Friday, December 31, 2021

Trembling Joy

My name is recorded in the Lamb’s book of life.
I rejoice in the fact that I’m saved.
The suffering has purpose in spite of the strife
For I no longer fear the grave.

And I will tremble, tremble
I will tremble tremble
I will tremble tremble
Undone by the glorious sights
As with joy I live in my Christ

What I’ve been saved from is more than I know
Spared from the fate I deserve
Hell with the undying worm of the soul 
But God’s grace gives incalculable worth

And I will tremble, tremble
I will tremble tremble
I will tremble tremble
Undone by the glorious sights
As with joy I live in my Christ

Now with boldness I stand at the throne of God’s grace
And with confidence I will draw near
So with trembling joy I can transcend this place
And not longer be ruled by my fear

And I will tremble, tremble
I will tremble tremble
I will tremble tremble
Undone by the glorious sights
As with joy I live in my Christ

December 31, 2021
Anthony Foster

Homeward Bound

It’s a long long night on the road to somewhere
Destinations are not fixed in stone
Sometimes the dawn brings detours and other times a dare
But the journey wasn’t meant to be travelled alone

There are shadows up around the bend
And the twilight can obscure its end
As we traverse on a questionable quest
There are vistas beyond what we can see
Adventures on this trajectory
Where a wandering heart is startled as it’s blessed
And soon you’ll be homeward bound to take your rest

Every  tenacious  pilgrim who perseveres thru pain
And finds joy in the journey as they roam
Will come to realize that all their loss can become gain
When the winding path turns him back toward home

Though droughts within your spirit you may navigate
And storms and floods of fantasy  you contemplate
Here where trials and rejoicing interplay
There a flame and fire your path will light
As you walk by faith and not by sight
When by grace from your self-made plans you stray
You are homeward bound upon the living way.

December 31, 2021
Anthony Foster

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Out of Darkness



Into the depths of darkness
Into the shadowland
With no choice but to wander
And to strain to understand
Cringing to cling to an ember
Struggling to see in the night
Caught in a void of chaos
Blind even though eyes have sight

There is One who comes to call us
Out of  darkness to marvelous light
There is One who comes to save us
By His glorious power and might.

Once lost in a fatal delusion
Nowhere to go or to turn
Feeling the deep pangs of hunger
Roiling in a heart that yearns 
This deadly darkness He invaded
True Truth to illuminate
Out of the darkness He calls us
Into a glorious state.

There is One who comes to call us
Out of  darkness to marvelous light
There is One who comes to save us
By His glorious power and might.

Bridge
Out of the darkness into the light
Into His glory where faith becomes sight
Out of the shadows stumbling in the night
Out of the graveyard to skies shining bright

There is One who comes to call us
Out of  darkness to marvelous light
There is One who comes to save us
By His glorious power and might.

December 25, 2021
Anthony Foster

Friday, December 24, 2021

He Is, He Was, and He Will Be

Who is this Son of Man?
He is the Son of God
He Is, He Was, and He Will Be
His Holy name we laud!
Now full of Grace and Truth
He descends from above
Gentle and lowly in His heart
Yet God of Light and Love

Like eternal Father, like eternal Son;
Spanning endless ages, two divinely one.
Alpha and Omega, both the first and last;
Eternally existing, present, future, past.

The resurrection and the life
The One Son of the Blessed
The triune and uncreated
In mortal form enfleshed.
He is the first and He is the Last
The source and the sum
His power and glory will be seen
When His Kingdom comes

Like eternal Father, like eternal Son;
Spanning endless ages, two divinely one.
Alpha and Omega, both the first and last;
Eternally existing, present, future, past.

Soon will appear in heav’n the sign 
Of the returning Son of Man, 
And all the tribes of earth will mourn, 
For they will understand
Then unveiled glory will be shown
As from eternity
And we will know as we are known
God’s true reality

Like eternal Father, like eternal Son;
Spanning endless ages, two divinely one.
Alpha and Omega, both the first and last;
Eternally existing, present, future, past.

December 24, 2021
After an article by Jon Bloom
Anthony Foster

Jubilation! Christ is Born!


