The Season To Celebrate Jesus

December 22, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

As I have said in the past music has a way of touching my soul and the hymns of Christmas, the traditional spiritual hymns that tell the story of the birth of Christ are the most powerful source of peace for me. The Savior will be born and He is coming to save all people. This morning as I woke up the hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful” was playing in my mind with the phrase ‘O come let us adore him’, it gets me thinking about what Jesus did for me and for you…being born as a baby, what He gave up and what He went through to save me and to save you. I encourage you to find your favorite Christmas place wherever you are put on some of the hymns of Christmas and give thanks to Jesus Christ this Christmas Season. Amen.

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“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.”

Psalm 95:6-7

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Faith

December 16, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Commitment…belief…trust…relationship…communication…courage…strength…mercy…grace…worship…praise…thankfulness…love. It is a powerful thing. Give thanks to God for all He has done for you and trust in Him to carry you through, wherever you are, no matter what struggle you are facing. Believe in Jesus Christ and the power of Faith. Amen.

Here is some music about Faith…

What Faith Can Do – by Kutless

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“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

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

Put Your Hope In God

December 1, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Good morning. Welcome to a new day. There are many things happening in your life today, yet God is still with you because He loves you. Sharing the lyrics and music of the song on my mind this morning. Here is “Find Rest” by Francesca Battistelli

“Find Rest”

He never sleeps, He never slumbers
He’s been awake at every hour
No tear catches Him by surprise
He’s never lost, He never runs out
He never lives in the shadows of doubt
No fear catches Him by surprise

Find rest my soul
Put your hope in God
Put your hope, put your hope in God

He always is, He always will be
He always has been everything I need
How can this be catching me by surprise
He’s ever strong, He’s ever faithful
His love is real, now nothing is impossible
‘Cause nothing catches Him by surprise

Find rest my soul
Put your hope in God
Put your hope, put your hope in God

I close my eyes, and I can see
The arms of mercy holding me
I close my eyes, and I can see
The arms of Jesus holding me

Find rest my soul
Put your hope in God
Put your hope, put your hope in God

Put your hope in God
Put your hope in God

Songwriters: Francesca Battistelli / Ian Eskelin / Jared Anderson

Find Rest lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Capitol Christian Music Group

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“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 42:11

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

A Christmas List

November 26, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Often this time of year people of all ages are asked by someone “what do you want for Christmas this year?” For younger children in large families ‘a list’ of Christmas wishes may be created. Think for a moment if you were to make a list of Christmas wishes or desires this year. What would go on the list? Would your list have needs or wants on it? How much time would be spent of thinking about your list for this Christmas? As we grow older how does your perspective change? Think about your list and think about what would be on it if you share it with Jesus? As many of you know I am a big fan of music and it’s impact when you really listen to the story of the song…and yes I do really enjoy Christmas music. I am mot referring to the songs of the children’s tales like Rudolph and Frosty but the spiritual Christmas music. Amy Grant recorded a song in 1992 entitled “The Grown-Up Christmas List” I am sharing the lyrics and a link to the song. May we all spend time reflecting on our own list and sharing it with Christ. Amen.

My Grown Up Christmas List

Do you remember me
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well I’m all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I’m not a child but my heart still can dream

So here’s my lifelong wish
My grown up Christmas list
Not for myself but for a world in need
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, no
This is my grown up Christmas list

As children we believe
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely wrapped beneath the tree
But Heaven only knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal a heart-ached human soul

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, no
This is my grown up Christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth

Songwriters: Linda Thompson / David Foster

My Grown Up Christmas List lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

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

Luke 12:34

(This photo was taken in December of 2013 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

He Lives

November 18, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are saved…we are forgiven…the Sacrifice has been made…the price has been paid…the battle has already been won…our Savior took our punishment…we are reconciled with God…we can go on in faith…because He Lives!

Sharing a song of worship and praise today…May God’s peace be with you.

