Jesus

March 15, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are saved because of Him. We are forgiven. We can find joy, peace and contentment in life because of Him. Even when we have turned away from God, maybe for long period of time because we are frustrated or mad at God or we have been over come with doubt and fear. He calls to us, He cares for us and He is The Way back to a relationship with God. The things of this world will come and go…time, money, people and friendships. The one constant for us, the one thing we know we can rely upon no matter what is happening or where we are in life…we can always rely on the love of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

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“…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking on the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Persevere

March 14, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

Purposeful…dedicated…courageous…committed…determined…resolute. It takes strength to run the race of faith. The evil in this world will serve us many forms of darkness and struggle, it will work hard, very hard to keep us away from God. We have to be willing to fight just as hard to stay close to God and trust in the hope that faith gives us…even when…especially when we can’t see it. Don’t stop believing…(and now the song by Journey is playing in my mind)…keep the faith, when you get knocked back or pushed down trust in God and keep running the race of faith. Amen.

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Hebrews 12:1

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

Our Faith And Our Actions

March 13, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

These two things are linked and interwoven together. If we focus on only one without the other we are not complete. A faith journey can begin on the inside, molding and shaping our thoughts and our attitude, as we grow, we begin to show what we have learned in our actions and our behaviors towards others. We have had the best example possible set for us in the life of Christ. He not only spoke the Words of faith and taught others, he went out and lived it…He befriended the hurting, the sick, the lonely and the mistreated and came to bring healing to our broken world. When we are able to join our faith and our actions they feed us, help us to grow and bring joy and peace. Amen.

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“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:11-12

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

He Knows

March 12, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter how you are feeling or what thoughts are racing through your mind, remember that God knows what is going on in your life and in your mind and He is waiting for you to turn to Him and trust Him to be your guide and to care for you. All that is good comes from God, all that is sin and suffering was brought into this world by us. Believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and come to Him for whatever you need. The music of the world has been impacting more than usual over the last few weeks…I can’t help but think it is God speaking through others as some of the songs I have heard many times over and yet they seem to sound different lately or more like message. Today I share a song by Jeremy Camp that He released 4 years ago. May the God of mercy a grace be with you. Amen.

“He Knows” by Jeremy Camp

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29

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

Do Not Be Afraid

March 10, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of the favorite weapons of evil is fear. It can be paralyzing and stop us from doing good things. It takes our focus off of God which is exactly where the prince of darkness wants us to be. Do not listen to fear, listen for God. What are you not doing because of fear? What are you not taking part in or what are you not saying? Take it to God and listen for Him to guide you. Trust in the Lord and let you faith be greater than your fear. Amen.

Here is an amazing and powerful song by Zach Williams regarding Fear…

“Fear Is A Liar” by Zach Williams

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“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

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

Facing Trials

March 8, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are not made to do this on our own…so many people try to go it alone. We need faith and a belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. We need a community of believers to pray with us and for us. Every trial can provide growth in our relationship with Jesus. The trials will keep coming, that is just part of what we are facing in this fallen world. There is hope, there is joy and there can be peace if you believe in God and trust Him with your life. He has shown His love for us through the sacrifice of His One and Only Son. Whatever are you are facing today…take it to the Lord in prayer. Amen.

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

James 1:2-3

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 while on a hike near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Christ Died For Us

March 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As we read about the life of Jesus in the Bible, we hear about how His presence alone was powerful. When He spoke it captured the attention of anyone around, it didn’t matter if what He was saying was making them feel good or made them feel fearful, everyone listened intently. Something was different about this man, He was more different from any other person. Then there were the miracles…healing the sick, feeding the hungry, bringing the dead back to life. He was a friend to those that society had cast aside and He could see people in a way that no one else could. He was God in human form and He came down from heaven to save us. Before He began His public ministry, a ministry He knew would end with His death on earth…He spent 40 days in the desert fasting. As of yesterday, we have entered a similar 40 day period…how will we take time to connect with Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord over the next 40 days? May the peace of the Lord be with you on your journey. Amen.

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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 March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

Our Plans…His Plan

March 6, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The faith journey can feel like a repetitive cycle. We read God’s Word, we go to worship, we listen and learn. We believe we understand and will now go and live according to what we have learned…then as humans tend to do, we try to take control and go off our own way and end up frustatred and wonder what happened? Then it’s back to God’s Word and going to worship, etc. How can this cycle be broken? When we get to a point where we are about to take some form of action, something that we normally would do, we need to pause, step aside and pray. Ask God what do you want me to do here? Ask Him to give us wisdom according to His plan and then wait and listen. It could be we are spending a siginificant amount of our time on something God never intended for us to be doing. The only way to find out is between you and Him. Seek the will of the Lord for your life and live. Amen.

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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

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

Endurance

March 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Keep going…keep believing…keep praying…listen…observe…endure. God’s Word tells us we will have trouble in this world. Be persistent, seek to do good things, learn from what you have experienced. The next attempt might be the one that breaks through to something greater than you can imagine. There is a new song by an artist named Danny Gokey entitled “Haven’t Seen It Yet” and it provides a perspective about God’s will that many of us need to be reminded of. Don’t give up…God is with you. Amen.

“Haven’t Seen It Yet” by Danny Gokey

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

Contentment

March 3, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Satisfaction…fulfillment…comfort…well-being…peace…serenity…tranquility. This is not a popular word when it comes to many areas of society. The messages are usually about more, more and more. The perspective of faith encourages us to find contentment with worldly things and use our zeal in life to serve the Lord. To be content does not mean to retract from engaging in or to stop pursuing something rather it is about priorities. God can and does meet our needs, our job is knowing when we have enough and when we receive beyond that it is for us to share with others. May the grace and peace of God be with you. Amen.

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