Saturday, November 28, 2020

Giving Thanks



This is the day we've set apart

To express the gratefulness in our heart

Of giving thanks for gifts of grace

That the stuff of earth cannot replace.


We thank God for our very life

Lived in peace and not in strife

We thank God for the daily bread

That He provides so we are fed


Chorus

For all that You are we thank you Lord

Let our hearts continually overflow

Over all good gifts, the best you afford

Is the treasure of your presence here below


We thank God for a land that's free

But more so for our destiny

That Heaven's gates are opened wide

That Christ may take us to his side


Bridge 

We take for granted every day

The gift of life God gives to us

So let us gratefully give thanks

And in our faithful God to trust


We marvel with the heavenly hosts

That we can stand and make our boast

Boldly before the throne of Grace

To gaze upon God's very face.


Chorus

For all that You are we thank you Lord

Let our hearts continually overflow

Over all good gifts, the best you afford

Is the treasure of your presence here below!


November 26, 2020
Anthony Foster 

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

In Abba's Arms (Lullabye of Love)




You are a gift from the Father
He knit you here in my womb
You’re wonderfully made my beautiful babe
Abba has plans just for You

Heaven’s bright angels will guard you
Surely you’re safe in their keep
So safely hide ‘neath their wings to abide
Go to sleep little lamb, go to sleep.

So sleep baby sleep
Sleep now in God’s perfect peace
One day the night will succumb to your light
But in Abba’s arms sleep tonight

There is a Father in heaven 
That loves you even more than I
Rest in this place and sleep in his grace
And sweet slumber shall surely draw nigh

Bridge
How can it be that I
Should sing to You a lullabye?
Sent from above rest here in my love
As angels their overwatch keep
Sleep my little lamb sleep

So sleep baby sleep
Sleep now in God’s perfect peace
One day the night will succumb to your light
But in Abba’s arms sleep tonight

Anthony Foster
November 25, 2020




Dream a Sweet Dream

Good night  my baby
Sleep tight my baby
Maybe just maybe
You’ll have sweet dreams tonight.
Slumber and sleep
As deep calls to deep
Your Abba will keep
You  in His perfect sight

Darkness is redeemed
As sleep reigns supreme
Dream a sweet dream
Dream a sweet. sweet dream.

As the day slowly dies
Close your sweet eyes
Soon you’ll arise
To a day that is new
Dream of a new day
Dream of games you’ll play
Dream and you just may
See your dreams come true.

Darkness is redeemed
As sleep reigns supreme
Dream a sweet dream
Dream a sweet. sweet dream.

Anthony Foster
November 25, 2020

Cradle Song (Lullabye for Jesus)



My little rock of Hope, 
I rock you now to sleep
And I will ponder what I know
And in my heart will keep
The treasure that is hid in you
You are the promised child
But you are in my arms tonight
And mysteries are reconciled.

Oh listen to this cradle song
As glorious angels now draw near
May you have sweet dreams all night long
Go to  sleep on this midnight clear
Go to sleep now Jesus dear

You are the one that makes our dreams
Here helpless in my arms
God’s purposes will be fulfilled
He’ll keep you now from harm 
So go to sleep my baby
As slumbers fill your eyes
You have become the promise
For God is good and wise

Oh listen to this cradle song
As glorious angels now draw near
May you have sweet dreams all night long
Go to  sleep on this midnight clear
Go to sleep now Jesus dear

November 24, 2020
Anthony Foster

Mary’s Lullabye



Now I lay you down to sleep
Consign you to the angels’ keep
I linger to gaze on your face
And I behold amazing grace. 

Sleep sound my baby sleep
As deep is calling unto deep
I lay you down upon the fleece
Rest now in God’s perfect  peace

I wonder what your dreams may hold
As you live the things that were foretold.
In the silent night lay down your head
There sleeping sound upon your bed

What mysteries hide within your heart 
You are where every blessing starts
So slumber now ‘neath angel wings
Protected by the song they sing

Lullabye and good night
Sleep soundly till the morning light
Surrounded by your Father’s arms
He will keep you safe from harm

I wonder what your dreams may hold
As you live the things that were foretold.
In the silent night lay down your head
There sleeping sound upon your bed


Anthony Foster
November 24, 2020

 

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Maranatha, Jesus


Hallowed be Your Name Lord-Trusted Be your Word
Spirit move men to believe-To obey the news they’ve heard
Lord, grant to us a strong faith –not to fear what this world fears
So we cry out for wisdom  and we know that our God hears

Maranatha Jesus, let your Kingdom come
Maranatha Jesus, Let Your will be done
Bring Your throne down to this earth
So that the world will know your worth
And that Your word is true
So they might worship you

May your commandments be obeyed  -Make us come to love your laws
That we might not profane your name-Make your name our only cause.
You show yourself to be Holy-Make your name be glorified 
Let it be our dread to disobey-Then beneath your wings we’ll hide.

