Chamber Singers

Saturday, November 18, 2006

The Mortification of Sin

Hey you all! I am encouraged that you all are reading and musing over John Owen's The Mortification of Sin. When I was in the circle (as opposed to just the virtual circle), one of the dominant notes in the vision of chambers singers that Doc had set in place was an emphasis on holiness and a living to God in sanctificaiton. I love that vision! I don't know what your set vision is for this year and knowing Doc, he's proly introduced a newly modified vision for you all.

I just wanted to devote this particular post to being open to sharing what you're personally learning from the circle on Owen's book that some of us who are just in the virtual circle don't get to experience with you.

I don't know about you, but I wish I was there in the circle with you to listen to you take turns read and discuss and share and pray.

For me, when I read The Mortification of Sin, there has not been one moment when I walked away from it feeling like such a worm yet on the edges of dancing waters of God's free grace to me in Christ. There is really a sweet reciprocity that I experience in connection to the dreadfulness of my sin and infinite worth of God's grace that Owen communicates so well. To be honest, there have been moments when I couldn't read or finish reading a certain paragraph that just nailed my heart so deeply in conviction. Yet I find myself reading it again and again.

To find a book like The Mortification of Sin is rare in our age. The very fact that it is accessible and that it is being cherished by a new and fresh generation--our time--is exciting. It is an old shiny jewel of the Church that has been lost under layers and layers of our culture's self-help resources, therapy, entertainment--and, in most recent days, our culture's socio-political facades, self-autonomy, relativism, and stoical complacency.

It has taught me how dreadful legalism is and how disgusting antinomianism is in connection to mortificaiton. It has taught me how precious Christ must be to me in my need of Him. By the far, the chapter on Universal Holiness has its resonance throughout the bowels of my being everytime I think of it or read it.

What has Owen been teaching you all in the circle that you would like to post here?

Cherishing Christ,

Gabe--Romans 8:13

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Hello friends! I was able to go with Jill and Josh Huizing to a free Derek Webb concert in Camp Hill, PA this past Sunday. At the concert, he told us about a website (http://www.freederekwebb.com) from which people can download his latest album for free. The album is called Mockingbird, and is based on his thoughts/studies on ethics. The site is only going to be open until December 1st. Check it out! Download it!

The Informed Principle of Worship?

As God has given me the opportunity to lead worship in my Church these past months and into the coming year, I have been working through a philosophy of worship.

Aside from working through Edwards' and Pipers' input on the emphasis on the glory of God and the creature's joy in God, I've also been working through the Normative and Regulative principles of worship.

As I was working through it, I came across a principle I had never heard before: "The Informed Principle." Have any of you ever heard of it? Though I am familiar with both the Normative and Regulative principles and desire to embody the Regulative principle practically at my Church as a worship leader, what do you make of the Informed Principle?

The following has been taken from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulative_Principle_of_worship
briefly describing what it is:

"A new principle has been recently introduced into this discussion that seeks to strike a balance between the regulative and normative principles. Sometimes referred to as the "informed principle of worship", it teaches that:
What is commanded in Scripture regarding worship, it is required. What is prohibited in Scripture regarding worship, it is forbidden. What is not prohibited in Scripture regarding worship, it is permissible in worship only if properly deduced from proper application of Scripture using good and necessary consequence."

At first glance, this 'balance' appears to make sense. However, whether this principle should be embraced in our approach to corporate worship or not, what would be a tangible example of an 'exception' to such 'deductions' and also of 'necessary consequence'?

I am eager to read your thoughts and comments. Thanks.

Gabe--Philippians 3:7-11

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Don't Be a Bump on a Blog!

So the Chambers blog has been very silent lately compared to last summer. I know how busy everyone is, but I've got a wacky idea: Those of you who haven't yet should set up your own blogs (on blogger) over Christmas break! Maybe one of the current Chambers members who actually reads this could just pass the idea along in the circle one of these days. It would be a way of getting to know some of the new members and keeping up with others (Hey, it's better than nothing!). Not to mention, it's just a good learning opportunity--trust me, when you really start getting in to blogging, it's amazing how much you learn about what's going on and the discussions you are able to be involved in are often quite profitable. So, if anyone is interested in becoming a blogger--a real blogger (don't let that intimidate you; it's easy)--I am officially offering my services to personally "tutor" you through the process. This would really have to take place mostly over Christmas break, though, I am willing to get started right away if anyone is really interested.

Oh, and let me just say for the record, blogger gives you all the opportunity to have a REAL blog, not one of these cheap, egocentric, "pop-culture" versions you get with xanga or myspace. Just had to throw that out there! =)

Thursday, November 09, 2006

The Outfits are under way!

So, we bought stuff for the guys on Saturday.



















Special Thanks to Macy's for their time and patience.





















And HUGE thanks to Jill for going online to find the missing items! She is also ordering the skirts for the girls!




















It's coming together, a little later than usual, but I'm thankful for all the teamwork.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

It's been a while!

So, a lot of people have been saying how no one ever posts on this. It's true! Over the summer, it would be like, 10 every day! And now, we're lucky if we get one a week!

It's been crazy! Believe me, I know ALL about the business of a schedule.

But God is good!!

He has been stretching me in such amazing ways, and in such unexpected ways, it's taken me a long time to just sit and look back on what has been going on in the last couple of months, and to see God working through others and through situations to make me see so much of myself that is not conforming and being surrendered to Him. Yet that is not all He has been showing and teaching me. He has been showing me areas in my life that have come SO FAR through His Grace! I see situations now with eyes that are not only mine. More and more, I am beginning to see people and things through the light of eternity. That light is still dim in my eyes, mainly because of the sin I allow to live and cloud my view, but it is a light that would never be there were it not for Christ and His constant working in my life.

That all sounds so ambiguous, but, sorry, if I were to go into detail, it would take way too long and you would all get so bored!
So yeah.

That's it!!


I miss everyone from last year! I love you!!

And everyone from this year: I had a wonderful time out last weekend!! We have a great group, and we all get along (for now = ), and I am looking foward to all year long!! I love you all too!!


Ok

bye!

Monday, November 06, 2006

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Well, I am officially the new Pastoral Assistant for the associate pastor of children, youth, and adults. The vote to establish the position was on Sunday and it passed, praise God. Today was my first official day and I am very much looking forward to working for at least the next two years at Fox Valley Bible Church. God has been so good above and beyond all we could ask or imagine. My responsibilities are largely similar to what I was doing before, but with more of an emphasis on discipleship and more full-time.

We are also moving. The church was gracious enough to offer us the large apartment in the Mission's House (a great house for missionaries on furlough on the church property). We were blown away when we first heard the offer, but it meets our needs perfectly and we are so thankful God provided it. Now we just wait and see when God sells our house. Even in this terrible houseing market we have 3 very possible prospects for buyers for our home. We are praying that one of them works out in the near future. Whatever God decides, that's the best move for us. So the next two weeks are full of packing and moving and youth events for us. We are loving life right now and so pleased to be moving on to this next chapter of our lives.

Thanks for all of your prayers and encouragement. Keep the faith, fight the good fight, remember that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

-Josh Huff

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Chamber Singers Shopping Extravaganza