. If we hold on to the anger and bitterness they will show up in all areas of our lives and this is a destructive pattern. When we decide to forgive we are setting ourselves free from heading down a path of darkness. Again I offer a musical reference to speak to this message…check out this song called Forgiveness by Matthew West. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_1523 publish

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Lake Dillon in Colorado)

Be Led By The Spirit

February 25, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In order to make change in the world that will last the best place to focus on changing is human behavior. An excellent place to start is with yourself. If you are willing to take on such a challenge you will find quickly that this type of change is difficult, especially for the human race. A change that will last can’t be done alone…will power, will only get one so far because we are weak and broken and we live in a world of darkness. A real change in behavior requires surrender. After we live for so long trying every which way to do things the way we believe they should be done and we become exhausted with the results…we become ready to ask God for help. This is just human nature. He will still take us up on the request no matter when in life you ask. When you realize that your only hope is in God and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit…go all in…this doesn’t mean go quickly…it means go in wholeheartedly with all that you have to give…completely surrender to God’s plan and you may be surprised at what is in store for you, your life and your relationships with others. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC01031 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

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

What Faith Can Do…

February 24, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I have hope each day…I believe there is goodness in people (sometimes it is buried pretty deep inside)…I believe in helping others where and when I can…I believe that love conquers hate and anger…I believe in forgiveness…I feel anguish over the pain and suffering in the world…I strive to be patient (this one is really hard sometimes)…I am thankful for the people and relationships in my life…I am humbled by God’s creation of the earth and nature…

Do all of these statements and many others mean my life is easy? Or do I view life as easy?…Um no…in fact it is very difficult some days, however, as I started today by saying…I have hope.

Why?

Because of Jesus Christ and what He did for me and you…He came, He lived, He died and He has risen…and best of all He is coming back again!

I close with a great musical description called – What Faith Can Do by Kutless

DSC_0597 publish