Waiting

Living By The Spirit

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We receive messages all day long about “how we are to live”…”what we are to want”…as if we are missing out on something from this world if we don’t do or want the same things everyone else desires.  The Christian life is not better than others but rather different.  Dare to be different and trust God to guide your way.

DSC01164 publish

“Do not conform any longer 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 12:2

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Happy New Year…Ask, Seek, Knock

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is a new day, a new time and a new year.  As you look around your life…think about when in your daily routine can you commit to spending a few minutes with God every day.  What is a comfortable place for you to sit or kneel?  What time of day is it?  Do you have a devotional book to guide you?

Make a plan to start a new daily habit.  For me it started as coffee with God each morning, because if I could spend that much effort to have coffee for myself I sure as heck better be able to spend a few minutes in the quiet of the morning with my Creator…and it has grown into a time in the morning I look forward to every day.

The best part is you can start without the plan…just find a quiet moment and ask God to help you find a way to meet with Him each day and then pay attention for the opportunities…May the peace of God be with you!

DSC01182 publish

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

A New Way To Look At Our Sufferings

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC_1556 publish

“…And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 5:2-5

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

Christmas Eve…A Silent Night

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC_2001 publish

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)   And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 

While they were there the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:1-7

(This photo was taken in December of 2017 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Encouragement

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC07415 publish

The words of the Apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy…

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:6-7

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

Let Jesus Lead The Way

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC_0993 publish

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 23

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Love

/ mcalcagno / Leave a comment

DSC_0699 publish

“Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.”

Romans 12:9-10

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