Persistence

June 7, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Do not give up…don’t assume you know the outcome…they say failure is a stepping stone to success…or as Dory the fish says “just keep swimming.” We will always have the opportunity to stop trying to do something. Maybe the answers for a situation are related to trying a new approach or a new way rather than quitting. If we are able to surrender control and trust in God and His plan, we may find new outcomes we didn’t imagine were possible. Bring your worries and struggles to the Cross and let Jesus lead the way. Amen.

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“Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9

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

Trust In The Lord

May 23, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Raise your hand if you have ever prayed to God about a problem or a situation and you asked God to help you and then you go and do what you think should happen next only to find you have made it worse…my hand is up. Trusting God with our words is one thing…living it out in our daily life is another level of spiritual growth. If we truly want to see God’s work and God’s plan in our life we need to learn how to get out of His way. I can think of several times when I have been praying about something and have not been patient enough to wait for the Lord. As I have stated in the past…I tend to be a slow learner. I am thankful for God’s mercy and grace and know He will be with us no matter how long it takes for us to learn how to trust in Him. Amen.

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“Be 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 37:7

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

When Trouble Comes…

May 11, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We all face trials and struggles. The one thing we can control during these times and situatons is how we choose to respond. Many of us quickly try to gain control and take charge, determined not to let the situation get the best of us…others do an about face and get away from the situation as quickly as we can. All of us can do better if we start with bringing the situation, the difficult time or difficult relationship, start with bringing our anxieties and worries to God…First! Not waiting until after it gets worse or something unexpected occurs…going into battle against darkness and evil without God is like a soldier heading into a battle without any weapon. The more we turn towards God first the more likely we will find peace and be able to overcome the troubles of life. Amen.

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at the Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)

Trust His Plans

April 26, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have so many thoughts and ideas about ‘how things should go’ or ‘ the way things should be done’…we put our own expectations on situations and interactions and how many times have we heard or thought, ‘well that is not how I thought that would go’ or ‘wow that was unexpected.’ Yet we still struggle to learn that we are not in control of anything other than our own actions, reactions, attitude and behaviors. Take your worries, your burdens, your fears and your frustrations to the Cross…lay them down at the feet of Jesus and surrender your life to God’s will. Amen.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at Clark Tower in Winterset City Park in Iowa)

Humility

April 25, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Modesty…humbleness…meekness. Let go of pride and trust the Lord to lead you. It may be uncomfortable, it will be difficult…God never promised life would be easy but He has provided the Way, the Truth and the Life through His Son. Invite the Lord Jesus into your heart and life circumstances, no matter what you have done or what you have not done, He wants to hear from you. May the grace and peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

Who Am I by Casting Crowns

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“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you…”

James 4:7-8

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Believe

March 22, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

God loves you…God is with you…Bring all your worries and your fears to the Cross and trust in Him who died to save you. Our faith is free but it is not cheap, when you plant the Word of God in your heart nobody can take that from you. Believe in God the Father…believe in Jesus Christ His Son our Lord and live knowing…God loves you…God is with you. Amen.

We Believe by The Newsboys

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“Do not let you hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”

John 14:1

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

Battles Along The Way

January 18, 2019 / mcalcagno / 3 Comments

We read in the Bible about what this life will be like, it even has it in red letters for us to indicate that these are the words of Jesus…“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 Yet all of us attempt to get through things alone, at least the first time or several times for us slow learners. We are not alone on this journey…no matter who or what or how much trouble we are facing in this world nothing is to too big for God our Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Maybe in order for more humans to take note, life should come with a warning label…WARNING: Life will be difficult do not try this alone. Take time to seek Jesus, read about His life on earth, His teachings, His sacrifice, His victory. It is all available for you to read in God’s Word and God made sure you would have the opportunity to see it and to know Him. Peace to you on your journey. Amen.

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Trust

January 12, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Why is it so hard? What are we trusting? If my foundation of trust is related to how everything affects me…I will have very little trust of others…and they with the same perspective will have very little trust in me. If everyone has a center of self, then we all will be disappointed, frustrated and unable to trust. Stephen Covey talks about trust in relationships as an emotional bank account…with deposits and withdrawals. These are the behaviors we exhibit in our relationships. The faith perspective is what relationship is at the center of your life, your heart and your mind? Is it you with everyone else…or is it Christ and your relationship with Him? The world tells you that you are at the center of everything…the Scriptures tells us that Christ should be. This is a change in values, a change in perspective, a change in attitude…it takes time and Jesus Christ will be there with you every single step of the way. Amen.

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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 July of 2012 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

We Are In His Hands

January 8, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

No matter where we are, no matter what our circumstances, we are held in God’s hands. He is our Creator, our Savior and our Guide for this life. Things will go wrong, people will make mistakes and darkness will try to overcome all. What we need to remember is God knows us, God loves us and He is working for the good in our lives today and everyday. He can renew us, restore us and strengthen us…when we invite Jesus into our hearts and minds and trust in Him. Let go of the things that are not for you to control and know God has you in the palm of His hand. Amen.

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24

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

Transformation

January 5, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What does it look like? How should it feel? What is different? I certainly can’t answer these questions for others as this is a process of spiritual growth and the cornerstone of the spiritual life is our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For me it is still going on, as I have mentioned in the past, I am a slow learner. This process is about the change of perspective…when the bible talks about the dying of self and the rising of my focus on Christ, it is 100% in contrast with what I see and experience in the world. I have spent a significant amount of time talking about the Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22 because for me these behaviors are the keys to transforming my life. There are plenty of days and moments when I get derailed and the desires of the self bully there way into life…hey I’m only human…it is not about that we will make mistakes, what is more important is how we respond when the mistakes happen. That is one way things can be different in transformation. Have a talk with Jesus about it for yourself and look and listen for ways to change and to be transformed. Amen.

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