Seek God’s Will

October 10, 2018 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

We all have been given a conscience and we all have the ability to choose how we will respond to events and activity in our lives and the world. Every day, every interaction with others is an opportunity to choose the way you will go. We can’t get caught up in ‘the problems are too big’ or ‘they won’t listen to me’ or ‘I don’t have anything to offer others’…these are the words of darkness and evil trying to keep you from God’s will. It may be only one moment in a day, one brief interaction or act of kindness but if you can do something to help or serve just one other person today, you have made a difference the world. The world is broken and the problems, the suffering and the pursuit of selfishness and evil has people angry and fearful, for the human race overcoming all this alone is impossible but nothing is impossible for God. I pray that we all will seek Him and His will for our lives. Amen.

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“He has showed you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park)

To Be Different

October 9, 2018 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

Around this time last year a new album came out and a new song by Micah Tyler…the title of the song is “Different.” This song has resonated with me ever since the first time I heard it. It is the truth about living a life of Faith and having Jesus Christ at the center of everything you do. I am continuously amazed at how God uses the gift of music to communicate with us and I am so grateful for others willing to use their gifts to share Christ through writing and performing music. Below are the lyrics and a link to a video…I pray that we are all able to see how we can be different for Christ. Amen.

Different – by Micah Tyler

I don’t wanna hear anymore, teach me to listen
I don’t wanna see anymore, give me a vision
That you could move this heart, to be set apart
I don’t need to recognize, the man in the mirror
And I don’t wanna trade Your plan, for something familiar
I can’t waste a day, I can’t stay the same

I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different
In me

And I dont wanna spend my life, stuck in a pattern
And I don’t wanna gain this world but lose what matters
And so I’m giving up, everything because

I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different; oh-oh

I know, that I am far, from perfect
But through You, the cross still says, I’m worth it
So take this beating in my heart and
Come and finish what You started
When they see me, let them see You
‘Cause I just wanna be different, ye-ey

I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Oh is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different
I just wanna be different
So could You be different
In me

Songwriters: Micah Tyler Begnaud / Kyle Lee

Different lyrics © Music Services, Inc

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 near Carlsbad Caverns in southern New Mexico)

Humility

October 8, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Where is the focus of our life? What is the center of our existence? When others say kind things about us or something we have done, while this is encouraging, do we remember the One who made it possible for us? We all are so easily distracted and this can be how we are led away from God and His plan for us. The Book of Proverbs is filled with great reminders and statements about holy living. These were spoken by Solomon who had been blessed with incredible wisdom from God…even He succumbed to distractions in his life on earth. Nobody is immune and that is why daily interaction and communication with Jesus Christ is essential to finding humility and staying humble. May God’s mercy and grace wash over us each day. Amen

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“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 11:2

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

Wherever You Go

October 6, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Our Lord and our Savior is always with us. When we are with family and friends or when we are alone…when we are busy at work or focused on a certain task and when we are sitting peacefully…when we are driving or riding in a car or out for a walk…no matter what time, what place, what activity…our God has assured us He is with us. I am reminded this morning what an amazing and awesome promise this is and how frequently we don’t trust it or believe it or just don’t think about it in our daily lives. Take a moment and think about what is your plan for the day or where are you needed today, no matter what it is, whoever you are with or wherever you go…God will be with you…look for Him, look for where He shows up today. You will see, if you trust and believe. I pray that God will open the eyes of our hearts in all we do. Amen.

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“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 Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs)

Listening

October 5, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A skill we all need to use more often and a way of communicating that could get us much closer to peace in our life. If we were better at listening there would be less divorce and broken families…if we were better at listening there would be less violence and crime as hate and anger would not be stirred up so quickly. Listening involves taking time to understand what the other person is saying, it involves empathy. It means not being so quick to respond with your own will and desires as first priority…it takes humility to really listen…it takes a willingness to admit we don’t have all the answers. Think about recent interactions in your life…when are you hearing and when are you listening? I know I can do better. Lastly, communicating with God takes more than just talking, if we are doing all the talking in prayer when do we take the time to listen to Him? May we all be blessed with courage and humility to listen better. Amen.

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“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

Psalm 25:4-5

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Redeemer

October 4, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To save…to get back…to retrieve…to regain…recover…reclaim. We belong to Jesus. We are God’s people, He loves us. He is constantly seeking a connection with us. When we are lost He shines a light on the way out. Even though we are sinners and broken He sent His One and Only Son to save us and bring us back. It is up to each of us to turn towards Jesus instead of turning away and come back to Him who loved us first. May we be blessed with wisdom and courage this day. Amen.

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“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:17

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

The Narrow Road

October 2, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As we move along the journey of Faith and grow in our relationship with Jesus we will begin to see differences in what people are pursuing (ourselves included) and what we read and learn about in the Bible. When we read things like…“All people will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 10:22 or “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:10 And there are many other verses in the Bible that make us squirm in our seats…as people living in this world, when we read these things it makes some of us want to ask “really? persecuted? hated? and then forgiveness, kindness and compassion?”

It is at that moment that we should stop and think for minute…close our eyes and see the Cross, see Jesus Christ hanging there…He was beaten, hated, persecuted and crucified and He went through all that and offered a prayer of forgiveness just before He died…He did all of this for me and for you. A life living in Faith is not a promise of easy street and all happiness all the time…in fact it is the life you will often find that needs to take the road less traveled and know in confidence that there is One who showed us how to travel that road. May we all find refuge and comfort with Christ. Amen

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“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Faith Drives Out Fear

October 1, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Fear is a bully, it takes away from who we truly are, it restricts us, it wants to control us and it will tell us lie after lie to get its way. Faith in God is one of the greatest weapons against fear. Belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came down from heaven, was crucified, died and has risen is the foundation to stand on to overcome fear. All of us are fighting something that is trying to use fear against us…maybe other people know about your battle…maybe they don’t…God knows and He is willing to provide you the courage, the strength and the wisdom to defeat fear. Our trust and in Faith in the Lord will carry us through any thing the world throws at us. Bring your worries and your fears to the Cross and let Jesus lead the way. May we all have new courage and strength against our fears because of our Faith.

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“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Gratitude

September 30, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A key element in shaping our perspective is gratitude. Being thankful, looking around at your life and recognizing the ways God has blessed you. We must be careful not to judge a blessing based on the world’s view of us or our life. God has promised to give us what we need, not fulfill all our wants and not to give us everything that will make us feel better compared to someone else. We are each unique, created out of love and blessed to be a blessing. We have already received the greatest gift we could ever receive from Jesus Christ, it is up to us to turn towards Him and give Him thanks. May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you.

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in you hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:15-16

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

Persistence

September 27, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we read about prayer in the Bible there are words and phrases such as “without ceasing” or “continually” and when we read about the life of Jesus we find He spent hours and sometimes even the whole night in prayer to God His Father. In today’s society we are so quick to move from one item to the next it seems there is little attention paid to dedication and commitment. The ability to stick to it, not giving up and believing the next attempt will be the one that is successful…these are the attributes of true success in life. This approach to anything takes patience, persistence and faith. We learn the most from trying and failing and we succeed by taking what we learn and applying it to the future. The same is true in our prayer life…if you have been praying about something and you haven’t seen results yet, don’t give up, keep praying. God hears you and He will work things out in His time, His way, not based on our thoughts or our timetable…and thankfully His way is always better than ours. Be persistent in prayer and give thanks to God for all your blessings.

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