Anything Is Possible

April 26, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Why do we doubt so much? Why is it so hard for us to believe what may be possible with God? When we are willing to surrender to His plan and His way in His time, there’s no telling what can happen. Look at the stories in the bible…Abraham and Sarah had a child they had so longed for when Sarah was 90…the 5000 were fed when all that was available to eat was a few fish and some bread…Lazarus is raised from the dead after being gone for a few days…and there are so many more examples. When God is involved in a situation anything is possible. We must turn to Him first with whatever we are facing and remember He is not a genie in a bottle who sometimes grants wishes…He is our creator, our savior and our guide who always has good things in store for us. Trust in the Lord and watch to see what He has in store for you. May the joy of the Lord be with you.

DSC_0699 publish

“For nothing is impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Saved By Grace

April 18, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We do not choose God, He chose us. He is our Creator, He sent His Son to reconcile us with Him. He continues to be involved in our everyday with the Holy Spirit. We have not earned this love nor do we deserve it for our behavior in this world. God gives to you freely out of His deep abiding love for you. No matter where you are or what is going on in your daily life…God loves you unconditionally…that is Grace. Turn to Him, seek Him and His Word. He is waiting to hear from you. May God’s love and peace be with you.

DSC_0228 publish

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

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

Good Friday, Reflect…Be Transformed

March 30, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There cannot be unexpected and jubilant celebration at the resurrection without the pain and tragedy of the crucifixion. Life is not always going to be sweet smelling roses and unconstrained happiness. It is because of our sufferings that we learn and appreciate the good things God has given us. When I think about the most difficult times of my past I begin to see my focus at those times was all self-centered, I was putting myself at the center of my life and that is not my place. When I notice the times when I have had real joy, peace and contentment it is when I have surrendered myself to God and His will. Only God can help us in the terrible times and events that are caused by humans and sin, only He can bring about the love, forgiveness, peace and joy. God does not make the bad things occur, we do that ourselves but He is always there ready to help us when we turn towards Him and His Son who sacrificed everything to save us. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC07416 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 June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Palm Sunday

March 25, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is a wonder how quickly circumstances can change. On this day we remember Jesus and His triumphal entry as He approached the city of Jerusalem. People were laying down their coats and palm branches as He rode a donkey, they were cheering for Him with hope and joy. All the while the Pharisees and the chief priests were trying to figure out how to get rid of Him without causing a riot. As we know the narrative did change and then some of the same people who cheered Him, turned to jeering Him with ‘Crucify Him!’ – Luke 23:20…for me one of the most powerful statements Jesus ever made on earth was one of the last things He said…‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’ – Luke 23:34 As we make our way into Holy Week, reflect of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and all He did for you. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_1567 publish

“Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Mark 11:8-9

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while traveling through Colorado)

Perspective

March 24, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We all have opportunity every day to choose how we see the world and people in it. Our perspective has many influences, personal experience, things we read, things others tell us, our own emotions and the things we see happening. If we allow our perspective to be formed with out consulting with our Creator are we really putting all we can into our beliefs? Information provided by the human race always seems to have a selfish agenda of the those who distribute the data. The only source of truth I have found is God and His Son Jesus Christ. If you haven’t done so, I invite you to allow the Word of God to be an influence on your perspective…I recommend starting with the Gospel of John. Believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ His one and only Son and the Holy Spirit and you will find the peace and joy of the Lord. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0933 publish

“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7

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

Perseverance

March 22, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The definition of this word is: “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.” To me it says don’t give up. One truth about life that some find difficult to understand is there are going to be times when life is difficult and unfair. We are human and none of us is going to be perfect. Trouble will come our way despite our best efforts to avoid it. So what are we going to do? We keep going with “continued effort” in spite of difficulties, failures and opposition. We move forward respectfully and give our best to achieve. Another blogger who writes BeautyBeyondBones shared some advice she would get from her mother during extremely difficult times…what is the next right thing to do? If we can figure that out in any situation we can persevere. We also have the greatest teacher ever in Jesus, He showed us the ultimate perseverance and we will remember it during Holy Week next week. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_1448 publish

“Blessed in the one who perseveres under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12

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

Consistent

March 21, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We all experience times and events that are good times and bad times. Times when we can relax and be at peace and times when chaos reigns, it all occurs depending upon what is going on in our lives and who we are spending our time with. The environment we choose to spend time in will always impact our highs and lows. Who are we surrounding ourselves with, are we able to be ourselves or are we always performing for others consciously or subconsciously? Throughout history there is only one thing that has created a firm foundation to stand on…the bible. The Word of God and the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The values and principles of a life following Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are documented, solid and unchanging. If you are looking for a place to build your life on start with the greatest foundation available. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0661 publish

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Faith Begins With Belief

March 13, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In order to grow in faith and to experience spiritual growth in life it is important to renew our belief in Jesus. To believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who came down from heaven, to know that he came specifically to save human beings from their sins, to reconcile all of us with God…to believe He died on the cross and to have confidence that He has risen from the dead and He is going to come back again. Our faith in God starts with the belief that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and He is with you each and every day of your life. There is nothing in life that can compare to that fact. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0485 publish

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

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

Living Hope

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter what you are facing, no matter what struggle is pressing you down…when you devote your life to faith in Jesus Christ you will have access to a deep well of Hope. Imagine what it may have been like for one of the disciples, living during Jesus time on earth…the Savior, the one who was coming to save the people, had been born and living on earth…healing the sick and living a life according to God, which was very different from many others on earth. He had come and they were following Him…and then He allowed himself to be captured beaten and flogged and then crucified…because of who He was, imagine those three days after Jesus died…

Then the most amazing thing occurred and from the most tragic of circumstances, Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to many of them…He conquered death. This same Jesus is with you no matter what…put your Hope in Him. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0124 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 June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Path To Peace

March 8, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The first steps to finding some peace for me have come from learning about faith and learning about Jesus. Through weekly worship, daily devotions, listening to christian music and serving to help others in need. The next steps to lasting peace are actually getting to know Jesus in personal relationship, through prayer and listening, taking time to sit outdoors in nature in the quiet and to be at peace. The farther down the path you go the harder it can be at times because of the world we live in…that is when it helps the most to remember that Christ is with me, even if I don’t sense His presence. Trust in God, trust also in Jesus as He is The Way to peace. May God’s love and peace be with you.

DSC_0975 publish