Seek God’s Will

March 28, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When questions seem never-ending in life, we often look for easy or convenient answers in worldly places. If we just knew all the answers than life would be easy…becareful what you wish for. Easy has never been promised to anyone and even if you think there is a person or people who have it easy than most likely you don’t know the whole story about them or their lives. We all have troubles, we all are broken in some way. The one constant, the only thing that we know we can count on is God’s love. He is our Creator, He knows everything about our lives and His plan is far better than anything we can cook up ourselves. Seek God’s will for your life and you will find peace. Amen.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

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

Acknowledge Your Mistakes

March 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Mistakes and errors will happen, we all will make them, it is guaranteed because we are broken. We need strength and courage that only comes from Christ to admit to our mistakes, to acknowledge them and then strive to do better. If we spend our time always trying to conceal or hide things all we are doing is delaying the inevitable truth. The best that we can do when we make mistakes is to be open and honest about them and learn from them…the truth is failure is not an end it is just one step closer to success for those who won’t give up. Trust in the Lord and you will be amazed at what you can learn. Amen.

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, his is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

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

The Greatness Of God

March 24, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Good morning and peace be with you. The God of all creation is with you and ready to lead you today. There is nothing on earth greater than God and your personal relationship with Jesus Christ His Son. Be thankful for the blessings in your life and extend the peace of the Lord to others throughout your day. Amen.

The song I share today was just released early this year…

The Greatness Of Our God by The Newsboys

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“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”

Psalm 145:3

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

Return To Sender

March 23, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is true…we will get exactly what we give in this life. If we choose to stomp around with anger, deceit and selfish motivations, always screaming and yelling about our rights…there is no reason to expect others to treat us any differently. Take a moment to reflect on any recent interaction you have had that didn’t go well from your perspective. Who was first to start the interaction? You or the other person and what was the tone and demeanor of the first person to act? If things started from a place of anger and tension then I would guess it continued and escalated or even if it started out just fine something must have happened that turned it into something unpleasant. We are wired to react and respond and if someone doesn’t stop the reaction response mentality things get to the point where people get hurt or killed. There must be a better way…The Good News is just that…a better way. We can choose to be different, we can be kind and compassionate with patience if we are willing to turn towards Jesus Christ and invite Him into our hearts and minds and we read the Word of God to learn about this Way every day. Amen.

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“The one who sows to please the sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

Galatians 6:8

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

Believe

March 22, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

God loves you…God is with you…Bring all your worries and your fears to the Cross and trust in Him who died to save you. Our faith is free but it is not cheap, when you plant the Word of God in your heart nobody can take that from you. Believe in God the Father…believe in Jesus Christ His Son our Lord and live knowing…God loves you…God is with you. Amen.

We Believe by The Newsboys

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“Do not let you hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”

John 14:1

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

Patience

March 21, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Here is where I struggle in life…I know we all face trials in life but oh man, patience is where I need help every day. I find it ironic that I depend so greatly on God’s patience with me because I have so much growing yet to do. God’s Word is a big help and reading daily helps to renew and restore my perspective and attitude. Here is the lesson that I need to keep learning…it’s not about me. We face troubles and trials all the time and how we handle these things can indicate how much we truly believe in the faith we profess. One of the most incredible people in the Bible to me is Job…talk about perseverance and a faith so strong it could survive such devastation and destruction, amazing. I pray we all can develop the patience and perseverance provided by faith…no matter what we may face in this world. Amen.

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

James 1:2-3

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Consistent

March 20, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

Steady…stable…unchanging…unswerving…unwavering…dependable…reliable…unfailing. Always available, always with us. How many things or people can you name in your life that meet this standard? We all have faced and will continue to face trials and troubles, we will all suffer loss and feel like nothing is going right and think where is God in all of this? He is right there with you…the most consistent and reliable thing in life is God’s Word and the one person you can always count on is Jesus Christ His Son our Savior and Lord. Nothing in this world can compare to what is available to us through faith. Read the Word of God daily and spend time in communication with Jesus and you will find peace. Amen.

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“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation

March 18, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The world tells us to pursue money, comfort and the easy life. To look out for ourselves and satisfy ourselves first and most often, this is the sinful nature and it has taken hold in many people. There is a way to be different and to live with purpose and it is based on your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He loves you, He gave His life to save you and His way is the only way to God the Father. Spend time reading God’s Word and learn about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Prayer…Taste And See

March 17, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are searching for answers to so many questions. We are easily frustrated and begin to think negative thoughts. We think that the only way to pray is with certain words or a certain way…God just wants hear from us no matter how or when we pray. He desires a real relationship with us, not for us to perform the way we think He wants us to. Pray with your words and your feelings, be willing to be honest with God and seek His will for your life. Here are the lyrics and a song by Riley Clemmons to share her thoughts about prayers…

Broken Prayers by Riley Clemmons

I’ve been taught how to talk to you
Hold it together, make the bad look better
Say all the words that I’m supposed to
Bow my head, say, “amen”
Yeah, that’ll do
Making every dead end look like heaven
Like being okay is the way to reach you

But you’re not afraid of all the things I feel
So why am I afraid of being real?

You want my tears, every messy word
Every scar and every fear
You want all I have
With no holding back
When I’m hurt, at my worst
You meet me there
‘Cause you see the beauty
In my broken prayers
In my broken prayers

You don’t care if it ain’t poetry
‘Cause all of my edges
They’re a little rough
But that’s all I got to bring

‘Cause you’re not afraid of all the things I feel
Don’t have to hide the scars that still aren’t healed

You want my tears, every messy word (yeah)
Every scar and every fear
You want all I have
With no holding back
When I’m hurt, at my worst
You meet me there
‘Cause You see the beauty
In my broken prayers
In my broken prayers

Mascara running down my face
Desperate cry in a dark place
You take me that way
All of me

My broken prayers

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalms 34:8

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

Give Thanks and Praise

March 16, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

It is crazy how quickly the attetntion of so many people is distracted. Today’s world is filled with so much information and so much more incorrect information that it is easy to get derailed or side tracked. We need to be able to be centered on something or someone to keep us level headed and not chasing every feeling and emotion as if we are the center of the universe. God knows everything about us. I did a brief exercise this morning that I read about in one of my devotionals today…think about your last 24 hours…God knows about every single thing and every single thought you have experienced…yes even that one…now think about the fact that this is true about every single thing and thought in your life…and after all that realize that right now, knowing all those things, God forgives you and God loves you the same today as He did the day you were born. To show you how much He loves and cares for you He sent His Son to take the punishment that we all deserve so that we can still have a relationship with Him. Give thanks and praise to God our Father and Jesus Christ, His Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7

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