Happy New Year

Just wanted to extend my best to everyone this New Year 2009. I have been getting revelation on the fact that God is for me and not against me, and His greatest desire is to see His children succeed. After all, that is what any good father would want for his children. So I encourage all that would read this, to begin to focus on the Good things that God has in store for you this 2009. I heard a great man once say that "you become what you focus on" I am determined to focus my thoughts and efforts this year on the promises of God for my life. Because, the promises of God are yes and amen. May your new year be blessed with happiness, grace, and peace.

Jake

Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours

Christmas, one of my favorite times of the year. The lights, the sounds, the colors, sitting around a fireplace on a cold winters night (Really cold in Memphis). It seems however, that to many of us Christmas takes on a whole new meaning in times like these. It gets our focus off of ourselves and causes us to be greatful and thankful for the little things in life. Like a roof over our head, food on the table, being able to pay the mortgage on time. In good times these things are often taken for granted, but I am determined that this year I am going to turn my attention on the things that really matter. My relationship with Christ, my marraige, and my children. When I think about Christmas I cannot help but think about John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life. The word that stands out to me most in that very familiar passage is the word Gave. I think that this describes one of the most essential attributes of God that most of all He is a giver, even to the point that He would give His precious Son for a people (us) who were undeserving of the gift. With that said I want to challenge you this Christmas to focus not so much on getting, but on giving to those a little less fortunate than you, or maybe just lend a hand to someone who can use some help. May you and yours be richly blessed this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas,

The Claunch's