Maranatha Jesus, let your Kingdom come
Maranatha Jesus, Let Your will be done
Bring Your throne down to this earth
So that the world will know your worth
And that Your word is true
So they might worship you

Bridge
Let the nations be glad
For you have sprinkled them
That your Kingdom shall come
With every tongue and tribe of men.

Maranatha Jesus, let your Kingdom come
Maranatha Jesus, Let Your will be done
Bring Your throne down to this earth
So that the world will know your worth
And that Your word is true
So they might worship you

November 18, 2020
Anthony Foster

 



Hallowed



Father in heaven may your Name 
Be hallowed by everyone
Make our lives a means  for men
To honor the Holy One 

By our love may they  love your name 
and reverence and praise  your name
and cherish and treasure your name
Sanctify and  glorify your name 

Father Establish your Kingdom, make it come 
And make your righteous will to be done
As in Heaven, so let it be on earth
Make our obedience declare your worth

 In your providence give us  food for today
Just enough to sustain us is what we pray
Father forgive us as we repent  of our sin
As we forgive  those who ask to be forgiven

Lead us not into temptation
Deliver us from the evil one
Hallowed be your Holy name
We Sanctify your Holy name

For Yours is the Kingdom
Yours is the Power
For Yours is the glory
Now and forever

So be it, Amen
Hallowed be your name Lord
Let it be so, Amen
Hallowed be your Holy name

November 18, 2020
Anthony Foster

 

Head in the Clouds (Don't Lose Your Mind)


Some folks work an assembly line and are bound to punch that clock
I live in a place out of time cause somebody rolled my rock
It's got nothin' to do with politics and nothing to do with fate
I gave it all to the man upstairs  and in turn He set me straight.
Or was that the other way around...

You don't have to lose your mind to find your soul
You just have to lose your life to find it.
Nothin' in this world can make you whole
Cause this too shall surely pass If you don't mind it
With my head on the ground and my feet in the clouds
I just want to go out and play
But with my head in the clouds and my feet on the ground
I'll let  go of my worries today

Some folks get their undies in a wad when they don't get their way
And some folks just keep silent cause they got nothing worthy to say
With all this stinkin' thinkin' goin' round  no wonder they are so sad
My momma used to tell me well if you're mad, then you can just get glad 
Or was that the other way around...

You don't have to lose your mind to find your soul
You just have to lose your life to find it.
Nothin' in this world can make you whole
Cause this too shall surely pass If you don't mind it
With my head on the ground and my feet in the clouds
I just want to go out and play
With my head in the clouds and my feet on the ground
I'll let  go of my worries today.


November Friday 13, 2020
Anthony Foster



A Hymn of Praise to Our God

Glory, glory, we adore You
You are our God and You alone
We declare with hearts confessing
There is no other Lord that we have known

But now our praise demands repentance
Conviction shows we’ve been untrue
Words of praise ring starkly hollow
For other treasures we pursue.

Lord we believe! Lord Help our unbelief
Lord may your Spirit turn our fine words to grief
Give us the gift of repentance from Sin
As your beloved children cleanse us again!
For you will purify
The soul that seeks to die
To all pursuits except for one
To seek your Kingdom and see it done
For then our hearts can truly praise
The author of our days and ways
Then in us you’ll be glorified
And we will be truly satisfied

Make our praise a sweet aroma
Inhabit  our praise as we draw near
Turn our doubting into trusting
Fill our hearts with holy fear

Lord we believe! Lord Help our unbelief
Lord may your Spirit turn our fine words to grief
Give us the gift of repentance from Sin
As your beloved children cleanse us again!
For you will purify
The soul that seeks to die
To all pursuits except for one
To seek your Kingdom and see it done
For then our hearts can truly praise
The author of our days and ways
Then in us you’ll be glorified
And we will be truly satisfied

November 18, 2020
Anthony Foster

Who is Like Our God?

