serving others

Gifts And Abilities

/ 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.

DSC01376 publish

“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

/ 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.

DSC_0334 publish

“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)

Offer Kindness

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Every single person is fighting a personal battle within themselves…every single one of us.  Don’t be so quick to judge and assume your knowledge about any situation or individual.  Be different, be kind…listen and seek to understand.  The quickest way to diffuse an escalating situation is kindness and compassion, not pushing your personal agenda.  Turn towards Jesus and ask that you are filled with courage and the ability to see others with His eyes.  Amen.

DSC_0993 publish

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:8-10

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

Freedom Isn’t Free

/ 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.

IMG_20130609_publish

“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

/ 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.

DSC_0129 publish

“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)

Practice What Is Preached

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The faith journey has two main elements…the first is learning about and getting to know God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit.  It is a transformation on the inside, a redemption.  The second element is about making Him known.  Taking what we have learned and have experienced and sharing it by helping others in need, whatever that looks in your life.  Both elements are vital to our spiritual life and to the Kingdom of God, as either one without the other has little lasting value or impact.  Take time to know Him and create space in your life to make Him known.  Amen.

DSC_0090 (2) publish

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.”

James 1:22

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on a hike near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Gifts And Serving Others

/ 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.

DSC_0095 (2)publish

“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

/ 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.

DSC_0841 publish

“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)

 

What Is The Cost?

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The decision we make to follow Christ is ours to make…for free.  We have free will, a gift from God.  Now what?  We need to spend time learning about Jesus, His life and His message and how we can contribute.  We need to spend time reading God’s Word, we need to spend time in worship listening and we need to pray.  All of these things we help us grow stronger on the inside…on the inside, where selfishness and a desire to serve ourselves first has set-up base camp.  Here is where the battle gets difficult…in order to follow Christ we must be willing to make deciesions to deny the desires of self.  We must reject the negative thoughts and judgements in our minds, put to rest the anger and the selfish beliefs.  This is not an easy thing to do and don’t let anyone tell you it is, this is a battle and a struggle every day.  If you don’t believe it, look around the world…what do you see?  The decision to follow Jesus Christ is just the beginning…the cost to see it through is the rejection of sin and the sinful nature that the world promotes.  May God grant us wisdom, courage and strength to go with us each day.  Amen.

DSC_0135 publish

“Then he said to them all:  “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” 

Luke 9:23

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

Serve One Another

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We are comforted by the presence of the Lord in our lives.  A life of faith can lead to peace and joy that transcends worldly understanding.  As we are fulfilled, we are equipped to help others who are in need.  Our growth in our spiritual lives will shape us as a new creation, with new values, a new attitude and a new perspective.  God does provide all that we need and it is up to us to use the blessings we receive to care for ourselves, our families and others.  We are blessed to be a blessing.  Amen.

DSC07554 publish

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command:  “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:13-14

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)