King of My Soul

There are so  many forces in the world today

That covet my heart and conspire  to hold sway

But there is but one ruler that I would obey

I will live for the King of my soul

There are powers  unseen that would dominate

They would deem to deceive me about my fate

But there's only one monarch on whom I will wait

I will live for the King of my Soul

I will live for the King of my soul

I will yield to him total control

I will bend the knee to His authority

I will live for the King of my Soul

There is but one that I will call Lord

There is now only one worthy to be adored

There is only one treasure who is my reward

I will live for the King of my Soul

He who reigns over powers and authorities

Is the One who reigns over this world's destiny

He who reigns over starfields  now reigns over me

He's the sovereign over my soul

I will live for the King of my soul

I will yield to him total control

I will bend the knee to his authority

I will live for the King of my Soul

I will live for the King of my soul

I will yield to him total control

I will serve Him alone and stand before His throne

I will live for the King of my Soul

Anthony Foster
November 8, 2020 

Citizen of the Holy Road

The highway of holiness beckons me It’s led me down each mile I’ve trod

Now I will walk the penitent path For the pure in heart shall  see God

I’m a citizen of the holy road This world is not my home

But there’s joy in the journey For I don’t walk this road alone.

I’m a citizen of the holy road-Sojourning here below

Walking a pathway that few have come to know

A stranger in a stranger land, a pilgrim set apart

A refugee bearing a circumcised heart

This road is leading upward To a city on a Hill 

It takes me ever onward to the center of God’s will

The road is steep and narrow but there’s glory at its end

It’s paved with hope and perfect peace the world can’t comprehend

I’m a citizen of the holy road-Sojourning here below

Walking a pathway that few have come to know

A stranger in a stranger land, a pilgrim set apart

A refugee bearing a circumcised heart

There is  a wider pathway that so many travel on

It leads men to destruction as they seek their Avalon

The holy road is narrow but it’s where the righteous roam

The road less travelled is the way that surely leads us home

I’m a citizen of the holy road-Sojourning here below

Walking a pathway that few have come to know

A stranger in a stranger land, a pilgrim set apart

A refugee bearing a circumcised heart

November 6, 2020

Anthony Foster

Keep Letting Your Light Shine

The night is falling and the shadows descend
But Jesus is calling - us all to depend
That the light of the world will shine brightly in us
We can reflect His glory if in Jesus we trust

Keep letting your light shine- keep it shining so bright

That the darkness flees from you- because of your light

Keep shining in darkness with a radiant glow

Then the glory in your life the Lord Jesus will show

Keep letting your light shine- Don't hide it away

That God might be glorified by your brilliant array

Reflecting Christ's glory you will gloriously gleam

Radiating God's righteousness so boldly you’ll beam

Keep letting your light shine- keep it shining so bright

That the darkness flees from you- because of your light

You'll be illuminating what was dark and obscure

Like lights in the world shining blameless and pure.

If Jesus lives in us darkness can't comprehend

That the mystery revealed is a light to all men.

Keep letting your light shine - shine for all to see

That the light of the world dwells within you and me

Keep letting your light shine

Shine God’s light upon the way

Keep letting your light shine

Shed abroad those glorious rays

Keep letting your light shine 

When God’s glory you display

His light brings a brand new day

Keep letting your light shine!

Anthony Foster

November 5, 2020

This Old Guitar

This old guitar made me better than I was 
And more than I would otherwise have been,
I can’t imagine what would be I guess nobody does
Or when the songs I play will ever end

It took me through some bitter days 

To play the song the piper plays

Exposed me to some glorious ways

That were held inside of me

For I had set my sights too low

But through the songs I came to know

That I must reap more than I sow

In the light of eternity

This old guitar was heaven sent when I had gone astray

And through it my maker taught my heart

The song he birthed within me taught me bout a better way

And with a new song gave me a new start

It took me through some bitter days 

To play the song the piper plays

Exposed me to some glorious ways

That were held inside of me

For I had set my sights too low

But through the songs I came to know

That I must reap more than I sow

In the light of eternity

For what I hear perfects what I can see…

Anthony Foster

November 3, 2020

The image is of my Yamaha 12 string purchased in 1970

Footstools

No demon,  no disease shall stand 

no self-pity, and no strife,

He’ll destroy his honor’s enemies

As ruler over life

No pride, no jealousy, no greed

No perversion and no vice

Can stand against what He’s decreed

Their power shall not suffice

Now all authorities and rules

Not one of them shall stand

For in their wisdom they are fools

They crumble in God’s hand

For all dominions he’ll defeat-

All powers known to man

Become a footstool for His feet

Then comes the end God planned

For his reign still reaches

The enemies of His glory

And all creation preaches

The power of His story.

