Lead Me

July 29, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Who better to lead us than our Creator? He knows everything about us…He knows about every aspect and every interaction of our lives. He knows and He still loves us and wants what is best for us, even when we don’t know what that is. Turn towards God and ask Him to lead you through this day and every day of your life. Amen.

“You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.”

Psalm 139:1

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“Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24

(Thjis photo was taken in May of 2020 at Palisade Head along the north shore of Lake Superior)

Open Ended Praying

July 28, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When you pray leave room for God’s will and God’s plan to be the way you should go. We tend to think we have things all figured out and we just need to top it off with a quick FYI to God to get Him on board. Surrendering to God’s will and God’s plan means we are open to a new way for things to go…maybe in a way we haven’t considered or thought about yet…be open ended in your prayers…make room for God’s way in your life. Amen.

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.”

Psalm 143:8

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do 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 4:4-7

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

Our Response To Trials

July 25, 2020July 25, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

Believing in Jesus Christ and following God’s Word does not mean all of our troubles will disappear. In fact Jesus stated the truth about our trials very clearly…

“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

So we know that we will face struggles and trials, how we choose to respond in these times can provide us a path to peace. If we are praying for the trial to just go away…we need to go back to the verse above and remember that is not what we have been told. As we read the Scriptures we learn that the only way past our trials is to go through them and we can do that because we are not alone. When we follow Jesus Christ and the things He has taught us we can find our way through our trials and we can learn from them…and that growth will make us better prepared for trials we will face in the future. Trust in the Lord…spend time in God’s Word everyday and He will guide you through all parts of your life. Amen.

“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Our Refuge In The Storm

July 9, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Originally posted in October of 2019…

When danger is approaching, where should we go to seek cover? Where can we be safe? Who can help us in our time of need? God is our rock and our refuge…He shields us and delivers us from the things that try to take hold of us. Our emotional reactions can quickly escalate and get out of control…God can help us with self-control. A relationship with Jesus Christ is a strong foundation that can withstand anything in this world. Seek the Lord in prayer and pick up a bible…read God’s word and take refuge from the storm. Amen.

Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2

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

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation

July 8, 2020 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

Originally posted in March of 2019…

The world tells us to pursue money, comfort and the easy life. To look out for ourselves and satisfy ourselves first and most often, this is the sinful nature and it has taken hold in many people. There is a way to be different and to live with purpose and it is based on your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He loves you, He gave His life to save you and His way is the only way to God the Father. Spend time reading God’s Word and learn about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Compassion

July 5, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

Originally posted in September of 2018…

To be helpful…thoughtful…aware of the suffering of others…a desire to provide help and support…understanding the needs of another. One of the strongest elements of humility is compassion. Being aware that others are suffering and need assistance and then going and doing something that provides help and support. We all have different roles in our relationships with others, which means there are many different ways for us to provide help and support depending on who needs us and what has happened to them. When you know or get a sense inside you that you should do something for someone else but you are unsure what it is you should do, do not ignore that feeling, turn to the Lord and ask Him to help guide you to what the other person needs…then listen and watch for His reply. Be careful not to do something you believe they need from your perspective, rather be sensitive and aware of what they say they need. Compassion does not have to be something difficult and complex in order to be helpful…often times it is the simple and thoughtful things that make the biggest difference for others. May God’s grace and mercy flow through us and into our relationships.

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the border between Minnesota and South Dakota)

Put Your Hope In God

July 4, 2020 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

Originally posted in December of 2018…

Good morning. Welcome to a new day. There are many things happening in your life today, yet God is still with you because He loves you. Sharing the lyrics and music of the song on my mind this morning. Here is “Find Rest” by Francesca Battistelli

“Find Rest”

He never sleeps, He never slumbers
He’s been awake at every hour
No tear catches Him by surprise
He’s never lost, He never runs out
He never lives in the shadows of doubt
No fear catches Him by surpriseFind rest my soul
Put your hope in God
Put your hope, put your hope in God

He always is, He always will be
He always has been everything I need
How can this be catching me by surprise
He’s ever strong, He’s ever faithful
His love is real, now nothing is impossible
‘Cause nothing catches Him by surprise

Find rest my soul
Put your hope in God
Put your hope, put your hope in GodI close my eyes, and I can see
The arms of mercy holding me
I close my eyes, and I can see
The arms of Jesus holding me

Find rest my soul
Put your hope in God
Put your hope, put your hope in GodPut your hope in God
Put your hope in God

Songwriters: Francesca Battistelli / Ian Eskelin / Jared Anderson

Find Rest lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Capitol Christian Music Group

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“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 42:11

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

Perspective

July 2, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Originally posted in January of 2020…

Outlook…viewpoint…position…approach…frame of mind…attitude. What feeds your perspective? What are you consuming with your eyes, your ears and your mind? What experience or experiences are framing your view? All of these are inputs into your perspective and they shape your attitude. If we choose to allow our point of view to be shaped by what goes on around us in a world filled with me first, self-centered, get more attitudes we will become like the world. The best defense is to build a foundation within your heart and mind that is based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We can’t stop the world from trying to influence us, yet we can choose to turn away from the sin and run towards our Savior and Lord. Jesus said;

“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

Begin or continue to build a strong foundation for your everyday life…trust in the Lord and you will find peace. Amen.

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconson)

Patience

July 1, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

Originally posted in May of 2018…

When we believe and we trust in God we will be required to develop patience in this world. Circumstances will often look hopeless and many people will despair and be engulfed in sadness and fear, that is the way of evil. We must never give up hope, we must trust in God to continue working for the good for us and for everyone. God does not make bad things happen, He is not tempting you with things that are not good…that is sin in the world and we humans invited that sin into this world. God is at work in all the bad we have created to bring out goodness, kindness and love. Believe in Him who created us, believe in His one and only Son, Jesus Christ and see the good things that can happen in your life in this world. May God’s peace and joy be with you.

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“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14

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

Everything, Anything

June 29, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Originally posted in November of 2018…

Nothing is to big, to complex. Nothing is to powerful. Nothing is to difficult to solve. When we believe in Jesus Christ and trust Him with our everything, everyday we know that God will guide our way through anything we encounter in life. It may not be the way we would do it on our own, but that is the point, on our own we would get stuck…stopped, without resolution. No matter what it is you are facing, no matter what battle is knocking you down…get back up and surrender the issue to God. That doesn’t mean you stop doing things or stop living, it means you do your best according to God’s word to live by the Fruits of the Spirit and let God take care of the rest. May we all take steps to surrender everything, anything to the Lord. Amen.

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