Merciful Memories

 

There’s a mercy in remembering my sin

There's a great gift in well placed shame

It reminds me of what was placed on Him

Who bore the penalty

The judgment due to me

That He took for the sake of His name

There’s a blessing in those memories

A reminder of Grace undeserved

The remembrance  drives me to my knees

The unmerited favor

Bestowed by my Savior

That was poured out on me, unreserved

Forgiven and free

Saved for eternity

My substitute suffered all loss

For He rose from the grave

His people to save

I’m redeemed by the blood of the cross

Now infinite mercies I ponder

Now in this world, I am ill at ease

I am Transformed by infinite wonder

Drawn by God's grace

To seek Jesus’ face

I'm undone as I fall on my knees

Forgiven and free

Saved for eternity

My substitute suffered all loss

For he rose from the grave

His people to save

I’m redeemed by the blood of the cross

April 2, 2026

Anthony Foster

Lean on Jesus

We lean on the One who indwells us
For our salvation in Christ we trust
All our hopes for pardon in Jesus rest
He is the life with which we’re blessed

By Christ’s atonement we are set free

He intercedes now for you and me

Washed by his blood we are not condemned

Peace grace and mercy are found in Him

Lean on Jesus, cling to Jesus

Our shepherd lord and friend

From death and sin our master frees us

Build on the rock that shall never end.

Christ now sustains us on him were fed

He is our manna, our daily bread

Blessed is the soul that on Jesus feeds

He is the one who provides our needs

Lean on Jesus, cling to Jesus

Our shepherd lord and friend

From death and sin our master frees us

Build on the rock that shall never end.

April 2, 2026

Anthony Foster

How Long?

How long, O God, will You neglect My prayer?

Will You ignore these dark cries of despair?

There is One who has gone before

Your only Son who is my Lord.

Hear my lament lest I fail

My faith is wav’ring- help me prevail

Yet not My will, but Yours be done

Help me arise to seek your Son

How long, how long?

I long for a reason-For new hope I long

How long, how long?

End this desperate season-And bring me a song

My God, My God, have You forsaken Me?

Why have You now refused My final plea?

Though I cry out in sorrow, pain and fear,

You have not moved, Oh Lord, draw near

Help me Lord to apprehend

The purpose of this trial I’m in

Help me overcome the pain I feel

And to my soul your truth reveal.

How long, how long?

I long for a reason-For new hope I long

How long, how long?

End this desperate season-And bring me a song

April 1, 2026

Anthony Foster

Exalted

We will exalt your name

In all the Earth

We will declare your fame

And declare your worth

The nations shall prove

The glories of your righteousness 

Then hearts shall be  moved

Your wondrous love to confess

And the earth shall be filled

With the knowledge of the glory

Of the Lord of the lord

Just as you have willed

All the world will hear the story

And it shall not be ignored

Be exalted exalted above all

Be exalted as on our knees we fall

For far above us are your ways

We come now to give you praise

Oh lord upon your name we call

Habakkuk 2:14

Psalm 55:7,11

March 31, 2026

Anthony Foster

A New Heart

The right heart is broken and contrite

The new heart has new likes and dislikes

New joys and new desires

New fear and new fires

The new heart is now fighting a new fight.

The new heart sees sin and pride anew

It has new sorrows and new hopes in view

Its tastes and prayers are changed

Its passions are rearranged

It turns to Christ in all it seeks to do...

A new start with a new heart

A heart  Christ makes holy and sets apart

No more a heart of stone- made flesh in Christ alone

Living water flows from its innermost part

Praise the Lord- He has given a new heart!

A new heart is humble and is lowly

A new heart‘s great desire's to be more holy

To self-righteousness and pride

And to Sin it has died

A new heart looks to Jesus only

Christ is the compass needle where it turns

For peace and mercy in Jesus it yearns

On Christ alone, it feeds

For He meets all it needs

Christ is the fire with which the new heart burns

A new start with a new heart

A heart that Christ makes holy and set apart

No more a heart of stone- made flesh in Christ alone

Living water flows from its innermost part

Praise the Lord-He has given a new heart! 

Praise the Lord-He has given a new heart!

Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Psalm 51:17; 2 Kings 22:19

Romans 10:10; Ephesians 3:17

Hebrews 10:22; John 7:38

after J. C. Ryle

March 31, 2026

Anthony Foster

Going Going Gone

Going, going, going, gone

The night gives way to a new dawn

So set your thoughts on where you’re going

Contemplate to see your sowing

Going, going, going gone

Reject the life as this world’s pawn

See that direction that you’re going

Don’t be going without knowing

Theres only one heaven’s stairway

There’s endless night or endless day

There is a heaven and a hell

Which way you go this life will tell

There’s a destination for those who roam

A place prepared- the eternal home

We’re nearly there. It won’t be long.

We’re all going going going gone

We all have an expiration date

Get it right before it’s too late

But on this truth you can depend

That once you’re gone, that’s not the end

Going going going gone

And then life goes on and on 

Do you know where you’re gonna be?

As you leave for eternity?

March 30, 2026

Anthony Foster