1 Corinthians 15:24-25
Anthony Foster 

Treasured Possessions

We were dead to deepest joy

Never knowing true delight

We were blind to God’s great beauty

Lost in darkness without sight

But a design for joy complete

Was planned before our birth

As God’s joy overflowed 

To make known his glorious worth

Our unmitigated madness

Suicidal measures pass away

Was replaced by glorious gladness

Replaced by a far better way.

And this joy is secured

For all who will believe

By the blood of atonement

The new covenant receive

By the power of God’s love

We’re awakened and set free

Devastated and Delighted

We let go and bend the knee

The almighty work of God 

We come to persevere

Through all sorts of affliction

Our inheritance draws near

So the worst devastations

Prepare us for great delight

Pleasures at God’s right hand

Is where we set our sights.

By his own sovereign pleasure

He made a wretch His treasure

Now we sing, now we sing

As we become a living offering.

November 2, 2020

Anthony Foster 

Wall of Fire and Glory

There are mornings when I wake  Feeling fragile  feeling weak

A vulnerable amorphous ache Not knowing what to pray or seek

A present sense of wrongness A disturbance in my soul

A vascillating vague distress Threatens to take its toll

I’m tempted to just run away From this sapping sense of stress

But Jesus comes to potter’s clay Empowers me  to pass the test

I worship my great God for this. When for His help I cry

He shows to me His faithfulness And answers bye and bye

Lord be to me a wall of fire  That guards my weary soul 

be to me the glory in our midst. My flagging heart console

Amid the protection of His fire His presence is our pleasure

He becomes our hearts desire Our holy hallowed treasure

When almost paralyzed by fear O’er rumblings dire and ominous

My anguished cries He will hear And answers with His promises

All the promises are yes to me  in Christ  they all are mine

And how much more his children see the blessedness divine

Bridge

Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, 

And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

I see your glory in that fire it cannot be ignored

Strike  the blow that breaks my heart so love increases

Lord be to me a wall of fire  That guards my weary soul 

be to me the glory in our midst. My flagging heart console

Amid the protection of His fire His presence is our pleasure

He becomes our hearts desire Our holy hallowed treasure

 

Zechariah 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Jeremiah 23:29 

Anthony Foster

November 2, 2020 

Nothing Shall Separate Us

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels
Nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come
Nor height nor depth nor any other created thing
Will be able to separate us from the Love of God
Will be able to separate us from the love of God
Which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nothing shall separate us from the Love of God
Nothing shall separate us from the Love of God
Nothing shall separate us from the Love of God
Nothing shall separate us from the Love of God

Bridge
Forever and ever
By grace we endeavor
And grace will keep us till the end
So never no never
No power can sever 
This bond with our faithful friend

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels
Nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come
Nor height nor depth nor any other created thing
Will be able to separate us from the Love of God
Will be able to separate us from the love of God
Which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nothing shall separate us from the Love of God
Nothing shall separate us from the Love of God
Nothing shall separate us from the Love of God
Nothing shall separate us from the Love of God
Romans 8:38-39
Anthony Foster
November 2, 2020

We Sing of the Risen Son

We Sing of the risen Son

Who triumphed o'er the grave

His work is finished- it is done

And so we might be saved.

We sing to the Risen Son

Who rose and conquered death

The mighty victory is won

And so in Him we rest.

We sing About the Risen Son

Who will reverse the Fall

He is the all sufficient One

Whose love can conquer all

We Sing with the Risen Son

Whose song brings life anew

Who was and is and is to come

E'er faithful, ever true.

The risen Son has mounted up

With healing in His wings

His lifesong fills salvation’s cup

So all creation sings.

Anthony Foster

November 2, 2020

Your Grace is Sufficient For Me (Simple Song of Grace)

We all know that each day’s troubles are sufficient for that day

And we never know what trials we will face

But we know that God is for us when the enemy holds sway

And we can depend upon God’s all sufficient grace.

