Serena Livingston - Adventures In Missions - The World Race

Life

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Life is a mystery. We cannot see the bigger pattern. According to author and speaker, Richard Rohr, life is a river. He asks an interesting question, "Are you trying to change the course of the river? Or are you in the river?" So often our focus is on how we can change things instead of simply living in the moment. One of my favorite expressions I learned in college during a LaVida trip with Rich Obenschain .... "BE HERE NOW!" It means that we should soak up every moment and enjoy life. Jesus said, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 God wants us to be able to experience all that He has for us in each moment. Life is so often about "letting go." Let the river carry you. Trust that God is in control.

Quote From Richard Rohr on Contemplative Prayer

Peru Slide Show

Thu, 6 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Here are some photos from our trip to Tambo de Moro and Chincha, Peru

Chincha Peru

Tue, 8 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It's a hot sunny day here in Chincha Alta, Peru. We're sitting under a canopy tent in kid size chairs with colorful octagonal low tables. There is a nice cool breeze. The ground is sandy and dusty. There is a church to one side of us, and our tent city to the other side. We finished a breakfast of sausage and egg biscuits, rolls with jelly and juice and tea. After a time of worship and prayer for healing, we are listening to a teaching by Michael Hindes, a pastor from Michigan. He is talking about attitude. There are 27 World Racers, 5 staff, 5 translators, and 1 guest. There is a Hollywood film producer here to try to capture the story of the people here and tell the world how they can help. This area experienced an 8.0 magnitude earthquake on August 15^th and about 600 were killed. Many lost their homes and their livelihood. Entire towns have relocated to makeshift tents with dirt floors and walls made of woven reeds, thatch, etc. Some are fortunate to have an actual tent from a relief agency, but they have been living like this for almost 5 months. We met people yesterday from the Tambo de Mora area and heard their stories. The village was a prosperous fishing village on the Pacific Ocean. Just before the quake, which occurred about 7 pm, the ground water rose inside their homes to about a meter deep. The three inch concrete floors simply buckled and the homes sank about 2 feet. The quake lasted three terrifying minutes. People ran to find relatives, some ran many kilometers back to Chincha in search of family. After the quake came a small tsunami. The people have relocated to safer ground further inland. Many husbands have to leave the area to find work.

Dusk

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-38

Creation

Sun, 9 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

"God of wonders, beyond our galaxy, you are holy, the universe declares your majesty!"

Photo Essay

Sat, 8 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Merry Christmas!

Tue, 4 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

We wish you joy in this season of celebrating Christ's birth. May you take time to reflect on the reason for the season and give thanks for the redemption offered by our incredible Lord.

Sunset

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1-3

Giving Thanks

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

Worship the Lord with gladness,

Come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is He who made us, and we are his;

We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

And his courts with praise,

Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100

Mexico

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

These are World Racers in Matamoros, Mexico launching on an eleven month journey around the world.

Joshua 24:15c

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

West Virginia June 2006

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

We were blessed to serve with a group with true servant hearts. We had adults and families from Ohio, Maryland, and Georgia. From the start, their experience was one of asking the Lord what He would have them do and following His lead in ministry.

A Sign

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This was a sign that I saw on a tree when I dropped the kids off at summer camp.

Thankfulness

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

I came across this quote in a book. It's attributed to Patrick Henry Reardon. Since thankfulness has been on my heart lately, this made me think:
Suppose for a moment, that God began taking from us the many things for which we have failed to give thanks. Which of our limbs and faculties would be left? Would I still have my hands and my mind? And what about loved ones? If God were to take from me all those persons and things for which I have not given thanks, who or what would be left of me?

Now I don't believe that God is really going to punish me for not being thankful, but I am sure that He wants us to be thankful and to be more mindful of the things we take for granted.

Bread of Life

Tue, 6 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

I've been reading a book called, He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer as part of my devotions. This morning I opened to chapter ten. And how did it begin? With Psalm 46:10, of course. Here are some excerpts.

Talking about childbirth and about an epidural - "the anesthesiologist said, you were a great patient because you were really stillsometimesI have to wait until they are quiet enough for me to give them medication, because I can't give it to them while they are moving. As I listened, it dawned on me. Maybe the Great Physician is waiting to give us something. The one with the answer is right here, but the problem is that we won't sit still long enough for him to give us what we need.

Speaking of feeding the 5000 in John: "Jesus said, Have the people sit down." [Her response was,] "Why Lord? I'm so busy. I have a to-do list a mile long. Why do you want me to sit down?" I read the next verse "Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated." Don't miss that lineonly those who were seated got foodDo you want to be filled with the spiritual food that God has for you?"

Priscilla went on to talk about 1 Samuel 3:3 where Samuel was lying down and was able to hear from the Lord and John 6:10 and Matthew where there are grassy places to sit. She was reminded of Psalm 23:2 "you make me like down in green pastures."

May we take the time to be still, wait upon the Lord in green pastures, and hear His voice and receive the Bread of Life.

Be Still AND know that I am God

Mon, 5 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The other night at a friend's house, we had an extended time of prayer, much of it silent. The Lord had me share Psalm 46:10. The night had started off with talking about all the references to "new" in the Bible. I had shared a few things [new life, new heaven and a new earth] and the verse "see, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" So when God nudged me to share Psalm 46:10, I was reluctant. Mentally I argued with God, I have already shared, I am an introvert, this is not new, I am not the group leader'. Finally I just said the verse one time. I told the Lord he needed to be specific and confirm it if he wanted me to do the whole thing. After a few minutes, our leader shared his frustration, confessed his difficulty with being still. Then I knew I had to be obedient and so I prayed it slowly, reflectively. The leader told me afterward that it was perfect for him, that it had been filled with authority, and that he had wanted me to go on. I had actually felt a slight nudge to continue, but had been so relieved to be done with it and stop. Afterward I felt a great sense of relief about some things I had been holding on to and needed to let go of.

Be Still

Tue, 30 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT

An excerpt from my journal on 5/7:

Psalm 46:10

BE still and know that I am God

Be STILL and know that I am God

Be still AND know that I am God

Be still and KNOW that I am God

Be still and know that I am God

Be still and know that I AM God

Be still and know that I am GOD!!

Lord, help me to take some time each day to just BE. Still my mind and heart, Lord to focus on you. Lord, help me to really know that you are in control. You are the Lord; help me to remember that it's not about me. Help me to contemplate who you are each day.

He is Worthy

Thu, 25 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Lord,

You are worthy
Of a child-like faith
And of my honest praise
And of my unashamed love
Of a holy life
And of my sacrifice
And of my unashamed love

Words quoted from "Unashamed Love" by Ten Shekel Shirt"