Renew

March 6, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I am working on trying to be better about not making snap judgments and flippant comments regarding situations when I know very few details. We don’t take time to learn the details of a situation and try to understand before we start down the path of judgment and criticism. Social media, of course, it right there to encourage the wrong behavior. If we strive to learn more before we speak out, society as a whole would be much better off. I am able to renew my mind and my behavior when I spend time reading the Word of God. I want to stop jumping in to be the critic and the doubter so quickly and remember that we all were created by God and that each and every person is fighting a battle. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2

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

Serve To Meet The Needs

March 1, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we look at what we do each day for work or what we are doing as a part of our daily routine…sometimes we find ourselves asking, ‘Why am I doing this?’ What is my purpose here?’ It is difficult to remember that our reason sometimes is just to provide for our families, friends or relatives who need us. A parent who stays at home to care for a child actually can easily see their purpose, it is to provide for the needs of the child, not to serve themselves but strictly to provide for the needs of another. The interesting part about this, is that purpose is true for all of us all the time…God wants us to love our neighbor as ourselves, care for the needs of others. For some reason we get caught up in the messages of the world that we become focused more of ourselves and less on others and then when we get older we start to wonder, ‘Why am I doing this?’ ‘What is my purpose?’ If we spend time in the Word of God and read about what He has planned for us, it is simple…focus on meeting the needs of others, not just financially but in all ways in relationship, spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, etc. May God’s peace be with you and those you serve today.

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“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:4

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at a rest area in South Dakota)

Every Person Is Unique

February 28, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We all have something that is different or unique about who we are today. It is these differences that make us interesting and uniquely qualified to help others in some way. Unfortunately, due to human behavior we have taken our differences as something to be judged by, a referendum that is reviewed on social media, chewed up by the general public and pushed aside as broken and no good. If we look to find out how we are to use our unique abilities we must consult with the One who made us. Every interaction we have is with another person created by God. This leads me to one of my favorite quotes – “Be kind to others because every person we encounter is fighting a battle we know nothing about” (many sources attributed to this quote). The point is God has a plan for each one of us and a purpose for us and because He created us out of His love it is a plan and purpose for our good. May your uniqueness be a blessing to others today.

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“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:9-12

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

True Peace

February 27, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is only one way to find real peace while living on earth. There is only one who is our Savior, who gave himself up for us so that we may have life. There was no bargaining…He didn’t say I will do this for you if…He did it because He loves us unconditionally. In all the world and in all of human history you can only find true peace in Christ Jesus.

Several years ago I was a chaperon for a lock-in with the youth at the church…we were playing a game through out the church, I forget the name, but if your got caught during the game you had to go to prison. While in prison you would compete against others in bible trivia…if you answered correctly you were free to leave. One young lady decided early on no matter what the question, she had one answer…Jesus. She would say it quickly and excitedly even before I could finish reading the question…I would read ‘What was the name, Jesus! she would say…it seems she had figured out faith more quickly than most of us. No matter what questions or situations you are facing in your life the only answer is…Jesus!

May God’s peace be with you.

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

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

Forgiveness

February 26, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Holding on to anger, rage and bitterness is unhealthy. We know this is true. Yet we still struggle to overcome the emotions of events. To be able to exercise forgiveness we need to fully understand the intent. It is not intended to say that an offender has been excused for their actions…rather it is a statement that we are not going to let the poor choices and actions of another keep us held in a state of stress and anxiety. Forgiveness should also be tied to some action to make a better future. If we hold on to the anger and bitterness they will show up in all areas of our lives and this is a destructive pattern. When we decide to forgive we are setting ourselves free from heading down a path of darkness. Again I offer a musical reference to speak to this message…check out this song called Forgiveness by Matthew West. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32

