Plans…Purpose

May 21, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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 NIV

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

If we try to do things our own way for our own purposes all the time we will find discouragement and frustration. Our purpose comes from the Lord, our Creator. His purpose is based on love and if we are willing to follow Him we will find His way is better for us, His plan is for our good, we can put our hope in the Lord and trust His plan and purpose for our life. Amen.

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“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

God’s Presence

April 15, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”’^[e]

Acts 2:28 NIV

He is always with us…any comfort you have, any joy and peace, any courage you need…it comes from God. The presence of God brings good things to us…the sin of world brings bad things. Turn towards God and give thanks for all that He does for you. Amen.

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“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:11 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while standing in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

The Road That Leads To Life

March 31, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

^{6 “}Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

We all have different lives and different choices to make in our lives. Depending on where we live, what the weather is like, the environment of our home and where we spend our days. This can be all different…what is common among all people? The place in our hearts that is made to be filled by God. He is the Creator and He made us with this special space that can only be filled properly by a personal relationship with Him. Now that certainly hasn’t stopped the human race from trying to fill it with just about anything other than God. If anything other than God is in that space you will not feel complete, content or know true peace. Make time to be alone with God and invite Jesus into the place reserved for Him every day. May you know God’s comfort and God’s faithfulness.

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¹³“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 near Winterset, Iowa)

Remember What God Can Do

September 20, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and faithful in all he does.
¹⁸The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
¹⁹He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
    he hears their cry and saves them.”

Psalm 145:17-19 NIV

Don’t give up…keep going. God is with you. We may not understand everything right now…yet we must continue on in faith. Remember in previous times and old struggles how God showed up even though you thought the situation was hopeless or impossible? Keep praying and be courageous even when though you are unsure of the outcome. May God’s comfort and peace be with you.

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 NIV

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

God’s Word…Our Path

August 25, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:11 NIV

The first original navigtion guide is God’s Word. Which way should I go? What should I do next? How should I handle this situation? How do I respond to that? And so many more questions can be answered by spending time in God’s Word…reading, listening and putting into the action the things He is teaching us. It is the ultimate guide for your path. Pick it up and seek Him. Amen.

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“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:105 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)

Plans…Purpose

March 8, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“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 NIV

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

DSC_0199 publish

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

The Way

February 21, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1 NIV

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6 NIV

The way to get through times of difficulty and struggle is only found with Jesus Christ. The current times show clearly that what the world values is finite and can vanish instantly without warning…leaving us lost and our minds wandering with questions about our choices. It is never too late to turn towards Jesus Christ your Savior and tell Him you believe in Him…confess your sins and let the Holy Spirit be your guide. Start there and see what God has in store for 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 NIV

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

Finding The Way

February 20, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“God has breathed life into all Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. ¹⁷By using Scripture, the servant of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIRV

We have choices…this way or that way…try this and don’t do that. We will make mistakes and it is important that we learn from them. How do we know what is right? How can we find out which way is best? Put a relationship with Jesus Christ first in your life, every day. Why? Read Isaiah 55:8-9. God knows best, He has a plan specifically for you and spending time with Him is the best way to learn about Him and His plan for life. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of the Gods Park in southern Colorado)

Remember What God Can Do

January 4, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Don’t you know who made everything?
    Haven’t you heard about him?
The Lord is the God who lives forever.
    He created everything on earth.
He won’t become worn out or get tired.
    No one will ever know how great his understanding is.
²⁹He gives strength to those who are tired.
    He gives power to those who are weak.
³⁰Even young people become worn out and get tired.
    Even the best of them trip and fall.
³¹But those who trust in the Lord
    will receive new strength.
They will fly as high as eagles.
    They will run and not get tired.
    They will walk and not grow weak.”

Isaiah 40:28-31 NIRV

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 NIV

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

Commit Your Way To The Lord

October 24, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Commit to the Lord everything you do.
Then he will make your plans succeed.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIRV

“In their hearts human beings plan their lives.
But the Lord decides where their steps will take them.”

Proverbs 16:9 NIRV

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“I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIRV

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)