For ages hope was out of sight
Men were creatures of the night
Doing right in their own eyes
Living with  a throne of lies
And the greatest enemy of men
Was man himself  in all His sin

Promised hope for those who grieve
Messiah would their woes relieve
Time and times He was  foretold
That His coming was from of old
Heed  the prophets Ye forlorn
Blessed will be the ones that mourn

Jubilation! Christ is born
All ye nations cease to mourn
Lamentation no more reigns
Our salvation now attains

Come and worship all the Earth
Come and hail your Savior’s birth
Almighty God and man is He
Who alone can set us free!
Come and praise the servant King
His coming changes everything!

Jubilation! Christ is born
All ye nations cease to mourn
Lamentation no more reigns
Our salvation now attains

December 24, 2021
Anthony Foster






Wednesday, December 22, 2021

That We May Believe


Oh awaken, awaken all you children
To the awe and the astonishment and fear
Oh awaken, Awaken to the Wonder
To the Wonder that the Son of God is here

Oh the Blessed beauty of the Begotten
By God the Father from all eternity
Who reflecting all God’s radiant glory
Now the image of His person we can see

Tear the veil from our eyes, let us clearly see
This unimaginable reality
Beyond all desires, more than we can conceive
Light of Lights shine on us that we may believe.

Bridge
Now let us tremble at Christ’s incarnation
And arouse all the emotions we can bear
For Immanuel has now come to save us
So the Name above all names we shall declare! 

Oh the marvel the majesty and mystery
Now no stranger story ever has been told
He created and sustains the universe
Which by the Word of His power He upholds

Holy Spirit, pray awaken us from sleep
To the awe and admiration Christ deserves
Then our joy will be full when God is Hallowed
As the cosmic glory of Christ is observed

Tear the veil from our eyes, let us clearly see
This unimaginable reality
Beyond all desires, more than we can conceive
Light of Lights shine on us that we may believe.

John 20:30–31
December 22, 2021
Anthony Foster

 

Hallelujah Noel

This Christmas we will celebrate
Not just the baby Jesus’ birth
Our Savior who is Christ the Lord
Reconciles GOD and men of Earth

This is the truth of God in Christ
And our redemption now is bought.
The Light of the world now has come
And so we tremble at the thought

Hallelujah Noel, Hallelujah Noel
Hallelujah Noel, Noel
He comes to us Immanuel!

God hates the Sin that separates
Him from those on the darkened path
The one who makes our peace with God
Propitiates  the Father’s wrath

The second Adam comes to us
He condescends from Highest Height
This Son of God and Son of Man
Is God of God and Light of Light

Bridge
Sing Glori-a, sing Glori-a
Hallelujah Hallelujah
Sing Glori-a, sing Glori-a
Hallelujah Hallelujah

Hallelujah Noel, Hallelujah Noel
Hallelujah Noel, Noel
He comes to us Immanuel!
Hallelujah Noel, Hallelujah Noel
Hallelujah Noel, Noel
He comes to us Immanuel!

December 22, 2021
Anthony Foster

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Love in the Blood of the Lamb

Behold the Lamb, the Great I AM
Come the Devils’ works to destroy 
The Righteous One- God’s begotten Son
Come to bring the Father’s joy

Infinite and incarnate love
This love divine came down
Redemption’s source sent from above
In the house of Bread He is found 

Behold the Lamb who’ll shed His blood 
Before creation it was planned
He came to die for those who find
Love in the blood of the Lamb.

Bridge
By the blood of the lamb we overcome
By the blood of the lamb we will love
By the blood of the lamb we are covered
Like a righteous robe.

Behold the Lamb once slain now stands
The Wondrous Worthy Son of Man 
Who takes away the sins of all Who find
Love in the blood of the Lamb.

Behold the Lamb who’ll shed His blood 
Before creation it was planned
He came to die for those who find
Love in the blood of the Lamb.

December 21, 2021
Anthony Foster



King of Hearts


There’s no peace for the wicked
Who regard  God with enmity
The peace we need is not from war
When God remains the enemy

Peace, peace, the prophets cry
But there can be no peace
Without the King cruel chaos reigns
And Sin’s slaves still need release

Now behold the Prince of Peace is come
And He will be our True Shalom.
The peace of God this Prince imparts
When He becomes the King of Hearts.

His chastisement brought us peace,
And by his wounds we are healed.
The peace that passes understanding  
Comes to Him whose heart is kneeled.

Behold the Prince of Peace is come
And He will be our True Shalom.
The peace of God this Prince imparts
When He becomes the King of Hearts.

Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11
Isaiah 48:22; 53:5
December 20, 2021
Anthony Foster

 

Saturday, December 18, 2021

Heartrending



In the days of desolation
Our needs are evident
In the days of lamentation
The righteous will repent
The light that God is sending
Breaks up the darkness deep
Convicting and heart rending
It wakes us from our sleep

We rid our rooms of leaven
Revealed now in the light
The majesty of heaven
Breaks on our dawning sight 
True faith will make us humble
Once we see the light of day
The shadows where we stumble
All disperse to show God’s way

Religion is all the more vain
Without  true godliness
But Truth will make the lies plain
And grant us holiness
Then secret grief  becomes real
And in the soul is proved
When our Sin is revealed
Then the mind and heart are moved.

The Spirit works in our souls
And purges out our Sin
And by His grace Christ consoles
And the victory we win.
Once the dying Savior’s voice
Rent the rocks and conquered hell
So in His Word we can rejoice
For He will rend our hearts as well!

Joel 2:13
December 18, 2021
Anthony Foster

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

There But For the Grace of God

On my way to learn to die
I’ve found what my dreams are worth
They’re of no more value than the longings
Of every other soul on  earth
And every sinner carries
That same burden I once bore
Our greatest need is holiness
And to know what it’s all for

There but for the grace of God - Go I
He knows every step I’ve trod and why.
Not just what He’s spared me from
But what He’s led me to
And by His grace He will see me through

I see neighbors on the wayside 
Some are desolate and weak
Some are up to eyeballs deep in debt
The more they get the more they seek.
Some bask in their ease and pleasure
They escape behind their walls 
Some choke on a gluttons’ excess
Some run out when duty calls

There but for the grace of God - Go I
He knows every step I’ve trod and why.
Not just what He’s spared me from
But what He’s led me to
And by His grace He will see me through

Every one made in God’s image
A broken mirror bears
And a spirit deader than a corpse
And a fate each of us shares
We are all in this boat together
We’re all in the need of grace
We all need to get some mercy
As we run this rugged race

There but for the grace of God - Go I
He knows every step I’ve trod and why.
Not just what He’s spared me from
But what He’s led me to
And by His grace He will see me through

December 15, 2021
Anthony Foster

All in All


Pleasures poor and passions weak 
Ease and comfort this world seeks
But our desires are far too mall
When You can be our all in all

With You as our One desire  
We have all that we require
 For You are our all in all
All we hope for and all we dream
Comes like an ever-flowing stream 
For You are our all in all
Lord You are our everlasting pleasure
Lord you are our neverending treasure.
On you alone we set our sight
You are our joy and our delight
You provide your Grace beyond measure

Bridge
You alone are the pearl of Great price
Our precious jewel for you are the Christ
The deep desires  for which we cry
Lord only You can satisfy

After you our hearts will thirst
If we seek your Kingdom first
All these good things you will add
You alone make our souls glad.

With you as our One desire  
We have all that we require
For You are our all in all
All we hope for and all we dream
Comes like an ever-flowing stream 
For You are our all in all
Lord You are our everlasting pleasure
Lord you are our neverending treasure.
On you alone we set our sight
You are our joy and our delight
You provide your Grace beyond measure

December 15, 2021
Anthony Foster


Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Unshakable Hope and Infinite Love

The blessed hope of heaven sustains
Us through the stormy blast
When all else fails our hope remains
In the present as in the past.

Infinite love will be our stay
On this we can depend
This love will show us to God’s way
And keep us to the end.

Unshakable hope and Infinite Love
This is our reality
Much more than we take notice of
More than our eyes can see

Bridge
For hope is not just far away
As in some distant land
Our Hope in Christ lifts us each day
As we’re held in His hand

This Love most infinite and kind
Transforms all we desire
And if we seek it we will find
God gives what  He requires

Unshakeable Hope and infinite Love
Armed with these perfect gifts of grace
Supplied to us from heaven above
We overcome all that we face.

Unshakable hope and Infinite Love
This is our reality
Much more than we take notice of
More than our eyes can see.

December 14, 2021
Anthony Foster

 

I Reckon


Into Christ’s death baptized-So just as he was raised
We too can walk in a new life-So we should stand amazed.
United in His death-With Him we too arise
Newness of life will be our truth-The old self crucified.

I reckon this is true
In Christ I am made new.
I reckon this is true
In Christ I am made new.

