Looking for a particular post or topic? Search here:

Archive
Jesus Will Meet You Where You Are
Hope, Encouragement, Comfort Dana Rongione Hope, Encouragement, Comfort Dana Rongione

Jesus Will Meet You Where You Are

We’re all probably familiar with the sisters of Bethany: Mary and Martha. Like many sisters throughout the ages, the two ladies were very different. From the picture the Scriptures give us, I see Martha as a doer. She hosted dinner parties, cooked a mean meal, and could organize with the best of them. I imagine she was the type of woman who made lists and stuck to a rigorous schedule though I could be wrong. She just strikes me that way. A real go-getter. Not afraid to speak her mind or put her foot down. Yes, that’s how I envision Martha.

Read More
It’s Just Like Riding a Bike
Life's Journey, perseverance Dana Rongione Life's Journey, perseverance Dana Rongione

It’s Just Like Riding a Bike

Not long after moving here, Jason decided he would like an e-bike. (For those of you who are ignorant like I was, an e-bike is just a bicycle with a motor, which really comes in handy when one has to climb the many hills around here.). Anyway, the e-bike makes a lot of sense. Being only five miles from town, Jason can easily ride into town to pick up things, drop items off, or conduct any other business he may have. It’s also been a great tool for our letterboxing ministry as he can ride up and down the streets, neighborhoods, and farm roads and distribute our church literature to the mailboxes of each home.

Read More
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.

Read More
Oh, Oh, Oh, Green Giant

Oh, Oh, Oh, Green Giant

As part of my devotional time this morning, I read an inspiring blog post about how to stop comparing ourselves with others and live the life God designed us to live. This is an area I struggle with regularly as I always feel I’m falling behind or missing the mark in various areas of my life.

Evidently, my battle with envy is even more severe than I thought because as I read this dear Christian woman’s blog, I felt myself turning green.

Read More
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.

Read More
Follow After Peace
peace, Relationships, Reaching Out To Others Dana Rongione peace, Relationships, Reaching Out To Others Dana Rongione

Follow After Peace

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and the things wherewith one may edify another. - Romans 14:19

Sometimes we have to say no to what we want for the greater good of a brother or sister in Christ or even for the furtherance of the ministry. In this passage of scripture, the object was meat—whether it was good or bad, lawful or not. In our situation, the issue may not revolve around food, but there may be other Christian liberties that need to be set aside for the sake of peace.

Read More
The Valley of Distraction
Dog Devotions, God's goodness, Life's Journey Dana Rongione Dog Devotions, God's goodness, Life's Journey Dana Rongione

The Valley of Distraction

Typically, walking with Tess is a piece of cake. She doesn’t pull on the leash. She minds well when I tell her to leave something alone. In general, she’s very chill. This morning’s walk, however, offered several more challenges to tempt and distract my well-mannered terrier.

The first distraction came from the stinky leakage left behind by the trash trucks. I don’t know what the appeal is, but I haven’t had a single dog that could pass by without wanting to roll around in that nasty goop. Gross!

Read More
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.

Read More
Like Father, Like Daughter
prayer Dana Rongione prayer Dana Rongione

Like Father, Like Daughter

I think we’re all probably familiar with the story of Caleb in the Bible. He and Joshua were the two spies among the twelve who were confident they could take the land of Canaan despite the giants in the land. Of course, they were overruled, which led to a forty-year-long detour through the wilderness.

After all the wandering was done and the lands were divided up among the tribes, Caleb steps up to Joshua and asks for the land that was promised to him. He had been faithful and trusted the Lord, and now, at the ripe old age of 85, he wanted what was his. So, without hesitation, he strode up to Joshua and requested it.

Read More