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Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

Tess is undeniably adorable, but she's got a bit of a disobedience problem. She can't resist the urge to find a way out of our yard and into the sheep pasture behind us. Despite our best efforts to contain her, our mutt just can't help herself. Sound familiar? Observing Tess's behavior can give us valuable insights and lessons from a biblical perspective.

First and foremost, Tess's antics remind me of our human tendencies to wander from God's plan for our lives. Just like my pup can't resist the allure of exploring beyond her boundaries, we often find ourselves tempted by worldly distractions that lead us astray from God's intended path.

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Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
Spiritual Warfare, Spiritual Growth Dana Rongione Spiritual Warfare, Spiritual Growth Dana Rongione

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

Some days I want to withdraw from social media altogether. One would think my aversion and distress would be due to worldly influences, and while there is a degree of that, my current frustration with social media lies primarily with Christians using it to attack one another. What’s up with that?

Like most things in life, social media has the potential for both good and evil.

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It All Boils Down to Love
love, Spiritual Growth Dana Rongione love, Spiritual Growth Dana Rongione

It All Boils Down to Love

In my Bible study time, I’ve been looking at the various passages of Scripture that talk about putting on or putting off things. The gist of these verses is that we are to put off the old ways, the sinful ways, and the ways of the flesh and put on the new man, the one who longs to be like Christ. It’s been an insightful study, and I’ve learned much.

As I closed out my study yesterday, I read Colossians 3:14, which reads, And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

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While You Were Sleeping
Spiritual Growth Spiritual Growth

While You Were Sleeping

Have you ever fallen asleep in the middle of your prayer time?  Come on, be honest.  We get still, close our eyes, begin to petition the Father, and the next thing we know, we're waking up a half hour later with a crick in the neck and a guilty conscience.  It happens.  In fact, it happens far more often than it should.  It even happened to three of Jesus' closest friends here on earth.

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Tripping Over Tess
Dog Devotions, Life's Journey, Spiritual Growth Dana Rongione Dog Devotions, Life's Journey, Spiritual Growth Dana Rongione

Tripping Over Tess

Jason and I have had five dogs during our married life, each of which could be classified as clingy. If I left my office to go to the kitchen, they would follow. When I went to the bathroom, they would accompany me and stand guard. Inside, outside. It didn’t matter. Where I went, they went. I’m well acquainted with this particular characteristic.

But Tess is a next-level velcro dog. She is so in step with me that I often lose track of her because she’s so close behind me that I can’t even see her.

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Stay By the Stuff
Spiritual Growth, perseverance Dana Rongione Spiritual Growth, perseverance Dana Rongione

Stay By the Stuff

In I Samuel 30, David and his army returned to their camp to find that the Amalekites had raided and carried away all their wives and children. The men were understandably distraught, and David enquired of the Lord whether he should go after the enemy. When God said, “Yes,” David wasted no time. Let’s pick up the story there.

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Is the Fruit of the Spirit M.I.A.?
Spiritual Growth, the fruit of the Spirit Dana Rongione Spiritual Growth, the fruit of the Spirit Dana Rongione

Is the Fruit of the Spirit M.I.A.?

Some days, I honestly struggle to find the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, and so on. They have to be there because I know I’m saved. The Spirit of God lives within me; therefore, the fruit of the Spirit must also be there. But most days, I just don’t see it.

When the calendar is overbooked and the bills are overdue, peace is the last thing on my mind. When my body is tired and my back is aching, I struggle to muscle up any joy. And when that person has gotten on your last nerve for the fifth time in a day, love and patience are nowhere to be found.

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Comparing, Complaining, or Content?

Comparing, Complaining, or Content?

No matter where you live or what stage of life you’re in, we all have to make a daily (and sometimes moment-to-moment) choice about our attitudes. Yes, as difficult as it is to believe and admit, we can—and do—choose our attitudes. We put them on just as we would a warm coat or a pair of socks. Sometimes we do it without even thinking, but we do it just the same.

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