Are We Eager?

I have been doing a study on some of the basic Christian beliefs from various scriptures throughout the Bible. My passage recently, has dealt with Hope for the Future. In the third chapter of Peter’s second epistle, we see a discussion on the return of the Lord. After speaking of God’s return and the destruction of that which is fallen and sinful, these words are written, “…it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God…” After reading this phrase, I spent some time thinking about two important questions…

Do I live in such a way that we expect to see our Savior soon?

Do I live with an eager expectation?

And you know, I can not say that I can answer either question with the answer, all the time. I, at times, live a life, in my conduct, which I would be happy to be seen on the day of the Lord’s return. Some days, I live with eagerness and at time want His return now. But, I can truly say that life and parenting and work/ministry can get in the way of my concentration on my conduct and earnest desire.

I pray that you I and will take time each day to ask ourselves these questions and to pray that our we have godly and anticipatory hearts.

With Heavy Hearts...

It is with a heavy heart I write this morning. Our dear friend and IMB Missionary colleague, Elaine Lambach, a missionary serving here in Belém, Brazil, died Monday evening, July 14^th after a brief illness. Elaine and her husband Paul have been our mentors since Tara and I arrived in Brazil. Recently, Elaine became sick and went to the doctor. She was diagnosed, I believe, with pneumonia (or at least symptoms like this illness), she was treated and went home. She return with breathing trouble very early on Monday morning and was hospitalized. She was diagnosed with septic shock, a massive bacterial infection, placed in ICU and we were hoping all would be well. We soon found out that her kidneys had shut down. Later that evening, we were told things were much worse than we thought and she was not expected to live through the night. One by one, her organs were failing. Last night, just after 11:00pm Elaine Lambach passed away. Services here in Brazil will be held today and arrangements are being made to take Elaine home to Knoxville for burial.

Please be in prayer for her husband, Paul, as he deals will all the emotion and the many details this all involves and sudden loss of his wife. Please pray for each of their 5 children – sons Joseph (serving in the military), Jonathan (at Union University in TN), David, (who graduated from high school this year), and two young daughters, Rachel (age 12) and Hannah (age 9). Pray for God’s peace and grace to permeate the lives of this family during this difficult and unexpected time. Also, please continue to pray for her extended family in the states, her mission family here in Brazil, and her dear friends.