Christ can turn us from our selfish ways
He can turn us from our sins today
He can turn our trials into praise
Who is like our God?
He spares us from calamities
Even ones we cannot see
And from our chains he’ll  set us free
Who is like our God?

Above every ruler. Above every name. 
For all time. Forever set apart
The power of Christ age to age the same
Only His power can change the heart
Who is Like Our God?
Who is Like Our God?
In Him and through Him and to Him are all things
Who is Like Our God?

What men mean for evil he turns to good
He works all things like we never could
He makes mystery to be understood
Who is like our God?
He works his purpose out in us
He makes glory out of dust
He gives to us the will to trust
Who is like our God?

Above every ruler. Above every name. 
For all time. Forever set apart
The power of Christ,  age to age the same
Only His power can change the heart
Who is Like Our God?
Who is Like Our God?
In Him and through Him and to Him are all things
Who is Like Our God?


November 18, 2020
Anthony Foster


Tuesday, November 17, 2020

My Shepherd Will Defend Me

Though life’s rocky rugged road would upend me
‘Midst its dangers My Shepherd will defend me
He has sought me when I strayed
So I will not be afraid
I put my trust in Him

This world’s predators would hope to befriend me
But from their wiles My Shepherd will defend me
He will fight on my behalf
With His mighty rod and staff
I put my trust in Him

Bridge
He will lead me to the paths  where I’ll flourish
He will see that  I am fed and I am nourished
Till I’ve finally understood
He is wise and He is good
I put my trust in Him

When I fall and I am broken he will mend me
When I’m helpless my shepherd will defend me
He will lift and carry me
To a place prepared for me
I put my trust in Him

Through the valley of the shadowlands He’ll tend me
From its snares and cares My shepherd will defend me
He will keep me to the end
So on Him I will depend
I put my trust in Him
I put my trust in Him
I put my trust in Him

Anthony Foster
November 17, 2020

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Open the Eyes of our Hearts



Open the eyes of our hearts
That we might clearly see 
The hope of our sure calling
The riches of Your glory
Give us a glimpse of our eternity

Open the eyes of our hearts
That we might clearly see
The inheritance Christ has in us
What was and comes to be
As promises become reality

Lord give the Spirit of Wisdom
That we might understand
Reveal to us the knowledge
Of our Christ and of His plan
And then with hearts enlightened
The truth within your Word
Will teach us all we need to know
Our souls and minds to gird.

Open the eyes of our hearts
That we might clearly see
The greatness without measure
His power toward all who believe
Help us see with clarity.

Lord give the Spirit of Wisdom
That we might understand
Reveal to us the knowledge
Of our Christ and of His plan
And then with hearts enlightened
The truth within your Word
Will teach us all we need to know
Our souls and minds to gird.

Ephesians 1:17-19
Anthony Foster

 

Sunday, November 8, 2020

King of My Soul



There are so  many forces in the world today

That covet my heart and conspire  to hold sway

But there is but one ruler that I would obey

I will live for the King of my soul


There are powers  unseen that would dominate

They would deem to deceive me about my fate

But there's only one monarch on whom I will wait

I will live for the King of my Soul


I will live for the King of my soul

I will yield to him total control

I will bend the knee to His authority

I will live for the King of my Soul


There is but one that I will call Lord

There is now only one worthy to be adored

There is only one treasure who is my reward

I will live for the King of my Soul


He who reigns over powers and authorities

Is the One who reigns over this world's destiny

He who reigns over starfields  now reigns over me

He's the sovereign over my soul


I will live for the King of my soul

I will yield to him total control

I will bend the knee to his authority

I will live for the King of my Soul


I will live for the King of my soul

I will yield to him total control

I will serve Him alone and stand before His throne

I will live for the King of my Soul


Anthony Foster
November 8, 2020 

Friday, November 6, 2020

Citizen of the Holy Road




The highway of holiness beckons me It’s led me down each mile I’ve trod
Now I will walk the penitent path For the pure in heart shall  see God
I’m a citizen of the holy road This world is not my home
But there’s joy in the journey For I don’t walk this road alone.