According to His glory God supplies our every need

That at all times in good works we may abound

We can do all things in Him who strengthens us for every deed

For our hope is built upon this solid ground

For His Grace is sufficient, more than sufficient

Yes Gods grace is sufficient for me

For His Grace is sufficient, more than sufficient

Yes God’s grace is sufficient for me!

Now God’s Spirit gives us self control when we are faced with fear

And we’ll come to know God’s mercy when we seek

For He transforms all our suffering and He stores up all our tears

His power is perfected in those who are weak

Now through many dangers toils and snares we have already come

There are pitfalls waiting as we run our race

But the peace of God surpasses pain- the victory is won

For the peace of God will always flow from Grace

For His Grace is sufficient, more than sufficient

Yes Gods grace is sufficient for me

For His Grace is sufficient, more than sufficient

Yes God’s grace is sufficient for me

Bridge 

Now every test and trial can lead us to understand

That upon his help we always can depend

For nothing falls outside God's sovereign purposes and plan

He works all things for His children in the end

For His Grace is sufficient, more than sufficient

Yes Gods grace is sufficient for me

For His Grace is sufficient, more than sufficient

Yes God’s grace is sufficient for me

Matthew 6:34, 2 Cor 12:9, Phil 4:19, 2 Cor 9:8, Phil 4:13, Psalm 26:12, Romans 8:28

November 2, 2020

Anthony Foster

Perfect Vision

Looking to the past we gain a grateful heart

You are the master designer and this world’s a work of art
You are the promise keeper- history proves you true
Help us see that future graces all will come from You

Give us perfect vision Lord, that we might clearly see
The hope and promises you give become reality
With 20/20 hindsight we come to understand
That all things work according to your perfect plan

Looking at the present help us see with redeemed eyes
So we may see the truth that this world would just disguise
To see the world as it is, held together  by your Word
Help us to live out the good news of the message we have heard

Give us perfect vision Lord that we might clearly see
You work all things together to fulfill our destiny
So clarify our vision till illusions pass away
With eyes of faith made perfect then with open hearts we pray

Looking to the future Lord we see the hope unveiled
We see with renewed minds that your word has never failed
The author and the finisher of faith will make complete
The Faith you’ve placed within us  there before your mercy seat.

Lord give us perfect vision so we might clearly see
Confusion pass away so we can  live the mystery
Help us see with eyes of faith the future you have sealed
The day of our Lord Jesus  soon will be   revealed

Anthony Foster
October 30, 2020

You Came

You came to the house of bread, as the bread of life you came
That our souls might be fed,  for to save us was your aim
As the manna from the sky God's people to sustain
Soon to die and rise again like a holy seed of grain

You came to Jacob's well  living water there to give
To quench the fires of hell and  our thirst that we might live
Living water for our souls, flowing from the Father's throne
Cleanse our hearts and make us whole and make your glory known

You came to Gethsemane to the olive grove to pray
Your voiced your earnest plea that God's wrath be turned away
There to sanctify His priest  with the olive oil applied
There your will it was released so we might be sanctified

You came on a wedding day in the fullness of God's  time
Working wonders to convey that messiah was divine
You became the righteous wine when your precious blood you shed
At your wedding feast to dine, there we drink and we are fed

To a darkened world you came to reveal eternal light
To glorify the Father's name and to bring the blind their sight
Light of this world now shine to show us all the way
A lamp  to help us find  the path  to your eternal day.

You came that your children might have life abundantly
You came to make us right and you came to set us free
You came to this world to die, you came that we might live
You  will come back bye and bye your deliverance to give

Anthony Foster
October 23, 2020

God Reigns

God reigns over the nations;  Our God reigns on high
God sits on his holy throne.  And his redemption is drawing nigh
The Lord reigns from eternity Come and make his glory known.
He is robed in majesty;  He is Lord and Lord alone.

The sound of God's watchmen— they lift up their voice;
Together they sing for joy;  Together with them we rejoice
For eye to eye they see  the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing, Sing a song of the lamb and lion!

For our God is the One  who is high and lifted up,
To Him alone we lift Salvation’s Cup
He who inhabits eternity,  Holy is His Name
Our God reigns, From Age to Age the Same!