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

Be Led By The Spirit

February 25, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In order to make change in the world that will last the best place to focus on changing is human behavior. An excellent place to start is with yourself. If you are willing to take on such a challenge you will find quickly that this type of change is difficult, especially for the human race. A change that will last can’t be done alone…will power, will only get one so far because we are weak and broken and we live in a world of darkness. A real change in behavior requires surrender. After we live for so long trying every which way to do things the way we believe they should be done and we become exhausted with the results…we become ready to ask God for help. This is just human nature. He will still take us up on the request no matter when in life you ask. When you realize that your only hope is in God and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit…go all in…this doesn’t mean go quickly…it means go in wholeheartedly with all that you have to give…completely surrender to God’s plan and you may be surprised at what is in store for you, your life and your relationships with others. May God’s peace be with you.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

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

What Faith Can Do…

February 24, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I have hope each day…I believe there is goodness in people (sometimes it is buried pretty deep inside)…I believe in helping others where and when I can…I believe that love conquers hate and anger…I believe in forgiveness…I feel anguish over the pain and suffering in the world…I strive to be patient (this one is really hard sometimes)…I am thankful for the people and relationships in my life…I am humbled by God’s creation of the earth and nature…

Do all of these statements and many others mean my life is easy? Or do I view life as easy?…Um no…in fact it is very difficult some days, however, as I started today by saying…I have hope.

Why?

Because of Jesus Christ and what He did for me and you…He came, He lived, He died and He has risen…and best of all He is coming back again!

I close with a great musical description called – What Faith Can Do by Kutless

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“Then Jesus told him, “Because have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:29

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

Choose Faith Over Fear

February 23, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In today’s world it seems we are constantly being asked…Where do you stand? Which side are you on? What is your position on this issue? Social media has intensified everything and because we are human and filled with sin and evil desires, social media has become a disaster, I heard this quote not long ago “social media the cesspool of questionable human behavior” -Dr. Donald Mallard, fictional character on NCIS. Human behavior…that is the primary reason we are right where we are in today’s world. A significant number of people have chosen to pursue anger instead of love, worry instead of peace, jealously instead of joy of another’s success, self-serving instead of acting to serve others, resentment instead of happiness and most tragically the majority of people have chosen fear instead of faith. God is still offering mercy and grace, forgiveness for all…turn to Jesus, invite Him into your heart and life. Ask the Lord how should I respond, I promise you Faith over Fear will do much more to protect and save people than anything the human race can create on its own. I pray that more people will come to Christ today. May God’s peace be with you.

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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. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:6-7

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while driving through North Dakota)

Prayer Does Matter…

February 22, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we don’t know what to do…we should pray. When someone acknowledges us with a positive comment…we should say a prayer of thanks. When something happens that makes us angry…we should stop and pray for God to guide our response. When we are blessed with an increase in pay…we should pray to ask God how can we share some of it. When we we are feeling alone in the world…we should pray to God to show us His presence. When a friend or family member is suffering from illness…we should pray to God to be with them with healing comfort. And one of the most important parts of prayer is not only speaking to God…we also need to be ready to Listen…there many ways God can speak to us…pay attention to your surroundings and what you hear and see in your everyday life. Prayer matters to God, how do I know? I know because Jesus told us it does…it is not about the right words or the right prayer or the right time…it is just about doing it, always and let God be your guide. May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“pray continually”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

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

Parenthood

February 20, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

A parent, when you “sign-up” for this role like many things it is not a destination or finish line process or position…no matter how you become a parent you are being entrusted with growth and development of a young person in the world. This will require sacrifice, if you are unwilling or unable to sacrifice either time or other endeavors you planned at one time in life…you are setting yourself and the child up for a significant amount of suffering on top of what struggles come with the job and being a parent will be so much harder than it already is in life. The best step to take as a parent at any point in the parenting process is a very important step, that is to examine yourself and your relationship with God…because the role of a parent requires sacrifice of self, your relationship with God will be a good indicator of your ability to set yourself aside when necessary to help and support others. Parenthood…this is not about you…seek God and use God’s Word to learn how to be a parent just as God the Father is a parent to you. May God’s love and peace be with you.

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