Thursday, December 31, 2020

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

Monday, December 28, 2020

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

Friday, December 25, 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

Wednesday, December 23, 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

Tuesday, December 22, 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

Tuesday, December 15, 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

Mighty Mighty Love


No power on earth can overcome nor in the heavenlies
The Mighty Mighty love of Christ has won the victory

No weapon shall prevail
All powers on earth shall fail
To ever separate us from our Lord
No schemes from down below
His plan can overthrow
We bear a weapon stronger than a sword

Clothed in righteous armor We are following the Son
He is the warrior of love so in Love we overcome

When we speak the truth in love
With wisdom from above
Then all the world shall tremble at His name
Then every tongue shall confess
With bended knee they’ll bless
The one who is from age to age the same.

No power on earth can overcome nor in the heavenlies
The Mighty Mighty love of Christ has won the victory
No power on earth can overcome nor in the heavenlies
The Mighty Mighty love of Christ has won the victory

Anthony Foster
Romans 8:31-39
December 15, 2020 

Christmas Prayer


Some may pray for the end of wars to bring a peace on earth
But the peace they need is peace with God and life for all its worth
Now Christmas brings a promised child who is the Prince of Peace
For peace is now a person so let all your striving cease

And so this is my hope for you this is my Christmas prayer
That you might find your hope in Him who came our sins to bear
To receive a Sovereign Savior and sanctified release
He is the way the truth the life-the only path to peace.

So rest in the peace of Jesus Rest from your enmity
Come sit at His table Tho you’ve been an enemy
Come home to the Father who has laid aside his wrath
And find  the very thing you need  in Calvary’s aftermath.

And so this is my hope for you this is my Christmas prayer
That you might find your hope in Him and love beyond compare
To receive the Mighty love of Christ the  love that can’t be severed
He is the way the truth the life-the fountain of forever.

Anthony Foster
December 15, 2020