The Lord has bared his holy arm  before the eyes of all the nations,
And all the ends of the earth  shall see our God’s great salvation
He dwells in the high and holy place,  And to the humble grace imparts
To raise up the spirit of the lowly,  And to revive contrite hearts

For our God is the One  who is high and lifted up,
To Him alone we lift Salvation’s Cup
He who inhabits eternity,  Holy is His Name
Our God reigns, From Age to Age the Same!

Isaiah 57:15
Isaiah 52:7-10
Nehemiah 9:6
Psalm 93:1-5
Psalm 47:8  

October 16, 2020
Anthony Foster

The Message

For the abandoned husband left alone without a wife

To the  refugee with no reason to keep on living life

To the homeless and the heartless all alone

And the slave that is owned by the  things he owns

This is the message that you need to hear

Frail children the Father holds you dear

The happy moral pagan who believes there is no need

To those unsatisfied in their  pride and greed

The barren still waiting with dwindling hope

The rebellious  rogue at the end of her rope

This is the message that you need to hear

Frail children the Father holds you dear.

Bridge

Trade all of your sorrow

Behold what manner of love

Don’t wait for tomorrow

Behold what manner of love

Those drowning  in depression that deepens each day

For the prodigal who's dying in a strange new way

And the infidel floundering  from their futile choice

And the innocent orphan who has no voice

This is the message that you need to hear

Frail children the Father holds you dear.

This is the message that you need to hear

Frail children the Father will draw you near.

October 15, 2020

Anthony Foster

 

Night of Worship

Nights of sorrow, nights of doubt
And anxiety is all about
Bewilderment may take its toll
Oppress my spirit and terrify my soul

But God our maker makes the song
And I will sing it all night long
Though darkness may envelop me
And make it very hard to see

With eyes of faith I see the light
The glory of Christ’s face shines bright

This is my night of worship
This is my night of praise
Songs and prayers and the living word
Are the sounds my soul has heard

So in the night with eyes of faith I gaze
And see the light that lights my ways

Bridge
The sun is sinking in the west and dusk is falling hard
Evening drapes its cloak on me so as my soul to guard
The melody my spirit hears become songs in the night
For this I am most grateful,  this  is my heart’s delight

With eyes of faith I see the light
The glory of Christ’s face shines bright

This is my night of worship
This is my night of praise

Songs and prayers and the living word
Are the sounds my soul has heard
So in the night with eyes of faith I gaze
And see the light that lights my ways

October 15, 2020
Anthony Foster

Frail Children of Dust

Our days are like the flower We bloom and make a show
And all too soon we fade away, and back to earth we go
Our days are filled with trouble and times that are unjust
We are the sons of Adam the frail children of the dust

Our days are like a dawning but the shadows soon will fall
And suffering and sorrow  drive us behind our walls
But dust and living water  can make a pot of clay
The potter gives us purpose in a dry and weary day.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail
In God do we trust nor find Him to fail
When day turns to darkness and gold turns to rust
He sheds tender mercies on frail children of dust

Like dust in the wind we are blown too and fro
But storms make the desert with waters to flow
In our frailty and weakness His power we trust
For God knows our frame; He remembers the  dust. 

O come all you faithless, your burdens He’ll lift
Oh come to the savior -partake of his gift.

Bridge
Our bodies may fail and our minds may forget
Our strength dissipates but Hope have we yet
To this hope we will cling when our prospects are bleak
For power is perfected in those who are weak
The life giving  grace of  the Father is what we must seek.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail
In God place your trust you’ll not find Him to fail
When day turns to darkness and gold turns to rust
He sheds tender mercies on frail children of dust

O come all you faithless, your burdens He’ll lift
Oh come to the savior -partake of his gift.

Psalm 103:14
October 12, 2020
Anthony Foster

`

Here In The Depths Of Doubt (Faith Has The Victory)

Here in the depths of doubt
Here in the darkness and pain
To my Savior I cry out
And I do not cry out in vain

He promises that He will hear me
And in His word I can trust
I draw close and He draws near me
Even though I am but dust

In the depths of doubt
Grace is deeper still
So we raise a shout
As He works His will
According to his purpose
According to His plan
The sin that would usurp us
Is defeated once again.

Here in the depths of doubt
Fear bends a submissive knee
My unbelief is cast out
And faith has the victory

Jesus will answer my prayer
He does it time and again
When I call out He is there
He turns my loss to gain.

