The Goodness Of God

June 8, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

God is good all the time…and all the time God is good.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

2 Corinthians 9:8

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.”

Psalm 107:1

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at Palisade Head on the north shore of Lake Superior)

Look For The Good

April 28, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

In the book of Genesis, the story of Joseph aligns closely with how God interacts with humans today. He suffers many hardships at the hands of others and yet keeps his faith in God. He trusts God and lives his life with a God trusting attitude and perspective. This attitude focuses more on what God is up to for our good and less on what others are doing to us. We have a much better chance of learning about what God is up to if we are looking for the good. Amen.

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

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

Walking With God

April 22, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

A faith journey. It begins with prayer. It grows as we read the Scriptures, spend time in devotions, engage in our communities, serve others…it transforms us with a new attitude centered on God and His will for us. Trust in God, spend time on your relationship with Jesus Christ and pray…pray about everything, every day. Amen.

“Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly^[a] with your God.”

Micah 6:8

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

It’s Simple…

March 30, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Treat other people the way you want them to treat you. When you stop and think about it…often times yelling and anger gets you more yelling and anger right back at you…and kindness and a smile often get a kind response back. We are in charge of our attitudes and how we treat others and Jesus tells us the simple Golden Rule of life in the bible. Read about what Jesus teaches us and follow the example He has set for us. Amen.

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Luke 6:31

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“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 7:12

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Walk In The Light

March 26, 2020 / mcalcagno / 1 Comment

Our faith is about more than what we believe…it is also about how we put what we believe into actions. A faith journey is best lived inside-out…start with you…what do you believe…what is your relationship with Jesus Christ…your sin…your confession…this isn’t a check the box in the process type of thing, it is a daily surrender of self-centered desires. As we build our faith on the foundation of coming to the Cross, we can take the things we learn and put them into practice in our daily lives and interactions…this is a journey that requires commitment, it requires a willingness to sacrifice and it provides peace and joy that is beyond our imagination. May peace be with you. Amen.

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“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ⁷But 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^[a] sin.”

1 John 1:6-7

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)

Go And Bear Fruit

March 11, 2020 / mcalcagno / 2 Comments

Our actions speak louder than our words. Our actions tell the truth about the condition of our heart. The faith journey is a process that works from the inside out…we must begin with what is in our hearts and minds…we can be made new and be renewed by spending time with Jesus Christ. As we learn more about what Jesus is teaching us, we can turn that learning in to actions that bear fruit. May peace and patience be with you on your journey. Amen.

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“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. ¹⁷This is my command: Love each other.”

John 15:16-17

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)

Rest For Your Soul

March 10, 2020 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Trust…confidence…belief…assurance…faith. God is greater than any virus or economic issue. We can put our trust in God…this does not mean we sit on our hands and do nothing waiting for God. We need to continue to do good things…we need to pray, to help those who are in need, we need to be kind, humble, patient and shine the Light of Christ through our thoughts, words and our actions. Spend time living the way Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord taught us to live and you will find rest for your soul. Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

With God…

November 1, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

What are you facing today? What burdens and worries are you carrying in your life? It is easy for us to get caught up in the problems and the struggles, we also tend to think that others aren’t suffering as we are…friends, the world is a broken place, the whole world and everyone in it is fighting some type of battle. Just because we haven’t seen it or it hasn’t been shared with us or we haven’t read about it doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. If we try to go it alone and depend on our own will power…we will continue to fail. With God, we can get through anything…it won’t be easier and the problem won’t magically go away…rather when we believe and we trust in God we will be filled with encouragement and courage. When we read God’s word a sense of comfort and peace will calm our worries and we can replace our fears with faith. You will be amazed at what can happen when you walk with God. Amen.

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“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

(This photo was taken in June of 2012 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

The Holy Spirit

October 17, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have access to a guide, a comforter and one who will hold us up in our weakest moments…it is the Holy Spirit. This is a gift from God. If we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and we confess our sins, we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. This is a gift that is greater than anything we will encounter in life. Listen for the Holy Spirit in your life and seek the peace that comes from knowing God is with you. Amen.

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“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:25-27

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

Timing

October 15, 2019 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We spend so much effort trying to line things up, make things happen just the way we want, just when we want…as if we are in complete control…when will we learn? The timing of events in life are not up to us! God is in control…we would do well to acknowledge Him and wait patiently for His timing. Put your hope in God and trust He is doing good things in your life. Amen.

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