What Path Are You On?

May 9, 2025 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

Life is full of choices and decisions.

We all have been given the gift of free will. The hardest part of this isn’t necessarily making a decision, rather it is holding yourself accountable for what happens after your decision and being open to changing things as you move forward in life.

Look around you…take inventory. How are things going in your life? If it is not good from your perspective…look in a mirror…that is the best place to start to make a change in your life, start with you. On the other hand, if things look ok or pretty good from your perspective, give thanks and praise and begin to think about how you can share and support others.

No matter what your results, good or bad, we all have made decisions in our past that have led to where we are today…right now. What are the decisions have you made that impacted the path you are traveling on?

If you are on a bad path, look for ways to improve on your current situation…I caution you here, do not believe you can go back to change a decision that occurred in the past to make things better now…instead, live in the present, learn from the poor decision and make new decisions to improve things going forward. If you can identify decisions in the past that have been good and led to great things learn what you can and share with others.

This reflection can be helpful because sometimes when we look back things have changed and what we thought was a good or bad decision at the time it was made might be different now and we can learn things for life going forward.

None of this is easy…we were never promised easy…we have always been promised Hope…and you can have Hope every day, if you choose to believe and follow Jesus. As always the God’s Word provides instructions regarding these matters…

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:105 NIV

I pray we all seek wisdom from God so we can make decisions that will lead to Life.

(This photo was taken while traveling through Colorado)

We Will Come Under Attack

February 7, 2025 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NIV

We need to be careful not to underestimate the power of evil and darkness in this world

Read the Word of God daily and pray to help keep God in the center of your life

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

Ephesians 6:10-15 NIV

(This photo was taken at Tetteguchi State Park in northern Minnesota)

The Voice of Truth

March 27, 2024 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

Good and Gracious God, thank You for the gift of salvation and for being the one true way. The world desperately needs Your truth and light. Guide our steps to be bold in sharing Your truth with those around us. Use each of us to point others towards You, and bring us back to Your way and Your truth when we stray. In Jesus name, Amen.

Voice Of Truth by Casting Crowns

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“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’.“

John 8:31-32 NIV

(This photo was taken at Falls Park on the Big Sioux River in South Dakota)

The Voice of Truth

September 28, 2023 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

In this world that is fallen and filled with sin and lies we have many thoughts and opinions speaking to us through many forms of communication. Yet while Jesus walked on earth he taught using the phrase “I tell you the truth…” He spoke this phrase more than 75 times as recorded in the New Testament. With so much input coming at us in the world from so many sources it is important to seek the One voice of truth.

This is not always easy…in fact when Jesus spoke he knew not everybody would openly accept the truth. In our lives, the hardest things to do are often really the right thing to do. Truth takes courage, truth takes trusting that no matter what happens God has got you in the palm of his hand. He knows what you are facing, He knows your fears and the temptations pressuring you…open your heart, mind and soul to Him. He has the truth and His Son delivered the message of truth personally to us.

Voice Of Truth by Casting Crowns

DSC06710 publish

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’.“

John 8:31-32 NIV

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 at Falls Park on the Big Sioux River in South Dakota)

The Voice of Truth

September 27, 2022 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

Voice Of Truth by Casting Crowns

DSC06710 publish

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’.“

John 8:31-32 NIV

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 at Falls Park on the Big Sioux River in South Dakota)

Friendships

July 11, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Originally posted in August of 2014…

Being a friend means listening…just listening.

Being a friend means putting the needs of others before your own.

Being a friend means making time to be together.

Friends can share thoughts…thoughts about dreams and goals as well as disappointments and frustrations without judgment.

Being a friend means laughing together…often.

Being a friend means offering your shoulder when someone needs to cry because the pain is too great to be alone.

A friendship is a give and take relationship…if your give and take are not balanced evenly the friendship will suffer.

This give and take in relationships is also necessary in your spiritual life…your friendship with Jesus requires both give and take…

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know the master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

John 15:15

We all have a friend in Jesus. Begin or continue to listen, to make time, to share your dreams and frustrations, to laugh with your friend Jesus…it is the one friendship that will definitely last forever.

Peace.

Comfort

August 22, 2016 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

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

Never Give Up

July 2, 2016 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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“The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:8-9

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

Patience

June 28, 2016 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13

(This photo was taken last night at a lake near Minneapolis, MN)

Rejoice!

June 26, 2016 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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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 June of 2013 while driving through Colorado)