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Devotions Archive
Do I Really Belong at the Throne of Grace?
Dog Devotions, Prayer, Spiritual Growth Dana Rongione Dog Devotions, Prayer, Spiritual Growth Dana Rongione

Do I Really Belong at the Throne of Grace?

Recently, Jason and I took a trip to Corby, England, to fill in for a pastor over the weekend. On the way, we dropped Tess off with a friend. I expected at least a little hesitation. You know, a cautious sniff, a glance back over the shoulder, maybe a dramatic "Mamma, how could you?" sort of look.

Nope.

Our friend opened the door, and Tess walked right in as if she paid the mortgage.

She didn't stand on the porch wondering if she was welcome. She didn't wait for a second invitation. She didn't ask if she was interrupting anything. She just trotted in, looked around, and started making herself at home. Meanwhile, I stood there thinking, Well, apparently she's settled. Glad we cleared that up.

As funny as it was, the whole thing stirred something in my heart when I realized that Tess did what many of us struggle to do spiritually. She walked in as if she belonged there.

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Fixing Your Eyes on the Risen Christ
Hope, Easter, Discouragement, Encouragement, Comfort Dana Rongione Hope, Easter, Discouragement, Encouragement, Comfort Dana Rongione

Fixing Your Eyes on the Risen Christ

Okay, real talk. Easter Sunday has come and gone. The ham has been eaten, the Easter lilies are wilting on the windowsill, and the chocolate eggs are gone (or maybe that's just at my house). The decorations are back in the bin, and life has rudely resumed its regularly scheduled programming, complete with the bills, the aches, the worries, and that one news headline that makes you want to go back to bed and pull the covers over your head.

And somewhere in the middle of all that ordinary Monday-ness, you might be wondering: Was Easter just a Sunday? Or does it mean something for right now, when my circumstances are anything but hopeful?

Oh, friend. Peter has something to say about that.

The Apostle Peter wasn't writing from a cozy armchair. He was writing to believers who were scattered, suffering, and facing very real persecution.

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Where Do You Think You’re Going?
Spiritual Growth, Inspiration, Bible Study Dana Rongione Spiritual Growth, Inspiration, Bible Study Dana Rongione

Where Do You Think You’re Going?

I have a confession to make: my dog is more socially determined than I am.

Let me set the scene. Jason's parents were visiting, and we were all gathered in the living room, food trays in front of us, enjoying dinner together. Meanwhile, Tess had been served her meal in the adjoining room, close enough to hear the laughter and smell the good food, but not quite with us. Well, apparently, Tess had a thing or two to say about that.

That crazy dog picked up her food bowl (without spilling a single bite, mind you), carried it across the floor, and set it down right in the middle of the living room. Then she looked up at us as if to say, "There. That's better," and went right back to eating. No drama. No apology. Just a dog who knew exactly where she wanted to be and did what it took to get there.

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Stop Trying to Grow Grapes!
Spiritual Growth, the fruit of the Spirit Dana Rongione Spiritual Growth, the fruit of the Spirit Dana Rongione

Stop Trying to Grow Grapes!

I stared at the blank screen for forty-five minutes.

Not because I had nothing to say. I'm a writer. I always have something to say. Just ask my husband. No, the problem was that I was trying too hard. I was forcing it. I was sitting there with my knuckles white, my jaw tight, and my brain in a full-on wrestling match with itself, willing the words to appear. And the harder I pushed, the emptier that screen looked. The cursor just blinked at me. Slowly. Mockingly.

Does anyone else feel personally attacked by a blinking cursor? Just me? Okay. Good to know.

Here's what I've learned after writing more than thirty books: you cannot force good writing. You can sit at the desk, but the moment you start straining and striving and white-knuckling the keyboard, the words dry up.

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Walking in Their Footsteps
Life's Journey, Direction, Wisdom, Spiritual Growth Dana Rongione Life's Journey, Direction, Wisdom, Spiritual Growth Dana Rongione

Walking in Their Footsteps

In my last devotion, I shared how, over the past week or so, Wales has been graced with a beautiful blanket of snow. Not long after I wrote that devotion, we woke up to around seven inches of white, fluffy snow. It was beautiful, though Tess, our little terrier, did not appreciate it at all! Still, there's something magical about fresh snowfall...at least until you have to walk through it.

Despite the cool and crazy weather, Jason and I have tried to maintain our daily habit of going out for a pleasant family walk. We've bundled up against the cold and put on our best boots. Tess has been sporting her stylish purple jacket with a cozy fleece lining. It's been quite the adventure, let me tell you!

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