Reframing Our Focus

I remember the time I found the perfect frame for my favourite nature photo. After trying many options, none quite worked. Some drew attention away from the picture with their ornate carvings or flashy colours. Others clashed with the cool tones of the image. I was about to give up my search when I stumbled upon a simple maple frame. Its neutral tone balanced the blues and greens of the photo scene beautifully. That frame drew out the picture's splendour.

Just as a frame can complement an image, our perspective can impact our lives. As Proverbs 23:7 declares, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." The right outlook enhances our circumstances like a flattering frame compliments artwork.

Dana Rongione 28/09/2023 Dana Rongione 28/09/2023

What’s Going On Beneath the Surface?

Hey there, friends! Today, I've got a story to tell you, and it all started when the shower and internet went out simultaneously in our house. Yep, last week, our cosy home experienced a weird, isolated power outage. We had lights and electricity in most of the house, but the power shower (popular in the UK) and the outlet our router was plugged into went dead. Things were very interesting for several moments as Jason was using the shower and I was using the internet when they both suddenly quit. No fun!

Dana Rongione 11/04/2023 Dana Rongione 11/04/2023

What Were You Thinking?

During my devotion time this morning, I had an “aha” moment while reading another familiar passage. I’ve been making it a practice to stop and think about every word in each verse instead of just getting the gist of the verse. This has opened my eyes to many things, and this morning was no different.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: - Philippians 2:14

In the past, when I read this verse, I summed it up like this: do everything without complaining—a command which is far more difficult to obey than it appears at first glance. However, as I broke the verse down into individual words this morning, I had to ask, What’s the difference between murmuring and disputing?

Dana Rongione 03/02/2023 Dana Rongione 03/02/2023

Count It All Joy?

Have you ever looked at particular commands in the Bible and thought, I don’t know if I can do that? There’s a specific verse in the book of James that has always made me break out in a cold sweat until I recently looked at it a little more closely.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. - James 1:2-3

Count it all joy when I’m going through trials? Um, seriously?

13/07/2022 13/07/2022

Some Days, It's the Little Things

We’ve hit full-on summer here in Wales. This week, the temperatures range from 72 to 80 degrees, which is quite warm for this area. I used to laugh at those who talked about how hot it was at these temperatures since I was used to SC summers of 100 degrees and more. But, my body has adapted to the cooler climate of Wales because this weather feels quite warm to me. It’s beautiful, but a bit toasty, especially since most places (including ours) have no air conditioning.

17/02/2022 17/02/2022

Bowed Down By Burdens

And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. - Luke 13:11-13