Self-less

February 9, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of the most tragic afflictions of our time is selfishness or being self-focused. The look at me, make sure I have more than others, constantly assessing my place compared to others and then determining my own value based on what others think or tell me they think about me mentality. This perspective pushes God to the side and puts me first as the top priority. This has always been an affliction on human society and it seems to have grown exponentially since the explosion of social media. One of the world’s greatest needs right now is more humility and less selfies. Imagine the impact on human relationships when people are looking to lift others up as often as they care for themselves. I am not suggesting we ignore ourselves rather we strive for a better balance in the way we live. I pray that we all take time to be humble and serve as much as we look to be served. As usual with faith it’s simple but not easy. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition of 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 2:3-4

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

Prayer

February 7, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Growing up prayer was about being able to memorize the lines of the Lord’s prayer, however, there wasn’t much talk about or at least I don’t remember hearing about the meaning of what we were saying and I don’t believe I was told that you can say other things or that you should take time to listen to God as well. I was taught more about a one way street, me speaking to God, and most television shows or movies at that time would indicate that a relationship with God meant keeping Him in a box with a glass door that read “In Case of an Emergency Break Glass.” Only in my adult life have I learned about a deeper prayer relationship and sitting in nature or in the quiet and listening. The ability to communicate daily and to grow in your time with God is a blessing…in means slowing down and not taking your cues from the frenetic rush of society or social media. It is about being present and aware of your surroundings and living each day. Prayer is the place to start connecting or re-connecting with God. May God’s peace be with you.

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“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”

Psalm 103:8

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

Servant Leadership

February 6, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I have been doing some reflection on this phrase and what it is all about. In my faith journey I have learned that Jesus while on earth was a servant leader. He set the example for others, he was willing to humbly do and be what was needed to spread His message of love and service to grow the spiritual life of the apostles first and then to spread the Word to the far reaches of the world through them. To be a servant leader is to be a listener, to have awareness of the needs of others, to have empathy, to build community and to enrich the lives of others so that they can achieve their best. It is not about the individual as a leader in power over others…rather it is about serving others as the leader to help everyone achieve good things as a community. The best way to learn about this is to study the best example we have…Jesus. May God’s peace be with you.

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“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

John 13:15

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

Each Has A Purpose

February 5, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The makeup of a car engine has many different parts and all the parts work together to create a properly running engine. The slightest malfunction of one part may stop an engine from running completely or will at the very least create a rough running situation that can damage the engine for the long term. The bible talks about the body of Christ in the same way. We are all members of the body of Christ and we all have different functions according to the gifts and blessings we have received. In order to grow the body of Christ which is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ across the world we all need to learn and understand our part and perform it to the best of our ability. What is your function in the body of Christ? Seek it and live it. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

Romans 12:4-5

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

Grace

February 2, 2018February 2, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To the Christian this is the free and unearned favor of God shown to us by the sacrifice Jesus endured to save us and it continues in the many blessings we have in our daily lives. Too often I get lost in the minutia of life, focusing or worrying about something that at the end of the day really doesn’t deserve that much of my time and attention, either because it is not something I can control or more commonly it is in the past and it can’t be changed. When we begin to spend time with the Word of God it will seep in to us in places we usually don’t like to acknowledge, deep in our souls to places we don’t show to the outside world. God knows about these places and still He loves us. We don’t deserve it, we didn’t have to pay for it…yet Jesus offered himself up and showed us…Grace. Let Christ in to your heart and mind every day, He loves you and He goes with you everywhere you go. May God’s peace be with you.

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)

Free Will

February 1, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have been given a gift, a gift we take for granted far too often…free will. We are not designed to be robots that only perform a certain way when given appropriate commands…think ‘voice remote’ or talking to your phone. God has designed us with free will, the ability to choose how we will respond, act and interact with the world. Of course, this means we are responsible for the choices we make and we are accountable to our actions and decisions. I am sure I have heard a quote about ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ true words. Free will should not be taken for granted or used to do harm to others. It is a gift that has come at a price that Jesus Christ paid for on our behalf. Seek Him and ask Him how to best use your gift. May God’s peace be with you.

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“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love.”

Galatians 5:13

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

January 31, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of the simplest ways to show love to others is to share. Share your time, share your ability to listen, share your ability to serve, share anything that you have been blessed with in abundance. The world is filled with people who have an abundance that they can share, something that is provided to them well beyond their own needs…this is not about only money, it is about gifts and talents and abilities. Reflect on your life and how your needs have been met. If you have been blessed with wealth, share that with those in need. What is an area of life where God has provided an abundance? Find out what it is and seek ways to share that abundance with others. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”

1 Timothy 6:17-18

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while driving through Colorado)

Persistence

January 28, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In a world that focuses on self-serving convenience, fast, time-saving rushing around and immediate gratification it takes persistence and patience to stay on your faith journey and to grow your spirit. You have to be willing to be different from the crowd at times and have the courage and confidence that God is with you always. We will all make mistakes and wonder off, I certainly have, and God is always able to guide me back when I take the time to be with Him. You won’t have all the answers and may not know all the reasons why…it won’t be easy, however, in the end when our time on earth is up it will all be worth it. If you don’t believe it…just ask God. May God’s peace be with you.

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“The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Galatians 6:8-10

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 near Salem, North Dakota)

Gratitude

January 27, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The messages that come to us through television, the internet, social media, and many other ways usually have a sense of negativity and complaining within them. The world is full of despair and suffering. We humans are inviting sin and darkness into our lives when we sit and consume hours of screen time and look only to serve ourselves…this is not a judgement it is a fact and it happens to me far too often as well. It is so easy to get sucked in to misery and despair…while it is important to recognize a time for sadness, and mourning, depending upon the battle you are fighting, it is not a state of mind or place to stay and live constantly. There should always be a time for hope and gratitude to coincide with sadness and despair…with everything in life there should be a healthy balance. The one place I can trust in hope is in the Word of God…the bible is not a fairy tale it is history and recorded observations. Jesus Christ came into the world to save us from our sins and He sacrificed himself to death to reconcile us with God…for that I am eternally grateful. May God’s peace be with you. (If you are wondering we got the computer working again)

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

Psalm 118:1

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

A New Creation

January 24, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Spiritual growth comes from change…change in attitude, change in perspective and change in our focus. When we invite Jesus Christ into our heart and mind receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. We begin to surrender our self-serving desires and focus on the needs of others. We will begin to view people and events with a new perspective and we start to change our behaviors from the old way of being to a new way…one that shines a light on who we are becoming…our true selves, the way God made us to be. This transformation happens at a different pace for everybody…there is no one way to be transformed…it is between you and Jesus Christ…you just need to spend time getting guidance from Him. May God’s peace be with you.

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