Learning

Our Hope Is Found

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In Christ alone.  We are saved by His sacrifice, His mercy and His grace.  Give thanks to God for all that is good.  We can search high and low and all over this world for peace but our source of strength and hope and true peace will be found in Christ Alone.  Look for where God is at work in your life today.  Amen.

In Christ Alone by Brian Littrell

DSC_0158 publish

“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 June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

His Love Endures Forever

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

All that is good comes from God.  When darkness creeps in and fear takes hold, God is our strength.  When you don’t know what to do ask God to guide you and your decisions.  When life is going well give thanks to God for His blessings.  Remember the Lord every day and know that with God all things are possible.  Amen.

Forever by Chris Tomlin

DSC_0011 publish

“Give thanks to the Lord, for his is good.  His love endures forever.”

Psalm 136:1

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

Be Strong

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is nothing greater, nothing stonger, nothing that can separate us from the love of God.  You were created by God the Father, you have been saved by Jesus Christ, His Son our Lord and you are guided by the Holy Spirit.  No matter what the world throws at you today…stand firm in faith.  Amen.

Our God by Chris Tomlin

DSC_0559 publish

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous, be strong.  Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling on Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Trust In The Lord

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Raise your hand if you have ever prayed to God about a problem or a situation and you asked God to help you and then you go and do what you think should happen next only to find you have made it worse…my hand is up.  Trusting God with our words is one thing…living it out in our daily life is another level of spiritual growth.  If we truly want to see God’s work and God’s plan in our life we need to learn how to get out of His way.  I can think of several times when I have been praying about something and have not been patient enough to wait for the Lord.  As I have stated in the past…I tend to be a slow learner.  I am thankful for God’s mercy and grace and know He will be with us no matter how long it takes for us to learn how to trust in Him.  Amen.

DSC_0485 publish

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Psalm 37:7

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

Wherever You Go…

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter how high you climb, no matter how low you go, no matter how far you have traveled or if you rarely leave your hometown…God is with you.  In every situation, every interaction, for every decision, He is there.  Our job is to seek Him, to ask in prayer and to listen to Him by reading God’s Word and attending worship.  Just because God does not do things the way you want, does not mean He is not there, it means His plan and your expectations are not aligned.  Surrender your desire to control the outcome and see what God has planned for you and your life.  Amen.

DSC06712 publish

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

Forgiveness

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Everybody makes mistakes, everyone makes poor choices.  There are examples of this throughout history.  The most prominent names in the bible committed sins, except for one.  We are broken, we are weak, we give into temptation and the human race is responsible for bringing sin into the world.  Even still we can be saved…Jesus Christ the one without sin who was crucified and died…He is Risen and He is our Redeemer.  No matter what you have done or left undone, turn towards God and confess yours sins and you will be saved.  Amen.

DSC_0661 publish

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9

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

Share With Those In Need

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are blessed to be a blessing.  Sharing with those in need is about more than a financial giving.  It is sharing whatever God has provided in abudance.  Some have an abundance of wisdom, some the ability to be a good listener, some have a solution oriented mindset and some an abundance of posititvity.  These things and many others like them are blessings from God that can be shared with others.  When reflecting on what you have the ability to share look at your life from a Godly perspective not from the world’s point of view.  Be thankful for what God has given you and share as He has shared with you.  Amen.

DSC_0129 publish

“Share with God’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:13

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

Daily Living

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This is defined as the activities we perform on a daily basis for self-care related to our needs.  Caring for ourselves related to food, hygiene, our living environment, etc.  Many people take these items for granted and for many people just getting through the day regarding these things is a struggle, for a variety of reasons.  The Fruits of the Spirit provided by God are not worldly possessions that require wealth or privilege, they are not only for certain people.  God’s love is for all in creation and we all have a responsibility to learn, to grow, to care for and to share with others.  Give thanks to God for each day and seek to live as God intended.  Amen.

IMG_20150719_212711704 publish

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2015 while on a mission trip in Denver, Colorado)

Commitment

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Devotion…dedication…faithfulness…self-sacrifice….love.  A commitment can be hard at times.  A commitment is not something to be taken lightly.  If you commit to something think carefully about how you will respond when things don’t go as planned or how you expect them to go.  God made a commitment to love us and to save us even though we are still sinners and it was tremedously difficult for Jesus to keep that commitment…yet He was able to fulfill the commitment by staying close to the Father in prayer and trusting the will of God.  Jesus is our example of how to get through the hard times and to remain committed to God and trust Him with all aspects of our lives.  Amen.

DSC_0102 (2) publish

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you strength.”

Deuteronomy 6:5

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

God’s Word…Our Actions

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Do these things connect easily in our daily life?  We read the words of Jesus and others in the bible and we look around at the world we live in and it really is difficult to see it in action.  Or is it?  Actions that reflect God’s love are happening all the time, all around the world every day…the real questions are where are you looking to see God’s love in action and what are you doing in your circle of influence in the world to show God’s love to others?  Just because the news and social media streams are obsessed with sin, evil, darkness and hate does not mean that is all that is going on in the world…it just means we are looking in the wrong places for Him.  Every single person of all backgrounds and expereicnes have a responsibility to show the love of God to others in some way.  If more people had a goal to show kindness, goodness and love to just one other person each day…it would make such a big difference in the world.  May the God’s love flow through you today.  Amen.

DSC07415 publish

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for one’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.”

James 1:19-22

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