Holy Saturday – Rest and Reflect

April 8, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.”

Romans 6:6-7 NIV

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“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. ²As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.”

1 Peter 4:1-2 NIV

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

Reflecting On This Year With Gratitude

December 30, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
²Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.

³For the Lord is the great God,
    the great King above all gods.
⁴In his hand are the depths of the earth,
    and the mountain peaks belong to him.
⁵The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.”

Psalm 95:1-5 NIV

As we approach the New Year, take time to reflect on what has transpired in your life over the last 12 months…where do you see God? Where do you see yourself in putting your trust in Him? What difficult challenge did you face or are you still facing that you have had unknown courage to keep going? Have you had any moments of unexplainable joy, contentment? What situations worked out better than you expected? There are so many ways both big and small that God has shown you He is with you…did you notice? Give thanks to God for the gifts and blessings in your life and pray that He continues to help you see Him. Most importantly give thanks to Jesus Christ for what He has done and continues to do for you every day.

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
²    Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
³Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his^[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100

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

Time For Reflection

March 17, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

⁶You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:1-8 NIV

The truth about life is we will see troubles in this world. Jesus tells us directly in John 16:33, that trouble will come…not maybe or they might come…you will have troubles in this life. So, if we know life is hard, we should be more focused on how to get through our troubles and see what we can learn from them so we can share with others. God has provided the Way through difficult times…Jesus, His Son our Savior and God’s Word will guide us and see us through. Think about a trial in your past…looking back where do you see God in it? Trust in the Lord and persevere through trials. Amen.

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“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Time For Reflection

December 31, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Romans 5:1-8

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“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Reflect And Share

June 27, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

I am going to be reviewing and re-sharing some previous posts from the last several years for a period of time as I believe now is a time to listen, to reflect and to seek God’s wisdom. May God’s peace be with you. I hope you enjoy some posts from days gone by. Amen.

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“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

James 1:19-21

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake in central Minnesota)

Reflect And Give Thanks

January 12, 2020 / mcalcagno / 4 Comments

It is so easy to stay in “go” mode…day in and day out. Moving from one thing to the next with the calendar driving how we spend our time. When we learn to stop and reflect, we get the opportunity to realize and appreciate what blessings and gifts God has given us. No matter where we have been, who we have been with or what we have done or left undone…God has been right there with us every day, every step of the way. Take a moment to reflect on your life and give thanks to God. Amen.

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