Uncomfortable Places

November 8, 2014 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The places one can have experiences of growth and pure joy are the places that start out as the most uncomfortable. Often times to get to an uncomfortable place you have to step outside of “The Status Quo” of life in this world. Routines and doing things the same way with the same people every day can quickly turn into ruts. At first, the routine becomes comfortable we may experience contentment…however, if that continues for an extended period of time it can turn into a rut that we feel stuck in.

Society has many certain paths that are seen as normal or “the way you should do things” sticking only to these paths is typically the path of least resistance and the simplest to follow. These often are also the least challenging for your God given potential and if you spend time with God consistently you will learn that he is always with you even in the uncomfortable moments. As with everything in life you must have a balance of challenging, uncomfortable paths and being a contributing member of society. The uncomfortable places I am referring to involve issues of charity vs justice for the hungry and homeless…or choosing a role of work that is serving others instead of trying to climb the corporate ladder for personal wealth. Society tends to look away from the hungry and homeless and working to become a Director, VP or Executive is seen as ambitious. If we pursued justice for those who need a hand in life with that same determination we could impact so many more lives.

The bible teaches that we should be working to be living sacrifices…

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2

Challenge yourself…look for that uncomfortable place that is in your community. Pray about it and stretch out of the status quo…you may find a new path that transforms your life and the lives of many others in ways you never imagined.

Peace be with you.

Hold On…

October 9, 2014 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter what happens…no matter what other people say, think or do that hurts you…hold on to your faith. The prince of this world will constantly try to deceive you, knock you down and tell you that you are better off chasing after the things of this world…don’t listen to him.

Don’t believe you are all alone and don’t give in to the temptations that lead you away from your relationship with the One true God. God has a plan for you and he is with you right now…he knows your joy and your sorrow and he is working out the best for you. He never said this would be easy, you must trust in the Lord. Open your bible and read one of the highlighted verses…they are words that spoke a special meaning to you once before. He keeps his promises…he always has and always will.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

The love of God is unchanging and never-ending and if we do nothing else we must hold on to that in faith. These words are for me as much as they are for anyone else who reads them today; I am working hard to hold on…

God’s peace be with you.

He Is Always With You

September 30, 2014 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The definition of the word promise includes the word ‘assurance’…when we give or receive a promise it is intended to give peace that something is going to happen or will be done. When a promise is broken it takes a big toll on trust in a relationship. As I continue on my faith journey there is one promise that has continued to be true ever since it was made thousands of years ago…it is assurance that we do not have to face anything in life alone…unfortunately as humans with free will we try to face many things alone. I share today’s thoughts with you so no matter where you are today you will remember no matter how bad your circumstances are you are not alone…God is with you…look for him and listen for him…

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

May we all find peace today and see how God is working in our lives right now…because…He is with you!

Trust

September 10, 2014September 10, 2014 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Trust

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4

Friendships

August 16, 2014 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

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.

Every Step We Take

August 2, 2014 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There are times in our lives where we may begin to feel lost or distant from God. These occasions are the perfect time to turn towards faith by prayer and by reading the Word of God. In fact, even during good times it is appropriate to look to your faith and praise God for all that he has blessed you with in life. Transforming your thoughts to be more about your relationship with God and how he is working in your life can start in small ways. It can be a gratitude journal, morning and/or evening devotions, writing or reading books, maybe listening to christian radio. Whatever fits who you are and what you like to do…if you are not sure how to transform your thinking then ask God in prayer…invite him to help guide you…after all he made you and he knows what will be your way. The important thing to remember is that everyday in life is a gift and every thing we do…every step we take in life…either leads us closer to or farther away from our relationship with the Lord.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105

Peace to you.

Take It Home – Mission Trip “The Challenge”

July 28, 2014 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Every year the mission trip provides a great shift in perspective and helps you realign your thinking about what is truly important and it inspires you to want to be different when you get home. The hardest part about the mission trip is when it is over everything else in your life hasn’t changed since you left. The only thing different in your life when you get home will be you. The challenge then becomes to live your life differently and with purpose in your everyday life otherwise your experience and exposure slowly becomes just a memory and the fire and inspiration that began on the trip fades away.

Today was my first day back to “life” and it was hard to adjust. I pray all of us will strive to keep the fire burning is some way. Maybe in small ways at first and bigger ways every now and then. Thankfully we are part of an excellent church community that provides support and opportunities to serve. If you ever get the chance to go on a short term mission experience try it…you will be amazed at what you will learn about yourself and others plus it is the best way to light a fire in your soul that may just give you the boost to…”Take Your Faith With You” after all it was after I returned from a mission trip a few years ago that I was inspired to start this blog you are reading today.

I hope you enjoyed reading about our trip this year and I will post again soon.

May God’s peace be with you today and always.

Listening -Mission Trip “Be Present”

July 23, 2014 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of the most important yet least used character traits tends to be listening. Have you been in one of those conversations where your mind is more on other things and you smile and nod as the person continues with their story? Unfortunately, I think everyone has been in that position at least once in life and if your like me it happens more often than it should. What is truly interesting is that when you do stop day dreaming and mind wandering and just listen to what someone is talking about you may just enjoy the conversation more than you realize.

We spent time today walking the downtown area of the city, we shared an extra bag lunch with a person in need on the street and we talked while we ate. We heard stories about the difficult times our lunch buddy had suffered through and the warmth he felt about his daughter that he hadn’t seen in quite sometime. We were together out on the sidewalk eating and talking for about 30-45 minutes and we learned where he had worked, how long he had been in the city and how long he had been living on the streets. We heard about his broken relationships and the difficult battle with addiction. Really the stories he told were not much different than many other people…yet society has treated him differently than others…why…my guess is society, myself included, has already judged his worth. Don’t misunderstand me, I realize that every person has responsibility for decisions they make and the things they choose to do but I also know that sometimes people may need at least one other person to help them get started on a more positive path.

With free will there always will be bad things happening in the world…we’re human we just can’t help ourselves. However, with free will we all can choose whether or not we are willing to stop…look… and listen to others in the world around us. Every person has value and some people just need a bit more help than others finding their place.

May God’s peace be with you.

Perspective and Attitude – Mission Trip “The Beginning”

July 20, 2014 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have ventured out again on a mission trip with senior high youth…this will be my third year of going on this adventure in faith. This year is a new city, a new group of kids and some repeat participants. The starting weekend we spend time “getting started” finalizing and adjusting logistics that can and can’t be controlled to the best of our ability and making our way to our destination. It takes a shift is perspective and attitude to process through some of these issues.

As questions and issues arise you need to be solution oriented and trust that no matter what God will be holding you through it all. As always, the opportunity to get away from the day to day concerns and issues of everyday life and just focus on your relationship with God and others gives me such a sense of peace.

The youth and adult leaders that I am blessed to be with on this trip are amazing individuals and I can’t imagine my life before these trips…I never knew what I was missing. We can look at a situation like a traffic jam, which on an ordinary day would cause frustration and anxiety as we now knew we were going to be arriving late for our schedule but the shift in attitude and perspective the kids took was to make friends with people in the other cars on the road. They were waving and yelling Hi out the window and few people rolled down the window and chatted with us about where we were going.

A positive attitude and a perspective that we are here to help and serve others in the community that is the way we are trying to live and hopefully we can bring that home with us when we return.

Please pray for us and our journey this week!

Peace be with you.