Redemption in Christ entails the transformation of human desires so that God’s people love what God loves and desire what he desires. Ironically, while some couples desire the blessing of children, infertility and pregnancy loss are reminders to us that we are, with the entire cosmos, “groaning together in the pains of childbirth” as we wait eagerly for “the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:20-23).

This Sunday will be our second in a series by the title, “Timely Topics for Young Families.” This week we address the topic of infertility and pregnancy loss. Our guest will be Dr. Bill Cutrer. Dr. Cutrer attends Highview Baptist Church with his family and is a professor at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In preparation for this Sunday’s visit, Dr. Cutrer sends his greetings,

Greetings in the name of our Lord,
I’m honored to be invited to speak to you on the topics of infertility and pregnancy loss this Sunday. These problems are sadly very common, with many couples facing these tragedies as the first major crisis as husband and wife. We’ll consider the definitions, diagnosis, and treatment options available to couples in the midst of this pain; hopefully encouraging them and equipping you to minister God’s grace to the hurting families. Men and women process this pain so differently, that marriages suffer deeply, and the Christian community can genuinely make a huge impact for good. Come with questions, be comfortable with some difference of perspective, and let’s honor the Lord together.

In His Grace, Dr. Bill Cutrer

Dr. Cutrer comes to us an an expert in this area both as a medical doctor and as a Christian theologian and counselor. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Dr. Cutrer’s background and ministry, the the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary website provides a helpful overview,

Dr. Cutrer is a the first medical doctor to join the faculty at Southern. After a successful medical career as an obstetrician, he served as senior pastor of Wildwood Baptist Church in Texas and as director of the Christian Medical/Dental Society in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He has been a guest lecturer at numerous colleges, churches and institutions. In addition, he has had conferences on various topics, including Medical Marriage Seminars, Ethics in Medicine and Wellness Lifestyle. Dr. Cutrer has been the author or co-author of several publications, such as When Empty Arms Become a Heavy Burden: Encouragement for Couples Suffering from Infertility, and has had extensive missionary experience in a variety of countries.

Tragically, the curse of sin entails “pain in child bearing” and, for some, the struggle or inability to conceive new life at all. May the struggle of some to be “fruitful and multiply” rebound to God’s glory in a greater manifestation of “the fruit of righteousness that comes trough Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:9-11). There is glory on the other side of every cross.

Looking forward, with you, to Dr. Cutrer’s visit,

Trent

About once year we will take a brief pause from the exposition of Scripture to apply the scriptures in a focused way to a few specific topics of timely importance.

From October 21 to November 18, we have much to look forward to. During these five weeks, we will give our attention to five timely topics for young couples.

October 21 - Your Family and Missions:
Nurturing a Family of Goers and Senders.

This Sunday, the Ostranders will lead our class in embracing a vision for mission minded families. In addition, Eric and Amy will lead us in learning about and praying for the Swensons, a missionary family to China who lived in Louisville and attended our class a few years back.

October 28 - Your Family and Infertility:
Understanding Infertility and Reproductive Options.

Guest speaker, Dr. Cutrer will lead us in considering the reality of infertility and the reproductive options available to infertile couples. This will be a help to those who are currently or will struggle with infertility. In addition, this will equip each of us to comfort and counsel those who struggle to enjoy the blessing of a full quiver.

November 4 - Your Family and Educational Choices:
Discerning the best fit for your family.

Dr. Wellum will lead our class in thinking carefully and Christianly about the schooling options available to parents for their children’s education. Dr. Wellum will outline the various options with their strengths and their dangers in an effort to help each of us better understand the direction that is best for our specific family and our specific situation.

November 11 - Your Family and Finances:
How to Make the Most of your Money.

Eric Ostrander will lead us in understanding how we can best glorify Christ in the wise saving, spending and investing our money.

November 18 - Topic TBA.

Barbeque, Bocce (pronounced: “botch-ee”) Ball, Babies, and
Boywastheweathernice! (Something else had to start with “B”…) You
could find all of these - and more! - at our Class-wide lunch this
past Sunday.

Outside it was balmy and breezy, with blue skies (yes, more “b”s),
probably in the mid-70s, and we couldn’t have asked for better
weather! Thanks to Rebecca Mathis for pulling it all together! Lunch
was great, and we topped it off with a fun game of Bocce Ball, a game
originating all the way from Italy, introduced to us by Ryan Bishop.
Everyone wanted to play, so it was a good thing the Rues had an extra
set of bocce balls in the trunk of their car!

Enjoy the pictures. Most of them are courtesy of Jenay Willem, who
took over the camera early in the day. Excellent pictures, from a
fresh (or at least shorter) perspective! Stop by the wellumscouples Flickr page for digital copies of photos from the meal

This Sunday, Oct 14, we will be enjoying dinner on the grounds. Immediately following Adult Bible Fellowship we will be heading outside to enjoy Bar B-Q with all the fixin’s. If you would still like to bring anything please sign up in class or contact Rebecca Mathis (wadeandrebecca@gmail.com).

Please consider donating a spouse (or both of you!) to the gospel on Tuesday, October 9th, from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Our Adult Bible Fellowship has been assigned a neighborhood about three miles from the church to hand fliers out to concerning Ninth and O’s upcoming health fair. This is a non-intrusive way to make contact with members of our community by simply knocking on doors, telling them who we are, and inviting them to Ninth and O’s health fair. That’s it, unless you want to say more, which you’re welcomed to do as opportunity presents itself.

We will meet at in the church parking lot at 5:00pm and split into smaller groups to go out. We have about 250 fliers to hand out, so please come help if you possibly can. Please contact Danny Willems at dannywillems@yahoo.com or 931-215-3636 so we know who to expect.

Go here for more information about Ninth and O’s second anual health fair.

The next seven days brings us two opportunities to glorify the gospel as a class,

The gospel is glorified when God’s people treasure lost souls and express the love of Christ in tangible ways. So, this Tuesday evening, from 5-7pm, we will be visiting members of our community to distribute fliers for Ninth and O’s Health Fair, to be held on October 13th.

The gospel is glorified when God’s people enjoy the gift of food and the grace of fellowship. So, next Sunday, Oct 14, we will be enjoying one another as the people of God over a Sunday meal on the church grounds.

Neither of these two events would take place if the gospel were not true. But the gospel is true and we are privileged to gather for these all important expressions of our faith.

Stop back for more details.

Trent