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My Heart Is Established
Comfort, Encouragement Dana Rongione Comfort, Encouragement Dana Rongione

My Heart Is Established

None of us likes to receive bad news. Our human nature can’t seem to cope with it. Some cry. Others get angry. Sadly, some turn to drugs, alcohol, or another vice. And in many cases, people are so distraught by the situation, they see no way out and end their lives prematurely. Yes, bad news can have detrimental effects on us, but according to God’s Word, it doesn’t have to.

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He Maketh Me To Lie Down
Comfort, rest, peace Dana Rongione Comfort, rest, peace Dana Rongione

He Maketh Me To Lie Down

Yesterday, we took Tess on a 4-mile hike. Oh, what an exciting time she had. There were so many interesting smells and tantalizing crevices to explore. And let’s not forget the sheep to chase (though she could only chase so much as she was on a leash). We climbed hills, crossed bridges, and covered every kind of terrain from tarmac to forest floor and rock. She was so alert and attentive the entire time, I knew she would be exhausted when we got home.

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Doing God’s Work in Tight Places
Encouragement, Comfort, Determination Dana Rongione Encouragement, Comfort, Determination Dana Rongione

Doing God’s Work in Tight Places

We often give Gideon a hard time because he was hiding from the enemy, but from what I can see, he was the only one still working. Sure, he was hiding, but he was also trying to make sure the people of Israel had some food left after the current raid. Yes, he was in the wrong place, but he was making the best of a terrible situation.

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Resting in the Word of the King
Anxiety, peace, God's promises, fear, Comfort Dana Rongione Anxiety, peace, God's promises, fear, Comfort Dana Rongione

Resting in the Word of the King

The situation was dire. Resistance seemed futile. Hope was hanging by a thread. Yet, in the midst of what appeared to be complete destruction, the people rested themselves in the words of the king. On the eve of battle, Hezekiah gave a compelling speech, reminding the people who was fighting with them and for them. Sure, Sennacherib had a big army and a bully attitude, but Judah had God on their side. And with that reassurance, the people stopped shaking in their boots and found peace in the situation.

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Not One Is Missing
Hope, Comfort, God's goodness Dana Rongione Hope, Comfort, God's goodness Dana Rongione

Not One Is Missing

For the past few months, I haven’t witnessed the starry sky for one simple reason—it wasn’t dark enough. Yes, one of the things that has taken us by surprise since moving to Wales is how long the days are in the summer. With Wales being so far north, the sun rises around 4:00 in the morning and doesn’t set until well after 10:00 in the evening during the summer months. Even after the sun sets, it never truly gets dark. This is one of the main reasons we have light-blocking curtains on the windows. That being the case, it’s been a while since I’ve seen the stars. At least, it had been until a few nights ago.

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What Are You Doing There?
Comfort, Encouragement Dana Rongione Comfort, Encouragement Dana Rongione

What Are You Doing There?

A few mornings ago, I awoke to birds chirping outside my bedroom window. With my eyes still closed, I enjoyed the birdsong and sounds of life waking to a new day. When I opened my eyes and looked out the window to view the peaceful pasture behind our house, I noticed something very peculiar. A single white wildflower protruded from the top of the nearest bush. It was the oddest sight.

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Whack-a-Mole

Whack-a-Mole

Have you ever played Whack-a-Mole? I'm not too fond of that game. No matter where I hit or how hard I strike, that silly mole pops out of a different hole, eluding my efforts to squash him. Since it's a game, I assume it was designed for entertainment, but it only causes me frustration. After ten minutes of expending copious amounts of energy and strategic thought, I'm left with that cheesy weasel grinning back at me in victory. What a massive waste of time and energy! Next game, please.

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The Cleft of the Rock

The Cleft of the Rock

Over the past couple of weeks, the weather here in Wales has been beautiful, so I’ve taken to walking the property here on the farm. Not only are there various hiking trails available within walking distance of our temporary home, but there is also a beautiful little lake with views overlooking the mountains and other scenery. So, each day, I pull on my boots and stroll along the winding paths. Some days, I pray. Others, I think. And some, I just watch the world around me.

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