Author: Michelle Martino
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Advent Anticipations
In this Advent season, it’s so easy to get wrapped up (quite literally!) in the hustle of the holidays: gift shopping, decorating, baking, all the TV specials – you name it! I’m a fan of finding the best gingerbread lattes, which is quite harder than it sounds. We spend 4 weeks anticipating Christmas Day and…
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Persisting in Prayer and Believing for Bigger
“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” – Mark 11:23 (ESV) For a while now, I’ve wrestled with the hope found…
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When You Need To Let It Go
I’m currently in the midst of two situations: One where I’m ready to move on and leave the former things behind me. The circumstances are too unhealthy and no longer sustainable. Another where I have no choice but to give up my desires and my ways. The outcome is too far beyond my control, regardless…
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Psalm 23:1 – The Good Shepherd
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” – Psalm 23:1 (NIV) In this verse, it’s easy to identify the Lord as Provider. It’s clear that, with Him, we have all that we need. Some translations say “I shall not want” because, in Him, we lack nothing. But there’s so much more depth in declaring…
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Magazine Submission: Contending for Clarity in the Midst of Confusion
I’m excited to share that one of my favorite devotionals is published in a digital magazine! “Contending for Clarity in the Midst of Confusion” can be found on pages 25-27 of the EGM Times. Click here to read the magazine.
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Progress > Perfection
One of the most obvious and necessary techniques in a workout is to keep your head up. As you complete barbell moves and box jumps, your eyes need to be looking ahead of you, fixed on a constant spot. As you move, that space becomes what centers you and keeps you from falling or losing…
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Coffee Shop Community
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” – Philippians 4:19 (ESV) It’s no secret that the recent disappointments in my life hit hard. I felt like Buddy the Elf when he realizes he’s not an elf. Or a dog walking with its tail between…
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Addressing Church Hurt
This post has been sitting in my drafts for just about as long as I’ve had this blog (almost a year). I never imagined actually sharing this one…or relating to it in a much greater degree than I ever imagined. As I read my writing back to myself, I see the Holy Spirit’s words encouraging…
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Teaching Testimony (Part 2)
Rather than sharing a devotional, I felt it on my heart to share my teaching testimony. God has abundantly blessed my profession and this story is too good to keep to myself. To read part 1, click here. My first year teaching, God gave me the impression that I’d see that class through their graduation.…
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Teaching Testimony (Part 1)
Rather than sharing a devotional, I felt it on my heart to share my teaching testimony. God has abundantly blessed my profession and this story is too good to keep to myself. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I specifically remember taking a career aptitude test…
Consider the Joy 