Sunday, December 29, 2013

Paradox of the Presence


Why are you so Gracious
Why are we so blessed?
To have your face to shine upon us
The destination of life’s quest.
There we find abundant rest

This is the eternal essence
Of the deep desire we bear
To abide within your presence
To be ne’re  cast out from there
The answer to our very prayer.

We partake of endless mercies
Stand faultless before the throne
Clothed in robes of righteousness
Woven by wounded hands alone
Our Savior’s hands and not our own

We cannot stay secluded
Yet we ever linger long
We must live the victory in this world
To sing the victor’s song
As we live before the throne where we belong

So now lose your life to find it
Live and give your life away
Live life how the Lord designed it
Walk in victory today
Take up the cross and follow The Way.

And at the throne of blessedness
Standing there we are undone
There is no place for selfishness
For pride and lusts are done
Standing there within the Holy One

As we go  our God is with us
In this God’s likeness view
The nature of God’s glory
Has made His Image bearers new
Empty vessels made good and true!

So now lose your life to find it
Live and give your life away
Live life how the Lord designed it
Walk in victory today
Take up the cross and follow The Way.

Written during Advent 2013

The Life Of The Vine


A song from a decade ago...

The fruit of the vine must not remain forever on the vine
It must be crushed and trampled to make refreshing wine.
The grain is harvested and then is ground in  mills for wheat
To make a pure and sifted flour to bake good bread to eat.

The seed of nard is gathered and crushed to release
Its fragrance-- so to be fulfilled, it's former life must cease
The olive on the branch is plucked and in the vise is pressed
To make the oil of gladness it must become distressed.

For living we die and dying we live
All that is given is for us to give
Buried we're raised if we only believe
Because of the life of the vine
For in dying we live and in living we die
We take up our cross with the One crucified
Present ourselves a living sacrifice
Because of the life of the vine

The fig must in its season be pruned and cut away
Else it will never bear good fruit or see its fruit displayed
The tree must be cut down to make a cross of wood
Else all the world would die like it- it's death would do us good.

This is life's purpose the reason God gave
We're born to be used up so others are saved
We can nurture each other because He forgave
Part of the chain of life divine
This mysterious life on the vine.

For living we die and dying we live
All that is given is for us to give
Buried we're raised if we only believe
Because of the life of the vine
For in dying we live and in living we die
We take up our cross with the One crucified
Present ourselves a living sacrifice
Because of the life of the vine...

Anthony Foster

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Very Present Help



Christ be our strength and our refuge
A Rock in a troublesome day
Our ark within the great deluge
To our tower of power we pray.

Lord of Hosts be our stronghold
Lord of Hosts, calm our fears, make us bold
Our striving must cease if we’d know sweet release
And the peace worth  more than riches untold.

Lord be  our very present help, very present help
Very present help in our time of need.
You are our very present help, very present help
Very present help in our time of need.

We who walk in darkness still need your great light
All those dead in their sins need your new life
A new glory you’ll make for you own glory’s sake
We shall be satisfied as you dawn on our sight.

From the darkness that burdens our souls we’d be freed
Meet us now, even now in the time of our need
Rise up and redeem us for your lovingkindness’ sake
Com quickly and rescue and our bondages break

Lord be our very present help, very present help
Very present help in our time of need.
You are our very present help, very present help
Very present help in our time of need.


Anthony Foster 
December 8, 2013

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

On my way home


On this sojourn
On this course
From the day we are born
We seek our source

On this journey
As we pray
A light we cannot see
Will light our way

For there’s wisdom we need
And the way to be freed
From distractions that pull us apart
As we fall on our face
Into rhythms of grace
We will find the true beat of our heart

For our prayers are a longing
To know we are known
And that we are belonging
To desires not our own
There's One who declares us
As righteous and just
Who renews and repairs us
So in Him we shall trust

So on this quest
On this long road
Receive what is best
Leave behind that old load

For there is a blessing
In the straight narrow path
And the heart’s that’s confessing
Shall be spared the wrath

For there’s wisdom we need
And the way to be freed
From distractions that pull us apart
As we fall on our face
Into rhythms of grace
We will find the true beat of our heart

For our prayers are a longing
To know we are known
And that we are belonging
To desires not our own
There's One who declares us
As righteous and just
Who renews and repairs us
So in Him we shall trust

Anthony Foster
December 3, 2013





Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Archives unpacked

I have found that in the rhythm of our new life, many things get put aside. I have just finished filling up the 2012-2013 scrapbooks with the accumulated memorabilia of the past year or so, plus uploading writings and sorting files. The fifteen or so lyrics below are a part of that divestiture. I look forward to a big housecleaning of the non-digital sort this winter.

