Baby Tucker - BORN -

Abby & Bart Tucker had their baby girl last night at East Ridge Hospital.
She was 10lbs and 10oz 20 1/2 long - Her name is Lana Kathryn Tucker - Both mom and baby are great..
AND she has a head full of red hair!
Can't wait to grab a picture and post it for you all.
Diana

Baby Spann

Introducing... Henry Richard Spann - Born 5/22/09 - 7:45 - 8lbs. 1 oz - 20 in.

Ministry to the Myhans Day

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY

WHEN: Saturday, May 16 from 9:00 a.m til ???
WHERE: Home of Herb & Pat Myhan
1002 Elaine Trail (off Gunbarrel Rd)
WHAT: Yard work, house cleaning, food donations

We will have maps available Sunday. Here are some specific needs:
Bush trimming equipment
Lawn mower (they have one but it is a huge yard so if we had two it would be helpful)
Cleaning supplies

We also thought it would be nice to be able to take them some food - casseroles, bread, etc. If anyone feels so led in that direction that would be great.

Diana Simpson has generously offered to provide child care at her house for those who may need it. Please let her know ASAP if you do.

We hope this will be the first of many other hands-on ministry opportunities for our class. This Sunday, we will try to get a head count of who is planning to participate.

Any questions, call Chris (463-2380) or Becky (463-2381).

The Simpson Housewarming Party - (Co-ed) Pampered Chef Party

Todd and I want to invite you  all to come to a small housewarming party. We are still living out of boxes for the most part... but we want our house to be open to you all - anytime!!
Emily Martin will be cooking with the girls upstairs and showing us the latest pampered chef toys while Todd will be entertaining the guys downstairs :) Rsvp to:   dianasimpsonphotography@comcast.net
Kids are welcome!

Theology it is Practical: Or Bring Your Brain with Ya
Today in Sunday School I mentioned how important theology was to the Christian's everyday life. Indeed theology is of foundational importance when it comes to practically living out your Christian faith in everyday life. I thought to help us chew on this a bit I would toss out a point of reflection on theology and its practical nature.
Defining theology correctly makes all the difference in the world. Oh the substance is in the definition of things. Now if we defined theology as the "rigorous study of retaining banal details of divine adages" then we have already lost the battle. However, if we define theology rightly then we can some to see the absolute practical value of theology for everyday life. I would offer us three simple definitions of theology to help us see the usefulness of this glorious discipline of the Christian life.
First, at its most basic meaning the word theology means a study of God. How can studying God be unpractical? Well it can’t!! Think about it...the maker of all things is the very one who can help us with everything that we face.
Second, "The living God has made Himself known." (From my new giddy inspiring Systematic Theology book by Douglas Kelly) God has revealed Himself to us. What wisdom we have been given, what truth, what practicality. If God has made himself known to you then you have the wisdom of the Holy One who knows all situations and what is best in all of those situations. Thus, the more we study theology the more we know God Himself. The more we know God Himself the more we know how we ought to deal with anything that comes our way. Now that is practical!
Third, the word theology comes from two greek words "theos" meaning God and "logos" meaning word or meaning. In the anciet greek the word logos can also have the meaning of expressing praise. Thus, we can define theology as praising God. As we study God who has made Himself know we are going to be amazed at who he is and this will lead us praise him. Actually this will lead us to praise him more and more which will make our daily lives a life of praise. When we can live a life of daily praise this will transform how we approach everything and will transform the world around us as well. This is the type of practical real life stuff we need to see happening in our lives as well as those around us.
Now I hope by taking these three definitions of theology and chewing on them even more you will begin to see the absolute value, indeed the absolute necessity, of theology in your life. It is time for we Christians to once again take up theology as a basic staple of the Christian diet.
Look up, think deep!!
Chris

I am excited to be your new Sunday school teacher! I love studying and teaching God’s Word. I look forward to getting to know each of you as we study together. Since many of us don’t really know each other very well, I thought some information about my family might be helpful.

Becky & I both grew up in this area and were married in May, 1988 at Oakwood Baptist Church. Soon after, we spent 2 months in Romania on a mission trip before packing up and heading to Orlando, FL where I attended Reformed Theological Seminary. I graduated with an MDiv degree in May, 1993. During this time, I served as youth pastor at a small rural Baptist church and, upon graduating, was ordained into the ministry.

Following seminary, we came back to Chattanooga and planted Providence Baptist Church where I pastored for eight years. From there, we spent five years in Mesa, AZ where I was headmaster of a classical Christian school, then a year in Myrtle Beach, SC where I pastored a fledgling church plant.

After nine years of waiting, God surprised us with three beautiful girls within three years’ time! Anna is now 12, Katie 11, and Hope 9 ½. Our middle daughter is adopted. We love to share the story of how God grew our family with anyone who will listen!

In the summer of ’07, God brought us back home to the Chattanooga area. My heart’s desire is to be back in the pulpit at some point, but until then I am enjoying whatever opportunities to teach and preach that I am afforded. I am the Associate General Manager at Books-A-Million in Hixson and Becky is teaching music at Berean Academy, also in Hixson. We are also ministering to Becky’s parents, Herb & Pat Myhan (who are members of Concord) as her dad continues to decline with Alzheimer’s.

We are thankful to have been able to purchase a house in Ringgold last summer, and we look forward to having you all in our home for some fellowships in the future.

I ask you to pray for me as I endeavor to teach God’s Word to you each week and please know that I am always open to hear any questions or concerns you may have.