God’s Grace

April 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We see it on display in His actions…He sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to save us…He gives us an opportunity to learn from Him through His Word…even while we are still sinners He forgives us…He gives us the Holy Spirit as a guide through our daily life…He will never leave us or abandon us no matter what. That is truly amazing grace. Amen.

This Is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephasians 2:8-9

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

The Grace Of God

January 29, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have been saved…the battle has been won. Jesus Christ gave of Himself to save us and to reconcile us back to God. We are not made to do life alone, God our Creator made us out of His love and His Son sacrificed His life because of His love for us and the Holy Spirit is guiding us through our days with God’s love. We haven’t earned it, we don’t deserve it. It has occured because of the mercy and grace of God our Father. He is not a distant figure in the sky looking for ways to punish us for every mistake, He is doing everything for our good, not according to our plans rather according to His. We would do well to turn towards God and thank Him and seek to grow our relationship with Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

Romans 5:8

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

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

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“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)

Mercy And Compassion

October 20, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Grace…forgiveness…kindness…sympathy…generosity…tenderheartedness. It seems like sometimes people with these character traits are cast aside by society as weak or out of place. The fact is these behaviors are what make a community, a business, a church and a family strong and connected. It is focusing on living in this way that encourages others and keeps us from dwelling on self-centered behaviors. This reminds me of bible verses in the New Testament, such as: “…The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Luke 10:2) Meaning the number of people hurting, suffering and in need is many but those willing and able to help is few. Prayer and acting with these behaviors and finding the way God is asking you to serve others is a wonderful way to turn towards God and step out in faith on your faith journey. May we all be strong and courageous in showing mercy and compassion to others. Amen.

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“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.”

Zechariah 7:9

(This photo was taken in July of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Compassion

September 15, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To be helpful…thoughtful…aware of the suffering of others…a desire to provide help and support…understanding the needs of another. One of the strongest elements of humility is compassion. Being aware that others are suffering and need assistance and then going and doing something that provides help and support. We all have different roles in our relationships with others, which means there are many different ways for us to provide help and support depending on who needs us and what has happened to them. When you know or get a sense inside you that you should do something for someone else but you are unsure what it is you should do, do not ignore that feeling, turn to the Lord and ask Him to help guide you to what the other person needs…then listen and watch for His reply. Be careful not to do something you believe they need from your perspective, rather be sensitive and aware of what they say they need. Compassion does not have to be something difficult and complex in order to be helpful…often times it is the simple and thoughtful things that make the biggest difference for others. May God’s grace and mercy flow through us and into our relationships.

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the border between Minnesota and South Dakota)

Grace And Mercy

May 29, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

God provides us both His grace and His mercy, even though we do not earn them. His love for us is so strong that even though we were still sinners He sent His one and only Son to save us. When we reflect on our daily lives there is so much we should be thankful for that gets taken for granted. We would be wise to take time to praise God and give thanks for all He has done for us. It is so easy to get distracted by a variety of things in the world and yet God is right here with us, waiting for us to turn to Him in faith. We are most encouraged when we spend time in relationship with the Lord. May God’s peace and joy be with you.

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“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 August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Patience

May 20, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we believe and we trust in God we will be required to develop patience in this world. Circumstances will often look hopeless and many people will despair and be engulfed in sadness and fear, that is the way of evil. We must never give up hope, we must trust in God to continue working for the good for us and for everyone. God does not make bad things happen, He is not tempting you with things that are not good…that is sin in the world and we humans invited that sin into this world. God is at work in all the bad we have created to bring out goodness, kindness and love. Believe in Him who created us, believe in His one and only Son, Jesus Christ and see the good things that can happen in your life in this world. May God’s peace and joy be with you.

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“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Wisdom And Understanding

May 16, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

These are two elements that will get us through anything in life. Wisdom from the Lord and understanding of His Word can help to lead us on the path to joy. To gain these we must spend time reading the Word, praying and sitting quietly with Jesus. For these activities are the true sources of wisdom and how we can gain understanding. The world is filled with darkness and the evil of sin and they will do everything to keep you from spending time with God. Don’t underestimate the power of sin, it is deceptive and persistent and will always be looking for ways to distract you. Seek wisdom from the Lord and read the Scriptures for understanding each day. Ask God to provide you the courage and strength to do so. He loves you and He is watching over you. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”

Proverbs 3:13-14

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

Good Things

May 1, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

If can be hard to see the good sometimes. The world so full of evil and darkness, deceitfulness and envy. Often when living in the moment, I tend to question, what difference does it make? It matters, it always matters, especially when at least one other person will be impacted. We are not in a position to know what God has intended for us. In the book of Genesis, Joseph, son of Jacob, was thrown in a pit and left to die, he was sold into slavery, he resisted the advances of a married woman and was put in jail. Joseph continued to be a good person and saved another man’s life and that man quickly forgot about him when he left prison. Eventually, he became a ruler in Egypt and saved many lives during a famine. He never stopped trying, he never stopped doing good to others and all along the way he suffered and must have been frustrated…in the end he never stopped trusting in God and he saved many lives. Reflect on the road you have been on and look to see the good things. May God’s peace be with you.

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

Romans 8:37

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while driving through North Dakota)

Anything Is Possible

April 26, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Why do we doubt so much? Why is it so hard for us to believe what may be possible with God? When we are willing to surrender to His plan and His way in His time, there’s no telling what can happen. Look at the stories in the bible…Abraham and Sarah had a child they had so longed for when Sarah was 90…the 5000 were fed when all that was available to eat was a few fish and some bread…Lazarus is raised from the dead after being gone for a few days…and there are so many more examples. When God is involved in a situation anything is possible. We must turn to Him first with whatever we are facing and remember He is not a genie in a bottle who sometimes grants wishes…He is our creator, our savior and our guide who always has good things in store for us. Trust in the Lord and watch to see what He has in store for you. May the joy of the Lord be with you.

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