Posts in Missions
In Defense of the Enneagram 8
In Defense of the Enneagram 8

From my earliest days, I’ve known I had a “strong personality” as others have defined me. My Enneagram type shows up on those charts as the “worst” character: Darth Vader, Adolf Hitler, Napoleon, just to name a few. Yeesh. Thanks a lot.

But here’s what those charts mean: I am confident when others are insecure. I am decisive when others waffle. While others are still processing what they really think, I’ve already spoken up to give my perspective AND a strategic plan. Definitively.

I am fearless, strong, and vocal, and you know what? GOD CREATED ME to be who I am.

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MissionsAriel Raineyenneagram, personality type Comment
In the Present Moment
In the Present Moment

I came across this quote recently and boy, does it resonate! It’s basically the reminder I need for every day of 2020. From one day to the next, I don’t know what will happen, and I’ve lost count of things that have been cancelled from my 2020 calendar. As a lifelong “planner” this year has been a total revelation for me of what it means to trust God in the present moment.

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MissionsAriel Raineypresent, trust, 2020, lockdown
Why I stay on Social Media
Why I stay on Social Media

In the past few months I’ve been increasingly dismayed by social media. In fact, I’ve considered going offline completely, eliminating much of the ugliness that comes with the Facebook feed. But I decided to stay on social media to communicate my greatest value and my greatest passion—serving the Lord and the world around me.

So you have my personal guarantee that allllll of my posts will pretty much focus on four values. (Read more…)

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MissionsAriel Raineysocial media, values, serving
God's Word is not Bound
God's Word is not Bound

Lately this phase that Paul wrote to Timothy (2 Tim. 2:9) has been repeating in my mind. Maybe because I’ve personally felt so chained by our strict lockdown here, and everything we want to do is prohibited, restricted, or cancelled—after awhile it feels disheartening. Or maybe this verse is resonating because through some of the circumstances of our current reality God has really shown me the power of His Word even more. One of those examples for me recently has been “online church” which, let’s face it, probably NONE of us would have chosen as the ideal choice for our congregation—on screens. Over live-streaming. In Zoom calls. On Google Hangouts or Facebook Messenger or even the world’s most ancient iPod audio file. BUT…. His WORD has never been made LESS because of these constraints.

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MissionsAriel Rainey2 Timothy 2:9, God's Word, Confined, revival, online church
My Shameful Secret
My Shameful Secret

Well, that title is total clickbait, but seriously, I’m about to admit something that few people know about me. But I take comfort in the fact that I’m not alone in this habit, and I believe that saying it out loud (of sorts) will help cure me…

My name is Ariel, and I’m a HOARDER.

Whew, it feels better to get it out in the open, and maybe I can even begin to get past it. But then again, maybe not.

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MissionsAriel Raineyhoarder, proverbs
Benefits of Quarancrap💩
Benefits of Quarancrap💩

I have these two peace lilies I bought three years ago. I bought them on the same day so I call them “brothers” and the one brother has always been more robust. He grows thicker and taller than his “little brother.” But I was so happy to notice that the little guy has a flower blooming! I love seeing this quarangrowth! And this morning I thought of how God must feel seeing His children blooming and developing right now. Because our current circumstances might be total 💩 but that’s how *fertilizer* works! May it produce some deep spiritual growth in me—things that need to change and grow and blossom, for His glory!

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MissionsAriel Raineyquarantine, lockdown, madrid, II Corinthians 4, fertilizer, plants, peace lilies, quarancrap
Ordering bread in Spanish
Ordering bread in Spanish

You know one of the best things about living in Europe? The FOOD!

You know one of the best things about living in Europe? The FOOD! Here I am living in a country where there is a bakery on every corner, and I’m sure half my friends are jealous of the fresh breads and pastries available here every single day.

When I lived in France, I learned the value of fresh bread. But fast forward to me moving to Spain, and I didn’t know the words in Spanish to order what I really wanted. And thus… my #spanishfail moment in the bakery!

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MissionsAriel Raineybread, bakery, Spain, bread of life, John 6, gazpacho, european food
What We Call "Wasted"
What We Call "Wasted"

Over the last few days of this Semana Santa (Holy Week), I’ve been reading and reflecting on Jesus’ final week before the cross. And I found myself thinking about when Jesus was anointed with burial oils in Bethany. In almost every version of that story, the disciples considered the woman’s actions a WASTE. We’re so quick to call “waste” what God is *still redeeming.*  For example, the Bible is very clear about redeeming TIME. I mean, most of us would refer to the past month as wasted time. We’ve been in our homes under quarantine.  How is that not a waste? Think about the silent Saturday between the Friday cross and the Sunday resurrection. Was it wasted time? Or did it have a redemptive purpose? Could God have a plan to redeem these weeks of lockdown? This global pandemic?

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MissionsAriel RaineyCoronavirus, lockdown, quarantine, semana santa, waste, redemption, anointed
Day 25 - My Quarantine isn't YOUR Quarantine
Day 25 - My Quarantine isn't YOUR Quarantine

Teddy Roosevelt is credited with this famous quote, ”Comparison is the thief of joy.” Never has it been more obvious than in my current circumstances because MY quarantine isn’t YOUR quarantine. I could sit around focusing on so many comparisons, but every one of them would steal another little piece of my joy. Another slice of my contentment. Another bite of my peace.

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MissionsAriel Raineyquarantine, Coronavirus, lockdown, comparison, Roosevelt, joy
Day 22
Day 22

Day 22. You’ve probably read a few things about how introverts and extroverts are handling this quarantine. Maybe you’ve even seen some funny videos about your Enneagram type in quarantine. But today I want to talk about a different personality type: the TYPE A people. Because yes, I’m a type A person. I like to feel as though I’ve accomplished several specific, concrete tasks each day, and I really love crossing them off a list. But how can a type A person, who loves to live by a planner, organize days in quarantine where nothing is happening and anything might occur unexpectedly? If you’re like me (or you live with someone who is), here’s what helps!

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MissionsAriel Raineylockdown, quarantine, Coronavirus, survival, Type A, Bullet journal, bujo, grace
Day 17
Day 17

We are not in easy days here in Madrid. Even while I was recording this video, I got the message that a good friend and coworker went to be with Jesus. But I have faith and hope in God as my ROCK, and that’s the foundation I’m standing on right now. Thank you for your prayers for me and my ministry here.

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MissionsAriel RaineyCoronavirus, quarantine, lockdown
Day 13/Psalm 13
Day 13/Psalm 13

Here we are on DAY THIRTEEN of the Madrid lockdown for the Coronavirus. We’ve almost made it through the initial two weeks that they declared for the “State of Alarm” in Spain. But of course, yesterday they announced that Parliament had officially approved the lockdown for TWO MORE WEEKS. I mean, about 90% of this quarantine so far has been fine: my roommate and I, in our yoga pants, having a grand ol’ time while we clean the house, do work via Zoom meetings,  and stay active and engaged with everyone via the internet.  

But the other 10% of the time….well…the other 10% of the time is being grouchy.  It’s lying in bed in the morning, knowing today stretches out ahead of me full of hours to fill with the same things I did yesterday.  It’s hiding my tears of frustration or despair,  because they don’t help, and I’m ashamed of my own weakness.

But David gives us the secret in Psalm 13. In only six verses, he goes from “How long, O Lord?” to “He has been good to me.”

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MissionsAriel Raineypsalm 13, Coronavirus, lockdown, quarantine, emotions
Immeasurable
Immeasurable

Over the last few days, as the Coronavirus explodes here in Madrid, I have seen countless graphics and statistical models of viruses and rates of contagion.  I’ve seen predictions with and without “social distancing.” I’ve seen “projected rates” of exponential proportions, and well… basically, it’s all over my head.  I feel even more overwhelmed when I read news reports that use words like “immeasurable” and “incalculable.” I mean...who doesn’t feel a little scared with the figures being thrown at us daily?

But as monumental as all these numbers are, from every source possible, you know what is even greater?

The promises of God. The power of God. The grace of God. Words like “immeasurable” and “incalculable” are in the Bible, too. But they’re not used to scare us into hiding, clutching our toilet paper and Lysol wipes.

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MissionsAriel RaineyCoronavirus, Madrid, Covid-19, epidemic, pandemic
He Restores my Soul
He Restores my Soul

Psalm 23 is one of the best loved passages of the entire Bible. I’ve been reading through a study in the past few days, and there is SO MUCH richness to this psalm.  But today what struck me most was these four words: He restores my soul. HE restores my soul--not a long, hot bubble bath, not a beach vacation, not a few days off, not  “self-care” or any other pop-psychology solution. Don’t get me wrong--those things aren’t bad, and God can use those things to help you rest, but only the Shepherd can restore your soul.

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Missions, Health JourneyAriel RaineyPsalm 23, restoration, rest, exhaustion, self-care