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Discouragement, disappointment, Positive Life, Rise Up and Build Dana Rongione Discouragement, disappointment, Positive Life, Rise Up and Build Dana Rongione

A Captive Audience

I'll never forget the first time I had to give a gospel presentation here in Wales. My hands trembled as I rearranged my notes, watching people file into the tiny community hall. I'd been looking forward to and dreading this day for weeks. Back in the States, I'd spoken to groups of ladies regularly, but here in this unfamiliar land, I felt painfully inadequate.

"Lord," I whispered, "I'm trapped. I can't back out now."

As I looked around the room at the expectant faces, a strange thought struck me. Was I trapped in this situation... or were they trapped with me?

That's when I remembered the Apostle Paul.

Picture this: Paul, the mighty missionary, chained to Roman guards day and night. Talk about being trapped!

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Hope, Comfort, Encouragement, Positive Life, Rise Up and Build Dana Rongione Hope, Comfort, Encouragement, Positive Life, Rise Up and Build Dana Rongione

Just Turn the Page

I recently finished the rough draft of my newest Christian fantasy novel—a milestone worth celebrating, especially considering the brain fog I often battle. As I worked through the manuscript, I became increasingly aware of one particular writing technique that keeps readers engaged: the chapter-ending hook.

You know what I'm talking about. That dramatic moment where the protagonist discovers something shocking, finds himself in peril, or makes a heart-stopping decision... and then—the chapter ends. Just like that!

It's delightfully devious, really. I've deliberately placed my readers in emotional suspense. Sometimes they're worried for a character's safety. Other times, they're frustrated by a character's poor choice. Occasionally, they're heartbroken by an unexpected betrayal. But regardless of the emotion, the effect is the same. They simply must turn the page to discover what happens next.

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Prayer, Encouragement, Comfort Dana Rongione Prayer, Encouragement, Comfort Dana Rongione

Hidden in Plain Sight

Several months ago, I wrote a devotion about the disappearance of Tess' beloved toy, Robby the Robot. The poor pup was beside herself with worry over her missing companion, and despite our thorough searches, Robby remained elusive. We eventually concluded she must have taken it outside and lost it in the bushes and bramble.

A couple of days ago, I was sitting in the dining room when Tess came in and began pawing frantically under the bookshelf. She stretched and reached as if trying desperately to recover something trapped beneath. My first thought? Kibble. If you've ever seen a terrier play with a treat-dispensing toy, you know food goes flying in all directions.

I grabbed my duster with the extended handle and poked under the bookshelf. Yes, there was kibble under there, but that wasn't all.

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Life's Journey, Reaching Out To Others, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Warfare Dana Rongione Life's Journey, Reaching Out To Others, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Warfare Dana Rongione

When Change Seems Impossible

Have you ever heard the story of the frog in the kettle? Place a frog in boiling water, and it will immediately jump out. But place it in room-temperature water and gradually increase the heat, and the frog will stay put until it's too late. While this analogy may be more folklore than science, it illustrates a profound truth about human nature.

In Jesus' day, the religious system had gradually shifted from God's original intent. Like that proverbial frog, the people didn't notice the slow drift from true worship to ritualistic religion. The Pharisees had added layer upon layer of rules and traditions until the heart of God's law was nearly unrecognizable. As Jesus said, "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered" (Mark 7:13).

I wonder how many of those sincere worshippers realized something was amiss?

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Dog Devotions, Trust, Comfort, Encouragement Dana Rongione Dog Devotions, Trust, Comfort, Encouragement Dana Rongione

When the Thorn Remains

The garden outside our Welsh cottage is small but lovely. However, interspersed among the beauty are thorns. Nasty, prickly thorns that seem to appear from nowhere and everywhere all at once.

A few days ago, Tess came bounding into the house from her garden adventures, but instead of her usual exuberance, she limped across the floor, frantically licking her front paw. Jason scooped her up immediately, cradling her like a baby to examine the source of her distress.

"There it is," he announced, pointing to an enormous thorn embedded deeply in the pad of her paw. "This is going to hurt, girl."

As if understanding his words, Tess began to squirm and whimper, but Jason held her firmly. With one swift movement, he extracted the thorn. Tess yelped, then immediately relaxed in his arms.

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