Amazing Love

August 9, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

You Are My King (Amazing Love) by Newsboys

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:6-8

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“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

1 John 4:7-12

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

We Wait With Hope

August 5, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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 40:30-31

While I’m Waiting by John Waller

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“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.”

Psalm 130:5

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

Daily Living – Walking In The Light

July 23, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^[b] sin.

⁸If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”

1 John 1:5-10

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“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ²He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. ⁴Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. ⁵But if anyone obeys his word, love for God^[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

1 John 2:1-6

(This photo was taken yesterday while traveling through the State of Wyoming)

Open The Eyes Of My Heart

July 14, 2021 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27

Open The Eyes Of My Heart by Michael W. Smith

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Treasures

August 20, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Originally posted in July of 2018…

What gets your attention quickly? What is it that gets your heart pumping and your blood flowing faster? What is it in your life that you have passion towards? These are hints of your treasures. We all have something that drives to the heart of us. As we continue to grow on our faith journey the treasures tend to change. As knowledge and time spent on growing our relationship with Jesus Christ increases we begin to get a better understanding of the value of relationships. We also can begin to clearly see that the stuff and the things we have worried about in the past may have been foolish worries. We are humbled to learn that God in heaven knows us, loves us and forgives us and the things He has planned for us involve far greater treasures than those the world offers us. May the awe and wonder of our God be with you. Amen.

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“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:21

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Give Thanks To The Lord

August 12, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Jesus has paid the price for our sins…He has reconciled us to God. We are redeemed…we are loved. God will teach us and guide us through His Word…He can transform our hearts and minds…He comforts us and strengthens us. Give thanks to the Lord. Amen.

Forever by Chris Tomlin

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

Psalm 136:1

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass near the Montana and Wyoming border)

Listen

August 6, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

God speaks to us many ways…most often it is through the words in the Scriptures. When we read the bible, we are reading the very words of God. Things He wants us to know…a guide for living with peace in our hearts. In our relationship with the Lord we should not be the one doing all the talking, otherwise we will miss out on hearing God’s will and God’s plan for our lives. Listen and you will learn and gain wisdom from God. Amen.

“Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
⁵Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.”

Psalm 25:4-5

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“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 32:8

(This photo was taken October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

It Takes Courage…

August 4, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The post below was originally posted in January of 2020…my how the world has changed since January…we need courage to do the right things now more than ever…we need to trust in the Lord. Amen.

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

Joshua 1:9

To move forward without knowing the outcome…to admit we don’t know the answers…to be patient…to share and be vulnerable with another person. It takes courage to be humble…to surrender your plans for God’s plan…it takes courage to live the life that God has intended for you…and the best part is…a relationship with Jesus Christ will give you the courage to seek His will when you trust in Him. Amen.

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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

Redeemed

August 2, 2020 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.”

Romans 5:19

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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 April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

There Is A Place…

July 26, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A place to find redemption…a place to be forgiven…a place where we will know hope…a place where we will find peace. There is a place where you can find what you have been looking for…it is at the foot of The Cross. Amen.

The Cross Has The Final Word by Newsboys

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