The Blood of Love


In the inescapable darkness
Deliverance was not in view
But light has shined in darkness
The advent of the TRUE
Remember and rejoice
Watch and wait
For the fulfillment of His promise is come
Source of  our Magnificat

What great things has God done for me?
A wretched man was I.
The flood of judgment mine.
When I was dead he drew me
He gave salvation to me
Now in The blessed Love of Christ
Forever I abide

Oh deep, deep love
Precious gift from God above
Grows ever deeper still
In the living of His Will.
Oh deep deep love
This itself will be enough
This alone can satisfy
The blood of love will be our cry.

In the valley of the shadow of death
The devil wants our final breath.
Drowned in oceans of deep darkness
Or into hell’s futile abyss
To take us Down into the depths of judment’s flood
But deeper is the fountain filled with blood.

So align my heart with your heart
Remove anything that would keep us apart
Make my heart tender as I surrender
Open my heart to its innermost part

As true service I seek, forge my affections
Into a heartfelt connection
Take my motives I pray
And renew them today
Powered by your resurrection!


Ps. 42:7

Anthony Foster
September 2013

Eternal Word that Became Flesh


Eternal Word that became flesh
Condescending in the Creche
Glory limited by choice
Wrath bearer with an infant’s voice.

Our unrighteousness to overcome
Where sin’s wages devastated men
To become a holy ransom
And His righteousness would cover our sins.

The suffering you embraced
Priceless blood in the cup of grace
Poured out at the altar
Conqueror, overcomer
Raised to glory forever
Nevermore to falter.

All the holy ways of God
Are steadfast love and faithfulness.
All the holy ways of God
Are steadfast love and faithfulness.

All the holy ways of God
Are steadfast love and faithfulness.
All the holy ways of God
Are steadfast love and faithfulness.

So stop and rejoice and remember
Reflecting purposefully
The theme of hope is on our hearts
In eager expectation to see
HE is our treasure and our greatest good
Grace is yours, grace is yours
The spirit of God in the people of Your Book
Serving you in what we preach
Things into which angels long to look.

All the holy ways of God
Are steadfast love and faithfulness.
All the holy ways of God
Are steadfast love and faithfulness.

All the holy ways of God
Are steadfast love and faithfulness.
All the holy ways of God
Are steadfast love and faithfulness.


Anthony Foster
November 2013

Imperishable Seed


Of those who have fallen asleep
We are the firstfruits He will keep
In Christ our victory, is our Truth
Our Jesus is the point of our pursuit.

Imperishable seed
Sow your harvest inside of me
Plough our fields and penetrate
The hard soils of sin and hate
Life giving, living vine
Graft us into life divine.

The crushed son has borne the wrath
And borne it all on our behalf
A living Hope-A sure salvation
Now born again through His resurrection

Imperishable seed
Answer to our every need
Open our eyes and open our doors
Show us what you made us for
Atoning, living sacrifice
It is all of God in Christ.

Anthony Foster
July 2013

Rooted in the Resurrected One



The seed of the woman promised to Eve
The covenant promises to all who would believe
The joy of the scarlet thread woven in the word
The praise of heaven now on the earth is heard

Christ is Come
We are Rooted in the resurrected one
Christ is Come
We are Rooted in the resurrected one

Word made flesh among us dwells
Ancient of Days and God most High
Exalted one of Heaven now came to die
Holy Holy Holy Christ

Comforter, full of wonder
Came to tear death asunder
Came the serpent’s skull to crush
Came to raise children of dust.

One who has died
One who was raised
We gather around
And this glory we praise

Christ is Come
We are Rooted in the resurrected one
Christ is Come
We are Rooted in the resurrected one
Rooted in the resurrected one
Rooted in the resurrected one

Anthony Foster
July 2013

Precious Paradise



Let all of creation worship Him
Who for a little while was made
Lower than the angels
Transcendence came near to be displayed

Immanuel indwelling man
Once enemies now one, together
This is our precious paradise
Union with our Christ forever

This is our precious paradise
Union with our precious Christ
For His presence  we have longed
To abide and to reside
In the shadow of His wings we hide.
And He has become our song.

Fullness of God’s glory here
Not one of us can comprehend
Not one of us can understand
The depth of how he’d condescend.

He came down from his throne above
Set us apart, swept out the leaven
Shed glory on this work of dust
And raises us to heaven.

He is our precious paradise
Union with our precious Christ
For His presence  we have longed
To abide and to reside
In the shadow of His wings we hide.
And He has become our song.

Anthony Foster
August 2013

True adoration


His sufferings were to our doors applied
For the blood bought bride he died.
To sacrifice his life for us he came
For those who trust the power of His name

We lift our hearts in ardent celebration
We seek to tell the world of His salvation
By living lives empowered by true adoration!

True adoration, let this be our offering
True adoration, now fill up the praise we sing
True adoration, overflowing hearts of grace
As gratitude and worship fills this place.

To your will conformed
By your word we are formed
In our sacrifice our praise He is adored
If we are following our Lord
Chosen vessels now are filled
As we seek to serve His will
Redeemed of the ages
Exempted from sin’s wages

Passionate obedience remains
Exultation in our chains
Living, breathing by your Name
To you, through you
By you and for you
To your glory, we obey
So we will do the things you say.

