Gratitude

September 2, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2

(This photo was taken in July of 2021 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

The Promised One

September 1, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you^[a] a sign: The virgin^[b] will conceive and give birth to a son, and^[c] will call him Immanuel.”^[d]

Isaiah 7:14

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

What A Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship

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“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹²Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:9-14

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling in southern New Mexico)

Follow Jesus

August 31, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Matthew 16:24

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

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

Willingness To Be Different?

August 29, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father^[a] is not in them. ¹⁶For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

1 John 2:15-17

Romans 12:1-2

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“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13

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

God’s Faithfulness

August 28, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Deuteronomy 7:9

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“He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Psalm 91:4

(This photo was taken in August of 2021 at a field near Kimball, Minnesota)

All Things New

August 27, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

All Things New by Steven Curtis Chapman

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“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; ²³to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24

(This photo was taken in September of 2020 at sunrise by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Come As You Are

August 26, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29

Come, Now Is The Time To Worship by Brian Doerksen

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“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”

Revelation 22:17

(This photo was take in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

God Is Greater Than __________

August 25, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Feel free to finish that title with anything you want…God is greater. No matter what you can think of, our God is greater. This means whatever is on your mind, whatever is pulling on you or keeping you distracted, whatever burden you are carrying…God is greater than that issue, that problem, that worry, that concern, that guilt or shame. It doesn’t matter if we are are talking about the past, the present or the future…God is greater than all things and He is with you right now. Turn towards Him, talk to Him and trust in Him. Amen.

“The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods.”

2 Chronicles 2:5

“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

1 John 3:20

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“You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Isaiah 26:3

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

The Good News

August 24, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 2:6-11

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)

Nothing Is Impossible

August 23, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

²⁰He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:19-20

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