Lessons Learned

Growing In Faith

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC_0578 publish

Our faith can grow and get stronger only if we feed it and exercise it just like our bodies…if we don’t eat food or exercise our muscles our bodies become frail and weak.  The same is true for our spiritual lives and our faith muscles, we need to feed on the Word of God and exercise our faith by how we interact with others in order for our faith to grow.

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.”

Psalm 1:1-3

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

Seek Him First

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

dsc09792-publish

It is so easy to get caught up in the events and headlines of the world or within our own daily lives, and then begin to live in worry and stress constantly.  After much wringing of our hands and maybe lashing out at others, we sit and think how can I change what is happening?  We can’t do it alone, we need to turn to our Lord and Savior first and listen for his guidance.

The words of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew…

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:33-34

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

Accountability

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC01212 publish

Every word and every action in our lives flows out like ripples in the water, whether we intend them to or not.  We should always be aware of how we conduct ourselves on a daily basis.

Paul writes in his letter to the Romans…

“So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

Romans 14:12

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

Humbleness

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC_0597 publish

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:1-4

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

Unity

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC07415 publish

Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians…

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:1-6

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving northern in Colorado)

The Word Comes From God

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

img_20141016_100154512-publish

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.  For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

2 Peter 1:20-21

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of Maui)

God’s Presence

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC_1529 publish

The words of Jesus according to the Gospel of John…

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:9-12

(This photo was taken by my daughter in August of 2016 near Dillon, Colorado)

Strength

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

dsc_1416-publish

A song that David sang to the Lord after he was delivered from his enemies and the hand of Saul…

“I love you, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies…”

Psalm 18:1-3

The entire song is the 50 verses of Psalm 18, may we all find our strength in God.

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)