The Presence Of God

February 11, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Our faith becomes most real when we go through something that is difficult to explain with words…when a need is met in an unexplained way, when courage came at an unexpected time, when peace overwhelms us during a difficult time, when we are able to do something that we normally would not consider attempting if we had time to think about it and analyze it…when we get out of the way mentally and God is guiding us, only later do we realize that God came near to us. These are not once in a lifetime experiences as God is with us in life every step of the way every day…we just need to be in communication with Him and trust in Him. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0730 publish

“The Lore replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give your rest.”

Exodus 33:14

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

Come To Jesus

February 10, 2018February 10, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There can be great moments of peace in prayer and worship and one way of worshiping that makes a significant impact on me is listening to Christian music. All my senses come alive through music and song…I want to share one simple and yet very significant song with you today. The message is clear and the answers for many questions can be found in one place…with Jesus. Take a listen and May God’s peace be with you.

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

DSC_0290 publish

“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 July of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

Self-less

February 9, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of the most tragic afflictions of our time is selfishness or being self-focused. The look at me, make sure I have more than others, constantly assessing my place compared to others and then determining my own value based on what others think or tell me they think about me mentality. This perspective pushes God to the side and puts me first as the top priority. This has always been an affliction on human society and it seems to have grown exponentially since the explosion of social media. One of the world’s greatest needs right now is more humility and less selfies. Imagine the impact on human relationships when people are looking to lift others up as often as they care for themselves. I am not suggesting we ignore ourselves rather we strive for a better balance in the way we live. I pray that we all take time to be humble and serve as much as we look to be served. As usual with faith it’s simple but not easy. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_1549 publish

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition of vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

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

Prayer

February 7, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Growing up prayer was about being able to memorize the lines of the Lord’s prayer, however, there wasn’t much talk about or at least I don’t remember hearing about the meaning of what we were saying and I don’t believe I was told that you can say other things or that you should take time to listen to God as well. I was taught more about a one way street, me speaking to God, and most television shows or movies at that time would indicate that a relationship with God meant keeping Him in a box with a glass door that read “In Case of an Emergency Break Glass.” Only in my adult life have I learned about a deeper prayer relationship and sitting in nature or in the quiet and listening. The ability to communicate daily and to grow in your time with God is a blessing…in means slowing down and not taking your cues from the frenetic rush of society or social media. It is about being present and aware of your surroundings and living each day. Prayer is the place to start connecting or re-connecting with God. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0732 publish

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”

Psalm 103:8

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

Peace Of Christ

February 4, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Each day can be filled with ups and downs, depending on where you focus your thoughts and your energy, a day can feel like quite a roller-coaster ride. At the end of a day like this we are exhausted, tired and we just want some stability and peace of mind for a period of time in order to have a better balance to life. I have found one way to access peace on a day to day basis and I have learned that you have to go get it, this is my time with the Word of God…the world is not looking to provide you peace of mind or time to rest. The demands will keep coming from all areas of your life…be courageous and when necessary you can say no in order to defend your time. For me a start to every day is coffee and with that coffee is time with God. If something is planned for the morning I try to get up a little earlier or say no or reschedule if it will conflict with my time. To be clear this isn’t always smooth and easy but what is significant is that it has become a time of priority for me and a time I look forward to every day. Jesus sacrificed himself in order to reconcile us with God the Father, it is up to us to take advantage of this reconciliation and build our relationship with Him…every day. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC01214 publish

“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 April of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

Strength Of Character

February 3, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When one describes the character of a person they talk about a list of elements that are a combination of a person’s behaviors and attitude. I have often heard statements like ‘well this is just who I am’ or ‘that is just the way he is’ as if at some point in life our behaviors and attitudes have stopped forming, changing or growing and have now solidified and are permanent. I have been guilty of this way of thinking myself at times. However, in the study of faith and in God’s Word the message of hope and transformation are central to the spiritual life. If anything our attitude and how we behave are two things we do have the ability to choose every day and these are influenced and can grow if we are open to it. Don’t give up on hope and transformation for yourself or somebody else…things may not change in the way or at the time you would prefer but our life is not about everything being perfect according to our timing, rather it is about God’s plan and His time. Trust Him and believe in Hope and Transformation…when you read about what He has done in the past you know He is working for the good of all people. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_1355 publish

“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 August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Free Will

February 1, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have been given a gift, a gift we take for granted far too often…free will. We are not designed to be robots that only perform a certain way when given appropriate commands…think ‘voice remote’ or talking to your phone. God has designed us with free will, the ability to choose how we will respond, act and interact with the world. Of course, this means we are responsible for the choices we make and we are accountable to our actions and decisions. I am sure I have heard a quote about ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ true words. Free will should not be taken for granted or used to do harm to others. It is a gift that has come at a price that Jesus Christ paid for on our behalf. Seek Him and ask Him how to best use your gift. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_1548 publish

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love.”

Galatians 5:13

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

True Joy

January 30, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When people are asked to define what joy is or what joy looks like it is often described in terms of being happy or upbeat or feeling good. I am learning that definition sounds more like feelings and a definition of happy then a definition of joy. To me joy is more consistent then our feelings…feelings come and go, up or down quickly. One only has to be a fan of any sport to understand how quickly feelings come and go and change. When the outcome of victory or defeat changes so do the feelings of the fans. Joy is more then a feeling…it is more of a sense of confidence and belief that even when things are really not going well we can still be assured that things will improve or we will find a way to go forward. This true joy can’t be achieved on our own it is only grasped as a part of faith in God, relationship with Jesus and an understanding that no matter where you are or what is going on, God is with you every step of the way. Ask the Lord to help you find this Joy. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_1523 publish

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

John 15:9-11

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

Living For God – A Prayer by St. Francis of Assisi

January 21, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Make me a channel of Your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring Your love,
Where there is injury Your pardon Lord,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in You.

Make me a channel of Your peace.
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope,
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.

Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek,
So much to be consoled, as to console.
To be understood, as to understand,
To be loved, as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of Your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all men that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.

DSC_0060 publish

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 4:10-11

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Give Thanks

January 19, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is easy to get caught up in the minutia of life everyday and forget that God is with you. In fact that is exactly what the forces of evil want you to do, evil wants you to believe you are all alone and you should only look out for yourself. God knows the struggle…Jesus faced the devil in the desert and He has overcome death and evil through His death and resurrection. Connect with the Lord today and be thankful for Jesus who has fought the battle and won. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0930 publish