love

Shine The Light

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we believe, when we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who lived and died and was resurrected to save us…we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  When we can come to the Cross and confess our sins, we are forgiven and we are restored.  As we move along the journey of faith, the Light of Christ is put into the empty space inside us.  It is a space made by Him and made for Him.  Many try to fill that space with other things.  When we receive this Light, it is up to us to shine this Light in the world for others to see.  If we are unsure how God wants us to do that, all we have to do is ask.  May we all learn how God wants us to shine the Light of Christ in our lives.  Amen.

DSC_0203 (2) publish

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Persistence

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As of last night our area in the upper Midwest has received 16 inches of snow in the last week.  Last night, another 4-5 inches fell and it will continue to snow until this afternoon, we may get more on Thrusday.  We are not the only area with weather affecting every day life.  I thought I heard the Seattle area received as much snow from one strom that it usually receives the entire winter.  The pattern for us has been snow, then cold, then snow, then cold…repeat, repeat.  The persistence of it can put some people under pressure while some people have big smiles on their faces…I tend to be more in the latter group.  It is all about how we choose to respond.  If you want to understand more about yourself and how you handle things that cannot be controlled…observe your reaction in relation to the weather.  The same is true when it comes to doing good things we need to be persistent and not give up.  Things will go wrong, the problems will seem to big, we will read and see terrible things in this world, we need to focus on Jesus Christ, we need to be persistent in our faith…that is the answer to all that we cannot control.  Amen.

DSC_1339 publish

“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is right.”

2 Thessalonians 3:13

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

Developing Who We Are

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The faith journey takes us on a road of self-awareness and growth.  As we read God’s Word and the teachings of Jesus, we hear messages about our attitudes, our behaviors, our words and our actions.  These are all things that we can control in our everyday life.  Instead of wasting our time worrying and wringing our hands about what other people are doing, thinking or saying we would do well to focus that effort on developing the Fruit of the Spirit in our own lives and relationships.  After all, we have the most control over one thing more than any other…how we choose to respond.  May we strive to grow the Fruit of the Spirit in who we are in the world.  Amen.

DSC_1554 publish

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

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

The Love Of God

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To know the love of God means you are in tune with your relationship with Him and you know Him versus just knowing about Him.  The love God has for us isn’t something to be measured or compared to others.  It is an experience, it is about a relationship with Jesus Christ, His one and only Son.  It is the reason we were created, it is why Jesus sacrificed Himself for us and it is the one thing we can always count on in life, no matter what.  Seek to learn about God’s love for you and spend time getting to know Him.  Amen.

dsc_0019 publish

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

1 John 4:10

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

The Cross

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I offer to you today some praise and worship through music.  Think about the things that keep you distracted, struggling and full of worry…bring those things to the only place where you can find healing and peace.  The Cross.

The Cross Has The Final Word by The Newsboys

The Cross Has the Final Word
Newsboys
The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Sorrow may come in the darkest night
But the cross has the final word
There’s nothing stronger, nothing higher
There’s nothing greater than the name of Jesus
All the honor, all the power
All the glory to the name of Jesus
The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Evil may put up its strongest fight
But the cross has the final word
There’s nothing stronger, nothing higher
Nothing greater than the name of Jesus
All the honor, all the power
All the glory to the name of Jesus
The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
The Savior has come with the morning light
The cross has the final word
O-o-oh! Woah-o-o-oah!
All glory and honor is Yours
O-o-oh! Woah-o-o-oah!
All glory and honor is Yours
Is Yours!
The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
He traded death for eternal life
The cross has the final word (oh nothing higher)
Oh, the cross has the final word (nothing better)
The cross has the final word (all the power)
The Savior has come with the morning light
The cross has the final word
Songwriters: Cody Carnes

The Cross Has the Final Word lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group

dsc_0142 publish

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

Romans 8:37

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

 

Devotion

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Loyalty…faithfulness…commitment…dedication.  As we learn and grow in our spiritual lives we begin to see more clearly the differences between worldly goals and spiritual goals.  Eventually we all get caught in the middle of these differences for different reasons.  This is a battle that rages on for everyone.  The only answer I have experienced is trust in God.  We will not always be able to see the what or the why and that is incredibly frustrating…don’t let that hold you down.  Continue in faithfulness and not in worry, do your best in your situation and pray.  Talk with the Lord, not in memorized lines from childhood but with sincerity and true feeling because He is with you and He has shown His level of devotion to you by the sacrifice of His Son.  Amen.

dsc_0136_1 publish

“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

 2 Corinthians 5:15

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

How We Connect

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

People and relationships, these are two important elements in seeking and finding peace and joy in life.  The world says that money and comfort/convenience is what you need to be happy.  Focusing on others feeds our spiritual life and focusing on the self only feeds the self.  As with everything in life it is our choice.  God is pretty clear about the value of free will.  He is not interested in having a people that just do things at His command.  We are responsible for our behavior and the way we treat each other.  The best place to start is with our relationship with Jesus Christ…begin, continue or renew your relationship with our Lord and Savior and will find peace.  Amen.

dsc_0170 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.”

Colossians 3:12-13

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 on Paradise Island, Bahamas)

Joy And Love

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Here we are back to discuss some more Fruits of the Spirit.  Our relationship with Jesus Christ can help us get a better understanding of how these fruits show up in our lives.  Let’s look at joy for a moment.  The world’s definition of joy includes words like ‘good fortune’ or ‘possessing what one desires’…that sounds more like the emotion of happiness and satisfying the self.  For me joy is more than a feeling, it is about comfort knowing that God is in control.  It is about knowing God works for the good of all in every situation.  Joy is as much about learning and growing in faith and sharing what we have learned with others.  And love…show love to others in the same way God shows love to you.  It is simple and yet it is not always easy.  God never said life would be easy.  I pray we seek to bear good fruit in the world according to God’s will.  Amen.

DSC06174 publish

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

“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 15:11-12

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

A New Self

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There are many factors that play into how we think and behave in our everyday life.  Past experiences, our personal expectations and our routines all have a significant impact on us.  It is so easy to slip into a way of thinking, believing and living until we realize we aren’t really living we are just existing and going through the motions.  If we want to see things differently then we must be willing to change something in ourselves.  Change is difficult and uncomfortable, yet we must remember we are not alone.  God is with us and He will guide us through our efforts to change.  May we seek the will for God for our lives and be open changing our attitudes and perspective in developing a new self.  Amen.

DSC_0841 publish

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self…”

Ephesians 4:22-24

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

Relationships

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Communication…kindness…compassion…courage…commitment…time spent together…love.  There are so many things that can get in the way of this list of characteristics that support a strong relationship.  The world feeds us self-focused ways of living and that is exactly the opposite behavior needed for a strong relationship, yet people wonder why relationships are so hard?  The key to perseverance is building a relationship on a solid foundation.  That foundation is love.  More than a feeling, love is about behaviors and attitude…Jesus Christ has provided the example of love for us to follow and if we are willing to surrender self and live in this love we will begin to see our relationships get repaired, renewed and restored.  I pray we all seek the guidance of the Lord for our relationships.  Amen.

DSC06483 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 March of 2013 at the Botanical Garden at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)