So Many Times

So many times I’ve been distressed

There’ve been so many times

Times of trials and of tests

Times of reasons and rhymes

Times of reasons and rhymes

Times will pass They cannot last

Every epoch returns to dust

The present turns into the past

Times will change for change they must

Times will change for change they must

Times of darkness times of light

When the darkness to light yields

Times of grounding, times of flight

When sheaves arise from fallow fields

When sheaves arise from fallow fields

Don’t surrender your humanity

Presuppositions are undone 

So many times we choose captivity

But a time for hope will come

But a time for hope will come

Cause in the dark light is beckoning

So set your vision on that sight

Every day’s a day of reckoning

So sing the truth with all your might

So sing the truth with all your might

Times will pass They cannot last

Every epoch returns to dust

The present soon turns into the past

Times will change for change they must

Times will change for change they must

Times of darkness times of light

When the darkness to light yields

Times of grounding, times of flight

When sheaves arise from fallow fields

When sheaves arise from fallow fields

May 30, 2024

Anthony Foster

Watch and Pray

Fumbling, stumbling in the darkness

Waiting while anticipating dawn

I'm setting my eyes upon the horizon

Trusting the sun will arise ere long

At times I’m oppressed by the starkness

Of how evil pervades what once was peace

I’ll set my mind on the above and beyond

Knowing that one day the sin will cease

But till that day, till that day

But till that day-I will watch and pray

But till that day, till that day

But till that day-I will watch and pray

Sometimes I’m driven to distraction

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

Step by step I’ll keep in step with the Spirit

Till I enter that city for which I seek

But till that day, till that day

But till that day-I will watch and pray

But till that day, till that day

But till that day-I will watch and pray

So I’ll cast myself headlong on grace 

Until I see the glory in Jesus’ face

But till that day, till that day

But till that day-I will watch and pray

But till that day, till that day

But till that day-I will watch and pray

Matt 26:40-41

May 26, 2024

Anthony Foster

Till Faith Becomes Sight

I would fain all fame-For the sake of your name
Where you plant me I would grow-

With self crucified- I’m set free from pride

So my end I’ll surely know

I would seek to live-My whole life to give

All that’s in me, all I am

So may I decrease-That you may increase

Till your glory fills the land

For with hope my heart is sealed

While I walk here in the light

I will see my hope fulfilled

When faith becomes sight

So all that is in me, all that I am

Will glorify the Lamb…

For you died for all-Those who heed your call

Now to live for Christ alone

For His own name’s sake-Whatever it may take

To take refuge at your throne

To seek purity In obscurity

To be consumed in Your light

Then our loss is gain When we see your reign

When our faith will become sight

For with hope my heart is sealed

While I walk here in the light

I will see my hope fulfilled

When faith becomes sight

So all that is in me, all that I am

Will glorify the Lamb…

Eph 1:13; 2 Cor 5:7, 15; Phil 3:8-10;

1 John 1:5-7; John 3:30; Phil 1:21

May 25, 2024

Anthony Foster 

Soul Food

 

There is a hunger in every heart

There’s a thirst plaguing every soul

There is a starvation that one cannot see

And it’s slowly just taking its toll

 

Feeding on garbage and drinking of filth

At tables where distractions rule

Where souls becomes sickened and minds becomes ill

At a fraudulent feast for the fool

 

Come tremble at Beauty, undone by the True

Be devastated by the Good

Mystery and wonder are waiting for you

In the One who would be your soul food

 

The world’s full of zombies, the scavenging dead

Not knowing what food they might find

The spiritual leper eating rancid bread

The deluded desperate blind

 

When a banquet is set  at a feast for the soul

That nourishes and sustains

Mysterious manna and water that lives

That flows out from God’s  very veins

 

Come tremble at Beauty, undone by the True

Be devastated by the Good

Mystery and wonder are waiting for you

In the One who would be your soul food

In the Son who would be your soul food

Jesus came to become your soul food

 

John 6:35, 53-58; Matthew 26:26-29

May 23, 2024

Anthony Foster

 

 

 

There is No God Like Our God

From ancient days no one has heard

Yes, no ear has perceived

No eye has apprehended

And no one has conceived

Of a God besides the One we know

So wonderful and great

There is no God like our God

Who works for those who wait 

There is none holy like the LORD: 

There is none besides you;

There is no rock like our God.

The Only Wise and True

Our God has set His eye on us

He calls us His delight

He searches to and fro for those 

Who walk within His light

And so throughout the whole earth

He searches every part

To freely give His strong support

To those with blameless hearts

There is none holy like the LORD: 

There is none besides you;

There is no rock like our God.

The Only Wise and True

Bridge

There is none like you O Lord,

No works like yours are known

You are great and do wondrous things;

 For You are God alone

There is none holy like the LORD: 

There is none besides you;

There is no rock like our God.

The Only Wise and True

Isaiah 64:4; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Proverbs 12:22;

1 Samuel 2:2; Psalm 86:8-10

May 21, 2024

Anthony Foster

The Fear of the Lord

Grace has taught our hearts to fear

For you are Holy, Holy in our eyes

We are undone apprehending glory

As we draw near  that fear will make us wise

Holy fear-Will draw us near

To the weight of Your glory, Holy One

Holy fear -Helps us persevere

Has the Lamb left the Lion now undone?

Give us one heart and one way

May you be our dread and be our fear 

More than mere respect,  we pray

That we may tremble as we draw near

Bridge

You save us with your staff, 

You save us with your rod

You  save us  from your Holy wrath

We do not trifle with the living God

Holy fear-Will draw us near

To the weight of Your glory, Holy One

Holy fear -Helps us persevere

Has the Lamb left the Lion now undone?

Isaiah 8:13; Jeremiah 32:39

May 18, 2024

Anthony Foster

All in All

Everything in heaven

Everything on Earth

Belongs to you and you alone

King of matchless worth

You alone are worthy

To you We bring our praise

You set your heart upon us

At this we stand amazed

You are the One who draws us

You are the One who saves

You have chosen to cause us

To come forth from our graves

You the author of our faith

You are the One who calls

You send your Word to give us life

For you are our All in all.

Your love is free and merciful

To love is your delight

Because we are found in Your Son

We are precious in your sight

Nothing shall separate us

Not death,  no depth nor height

You have the power to keep us

As we walk within Your Light

You are the One who draws us

You are the One who saves

You have chosen to cause us

To come forth from our graves

You the author of our faith

You are the One who calls

You send your Word to give us life

For you are our All in all.

May 17, 2024

Anthony Foster