God Stories

Our Life is a story God writes day by day-(Phil 1:6)

A journal of joy and a drama display'd (Jer. 27-28, Luke 22:17-19)

He creates a canvas and on it He paints (Prov 7:3)

A perplexing picture of sinners made saints (1 Cor. 1:28, Romans 5-6)

We are living letters that tell of God's grace (2 Cor 3:2-3)

He speaks in and out and through all of our days (Col 3:16, Acts 17:28)

He molds us and makes us a true masterpiece (Job10:9, Phil 2:12))

A masterwork made for His glory's increase. (Eph 2:10)

The story's no fable, just let it unfold (1 Tim 4:7)

For a story's no story unless it is told (Psalm 26:7)

For ears long to hear, eyes are longing to see (Romans 10:14)

The mystery revealed in you and in me (Col. 1:26-27)

A song made of melodies born in the night (Job 35:10, Zephaniah 3:17)

A poem made of rhymes only Jesus can write (Eph 2:10 -poiema)

Words engraved on hearts purified and made new (Jer. 31:33, 2 Cor 3:3b)

The story ne'er ends and the story is true. (Ro 5:21)

Transformed by His anvil (Jer. 23:29, Ro. 9:20) and shaped on His wheel(Is. 64:8)

A tapestry woven His tale to reveal (Mark 15:38 et. al.)

Expressions constructed for Him to indwell (Col 3:16, 2 Cor 6:16)

A story that only a Savior can tell. (Jeremiah 29:11)

So now let the storytelling never cease (Psalm 145:2)

We must not be silent- must not keep our peace (2 Kings 7:9 KJV)

For ears long to hear, eyes are longing to see (Ro 10:14)

The mystery revealed in you and in me (Col 4:3, Col 1:27)

Written for Spring production intro FBC Maryville IL

Anthony Foster January 18, 2001

Also see 1 Peter 4:10, Proverbs 25:11, Acts 18:9)

Copyright 2001 Anthony Foster

 

Fill My Heart

Fill my heart with wisdom

Lord I pray, Lord I pray

Fill my heart with wisdom , Lord I pray

Fill my heart with wisdom And then all I do and say

Will serve to bring you glory day by day.

 

Fill my heart with mercy

Lord I pray, Lord I pray

Fill my heart with mercy, Lord I pray

Fill my heart with mercy for those who’ve gone astray

Fill my heart as mercy leads the way

 

Bridge

Lord fill our hearts to breaking

with wonder as we stand amazed

fill our mouths with songs we’re making

with eternal joy and praise.

 

Fill my heart with joy

Lord I pray, Lord I pray

Fill my heart with joy, Lord I pray

Fill my heart with joy and put it on display

And all will know the Truth the Life and Way

 

Fill my heart with music

Lord I pray, Lord I pray

Fill my heart with music Lord I pray

Fill my heart with music And my soul will truly sing

And songs will be my perfect offering

 

Lord fill our hearts to breaking

with wonder as we stand amazed

fill our mouths with songs we’re making

with eternal joy and praise.

 

Fill my heart with wisdom

Fill my heart with mercy

Fill my heart with joy

Fill my heart with music

Lord I pray

 

Anthony Foster

August 30, 2020

Headlong on Grace

When I am broken and confused

When by the world I am abused

I'll recall what  time will not erase

I will cast myself headlong on grace

When I'm broken by the weight of loss

When I'm too dumb to count the cost

When between a rock and a hard place

I will cast myself headlong on grace

When at the end of my sad self

At the end of my rope  I've lost my health

When no one here will hear my case

I will cast myself headlong on grace

When trouble comes and comfort flees

When devils pick apart my peace 

Jesus is my hiding place

I will cast myself headlong on grace

When in the morning when I rise

Till when the darkness deep draws nigh

I will run to my God's embrace

I will cast myself headlong on grace

There in my weakness I am strong

There where my mourning turns to song

I abandon other dreams I chase

I will cast myself headlong on grace

When I'm helpless in my plight

When right seems wrong and wrong seems right

When I'm fainting as I run this race

I will cast myself headlong on grace

When I'm undone by many woes

When overwhelmed by worldly foes

Then I will fall down on my face

I will cast myself headlong on grace

When I'm betrayed by those I trust

When all my plans  turn into dust

When props are gone without a trace

I will cast myself headlong on grace

Then I will rise and overcome

I'm not a victim, I'll not succumb

Jesus is my hiding place

I will cast myself headlong on grace

Jesus is my hiding place

I will cast myself headlong on grace

August 21, 2020

Anthony Foster

How Can It Be?

