Self-less

August 4, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of the most tragic afflictions of our time is selfishness. The me first with a lack of consideration for others attitude, constantly assessing my place in the world compared to others and then determining my own value based on what others think about me. This perspective pushes God to the side and puts me first as the top priority. This has always been an affliction on human society and it seems to have grown exponentially since the explosion of social media. One of the world’s greatest needs right now is more humility. Imagine the impact on human relationships when people are looking to lift others up instead of tearing them down. I am not suggesting we ignore self-care rather we put God first to guide us in the way we live. I pray that we all take time to be humble and serve others more than we look to be served. May God’s peace be with you. Amen.

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition of vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

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

A Servant Spirit

August 3, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Many of our frustrations, arguments and troubles in life originate in selfishness…either our own selfishness or because of somebody else’s selfish desires or wants. The only thing we have the power to change is ourselves. So how can anyone ever get along? It starts with listening, compassion, and a willingness to work for the good of many not just a few. None of us can attain this attitude of the Spirit without a strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Seek Him, learn about Him and follow His example. Amen.

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“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Mark 9:35

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore)

Choose Love

August 2, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We live with free will…a gift from God. We have the freedom to choose what we say, what we think and our behaviors. We can choose how we respond to others and what attitude we are going to present in our interactions. There are many influences trying to sway our choices both in this world and in the spiritual world. If we take time to reflect on what we have chosen and less time worrying about what others think, say and do…we give ourselves the opportunity to grow…in our relationships and in our spiritual lives. Our example to follow is Jesus Christ…how He lived and what He said while He was here, as well as what the Holy Spirit is saying to us each day. The message is clear…we should choose love in all things…in our thoughts, in our words and in our behaviors. May the love of God flow through each of us. Amen.

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Jesus

August 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

He is all we need. He is the way to God for us. He took the punishment we deserve. The words He spoke when He was here are written in red in the bible. If you want to learn more about Him, pick up a bible and read the Gospel of John. Believe in Him, He is the Son of God, our Savior and our Lord. No matter what you are going through, no matter where you are and no matter what you have done, turn towards Jesus…He is waiting to hear from you. Amen.

Give Me Jesus by Danny Gokey

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

If God Is For Us…

July 31, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What more could we possibly need? He is our Creator. The Old Testament tells us about the back and forth relationship between the people and God. Eventually God decides there is only One way to save us and because of His great love for us, it is finished. God tried many different ways to have relationships with people and Jesus Christ knows what it is like to be human in this world. God knows you; He knows more about you than you realize and He loves you. All that is good comes from God, He is with you and His plan is for good things in your life and even though things will go wrong because of sin in the world, He will still be with you to strengthen you and encourage you to keep going, keep trying and keep trusting in Him. Seek out God and His plan and you will find peace. Amen.

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“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us,who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

Romans 8:31-32

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Put Your Trust In God

July 30, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What do you put your trust in? Who do you believe is trustworthy? Take a moment and think about it. The dictionary states trust is – firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. So, who or what in your life do you trust? The world is filled with deception, selfishness, lying, cheating, etc… these things were brought into the world by the human race. There is still hope…there is One who is worthy of trust. There is One who is reliable, who is the truth, who has the ability and the strength and He is the One who sacrificed himself to save us…Jesus Christ. He is a Light in the darkness, turn to Jesus and put your trust in God. Amen.

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“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”

Psalm 143:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

Safe Pasture

July 29, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What does it take to feel safe? To have shelter, food and water? These are the physical essentials for life. When traveling on mission trips, I have met some people who struggle for these things every day and yet they seem to have unique peace about them…for others they have all these things and much more and they are worried, scattered, scared. This isn’t true in all cases for either group of people, however, there was a noticeable difference sometimes. The one thing that stood out whenever I met a person who exuded a sense of peace, whether they had little or plenty of worldly things? It was their faith. Take inventory of people in your life…who constantly seems to have a sense of hope and who always seems eager to complain and worry? Now take time to reflect on yourself…how do you typically present yourself? To say we believe in God and know that He is with us is one thing…to live it out in our everyday life is the next step in spiritual growth. Trust in the Lord and you will find safe pasture. Amen.

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

Psalm 37:3-4

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

Here I Am To Worship

July 28, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Wherever you are, whatever is going on in your life, take time for worship. God is with you and He is waiting to hear from you. Nothing that the world offers can compare with the blessings we receive from God. It is never too late to turn back to God, no matter how far off you have wandered, God still loves you and will forgive you…turn towards Jesus and renew your relationship with Him. May the peace of God be with you. Amen.

Here I Am To Worship by Michael W. Smith

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“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Revelation 3:20

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Strength For The Weary

July 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of the amazing things about faith is its power to give us the courage, the endurance, the patience and the perseverance to keep trying, to keep learning and to keep believing in hope. Out of the most tragic circumstances that happen because of sin…God can bring about the greatest good. Do you believe it? No matter where you are, no matter what the struggle is in your life, right now…turn towards Jesus in prayer, seek Him and believe in the Him. Do it every day and you will find courage, you will find patience, you will persevere and you will find peace. May we all be strengthened by our relationship with Jesus Christ. Amen.

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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. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

Isaiah 40:28-29

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of Gods Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Gratitude

July 26, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There was only one way for sin to be properly punished and for the human race to have the opportunity for salvation. When Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples, He hit a very low point as a human…He knew what was about to happen worse yet He knew it was the only way to salvation for the world. Jesus knows what it is like to struggle and suffer in this world and He prayed that God would remove Him from the situation…yet then He prayed something very few of us have ever prayed…He said, …“My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42) He offered Himself to God and God’s plan, for that we can have nothing but gratitude for Jesus Christ and His willingness to die for us. Amen.

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