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Dana Rongione 08/04/2024 Dana Rongione 08/04/2024

Finding Rest for Our Souls

I take the Boy Scout motto "Be prepared" to new heights. When Jason and I go for a longer hike, I often load the backpacks with anything and everything we might need—a first aid kit, blankets, flashlights, extra clothing, food, water, and even a whistle. Sometimes, I go overboard and have the packs so heavy we can't carry them.

I over-plan and over-prepare for everything, whether a hiking trip or a dinner party. I get so caught up in anticipating every possible need or problem that I forget to simply enjoy being.

Dana Rongione 01/04/2024 Dana Rongione 01/04/2024

Facing the Impossible

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the odds were stacked against you? I mean, really stacked against you? I know I have. And let me tell you, it can be downright terrifying. The good news is that nothing is too complicated for God, no matter how dire the situation may seem.

But don’t take my word for it. Listen to the words of King Asa. If you're unfamiliar with his story, let me give you a little background. King Asa was the third king of Judah and a pretty good king, all things considered. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and got rid of all the idols in the land.

But then, one day, an army of a million men came up against him. And I'm not talking about your run-of-the-mill army, either. This was an Ethiopian army, and they were fierce. They had 300 chariots and thousands of horsemen. It was a pretty intimidating sight, to say the least.

Dana Rongione 28/03/2024 Dana Rongione 28/03/2024

Finding Beauty in Our Brokenness

We can all relate to that feeling of falling apart at the seams, can we? Especially when life throws us curveballs that we weren't expecting. But here's the thing: God can still use us to make beautiful music even when we feel like we’re falling to pieces.

Take the grand old pipe organ in one of our small town chapels, for example. It’s been around longer than anyone can remember, and unfortunately, it's seen better days. The coolness and dampness of the Welsh air have taken their toll. So much so that during a recent service, some of the keys literally fell off while the organist was playing! Talk about a disaster, right? I’m glad I wasn’t playing!!!

Dana Rongione 07/12/2023 Dana Rongione 07/12/2023

The Limitless Grace of God

Have you ever felt the pressure of limitations? In my writing world, it's all about word counts. Many software programs I use offer a specific number of words for a set monthly charge. If I run over my allotted limit, I have to pay extra (sometimes, a lot extra). Therefore, I regularly check my word counters like a nervous bank account holder, ensuring I haven't overdrawn my monthly linguistic budget. It's a constant dance of creativity and calculation.

Thankfully, God doesn't operate on a word count system. There's no divine limit on His love, patience, or grace. We won't find a heavenly dashboard flashing "Overdraft" when we stumble or mess up.

Dana Rongione 09/11/2023 Dana Rongione 09/11/2023

Walking With Jesus Through Life's Storms, Part 5

Peter, displaying extraordinary faith, steps out of the boat in the midst of a raging storm and starts walking toward Jesus. It's a powerful image of unwavering faith in the face of adversity. Peter's eyes are fixed on Jesus, and he advances fearlessly.

But then, something happens that often affects us, too. The storm distracts Peter. Just as we sometimes decide to trust God and stay focused on Him amidst life's trials, we get distracted when the storm intensifies, drags on, or when we're weary. It's a common human response to the challenges we face.

Dana Rongione 02/11/2023 Dana Rongione 02/11/2023

Walking With Jesus Through Life's Storms, Part 3

In those moments when life's storms seem unending, we may find ourselves questioning God's intentions. Is He being cruel? Has He forgotten about us? These are natural human responses when we're in the midst of a tempest. The disciples faced a similar struggle, and it's a reminder that we're not alone in our doubts and fears.

But here's the beautiful part: Just as Jesus walked on the water toward the disciples, He draws near to us in the midst of our storms. He wants to calm our hearts and assure us that we are not alone. He is there, even when we can't immediately recognize His presence.

Dana Rongione 28/08/2023 Dana Rongione 28/08/2023

Never Too Late for Miracles

Grab a cosy seat because today, we're diving into a story about hope and our Saviour's incredible power. We're cracking open the pages of John 11 to uncover a moment that speaks right to the core of our hearts —a time when it seemed all hope was lost, but Jesus showed us that even in the eleventh hour, miracles are still possible.

John 11 tells us that Lazarus, a dear friend of Jesus, had fallen seriously ill. His sisters, Mary and Martha, were understandably distraught and sent word to Jesus, hoping He'd come quickly to heal their brother. Oddly enough, Jesus didn't rush to their aid but remained where he was for another two days.

Dana Rongione 17/07/2023 Dana Rongione 17/07/2023

The Power of Stillness to Refresh and Transform

Ah, the joys of automated technology and its misinterpretations! It never fails to surprise us with its unintentional comedy. The other day, I received a call on the automated announcement line from our beloved home church in South Carolina. Unfortunately, I missed the ring, and it went straight to voicemail. When I checked the message later, I laughed out loud. The visual voicemail system decided to have a little fun and mixed up "choir practice" with "quiet practice." Oh, the wonders of technology!

Dana Rongione 19/06/2023 Dana Rongione 19/06/2023

More Than Just a Book

Recently, Jason and I had the opportunity to meet and witness to a woman who received one of our promotion leaflets in the mail. Unfortunately, this dear lady has led a rough life and is very mixed up in what she believes. Being a self-proclaimed mystic, her behavior was peculiar and downright scary.

As she spoke of her guilt and shame, we assured her that there was no sin too great that God could not forgive it. We then went on to share some Scripture with her.

Dana Rongione 11/01/2023 Dana Rongione 11/01/2023

The Tess Tea Party

Tess, our precious terrier, loves people and does not appreciate being left alone. We’ve had a few occasions where she’s gotten into things around the house while we were away at the chapel, but most of the time, she’s an angel. Last Sunday, however, was not one of those times.

As we entered the house Sunday afternoon after our morning church service, we immediately spotted the debris covering the foyer carpet. Destroyed plastic containers dotted the area. Tea bags—some intact, many not—littered the floor. Loose-leaf tea covered the room like fallen leaves on an autumn day. Yes, for some strange reason, our pooch decided to ransack my tea collection. Bad dog! Nobody messes with Mama’s tea!!!

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Dana Rongione