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God’s Perfect Timing
waiting, God's goodness Dana Rongione waiting, God's goodness Dana Rongione

God’s Perfect Timing

I have some exciting news to share with you. After months of waiting, prayers, and a touch of impatience, our visas to stay in Wales have finally been approved! Can I get a hallelujah?

Let me be honest: waiting is no one's favorite activity. It's like being stuck in a perpetual line at the grocery store when all you want is to get home and enjoy your snacks (especially the chocolate ones). But hey, here we are, snacks in hand (figuratively speaking), celebrating the sweet taste of victory. And let me tell you, it tastes so good!

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An Excerpt from Hope Reborn
Dana Rongione Dana Rongione

An Excerpt from Hope Reborn

The magician sat in contemplation, his mind swirling with the many events that had unfolded over the past couple of weeks. The accounts he had heard and the miracles he had witnessed clashed with the relentless arguments of his logic.

Merlin felt an inner stirring as comprehension dawned on him. Though he did not fully understand, he began to accept the truth of what Jesus said, yet with that trust came a weighty decision. Was he prepared to relinquish his extraordinary powers in exchange for putting his faith in this man they called the Messiah? Could he set aside his desperate quest to alter the past to save his father and instead embrace a new path guided by trust in Jesus?

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From Silence to Symphony
praise, Gratitude Dana Rongione praise, Gratitude Dana Rongione

From Silence to Symphony

For authors like me, book reviews and word of mouth are the building blocks to success both for the author and the books they write. It is beyond discouraging when my best work is lost in the sea of worthless dribble and harmful lies that somehow still make it to the top of the bestseller charts. Meanwhile, my books sit so far down the ranking that no one could find them if they tried. All those long nights working, all that sweat and inspiration are gone with no recognition from anyone. Many writers know this feeling, the soul-consuming emptiness of unappreciated hard work. (Cue heavy sigh and heartfelt sob!)

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When It Seems There Is No Hope (Repost)
fear, hope, Life's Journey fear, hope, Life's Journey

When It Seems There Is No Hope (Repost)

“Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved. ” — Isaiah 57:10

During my Bible reading last week, this verse jumped out at me, and today, I would like to make an application with it. Let's begin with the first phrase: Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way. Does the way before you seem great today? Does the path appear long and scary? Troublesome roads can leave us weary, even if we haven't traveled them yet.

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Navigating Life's Storms One Wave at a Time
weariness, Overwhelmed, Encouragement Dana Rongione weariness, Overwhelmed, Encouragement Dana Rongione

Navigating Life's Storms One Wave at a Time

I'm currently knee-deep in deadlines, surrounded by a sea of writing projects with waves of words crashing over me like a relentless storm. In these moments, my mind is drawn back to Peter as he walked on the water.  Yes, I know I just did an entire series of devotions about this particular event, but bear with me as we look at another angle of Peter’s sinking desperation.

Traditionally, we view Peter's conflict with the sea as a warning against losing faith when he looked at the storm instead of keeping his gaze on Jesus. And while that’s true, there's another angle worth exploring, especially when our to-do lists feel as vast as the ocean.

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How Good Is Good Enough? (A Repost)
Discontentment, Discouragement, God's love Dana Rongione Discontentment, Discouragement, God's love Dana Rongione

How Good Is Good Enough? (A Repost)

Today, I want to do something a little different. While this devotion applies to anyone in any stage or area of life, I want to specifically talk to those who suffer from chronic illness. Perhaps, like me, it's a joint disorder, arthritis, bursitis, or other pain-related situations. Or maybe you suffer from an autoimmune disease like lupus, celiac disease, or type 1 diabetes. It could even be you're many months into cancer and the various treatments related to that. Whatever the disease or illness, I want to speak to your hurting hearts.

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Walking With Jesus Through Life's Storms, Part 6

Walking With Jesus Through Life's Storms, Part 6

As we navigate the storms of life, it's essential to remember that just because we face trials doesn't mean we're out of God's will. The disciples were exactly where Jesus had commanded them to be, yet they encountered a tempestuous sea.

The story also highlights the significance of trusting God's character and promises when we can't see Him working. Often, Jesus operates behind the scenes, diligently working all things for our good and His glory.

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Walking With Jesus Through Life's Storms, Part 5

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.

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Walking With Jesus Through Life's Storms, Part 4

Walking With Jesus Through Life's Storms, Part 4

Picture this: The disciples are on a boat battling a relentless storm. They've been rowing for hours, weary and frustrated, questioning where Jesus is in their time of need. And then they see Him, walking on the water. It's a moment filled with uncertainty and doubt, as they initially mistake Him for a ghost.

But here's where the story takes a remarkable turn. Peter, known for his boldness, dares to speak up. He requests to join Jesus on the water, asking, “If it's really you, Lord, let me walk on the water and come to you."

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Walking With Jesus Through Life's Storms, Part 3
Video Bible Study, Christian Faith, faith, Comfort Dana Rongione Video Bible Study, Christian Faith, faith, Comfort Dana Rongione

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.

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