Transformation

February 12, 2020 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

The journey of faith and our relationship with Jesus Christ does not end with us coming to the Cross. We all must come to the Cross, confess our sins and ask Christ into our hearts and minds to help turn us away from sinful desires. After that transformation can begin…you see the journey continues as we must go back out into the world with a new attitude and a renewed mind and live the life God intended for us. As referenced yesterday, when Saul became Paul that was just the beginning of his transformation that led to the spread of Christianity across the world. Turn towards Jesus Christ and be transformed. Amen.

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2

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

An Encounter…

February 11, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Many of the Books in the New Testament are a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the people in the churches He started. They are meant to teach, encourage and guide the people. They are also His prayers for them. Paul, formally known as Saul, had an encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus and from that point forward everything single thing He did the rest of his life was about shining a light on Jesus Christ. When we read his letters, we learn about Jesus and a new life that puts faith first. Amen.

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“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:16-19

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of the Gods Park in southern Colorado)

Transformation

January 14, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Change…modify…reshape…rebuild…renew. This is the work of the Holy Spirit within us. We are not able to do this alone, although we often try. In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us the answer to the question, ‘how can I change?’ “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6 If you truly want to seek a change in your life seek your relationship with Jesus Christ first and you will be transformed. Amen.

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“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24

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

Be Transformed

October 25, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To change…modify…reshape…rebuild…reconstruct…renew. A transformation is the creation of a new way, a new way of thinking, a new approach. For something or someone to be transformed the old ways and old thoughts must be broken down so that the new way can be created. Transformation is personal and it is not easy…we should be careful that we do not assume that one person’s transformation will be the same as another person. The greatest power we have in the transformation process is prayer. Take time to be with God in prayer and be transformed. Amen.

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a park near Winterset, Iowa)

The Peacemakers

August 14, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

Our faith journey is a process without a ending point. As we learn about Jesus and we read God’s Word the process begins by helping us transform on the inside…we open our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit becomes our guide. This is not the end of the process…as we continue to learn and grow the intention is for us to have this Spirit of peace and goodness flow through us to our neighbors and others. We are not saved just to be saved alone…we are to become a channel of God’s peace every day. The Light of Christ should shine through us so that others can see God in who we are and what we do. Think about it…in what other person in your life have you seen God shining through? May we be comforted by God’s peace. Amen.

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“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Matthew 5:9

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

We Are Being Transformed

June 26, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Trials and temptations will come and our faith will be tested…God can use these times to transform us into something new. Take a look at James 1:2-18 for more about this.

Diamonds by Hawk Nelson

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“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Moument in New Mexico)

Alive With Christ

June 19, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

All people are unique and different in some way. Yet all of us suffer from similar temptations and the sinful nature. We are sinners because of things we do and the things we do not do. Because of God’s love, God’s mercy and God’s grace we have been saved and we can become a new creation that is alive with Christ. He took upon Himself the punishment we all deserve and He did this because of His love for each of us. Nothing and no one on earth can do what Jesus Christ has done for us. Amen.

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“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:4-5

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass near the Montana and Wyoming border)

Integrity

June 14, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Honesty…sincerity…trustworthy…truthfulness…decency…morality…respectable. These are rare qualities in today’s world. We all have sinned and have done things against the will of God. Admitting we are wrong is so difficult when the world keeps sending out messages that ‘Me’ first is how we should want to live. It is true that God is love, however, this does not mean any and all behaviors are acceptable to Him…take a look at Proverbs 6:16-19 or Proverbs 8:13 for some examples of behaviors God despises. We live in a fallen and broken world and our ability to admit and confess when we are wrong is the starting point to turning away from behaviors that hurt ourselves and others. Amen.

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

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

Beyond Forgiveness

June 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have been saved…the price has been paid…God has forgiven us for our sins. However, this is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of the rest of your story and your faith life. There is more for you to learn and do…there is a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ beyond forgiveness. Jesus is your Savior but is He the Lord of your life? Turn toward God in prayer and ask Him to help you see what’s next? Amen.

God’s Not Done With You by Tauren Wells

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“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6

(This photo was taken in August of 2018 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

The New Creation

January 23, 2019 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

We often believe the most difficult battles will come from what the world and others are doing to us. The actual battle that is most difficult to fight is within, it is the battle against the self. The self is stubborn, persisent and demanding, always wanting to be at the center of life regardless of how that impacts our actions and others around us. We are blessed with the opportutnity to choose our attitude, our behaviors, our values and our beliefs. Self-awareness is the first step in learning our tendencies and noticing the habits we have developed in our thoughts and actions. Self-awareness is learned through self-reflection, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, understanding your values and learning what situations and people bring about an emotional response from you. It often helps to keep a journal and it is important to invite God into the process…after all, He created you. The more you learn the better prepared you are to grow and change. Peace be with you on your journey. Amen.

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