We All Fall Down

Nothin’ ever falls together-It always falls apart
When something’s broken its forever-Specially if it is a heart
Entropy, it holds its captives In a spiral viral fall
There’s no way to be adaptive In a violent free for all

We all fall down there’s no falling up

Every feeble plan devils will disrupt

If we have to fall better be on our face

Pleading for mercy pleading for grace

We are stumbling in a dire descent

We can be so wrong that our hope is spent

From the day were born headed to the grave

From womb to tomb how can we be saved?

Bridge

Shall we shake our fist At the only one who can lift

Us from our sin and hate Who can avert our fate?

If we could just fail forward as we fall upon our face

We could cast ourselves headlong on Grace

There is only one who can carry us

The very one who made us from dust

Yeah we all fall down but he’ll pick us up

And drink the wrath carried in our cup

We all fall down there’s no falling up

Every feeble plan devils will disrupt

If we have to fall better be on our face

Pleading for mercy pleading for grace

Love lifted me even me

Love lifted me

When nothing else could help

He picked me up and set me free.

Anthony Foster

December 31, 2020

Search My Soul

Search my soul Lord search, search my soul
Reveal  any unholy way
That I might confess and be made whole
Teach me to study my soul today

Teach me how to examine my heart

To discern sins seductive seat

Break me E’en if it tears me apart

Shatter my unholy heart’s deceit

Bridge

Refine me with your fire

Into love I would inquire 

Give me grace to discern

The love I must learn

Make love my heart’s desire

Chorus

Search my soul Lord search my soul

Break my heart and make it whole

Make holiness my holy goal

Search my heart oh Lord

Show me  glories I am seduced by

Broken cisterns where I still drink

Take away my  covetous eye

Idolatrous thoughts that I think

Chorus

Search my soul Lord search my soul

Break my heart and make it whole

Make holiness my holy goal

Search my heart oh Lord

Anthony Foster

December 31, 2020

Glorious Face

We rejoice in hope of the glory of God
Oh to see His glorious face
The beauty of His wonderful light 
That the heavenly hosts can’t replace

We treasure the glory of God 

Our passion's to walk in his light

To linger in His Holy presence

To gaze on this glorious sight.

Show us your glorious face

Lord show us your glorious face

Let us see You, Jesus –your glory unveiled

May the weight of Your glory forever be hailed

In the light of Your glory and grace

Let us see Your glorious face.

Jesus, in all his person 

and work, is the incarnation 

The imprint of the glory of God. 

And its ultimate revelation 

He has made known the riches of glory 

For vessels of mercy to fill

For he has prepared us beforehand 

This blessed hope  to instill

Show us your glorious face

Lord show us your glorious face

Let us see You, Jesus –your glory unveiled

May the weight of Your glory forever be hailed

In the light of Your glory and grace

Let us see Your glorious face.

Romans 5:2; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:3

December 31, 2020

Anthony Foster

Zion’s Heights

Take me to your mighty mountain

Take me to its very top

Where I can drink of your living fountain

And see that view that never stops

Take me to your mighty mountain

Lord there let me hear your voice

Shed your glory on the mountain

And my seeking heart will rejoice

Take me higher, ever higher

For that rock is a mighty tower

Zion’s heights are my desire

May Your Word call forth your power

Take me to that mountain’s summit

There to gaze on heaven’s shore

May my lofty pride then plummet

Humble me forevermore.

On that mountain’s heights I’ll tremble

Lifted up upon that place

Holy fear will fill this temple

Fall in awe upon my face

Take me higher, ever higher

For that rock is a mighty tower

Zion’s heights are my desire

May Your Word call forth your power

Take me to your mighty mountain

Lord there let me hear your voice

Shed your glory on the mountain

And my seeking heart will rejoice

Anthony Foster

December 28, 2020

The Threshold of Prayer

Father when first to You I pray
I shall not allow my mind to stray

With my first thoughts I shall say

" Hallowed be Your name."

I shall not ask for wealth or power,

Or for over other men to tower

But shall begin devotion's hour

With "Hallowed be Your name."

I first shall lift mine eyes above

To view the dwellings of Your love,

And my heart's lips shall speak thereof

"Hallowed be Your name."

