Rest For The Weary

April 20, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Each day brings us choices, decisions, questions and some answers. On some occasions these can pile up on us pretty fast and become a burden to wade through. When the way forward is blurry or getting difficult to understand we need to take sometime and be with Jesus. He set the example…several times you can read in the bible that Jesus would go off on His own or with one or two of the disciples to pray. To be with His Father in heaven in nature and stillness. We are not made to “on” all the time 24-7, we need better balance. Make your rest time with Jesus a priority at whatever point in a day makes sense for you. Make God’s peace and joy be with you.

DSC_0112 publish

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

Matthew 11:28-29

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

Spiritual Growth

April 11, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Spiritual growth comes when we continue to devote time to our personal relationship with God. Reading God’s word, spending time in prayer and in the quiet of His calming presence. The more we are able to center our lives on trusting God with everything the stronger our foundation of life will be. I have read about this in several different books, the writer explains a turning point, that point where everything starts to look and feel different…it is much different to read about it then to begin to start experiencing it. I began listening to christian music on the radio 20 years ago…I started reading faith based books and my devotional bible everyday 8 years ago…and I started this blog 5 years ago…I am just beginning to sense and understand what it means to trust God with my everything (yes I am a slow learner :). Just like one of my favorite phrases states…it is simple but it is not easy. May God’s love and peace be with you.

DSC_0148 publish

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

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

The Light

April 6, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

The Bible talks about Light in many ways. When we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He is our Savior and Lord, we begin to get a sense of this Light as we study the Word of God. When the Light of Christ shines in us we look different, we act different and we feel different than we use to. Acknowledging the Light is a shift in perspective, it is purposefully looking for the goodness, kindness and love in our actions and in the actions of others. It is being self-less, working for the good of others, it is coming along side someone and walking with them rather then trying to knock them down or push them aside to advance our own ideas. Seek this Light and shine it out to others and you will find peace. May God’s Light be with you.

DSC_1505 publish

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

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

The Message

April 4, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We can bring the light of Christ to the world several ways. We can use more than words as actions are often more powerful then words alone. How we conduct ourselves in our everyday life tells a great deal about what we believe. How we react to both success and failure will tell others about what is deep in our hearts. Our attitude and the characteristics of our personality and how we apply them to helping others in need will tell a story about who has saved us. As we grow in our faith we learn from our past, we are thankful for the present and we know our future is secure with God. Share Jesus Christ with another person when the opportunity presents itself in your life. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC07160 publish

“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…”

1 Peter 3:18

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in northern Colorado)

Be On Your Guard

April 3, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

When we go out to live a life of faith, based on the foundation of our relationship with God we need to be prepared to be opposed. The dark forces of evil in the world do not want us living with the light of Christ shining for all to see. We will be tempted to do differently and we will be given distractions to take our attention away from a life of faith. If you can, pick a verse or two that are most reassuring to you and memorize them, place them deep in your heart and mind and reaffirm your faith repeating these verses whenever you want and use the Word of God to keep you focused. May God’s peace be with you on your journey.

DSC_0758 publish

“Be self-controlled and be alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

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

Living Faith

April 2, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We have been redeemed. Christ lives, He is in us and we are saved. Jesus did His part to save us and now it is up to us to live as a people saved by Christ. We are blessed with free will. We need to do our part to uphold our faith. Choose goodness, choose kindness, choose to help those in need, choose joy, choose to be encouraging and uplifting…we have already received more than we could have ever hoped for from Jesus Christ, now we are reconciled with God, let’s go out into the darkness of the world and share the light of Christ. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC09257 publish

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

Luke 6:31

(This photo was taken in July of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

The Love Of Christ

March 29, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

It is so overwhelming to me to think about all that Jesus suffered to save us. He was different than everybody else and because of that people let fear drive them to the point of His death. When any of us look at the current circumstances in our lives and we put on the perspective of what Jesus faced on earth, it is clear to me that nothing I face in this life will ever match the love that Jesus Christ has for me…nothing. There are terrible pains, suffering and events of deep sadness that exist because of darkness and sin. The love of Christ is more powerful than any of it…not when you are trying to see it without first inviting Jesus into your heart. Invite Him into your life and read the Word of God and you will see His love every day. May God’s love and peace be with you.

DSC_0002 publish

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Romans 8:35,37

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

Share Goodness

March 28, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Whenever you can, share the goodness of life. Make eye contact and smile at other people, hold a door open, help someone carry things, be patient with others, listen instead of talking and support those in need without expectation of something in return. When we choose to live in community with one another we can see the goodness of the Lord in life. It is striving to get back to the basics of interacting with each other in a simple and kind manner. It is a choice, we are not victims of our environment or our surroundings unless we choose to be. If you don’t know how or where to start, I would recommend getting out into nature and be present in God’s creation. Nothing soothes my soul better than being outdoors in the amazing world God created. May God’s peace and the wonder of creation be with you.

DSC01048 publish

“Let us not become weary in 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 while traveling in northern Colorado)

Trials Of Life

March 26, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

Everyone has knowledge and experience in trials and pain and suffering. No matter what type of front they display on a social media feed there is trial and pain in their life too. The problem with comparing ourselves is that many people are very skilled at hiding their pain, trying to ignore the suffering. Worse yet is the news media and the sad way they choose to display their view of the world. There is a phrase I have heard used more when I was younger and not as much now…“you get what you give” or “what you will get out of this is determined by what you put into it” To me this provides one of the things missing in society today…accountability. Easy street is not a real place or a way to live. That doesn’t mean that we never will feel happy or joy but it depends on where you are looking for it, it depends on your perspective. The one place that helps with every day life and builds a strong foundation to live on is the Cross. Come to the Cross and live. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC09022 publish

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

Psalm 139:23

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Perspective

March 24, 2018 / mcalcagno / Leave a comment

We all have opportunity every day to choose how we see the world and people in it. Our perspective has many influences, personal experience, things we read, things others tell us, our own emotions and the things we see happening. If we allow our perspective to be formed with out consulting with our Creator are we really putting all we can into our beliefs? Information provided by the human race always seems to have a selfish agenda of the those who distribute the data. The only source of truth I have found is God and His Son Jesus Christ. If you haven’t done so, I invite you to allow the Word of God to be an influence on your perspective…I recommend starting with the Gospel of John. Believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ His one and only Son and the Holy Spirit and you will find the peace and joy of the Lord. May God’s peace be with you.

DSC_0933 publish