In the depths of doubt
Grace is deeper still
So we raise a shout
As He works His will
According to his purpose
According to His plan
The sin that would usurp us
Is defeated once again.

Here in the depths of doubt
Fear bends a submissive knee
My unbelief is cast out
And faith has the victory
And faith has the victory

Anthony Foster
October 9, 2020

The Long Road with Jesus

We hit the road together not knowing

Just what direction we’d both end up going

But God called us out - we know that for sure

And He’s proven to us that in Him we’ll endure

Together we needed such different graces

He brought us together from different places

We Two He intended to make into one

And what He had in mind is what He has done.

We’ve walked many a mile on this long road with Jesus

You and me and  our faithful friend

And no matter how  anyone else sees us

We’ll make it with Him to the end.

Each step in the daylight and the stumbling dark

So many these miles have worn on us its marks

With quite a few detours  along the way

We were never forsaken even when we strayed

So often we were going without knowing

But Jesus persisted  in the grace He was showing

So often we wanted to lay down our load

But then mercy’s markers led us on that road.

We’ve walked many a mile on this long road with Jesus

You and me and  our faithful friend

And no matter how  anyone else sees us

We’ll make it with Him to the end.

Anthony Foster

October 6, 2020

The Deep, Deep Wells of Mercy

There are waters that will engulf you
And take you to sin’s miry depths
Drowning  in floods of  futility
They’ll take away  your final breath

But there is Water for the weary
And Streams for saddened souls
A Fountain founded for the fearful
As the righteous river rolls

Oh the deep, deep wells of mercy
Into the living waters sink
Leave behind the broken cisterns
From the wells of mercy drink

Christ is the source of life eternal
For we know He is the living water
If you would Never thirst again
Draw from its depths you sons and daughters

Drinking from the well of Jesus
A  fountain springs up in your soul
Rivers of living water
Out of your heart will flow

Oh the deep deep wells of mercy
With living water welling up
I will drink from its depths in this desert
For He will freely fill salvations’ cup

Anthony Foster
October 3, 2020

Creed

 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and maker of earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
And the paradox of the begotten's birth.

He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
And born of the virgin Mary 

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried;

Of the things that I believe I now sing

Cause what I believe changes everything

Of the things that I believe I now sing

Cause what I believe changes everything

      

He descended into the Grave -
The third day  from the dead he rose again 

He ascended to heaven and is seated 
At God the Father Almighty’s right hand

From there He will come to judge the living,
And he will come to judge the dead 

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
and the True Church of which Christ is head    

Of the things that I believe I now sing

Cause what I believe changes everything

Of the things that I believe I now sing

Cause what I believe changes everything

I believe in the communion of saints, 
I believe in the forgiveness of sins,

I believe in the resurrection of the body,
and the life that never ends, Amen!

Amen, Amen,

Of the things that I believe I now sing

Cause what I believe changes everything

Amen, Amen,

Of the things that I believe I now sing

Cause what I believe changes everything

Anthony Foster 

September 30, 2020

Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison

Lord have mercy, have mercy on me

Lord have mercy, have mercy on me

According to your unfailing kindness

Shed your glory and heal my blindness

Show your light, show your light

Show your light to me

Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison

Lord have mercy, have mercy on me

Lord have mercy, have mercy on me

Open my heart-eyes that I might see

Each morning a new mercy’s mystery

Give me sight, make me right

Show your light to me

Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison

Lord have mercy, have mercy on me

Lord have mercy, have mercy on me

To my doubting heart bring relief

I believe, yet help my unbelief

Help me fight this blessed fight

Have mercy Lord on me

Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison

Anthony Foster

September 21, 2020

Tell it to the Lord

What a Friend we have in Jesus,

  All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

  Everything to God in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful

  Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness,

  Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Jesus knows our every need

Before the throne He’ll intercede

Lift up all your tears and fear

He will answer and draw near.

He is such a friend

Faithful to the end

Tell it to the Lord And He will hear.

Have we trials and temptations?

  Is there trouble anywhere?

Saint, whenever you're discouraged,

  Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,

  Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge—

  Take it to the Lord in prayer;

Jesus knows our every need

Before the throne He’ll intercede

Lift up all your tears and fear

He will answer and draw near.

He is such a friend

Faithful to the end

Tell it to the Lord And He will hear.

Original lyrics-Joseph Scriven

Chorus and music-Anthony Foster

September  18, 2020