Different Gifts

February 3, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We each have been made by our Creator God and we all have different gifts and abilities according to His will. When each of us use our God given talent to the best of our ability our community is made stronger. It does no good to compare ourselves to others and to covet their abilities. God created you, He loves you and He wants good things for you in life…when things go sideways or off track that is our sinful nature leading us astray. Turn towards Jesus Christ in prayer and seek God’s plan for your gifts. Amen.

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“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Romans 12:6-8

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

Amazing Grace

January 31, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the border of Minnesota and South Dakota)

Life By The Spirit

January 30, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Every day we have choices to make about how we live…what we think, what we say and what we do. These thoughts, words and actions are based on what we value. Whether it is conscious or an unconscious decision we are choosing to serve either our sinful nature or the life of the Spirit. Stay close to your relationship with Jesus Christ…by prayer and reading God’s Word…we will be renewed with hope, courage and faith to live by the Spirit. 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 July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

The Lord Is Near

January 27, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

He is right there with you…no matter where you are…no matter what is happening…no matter what you are feeling…no matter what you are going through…God is with you…no matter what. Turn towards Him and pray…the Lord is near…trust in the Lord. Amen.

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Prayer

January 25, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we have wandered off…messed things up…did things our own way and are feeling scattered and confused…the first step to reconnecting with God is to pray. When things are going well and we have a sense of courage and confidence…the first step of gratitude is a prayer of thanks to God. If we strive to make prayer a priority, we can move from reacting in prayer to proactively praying about each day and the events and issues we are facing every day. The more we pray the more our relationship with God will grow and the better equipped we will be for the journey. Amen.

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“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 19:14

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

Rest With Him

January 18, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What can we do…where can we go…to get a moment of rest? True rest and refreshment of your mind, body and spirit is found when we take time to rest with God. It can be in prayer, reading God’s Word or even just sitting quietly in a peaceful environment. There are these and many more ways to spend time in your relationship with God…how you do this is between you and Him…if you do this, well that is all up to you. Take time to rest with Him. Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while visiting Rocky Mountain National Park)

Do Your Best

January 15, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The struggle is real…we strive and we press to finish and to see the result…only to find the race is not over…there is more that needs to be done. We were made for community to lift each other up and encourage one another. Each of us has been given different gifts to offer to others, we can’t be everything to everyone and if we try, we will be going off course with God’s plan. Learn what God has planned for you and the blessings and abilities He has given to you for this life. Seek to do your best according to God’s will and you will find peace. Amen.

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:1-3

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

Our Call

January 13, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

How do we know what God is calling us to do? For life decisions and direction? If we use the world’s measuring stick of ‘what we should do’ we risk missing God’s will entirely. To follow our call is to surrender self-serving desires, to be humble and patient and to have a foundation of a faith that is built on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That is what I have learned so far…nobody ever said it was going to be easy. We will face trouble and struggles of every kind in life and if we are willing to stand firm on the foundation of faith, we will persevere. Amen.

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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 July of 2019 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Commitments

January 9, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

How do we get better at staying the course? This New Year’s resolution business is almost always a path to failure. Some of the most common mistakes is over-committing to too many things or setting unrealistic goals and achievements as well as a lack of patience for change in this fast paced, immediately gratification world. The biggest mistake we make is either not asking God to guide us or not listening and looking for His will for our lives. We are easily distracted and believe we have to maintain everything on our own. The best change we can make is turning towards God first in all aspects of our lives. Amen.

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

Proverbs 16:3

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

Hope

January 8, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is always hope…if you can’t see it or don’t believe it…look again. Life is not about whether or not hope exists, rather it is about what you see and what you believe…there is always hope. If you don’t believe it maybe you are looking for it in the wrong place…have you ever lost something where you live, like keys or something similar and you are certain of the last place you saw them and you scour the area all around with no luck? Then eventually you find them in a completely different place that has nothing to do with your original thought? If you don’t see hope or don’t believe it exists you may be looking for it in the wrong place…pick up a bible and read, turn towards Jesus Christ and pray and you will find hope. Amen.

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