In Nineteen Seventy Four

In seventy four I was drawn into the current

Of the purposes of God

And I never knew while it was happening

That step by step the future-Every mile that was trod

Would lead to a place where eagles find their wings

I would go on mission, step by step

Learn to sing the songs the Spirit would inspire

I remember  going without knowing, so inept

While sparking in my heart a growing holy fire

I would sing the songs, I would laugh with friends

I would be a part of something bigger than my ends

With some mentors as a guide-I would learn to confide

In a future hope I could not comprehend

In seventy four I was drawn into the current

Of the purposes of God

And I never knew while it was happening

That step by step the future-Every mile that was trod

Would lead to a place where eagles find their wings

Approaching my 50th HS Reunion

September 20,2024

Anthony Foster

Forty-Seven Years

It’s been forty seven years, so hard to conceive

That so swiftly time has flown

Yet the memories make me believe

The best of possibilities we have known

They belie the fact-That Every chapter every act

Every moment full of meaning

Every day was filled with grace

The milestones were convening

Blessings of our time and place.

When I met my wife  this changed my life

I had prayed for wisdom to have the sense to know

When she came along, assurance was strong

We would change and rearrange and so we’d grow

That she would be the one  to join my flesh

For one flesh is what we would come to know

So we would have a love that’s ever fresh.

Then we launched out on the journey

We struck out  for a horizon we couldn’t see

We stood the test  As we sought God’s best

Learning to release our fears and to be free.

As we lived and moved we found our being

As the hope of unseen glory we were seeing

There were many disappointments

Expectations were left unfilled

Life was hard, life was a struggle

Tearing down, learning to build

A life together-Through stormy weather

Through storms of raging blinding dust

Was laid the way for us -to learn to trust

And now almost fifty years nigh

Unbelievable blessings lie

Before us everywhere we look

Knowing that each chapter of our book

Was written by the Lord we sought to serve

As we followed into blessings undeserved

As we look around today great grace is on display

We have children who rise up to call us blessed

Seeking the kingdom first God has quenched our thirst

We have understood life is a trial and a test

And all these good gifts so plenteous and free

They’re true blessings but not our security.

September 2024 Approaching our 47th anniversary

Anthony Foster

Be the Glory in our Midst

Be the glory in our midst Lord

Be the light that leads us on

Be the wall of fire around us

Till the darkest night is gone

Let us see the truth of our times

Like the men of Issachar

Be the glory in our midst Lord

Be our bright and morning star

Like a moth drawn to a candle

To your radiance draw us near

Shed your glory on your people

And your beauty we shall fear

As your flame burns ever brighter

Purge the shadows from our souls

Be the glory in our midst Lord

Shine in us and make us whole

May your fiery wall protect us

From the evil of our days

You will draw your arms about us

By your bright and quickening rays

Then from glory unto glory

We shall surely be transformed

To stand boldly in your presence

There to dwell forevermore.

Zechariah 2:5

October 26, 2024

Anthony Foster

The Kingdom the Power and the Glory

Yours is the Kingdom You are the King and Lord over all

Yours is the Kingdom  Yours is the crown and sovereign call

Over all of Creation you rule and you righteously reign

Until every knee shall bow to what you ordain

Yours is the Power, the power to do whatever you will

Yours is the power, you speak but a Word and it is fulfilled

There is no power no dominion in heaven or on earth

That can thwart your purposes or deny your worth

Yours is the Glory, our very life is due to your Light

The weight of your Glory, is far beyond  our limited sight

From glory to glory transform us till we are glorified

To dwell in your light, all shining, all bright as your beautiful bride

Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the Power and Glory, Amen! 

All praise and all glory and all wisdom from beginning to end

All thanks and  honor and power and might- these shall never cease

They belong to our  Lord and they will forever and ever increase!

Matthew 6; Revelation 7:12

October 27, 2024

Anthony Foster

Deliver Us

 Lord deliver us from evil  Lord deliver us from sin
Help us flee from temptation save us from the fear of men
Day by day we will encounter trials and dangers yet untold
We must hold on to the promise as we watch God’s plans unfold

Oh lay down the shattered pieces of your broken hopes and dreams

Put away your machinations, be delivered from your schemes

Come and fix your eyes on Jesus the perfecter of your faith

Come and rest now from your labor cast yourself headlong on grace

Chorus

Soon our troubles will conform us by the anvil’s hammer blow

And the Spirit will transform us Persevering as we go.

Lord you will deliver us On this sojourn Step by step

We are redeemed, we are reconciled- In Your great Love we are kept

You are not to play the victim, you were chosen for this time

Seek to live upon the promise of the true and living vine

What men may mean for evil God will surely turn to good 

Though we struggle with this truth it will soon be understood

Come embrace the greater blessing of the presence of the Lord

He will not leave of forsake us though our lifeblood is outpoured 

He will take our souls to heaven or sustain us in this place

So we stand by the power of his love, the power of His grace

Chorus

Soon our troubles will conform us by the anvil’s hammer blow

And the Spirit will transform us Persevering as we go.

Lord you will deliver us On this sojourn Step by step

We are redeemed, we are reconciled- In Your great Love we are kept

Genesis 50, Matthew 6,

October 26, 2024

Anthony Foster

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Lord lead us not into temptation

From temptations make us flee

In the trials may we trust you

Lead us on to victory

Lead us not into enticements

Keep us from destruction’s path

There is now no condemnation

We are saved from wrath

When the tempter comes to snare us

To allure us with deceit 

Help us choose the greater pleasure

And his crafts defeat.

You have overcome temptation

In the wilderness

Help us Satan to resist now

Help us pass each test

The evil one will seek to rule us

Remind us of our destiny

Lead us not into temptation

Lead us on to victory!

Matthew 4, Matthew 6

October 26, 2024

Anthony Foster

Forgive Me

I have been out of bounds-Trespassing your glory

I have made my rounds-In dubious territory

I weep for those I’ve injured-Sorrowing for what I’ve done

I ask forgiveness where I’ve offended-Of each and every one

I pray you’ll  forgive my sin

As I forgive my debtors

This is where I begin

To feel the loosening of my fetters

This guilt is just too much to bear

So I come to you to confess

Cleanse these filthy rags I wear

And clothe me in your righteousness

Lord I confess,  I want to start anew

Most of all I want to be right with You.

Against you alone I’ve sinned I know it’s true

Most of all I want to be right with You.

I’ve been a prodigal son-Unable to pay my debts

I ‘ve missed the mark and I’m undone-Help me never forget-

Forgive me my trespasses-Forgive me my debt

I can’t make this right on my own-But I have hope even yet

That you will forgive my sin

As I forgive my debtors

This is where I begin

To feel the loosening of my fetters

This guilt is just too much to bear

So I come to you to confess

Cleanse these filthy rags I wear

And clothe me in your righteousness

Lord I confess,  I want to start anew

Most of all I want to be right with You.

Against you alone I’ve sinned I know it’s true

Most of all I want to be right with You.

October 25, 2024

Matthew 6:11

Anthony Foster