God called Lois\’ mom home to heaven this past month. It\’s true that we can only imagine what glories she is experiencing, but we smile as we know she is healed of her dementia and hearing loss, and she recognizes and knows Jesus and her husband of 68 years, and hears them as they walk and talk with her. \”Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.\” (Psalm. 116:15)

As we read the ‘Christmas Story’ in the gospel of Matthew, (the historical account of the birth of Christ), we often overlook the first few verses full of genealogy. In them, God is saying, “I want you to know who this baby is.” As prophecy foretold, the Messiah would have to be from the lineage of Abraham and also a descendant of King David.

As I speak in churches, schools, and camps, I talk about the Grand Canyon when discussing the age of the earth. I recently had the opportunity to view that huge hole in the ground from the top and bottom while on a 4-day canyon tour event with Reasons for Hope. If you think it is awe-inspiring from the top, it is even more so from down there inside the canyon…an experience I’ll never forget!