He Knew

He knew and He did it anyway.......

In reading John 15 & 16 this morning, I was struck by the fact that Jesus knew what was to come and He did it anyway.  I wasn't just drawn to what we typically discuss this Holy Week--that Jesus knew The Cross awaited Him and yet He went to Jerusalem anyway.  As significant and impressive as that is for our benefit, I was drawn to a thought that I admittedly overlook.

Not only did Jesus know what awaited Him but He knew what awaited His disciples and eventually, us.  Yet, He called His disciples and He calls us to follow His path.

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. (John 14:18)

....If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also...... (John 14:20)

Jesus knew the persecution that He faced.  He faced it anyway.  For our salvation.

He also knew the persecution that the disciples would face.  He knew it when He called them to follow Him 3 years earlier.  He knew the persecution that countless Christians across the centuries would face because of following Him.

Yet He still calls.

Why?

How many of us in the face of danger would invite others to follow us?  If we are brave enough to face it, we are quick to tell others to remain behind.  Why subject them to the same risks? Protect them.  Keep them far removed from the threat.

Yet, that is not what Jesus does.

Why?

The answers are in the context of the surrounding verses.

• Jesus had just spoke eloquently about remaining attached to the vine. Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John 15:4)  First, its about the Kingdom work.  There are more souls to be saved.  And we need to be attached to Him in order to do it.  No fruit will come of it if we are detached from Him.
• Second, its about the worth of God's love.  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love. (John 15:9).  The eternal love we experience in our relationship with God The Father, Son and Holy Spirit is worth whatever trials and tribulations we may face in this world.
• Third, we are not facing it alone.  But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)  He goes on to speak of what The Holy Spirit will do. Jesus knew we would not be alone in this world.

 Jesus knew what He was about to face and why He was facing it.  He also knew what He was asking of those who follow Him.

Yet He did it anyway.

Because He love us.

Happy Easter!

What was He thinking?!

Do you ever wonder why God does what He does?

That thought struck me yesterday as I was leading the discussion in our Meaning of Marriage Class based on the book by Timothy & Kathy Keller.

For several weeks, I have been leading us through a chapter by chapter discussion of the book.  I appreciate the high-view of marriage that the Kellers give and also, see our topic as a means to a deeper understanding of our relationship with God.  The discussions have been lively, funny and thought-provoking.

Yesterday's focus was on Chapter 4- The Mission of Marriage.  To give you background, the takeaways leading up to this discussion are:

• Marriage is a living illustration of Jesus Christ's relationship with The Church. (Chapter 1;The Secret of Marriage)
• The power for marriage is in the work of The Holy Spirit in our lives. (Chapter 2: The Power for Marriage)
• The essence of marriage is that it's a covenant, commitment and promise of future love. (Chapter 3, The Essence of Marriage)

As we moved through the discussion of qualities we looked for in choosing our spouse and the idea of your spouse as your best friend, we settled into a discussion of this chapter's takeaway.  What is the primary goal of Christian marriage?

Tim Keller's response: It is for helping each other to become our future glory-selves, the new creations that God will eventually make us.  (p.120)

God gave us marriage to transform us into the image of God that brings glory to Him.

Let me adjust that thought a little.  Initially, the first marriage (Adam and Eve), one could argue, was more about preserving the image of God rather than being transformed into the glorious image of God. Adam and Eve quickly failed at this. When Sin brought its destruction, God preserved marriage as a means to grow His holiness within us.  So the overarching purpose for each spouse is to spur the other on in pursuit of God.  This is best done in the context of a romantic friendship wrapped in the love of God.

But, here is what struck me in the midst of this teaching:

God has entrusted something very valuable (marriage) to us even though we are not capable to provide full care and protection to it. Put aside what society has done with marriage through the years (we've been defining it on our terms throughout history). As Christ-followers, we have been given the keys to a relationship that is to be a living illustration of Jesus' relationship with The Church.  That's a huge responsibility!  In the best of marriages, we fall short of that standard. Yet, He has handed it over to us, He blesses us richly through the relationship and He uses the experience to transform us and others into His image!

Its when we hand it back to Him (the power of marriage) that the essence of marriage (present and future love) is experienced in a way that transforms the marriage and us from one degree of glory to another! (2 Corinthians 3:18)

That's a living illustration of God's grace.....to give us something valuable to Him with His power and wisdom attached that we might experience in our human relationship what He is pouring out upon our soul for eternity!!

Happy Easter!

Haiti Adoption

Dear Family and Friends,

Many of you have already heard the news:

the Van Nests are adopting a young girl from Haiti!!

