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)

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)

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)

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.

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“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

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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 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.

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“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.

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“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.

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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 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.

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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 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.

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