Thank You God!

January 7, 2017 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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So I have aged another year and as I reflect I think about my physical age and my faith journey…I am still a child in spiritual growth but so grateful for the opportunity to grow by reading God’s Word, praying and fellowship and I am thankful for the Holy Spirit’s presence!

On this day I thank you and praise you God for all you have blessed me with in life and I pray for my interactions with others that they can see you presence in my life and my actions.

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

1 Peter 3:8-9

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at Kaanapali beach on Maui)

Jesus Knows How You Feel

January 5, 2017 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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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

It is so easy for us to get distracted by events and the words of this world that make us feel terrible. That is about the time we let our self-talk, you know, the talk in our minds about how alone we are, how nobody really understands…been there, done that myself, too often!

The thing is Jesus does know, he came down from heaven and lived as a man on earth. He lived an everyday life, not just a miracle making life. He interacted with people, he got frustrated with others, he felt grief and sorrow, he went to weddings and funerals, he was treated poorly by many and treated with love and respect by others.

He lived a life on earth just like you and me…no matter where you are, how you are feeling, trust in Jesus, talk to him about it today…

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.

Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:14-16

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving through Nebraska)

Listen And Learn

January 4, 2017 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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Solomon the son of David became king of Israel and when God came to him and told him to ask whatever he wishes and it will be given to you…Solomon made a choice very few people would…

“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

2 Chronicles 1:10

God blessed him with significant wisdom and knowledge, more than any other person had ever been given. The Book of Proverbs is a collection of many nuggets of wisdom spoken by Solomon and therefore it has many great instructions for life…and again most of these items are simple statements of truth that are not always easy to live out.

If you have had difficulty wondering where to start in looking at or reading the Bible, try starting in Proverbs it has so many great lessons to remember for everyday life.

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”

Proverbs 19:20

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)

Perseverance

January 3, 2017 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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Don’t get misled by the ways and words of the world, develop a prayer habit and share what troubles you with Jesus…

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12

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

A New Day, Live A New Way

December 28, 2016 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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“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. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

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

Open The Eyes Of Our Hearts

December 26, 2016 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians…

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe…”

Ephesians 1:18-19

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Merry Christmas with Love!

December 25, 2016 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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I wrote this post during Christmas 2 years ago, it still best sums up all that Christmas means to me and the thankfulness I have that Christ came to save us…

Reflecting on the season and all that goes on in our lives…I have always looked forward to Christmas time. As a kid, I enjoyed the lights, the music and family gatherings and of course…the presents! As I and my faith have grown I realize that Christmas is a significant point in time for me to really deepen my faith.

As an adult in the mind and a kid at heart I still enjoy the lights, the music and the family gatherings…I now enjoy the giving of gifts far more than the receiving of presents. Where we live I enjoy the snow and even the cold. The change of season is natural to me, it is God showing us his love using nature. All that was alive in summer has passed on but it will all be reborn in springtime. With the shorter days we set up lights to brighten our nights. I most enjoy that it seems to be the one time of the year that a significant number of people in the world take pause…and actually acknowledge Jesus Christ and his coming into the world.

This Christmas I pray you see and feel a sense of…

Hope – God made a promise to you and everyone to love you and to never leave you…believe him and trust him with every area of your life.

Peace – Be content when your basic needs are fulfilled and share with others if you have been blessed with abundance…practice patience.

Joy – Wear a smile more often and make an effort to help others find their smile…focus on the positive in any situation.

Love – Life is more about how you treat others than how they treat you…you can’t control what others will think, say or do so don’t waste time worrying about it…do all that you do with love.

At Christmas time and throughout the year put Christ in the center of your life…with Christ you will know Hope, you will know Peace, you will know Joy and you will know that the Love of Christ in your heart will help you overcome anything this world can throw at you.

May you see and know God’s blessings in your life this Christmas and carry them with you all through the New Year!

Merry Christmas!

The Good News

December 24, 2016 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger’.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all on whom his favor rests’.”

Luke 2:10-14

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at sunrise on the island of Maui)

Seek First His Kingdom

December 21, 2016 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:33-34

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