Martin Luther was not only a great reformer, Bible translator,
political leader, fiery preacher, and theologian,
he was also a musician and was born in an area of Germany
known for its music.
In the forward of a book, Luther once wrote:
"Next to the Word of God,
the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.
It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits. . ."
He also says,
"Music is a marvelous creation of God."
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 Sabboth, 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
Not 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.
- Martin Luther -
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
- Psalm 46: 11 -
How I praise the great Creator,
Who did make this world so fair;
As I scan the realm of nature
I can see His image there.
In the steep and on the hilltop,
There I find His royal throne;
And the God who made the mountain
Ever loves me as His own.
- David George Ball -
Have a blessed Lord's Day, friends!
These photos were taken while on our little adventure :)
40 comments
Thank you for sharing Luther & Ball's beautiful words. And thank you for sharing photos of God's beautiful creation!!
So glad you had a sweet adventure. Lovely photo of you and hubby!!
Thank you, dear Stephanie, for this lovely post about one of my heroes! :)
"A mighty fortress is our God" is one of the most beloved hymns here (in Finland) and it for example starts the traditional Declaration of Christmas Peace on 24 December.
The photos of this post are gorgeous.
See you on Tuesday! I will participate in "Roses" with my today's post.
Have a blessed new week!
Beautiful, and I love the photos as well. xoxo Su
Dearest Stephanie, this is one of the most amazing and beautiful hymns of old that stand so true today! Oh, that we would realize how mighty our God is and how He is our strength! The words are so dear and encouraging, and I love the beautiful images you've added to reinforce these words! And I loved reading Ball's words as well. So glad to see a beautiful photo of your and your beloved husband! Warm and loving hugs, dear friend, and thank you for sharing this today on the Sabbath, God's Day of Rest for us! xoxo
Beautiful majestic photos that match the words so well!
Have a wonderful Sunday!
First off, what a wonderful picture of you and your husband! Such a good-looking couple. And what spectacular views you had on your trip. Beautiful!
There's nothing like those beautiful old hymns, is there? The modern worship choruses pale next to them. So full of truth, and so encouraging. Thanks for sharing, Stephanie, and also thank you so much for your warm and encouraging comments on my blog. I truly appreciate your friendship. Love, Deborah
Absolutely otherworldly views! THIS is where you hike? ;-) So surreal, stunning, beautiful.
Love the lyrics/poetry. Would you believe I did not know Luther was also a musician?
Beautiful my friend and y'all are quite lovely...have a lovely week. Blessings
This hymn is one of my favorites ... I love the quotes of music as well. Such a wonderful place you have visited ~ magnificent nature! And a lovely photo of you two!
Thank you for sharing these ... The melody is in my mind now :)
Blessings to your week,
Nina
Beautiful photos to go with one of my favorite hymns....thank you for this lovely post Stephanie
Hello Stephanie,
Wow how beautiful to be able to have that wonderful adventure and see those beautiful mountains. I love that photo of you and your husband! I hope you have a wonderful week.
Hugs, Julie xo
Beautiful photos and we do have an AMAZING GOD! Love the photo of you and your hubby :)
Thank you for the "mail"!!!
warmly,
deb
What beautiful sites and sights!
Thank you for sharing your photography with us.
It must have been a really nice trip.
Be blessed Stephanie!
Laura
The words of this song are beautiful, especially:
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.
Beautiful photos again! Hugs sweet lady.
Lovely post, Stephanie. Your photo is also great! I can't believe that your hubby is wearing only short sleeves?!?
Lovely post, Stephanie! I enjoyed the historical bit about Martin Luther, and the song is wonderful. I also enjoyed all the photos, especially the one of you and your man. :)
Have a great week!
Toni
Oh, I'll be singing that song for the rest of the day. I didn't know that it was written by Martin Luther! It's a beauty, isn't it?
The picture of you and your hubby on your adventure, is wonderful. You have such beauty where you live and I'm so happy that you were able to get away and enjoy it. It must've been warm, seeing that your hubby is in short sleeves!
Happy Sunday, sweet friend! xo
Stunning photos Stephanie. Nature is amazing! Great photo of you and your hubby to remember the trip. :)
Beautiful words to one of my favorite songs. Beautiful scenery to go along! Many Blessings for the week ahead! Cindy xoxo
Aww...This was a wonderful post,I just love it! Love the words to that piece and now have it on my mind. :-)
Such a lovely photo of you guys, and that scenery is gorgeous! What a wonderful place you were able to see and visit.
It was nice visiting before the day was over.
Love you~~
It amazes me how good God is! To give us a beautiful place to live in, and great friends to share it with! <3
In Christ,
Paige
Just stopped by your blog and I wanted to say that it is really beautiful.
so glad you shared. you and your hubby make a lovely couple.
This is my hubby's favorite hymn. I love contemporary worship but you just can't get any richer in lyrics than this! Beautiful pic of you two!
I have never seen such a beautiful country !
A big hug,
Franca
Oh Stephanie, what grandeur to visit and to just enjoy and praise the Lord for! I so love adventures like this, and being able to enjoy the majesty of the Lord's creation with your beloved! Such joy indeed, and the lovely story behind Luther and the hymn A Mighty God is our Fortress, such a fitting hymn for the beauty you witnessed! A lovely post my friend, always such a joy to visit you here! Have a blessed and wonderful day!
Oh Wow such a fabulous trip that was, it does make you feel the might of our Lord that's for sure, that is why I love visiting that area of the country and have been blessed to be able to a few times.
I grew up in the Lutheran Church Wisconsin synod and we sang A mighty fortress every Sunday in the second service to start it off, such a moving song. Thanks for sharing the pictures of your trip, you are such a cute couple!
How lovely! Thank you!
Blessings, Leigh
Thank you for the beautiful pictures of Gods country. The photo of you two is so sweet :) Have a blessed week!
What a nice adventure you had. Beautiful scenery. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures and the great old hymn.
I love the hymn, A Mighty Fortress is our God. It is so rich in theology.
I had not heard the quote from Martin Luther about next to the Word of God etc.
Have a Blessed Day.
I have always loved the words to this beautiful hymn and your photos just couldn't be more perfect to put with them in this post! That last one of you and your hubby is great! Have a blessed evening!
Lovely and so are YOU! You're seriously a doll and so beautiful inside and out :)
hugs to you,
rue
Dear Stephanie! I loved reading these words tonight! I took so much comfort in them, after experiencing so much defeat earlier in the evening. It just feels like evil is winning the war, but the words Martin Luther penned so long ago give me hope and turn my eyes Heavenward to the One Who has never lost a battle. Thank you for this wonderful post!
... hello Stephanie... this hymn has wonderful words... and together with your wonderful photos of majestic cliffs and rocky places give a strong message about the strength and love of God.
Hugs.. Barb xxx
Hello from Spain: I really like your pics. I loved your words. Fabulous trip, Keep in touch
Amazing photos! Amazing words! Oh.....and cute photo of you and your husband, Stephanie.
Spectacular scenery, wonderful words.
A trip of a lifetime, what an amazing adventure :)
really spectacular images!!!!
Stephanie,
Very nice! Beautiful hymn, views and couple!!!! A wonderful adventure too!
xo
Linda
What wonderful photos Stephanie, thank you for sharing.
Post a Comment