Soft Times

These are the times that try a man’s soul

Times of pleasure comfort and ease

Prosperity surely can take its toll

It should drive a man to his knees 

Petty temptations and unceasing action

Will dull a man fully to sleep

There is no compromise and no distraction

If you really want to grow deep.

These are the times that try a man’s soul

The trials of the hard times attain

Character without conflict’s an impossible goal

For it’s only through loss that we gain

Courage arises from whose you are 

Gotta know just who you belong to

The time of the test is no time to prepare

No sowing when reaping is due.

These are the times that try a man’s soul

When idols of comfort and ease 

Vie for your worship  and then take control

When you only do what you please

So take care of the safety you seek

And the walls that keep conflict at bay

For ease and comfort yield a life that is bleak

And when the war comes you’re at play

Bridge

So fight the good fight and finish the race

Life’s a battle this side of the fall

The battle’s the Lord’s and it’s won by grace

So press on to the upward call

Here in the soft times the danger is real

For they carry their own toils and snares

When prayer falls victim to the art of the deal

And the risks become too much to bear

The scars of honor don’t come on their own

They are products of true suffering

And spiritual warfare’s not won alone

For a warrior must follow his King

May 30, 2025

Anthony Foster

Holy Ground

We long, we long for holiness

To become God’s righteousness

We consecrate our souls to Christ

To be the living sacrifice

We have our being, we live and move 

Set apart His power to prove

Indwelt by the Spirit in the secret place, 

Where in our weakness we show God's grace

Our hearts a surely Holy ground

For that is where our Lord is found

To our master we are forever  bound

So our hearts have become Holy ground

We have this treasure in vessels of clay

So that His glory might be displayed 

The fear of the Lord is our delight 

In holiness we will walk in the light

The Holy One who lives in us

Gives a sure hope in which we trust

For we are now His dwelling place

Until we see Christ face to face

Our hearts a surely Holy ground

For that is where our Lord is found

To our master we are forever  bound

So our hearts have become Holy ground

Romans 12:1; John 14:23; Acts 17:28; 

2 Corinthians 4:7, 5:21; Psalm 112:1

May 28, 2025

Anthony Foster

Manifold Graces

On the things of heaven fix your mind

Set your mind on things above

You’ll find beauty of another kind

Resting in the Father’s love

Whatever is True, God gives as a trust

Whatever is lovely, whatever is just

God’s manifold graces-The things that are pure

Whatever is noble, these things will endure

Every good and perfect gift

Comes down from the Father of Lights

Given for your heart to uplift

So on these things set your sights

Whatever is True, God gives as a trust

Whatever is lovely, whatever is just

These manifold graces-The things that are pure

Whatever is noble, these things will endure

Whatever is true, God gives as a trust

Whatever is lovely, whatever is just

These manifold graces-The things that are pure

Whatever is lovely, these things will endure

Colossians 3:2; Philippians 4:7-8; James 1:17

May 26, 2025

Anthony Foster

Held Fast Forever (The Grip of Grace)

We are held fast forever

In perfect love’s embrace

And naught of earth can sever

The mighty grip of grace

We are held fast forever

In our Fathers righteous hand

And its not from our endeavors

It’s all of our Fathers plan

Held fast forevermore

Through The trials and the fears

You will never let me go Lord

And you draw us ever near

You have drawn us to your side

We are forever in your keep

Lord in you we will abide

In your love so wide and deep

Bridge

Nothing shall pluck us from your hand

Our names are written there

By your righteous right arm we shall stand

Forever in Your care!

We are held fast forever

Things of earth nor things above

Now life nor death will never

Separate us from your love

Lord help us walk by faith alone

Until we see you face to face

For we shall stand before your throne

Forever in the grip of grace

May 25, 2025

Anthony Foster

 

Smarter than God

Now when it’s all said and it’s done

And you have gone your own way

There at the end of your run

There’ll be a hell left to pay

You think you’re smarter than God

But there’s so much you don’t know

It’s not a wink or a nod

When you must reap what you sow.

There’s a reason for the wide road

With good intentions It’s paved

The toll just adds to what’s owed

And there’s a payday some day.

You think you’re smarter than God

You know that doesn’t end well

It’s not a wink and a nod

It’s either heaven or hell

Bridge

So go ahead and follow your heart,

And you will find out where it leads

Beneath your privilege and off the charts

When you end up in the weeds

When you’re just trying to meet your needs

Cause the heart it is deceitful

It’s prone to wander far and free

Far far away from  the beautiful

Soul you were created to be

But then a blind man really can’t see

You think you’re smarter than God

But there’s so much you don’t know

It’s not a wink or a nod

When you must reap what you sow.

You think you’re smarter than God

You know that doesn’t end well

It’s not a wink and a nod

It’s either heaven or hell

May 22, 2025

Anthony Foster

Forever Faithful

We depend on your providence

For all we are and all we’ll be

Your faithfulness never relents

In You is our identity

Your faithfulness is pure and true

Your self you can’t deny

We cling to what you say you will do

On your promise we rely

You are forever faithful to us

You seek us and pursue us

As we draw near you renew us

You are forever faithful to us

When times of trouble come our way

We know not the day nor hour

Unwavering love will be our stay

You keep us by your power

In times of gladness or in grief

In every time and place

You fortify our weak belief

We’ll cast ourselves on grace

You are forever faithful to us

You seek us and pursue us

As we draw near you renew us

You are forever faithful to us

May 20, 2025

Anthony Foster