I love so many of the new hymns and worship songs that are coming out these days. But sometimes, it’s good to get back to the basics. Like a classic from 1529 written by Martin Luther – the father of the Reformation.
1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
2 Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.
3 And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
4 That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!
Sometimes the need is great – and Jesus calls us! Are you waiting, in your sorrows
For this broken world to heal?
He is coming, soon returning
Rest in Him
Are you weary, heavy laden?
Come and lay your burdens down
Jesus calls you, Jesus draws you,
Rest in Him
He is gentle, he is lowly
He delights to bring us peace
Tender shepherd, mighty Savior
Rest in him
How sure, his compassion for us
Oh how deep is his love,
So come, come to Jesus, and rest in him
Are you hopeless, are you guilty
Caught in shame for all your sin?
He pursues you, to forgive you
Rest in Him
He has paid for every failure
Mercy flows in endless streams
Come and follow, freedom calls you
Rest in Him
Are you waiting, in your sorrows
For this broken world to heal?
He is coming, soon returning
Rest in Him
We will see him, We will know him
O what heights of grace revealed
From his kindness, every promise
Then fulfilled
Trust in Jesus, he will keep us
To the end
This hymn has been around for over ten years, but I can’t remember the last time I sang it in church. The lyrics are powerful – and while this isn’t a ‘lyric video’ I encourage you to read the lyrics as the video is playing. May this always be our prayer – O great God of highest heav’n
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
O great God of highest heav’n
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore
I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven’s joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Give me endless hope and peace
Help me now to live a life
That’s dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me
I know it’s a bit of a departure of my usual Sabbath Rest song, but since today is both the Sabbath and our fifty-second wedding anniversary, it seemed only right to share this song (again) and reprise a blog post (with some adaptations)from a couple of years ago –
Fifty-two years ago, on a warm Friday evening, these two youngsters committed their lives and their love to each other. My brother-in-law, Fitz, gave us a ‘charge – Gary & Stephanie, tonight is the beginning of a new way of life for both of you. Long awaited. No longer two separate individuals, but one family in Christ.
At 19 and 21 respectively, we thought we knew what marriage was all about. Ah, sweet innocent youth! Little did we know what we were in for! I’m not going to kid you – not every moment of the last 52 years was easy. Or fun. Some of it was downright hard. We raised three children, renovated a 100+ year old house and owned a small service business (part American dream and part American nightmare.) But through all the years, through the good and the bad, the joy and the hard, the beauty and the ashes, God kept us together. He never gave up on us, and we never gave up on each other. Grace. His amazing grace is what has held us together these many years. And our prayer continues to be that His Grace will hold us fast in the years ahead!
Happy 50th52nd to my beloved!
This might be our theme song –
And we went dancing in the minefields [And there were OH-SO-MANY!]
We went sailing in the storms [Some doozies to be sure!]
And it was harder than we dreamed [Amen!]
But I believe that’s what the promise is for {Praise God!]
Dancing in the Minefields (by Andrew Peterson)
Well, I was nineteen, you were twenty-one
The year we got engaged
And everyone said we were much too young
But we did it anyway
We got the rings for forty each
From a pawn shop down the road
We said our vows and took the leap
Now fifteen fifty-two years ago
And we went dancing in the minefields
We went sailing in the storms
And it was harder than we dreamed
But I believe that’s what the promise is for
Well “I do” are the two most famous last words
The beginning of the end
But to lose your life for another, I’ve heard
Is a good place to begin
‘Cause the only way to find your life
Is to lay your own life down
And I believe it’s an easy price
For the life that we have found
And we’re dancing in the minefields
We’re sailing in the storms
This is harder than we dreamed
But I believe that’s what the promise is for
That’s what the promise is for
So when I lose my way, find me
When I lose love’s chains, bind me
At the end of all my faith, till the end of all my days
When I forget my name, remind me
‘Cause we bear the light of the Son of Man
So there’s nothing left to fear
So I’ll walk with you in the shadowlands
Till the shadows disappear
‘Cause he promised not to leave us
And his promises are true
So in the face of all this chaos
Baby, I can dance with you
So let’s go dancing in the minefields
Let’s go sailing in the storms
Oh, let’s go dancing in the minefields
And kicking down the doors
Oh, let’s go dancing in the minefields
And sailing in the storms
Oh, this is harder than we dreamed
But I believe that’s what the promise is for
That’s what the promise is for
Music video by Andrew Peterson performing Dancing In The Minefields (Official Music Video).
Today we arrived at our family cabin in Vermont. Oh, the peace that I find here. And although I do not depend on this place to give me the peace that I find in Christ, it is here that I find a resting place for my heart. It is here that I can say (in an earthly sense) – It is well with my soul!
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well (it is well)
with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Words: HoÂraÂtio G. SpafÂford, 1873.
Tune: Ville du Havre, PhilÂip P. Bliss
Artist – Audrey Assad
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