Happy Reformation Day!

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg.  Within a few months copies of his theses were spread throughout Europe, which soon fired the Reformation.  He protested the teaching that you could buy repentance and salvation.  We have so much to be thankful for for what these men and women sacrificed to proclaim that salvation is free. 

What a wonderful day to celebrate!!  Our salvation is free!!  We can't earn it or buy it back when we mess up.  God's grace is free.  We don't deserve it and we could never earn it but he gives it freely anyway. Praise the Lord!

Also, Martin Luther wrote one of the most powerful hymns, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," which is known as Battle Hymn of the Reformation.  This is one of my vary favorite hymns.

Happy Reformation Day!  And check out pictures of Sterling as a panda below in my last post.

A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevaling. 
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,
thru 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.