Our Loving Father

June 15, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are blessed with everlasting love from God our Father. He knows us and wants to spend time with us. He gives us good gifts…not everything we want, yet everything we need. God knows we will have trouble in this life and He is always right there with us no matter what…we just have to be willing to seek Him. Amen.

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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 July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Integrity

June 14, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Honesty…sincerity…trustworthy…truthfulness…decency…morality…respectable. These are rare qualities in today’s world. We all have sinned and have done things against the will of God. Admitting we are wrong is so difficult when the world keeps sending out messages that ‘Me’ first is how we should want to live. It is true that God is love, however, this does not mean any and all behaviors are acceptable to Him…take a look at Proverbs 6:16-19 or Proverbs 8:13 for some examples of behaviors God despises. We live in a fallen and broken world and our ability to admit and confess when we are wrong is the starting point to turning away from behaviors that hurt ourselves and others. Amen.

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

He Cares For You

June 12, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When situations in life bring us down or when we are struggling and our path is difficult, our human minds may wonder, ‘does God care what is happening to me?’ God is always with you…when you find yourself in a place like this, stop and pray. Not some memorized words, rather a real heart felt prayer asking God to help you see your way forward. God does care for you…He sent His Son to die on a cross to save you and to be able to have a relationship with you. Seek Him and His will for you and your life and you will find peace. Amen.

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

1 Peter 5:7

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Angels Watch Over Us

June 11, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Like in the story of Daniel in the bible…Daniel was faithful and trusted God and when danger was near God protected Daniel in the lion’s den. There are many more stories of people who have had near misses in life…how many times have you heard, if it was a few seconds sooner or if it was a few inches more this way it would have been much worse? I believe that God is working through His angels even today to protect people from danger. Give thanks to God for the angels that keep us safe. Amen.

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“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

Psalm 91:11-12

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

Prepare The Way

June 10, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. He gave up everything to save us and to reconcile us with God. Seek Him and prepare your heart and mind to follow Him in all that you do. In Him we will find peace, courage, strength, wisdom, joy and love. There is nothing on earth that can compare to Him. Amen.

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“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”

John 1:5-9

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

What Do We Learn?

June 9, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To be patient…to be courageous and to seek wisdom. To trust in the Lord and to keep doing good things whenever you can. We learn that all that is good comes from God and we are blessed to be a blessing to others. We learn that God the Father is our Creator and Jesus Christ is His one and only Son who sacrificed Himself to save us and that when we believe we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Spend time reading God’s word and praying…learn about the amazing relationship available for each of us with God because of Jesus. Amen.

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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 June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Persistence

June 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Do not give up…don’t assume you know the outcome…they say failure is a stepping stone to success…or as Dory the fish says “just keep swimming.” We will always have the opportunity to stop trying to do something. Maybe the answers for a situation are related to trying a new approach or a new way rather than quitting. If we are able to surrender control and trust in God and His plan, we may find new outcomes we didn’t imagine were possible. Bring your worries and struggles to the Cross and let Jesus lead the way. Amen.

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“Let us not become weary of 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 near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)

With God In Control…

June 6, 2019June 6, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We can be conquerors of sin…we can overcome obstacles…we can be blessed with wisdom to find our way. If we are willing to cast our worries and burdens on Him and trust His love for us anything is possible. There is nothing that can separate us from God’s love and God’s plan for us. Believe and you will receive. Amen.

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“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Romans 8:37

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

Renew And Be Restored

June 3, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Begin again…trust God to guide you…surrender your heart and mind…with God all things are possible. Trouble will come, things will get messed up and times will be difficult, this is to be expected. Focus on what you can control…how will you choose to respond? Will you choose hatred, anger, malicious talk and put your efforts into tearing down others? Many have chosen this way and it brings nothing but destruction. Will you choose kindness, compassion, listening and patience? Even with your enemies? Every single person was created by God…clearly it is time for the human race to go back and read the instructions for life found in God’s word. If you are unsure where to begin try the Book of Proverbs or look into the story of Joseph in Genesis. God can renew and restore us if we are willing to turn towards Him. Amen.

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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 December of 2018 on Paradise Island of the Bahamas)

Give Thanks

June 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Focus on what is good…focus on the blessings you have been given…what are the gifts and talents God has given you that you can share with others? There is nothing that can separate us from God’s love. He created us and this world, He has given us free will, He has kept His promises to us…it is up to us to seek Him and His will…it is up to us to pick up God’s word and read, it is up to us to pray and deepen our relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God for all He has given us. May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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