I shall not pray for daily bread,

I shan't ask for straight paths to tread,

Till I have buried self and said,

" Hallowed be Your name."

Before I ask, I shall adore ; My gift of love shall go before,

And yield my heart while I implore

"Hallowed be Your name."

I shall before all else desire That Your great love may kindle fire

Which shall the sons of men inspire

To consecrate Your name.

I would postpone my human need

To seek Your praise in word and deed,

And to implore the years to speed

The hallowing of Your name.

So shall my morning act of prayer

Be no mere cry of want's despair.

There is no name that can compare

To the glory of your name.

Before I ask, I shall adore ; My gift of love shall go before,

And yield my heart while I implore

" Hallowed be Your name."

I shall before all else desire That Your great love may kindle fire

Which shall the sons of men inspire

To consecrate Your name.

" Hallowed be Your name."

Anthony Foster-based on a song by George Matheson

December 28, 2020

When the Daylight Breaks

Shine, shine, Father Divine,
Out in the fields where night is spreading

Gleam, gleam, heart-searching beam,

Down in the vales where vice is treading

Rise, rise, Star of the skies,

Over the shades of human sorrow ;

Play, play, Fount of living day,

On eyes that wait for tomorrow.

Lead us by Your light, give blind eyes new sight

Your Word is a great lamp unto our feet

May your Glory shine  that those who seek may find

That the living light will never know defeat

When the daylight breaks from the Mercy Seat.

Bring, bring, health on Your wing

Into the homes where sickness reigns;

Bear, bear, freedom from care

Into the hearts where fortune pains ;

Give, give, courage to live

Unto the souls where anguish wakes ;

Tell, tell, all things shall answer well

At morn when the daylight breaks.

Lead us by Your light, give blind eyes new sight

Your Word is a great lamp unto our feet

May your Glory shine  that those who seek may find

That the living light will never know defeat

When the daylight breaks from the mercy seat.

" The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light."

Isaiah 9: 2; Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:5

After a poem by George Matheson

New words and chorus by Anthony Foster

December 28, 2020

Valley of Solace

 

There is a valley paved with tears,
Whose gates my soul must pass,

And to dim sight it yet appears

Darkly as through a glass.

But in its gloom faith sees a light

More glorious than the day

And all its tears are rainbow bright

When Calvary crowns the way.

Then I know how to pray.

Then I know how to pray.

Then I know how to pray.

And all its tears are rainbow bright

When Calvary crowns the way.

My Lord, within that mortal vale

Your Spirit still abides

And can my heart grow faint or fail

When Your Spirit is my guide ?

The Spirit makes me understand

And points my way to You

Your echoes wake the silent land

Your melody rings true.

It transforms all I do.

It transforms all I do.

It transforms all I do.

Your echoes wake the silent land

Your melody rings true.

What if the path be all unknown ?

And the way be unclear?

Its shades I traverse not alone

When Lord Your steps are near.

Your presence, as it passed above,

Lights up the fogged haze

Your hand has lit the torch of love,

I see by its burning blaze.

It brightens all my ways.

It brightens all my ways.

It brightens all my ways.

Your hand has lit the torch of love,

I see by its burning blaze.

Original lyrics by George Matheson

New lyrics and Music Anthony Foster

December 28, 2020

I Will Cast My Cares on You

Lord, Take my burdened heart,
Take it with all my cares
For though my wounds their pain impart,
My burdens you will bear

Lord, Take my burdened soul,

Take them to be Your own ;

Here where the waves of sorrow roll

Your mercy you have shown

I will cast my cares on You

Give to you my weary way

You bear the burdens of my soul

And my fears are cast away

Lord, Take my burdened life ;

Give me Your yoke to share

For it is free of human strife

It is easy and light to bear

Lord, Take my burdened day ;

Make me to soar on high ;

Then when the shadows stop the way,

All cloudless is my sky.

I will cast my cares on You

Give to you my weary way

You bear the burdens of my soul

And my fears are cast away

Lord, Take my burdened will

Renew my striving mind

For where You bid my storm be still,

Perfect freedom I will find.

I will cast my cares on You

Give to you my weary way

You bear the burdens of my soul

And my fears are cast away

Yes my fears are cast away.