Can it be, how can it be 

That  the Savior died for me?

How can it be that I should gain

Healing from one who bore my pain

Amazing, this is amazing, I stand in awe at the very thought

Amazing, So amazing, The price He paid that my soul might be bought

An interest in His blood divine

Is given to me, it is mine

Though I was still his enemy

He bore my sin and died for me!

Amazing, this is amazing, I stand in awe at the very thought

Amazing, So amazing, The price He paid that my soul might be bought

This is a holy mystery

How very God  hung on the tree

This paradox of pain and peace

The wonders of it never cease

Amazing, this is amazing, I stand in awe at the very thought

Amazing, So amazing, The price He paid that my soul might be bought

Angels inquire into the scene

To Understand what it should mean

To see the heart of God now rent

Twas for this moment Christ was sent.

Amazing, this is amazing, I stand in awe at the very thought

Amazing, So amazing, The price He paid that my soul might be bought

The eternal immortal Son

Gives up his breath and it is done

Now with His death Sin now  dies

But on the third day He will rise.

Amazing, this is amazing, I stand in awe at the very thought

Amazing, So amazing, The price He paid that my soul might be bought

Amazing, this is amazing, I stand in awe at the very thought

Amazing, So amazing, The price He paid that my soul might be bought

Anthony Foster

August 20, 2020

I Wonder

I think on the days gone by and I wonder.

Think of things beyond my eye and I wonder

Think of what I have been spared

Think of what I have not dared

And I wonder.

 

I stand astonished and amazed and I wonder.

At how I can remain unphased and I wonder.

By glories that I may yet gain

As I  marvel at the mere mundane

And I wonder

And I ponder

And I wonder.

 

There are miracles awaiting me

If the unseen I will see

For truth will surely set me free

As I wonder.

 

There is knowing in the doing and I wonder.

In the thing I am pursuing if I wonder

There is  awe in what’s been done

Is that beauty that’s begun

And I wonder.

 

I hear a glory in the call and I wonder.

And on my knees I’ll fall as I wonder.

And all my pondering will fail

And the weight of glory will prevail

And I wonder.

 

I can live and move and be

I can live the mystery

In the maker of eternity

And I wonder

Lost in wonder.

Found in wonder.

 

August 19, 2020

Anthony Foster

 

Slaves to Righteousness

Almighty, Holy, Merciful in Majesty, 

Purchase us out of our sin

Help us serve our master, 

Let us not be respecters of men

Now slaves to righteousness we would be

This is the only way to be set free

 

To persevere in worship

To persevere in praise

With gratitude and hope

Help us to fill our days

 

We go astray so easily, 

and in our idols we confide

Draw us now unto your Self 

Our souls pant to be satisfied

We would abandon our desires

To seek  to burn with holy fires

 

All our affections and our trust

We put in your great grace

Finding our delights in You

May we only seek your face

 

Now slaves to righteousness we would be

This is the only way to be set free

Now slaves to righteousness we would be

This is the only way to be set free

 

Anthony Foster

August 12, 2020 

He makes the Crooked Straight

Trust in the Lord with your whole heart

On your own wisdom do not depend

Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways

And your pathways He’ll unbend

and the crooked shall be made straight,

and the crooked shall be made straight,

and the crooked shall be made straight,

and the rough places plain:

For in His glory God shall reign

 

For every valley shall be exalted,

and every mountain shall be made low:

And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,

All mankind will see it and all will know

 

Oh, the depth, oh the depth of the riches

of the wisdom and knowledge of Yahweh

How unsearchable are His judgments

And how  unfathomable His ways!

For from Him and through Him

and to Him are all things.

To Him be the glory forever.

Amen and amen all creation sings!

 

He makes the Crooked Straight

He makes the Crooked Straight

His glory is forever great

He makes the Crooked Straight

 

Isaiah 40:4-5

Proverbs 3:5-6

Romans 11:33,36

 

Anthony Foster

August 11, 2020

Have Mercy on Me, O God

  

According to your steadfast Love

According to your abundant mercy

Blot out my sin and transgressions

Reveal to me- redemption’s mystery

 

You will not count me as guilty

Though I deserve your holy wrath

You have given the gift of repentance

And placed me on the righteous path

 

I turn helpless to the mercy and love of God

And the blood of Christ I will forever plead

I fall on my faithless face

And I cast myself upon His grace

His blood secures all the mercy I need.