To make this happen we need your help.  But, first the back-story:

Russ and Sam were part of a Mission Team that recently traveled to Haiti.  While there, they worked with Real Love Ministries International in the village of Minoterie.  RLMI operates an orphanage, a medical clinic and partners with a local church and school.  The team was involved in several projects throughout the week: pouring concrete floors for the new orphanage, children's ministry, mobile medical clinics, pastor/church leader training, crusade services, prayer walks, sports outreach and ministry to prostitutes.  It was a very eventful and successful week. 

Even though it was just Russ and Sam going, the mission trip was an exciting opportunity for our whole family as it continued our love and passion for Haiti and her people.  This love began in the early 1990s, when we sponsored a child from Haiti, Arsene Charles, through Compassion International.  Arsene is now 35, and lives outside of New York City and is happily married.  He has visited us on several occasions and connects with us regularly.  For a long time, it has been our desire to make a mission trip to Haiti.  This was the first of many trips for our family to bring the hope and love of Jesus Christ to the Haitian people.

Prior to this trip, the discussion of adoption became frequent.  This topic has come up before but, as parents, we always said no for all the practical reasons.  However, this time the Holy Spirit was starting to lay a burden on our hearts to respond differently.  Russ and Sam left for Haiti with intent to serve but also, to confirm the Lord's leading to adopt.  We believe this confirmation was made in several ways over the course of the week in Haiti.  With much excitement upon their return, we set out on our adoption journey.

It is our desire to adopt a young girl from RLMI's orphanage.  We are very clear that we are not a family seeking to adopt but one who has been called to adopt this young girl that the Lord will lead us to.  We want to provide her with a loving family and to lead her to the even greater love of God!  It is our hope that she will become a blessing to her native country and people.  We believe God is calling us to continue to serve Haiti through RLMI (in fact, Russ is considering an offer to join their Board of Directors) to help many children and families.  However, we believe we are called to love this little girl in a very different way by making a place for her in our family.  We are very excited about that!!

But, we cannot do this alone!  We need your prayer, your encouragement, and your financial support. 

Since we were never planning to adopt, we have not saved or planned for such.  However, we are moving forward by trusting for the Lord's provisions in all matters related to this adoption.  We have already selected a Home Study Agency (Families United Network) and will soon select a placement agency.  It has been a rollercoaster just to get to this point in the first 1.5 months of our journey.  Adoptions are just that way especially, international ones.

Please prayerfully consider helping us raise the funds we need.  Right now, our estimate is $20-$30,000 to complete this adoption.  A lot will depend on our choice of agency and some costs are variable.  We need approximately $10,000 by the end of spring/early summer to get our dossier filed in Haiti which is the first critical step.  This will include the Home Study fee, agency fees, government and filing fees, etc.

Here is how you can consider helping us financially:

Contributions of any amount can be made on our behalf by:

Sending Checks Payable to: Little Beaver Foundation (2091) with Van Nest Adoption in the memo line and mail to:

Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern OH
7 West State Street, Suite 301
Sharon, PA 16146

These contributions are tax-deductible and you will receive a receipt. There is no processing fee.

You can give in large amounts or make smaller contributions over an extended period of time. While we pray things go quickly, this adoption process can take 18-24 months.


Another option is to contribute through our GoFundMe page: http://www.gofundme.com/5NtheNest

Note: This option will deduct a processing fee from your donation. We are providing this option for easier donating and sharing of our cause. Please share this link with others in your social media networks.

 Also:

• Sam and Grace are participating by selling Jameson's Candy Chocolate Bars (plain, almond, peanut butter and crispy) for $1.25 each.
•  Maybe you would like to help organize a fundraiser on our behalf (pancake breakfast, yard sale, home party, etc.).  Please contact us with your ideas and interest.
• Another option would be to contact your church or other organizations you participate in to request they participate financially.  Contributions can be sent the same as above.
•  Do you have an idea we haven't thought of? (Note: we will be pursing grants through various adoption foundations.)

We are unashamedly asking you to join in this journey.  We believe as God has called us, He is calling others close to us and those who are strangers to be a part of this journey as well.  Once again, it is our hope to give this young girl a bright future; to lift her out of poverty, to give her a lifetime loving family she can call her own, and to give her the opportunity to realize God's plan in her life.  Sadly, many young girls in the village turn to prostitution as their means of support for themselves and others.  We want to take away that option for her and give her a bright future that will ultimately benefit her native Haiti.

We believe that God is writing a great story for us and an even greater one for her!

Please become a part of the story!

Russ, Lori, Sam and Grace

Connect with us in our Facebook Adoption Group:  5 In The (van) Nest

https://www.facebook.com/groups/551532421650497/