"The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment is a truly important work-one that should be required reading not only for church leaders, but for all sober-minded laypeople as well."

John MacArthur (From the Foreword)

"If you were more discerning you’d probably buy this book. If you do read this book, you will be! This book on discernment is simple, clear, well-written and well-illustrated...

Mark Dever

Welcome to the online home of Tim Challies, blogger, author and web designer. My first book, "The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment," is now available everywhere.

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12/02/06
Comments (12)

Quelle Surprise!

Aileen gave herself the best birthday present ever. On her thirtieth birthday she gave birth to our daughter, Michaela Joy. It was a great day, even if we didn’t get around to having Aileen’s birthday dinner that day. Now that it is my thirtieth birthday I have proven unable to deliver such a great gift for myself. Thankfully, I’ve got family on my side.

This morning at around 10 AM my biggest little sister (Maryanne, for those of you who are trying to piece together a family tree) gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Emma Claire Helms makes for a pretty good birthday gift. From the hospital I received the following text message (presumably via my brother-in-law’s Blackberry: “Dear brother, Happy 3oth birthday!!! We bought you a niece for the big day, but we are keeping her until she becomes bad! I love you, old and wise one. Love, Maryanne.” So there we have it. Aileen shares her thirtieth with our daughter and I share my thirtieth with our niece.

Emma weighs in a 7 pounds 5 ounces and is a little sister to Anna and Josh. I now have two nieces and two nephews. This Challies clan continues to grow! And happy birthday to Emma. December 2 has proven a good day to me and I’m sure it will suit you fine too!

Quelle Surprise!

Comments (12) »

1. r10b
December 2, 2006
4:38 PM

Congratulations! God bless the whole crew.

2. Mark Fox
December 2, 2006
4:38 PM

May I be the first to congratulate you on your double-banger! Happy birthday and happy New Uncle Day. I hope that the year ahead is one full of blessing and God’s guidance and sovereignty in your life. Mark.

3. Mark
December 2, 2006
4:39 PM

second.

4. r10b
December 2, 2006
4:39 PM

Sorry, Mark.

5. Amy Scott
December 2, 2006
5:35 PM

Congratulations to the Challies family. That was a pretty funny and brilliant quip from Maryanne.

6. Steve
December 2, 2006
9:15 PM

Congratulations to you and all the little ones. May God bless their lives and they live in the knowledge and wonder of being His children.

Glad you could share in this blessed event, and I wish you and yours happiness.

7. nakedpastor
December 3, 2006
7:15 AM

congrats to you and ALL of yours!

8. Grace
December 3, 2006
9:11 AM

That’s a pretty cool birthday gift Tim! I’m sure exited to see her…The Challies continue their legacy of popping out babies:)

9. Blake Law
December 3, 2006
3:54 PM

but little baby Emma is born bad already. I don’t understand your sisters’ message!

10. Lois
December 3, 2006
4:07 PM

A belated Happy 30th birthday Tim! I found it interesting reading about the last 10 years of your life since I haven’t seen you in about that length of time. God’s blessings in the next 10 and maybe we can catch up in person again sometime. Also congratulations with your new niece!

11. Robert Williams
December 3, 2006
4:09 PM

Belated happy birthday and congratulations!

12. Brendt
December 4, 2006
12:09 PM

… I have proven unable to deliver such a great gift for myself. Thankfully, I’ve got family on my side.

As a guy, I’d think that the “thankfully” could go with either sentence. ;-)

In all seriousness, double congrats!!