Monday, September 25, 2023

The Chastening


Lord, unafflicted, undismayed,

In pleasure's path how long I strayed:

But you have made me feel your rod,

And turned my soul to you, my God.


I love your chastenings, my God,

They fix my hopes on your abode;

Where, in your presence fully blessed,

Your stricken saints forever rest!


What though it pierced my fainting heart,

I bless your hand that caused the smart;

It taught my tears awhile to flow —

But saved me from eternal woe.


Bridge

You will not let me go my way

You will not suffer me to stray

For my Father will do all that it takes

To cause my stubborn will to break


O, had you left me unchastised,

Your precepts I had still despised,

And still the snare in secret laid

Had my unwary feet betrayed.


I love your chastenings, my God,

They fix my hopes on your abode;

Where, in your presence fully blessed,

Your stricken saints forever rest!


September 16, 2023

"Sanctified Affliction"

Hebrews 12:6; 1 Corinthians 11:30

After William Cowper

Anthony Foster (additional bridge)

The Song Still Sings


We’ve grown and changed and rearranged 

Still becoming all we’ll be

Thru circumstances our romance

Stood more than we could foresee


All thru the years thru trials and tears

Our  joys were not a few

For by our love our lord above

Has come to see us thru


And the song still sings Ringing in our hearts

Sacrifice and offerings Drive us together not apart

Yes the song’s not done And it still rings true

For God has made one Flesh from me and you


Though we have grown old

Shadows have grown long

Still the days unfold

To renew our song

So together we

In these latter days

Seek our destiny

As we seek gods ways


We are one flesh 

two souls now enmeshed

Ever loving ever fresh

A true union of two 

We are one flesh 

living one anotherness

We are uniquely blessed

You for me and me for you


And the song still sings Ringing in our hearts

Sacrifice and offerings Drive us together not apart

Yes the song’s not done And it still rings true

For God has made one Flesh from me and you


September 24, 2023

For our 46th anniversary 

Anthony Foster



Sunday, September 10, 2023

Playing with Fire



The fire dances pretty, the fire’s clothed with light

While it destroys it also shines bright

What is turning to ash before your very sight

The conflagration  burns out-and you are left in the night.


The fire can teach you- or it can be your true bain

The plain thing is seen true and the truth is made plain

Some lessons can only be learned through its pain

When you’re playing with fire beware of its reign.


When you’re playing with fire you’re gonna get burned

You’d have thought that by now you would have learned

After all of these scars and pain you’d have discerned

When you’re playing with fire you’re gonna get burned


The fire has its purpose and it has its way

Subvert its  design and be brought to dismay

So warm your soul by it as this lamp lights your way

But if you abuse it there’ll be the devil to pay


When you’re playing with fire you’re gonna get burned

You’d have thought that by now you would have learned

After all of these scars and pain you’d have discerned

When you’re playing with fire you’re gonna get burned

When you’re playing with fire you’re gonna get burned

When you’re playing with fire you’re gonna get burned


September 10, 2023

Anthony Foster





Friday, September 8, 2023

Amazing Jesus


The wisdom of my Lord it is amazing

All He is and all He does will amaze

He is beautiful beyond description

His person is all worthy of praise


Amazing Jesus how sweet the name

In the glory of His presence stand amazed

Amazing Jesus ! May our life’s aim

Be to know you ever more fully all our days


He raises the dead and makes blind men see

His amazing power knows no end

He breaks our bonds and he sets us free

From the fear of death so on Him we depend


Amazing Jesus we seek your face

Undone by glory when on it we have gazed

To be with you forever in that most holy  place

Astonished and astounded and amazed


To savor all God has for us in You

To rest within your favor ever new

Your compassion and your Word forever true

Oh Amazing Jesus we love you!

Amazing Love, amazing grace

Amazing  kindness in His embrace

He is the amazing Truth that frees us

Amazing Jesus! Amazing Jesus!


May we forget our self, Lord,  as we seek you

And in your presence be undone and dazed

Lost in joy and awestruck to embrace You

To be hid in Christ with God for all our days


Amazing Jesus we seek your face

Undone by glory when on it we have gazed

To be with you forever in that most holy  place

Astonished and astounded and amazed


Amazing Jesus how sweet the name

In the glory of His presence stand amazed

Amazing Jesus ! May our life’s aim

Be to know you ever more fully all our days


September 5, 2023

Anthony Foster