Worry And Anxiety

July 28, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Lord Jesus offers to walk with us through every part of our lives…the past, the present and the future

If we are willing to believe and trust in Him…He will be with us no matter what

Regarding our past…

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you^[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, ¹⁴having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”

Colossians 2:13-14 NIV

For our current worries…

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

For our anxiety about the future…

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:33-34 NIV

These are just a few of the assurances and promises the Lord has made…

The Bible is filled with the very words of Jesus Christ telling us how much He cares for us and how far He is willing to go to show us His love

Trust in the Lord, read God’s Word and pray to our heavenly Father regarding all your worries and anxiety

DSC_0664 publish

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Wherever You Go…God Is With You

July 18, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²    He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³    he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.“

Psalm 23:1-4 NIV

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.“

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

DSC_1554 publish

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Nothing Can Separate Us

July 16, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.“

1 John 4:7-9 NIV

There is nothing on earth in your life that is more powerful than the love of God…nothing

There is no situation, life circumstances, no relationship or struggle that can separate us from God’s love

DSC_0142_1 publish

“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 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Pursue Peace…Stand Firm In The Faith

July 15, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. ⁹Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. ¹⁰For,

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
¹¹They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
¹²For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”^[a]

1 Peter 3:8-12 NIV

DSC_0146 publish

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

⁸Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

1 Peter 5:7-9 NIV

(This photo was taken at Beaver River Falls in northern Minnesota)

When Doubts Arise…Faith Can Overcome

July 10, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:29-31 NIV

“²⁰He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” ^[21] [a]“

Matthew 17:20-21 NIV

(This photo was taken on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

God’s Presence

July 8, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
²When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
³For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;”

Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV

Father God, we know that You are near

We know that You are faithful and good

You are with us on our best days, and You carry us through the worst

You are our protector and our guide

Please continue to show us how You are working in our lives and in the lives of those around us

Help us keep our focus on You and to be a witness to Your work in the world

In Jesus name, Amen

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in central Minnesota)

He Is With You Wherever You Go

June 24, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

“So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

¹¹“All who rage against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
    will be as nothing and perish.
¹²Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing at all.
¹³For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:10-13 NIV

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

God’s Faithfulness

June 20, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
²³They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
²⁴I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV

Father God, even in the midst of many troubles, You are faithful

When we are tired, overwhelmed, burnt out or grieving, Your love still covers us

Thank You for showing us kindness and mercy every day

Your steadfast love endures forever

Great is Your faithfulness!

In Jesus name, Amen

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

(This photo was taken in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

God Watches Over You

June 17, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
²My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

Father God, in You I have all I need

When trials come sometimes I forget that You are in control

I need You to make me strong and courageous

Please give me courage I need to trust in You

Remind me that You are with me, and that You will continue to instruct and guide me no matter what happens

In Jesus name, Amen

“The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
⁸the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.”

Psalm 121:7-8 NIV

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

God Is With You

June 10, 2026 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

“When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

Do not be afraid

God is with you and through His Holy Spirit, God is within you

Every day…all the time

⁶Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

(This photo was taken at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota)