girl relentless for God

Faith Perfected

2012-02-27T22:00:00.001-08:00

I find that I have recently been pressured on all sides. Situations seeming dim and spiritual attacks intensifying, siding with my personal exhaustion equals a time to anchor. A time to reexamine my faith and the level there of.

There is a faith that believes where there is no evidence or any reason. It is a faith that makes no sense to the world, and yet the world seems fascinated by it. This type of faith throws itself full force ahead at what is unseen, but what it promised.

The promises are given to increase our faith in The One we are believing and putting our trust, not necessarily so we could witness the fulfillment of the promise, just like so many of historical people of God.

All the dreams, visions and things I am asking God for is nothing I can accomplish. My requests are impossible in my striving, impossible in my efforts. And God wouldn't have it any other way.

Within my petitions, God asked me a very important question-

“Who is going to get the glory?”

This question teaches me that if I was able to bring answers to my own prayers, then God would not be glorifed. So being in tremendous trials where we have no answers, little direction and feelings of helplessness- those trials are ones that God delights in so our faith in Him will be perfected and He will receive the full credit of glory in which He deserves.

Asking The Hard Questions

2012-01-15T16:14:00.000-08:00

Do we want to ask the hard questions of what is really right and what truly is just? Most of us would be willing to review facts, collect information, attaching a couple bible verses. But are we eager to dig deep to a place that dared our mentality? A mentality that has been formed by our culture, experiences and personal perspective that many times is the only "correct" way to think or be. Can we remove ourselves from a way of thinking to a place in which our very well formed and rehearsed opinions are challenged? It is a place where we suffer through being uncomfortable and we are forced to bend and change.

Well, I am uncomfortable, bent and changing.

CONSIDERING VALUE

Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46 referred to those hungry, thirsty, unclothed, sick, inprisoned or strangers, as "the least of these." He stated that what we do (or fail to do) for them we actually do to Jesus himself. Go a step further, remembering that children are already the smallest and weakest of society.  A Child At Risk, in the same condition as "the least of these,"  surely makes them the most vulnerable. I pondered how we spend our time and resources when I learned of a church using only 15% of the budget for children's ministries, yet 60-80% of Christian conversations are streaming from children. So, is this right?  Consider that Jesus was maybe referring to the children in this passage.  If so, are we seeing them as they are Jesus?  And among our good efforts, programs and budgets, are children our highest priority, valuing them as God values them?

The question posed this week that struck me deeply was-

"Is it possible that Satan understands the value of a child more than the people of God?" (Selah)

The church is charged by God with the responsibility to care and protect children who are the greatest targets for spiritual attacks because they have not yet learned how to defend themselves. Yet there are 2.2 billion children in the world, but 1 of 2 live in poverty. That is half of the world's children. 30,000 of the world’s children die each year from preventable disease. That is 1 in 3. And Every minute a child is sold into sex trafficking.   So who does Satan want to destroy? In matters of abortion, who does Satan not want to be born? Just possibly one who was intended to be used greatly by God.

The way we value life itself is much less to how God does. Even in cases where there are multiple children born within a poverty stricken family. On many occasions I have heard the opinion that "those people" should stop having children they "can't afford." Yet, God says that He will increase the families of the poor and make them like a flock (Psalm 107: 41 NIV).  God does this because He values life on a much higher level in circumstances where some concluded life should not be.

We must consider value on God's scale, which cannot be outweighed. We must wrestle through being uncomfortable and have our mentalities and opinions bent and changed. We must be one that puts the highest priority on the "least of these."

Suggested further reading "Too Small Too Ignore," by Wess Stafford

This blog was written as my weekly conclusion for my "Children At Risk" school, week 1, taught by Janna Moats. The topic was "Why we are here?"

Pink

2011-11-28T21:40:00.000-08:00

We watched from across the street. Two little girls in pink shirts. Probably ages 6 and 8. They have been instructed as the men pass by, and only the men, to beg for a couple dollars. The bills are put in their pure hands quickly. Some bills given out of pity, mercy, compassion or simply for the giver to be proud. But one approached the girls who must have promised bigger bills in exchange for something that couldn’t be done on the street.

We followed closely behind in prayer, curiosity and righteous anger of what we did not want to believe was in front of us. Did he ask the girls what they could do to earn the dollars they were pleading for? Or did the innocent quote a taught speech on how he could spend his money?

He conveniently stopped to exchange dollars with a cashier…the exchange for sin. The exchange to violate. The exchange to wound another. To cut the soul of a child…Two of them. And even in this I see that the man’s soul is already bleeding that he would step foot in this direction. They are all bleeding.

Within minutes their pink shirts vanished up a street where there are plenty of rooms to rent in places where thousands have cried from torment. They cry in desperation. They cry in helplessness. To be rescued. They all cry.

Jesus bled for the sins of the world. He was the exchange. He is the Savior who cried.

I approach the throne of grace and tonight my tears are my prayers for the two little girls in pink shirts.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

The Call. The Move. The God.

2011-09-05T13:19:00.000-07:00

The moment has come to leap in faith and jump for joy! In my recent mission trip to Mexico, I was given the opportunity to join Youth With a Mission as a full time missionary for the next 2 years. My mission will begin in September 2011. It will consist of children and music ministry, evangelism, prayer and showing love to the people in the red-light district of Tijuana, called Zona Norte (North Zone.) I also will be going through extensive training and studies on global justice issues including the Justice of God, Human Trafficking, and Children at Risk. I feel that this will be a deep season to mature in ministry and to experience God in the most profound way, by exploring His heart for the oppressed and for the world.

Youth With a Mission, founded in 1960 has become the world's largest missions organization. It is an immense honor to be joining YWAM and with the unlimited opportunities globally, I am thrilled to see the wealth of what God has for me!

Being a missionary, you are a volunteer to the work of God and completely depend on contributions. I am humbly asking you, as I go, to send me and consider supporting me monthly. One time donations of any amount are also welcome. Please join me in this journey by committed prayer and investing in this work to bring justice to the suffering. Thank you for your consideration and belief in me.

Some of you have asked-

"What is it like serving with YWAM and living in Mexico?"

Well, If you could envision a small campus filled with missionaries from all over the globe, living in a tight family community, united for the gospel...that is YWAM. As a YWAM family you almost always are in a group setting. On work days, you have individual schedule that would include your personal ministry time along with campus ministry including prayer, worship and practical responsibilities.

The surrounding area is beautiful! We are directly on the Baja coastline, the beach is in walking distance and it is quite "Americanized" with places like Wal-Mart and Starbucks. However, my favorite places are the quaint coffee shops, the fun street markets and tacos on every corner!

The journey of serving God and loving God is no doubt wonderful and a dream fulfilled.

My Prayer requests:

Strength and comfort in the midst of hardship, new level of wisdom and discernment, protection, financial support to increase and to be steady.

For financial support:

Checks will be processed thru and made out to " IFCA missions" on my behalf. (The International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies) Checks should be memoed for Relentless Pursuit.

Please send to IFCA missions, 1294 Rutledge, Transfer, PA. 16154

or donate on line at Relentless-pursuit.org (All monetary gifts are tax deductible)

Mailing address for correspondence:

YWAM San Diego/Baja, 100 W. 35th Suite C, National City, Ca. 91950

Attn: Jodie MacLean, Tijuana

I thank all of you who pray, support and encourage me. You are the army behind me!

Sent for love,

~girl relentless

Respond to the Cry

2011-07-25T03:30:00.000-07:00

The sound brought a river to my eyes, but they did not see it. I entered one room and within seconds I was the caretaker to 10 orphan babies. I was given their ceral, a spoon and fed them with a smile. As I used my right hand to feed one baby, my left hand was being chewed on by the other. I couldn't feed them fast enough...they were too hungry and they cried. Then my tears began...I was utterly broken.

The internal questions vocalized in a scream from a baby that can't form words ask, "Where is my mother? Where is my father? Does anyone hear me? Does anybody see me? Will anyone love me?"

To hold them is like holding an anchor with it's sinking weight. It is not the normal hug, squeeze or touch from a child. There is a desperatation pressing against you never wanting to let go. There is a starvation for security, for protection and for pure love.

Although the orphan is one that is striped of great loss, you must question and consider if they are actually now more in lack or more in abundance.

I have found many times pain, of and in itself, is not what happened to us as individuals, but what did not happen for us. It is the void from a need unfulfilled.

To the orphan and for the orphan, we must be Jesus, perfect love in action. We must be the bridge between their questions, their scars and the space in their tiny heart.

A person once stated after seeing this picture of me surrounded by these babies, "I don't know how you do it", refering to the heartache that is involved. My honest response was, "I don't know how I don't" or even how I wouldn't. Because in proper perspective, who is the one with the real heartache?

We must respond to the cry.

What Really Matters

2011-06-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

Relentless? I pondered introspectively, "Am I really relentless?" In other words, am I unstoppable?Uncompromising? (Yes, for the most part.) Undeviating? Unremitting?  (I am pretty sure, yeah.) Persistent? Steady? (I would also agree mostly.) And then I read one definition that altered the whole evaluation of self...

Sustained. No question. Sustained.

I would've always said God sustains me and would give full credit to Him for this. However, there has been a new realization that I am not "relentless" because God made me that way, nor because I am strong, talented or powerful. It is not even because I strive and make good efforts.  Only because I am sustained by Him and He is my reason alone for everything. He formed and created me and keeps me in existence, maintaining my body and soul. He makes available all necessities, nourishment and provision. He is my support, lifting me from below, that keeps me from sinking. He gives me strength to carry on. He affirms me in who I am through Him and encourages me to stand firm. I am sustained because of this lifeline, the only true source. It is this that makes me complete. And this truth I needed fresh revelation of.  Come to God as a little child, depending fully on His sustaining power.

It is easy as hours pass like minutes to get lost in living, planning and doing the work itself for God's kingdom.  When pressure is on every side, the storm is raging and you are overwhelmed, it is easy to surrender in battle and start relying on yourself. This week, my heart was realigned and centered on all that really matters. I became desperate again. Not desperate to see what miracles God could perform, what provision He could make in our messy, complicated lives, or even what angels He could send to aid me. I am desperate just for Him as a person.

There is one goal in life, to know Jesus. My prayer is that our journey with God is never to be focused on ourselves, our efforts, our deeds or our ministries above loving Him more. He is the one who sustains us and the universe in which we live.

sus·tain
1. To keep in existence; maintain.

2. To supply with necessities or nourishment; provide for.

3. To support from below; keep from falling or sinking; prop.

4. To support the spirits, vitality, or resolution of; encourage.

5. To bear up under; withstand:

6. To affirm the validity of:

7. To prove or corroborate; confirm.

8. To keep up

love,
~girl ~~relentless~~ sustained

P.S. Please take a moment to listen to the song below and center your heart on all that really matters.

Concern For Safety

2011-05-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

People ask me quite often these types of questions and make statements like the following:

"Aren't you afraid of working in 'dangerous' areas?"

My answer? No.

"Aren't you concerned that someone will kidnap a "white girl" like yourself on the streets of Mexico?"

My answer? No.

"I just don't know how you put yourself among these horrible things...I don't know how you do it!"

My response? I don't. It is God who is living through me.

Being a missionary you are a yielded vessel. A vessel placing your entire trust in God for every need you could possibly have. You trust in where God leads you and the events that occur.
It requires you to run to what you may fear with no option to run away, which in turn makes you fearless. Many times it feels as if your back is up against the wall and there is no way out unless God moves on your behalf, which means you see the "impossible" manifest. Then there are times things may appear to be dangerous. These are in fact my favorite moments.

Now, my attitude is not one that is foolish, naive or one to "conquer the world at all cost." I take many wise precautions. But it is in these moments that your greatest faith is exercised. A faith that must put confidence in God alone, not in self. A faith that must surrender, not hesitate. One that sincerely says like the psalmist, "But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands..." Psalm 31:14-15

I have been surrounded by sexual perpetrators, drug cartels, addicts who have little sanity and the uncertainty of foreign countries. I understand why most people would want to flee from surroundings like these , but I am called to them and I go with deep peace, not fear. I am called to confront evil. I cannot and will not look at the perversion and the lack of human value and shrink back. I know what is in my midst, but I also know that the biggest danger is not on these streets, but when you step out of God's will and out of His protection. That would be more dangerous than any worldly circumstance.

So am I concerned for my safety? Yes. But the truth is, we do not find our safety in a place of comfort. We find our safety in the will of God.

Therefore, being in his will, I am safe.

"For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." Psalm 27:5

love,

~girl relentless~

Our Faithfulness

2011-05-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

One who is faithful in very little, will also be faithful in very much... Luke 16:10a

I heard hail against my window that morning and seen the rain pouring down. My thought? No rain is going to stop "the relentless!" We were planned to hit the streets of Detroit and feed the homeless. So, I got my polka-dot umbrella and we piled up 130 sandwiches in large suitcases and set out on foot. Our group was focused to find those in need rain or no rain. As we walked the streets we did not find many people in their usual habitats, as they were taking cover from the downpour. Now, this could have been a discouragement, but I felt such joy. I seen it clear. It was not about the number of people and "big" ministry. There was a lesson in faithfulness. Our faithfulness. Would we still carry out the plan to find those hungry and neglected even though it was raining? Would we willing to become uncomfortable as we rolled old suitcases down the streets? Would we be faithful to commitment and word?

Yes, we will. And yes, we did. It is faithfulness that God will bless and through our faithfulness God will increase and raise up greatness. These humble beginnings only encourage me for what is to come!

The Detroit ministry is one that will take time to establish. I know that in the upcoming weeks we will only see growth. Growth in the amount of people we can help, our relationships with them and in our faith.

