Give Thanks

January 19, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is easy to get caught up in the minutia of life everyday and forget that God is with you. In fact that is exactly what the forces of evil want you to do, evil wants you to believe you are all alone and you should only look out for yourself. God knows the struggle…Jesus faced the devil in the desert and He has overcome death and evil through His death and resurrection. Connect with the Lord today and be thankful for Jesus who has fought the battle and won. May God’s peace be with you.

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“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:57

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

Use Your Spiritual Gifts

January 17, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are all uniquely made by God. In each one of us there are gifts and talents that we have that were given to us to use to help others in some way. These may not be fully developed yet but they are still there. Seek to find what your gifts and talents may be…when you are able to do something that feels like no effort at all and yet others are so thankful for your effort that may be telling you something about your gifts. Another way to learn about your gifts is to look through a list of volunteer opportunities and whichever one speaks to you and makes you think ‘I could do that’…then go and do it. You were made for a purpose find ways to seek out what that is and when you find it do more of it. May God’s peace be with you.

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“We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

Romans 12:6-8

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Give Your Time And Gifts For Others

January 16, 2018 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

We all have received spiritual gifts and blessings in this life…these are not always related to worldly power and finances. The gift of time and the ability to choose your attitude are two things worth more than all the money in the world. Don’t take these gifts for granted…do something, do an act of love today…it doesn’t matter what size of an act it is. Even if your action shows kindness and love to only one other person the ripples of impact can travel far beyond you in this world. May God’s peace be with you.

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“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Matthew 25:35-36

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs, Colorado)

He Renews Our Strength

January 13, 2018January 13, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One important aspect of a relationship with God the Father, Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit is the power to renew us and restore us when we get off course or off track. When you spend time growing your relationship with the Lord you learn to become aware of His presence…there are few words that can describe the peace that comes from knowing that God is with you every moment of every minute of every hour of every day of your life. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and restore you…trust in Him…he is the one person that gave up everything he had to save you. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31

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

Always With You

January 12, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of greatest mindset shifts that needs to occur on the faith journey is knowing no matter where you go or what you do God will always be with you. It is up to you to recognize Him and to be aware of his presence through the Holy Spirit. We all get off course and make mistakes or poor decisions as we live in a broken and fallen world. God knows this and wants to have a relationship with you to help you through life. Whatever is on your heart today…give it to Him…leave it at the foot of the cross and see what happens. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

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

Commitment

January 11, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Do what you say you would do…stay true to your word…demonstrate a willingness to be responsible…show integrity. When you read these phrases and think about them none of them say this is going to be all about ‘fun’ or ‘personally convenient’ or ‘this is all about being happy all the time.’ Commitment is hard and it takes dedication, it takes time and it doesn’t always serve personal desires.

That is the point about commitment…it is not about you! That is exactly why we need to build our personal relationship with Jesus, he knows what it means to be committed to something that is hard, not fun and not about him…yet he spoke openly with his father to help him keep moving forward and complete the task given to him…and he did it for you and me. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

Proverbs 16:3

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

Choose Holy Living

January 7, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

With each day the gift of free will means we can choose our attitude toward everything…we can choose our attitude towards what other people think, say or do. We can choose to be kind and compassionate or we can respond with vicious words and wrath…nobody can make you do this, it is up to you how you respond even if you don’t take the time to think about your response you are still accountable for your behavior every day. Choose patience…choose kindness and compassion…be forgiving and most of all no matter what choose to respond with love…after all that is what Jesus did for us. May God’s peace be with you.

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“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. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14

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

Faithfulness

January 5, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Every generation of people has struggles and suffering…God wants to help us and guide us through the struggles. We suffer because humans beings invited evil into the world… God never said come follow me and life will be easy. If fact the bible states…“In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome this world” (John 16:33). He knows what you are facing every single day of your life, he knew it before you were born and he sent His One and Only Son to show us how much he loves us. Trust God’s plan by spending time with him each day, read the bible and you will see God’s faithfulness surround you. May God’s peace be with you!

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