 

For the Lord, the Lord, is  merciful

He is gracious, His anger comes slow

He is faithful, my Lord is faithful

And he delights His mercy to show

 

In steadfast love  he  is abounding

and faithfulness, forgiving iniquity

 and transgression and sin,

but who will by no means clear the guilty.

 

I turn helpless to the mercy and love of God

And the blood of Christ I will forever plead

I fall on my faithless face

And I cast myself upon His grace

His blood secures all the mercy I need.

 

Psalm 51:1; Exodus 34:6–7; Micah 7:18

Anthony Foster

August 11, 2020

I Will Go With Heaven’s Glory

I will go with heaven’s glory , I will go, I will go

And the rest of the story the world will know, all will know

When my Jesus comes for me

From beyond the crystal sea

I’ll step into eternity and I will know.

 

I will go with heaven’s glory, I will go

He will take me to his side from here below

When my Jesus he returns

Wood and hay and stubble burns

Every  hope  for which my heart yearns I shall know.

 

I will go with heaven’s glory I will go

When he comes I’ll leave behind death’s dark shadow

As I sing with heaven’s choir,

Like a chariot of fire

I will rise to my desire and I will go.

 

I will go, I will go, I will go

He shall reap the sacred seeds that  He sows

So my life on Him depends

Jesus is my journeys’s end

With my Jesus I’ll ascend and I will know.

 

Anthony Foster

August 20, 2020

In Glory I Would Stand

My joy is found in heaven’s heights-Where my Lord rules on His throne

So on its shores I will set my sights-There I’ll know as I am known

Now I will pursue heaven’s mind-And seek a servant’s heart

Then earthy goodness I might find-As I am set apart.

 

For I would fully apprehend-The presence of my King

And there in glory I would stand-To rejoice give thanks and sing

 

The inheritance I’ll one day own-In one sense now is mine

For His favor Christ has shown-As a seal and as a sign

To bask in glory without end-My boast will be complete

His beauty I will comprehend-In his presence at His feet

 

For I would fully apprehend-The presence of my King

And there in glory I would stand-To rejoice give thanks and sing

 

August 7, 2020

Anthony Foster

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Come Bless the Great I AM

Come bless the Great I AM with mind and soul and voice

Come joy in the risen lamb and in His name rejoice

Come now and proclaim him King lift up the Sovereign Lord

Of His majesty we sing our hearts in one accord.

Come Bless the Great I AM

Come Bless the Great I AM

Come praise the King of Righteousness

Come Bless the Great I AM

Come Bless the Great I AM, His glory now proclaim

His Gospel rests on the foundation of His name

His worth declare now with the saints above

His Word, His covenant all flow from His great Love

Come Bless the Great I AM

Come Bless the Great I AM

Come praise the King of Righteousness

Come Bless the Great I AM

Come Bless the Great I AM His mercy we confess

Who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness!

His ways are all above our ways all knowledge from Him flows

His judgments are all true, and still His Great grace He bestows

Come Bless the Great I AM

Come Bless the Great I AM

Come praise the King of Righteousness

Come Bless the Great I AM

Anthony Foster

July 29, 2020

Whatsoever Things

We do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away,

We do not lose heart.    For our inner self is renewed day by day.

An eternal weight of glory  That is far beyond compare

An eternal weight of glory  For us is being  prepared

So looking at the things we cannot see Reveals to us this mystery

Our hearts shall be renewed By the unseen thing we've viewed

As we walk by faith and not by sight The most precious realities

Are made known as we walk in that light The place where a blind man sees.

Chorus

With the eyes of the heart and minds set on things above

Our lives are hid with Christ in God alive in perfect love

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,

Whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,

Whatsoever things are lovely, what things are of good report;

If there be any praise, think on these things- they will endure.

As we look not to the things that are seen That are  now passing away

We look to the things that are unseen- on these things our hearts will gaze.

Set our minds on things above The stuff  that life's made of.

Things eternal and abundant Revealed in the light of love

The truth on which we set our sights Beyond our meager gaze

Our courage,  joy and our delight Are found in Jesus' face.

So let light set flight to darkness In our hearts let it shine

With our lips the gospel we confess The knowledge of glory divine.

Chorus

With the eyes of the heart and minds set on things above

Our lives are hid with Christ in God alive in perfect love

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,

Whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,

Whatsoever things are lovely, what things are of good report;

If there be any praise, think on these things- they will endure.

