Restore

Be Transformed

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Changed…renewed…remade…to make new again.  How we live, the decisions we make, our purpose and perspective are continually influenced by our life in this world.  If we fail to spend time feeding our minds and spiritual being with the Word of God and if we don’t spend time in prayer in relationship and communication with God, we will become like the world.  Only God can make us new again, with forgiveness, wisdom, courage, knowledge, trust and faith.  There are people in the world striving for the Fruits of the Spirit in their life…you may have to look for them with new eyes and a new perspective and those are available to all of us because of Jesus.  I pray we feed our faith and strive towards God and His will and away from the sinful nature.  Amen.

DSC_0080 publish

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Romans 12:2

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at City Park in Winterset, Iowa)

Music Fills My Soul

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Ever since my Dad passed away about 3 weeks ago, I have sensed there has been this constant bit of darkness hovering around me.  No matter where I went or what I did, nothing could change the fact that life is different now everyday going forward.  The thing is…different doesn’t have to be bad, do I miss my Dad, absolutely…but more importantly I am thankful for every day of my life that I had with him and I will see him again someday.  The darkness was trying to tell me something different and send me into a downward spiral.  Last night, my wife and I attended a Christian concert with tickets given to us as a gift back in July.  The music and worship that these talented people provided last night was so uplifting, so encouraging and so refreshing for my soul.  There is something very unique about music and christian music is a gift that soothes my soul unlike anything else.  I offer my things to Danny Gokey, Tauren Wells and Riley Clemmons for wonderful evening of restoring music and praise.  May you feel the joy of the Lord in your life on this day of worship.

Here is one from Danny Gokey:  Give Me Jesus

Here is one from Tauren Wells: When We Pray

Here is one from Riley Clemmons: Broken Prayers

DSC_0888 publish

“I have told you these things, so that in my you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

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

A Quiet Place

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Peaceful…Prayer…Meditation…Rest…Renew…Restore…Recharge.  Where and when are you spending time in a quiet place?  If you live a busy existence keeping schedules and deadlines for either the family calendar or a job you usually have to wait until late at night or early in the morning while others are sleeping.  I have had co-workers who prefer to get the office really early before others because it is quiet.  We need to have a balance of going and doing and being productive some of the time and being at peace and resting at other times.  If we don’t have both we will either become completely worn out from running around all the time with no rest or become isolated from community because we are always off on our own.  This isn’t a choice of which one should I be but more of a mindfulness of what does my mind and body need right now?  Go and do and then rest and recharge…(rinse repeat)  May you find peace and rest in the Lord.

DSC_0841 publish

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’.”

Mark 6:31

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

Take Some Rest

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We can’t keep running at top speed in our minds or in our daily lives.  We must plan down time.  To fill every moment with activity and planning and scheduling will lead to exhaustion.  Mental exhaustion, physical exhaustion and spiritual exhaustion.  We all need time to recharge, to be restored and renewed.  When Jesus was here on earth He often would go off alone to pray.  Before feeding the five thousand He told the disciples…“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”  (Mark 6:31)  In order to be at our best we need to plan time to rest and that means resting our minds as well as our bodies.  If you are someone who always has to be busy, plan some quiet time in small increments to get started.  We all should pray about it as that time in prayer can be restful too.  May the love, joy and peace of the Lord be with you.

DSC_1402 publish

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

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

He Will Restore You

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Keep going…be steadfast and determined to find a way…don’t quit…don’t give up on them.  With so much of the world focused on convenience and saving time there seems to be less and less stories about the long journey of success.  The truth about most accomplishments is that they occur over a significant period of time.  In athletics people will tell stories of an “overnight success”  a player just emerged from out of nowhere.  When the truth is that individual worked their tail off for the last 5, 10 or 15 years to get to that moment and the world just noticed them now.  Hard work is expected to achieve anything.  Dedication, commitment and a willingness to fail and try again, these are the things that lead to success.  Especially in relationships and faith.  If you or someone you care for is struggling, start or keep on praying, don’t give up on the situation.  The world and society throw people away all the time…be different, believe in hope and God will restore the situation one way or another.  May God bless you with courage and strength.

DSC_0027 (2) publish

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

1 Peter 5:10

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