True adoration, let this be our offering
True adoration, now indwell the praise we sing
True adoration, overflowing hearts of grace
As gratitude and worship fills this place.

So now the lovesong of the bride
As we are taken to His side
The chorus of the living sacrifice
The beautiful body of Christ.

True adoration, let this be our offering
True adoration, now fill up the praise we sing
True adoration, overflowing hearts of grace
As gratitude and worship fills this place.

Anthony Foster
November 2013


Anchor of our Souls


He is the harbor and the hedge
A place of abiding rest
To not forsake us is His pledge
In Him is blessedness.

Oh anchor for our souls
A secure foundation
Keeper of your fold
There is now no condemnation

Lest we should drift away
In stranger tides each day
Come hold us fast we pray
Anchor of our souls.
Our spirits’ sure defense
Rock of Righteousness
In you forever blessed
Anchor of our souls

Rule over the appetites
That with our souls wage war
Secure us in the shallows
Secure us in the storms

So come embrace us in Your arms
He will  draw us to His side
Your mighty love will anchor us
In our hearts come to abide

Oh anchor for our souls
A secure foundation
Keeper of your fold
There is now no condemnation

Lest we should drift away
In stranger tides each day
Come hold us fast we pray
Anchor of our souls.

Anthony Foster
August 2013

Awash in Blessing



Bestowing your riches you come
For our salvation and our surrender
We call on the name of the Lord
To the name of Jesus all glory render
Praise running over…

The name  above all other names
Come and trust Him now and forever
See if  He will not pour out blessings
On you pressed down, shaken together
… and running over

Awash in blessedness, awash in blessing today.
Running over
Overcome by Christ’s embrace
Overflowed by God’s good grace
Awash in blessedness, awash in blessing today.
Running over…
Running over…
Running over…
Running over…

Anthony Foster
September 2013

Tears of Glory


Tears of Glory

God of the closing and opening doors
May I disdain any other voice
God of the roadblocks and paths made straight
God of inclinations and choice

May your light flash down from heaven
May your radience upon us shine
May your voice speak loud and often
May we seek and hear and find

Baptized in the tears of your glory
We lift our eyes to You
Higher than the heavens are your ways
To you all majesty is due.

We are bound by chains of sin
Behind the bars of guilt and shame
Tears of glory, tears of glory
Of our hope and of a warning
Tears of glory tell the story
Dancing comes after the mourning

Oh I would weep and be weak
Rather than in myself be strong
Where I did not sow I would reap
I would cry out as I seek
To find solace where I belong

As we view you through the tears
You wipe them all away
And give new eyes with which to see
The unseen brighter day.

We are bound by chains of sin
Behind the bars of guilt and shame
Tears of glory, tears of glory
Of our hope and of a warning
Tears of glory tell the story
Dancing comes after the mourning


Anthony Foster
November 2013

Anthem of Orphans



 Abandoned and orphaned-Fatherless and faithless
With no inheritance or hope-With no family to bless

And no past to rely on-Pain and trauma is your part
Secure in manipulations-Survival the finest art

Now to be chosen-Now to be adopted,
Now to be beloved-Oh to be so loved!

By the Love of the Father-By the cost of His son
Grafted into a family-Where many hearts are made one

Let these words land on them-The unaccustomed to your grace
Adopted as sons and daughters-Here with your father face to face

The anthem of orphans
Once unloved and rejected
Now arms e’re enfold you
Esteemed and protected.
Sing the song of a City on a Hill
Melody of overcoming souls
Cadence of redeemed hearts
A music that rages as it rolls

But God, but God, but God has made a way
To see the Righteous One
A root of righteousness
Yielding fruit in daughters and sons

And all but one are grafted in
The begotten one made a way
We call upon your lovely name
You wash our sins away.

The anthem of orphans
Once unloved and rejected
Now arms e’re enfold you
Esteemed and protected.
Sing the song of a City on a Hill
Melody of overcoming souls
Cadence of redeemed hearts
A music that rages as it rolls


Now to be chosen
Now to be adopted,
Now to be beloved
Oh to be so loved!

By the Love of the Father
By the cost of His son
Grafted into a family
Where many hearts are made one

Anthony Foster
For Alexis
September 13, 2013

The Way of the Cross


Come by the way of the cross.
Come by the way of the cross
We receive our freedom
purchased at the cross of Christ
We receive forgiveness
In His final sacrifice

The rugged wretched cross
where his purpose was fulfilled
The rugged wretched cross
Where all our wounds are healed
God says I love you at the cross
For He is willing to forgive
Forgive and cleanse you of all your sins
So you can truly live

Atonement and remission
Through blood poured out for us that day
A price was paid on our behalf
One we could never pay

The true meaning is an offense
It confronts our hearts of stone
A confrontation all of us must face
Found at the cross alone.

The way of the cross leads home
The way of the cross leads home
The way of the cross leads home

Anthony Foster
November 2013