Love And Serving Others

November 4, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Love is so much more than a feeling…it is actions and behaviors. It is about looking at the needs of those you love and being willing to serve them…not so you can keep score…rather, you serve them out of love and care for them. To live and serve in love is not about expecting something in return, that is something the world is teaching. The world will always push the selfish mentality in relationships which fails. Be willing to serve in love because you know and trust that God will provide for your needs. Amen.

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“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at the Nakalele Blow Hole on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Serve Those In Need

October 9, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Food, shelter, clothing, clean water. Basic needs…these should be readily available to all people. The world was created with more than enough resources to provide for everyone…yet the sinful ways of all humans in all parts of the world has created shortages. If we have our basic needs fulfilled, we should take inventory of how we can help others and then give our time and resources to help those in need. Ask yourself, ‘how can I help?’…pray about it, do your best and God will take care of the rest. Amen.

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“…And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Gifts And Abilities

August 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When you are unsure how you can best contribute…ask God. How can I help? Learn about yourself and your abilities. What comes naturally to you? What seems easy for you that others struggle doing? What can you do that fulfills the need of another? It can be anything. God knows you and knows how He created you…don’t believe your value based on the world’s standards, let God be the judge. Seek Him and His will. Pray about it and pay attention for God’s answers in your everyday life. Amen.

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“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:9-10

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 – the statue is called “Our Lady of the Rockies” and can be seen near Butte, Montana)

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)

Freedom Isn’t Free

May 27, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It takes humility, sacrifice and a willingness to put the needs of many before one. Freedom is earned by human beings working together for a common cause…not by shouting and trying to tear others down. Freedom is earned through courage and a belief in something greater than self. Jesus Christ is the one who provided the example of sacrifice and the willingness to forgive…we all would do well to read about Him and His example of love. Time to put down the flaming arrows of hate and to serve one another in love.

Thank you God, for all the people who serve and have served in the military services of this country…thank you for their willingness to put themselves in the line of fire so others can prosper. I give thanks for them and their families that sacrifice so much in the name of freedom for all of us. Amen.

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or 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 June of 2013 at Mount Rushmore National Memorial)

Share With Those In Need

May 20, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are blessed to be a blessing. Sharing with those in need is about more than a financial giving. It is sharing whatever God has provided in abudance. Some have an abundance of wisdom, some the ability to be a good listener, some have a solution oriented mindset and some an abundance of posititvity. These things and many others like them are blessings from God that can be shared with others. When reflecting on what you have the ability to share look at your life from a Godly perspective not from the world’s point of view. Be thankful for what God has given you and share as He has shared with you. Amen.

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“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:13

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

Gifts And Serving Others

March 25, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

Each person is unique is some way. Everyone has a different combination of strengths and weaknesses. No individuals were made to stand alone or to be isolated from the community. We are designed to work together to use our blessings to help fulfill the needs of others and for others to help fulfill our needs. The things that get in the way are sin…pride and selfishness, judgement and favoritism…these exist in everyone on all sides of every issue. Each of us should assess ourselves and understand what are our strengths and gifts to offer…the important thing to remember is the value of our gifts in God’s eyes not value according to the world’s perspective…because even if what we can offer will change life for just 1 or a few other people, we are still changing the world for good in the eyes of God. Peace be with you on your journey. Amen.

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“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in is various forms.”

1 Peter 4:9-10

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 while driving near the South Dakota and Minnesota border)

Our Faith And Our Actions

March 13, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

These two things are linked and interwoven together. If we focus on only one without the other we are not complete. A faith journey can begin on the inside, molding and shaping our thoughts and our attitude, as we grow, we begin to show what we have learned in our actions and our behaviors towards others. We have had the best example possible set for us in the life of Christ. He not only spoke the Words of faith and taught others, he went out and lived it…He befriended the hurting, the sick, the lonely and the mistreated and came to bring healing to our broken world. When we are able to join our faith and our actions they feed us, help us to grow and bring joy and peace. Amen.

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“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:11-12

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

Everyone Has A Role

February 4, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The body of Christ is discussed in several areas of the Bible. It is compared to the makeup of the human body. Stating that every part of the body has certain contribution to the whole body and everything is functioning at its greatest ability when all the members play their role. A sports team could be described in a simialr way. If every member of the team does what they are responsible to do the team can be and will be very successful. The same is true for Christians. We all have a role in the body of Christ and even though some roles get taken for granted they have the same value as every other role. We never notice how much we use our pinky on either hand or our little toe on either foot until it gets broke or dislocated and suddenly we really notice how often we need it. We are created out of love, we are created for a purpose, every single person has value in God’s plan. Seek wisdom from God to understand your role is His plan. Amen.

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“Just as each one of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts according to the grace given us…”

Romans 12:4-6

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Serving Others

December 18, 2018December 17, 2018 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

We have been saved by the grace of God our Father and the sacrifice of His One and Only Son…Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. We have been blessed so that we can be a blessing to others. As you reflect on your life or this past year…how has God blessed you? What are you thankful for? What gift, talent or skill has God given to you and how can you use that gift to help and serve others? Seek the blessings you have been given, give thanks and pursue the ways you can be a blessing to others. Amen.

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