Time

July 23, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We measure ourselves by it constantly. We rush from here to there, as a song from the early 1980’s says…”everybody’s working for the weekend” – (Loverboy, 1981) We gauge where we can spend our life by the day of the week and the hour of the day. We are not made to measure our lives by the minutes, hours, days, weeks and years. More important than time are relationships. Focus more on who we spend our time with, what we are doing with our community of people. The things we do that help others who are in need are the most valuable. Instead of measuring how long we did something or how much time we saved we should start measuring ourselves by asking two questions. Who have I helped today? Who has helped me today? As always ask the Lord to help with the answers in prayer. May God’s wisdom and grace be with you.

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“As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows it over and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.”

Psalm 103:15-16

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

Reflect And Recharge

July 22, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When our hope is in the Lord, we will see goodness and blessings. When our focus is on living our life through our faith in Jesus Christ, we tend to be able to see with new eyes on old or familiar situations. When we walk daily with the Lord our perspective improves from worldly to heavenly. In the New Testament is states…“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) With the Lord we have hope, we can trust in goodness and righteousness and we can have faith that we will be able to see our way through anything. May God’s love, joy and peace be with you.

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“Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And 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 August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

God’s Grace

July 19, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

He calls us…He is speaking to us in a variety of ways…He knows the mistakes we have made…He forgives us…He lifts us up…He loves us. In all that comes at us on a daily basis in today’s world we are bound to mess up. Whether we are trying to do too many things for too long or trying to control the outcome of events, we were not made to do things this way. We have been given the gift of God’s grace…we don’t deserve it, we can’t earn it. He gives it to us freely, it is up to us to turn to Him, to praise Him, to seek His guidance and know that He will carry us through anything in this life. “Not to us, O Lord not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 115:1) God is our Creator and He loves us unconditionally, He wants us to have good things, take your burdens to Him. May you know God’s grace and mercy in your life.

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park in New Hope, Minnesota)

All That Is Good Comes From God

July 17, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Nothing is more refreshing for the mind and spirit than to take some time to sit peacefully, with nothing but the sounds of the world going on around you and to be with God. I hope you have a time like that in your life, no matter if it is in the morning, midday or in the evening. Whatever may work for your life, I can’t emphasize enough the difference it will make in every aspect of your life…it is something you must experience to understand…for me it is the single most important thing I have done to strengthen my faith and to change my life. Our lives are about our experiences and learning and passing on that experience to others to help them. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and mind, again and again and again and let the Holy Spirit be your guide. If you are looking for goodness, kindness and compassion…all that is good comes from God. May the love, joy and peace of the Lord be with you.

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“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:9

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 in the Botanical Garden at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Neveda)

Learn To Be Content

July 15, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The apostle Paul writes about this in his letter to the Philippians. As I read this and other parts of the bible about contentment, I believe the message is intended for us when we are looking at ourselves. When we are reflecting on the me, my life, my surroundings we need to learn to be content and know that no matter what our circumstances we will always have the strength to continue because God is our source of strength. When we look at others, we should be looking at how we can be generous in all ways…spiritually, emotionally, physically, with our time and resources. We must work hard to avoid the worldly perspective of always comparing ourselves to what others have and acting self-focused to try and change that comparison, this is a path to evil and dark behavior. Be thankful for the blessings you have received and have faith in God to provide what you need. May God’s mercy and grace be with you.

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“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:12-13

(This photo was taken in May of 2013 in a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Music, Worship And Praise

July 13, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Music has had a significant impact on my faith journey. I began listening to Christian radio stations around Christmas time in 1998. I think we all know the impact music can have on a person…when our favorite song of any genre is played it seems to be so powerful to us, it stirs us up in ways very few things can. Music is a wonderful way to worship and to praise the Lord. There are classic hymns and stirring contemporary music that can reach deep down in us and touch our lives. The ability to create this type of music is a gift and I am thankful for people who have this gift and that they use it to honor our Lord. Here are a few songs of praise…

God Of Wonders by Third Day

What A Beautiful Name – Hillsong Worship

Chris Tomlin – Forever

This is just a very small sample; what is your favorite song of worship and praise?

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“All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name.”

Psalm 66:4

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

God’s Peace

July 12, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There will be times in life when we will be faced with our broken humanness. It is unavoidable in this world. We will be very conscious and aware of our inability to bring about change or peace. These are the natural limits of our existence. What we are not made to be able to accomplish can easily be handled by God. The only way to achieve the peace our soul desires is to put our trust, our hope and our faith in the Lord. Only God can provide true peace. When we cannot see our way through or know what may or may not happen…true faith pushes on, not recklessly but faithfully in this darkness knowing that God will be there to lift us up. Pray for God’s peace to be in your heart and continue to push on in faith. May God’s peace and joy 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 August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Walking In The Light

July 10, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Getting out of the cycle of pray-commit sin-repent-repeat means changing our behavior and our attitude. It says in many places in the bible the path to peace is to humble your self before God (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6) and admit you are a sinner who is unable to improve yourself alone. This is true humility. It is very far cry from what the self-serving world is telling us we should be doing. We must learn to walk in the light of Christ…to me this means not judging others, not holding on to anger, offering to help those in need and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ and His redeeming grace. To walk in the light is to trust and know that no matter what you encounter, God is good, He loves you and He will guide you if you are willing to follow Him. May the grace and peace of God be with you.

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“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

1 John 1:7

(This photo was taken in June of 2012 at sunset in northwestern Wisconsin)

The Conclusion

July 9, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher explores several aspects of life on earth searching for meaning. The word ‘meaningless’ is used repeatedly in this book. The Teacher reviews wisdom, pleasures, time, toil, advancement, riches and often states similar phrases like‘…it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him – for this is his lot.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18) Finally after thorough discussion is complete in Ecclesiastes 12 a conclusion is reached…this is a lesson that every person can learn from, this is a lesson that keeps the values of eternity in view for all of us. To summarize what the verses below state: Life without God is meaningless. May you find peace and joy in the glory of God this day.

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“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

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

Anything

July 6, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

God can help us with anything…everything! If we are worried about money, He can help with that. If we are worried about physical health, He can help with that. If we are concerned about our emotions or how we are feeling about issues He can help with that. If we are struggling with family and friends or social relationships, He can help with that. The important things to remember about God is He will and does help with everything on His terms not ours, not on our timeline and not with our outcome as His top priority. He has a far greater plan and outcome in store for us if we will just trust in Him. Here is what I have learned from my relationship with God. Be patient and persistent and pay attention for resolutions to situations that you never even considered. Be humble, willing to speak honestly and learn how to listen. Spend time with Him everyday and grow your relationship. Forgive others, do not be quick judge and do not stay angry. God is with you, He is holding you in the palm of His hand, be thankful and be willing to tell others of His great love for us. Anything is possible when we learn to trust in Him. May God’s peace, joy and love be with you.

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