We will be ministering to the homeless, those afflicted by addictions, the mental challenged, the abused and neglected every Wednesday in the city of Detroit. We will be feeding them, praying with the people and also bringing a message of hope!

I'd like to thank those who have donated food to this week's ministry and those who have given monetarily. We are still needing weekly donations of food (bread, lunch meat, cheese, fruit cups, bottled water/juice, ) to make the lunches. Please consider donating food or becoming a financial partner with Relentless Pursuit. Your support enables us to continue this work. Please email us at jodiemacleanmin@aol.com to donate food or visit www.relentless-pursuit.org to make a contribution.

"Fulfilling the needs of the poor is so much more than "charity",

it is about doing and providing what is just."

-Jodie Mac Lean

Determined...DETROIT.

2011-04-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

As I have been making plans to leave in June, information has flooded me regarding Detroit and the areas surrounding. I learned that Michigan is ranked #13 in our country for Human Trafficking with Ohio, just a drive away, at #5. With this new knowledge I felt a shift in timing. Especially with all the prayer for Detroit in this season it is clear we are at a pivot of change. I feel a direct responsibility to my home state since so many are unaware that Human Trafficking is increasing. It is here. The new face of slavery is not a young girl from a foreign country, but in the faces of our children. I find we are not educated in how to recognize the signs of trafficking, a victim, a perpetrator or the general understanding of what Human Trafficking is. This is essential.

I have made the decision to stay in the USA until December to work as a missionary to the city of Detroit because of the need. I will be going to various churches and organizations to create awareness, educate and give a message of hope. I will be forming a team of people to work with victims, homeless, addicts and etc. This ministry to Detroit will be ongoing even when I am out of the country.

God also has opened a door for me to return to Mexico, where as most of you know, I left my heart. In January I will partner again with YWAM (Youth with a Mission) for extensive training and work to help those suffering under injustice and children who are at risk. Most of this work will take place in the Red-light district of Tijuana. My vision for this city is huge and it is a privilege that God trusts me with this mission.

I will keep you all informed as we journey together. Please consider partnering with me in this work of justice. We are raising funds to be able to go and reach those that are being afflicted.

God bless you all!

love,

girl relentless.

http://www.relentless-pursuit.org/

I found my life

2011-03-29T22:09:00.000-07:00

People choose.

I watched as the dearest things in my life seemed to scatter like broken glass.  A dream died. Everything was being shook as my heart broke and my life as I knew it, was no longer. But God is the giver of dreams. He is the author of hope, redemption and purpose. So, I gathered the broken glass, then I chose.

I made a decision that would cost me almost everything. I layed down my home, gave away my dog and my belongings, to live. Yes, to live! Jesus said in Matthew 10:39, "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." This truth, I now undoubtably know. I have found my life, because I surrendered it.  I lost almost all I loved, but gained my reason and my treasure.

Also I have gained a profound life lesson- that God's plans will never be determined by a choice of another. I may be shook with pain and shock and form many questions, but His plan for me will be fullfilled regardless of what the outside world chooses. My promise is found in Job 8:5-6,

But if you will look to God
   and plead with the Almighty,
if you are pure and upright,
   even now he will rouse himself on your behalf
   and restore you to your rightful place.

When I turned the corner...

2011-03-13T19:40:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we think we know exactly the direction God is taking us. We have the plan in place. And then he has us turn a corner…

We find ourselves standing in the dirt on an unfamiliar street. We find ourselves witnessing children being exploited for human trafficking. We find ourselves surrounded by the stench of unsanitary conditions and the odor of paint thinner being sniffed by addicts.

And we find our hearts shattered.

Then, we find that God has birthed within us a passion to understand more, reach more, do more, love more.

My calling was perfected and further defined by God when I turned that corner in the Red-light district in Tijuana, Mexico. At that turn, He gave me a greater revelation and a global perspective of the needs, injustices and afflictions that are a part of the daily lives of many people.

Relentless Pursuit is my answer to that calling and I am devoting myself to this mission on a full time basis. In January 2012, I will be partnering with YWAM (Youth with a Mission) for 9 months in Tijuana, Mexico working with children at risk (human trafficking, orphans, abused, neglected, etc). Upon my return, my work will continue both locally and in various parts of the world.

I am very excited to share this with you and would like to invite you to attend The Ministry Launch meeting on Friday, April 15^th, 7pm at Christ Community Church, 25410 Kelly Rd., Roseville, Mi. 48066, in the student center. During this meeting we will reveal the vision, plans and goals to reach those who are afflicted by injustice. (There will be music, a creative presentation and light refreshments will be served.)
　
For more information or to support this ministry please visit our web at
http://www.relentless-pursuit.org/

I hope to see you at the Ministry Launch meeting!

~girl relentless~