Holy Spirit

December 12, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Our guide…Our conscience…Comforter…Presence of God…Spirit of truth…Helper. When we believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God and we confess our sins, God gives us the gift of His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in our daily lives. Open your heart and mind to God’s Holy Spirit, seek His wisdom and you will find strength and peace. Amen.

Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli

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“The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”

1 John 3:24

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

Self-Awareness

December 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This is defined as knowledge of one’s own feelings, motives and desires. If we are able to understand more about ourselves, we can become more confident in our values and purpose. Being more self-aware will also improve our relationships and interactions with others. For example, if our motives and desires center around self-satisfaction we will most likely have difficulty in relationships as we are not accounting for the needs of others. There is a balance between self-care and helping others that we should strive for and we don’t have to do it alone. God is with us and because of Jesus Christ we can ask for guidance in finding this balance. May the Fruit of the Spirit be in you and flow through you. Amen.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

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

Advent Season

December 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Today is the beginning of Advent. The season of preparation and expectant waiting to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas and His return at the Second Coming. We have many resources to help us observe this season, with calendars, candles, special devotionals, etc. Observing the rituals is one part of the process, actually preparing our hearts and minds with the meaning behind these symbols will help us to grow in our faith. For me the Advent wreath and candles are the symbols I choose to learn more about, there are four candles one for each week. Some traditions include a fifth candle called the Christ candle. As with many things different religions have different ways to celebrate these weeks. My preferred 4 themes are:

Hope–Peace–Joy–Love.

Hope is confidence in God’s faithfulness…even when everything going on around us is telling us something different, we can have hope because we know that God is working for our good in all things. Spend time this week reflecting on where you have seen God at work in your life or in the lives of others and renew your hope by remembering these things. Remember with God all things are possible. Amen.

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in northern Colorado)

Be Patient

November 18, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Why all the rushing around? The hurry up, the plow through, the I have to finish this so I can rush off to that…and on and on it goes. No wonder we are lost…we don’t even take time to acknowledge where we are or what is going on around us. As we approach the holiday season, let’s not get caught up in the hustle and bustle of all the things we are supposed to do…let’s strive to acknowledge the reason for the season and to make time to be present with whoever God has us spending time with this year. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Ephesians 4:2

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

Peace

November 10, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In the Gospel of John chapter 14, Jesus speaks of peace. If you have ever wondered ‘where is God in all of this?’ or ‘Where can I find peace?’ True peace requires a new perspective…the words of Jesus in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” He comes right out and tells us ‘not as the world gives’…if we are looking for peace according to the world’s values, we will not find peace only heartache and suffering. The one way the only way to find peace is through a committed relationship with Jesus Christ. Turn towards Jesus and away from sin and you will find peace. Amen.

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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.”

Colossians 3:15

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

The Fruit Of The Spirit

October 18, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The way we think…the words we say…the actions and behaviors we put into practice in our daily life can be built on the nine qualities described as the Fruit of the Spirit. None of these things cost money, they are free. It is up to us to choose how we live. Our best life is one led by God and His Holy Spirit. Seek Him and live your best each day. Amen.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, 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 while traveling through northern Colorado)

Take Heart!

September 22, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In the bible we are told over and over that in this world we will have trouble…there will be suffering. The prince of darkness and evil does not stop working to keep us away from God…and in some cases we make it very easy for him. And yet we are surprised that things go wrong or don’t work that way we want them to. The Word of God is clear and the words of Jesus are written in red ink for us in the bible…who is blessed, how to live, how to pray, ways to share and serve others…and it is all repeated for us from 4 different writers to be sure we get the message…pick up a bible and read what Jesus Christ had to say. God loves you; He is with you and He forgives you. Seek a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ and you will have peace. Amen.

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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

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

Peace

September 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Peace comes from hope, trust and love. Peace is available to all of us. It is a quiet confidence in God and His Son. It comes to us when we are willing to bring our worries, our fears and our burdens and lay them down at the foot of the Cross. If we constantly assess our lives based on the world’s view or what others think, say and do…we will not find peace. Peace is about gratitude and sharing the gifts and blessings God has given us with one another. May the peace of the Lord be with you! Amen.

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

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

Rest With Him

August 19, 2019 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

As the summer is winding down and the schedule of activities and places to be cranks up, it is important to be consistent in taking time to rest in between the coming and going. Making time and having a place to rest…truly rest…time to pray, read scripture and recharge your mind and spirit is so important. We can’t be all things for all people all the time…been there, failed at that. Even Jesus would make time to rest His mind and body…why do we think we could do more than Him? Seek Him and ask Him to help you find rest in your daily activities. Amen.

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“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6:31

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

The Peacemakers

August 14, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

Our faith journey is a process without a ending point. As we learn about Jesus and we read God’s Word the process begins by helping us transform on the inside…we open our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit becomes our guide. This is not the end of the process…as we continue to learn and grow the intention is for us to have this Spirit of peace and goodness flow through us to our neighbors and others. We are not saved just to be saved alone…we are to become a channel of God’s peace every day. The Light of Christ should shine through us so that others can see God in who we are and what we do. Think about it…in what other person in your life have you seen God shining through? May we be comforted by God’s peace. Amen.

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