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Dana Rongione 14/03/2024 Dana Rongione 14/03/2024

Faithful Frolicking

Wales is a dog-friendly place, and our small town is no exception. So, it’s not unusual to see people out walking their dogs at all times of the day. What is uncommon, however, is one particular dog, who is the talk of the town. The rumor is that the dog was born smack in the middle of the lambing season on a local farm and learned to "walk" by imitating and frolicking with those sprightly spring lambs. Can’t you picture the gleeful puppy bounding along beside them?

Well, whether fact or fiction, the dog has a unique gait. Rather than a standard walk, this canine companion essentially HOPS everywhere he goes! It's honestly one of the most hilarious things I’ve ever seen.

Dana Rongione 04/03/2024 Dana Rongione 04/03/2024

An Outbreak of Joy

A couple of weeks ago, out of the blue, Jason woke up on Monday morning covered head to toe in tiny red dots. By Friday, he resembled an itchy spotted giraffe! It turns out he had ingested something to which he had a severe allergic reaction. We still don’t know what it was, so hopefully, he won’t eat or drink it again!

Like most men, Jason doesn’t do well at being sick; thankfully, he’s not often ill. I felt so bad for him, stuck in bed, itchy and miserable. But despite his suffering, he mostly maintained an upbeat attitude.

It could have been different. Frustrated and kept from his work and ministry, Jason might have medicated stress with complaints, anxiety, and self-pity. If he’d chosen to stew in negativity, his cynicism could have also infected me, and I was having a hard enough time keeping it together.

Dana Rongione 15/02/2024 Dana Rongione 15/02/2024

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 12/02/2024 Dana Rongione 12/02/2024

Starting Your Day in Tune With God

Rise and shine, my friends! A brand new day awaits, brimming with promise and potential. Now, before we hurry off to tackle that to-do list, let's pause to tune our instrument, shall we? After all, as Hudson Taylor said, “Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him.”

Have you ever arrived at a concert early and been privy to the pre-concert tune-up? Honestly, it makes my eyes twitch and my head ache. Each musician is busily tuning his/her instrument, seemingly oblivious to all the other “noise” around them. There are squeaks and scrapes. In short, it’s a hideous sound. But as Taylor’s quotes remind us, it’s a necessary one.

Dana Rongione 02/01/2024 Dana Rongione 02/01/2024

Morning Time With the Master

Can you believe another new year has begun? Where did the time go? As the holiday hustle and bustle ramps up, it's hard to believe 2024 has arrived. Fortunately, with the new year comes many new opportunities.

As many of you know, I'm excited to launch my new line of monthly planners and journals accompanying my Optimize Your Day program! I designed them to be uplifting and practical, helping you organize your days while keeping your eyes on Jesus. I'll share more about them in a minute.

But today, I want to discuss an even more important topic than planners and journals—beginning each day with the Lord.

Dana Rongione 19/10/2023 Dana Rongione 19/10/2023

Unveiling Our True Selves to God

In Exodus 34, we encounter a unique story about Moses. When he came down from Mount Sinai after speaking with God and getting the second set of tablets bearing the Ten Commandments, his face shone radiantly. This divine glow was a physical sign of his close communion with the Almighty. However, it frightened the Israelites, so Moses covered his face with a veil among the people.

And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him. - Exodus 34:35

Dana Rongione 09/10/2023 Dana Rongione 09/10/2023

Harmony in Unresolved Melodies

Ah, the sweet sound of a resolved chord, a musical sigh of contentment that brings a smile to our faces. I'm with you on that one! There's something deeply satisfying about a piece of music that ends on the perfect note, giving us a sense of completion. However, it’s becoming quite the trend to end a musical piece on an unresolved note. It drives me crazy! I feel like we’re in the middle of the song, and then suddenly, we’re on to the next song. Huh? What just happened?

Dana Rongione 06/07/2023 Dana Rongione 06/07/2023

Hungering for Peace

I don't know about you, but I'm not a big fan of peas. Unfortunately, they are a staple here in Wales, as they are all over Great Britain. Yes, the main food groups in Wales are meat, potatoes, and peas. I'm fine with the first two, but I could do without the latter, especially when served in their "mushy" form. Yuck!

Why is it that peace often seems like a distant dream or fateful mishap, like a plateful of peas, when we were hoping for something more appetizing? Let's take a quick look at some of the reasons why peace can feel so elusive.

Dana Rongione 26/05/2023 Dana Rongione 26/05/2023

If It Please the King

We live in an age where the main focus is pleasing oneself. Slogans abound, encouraging people everywhere to do what makes them feel good, follow their hearts, and live on their own terms. Most people live this life looking out for number one, and as a result, many are miserable.

What if, instead, we lived our lives to please the Lord? What if we followed His leading and searched out His desires? What if we sought His will in each situation? Nehemiah, one of my favorite Bible characters, could help answer these questions.

Dana Rongione 19/04/2023 Dana Rongione 19/04/2023

How Do You Deal With Life’s Interruptions?

I stared at the question on my computer screen and laughed out loud. Since I sat down to prepare for my Bible study lesson, I have had numerous phone calls, text messages, and other disturbances. How do I deal with interruptions? If my growing annoyance and frustration with others are any indication, not very well, it would seem.

How about you? How do you handle rained-out picnics, canceled vacations due to family illness, or guests showing up on your one quiet night, surprising you with their impromptu visit and expectations of dinner? How do you react when the dog doesn’t quit barking, the kids won’t quit fighting, the boss won’t quit complaining, and the world around you won’t stop asking for more of you?

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Dana Rongione