So the old man now is dead-No more a slave of sin
The one who’s died has been set free-To never die again.
Now if we die with Christ-In Him we’ll surely live
For sin’s dominion has been crushed-He’s faithful to forgive

I reckon this is true
In Christ I am made new.
I reckon this is true
In Christ I am made new.

And so we must reckon this-To sin we’ve truly died
Alive to God is now reality-For Sin is crucified.
No longer slaves to sin-But to righteousness a slave
For eternal life is God’s free gift-Sin’s wage is death’s dark grave

I reckon this is true
In Christ I am made new.
I reckon this is true
In Christ I am made new.

Romans 6
December 14, 2021
Anthony Foster

God of All Consolation

Amidst the darkened silent night
To stir up pain and quench the light
There roared a storm out of the curse
Its ancient deceits to rehearse

Yet in the darkness dense and deep
There is the God who never sleeps
Who watches over  all our trials
And takes us through them mile by mile

God of all consolation
When our anxieties attain
God of our salvation
You calm our hearts  and ease our pain
You reveal yourself to be
Good and true to me
There amidst our suffering souls
You have comforted and consoled
God of all consolation, hear my plea.

The day of trouble is each day
And troubled times call us to pray
We have an intercessor who will heed
Our cries for the comfort that we need

God of all consolation
When our anxieties attain
God of our salvation
You calm our hearts  and ease our pain
You reveal yourself to be
Good and true to me
There amidst our suffering souls
You have comforted and consoled
God of all consolation, hear my plea.

December 14, 2021
Anthony Foster




Follow Hard

Follow hard after Jesus
You humble man of God
Stand without blame
Clean with no shame
Take up your own staff and rod.

Follow hard after Jesus
And don garments of praise
God has a plan 
He calls you God’s man
Your job is heaven to raise.

No turning back, no turning back
For Jesus provides all you lack
Overcome if you dare
By the blood  you can bear
More than anything  this world can hack.

Follow hard after Jesus
And His righteous image pursue
Be done with sin
The victory win
For His power’s invested in you.

Stop drop and roll
When the fire takes your soul
And give Christ control  as you live
For in living there’s dying
Self and flesh crucifying
Your all on the altar to give

So go without knowing 
That is my advice
Let this be your boast
You love your God most
And find God gives  grace beyond price.


Anthony Foster
December 14, 2021



 

New Creatures of our God and King



Put off the old man with His  sin
In Christ  a new man will begin
Found as a new creation
Transformed by His salvation
Then step by step the victory You’ll win.

Let this be your anthem strong
Conformed to His likeness e’re long
New creatures of our God and King
Your need becomes your offering

Put on the new man now reborn
Your filthy rags no longer worn
To Glory raised
May God be praised
In righteous robes  now be adorned

Let this be your living sacrifice
Reckon yourself dead to sin, Alive to Christ
New creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice rejoice and sing

Our sin and shame our Lord did bear
Nailed to His cross he left it there
Then when He arose from His grave
We rose with Him and so are saved
Let this be the truth that we declare

Romans 6
December 13, 2021
Anthony Foster

Monday, December 13, 2021

In the Silent Holy Night



In the silent holy night Where for four hundred years 
Weary souls wait for the light To  calm their deepest fears
Perhaps God had abandoned them Perhaps all hope was lost
Were they giv’n over to their sin? Then death would be the cost.

Never together, things fall apart  and it’s  more than we can bear
A weary world  of weary hearts Sees desolation everywhere
But there’s a God of Glory who loves prodigal  sons
He continues His story that He started till it’s done…

In the Silent Holy Night
In the Silent Holy Night
In the Silent Holy Night

For He promised and ordained  that the woman’s seed
Would come  to rule and reign, destroy the devil and his deeds
The dragon it awaits its prey- But the child it would devour
Will crush the dragon’s skull one day But not in this silent hour.

In the silent Holy night The darkness breaks asunder
For heaven shares its glorious light And the world is filled with wonder
Yes in this silent holy night Is where it all begins
The child has come who is the light That purges all our sins.

Oh  in the silent holy night New hope  becomes a child
Salvation comes to shed its light- and we are reconciled
Yes, in the silent holy night New hope  somehow unfolds
God’s promise comes to bless the blight Just as it was foretold.

In the Silent Holy Night
In the Silent Holy Night
In the Silent Holy Night

Revelation 12
December 13, 2021
Anthony Foster