It's the most romantic and loving day of the year! But what if you don't feel loved? What if you have zero romance? What if you have no Valentine? How do you celebrate a day dedicated to love and stay filled with joy and peace? Find out on this episode, where host Duane Montague shares some honest truths about love, romance, and why you can still rest merry, even if your mailbox is as empty as Charlie Brown's.

In the first episode of 2024, Duane highlights the struggle he faced in 2023 when he lost his inspiration. In a personal and honest recounting, he shares what happened when he gave up Facebook and Instagram, and the re-igniting of his passion thanks to journaling, scripture, time with his family--and a really great episode of the show The Bear.

After a hiatus, the Resting Merry podcast returns with exciting news, some joyful encouragement for a world desperately needing it, and a few reminders on what joy can be. Grab your coffee and join host Duane Montague for a brand new episode.

On today's episode, find out what a major accident and the assassination of James Garfield have to do with one of life's hardest lessons: not holding on to the wounds of life. Host Duane Montague shares some personal insight on how #acceptance can bring joy and peace, even when we have pain in our past. #SaturdayThoughts #encouragement #ChristianLiving #family #honesty

After nearly 24 years of parenting four very different kids, host Duane Montague and his wife Robyn accidentally discovered three rules that have worked for them. Whatever your situation or style, these three rules may be just what you need to help you family hold on to joy and peace as your kids grow up. #fanily #parenting #lifewithkids #dadthoughts #parents

On today's episode, host Duane Montague reflects on the record winter storms California has had recently--and how they mirror the rainy days of life. When all the rain ends, what do we get? If what he discovers on a morning walk are any indication, good things are ahead.

One of Walt Disney's biggest movies of the 1960's, a 1940's song by Johnny Mercer, and a passage from the Apostle Paul all remind us how to rest merry by putting our thoughts and minds on what matters most. Whether you're feeling glad, positive, or thinking on things that are admirable or lovely doesn't matter--what matters is finding something in every moment of every day that keeps your mind in the healthy place God intended for it.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://duanesm.com/2020/01/15/think-pollyanna/

A key to finding joy and peace in your everyday life is focus. What are you thinking about most often? Do you dwell on the past? Do you worry about the future? In today's episode, Duane Montague shows how resting merry is all about what you're looking at, and whether you're spending too much time in your garage.