Always With Us

March 24, 2021 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

“For the Lord your God is living among you.
    He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
    With his love, he will calm all your fears.^[a]
    He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Zephaniah 3:17

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

(This photo was taken in March of 2021 at St. Croix State Park in northern Minnesota)

A Prayer Of David

March 6, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

²When the wicked advance against me
    to devour^[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
³Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

⁴One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
⁵For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

⁶Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.”

Psalm 27:1-6

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“Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
⁸My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
⁹Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.
¹⁰Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
¹¹Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
¹²Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

¹³I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁴Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:7-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Our Refuge

March 4, 2021 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1

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“Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Run To The Lord

August 8, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Don’t hesitate…don’t come casually…decide to come to the Lord and then run to Him. He is waiting for you…He will comfort you, strengthen you and guide your way. Amen.

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“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Our Refuge

June 25, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 18:30

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“Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.”

Psalm 62:8

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)

The Solid Rock

August 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

When trouble comes and we feel run down, overwhelmed, overextended, scattered and the pace of life seems to be spinning too fast…we can find peace and be restored by leaning on Christ our solid rock. Jesus Christ, His birth, His life and teachings, His death and His resurrection are the foundation of our faith. Nothing that we will face in this world can compare to what we have when we believe in Him and we trust in God’s Word. No matter what difficulties and struggles are before you today, stand firm in faith and bring your burdens to Christ. Amen.

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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2

(This photo was taken in July of 2015 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado)

Trust

July 11, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Even when you can’t see the result…even when it feels like everything is working against you, He is working for your good…even when your feel your desires, wants and temptations are pulling you away from God, turn towards Him and be patient. This can be so difficult to live out each day, yet by reading God’s Word and spending time with Him in prayer, He will renew your strength. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalms 27:1

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

The Name Of The Lord

May 15, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When trouble comes, seek the Lord. When you feel like you are being attacked, seek shelter by turning towards the Lord. When you are filled with worries and anxiety, find comfort with the Lord. When you have fear, get courage by seeking the Lord. We you have joy, give thanks to the Lord. Don’t limit the experience of a relationship with God by having Jesus as a Savior but not the Lord of your life. He is with you, every day, everywhere you go. Amen.

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“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

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

Our Refuge

May 6, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

Worries and burdens will pile up. We set ourselves up for disappointment and regret when we try to go it alone. God is our refuge, He is the stronghold of our lives. There is more to our relationship with the Lord than Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings…there is more than quickly speaking memorized words before a meal or at bedtime. Turn towards the Lord and seek Him. Pray for His presence to be something you can see in your life and listen for His guidance in everything. Amen.

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“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Psalm 62:1-2

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)

In The Midst Of The Storm

October 28, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What is the storm in your life? Think about a weather storm…what is the process people go through? Prepare for the event…look for where are you going to be safe…ensure others have safety as well…ride out the most difficult and stressful action of the storm…after it passes, come out and assess the damage…clean up…begin the process of repairing, rebuilding, restoring…make things new again.

These are the same steps and a similar process we all go through for many different reasons on our faith journey and in our spiritual life. Just like the weather you will not be able to completely avoid the storms and God knows this…He sent His Son to save us and He sends the Holy Spirit to guide us. The storms of life can last for many years but no matter what the world throws at you…God is a refuge and a shelter in all the storms. May we all seek to the Lord to get us through in the midst of the storm. Amen.

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