Anything Is Possible

April 26, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Why do we doubt so much? Why is it so hard for us to believe what may be possible with God? When we are willing to surrender to His plan and His way in His time, there’s no telling what can happen. Look at the stories in the bible…Abraham and Sarah had a child they had so longed for when Sarah was 90…the 5000 were fed when all that was available to eat was a few fish and some bread…Lazarus is raised from the dead after being gone for a few days…and there are so many more examples. When God is involved in a situation anything is possible. We must turn to Him first with whatever we are facing and remember He is not a genie in a bottle who sometimes grants wishes…He is our creator, our savior and our guide who always has good things in store for us. Trust in the Lord and watch to see what He has in store for you. May the joy of the Lord be with you.

DSC_0699 publish

“For nothing is impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37

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

Walking In The Light

April 25, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Actions speak louder than words…words are an introduction, actions are the full story. In the life of Jesus we learn that He taught the people with His words and He showed the people the truth with His actions. Being true to our word is a characteristic that seems to be fading away in this ‘me’ first world. Living life by walking in the light is being very aware of what we say we will or won’t do and then following through with what we said…if we say, I will call you later, we need to be sure to do it…if we say I will pray for you, we need to offer an honest to goodness true prayer to God regarding that person. The concept in words is simple…the execution in daily life is the next step in our faith journey. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC09797 publish

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

1 John 1:7

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

Free Will

April 24, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

One of the most sacred aspects regarding the creation of humans is free will. We are given the gift of free will by God to decide and to choose our behavior and attitude each day. How we choose to live is our responsibility and no one else’s. We choose to do good or to do wrong or we choose to do nothing. Everybody in the world is fighting a battle of some kind, real life is not what people are posting on social media, that is merely the book cover that people want to present to the world. We should not take our free will for granted, use the power to choose how you will live to do good for others, just as Christ did to save you. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0230 publish

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

Galatians 5:13-15

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

Do Good Works

April 23, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Go out into the world of your daily life knowing that God is with you and do good things. Do not measure your goodness by how people in this world do or do not react, do not measure your goodness by how many “likes” or “shares” you have on social media. Do good work that benefits, encourages and uplifts another person. It can be just one other person or it can be more depending on where God is leading you. Fulfill a need of another person without expectation of getting something in return. Everything you do, every single day, God knows about it and our relationship with Him is most important one of our lives. May God’s love and peace be with you.

DSC_0224 publish

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

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

Change Happens When You Truly Pray

April 21, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

How many times have we said, I will pray for you or I am praying for you…and then we never do it. We never sit quietly with God and discuss the specific concern or topic with Him. I know I am guilty of that and I am working really hard on not saying I will pray for you with out doing so the next morning during my daily devotions. I am really working on praying for people in situations in my morning time and telling them afterwords, I have been praying for you when I know it is true. When the words, my thoughts and prayers are with you, become just that a bunch of nice words with no action, we have really disgraced and disrespected the true power of prayer. The recent protests and marches have shown me that we have turned the power and privilege of prayer into a trite saying that causes anger and does not bring peace. True and honest prayer between you and God is powerful and it is one of the strongest weapons we have against evil and darkness…even the people that made the movie “Bruce Almighty” understand that, watch the scene near the end when Bruce is offering his prayer. My last thought for you…every morning just before I hit publish on these posts I pray for you as I pray for anyone who reads my post each day…May God’s love, joy and peace be with you.

DSC_0233 publish

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Isaiah 6:8

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

Saved By Grace

April 18, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We do not choose God, He chose us. He is our Creator, He sent His Son to reconcile us with Him. He continues to be involved in our everyday with the Holy Spirit. We have not earned this love nor do we deserve it for our behavior in this world. God gives to you freely out of His deep abiding love for you. No matter where you are or what is going on in your daily life…God loves you unconditionally…that is Grace. Turn to Him, seek Him and His Word. He is waiting to hear from you. May God’s love and peace be with you.

DSC_0228 publish

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

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

In God We Trust

April 16, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

These are the words that help to form a new nation. As we fight our internal struggles our hope is tied to our belief in God. There is so much in life that can be good, if we have the courage to build a personal relationship with God. We must be prepared to humble ourselves, to know we are not the center of the universe or our own lives. When God is at the center we look to Him and His Word. God created us out of love, He has forgiven us with His One and Only Son and He can guide us with the Holy Spirit. Take the next step in trusting God whatever that is for you and see what He has in store for your life. May God’s love and joy be with you.

DSC_0177 publish

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105

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

What Can I Do?

April 15, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

This is an excellent question. One that we can ask of God anytime and in any situation. Asking questions and seeking the answers from God first are an excellent way to start letting God be in control. When we are willing to ask for help we are admitting we don’t have all the answers or finally admitting we tried to answer the questions of life several times on our own and we are ready to surrender to God’s answers. This is very humbling and yet such a lift of burden all at the same time. I am sure you have heard the phrase…God is good, all the time and all the time, God is good…while it can be used as a mantra or a call and response exercise the truth of what that states is accurate. It is our perspective that needs the adjustment not God’s plan. Be open to questions, ask them to God and be prepared to listen to His answers not only the answer you want. May God’s peace and goodness be with you.

DSC_0139 publish

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:10-12

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

Courage

April 14, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It takes courage to be a follower of Jesus Christ in this world. It takes courage to not only say I believe but then to go out and act and do as one who believes. It takes strength and courage to stay the course of faith and let God be in control. We/I always want to take over control and management of life. Then we are surprised or sometimes frustrated when things go in a different direction then what we planned or tried to orchestrate. Trusting in God means surrendering the desire to control every aspect of your life…once again it’s simple but it’s not easy. Give to God all the things in your mind and in your heart and pick a few verses out to memorize so you can repeat them to yourself when needed. I have two recommendations for you Proverbs 3:5-6 and Philippians 4:13 they have helped me in many moments in my life and will continue to do so. May God’s love and peace be with you.

DSC_0136 publish

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

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

Friendship

April 13, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

There are few things greater than the gift of friendship. Sharing experiences, listening to each other, laughing together, supporting each other. We were made out of God’s love and we were made to be in community with God and with one another. When we think about someone and it brings a smile to our face they are most likely a true friend. Make time for your friends as you know they are the ones who make time for you. May God’s love and peace be with you.

DSC_0387 publish