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Dana Rongione 25/03/2024 Dana Rongione 25/03/2024

Shining Through the Shadows

In Wales, the sun is very hit-and-miss, especially during the long winter months. Just this morning, I noticed the blue skies and bright sun and made plans to do a little work outside. I went out and checked on my lawn chair, which was surprisingly dry. Then, I went back in to finish the chore I was in the middle of, with plans to go outside and enjoy the weather as soon as I was finished. A few minutes later, I donned my sweater, grabbed my laptop, and headed outside. Unfortunately, by then, the sun was hiding beneath several layers of gray clouds, and the wind had picked up, giving the air a damp chill. I waited a few minutes to see if the clouds and winds would pass. They didn't. So, I grabbed my stuff and went back inside, lamenting the fact that, once again, I had just missed the sun.

Dana Rongione 21/03/2024 Dana Rongione 21/03/2024

Obedience Over Insight

Alright, let's dive back into Mark 2:1-12, shall we? I mean, can you blame me for wanting to hang out with these roof-tearing, friend-carrying guys a little longer?

Now, let's zero in on the moment when Jesus told the paralyzed man, "Arise, take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house." (Mark 2:11 KJV) I don't know about you, but if I were that guy, I'd be thinking, "Uh, Jesus, have you noticed I can't walk?" But what did he do? He didn't question, he didn't hesitate, he didn't even try to figure it out. He just got up and walked, just like that.

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 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 11/03/2024 Dana Rongione 11/03/2024

Avoiding Spiritual Nose Dives

You'll never believe the silly bird antics I witnessed at our backyard feeder yesterday. I'm still chuckling over this one!

So there I was, heading outside to check if spring had finally sprung, when I spotted this large starling stuck head-first inside the birdfeeder. Somehow, he had wedged his plump body through the tiny opening at the top and gotten stuck. Yup, rather than just pecking at the food from the sides like the other birds, old chunky cheeks got the brilliant idea to nose-dive straight in after a snack!

I did a double take at the bird standing on its head as the poor thing flailed around, feathers flying, trying in vain to work himself back out. His scrawny tail feathers kept getting caught on the feeder’s lip every time he backed up. You could tell the foolish bird had absolutely no plan for extracting himself from that self-imposed trap.

Dana Rongione 07/03/2024 Dana Rongione 07/03/2024

Losing Our Edge

Did you know a dull knife can be more dangerous than a sharp one? It's true! Without that razor edge, you apply more pressure and risk slipping as the blade catches. Who knew?

Similarly, spiritually dull Christians pose hazards, too, often without realizing it. Now, I'm not suggesting we go around stabbing people with convictions, but lukewarm faith does subtle damage.

When passion cools and vision blurs, we drift along numbly. Rather than piercing darkness, our words and witness lose edge. We fear ruffling feathers with truth. But Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend,” meaning caring rebuke holds more value than mute passivity.

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 29/02/2024 Dana Rongione 29/02/2024

Man Plans; God Directs

Eager to hit the hiking trails last week, Jason and I checked the forecast for the best day. Friday showed sun, while Saturday predicted snow, so Friday it was!

After breakfast on Friday morning, we were greeted by rain showers mixed with fat snowflakes instead of sunshine. "No problem," we shrugged. “It’s Wales! Wet weather is just part of the charm. Besides, as usual, the rain will likely come and go in short bursts.” You can probably guess where this is headed.

Despite the continuing wintry mix, we stuck with Plan A, trudging up muddy slopes in worsening snow and sleet for hours. Slipping in sodden boots with freezing fingers, I muttered, “Maybe we should've waited till tomorrow." By the time we stumbled back to the car, I was as drenched and weary.

Dana Rongione 26/02/2024 Dana Rongione 26/02/2024

Finding Courage in Unseen Allies

Do you ever feel like the lone voice crying in the wilderness? In 1 Kings 19, the bold prophet Elijah despaired that despite his faithful efforts, rampant idolatry prevailed. With wicked queen Jezebel threatening his life after an intense showdown with her false prophets, Elijah fled in fear, feeling alone in the spiritual fight.

Exhausted and afraid for his life, Elijah collapsed under a desert tree, begging God to let him die. Right there, we see a mighty man of God reduced to hopeless tears by isolation and weariness in well-doing. Elijah lamented, “I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (v. 10).

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.

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Dana Rongione