Renew

The Fruit Of The Spirit

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we come to Christ and seek Him, we are renewed.  The Holy Spirit within us encourages us to live by the Fruit of the Spirit more and more and to leave the evil, anger, hatred and darkness behind.  The more we use the Fruit of the Spirit when thinking about ourselves and while helping others the better our life will be.  Most of us are too hard on ourselves and too hard on others…things can be different.  Pick up God’s Word and read about it, pray and ask for forgiveness of your sins and to have the Fruit of the Spirit stirred up in you.  May God’s love, joy and peace be with you.  Amen.

DSC07425 publish

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling through northern Colorado)

Renew And Be Restored

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Begin again…trust God to guide you…surrender your heart and mind…with God all things are possible.  Trouble will come, things will get messed up and times will be difficult, this is to be expected.  Focus on what you can control…how will you choose to respond?  Will you choose hatred, anger, malicious talk and put your efforts into tearing down others?  Many have chosen this way and it brings nothing but destruction.  Will you choose kindness, compassion, listening and patience?  Even with your enemies?  Every single person was created by God…clearly it is time for the human race to go back and read the instructions for life found in God’s word.  If you are unsure where to begin try the Book of Proverbs or look into the story of Joseph in Genesis.  God can renew and restore us if we are willing to turn towards Him.  Amen.

DSC_0170 publish

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:10-12

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 on Paradise Island of the Bahamas)

 

Renew Your Strength

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Many aspects of life on earth can make us weary and tired, shaping our perspective to approach life with negativity, doubt and fear.  We often forget, daily, that we can choose our attitude and perspective for this day.  If we focus all our thoughts and energy on the problem and why me, then we may get stuck and begin to spiral downward.  We can be renewed and draw strength by turning our focus to the Lord.  No matter what you are facing remember God is in control and if you put your trust in Him, your strength will be renewed.  Amen.

DSC_0228 publish

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall;  but 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 40:29-31

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)

Easter Sunday…Christ Is Risen!

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

He is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!  Hope has been restored and renewed, Jesus Christ has defeated death.  Life is a gift, an experience to live and to share with one another, and with God in control all things are possible.  Put the risen Lord first in your life and you will find the Fruits of the Spirit.  Christ Is Risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

DSC06492 publish

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

 1 Peter 1:3

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)

Holy Saturday…Preparation Day

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is finished…Jesus, the Messiah, had been crucified and died.  We all know the coming glory of tomorrow…however, when these events were happening, it is hard to comprehend the level of sorrow and sadness that had to exist.  Unfortunately, there are people in today’s world who suffer at a deep level of sorrow because of sin and evil.  Our saving grace and our truth is we know that from the most devastating of tragedy, God will renew and restore us and He has shown us an example by what we will celebrate tomorrow.  Trust in the Lord for He is good and His love endures forever.  Amen.

DSC06945 publish

“Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in the tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.  It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.”

Luke 23:52-54

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)