The Love Of Christ

March 29, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is so overwhelming to me to think about all that Jesus suffered to save us. He was different than everybody else and because of that people let fear drive them to the point of His death. When any of us look at the current circumstances in our lives and we put on the perspective of what Jesus faced on earth, it is clear to me that nothing I face in this life will ever match the love that Jesus Christ has for me…nothing. There are terrible pains, suffering and events of deep sadness that exist because of darkness and sin. The love of Christ is more powerful than any of it…not when you are trying to see it without first inviting Jesus into your heart. Invite Him into your life and read the Word of God and you will see His love every day. May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Romans 8:35,37

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

Trials Of Life

March 26, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Everyone has knowledge and experience in trials and pain and suffering. No matter what type of front they display on a social media feed there is trial and pain in their life too. The problem with comparing ourselves is that many people are very skilled at hiding their pain, trying to ignore the suffering. Worse yet is the news media and the sad way they choose to display their view of the world. There is a phrase I have heard used more when I was younger and not as much now…“you get what you give” or “what you will get out of this is determined by what you put into it” To me this provides one of the things missing in society today…accountability. Easy street is not a real place or a way to live. That doesn’t mean that we never will feel happy or joy but it depends on where you are looking for it, it depends on your perspective. The one place that helps with every day life and builds a strong foundation to live on is the Cross. Come to the Cross and live. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

Psalm 139:23

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

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.

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“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.

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“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)

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.

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“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)

Light of Life

March 18, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Everyone goes through storms in life. Some storms are dark clouds with some hail, rain and thunder and lighting while others storms can be tornadoes or hurricanes. When we watch the news coverage of weather events like these if it is often the next day and people are out helping each other clean up and the left over debris and trash is put into a pile to be removed, it is usually a bright and sunny day as the storm has passed by and new day has dawned. This is exactly how we should try to process the storms of our lives…even the most horrific storms have a next day when the sun will shine and we can pick up the pieces and begin again. The best way to seek this light of life is with Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit and know you are not alone. Besides when major weather event moves through an area we are not the only ones whose house gets hit…we are all much more alike in the events of life then many of us are willing to believe. May God’s peace be with you.

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

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

Confidence

March 16, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The bible is filled with promises by God and He fulfills those promises, not according to our standard rather, according to His. We are always trying to fit God into our view of how things should be instead of surrendering ourselves to His view. Every promise God has made has been completed, except for one. He promises that Jesus will come back again to take us home and based on the history of promises kept a believer should have every confidence that Jesus will return. It is written, He will come down from heaven, check…He will heal the sick and help the poor, check…He will be crucified and die, check…He will be risen and ascend to the Father, check…He will come again, still pending…this promise will be fulfilled according to God’s standard not ours. May God’s peace be with you.

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“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Psalms 27:13-14

(This photo was taken in June of 2012 while traveling through northwestern Wisconsin)

Strength

March 15, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Our strength to stand and face the difficult or troubling circumstances of life and the world we live in comes from God. Personal will power or raw emotion will only carry us for so long…the key element that can impact and affect human behavior is a relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. There will be times when you will feel blindsided by what someone has said to you or about you to others, unfortunately this is common human behavior. Bring these moments to the cross, renew your resolve and strength through faith…it is the only place to find the one who gave everything He had for you. May God’s peace be with you.

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

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

Friends

March 14, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Throughout our journey in life out of all the places and people we will encounter there are only a few who will last as our true friends through it all. These are the few who know us better than any others, they know more about us and we have built up a significant amount of trust in our relationship with them. They are the ones we want to call when we are struggling and they are one of the first people we want to celebrate with when things are going well. We are willing to do more to help them and they are more willing to help us. A true friend listens without giving you instructions on what you should do, a true friend sacrifices and makes time for us, a true friend accepts us unconditionally just as we are and a true friend is willing to stand by us no matter what happens. As you can see this is a very high standard of friendship and we strive to meet it with a few people but the only one who can attain this level of friendship without fail is Jesus. He set the bar on friendship and the human race should be eternally grateful. May God’s peace be with you.

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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 June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Forgiving

March 12, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Everyone has been hurt by others in some way, at one time or another. This is not a unique situation to be in, the key to peace and joy is what you do with the hurt and the pain…do we live with bitterness and anger at the sound of their name or place where the pain occurred? Maybe for a period of time, eventually we must find a way to forgiveness. We will be much better off to learn about what it means to forgive someone and proceed with removing the dark cloud from over our heads. It won’t make the pain go away and we will live with the scar of past hurts no matter what we do…what it will do is open us up for other future possibilities, some that we could have never imagined if we were still angry and bitter. Give forgiveness a try and see what God has in store for you. May God’s peace be with you.

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