Truth

Integrity

/ 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.

DSC_0457 publish

“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)

Comforted

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To restore a sense of well-being…to soothe…console…reassure…to ease the grief or burden.  To pursue your faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is about finding your starting point or ending point to each day.  It is about coming back to the place that most feels like home in your heart.  If you are seeking this comfort, choose a time that works for your situation and every day spend time with God…it will change your life in ways you can’t imagine.  Amen.

DSC_0001 (2) publish

“What, then, shall we say in response to this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:31

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

He Cares For You

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When situations in life bring us down or when we are struggling and our path is difficult, our human minds may wonder, ‘does God care what is happening to me?’  God is always with you…when you find yourself in a place like this, stop and pray.  Not some memorized words, rather a real heart felt prayer asking God to help you see your way forward.  God does care for you…He sent His Son to die on a cross to save you and to be able to have a relationship with you.  Seek Him and His will for you and your life and you will find peace. Amen.

DSC_1283 publish

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

1 Peter 5:7

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Angels Watch Over Us

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Like in the story of Daniel in the bible…Daniel was faithful and trusted God and when danger was near God protected Daniel in the lion’s den.  There are many more stories of people who have had near misses in life…how many times have you heard, if it was a few seconds sooner or if it was a few inches more this way it would have been much worse?  I believe that God is working through His angels even today to protect people from danger.  Give thanks to God for the angels that keep us safe.  Amen.

DSC09797 publish

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

Psalm 91:11-12

(This photo was taken in September of 2014 on a walk in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Prepare The Way

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life.  He gave up everything to save us and to reconcile us with God.  Seek Him and prepare your heart and mind to follow Him in all that you do.  In Him we will find peace, courage, strength, wisdom, joy and love.  There is nothing on earth that can compare to Him.  Amen.

DSC_0226 publish

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  There was a man sent from God whose name was John.  He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.  The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”

John 1:5-9

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)

 

What Do We Learn?

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

To be patient…to be courageous and to seek wisdom.  To trust in the Lord and to keep doing good things whenever you can.  We learn that all that is good comes from God and we are blessed to be a blessing to others.  We learn that God the Father is our Creator and Jesus Christ is His one and only Son who sacrificed Himself to save us and that when we believe we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Spend time reading God’s word and praying…learn about the amazing relationship available for each of us with God because of Jesus.  Amen.

DSC_0142 publish (2)

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

Psalm 27:13-14

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

Persistence

/ 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.

DSC07549 publish

“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)

With God In Control…

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We can be conquerors of sin…we can overcome obstacles…we can be blessed with wisdom to find our way. If we are willing to cast our worries and burdens on Him and trust His love for us anything is possible. There is nothing that can separate us from God’s love and God’s plan for us. Believe and you will receive. Amen.

DSC_1556 publish

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Romans 8:37

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

Humility And Strength

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It’s not about me…it’s not about how everything affects me or makes me feel…I am not the center of everything.  Each of us is one person, created by God and how we choose to live and interact with others on a daily basis is what we can control more than anything.  Our actions and how we choose to respond to the actions of others is up to us.  Put God first, read His word and pray.  Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and give thanks to Jesus Christ for His love, His mercy and His grace…if you are wondering how will I ever do this or get through this…know that strength can be found in weakness.  Amen.

DSC_0131 publish

“…For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:10

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

Life With The Spirit

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We can be content knowing God is in control.  No matter what the world does to try and keep us away, God is always with us.  We do not need to live in worry and anxiety when we put our trust in the Lord and seek His Word.  The bible talks about becoming a new creation, choosing to live different from the way of the world and the sinful nature.  Ask God to help you open the eyes of your heart and to see with the eyes of Jesus.  Live with God at the center of your life and you will find peace.  Amen.

DSC_0384 publish

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)