1 Peter 5:7

Anthony Foster (After George Matheson)

December 28, 2020

The Birth of the Ancient of Days

Take me to the edge of awe and plunge me to its depths
For I have been so callous to your story.
I've grown accustomed to your Grace - it is like my breath
I've come to take for granted your great glory

I stand wond'ring at the Birth of the Ancient of Days

Your mystery, your terror  and the danger

At the end of pondering  I give up myself to praise

Of the majestic myst'ry in a manger.

Bridge

A beatific vision in this place 

as we behold the savior face to face

Nothing is so shocking as the creche 

the ancient of all days is veiled in flesh

Beguiling babe-begotten from eternity 

Unimaginable is your majesty

That I might see Open up my eyes 

And stun me once again as I realize 

Your coming forth is from of old, from the ancient days

The one  who existed before birth, behold

You came to witness to the Truth of your Father's ways

You came into the world  infinitely old

Lord make me feel amazed and astonished at the thought

That now my heart might apprehend your glory

The wonder of the holy blood by which my soul was bought

Beyond the shadows  reality I see

Anthony Foster

December 25, 2020

Cosmic Glory

Awaken me to unimagined reality

That my soul may tremble and to know your fear

Open the eyes of my heart so I can clearly see

In wild-eyed wonderment now as I draw near.

I will never find anything so shocking, so strange, 

So weird and spellbinding a sensation

For the most stupendous story still remains 

The Story of the Son of God's incarnation 

Chorus

Stir my emotions, my awe and wonder jar

Admiration and joy, as I study who You are

The cosmic glory of the Christ I see

Amazed that you are mindful of me

The universe by your Word you preserve and uphold 

Everything in all creation that exists  

Even in the darkened grave the world you still controlled

For by and through your person it consists

Oh glory of God undo me - show your glory to me

Lord may your Holy Spirit my hard heart break 

The woman's seed reached its root into the heart of me.

Renew my mind and my easy comforts take

Chorus

Stir my emotions, my awe and wonder  jar

Admiration and joy, as I study who You are

The cosmic glory of the Christ I see

Amazed that you are mindful of me

Anthony Foster

December 25, 2020

All Treasures God's Good Gift Excels

We would see the glory of Christ, 
We would see this, we would see
He who is the image of God.
We would see, this is our plea
We would see the glory of God 
in the face of Jesus Christ.
We exult in what we see and know
As we own the pearl of great price

God is with us God is for us

God is in us now

Grace was given We’re forgiven

Christ in living in us now.

The son of God took on flesh

That he might suffer and die

So grace can come to sinners

That’s the only way and why

Now we who are the reconciled

We honor and His name extoll

The Spirit pours the love of God

Into our heart and soul

God is with us God is for us

God is in us now

Grace was given We’re forgiven

Christ in living in us now.

Bridge

All treasures God’s good gift excels

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see

Immanuel with us to dwell 

Hail the incarnate deity

Hail the incarnate deity

Hail the incarnate deity

God is with us God is for us

God is in us now

Grace was given We’re forgiven

Christ in living in us now.

Anthony Foster

December 23, 2020

The Secret Place

There is a secret down in my heart  That nobody's eye can see ; 

In the world's great plan it has no part,  But it makes my world to me. 

The secret that mine heart holds dear

Is found in the way of a holy fear

I tremble deep within my breast,  At the foot of all else 'tis found ; 

Over other things it is most blest,  For this is my holy ground. 

By the breath of its native life it lives  

It shines alone by the light it gives. 

The fear of the Lord lies in the secret place

God's counsel from it flows

This is the very source of grace

And the peace my spirit knows

Past understanding, this peace of  mine, It came in my darkest hour ; 

It woke when the stars had ceased to  shine,  When sunlight lost its power. 

Like the Lord from the darkness of the  tomb, 

Through close -shut doors it filled the room. 

It filled the room and it filled my life  With a glory of source unseen ; 

It made me calm in the midst of strife,  And in winter my heart was green ; 

And the birds of promise sang on the tree 

When the storm was breaking 'round about me. 

The fear of the Lord lies in the secret place

And wisdom from it flows

This is the very source of grace

And the peace my spirit knows.