(2 Corinthians 4:16–18; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Phil 4:8; Col 3:2-4; Ephesians 1:18)

July 28, 2020

Anthony Foster

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/analyze-do-exotic-woods-make-better-guitars

Anthony sez, I read a lot of research and sometimes the design flaws just jump out at me.The study had 56 guitarists play six guitars that were built by one luthier with different woods on the back- and that was the only difference in them. The guitarists were is a dark room with welding goggles so they couldn't see the woods. Each guitar was compared with the others and each pairing had a winner. Their findings were that almost no difference in sound quality was discerned by the guitarists. The rankings were 1.Sapele, 2.Mahogany, 3. Indian Rosewood, 4. Brazilian Rosewood, 5. Walnut and 6. Maple.- but the largest rating difference was 0.2 overall. That is really close. The basic issue is that the soundboard (top) and the results of aging is generally recognized as being the main differentiators when it comes to sound quality. I have to say that my handbuilt early 70's old growth Brazilian rosewood guitars with German spruce tops and bracing sound better than anything else I have played. Since these guitars in the study had not aged and had the same soundboards the results were predictable, I think.
Check this out and see if old growth Brazilian with German spruce top and bracing works for you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDMEanXp2csThe Sound of Music....

Hiding Place

 

Engulf and surround me

Love of God astound me

Hide me in Your glory

Love of God restore me

How can is be?

 

Oh the sweet sweet love of God

The sweet sweet love of God

Set my heart on ----

Nothing else satisfies

You promised to fulfill it

Fill my heart and soul and eyes

 

You are my hiding place

My shelter from the storm

In your abiding grace

I find my hiding place

 

I will never quit praying

Change the fallow ground to hallowed ground

Song of deliverance

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven

You forgive the stains of my sin

The guilt has been absolved

You are my hiding place

 

Anthony Foster

November 14, 2015

I Will Trust in You

I was dead in deep dark sin
In my tomb death sealed me in
You met me where I long had been
I will trust in you

Nothing in my hands I bring
Simply to the cross I cling
Make my life a living offering
I will trust in You

Jesus you’re my all in all
At your feet I humbly fall
You will raise me by your call
I will trust in you

You are my  merit you’re my plea
Power in weakness, sight to see
You are everything to me
I will trust in you

Lord your word I will believe
Grace and mercy I receive
You will not forsake or leave
I will trust in You

Jesus you’re my all in all
At your feet I humbly fall
You will raise me by your call
I will trust in you

July 3, 2020
Anthony Foster

I will Glory in the Holy One

I was  poor and needy searching for water,
My tongue was parched with thirst.
But God will not forsake His true sons and daughters
Those who will seek His Kingdom first

I will rejoice in the LORD , and in Him will I stand
I will glory in the Holy One
For my redeemer declares that He holds my right hand
I will glory in the Holy One
I will glory in the Holy One
I will glory in the Holy One

Bridge:
I will not fear, for my Jesus is with me;
I’ll not be dismayed,
For the Lord is the God of this man.
He will strengthen help me;
And He will ever uphold  me
He will hold me with His righteous right hand.

For His eye ever searches  throughout all the earth
For  the hearts that are completely His own
He will strongly support their ways and their works
So that His glory to all is made known

I will rejoice in the LORD , and in Him will I stand
I will glory in the Holy One
For my redeemer declares that He holds my right hand
I will glory in the Holy One
I will glory in the Holy One
I will glory in the Holy One

July 1, 2020
Isaiah 41:10-18
Anthony Foster

A Place of Grace

Lord make us lights in the darkness this day
Help us illumine those who come our way
To encounter creations made new evermore
Lord open our windows and throw wide our doors

Give us a witness both joyous and bold
Set us apart like your people of old
Who lived by the faith you imparted  by grace
Paint your blood on the doors  on our heart’s dwellingplace

Reign over this household, Lord, I pray
Bless our endeavors as we learn to obey
We want your perfect will whatever it costs
Make our home as we take up our cross
For we know you’ll reward us for whatever is lost

Bridge
As we equip our children, as we labor and play
As we seek out your Word as we live out our days
As we  care for our families, as we wait and we pray
May our home be a respite from the world and its ways.

Lord make our home a place of grace
Lord shine forth from the windows of this humble place
Where you Word lights the shadows of darkness and doubt
As we care for the souls who come in and go out.

Reign over this household, Lord, I pray
Bless our endeavors as we learn to obey
We want your perfect will whatever it costs
Make our home as we take up our cross
For we know you’ll reward us for whatever is lost

July 1, 2020
Anthony Foster