Category Archives: Sabbath Rest

Sabbath Rest – A Mighty Fortress is Our God!

For many folks (ok, for most folks) this week is all about Halloween! But older I get, the more I like to focus this last week in October with the anniversary of the Reformation – marking the day Martin Luther is said to have posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany (October 31, 1517), and thus the beginning of the Protestant church. This is perhaps the most well known of the hymns that Luther wrote, and this rendition performed outside of The Colosseum in Rome is powerful! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!


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
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

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:
Dost 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.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath 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.

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.

A Mighty Fortress filmed by Fountainview Academy as part of The Great Controversy in Rome, Italy.

Sabbath Rest – How Great is the Greatness of God

This morning at church we sang several hymns that celebrated the greatness of God. Here’s a brand-new hymn from the Getty Music Team that also speaks to that powerful truth!

How faithful the Father above
How wondrous the works of the Son
How sweet is the Spirit given to us
How great is the greatness of God

Chorus
How faithful the Father above
How wondrous the works of the Son
How sweet is the Spirit given to us
How great is the greatness of God

Vs 1
Morning by morning with every dawn,
My soul with a new song awaits
Still in the evening my praise goes on;
Forever my God is the same

Vs 2
When my heart gazes on Calvary,
At all of Your mercies arrayed
Oh, that my Savior would die for me
I sing out with infinite thanks

Vs 3
Oh what a comfort in every trial;
His presence is all that I need
Power that brought resurrection life,
That power is living in me

How Great Is the Greatness of God
Words and Music by Matt Boswell, Bryan Fowler, and Matt Papa
© 2024 Getty Music Publishing (BMI), Messenger Hymns (BMI), LIVINGHYMNS (BMI), Getty Music Hymns and Songs (ASCAP), Love Your Enemies Publishing (ASCAP) (all adm at CapitolCMGPublishing.com)

Sabbath Rest – Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery

Can we ever really comprehend the deep mystery of Christ’s love for us and His sacrifice? Ah, the Grace unmeasured and the Love untold!

See the price of our redemption
See the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold

Come, behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the king
He the theme of Heaven’s praises
Robed in frail humanity
In our longing, in our darkness
Now, the light of life has come
Look to Christ who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us

Come, behold the wondrous mystery
He is the perfect son of man
In His living, in His suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ, the great and sure fulfilment
Of the law in Him, we stand

Come, behold the wondrous mystery
Christ, the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold

Come, behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death, the God of life
But no grave could ever restrain Him
Praise the Lord, He is alive

What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes

What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes

What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Matt Boswell / Michael Bleecker / Matt Papa
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery lyrics © Love Your Enemies Publishing, Getty Music Publishing, Getty Music Hymns And Songs

Sabbath Rest – Psalm 84 – I’m Home

Today we arrived in Lindale, Texas, and introduced Lizzie, our home for the last 20 years to our stationary home for the next (God truly only knows) years. As Gary and I navigate this new dynamic (slowing down with SOWER-ing and being part of a community for longer than three weeks), I am so thankful that regardless of wherever my physical home is, my true home is found in the Lord. This musical rendition of Psalm 84 speaks to that joyful security!

When I sit at Your table
I am right where I belong
In the doorway of my Father’s house
I’m home

How lovely are Your dwelling places
Your Holy Spirit here in us
Oh how I love to sing Your praises
One day with You would be enough

When I bow down before You
I am richer than all kings
When I stand in Your presence
I am free
When I sit at Your table
I am right where I belong
In the doorway of my Father’s house
I’m home

If all this world was for the taking
And every treasure known was mine
Not one of them would ever sway me
I’d choose my Savior every time

Wherever I go
I’m home
Because You’re here
In my soul
You’re an oasis in the desert
Living water overflow

Sabbath Rest – Yet Not I but Christ in Me

I often fail, but still – this is my prayer. My longing…

With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Savior He will stay
I labor on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed

To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave

To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Yet not I, but through Christ in me