" The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him.''' Psalm 25:14.

Anthony Foster (after George Matheson)

December 23, 2020

One Unholy Mess

I try and I try but I confess
I am one unholy mess
At the end of myself, undone
Did I hear the Savior say “come”?

Come sinner come

Come to the holy one

Though you’re far away

I can hear Jesus say

Come home come home come home

Over my sin I come to grieve

In my unbelief help me believe

For this time I was brought low

So mercy I could come to know

Come sinner come

Come to the holy one

Though you’re far away

You can hear Jesus say

Come home come home come home

Bridge

He will meet you where He finds you

But he will not leave you there

For His fiery grace refines you

And Your burdens He will bear.

He says

Come sinner come

Come to the holy one

Though you’re far away

You can hear Jesus say

Come home come home come home

Anthony Foster

December 23, 2020

Silent Prayer

Father, in your lovingkindness

You have heard and embraced my stress

When my soul cannot find words to confess

You bear my spirit’s sigh, 

For in my heart the shadows deep

Obscure Your mercy as I weep 

As my deep place calls unto deep

You hear and heed my cry.

There are moments deep within  my soul

Where burgeoning billows round it roll,

And I see no power that can control

Their pathless way,

My heart knows not whom or what to ask 

So I question why  is my soul downcast?

I preach to my soul taking it to task

But I cannot pray.

When you come to Christ for love and mercy 

And help in your anguish  And your perplexity 

When you plead for him to forgive your sin, 

You really need to know

You are going with the flow 

Of his own deepest wishes, not against them.

Your blessed Word my mind can teach

That even my groanings without speech

Into my  Father's heart can reach

And find its solace there.

You  count all my unspoken sighs ;

You treasure up  my wordless cries,

And send to me divine replies

As answered prayer.

You read within my human groan,

Whose cause is to myself unknown,

My spirit's need for You alone

For You even still more.

When in my heart the shadows creep

To obscure Your mercy as I weep 

As my deep place calls unto deep

My groans You’ll not ignore

You heed my cry once more.

Anthony Foster Romans 8:26 (After George Matheson)

December 23, 2020

Prince of Peace

Peace to those with whom God is pleased
Who would fall down upon their knees
Christ has come as the holy child
That God and man might be reconciled

Peace to those  on whom His favor rests 

For in this prince of peace we are blessed

Peace to those who love this light

Whose hearts are given second sight.

Prince of Peace, reign in me-Shine your light for all to see

For all who bow before your throne-Peace with God  shall be known

Christ has come to seek and save

Christ has come the way to pave

Peace to those who repent and believe

Peace to those who forgiveness receive

Peace to those who are at enmity

With God Himself and would ever be

If Peace had not their hearts pursued

And came to earth  to do them good

Prince of peace reign in us-Give the grace for us to trust

You will pay the cost for Sin-Come to our hearts to enter in.

And soon the devil’s work’s destroyed

Christ comes that death will be made void

Then God’s good will shall never cease

For those who love the Prince of Peace.

Prince of peace reign o’er all-As you reign, reverse the Fall

May your kingdom come on earth-Your will comes in the Savior’s birth

Prince of peace reign in us Give the grace for us to trust

You will pay the cost for Sin- Come to our hearts to enter in.

Anthony Foster 

December 22, 2020

The Fountain of Forever

Drinking at the fountain of forever

Drinking there until we have our fill

Then satisfaction brings

A new desire that sings

For another drink our soul to thrill.

Drinking at the fountain of forever

The fountain is a person not a place

And those who taste and see

Find life abundantly

As they come to know the fountain has a face

For Jesus is the fountain of forever

It’s from Jesus that the living water flows

Come fall down on your knees

And drink all that you please

Come taste the wondrous water heaven knows.

Come drink  now at the fountain of forever

As the fountain flows the heart is purified

Now let the water cleanse

You from your shameful sins

Come drink until your soul is satisfied.

For Jesus is the fountain of forever

It’s from Jesus that the living water flows

Come fall down on your knees

And drink all that you please

Come taste the wondrous water heaven knows.

It’s from Jesus that the living water flows...

Anthony Foster

December 15, 2020