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Nature Versus Nurture
Dog Devotions, Thoughts Dana Rongione Dog Devotions, Thoughts Dana Rongione

Nature Versus Nurture

Tess is one of the sweetest dogs I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. She has a heart of gold and loves nothing more than being around people.

But there's one thing about Tess that never fails to amaze me. Despite her sweet and tender nature, she's still a terrier through and through. You see, terriers are bred to hunt small animals, and Tess is no exception. When we're out on a walk, and she catches a whiff of a mole in the bushes, it's like a switch flips. She'll dart off into the underbrush, and before I know it, she's got that mole in her mouth, giving it a couple of violent shakes before tossing it back into the bushes.

Let me tell you, it's a scary sight to behold. But Tess is a terrier. Hunting is in her nature. It's who she is. And just like Tess, we Christians have an innate quality that we can't eliminate, no matter how hard we try.

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Lessons From the Birds, Part Three

Lessons From the Birds, Part Three

The avian antics at my bird feeder seemed to be an endless source of spiritual insight. From the clever sparrow who found a way around the crowded sides to the persistent little fellow who refused to give up, each bird had something to teach. I love how God does that! As I settled in for another session of feathered observation, I was struck by a new lesson that would make me question my approach to life's challenges and remind me of the importance of seeking God's guidance.

As the last suet ball dwindled, it shifted to one side of the feeder, presenting a new challenge for the feathered visitors. One determined bird caught my eye. Instead of simply flying around to the side where the suet ball now rested, this stubborn little fellow insisted on stretching through the bars, twisting his neck at impossible angles, all in an attempt to reach the food. I couldn't help but chuckle at his ridiculous contortions.

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Lessons From the Birds, Part Two
Encouragement, Comfort, God's guidance Dana Rongione Encouragement, Comfort, God's guidance Dana Rongione

Lessons From the Birds, Part Two

In my last devotion, I shared about the persistent sparrow who refused to give up on getting his share of the suet ball. Today, I want to revisit that scene because, as is often the case with God's creation, there are multiple lessons we can glean from a single moment.

As I continued to watch the birds that day, my attention was drawn to another sparrow—one who took a different approach altogether. You see, while most of the birds were content to jostle for position on the side of the feeder, one resourceful sparrow decided to think outside the box—or should I say, inside the feeder? He flew to the top and went down inside the feeder, allowing him unhindered access to the last ball. Sneaky, huh?

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Lessons From the Birds, Part One
God's love, God's goodness, Encouragement, Comfort Dana Rongione God's love, God's goodness, Encouragement, Comfort Dana Rongione

Lessons From the Birds, Part One

I'm always fascinated by the birds that visit our backyard feeder. They're a lively bunch, full of personality and quirks. This morning, as I sat sipping my hot tea and watching them flutter about, I couldn't help but chuckle at their antics.

One particularly stubborn sparrow refused to share the last remaining suet ball. He perched on the feeder, puffing out his chest and squawking at any bird who dared to come near. The other birds would try to sneak in for a quick bite, but the sparrow was having none of it. He was determined to guard his prize.

As I watched this little drama unfold, I found myself thanking God for His wonderful qualities, which are never in limited supply.

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Foreground Faith
Faith, Spiritual Growth, Life's Journey, Positive Life Dana Rongione Faith, Spiritual Growth, Life's Journey, Positive Life Dana Rongione

Foreground Faith

Today, I'd like to tell you a little bit about my favorite design software, Canva. I've been a Canva fan for years now, using it for everything in my writing ministry—from creating images for my blog and social media posts to designing videos and even book covers. Since becoming a missionary, it's become even more invaluable, helping me make everything from business cards to banners.

One of my favorite features is called "Position." This handy tool lets me shuffle elements between the foreground and background of my projects. It's like having a magical switch that lets me focus on one part of my design at a time.

Need to spotlight a particular element? No problem! Just a few clicks, and I can push less important bits to the background, like tucking away clutter behind a curtain. And when I'm ready to bring them back? Presto! They're right where I left them, waiting for their turn to shine.

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Finding a New Way
Dana Rongione Dana Rongione

Finding a New Way

The past few weeks for me have been some of prayer, reflection, and wrestling with many things. In the midst of my physical difficulties, I realized my condition reached far beyond my body. My mind was tired and distracted. My emotions were frayed. My heart was hard. And my spirit was weary. In short, I had hit a wall.

After the months of waiting last year to see our visa issues resolved, we hit the ground running in January and haven’t stopped running long enough to catch our breaths. The result of the continuous rush and push left me feeling like the very worst version of myself, and I knew something had to change.

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Brick By Brick
Dana Rongione Dana Rongione

Brick By Brick

Who doesn't love a good construction analogy? We've all seen captivating time-lapse videos of buildings rising from the ground up, each brick or beam carefully placed, and every detail considered. That's how God works in our lives—with precision, purpose, and a master plan.

Construction projects sure do take you on a journey, don't they? One day, you're standing in an empty field or a run-down house, dreaming of what could be. The next, you're driving the first stake into the ground or swinging that sledgehammer through the first wall.

It's exhilarating. It's daunting. It makes you feel alive.

When God first lays a calling on your heart, it's a lot like that empty lot or dilapidated house. You survey the land and think, "How can anything beautiful come from this?"

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Broken Yet Beloved
Rise Up and Build, Comfort, Encouragement Dana Rongione Rise Up and Build, Comfort, Encouragement Dana Rongione

Broken Yet Beloved

As many of you know, I struggle with joint hyper-mobility, fibromyalgia, and chronic back issues. Some days, the pain and fatigue are almost unbearable, leaving me feeling isolated, frustrated, and even depressed. Recently, I've been experiencing a particularly bad flareup, and I've found myself lying in bed for hours on end, watching the world around me hurry by while I wrestled with feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

I'm sure many of you can relate, whether you're battling a chronic illness, dealing with a difficult situation, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges. During these times, we feel like nothing more than a "bruised reed" or a "smoldering wick," ready to break or be snuffed out at any moment.

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The Sea of Forgetfulness
Encouragement, Comfort Dana Rongione Encouragement, Comfort Dana Rongione

The Sea of Forgetfulness

I've been pondering a beautiful truth from God's Word that has filled my heart with immense gratitude and joy. It's found in Micah 7:19 (KJV), which says, "He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."

Isn't that an incredible promise? When we accept Jesus as our Savior, God takes our sins—every single one of them—and hurls them into the depths of the sea. This is often referred to as the sea of forgetfulness, a place where our sins are forever out of reach, unable to affect our salvation or standing before God.

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Bouncy Castles and Boundless Grace
God's goodness Dana Rongione God's goodness Dana Rongione

Bouncy Castles and Boundless Grace

Three days have passed since our Community Family Fun Day, and I'm still in awe of God's faithfulness. Despite my lingering illness, back pain, and barely-there voice, the Lord blessed our event in ways I never imagined possible.

The day dawned with perfect weather—a true miracle in Wales! As I stepped out into the crisp morning air, I felt a surge of energy I hadn't experienced in weeks. Though I was far from feeling my best, the Lord granted me strength to not only endure but actually enjoy the entire day.

The turnout wasn't as large as it could have been, but it was greater than we had anticipated for our first community-wide event. Families from all over the community came to join in the festivities. Children's laughter filled the air as they bounced on inflatables, played games, and picked prizes. Parents relaxed and chatted, forging new friendships and strengthening existing ones.

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