“Because He Lives” by Matt Maher

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“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while driving through the State of Washington)

There Is Hope…

November 13, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Where can you apply this phrase in your life? We get tired, we get frustrated and we get discouraged…and when this occurs it is important to remember with God all things are possible, even if and especially if we can’t see the way ahead or we can’t figure out how this is going to change or get better. Because there is hope we can keep going, keep trying, keep giving our best to that situation in our life…we persevere because there is hope. With God the most desperate time in human history when Jesus Christ was crucified, died and was buried became the greatest event of Good News. He was this baby born on Christmas morning who brought peace, healing and joy…He became a man performing miracles everywhere He went and then…He was gone…I can’t imagine what it must have been like for those days between His death and His resurrection. But because Jesus Christ has risen and He lives there is always Hope! May we all be strengthened and encouraged by the hope God has poured out for us through Jesus Christ. Amen.

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“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love in to our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 5:5

(This photo was taken in December of 2013 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Be Still

October 18, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Take time to build your relationship with the Lord…find a still and quiet place to seek Him…the greatest joy can come from experiencing God’s presence when the Holy Spirit is allowed to flow freely in your heart and soul. God is with you, He hears you and He knows you…make time to be with Him. I pray for all to take time to turn towards the Lord and away from the sinful nature. Amen.

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“Be still, and know that I am God…”

Psalm 46:10

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

We Believe

October 14, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Today is a day of worship and praise. The faith journey is often a struggle and feeling alone…we are not alone and we can never forget the foundation of our faith, Jesus Christ. We must persevere, be strong, have courage and believe. I offer praise and worship this Sunday through song. This one by The Newsboys, here are the lyrics and a link to We Believe

We Believe by The Newsboys

In this time of desperation
When all we know is doubt and fear
There is only one foundation
We believe, we believe
In this broken generation
When all is dark, You help us see
There is only one salvation
We believe, we believe

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He’s comin’ back again, we believe

So, let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe, we believe!

We believe in God the Father!
We believe in Jesus Christ!
We believe in the Holy Spirit!
And He’s given us new life!
We believe in the crucifixion!
We believe that He conquered death!
We believe in the resurrection!
And He’s comin’ back again!

Let the lost be found and the dead be raised!
In the here and now, let love invade!
Let the church live loud, our God we’ll say
We believe, we believe!
And the gates of hell will not prevail!
For the power of God, has torn the veil!
Now we know Your love will never fail!
We believe, we believe!

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life!
We believe in the crucifixion!
We believe that He conquered death!
We believe in the resurrection!
And He’s comin’ back,
He’s comin’ back again!
He’s comin’ back again!
We believe!
We believe

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“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

John 6:35

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

To Be Different

October 9, 2018 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

Around this time last year a new album came out and a new song by Micah Tyler…the title of the song is “Different.” This song has resonated with me ever since the first time I heard it. It is the truth about living a life of Faith and having Jesus Christ at the center of everything you do. I am continuously amazed at how God uses the gift of music to communicate with us and I am so grateful for others willing to use their gifts to share Christ through writing and performing music. Below are the lyrics and a link to a video…I pray that we are all able to see how we can be different for Christ. Amen.

Different – by Micah Tyler

I don’t wanna hear anymore, teach me to listen
I don’t wanna see anymore, give me a vision
That you could move this heart, to be set apart
I don’t need to recognize, the man in the mirror
And I don’t wanna trade Your plan, for something familiar
I can’t waste a day, I can’t stay the same

I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different
In me

And I dont wanna spend my life, stuck in a pattern
And I don’t wanna gain this world but lose what matters
And so I’m giving up, everything because

I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different; oh-oh

I know, that I am far, from perfect
But through You, the cross still says, I’m worth it
So take this beating in my heart and
Come and finish what You started
When they see me, let them see You
‘Cause I just wanna be different, ye-ey

I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Oh is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different
I just wanna be different
So could You be different
In me

Songwriters: Micah Tyler Begnaud / Kyle Lee

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 near Carlsbad Caverns in southern New Mexico)

Gratitude

September 30, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A key element in shaping our perspective is gratitude. Being thankful, looking around at your life and recognizing the ways God has blessed you. We must be careful not to judge a blessing based on the world’s view of us or our life. God has promised to give us what we need, not fulfill all our wants and not to give us everything that will make us feel better compared to someone else. We are each unique, created out of love and blessed to be a blessing. We have already received the greatest gift we could ever receive from Jesus Christ, it is up to us to turn towards Him and give Him thanks. May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you.

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in you hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:15-16

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