Trust

March 16, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

Even when I can’t see, I trust you to guide and lead me. I don’t have all the answers but I know you love us and you are working for good things. Our sins in this world blind us to your goodness. Forgive us, comfort us and help us remain in your love every day. Thank you for sending your Son to save us and reconcile us to you. In His name we pray…Amen.

Blessing I Can’t See by Building 429

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

(This photo was taken in June of 2015 while traveling from South Dakota to Minnesota)

Pray With Confidence

March 14, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Our prayers are how we communicate with God. He knows whether or not we truly believe what we are saying or asking for…that’s the biggest difference between talking with God and talking with people. People may or may not know the truth about what we say…God knows, He knows everything, there is no use in trying to ‘sell’ Him on your wants, desires or ideas, it is fruitless to try and hide your fears…when we turn towards God in prayer we should be prepared to be honest, open and vulnerable and we can be assured that God is working for good things for all of us. Pray with confidence to God and be open to His ways rather than your ways. Amen.

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Rest For Your Soul

March 10, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Trust…confidence…belief…assurance…faith. God is greater than any virus or economic issue. We can put our trust in God…this does not mean we sit on our hands and do nothing waiting for God. We need to continue to do good things…we need to pray, to help those who are in need, we need to be kind, humble, patient and shine the Light of Christ through our thoughts, words and our actions. Spend time living the way Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord taught us to live and you will find rest for your soul. Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

The Truth

March 2, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The word ‘truth’ appears over 200 times in the bible. Jesus often taught using the phrase ‘I tell you the truth’ or ‘Truly I say to you.’ On our faith journey we have to be willing to be honest with God, ourselves and with others regarding what we believe and what we say. When we are ready to be truthful about who we are and who God is we are ready to walk in the light to the best of our ability in a fallen world. It won’t be easy but we have been assured it will be worth it. Amen.

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, ³²and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32

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“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

We Are Not Alone

February 13, 2020 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

Whatever the struggle…whatever the battle is in your life…physical, mental, emotional or spiritual…you are not alone in your fight. God is with you…He tells us over and over again in the bible…Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20 and several more times. Trust in the Lord, He has never broken a promise and His promise is to be with you for every day and for every situation…it is up to us to look, listen and to come near to Him. Amen.

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“…because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

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

Confidence

January 21, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Belief…trust…conviction…reliance…dependence…faith. Don’t wait to seek the Lord as the last resort…if you are curious about faith, pick up a bible and read about God and His Son and the Holy Spirit…evil and darkness of the world has many ways to distract us and keep us away from our faith. We can turn towards Jesus Christ with confidence…He has shown us how much He loves us and He is right here with us every step of the way. Amen.

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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
⁸They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

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

Trust

January 17, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Firm belief…confidence…faith…count on…believe in…truth…certainty…love. The darkness and evil of the world are constantly working to turn us away from God and God is constantly speaking to us. Seek Him, seek His will, believe He has good things planned for you and be patient. Amen.

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

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

Nothing Can Separate Us

January 10, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There is nothing on earth in your life that is more powerful than the love of God…nothing. Trust in the Lord…He sacrificed His life to reconcile us with God…this is the greatest gift you will ever receive. Turn towards God and trust in Him. Amen.

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“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:37-39

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

Trust In The Lord

January 5, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Surrender the will of the self and you will find joy and peace. This is not about happiness; joy goes deeper and has greater understanding than happy. Happy is about you…joy is about your foundation of faith and your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God knows everything about you and He wants good things for you…trust in Him with all your heart like you never have before and see what God has in store for you. Amen.

I Give You My Heart by Michael W Smith

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“Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
⁶He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.

⁷Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Psalm 37:3-7

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

Forgiveness And For Goodness

December 23, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

These are the presents we receive from God, not only at Christmas, we receive these every day of our lives. It is up to us to accept these gifts and to trust in the Lord. We are forgiven because of Jesus Christ and we receive goodness from God’s Holy Spirit within us. All throughout the bible the miracles performed included Jesus involving someone else in completing the miracle. An example would be the little boy who had the fish and bread, that was to be multiplied for all to eat. God wants us to accept the gift of forgiveness from Jesus and to open our hearts and minds to the goodness of the Holy Spirit and God wants each of us to participate in the story. God loves you; God forgives you and He is ready to lead you to good things. Accept these gifts from God. Amen.

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