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

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

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