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