Tag Archives: Sabbath Rest

Sabbath Rest – Dancing in the Minefields

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 –

GarySteph Wedding
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).

Sabbath Rest – It is well with my soul

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: Ho­ra­tio G. Spaf­ford, 1873.
Tune: Ville du Havre, Phil­ip P. Bliss
Artist – Audrey Assad

Sabbath Rest – Great is thy Faithfulness

This week I’ve been thinking a lot about these last nineteen (19!) years we’ve spent in our motor home traveling around this country. We’ve been over some high roads and some low roads. Some smooth roads and some rough roads. But regardless of the road we’re traveling, we have never doubted that God’s faithfulness has been with us through it all. I’ve shared this hymn before – but it always speaks Truth.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changes not, Thy compassion, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

[Refrain] Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

[Refrain]

Pardon for sin and a peace that endurest
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Sabbath Rest – Where Thou Leadest Me

Given that we change location (on average) every four weeks may our prayer always be that we go where He leadest us!
On the mountain high
Through the valley deep
I will go where Thou leadest me

Where Thou leadest me
I dare not find complaint
For Thou hast never left
Nor will for all my days
Thy presence is my good
And it shall ever be
I will go where Thou leadest me

Sovereign is Thy hand
To guide me when I’m worn
Thy good and perfect will
Holds fast through every storm
What time I am afraid
My faith looks up to Thee
I will trust where Thou leadest me

On the mountain high
Through the valley deep
I will go where Thou leadest me

O Shepherd keep me near
For I am prone to stray
The frailty of my flesh
Seeks refuge in Thy grace
This promise is my peace
My soul is safe in Thee
I will rest as Thou leadest me

On the mountain high
Through the valley deep
I will go where Thou leadest me

On the mountain high
Through the valley deep
I will go where Thou leadest me

Savior light my path
Until that final day
If Thou art Lord of life
Why should I fear the grave?
Proud death has lost its sting
For all eternity
I will rise where Thou leadest me
Home with Christ where Thou leadest me

On the mountain high
Through the valley deep
I will go where Thou leadest me

On the mountain high
Through the valley deep
I will go where Thou leadest me

Words and Music by Bryan Fowler, Kristyn Getty and Ben Shive

©2022 Getty Music Publishing (BMI) / Beehive Songs (BMI) / adm. at MusicServices.com / Be Essential Songs (BMI) / BryanFowlerSongs (BMI) / adm. at EssentialMusicPublishing.com

Sabbath Rest – Christ the True and Better Adam

The Old Testament is so full of Jesus!
From beginning to end
Christ the story, His the glory

Christ, the true and better Adam
Son of God and Son of man
Who, when tempted in the garden
Never yielded, never sinned
He, who makes the many righteous
Brings us back to life again
Dying, He reversed the curse, then
Rising, crushed the serpent’s head
Christ, the true and better Isaac
Humble son of sacrifice
Who would climb the fearful mountain
There to offer up his life
Laid with faith upon the altar
Father’s joy and only son
There salvation was provided
Oh, what full and boundless love

Amen! Amen!
From beginning to end
Christ the story, His the glory
Alleluia! Amen!

Christ, the true and better Moses
Called to lead a people home
Standing bold to earthly powers
God’s great glory to be known
With his arms stretched wide to heaven
See the waters part in two
See the veil is torn forever
Cleansed with blood we pass now through

Amen! Amen!
From beginning to end
Christ the story, His the glory
Alleluia! Amen!

Christ, the true and better David
Lowly shepherd, mighty king
He the champion in the battle
Where, o death, is now thy sting?
In our place He bled and conquered
Crown Him Lord of majesty
His shall be the throne forever
We shall e’er His people be

Amen! Amen!
From beginning to end
Christ the story, His the glory
Alleluia! Amen!

Amen! Amen!
From beginning to end
Christ the story, His the glory
Alleluia! Amen!
Alleluia! Amen!

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Matt Boswell / Matt Papa / Keith Getty