Perspective

March 24, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We all have opportunity every day to choose how we see the world and people in it. Our perspective has many influences, personal experience, things we read, things others tell us, our own emotions and the things we see happening. If we allow our perspective to be formed with out consulting with our Creator are we really putting all we can into our beliefs? Information provided by the human race always seems to have a selfish agenda of the those who distribute the data. The only source of truth I have found is God and His Son Jesus Christ. If you haven’t done so, I invite you to allow the Word of God to be an influence on your perspective…I recommend starting with the Gospel of John. Believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ His one and only Son and the Holy Spirit and you will find the peace and joy of the Lord. May God’s peace be with you.

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“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7

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

Everlasting Peace

March 23, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Throughout the days, weeks, months and years of life you may come across reflections of a time or times when you remember moments of life with peace. Where were you? What was going on in your life and in the world? Who were you with? Do you remember what it felt like?

For me these times involve my time with family and friends most often…usually these moments are times of simplicity, not in a rush or hurry, not worried about the plans or the meal. They were definitely times of less technology in our daily life. Whatever those moments are for you, say a prayer to ask God to help you make time to do those things and to be with those people whenever and however you can. It is that peace that feeds us to get through the times when we are unsettled and stressed. May God’s peace overwhelm you and be with you.

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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)

Consistent

March 21, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We all experience times and events that are good times and bad times. Times when we can relax and be at peace and times when chaos reigns, it all occurs depending upon what is going on in our lives and who we are spending our time with. The environment we choose to spend time in will always impact our highs and lows. Who are we surrounding ourselves with, are we able to be ourselves or are we always performing for others consciously or subconsciously? Throughout history there is only one thing that has created a firm foundation to stand on…the bible. The Word of God and the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The values and principles of a life following Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are documented, solid and unchanging. If you are looking for a place to build your life on start with the greatest foundation available. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8

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

Taste And See

March 20, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The hymns that played on Sundays in worship when I was growing up often come back to my mind. I believe this is proof that once the seed of faith is planted it will emerge when we take time to be with God. He never leaves us and no matter what we are facing He is willing to guide us if we can open ourselves up to His goodness. As the lyrics of the hymn state, “taste and see the goodness of the Lord”…some of the other hymns I remember that come to mind, “On Eagles Wings”; “Here I Am Lord” all based on verses in the bible. Music, one of the many ways God can communicate with us. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on north shore of the island of Maui)

Light of Life

March 18, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Everyone goes through storms in life. Some storms are dark clouds with some hail, rain and thunder and lighting while others storms can be tornadoes or hurricanes. When we watch the news coverage of weather events like these if it is often the next day and people are out helping each other clean up and the left over debris and trash is put into a pile to be removed, it is usually a bright and sunny day as the storm has passed by and new day has dawned. This is exactly how we should try to process the storms of our lives…even the most horrific storms have a next day when the sun will shine and we can pick up the pieces and begin again. The best way to seek this light of life is with Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit and know you are not alone. Besides when major weather event moves through an area we are not the only ones whose house gets hit…we are all much more alike in the events of life then many of us are willing to believe. May God’s peace be with you.

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

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

Prayer

March 17, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This is the beginning of a personal relationship with God. It is not a place to worry about saying the right words in the correct order rather it is about being honest with yourself and talking in truth to God about everything and anything. A strong personal relationship always begins with communication, honest, heart-felt and a willingness to be vulnerable shows true commitment and trust. Then when we are looking for the answers we must be open to a possibility of something we did not think was going to happen because with God anything is possible, even the unthinkable. Open up your heart and mind in conversation with God and then watch for the amazing things that will happen. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Philippians 4:6

(This photo was taken in June of 2015 while driving through South Dakota)

Be Different

March 11, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

So much of our time is spent in comparing ourselves with other people and the world with social media feeds the anxiety and stress of these comparisons. We are all made by God, with each having gifts and talents…we are made to work together for the good of ourselves and others. Don’t get caught up in the differences as a bad thing or a reason to try and be something other than just yourself. We are all God’s children. Trust in God and the difference you can make when you have a close relationship with Him. On this day of worship I share a song entitled Different – by Micah Tyler. Be different in having a strong connection with God our Father, Jesus Christ his one and only Son and the Holy Spirit. May God’s peace be with you.

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“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

Romans 8:16

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Living Hope

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter what you are facing, no matter what struggle is pressing you down…when you devote your life to faith in Jesus Christ you will have access to a deep well of Hope. Imagine what it may have been like for one of the disciples, living during Jesus time on earth…the Savior, the one who was coming to save the people, had been born and living on earth…healing the sick and living a life according to God, which was very different from many others on earth. He had come and they were following Him…and then He allowed himself to be captured beaten and flogged and then crucified…because of who He was, imagine those three days after Jesus died…

Then the most amazing thing occurred and from the most tragic of circumstances, Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to many of them…He conquered death. This same Jesus is with you no matter what…put your Hope in Him. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

1 Peter 1:3

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

Redefine Needs

March 3, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are fed a daily dose of what we should get or do to make our life easy, more convenient. The messages from the world and society are ‘get more,’ define yourself according to the world’s standards…this is all to keep us away from pursuing a life of faith and a relationship with God. The more we focus on our lifestyle comforts and what the world tells us we need to be considered successful, the less time and effort we focus on building up our faith and spending time with God. Just the way the prince of darkness wants it…to break the cycle we need to take courage and stand up to the barrage of ads and prodding to live by the standards of this world. People get frustrated when something doesn’t have instructions or information about ‘how to’…life and faith happen to have an instruction manual and it was delivered to us by the manufacturer…our Creator and loving Father. Pick up your bible, spend time with God and seek His instructions on what you Need. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Luke 12:15

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

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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