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Hupomone -- A Patient Endurance

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I can remember the first time I heard this Greek word, Hupomone (noun). (pronounced hoop-om-on-ay') It literally means remaining under the Divine Presence while being tested. I was sitting in the church my dad was pastoring at the time, a rural church in North Carolina. It's been well over 10 years ago. I was sitting on a pew with my friend Sarah, kinda toward the front. I don't remember anything about the sermon that day, just the word Hupomone. Sarah and I looked at each other and giggled like girls do, and Sarah blurted out, "What's humopone?!" My dad, the gracious man he is, answered her interruption. For the next few months Sarah and I would run around randomly saying, "Hupomone!" several times in a row. It really is a fun word to say. Looking back on it, what a great thing to do. What if there were people running around yelling Greek words at you to remind you, Endure! Endure! Endure! Endure! Endure! People probably thought we ...
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Singin' to the Lord

Last Saturday evening, some friends of mine, and I went and visited Elevation Church which is a newly formed more modern church in the area. I was very leery of going there, I had heard some people express their opinion about it, and I also had my own thoughts about it. One thing about these more modern churches is, I feel like they target one age group the 20-late 30's group; Jesus wants us to reach everyone. SO, I finally decided to go and just see for myself what was going on down there. To my surprise I totally loved the whole experience! When you pull into their parking lot, if you are a first timer you put your flashers on indicating this is your first time, and you are considered their VIP! They park you in a good place, then someone comes to greet you saying they are excited you came and explains what you need to know, and where you need to go. Everyone there made us feel welcome. What I noticed was people serving Jesus, and His church. I noticed young people and ...
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Taking the Next Step

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A couple of weeks ago I celebrated my one year anniversary being Portland. It was really special because my missions pastor happened to fly into town that same week and we spent an hour or two together on the lawn of my job sharing and talking about the past year here. It was so amazing to sit there with him full circle one year later. Portland has been tough for me. I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to leave. Obviously from my last VERY transparent post you can tell things aren't so glamorous here. But, the lessons and the blessings, and triumphs have so outweighed the hardships and fails. What a journey it has been. My life is richer having lived life along side a few special friends, who have become my family over this last year. I'm thankful to have been loved through ugly times, and encouraged and strengthened by words of correction, and direction. I'm constantly asking God, "What's next?" My ears stay attuned to His voice,...
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