I’m a citizen of the holy road-Sojourning here below
Walking a pathway that few have come to know
A stranger in a stranger land, a pilgrim set apart
A refugee bearing a circumcised heart

This road is leading upward To a city on a Hill 
It takes me ever onward to the center of God’s will
The road is steep and narrow but there’s glory at its end
It’s paved with hope and perfect peace the world can’t comprehend

I’m a citizen of the holy road-Sojourning here below
Walking a pathway that few have come to know
A stranger in a stranger land, a pilgrim set apart
A refugee bearing a circumcised heart

There is  a wider pathway that so many travel on
It leads men to destruction as they seek their Avalon
The holy road is narrow but it’s where the righteous roam
The road less travelled is the way that surely leads us home

I’m a citizen of the holy road-Sojourning here below
Walking a pathway that few have come to know
A stranger in a stranger land, a pilgrim set apart
A refugee bearing a circumcised heart

November 6, 2020
Anthony Foster


Thursday, November 5, 2020

Keep Letting Your Light Shine


The night is falling and the shadows descend
But Jesus is calling - us all to depend
That the light of the world will shine brightly in us
We can reflect His glory if in Jesus we trust

Keep letting your light shine- keep it shining so bright
That the darkness flees from you- because of your light
Keep shining in darkness with a radiant glow
Then the glory in your life the Lord Jesus will show

Keep letting your light shine- Don't hide it away
That God might be glorified by your brilliant array
Reflecting Christ's glory you will gloriously gleam
Radiating God's righteousness so boldly you’ll beam

Keep letting your light shine- keep it shining so bright
That the darkness flees from you- because of your light
You'll be illuminating what was dark and obscure
Like lights in the world shining blameless and pure.

If Jesus lives in us darkness can't comprehend
That the mystery revealed is a light to all men.
Keep letting your light shine - shine for all to see
That the light of the world dwells within you and me

Keep letting your light shine
Shine God’s light upon the way
Keep letting your light shine
Shed abroad those glorious rays
Keep letting your light shine 
When God’s glory you display
His light brings a brand new day
Keep letting your light shine!

Anthony Foster
November 5, 2020

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

This Old Guitar


This old guitar made me better than I was 
And more than I would otherwise have been,
I can’t imagine what would be I guess nobody does
Or when the songs I play will ever end

It took me through some bitter days 
To play the song the piper plays
Exposed me to some glorious ways
That were held inside of me

For I had set my sights too low
But through the songs I came to know
That I must reap more than I sow
In the light of eternity

This old guitar was heaven sent when I had gone astray
And through it my maker taught my heart
The song he birthed within me taught me bout a better way
And with a new song gave me a new start

It took me through some bitter days 
To play the song the piper plays
Exposed me to some glorious ways
That were held inside of me

For I had set my sights too low
But through the songs I came to know
That I must reap more than I sow
In the light of eternity
For what I hear perfects what I can see…

Anthony Foster
November 3, 2020
The image is of my Yamaha 12 string purchased in 1970

Footstools


No demon,  no disease shall stand 
no self-pity, and no strife,
He’ll destroy his honor’s enemies
As ruler over life

No pride, no jealousy, no greed
No perversion and no vice
Can stand against what He’s decreed
Their power shall not suffice

Now all authorities and rules
Not one of them shall stand
For in their wisdom they are fools
They crumble in God’s hand

For all dominions he’ll defeat-
All powers known to man
Become a footstool for His feet
Then comes the end God planned

For his reign still reaches
The enemies of His glory
And all creation preaches
The power of His story.

1 Corinthians 15:24-25
Anthony Foster 

Treasured Possessions


We were dead to deepest joy
Never knowing true delight
We were blind to God’s great beauty
Lost in darkness without sight

But a design for joy complete
Was planned before our birth
As God’s joy overflowed 
To make known his glorious worth

Our unmitigated madness
Suicidal measures pass away
Was replaced by glorious gladness
Replaced by a far better way.

And this joy is secured
For all who will believe
By the blood of atonement
The new covenant receive

By the power of God’s love
We’re awakened and set free
Devastated and Delighted
We let go and bend the knee

The almighty work of God 
We come to persevere
Through all sorts of affliction
Our inheritance draws near

So the worst devastations
Prepare us for great delight
Pleasures at God’s right hand
Is where we set our sights.

By his own sovereign pleasure
He made a wretch His treasure
Now we sing, now we sing
As we become a living offering.

November 2, 2020

Anthony Foster