Please be in prayer for some dear friends of ours who have suffered a terrible loss.  One of the elders at our church in Virginia Beach, Frank Scurti, passed away this past Wednesday due to complications related to his treatment for cancer.  Although we knew he was sick and there were risks to his treatment, it was a somewhat quick and unexpected outcome.  He left his wife, Debbie, and his children, Nick and Grace, behind, as well as many loving friends and family members.  We remember him as a tender-hearted, kind and thoughtful man with a great sense of humor.

Even though our hearts are hurting for our friends, we're so thankful for Frank's faithful service to Christ and the knowledge that our reunion with him in heaven will be sweet.  As I was playing a song from church on the piano this afternoon, I read the words to one of the verses and imagined Frank saying them as he is standing before Jesus Christ right now:

Behold Him there, the Risen Lamb,

My perfect, spotless Righteousness,

The great unchangeable I AM,

The King of glory and of grace!

One with Himself I cannot die,

My soul is purchased by His blood!

My life is hid with Christ on high,

With Christ my Savior and my God.

A show of support for Frank from friends at church