Everyone Has A Role

February 4, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The body of Christ is discussed in several areas of the Bible. It is compared to the makeup of the human body. Stating that every part of the body has certain contribution to the whole body and everything is functioning at its greatest ability when all the members play their role. A sports team could be described in a simialr way. If every member of the team does what they are responsible to do the team can be and will be very successful. The same is true for Christians. We all have a role in the body of Christ and even though some roles get taken for granted they have the same value as every other role. We never notice how much we use our pinky on either hand or our little toe on either foot until it gets broke or dislocated and suddenly we really notice how often we need it. We are created out of love, we are created for a purpose, every single person has value in God’s plan. Seek wisdom from God to understand your role is His plan. Amen.

DSC06178 publish

“Just as each one of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts according to the grace given us…”

Romans 12:4-6

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

God’s Call

February 3, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This is about His plan not ours…this is about learning to listen…this is about prayer…this is about spending time in the quiet alone with God. How do we know when something is what God is asking us to do? As they say, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. There is not one process or the same steps for everyone to know or understand what God is asking them to do…believe me I know this is frustrating to hear. The answer(s) are in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When we want to learn about something we usually try to gain knowledge by spending time reading or consulting with others who have had success or experience in that work or field of expertise. So if we want to learn more about God’s plan and where or what we are being called to…we should read God’s Word and consult with Jesus. The key is this…it is easy to ask the questions; the journey moves forward according to our ability and willingness to listen and take action…even if it means being uncomfortable or not knowing what is going to happen next and we can do that when we learn to trust in Him. May the joy and peace of God be with you. Amen.

DSC_0150 publish

“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 March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

Savior

February 1, 2019February 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

His mercy…His grace…His forgiveness…His sacrifice…His death…His resurrection and His love. All of this and more means Jesus Christ has fought the battle and won. He has saved us and we can be reconciled with God. Seek Him and the message of Good News in God’s Word. He gave His all to save you because He loves you just the way you are. May the love of Christ comfort you and encourage you this day. Amen.

DSC_0290 publish

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

Living By The Spirit

January 31, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Life by the Spirit is a life that is conscious of our impact on others. It is not always looking inward and seeking to satisfy the self. It is a balanced life, aware of the present more then the past or future. It is a life that strives to put Christ in the center of everything…it is not easy to achieve in a dark and broken world nor are we able to do this alone. I pray we seek a life that is led by the Spirit. Amen.

dsc_0105publish

“The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

Galatians 5:14-15

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 while hiking in Wisconsin near Lake Superior)

Give To Those In Need

January 30, 2019January 30, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The temperature has plummeted here in the upper Midwest…as I write this morning the temperature is -29 and the “feels like” temp is -50. Every day in every part of the world there are people in need…people who lack in some or all of the basics in life like food, shelter and water. No one person can help everyone, however, one person can help one other person. Don’t quit trying because the problem is too big…God loves every person in Creation…and every single person has something that can help at least one person, it is not all about possesions and things or stuff. Take inventory of your life and surroundings, give thanks for the blessings you have and seek wisdom to understand what God is asking you to share with those in need right where you are…you don’t want to miss being a person who can provide for the need of another. We are blessed to be a blessing. Amen.

dsc07826 publish

“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

Proverbs 14:31

(This photo was taken in December of 2013 in northwestern Wisconsin…that is a picnic table on a deck)

Change

January 28, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Life is not about what the world and other people are doing to us, it is about what are we doing to be a light, to encourage others, to be helpful and supportive, what are we doing to be different? Micah Tyler released a song last fall…he introduces the story behind the song in the video I am sharing today about change and being different.

Different by Micah Tyler

dsc08484 publish

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalms 51:10

(This photo was taken in December of 2013 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Do Good Things

January 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This statement is all about being focused on persistence and patience. We often get stuck on narrow minded results of our actions or words. We lose sight of the fact the God is working for the good of all people and each of us plays a role in a much larger story that we will not always be able to see the results of first hand. His will and His plans are so much greater than ours and so it comes down to our willingness to trust in God’s plan more than our own desires. We know what it means to do good, we understand how to bear fruit in our daily lives and it is our responsibility to strive to do those things and leave the rest up to God. As they say, God is good all the time and all the time God is good. May we be blessed to share the goodness of the Lord today and everyday. Amen.

dsc_1080 publish

“Let us not become weary in 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 August of 2016 on the shore of Elliott Bay in downtown Seattle, Washington)

Faith

January 25, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Belief…trust…comfort…patience…persistence…love…joy…strength…encouragment…Hope!

May our faith help us to see and to know the presence of God’s love in our daily lives and relationships. Amen.

What Faith Can Do – Kutless

dsc_0001 publish

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

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

Be Generous

January 24, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To be generous is to be a giver, not just in terms of money. There are far more valuable things in life than money to give. A generous person has a certain mindset, an attitude and perspective about life and things. A generous person focuses very little time on what they receive or if they will receive, as that often takes care of itself because they are givers. Givers carry many of the characteristics related to the Fruits of the Spirit…they often exude kindness, goodness, gentleness, love, joy and patience. They are generous with their time and focus very little attention on what’s in it for me. To learn more about what it means to be generous, learn more about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ…you will find all you need to know in God’s Word. We are blessed to be a blessing. Amen.

dsc_0664 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 July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

The New Creation

January 23, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

We often believe the most difficult battles will come from what the world and others are doing to us. The actual battle that is most difficult to fight is within, it is the battle against the self. The self is stubborn, persisent and demanding, always wanting to be at the center of life regardless of how that impacts our actions and others around us. We are blessed with the opportutnity to choose our attitude, our behaviors, our values and our beliefs. Self-awareness is the first step in learning our tendencies and noticing the habits we have developed in our thoughts and actions. Self-awareness is learned through self-reflection, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, understanding your values and learning what situations and people bring about an emotional response from you. It often helps to keep a journal and it is important to invite God into the process…after all, He created you. The more you learn the better prepared you are to grow and change. Peace be with you on your journey. Amen.

dsc_0013 publish