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Dana Rongione 07/11/2024 Dana Rongione 07/11/2024

The Weighty Matter of Sin

I stood in the bathroom, taking deep breaths and mentally preparing myself for what was to come. It had been months since I'd last checked my weight, and I'll admit, I'd been avoiding this moment like a cat avoids bath time. But today was the day. I'd finally mustered enough courage to face the music—or, in this case, the numbers.

"It can't be that bad," I whispered, trying to channel positive thoughts. "I've been eating...somewhat sensibly. And I do walk every day. Well, almost every day."

Closing my eyes, I stepped onto the scale. The moment of truth had arrived. I counted to three, opened my eyes, and...promptly wished I hadn't.

"That can't be right!" I exclaimed, causing poor Tess to jump. "There must be something wrong with this scale. Perhaps it needs new batteries. Or maybe it's possessed!"

Dana Rongione 04/11/2024 Dana Rongione 04/11/2024

Invisible Lines and Impossible Standards

Have you ever felt like you're walking through a maze where the walls keep moving? Or perhaps trying to follow rules written in invisible ink? Welcome to the club! I've spent countless hours trying to decipher the unwritten social contract that seems to govern every interaction, only to find myself stumbling over invisible lines I didn't even know existed.

"Remind me about these things, but don't be a nag."

"Show initiative, but don't overstep."

"Give me all the information, but don't get bogged down in the details."

“Work hard, but don't overdo it."

"Rest, but don't be lazy."

The list of contradictory expectations goes on and on, enough to make anyone's head spin! Even in our spiritual lives, we often find ourselves trapped between seemingly opposing directives.

"Pray with faith, but don't be presumptuous."

"Trust God completely, but plan responsibly."

"Pour out your heart to God, but don't gripe or complain."

Dana Rongione 09/05/2024 Dana Rongione 09/05/2024

Compassion Over Judgement

How often do we find ourselves judging others, making assumptions about their lives, motivations, and choices? It's an all too common human tendency, one that can breed misunderstanding, resentment, and conflict if left unchecked. Yet, when we take a step back and consider the complexities of each individual's circumstances, might we not find more compassion and empathy within ourselves? After all, we’re all struggling to make it through this maze called life, just with different circumstances and choices.

It's easy to look at someone else's life and think, "Well, if I were them, I'd be doing things differently. I'd be working harder, making better choices, living more righteously." We see a snapshot of their journey and assume we know the whole story.

Dana Rongione 29/04/2024 Dana Rongione 29/04/2024

Furred Knights and Shared Fights

Last week, I stumbled upon a new book series, and I must say, it's got me hooked, even though it is intended for children. (What can I say? I’m a child at heart!) The title is The Mice of the Round Table, penned by Julie Leung. It revolves around a tiny mouse named Calib, who aspires to become a hero like his father and grandfather. However, there's a catch: Calib grapples with feelings of smallness and insignificance.

Now, I can sense your curiosity. "What's the connection between a children's book about mice and our faith?" Just wait a moment, and I'll explain. (Remember, my brain works in mysterious ways!)

Dana Rongione 18/03/2024 Dana Rongione 18/03/2024

Dreamers and Doers

As I read through this passage of Scripture recently, I couldn't help but chuckle at the image of four men carrying their paralyzed friend on a mat, tearing through a roof to get him to Jesus. Talk about dedication, right?

But as I read further, I realized this story is about more than just a group of determined friends. It's about the power of community and the importance of taking responsibility for those around us.

Think about it: if just one of those men had said, "Nah, I'm good. Somebody else can carry him," the whole plan would have fallen apart. But instead, they all stepped up and did their part. They didn't worry about who was better equipped or more qualified. Neither did they concern themselves with who had more free time on their hands or who they felt needed to be more involved. Each man saw a need and filled it.

Dana Rongione 22/02/2024 Dana Rongione 22/02/2024

The Creeping Danger of Unresolved Conflicts

Can I vent for a minute, friends? I need to get this off my chest. Let me tell you about the computer problems I recently dealt with.

It all started after a routine software update. Suddenly, my computer refused to go to sleep. I checked all the settings and even tried to force it to sleep, but ultimately, it just wouldn't do it. And while it was annoying, it wasn't a big deal. But then, odd issues with my trackpad surfaced. The scroll wheel would spin, but the pages wouldn't move up or down until they finally jumped halfway down the page. At that point, things were becoming more frustrating.

Dana Rongione 23/08/2023 Dana Rongione 23/08/2023

The Salt That Lost Its Savor

After spending more than a year in Wales, I can attest that British fare is bland. I mean, don't get me wrong, there's a certain charm in a plate of fish and chips or a cuppa with a biscuit, but if you're expecting an explosion of flavours, you’ll likely be disappointed. And don't even get me started on their idea of "spicy." It's like they glanced at a chilli pepper from across the room and decided to call it a day. (And I don’t even like spicy food!)

Dana Rongione 07/10/2022 Dana Rongione 07/10/2022

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.

13/08/2020 13/08/2020

Mislabeled

10/06/2020 10/06/2020

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