AnthonyFosterPhD

Here's something I encountered on our trip to see the Christmas decorations on the first day of Advent, where we begin to prepare to celebrate the nativity of the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We celebrate that year 'round, but especially this time of year. So here's a little duck dressed up as a Christmas tree with the message- "BELIEVE." He's surrounded by a flock, brace, flush, paddling or raft(whatever you choose to use) of duckie-clones. This is scary it's so cute, but I'm not at all sure I know what I am supposed to BELIEVE in here. Is it that somewhere there are ducks that dress like this? Or perhaps this is some sort of alien lifeform come to save us from a deficiency of cuteness? I suppose it is more likely a new derivative form of pagan theology. First, there was the myth of justification by death, where all you have to do to go to heaven is to die. Now this one says the destiny of your eternal, immortal soul depends upon w...

Angels and Shepherds The highest of the high And the lowest of the low Glorious in the sky And broken here below Beneath all of the heavens Above all of the earth Both wonder now in worship at His inexpressable worth. Both passion and compassion Intermingled here in One Here are the purest gifts of all Compounded in God’s Son. Precious purity undefiled They come to praise the Miracle child. Declarations of praise Is all they can know. Highest of the high And lowest of the low… Stunned into silence Stunned into exaltation They see the holy evidence And respond in celebration… The highest of the high And the lowest of the low Glorious in the sky And broken here below Beneath all of the heavens Above all of the earth Both wonder now in worship at His inexpressable worth. Anthony Foster November 27, 2009 As the Starwheel Turns On this starry night angels take their flight And come to sing their story Sing to all the earth of this blessed birth A savior come from glory… As the starwheel tur...

I have a dream- a dream that I can surely see Life is more than it seems- this world has not yet blinded me. There on the horizon beyond the vast shore I view a vital vision so I am asking for far more. I have a dream helps me cope with the suffering and pain The vision of a blessed hope that turns my loss to gain. I have a dream that draws me, a dream of burning fire A hope that stuns and awes me and fills my heart's desire. I have a dream and my dream has me Audacious, extreme and it's setting me free. This dream will draw me near to its warm reality With vision that is clear if I have the eyes to see. The obvious escapes most men- this sure and sacred fact All bound up in what might have been, defined by what they've lacked. Our dreams of dying and of dust leave us broken, weary, lost Yet dare to dream we surely must- so let us come to count the cost. Oh dreamer of dreams, what will you see When your dreams become reality? I have a dream and my dream has me Audacious, e...

See the photos of Tom Rudkin here Falling down like leaves of gold Nestling on the earth below It’s peaceful here out in the cold Silent in thanksgiving snow… And now a cov’ring for my heart Settles softly from above Shalom the silent snow imparts It flutters gently as a dove. Peace comes like Thanksgiving snow To grateful souls it is enough To humble hearts that truly know The covering of perfect love. To settle on the satisfied It covers them in white And brings thanksgiving that abides Like sacred silent light. Like snowfall gathering in drifts Like manna as it falls I’ll make an off’ring of the gifts For hope shall deck my halls. This path I follow in the snow Will help me find the way. Praise God from whom all blessings flow This blessed Thanksgiving Day… Anthony Foster Thanksgiving morning 2009

I had a portent of what may come- as I finalized most of the writing on the phd, a spate of seven new songs accompanied me on the 2.5 hour trip back from speaking on the Future of Education at a regional conference Friday. Glad I had my digital recorder. The lyrics will follow this post. Enjoy the artwork of GH Harris at http://lee-ny.com/arts/gregory_frank_harris/gregory_frank_harris.htm Bountiful Praise Lord fill our hearts with peace Fill our eyes with victory Seal us with love overflowing And Lord send your sweet release. Oh the blessedness of knowing Your righteousness shall increase! Lord fill our hearts with praise Help us one voice to raise Seal us with joy overflowing Fill our hearts as each heart prays Oh the blessedness of knowing You have authored all our days. Glorious singing, the mountains are ringing new praise The valley’s resounding, and joy is abounding in this place. Our hearts and voices we shall raise as we bring you bountiful praise! Lord fill our hearts with ...

Printed out the final draft of my dissertation last night. Went to another area church as we are seeking to discern where we want to buy or build for the future and it may be in an outlying area. I recall Jack Kemp's story where he and his wife Joanne decided to first seek and find a great church and then move their family to be in proximity of it. That sounds like real wisdom to me- to put the center of bodylife at the focal point of your environment. Did a little Christmas shopping as well!

We had a great time at Actor's Theater at a performance of A Christmas Story. ELVES ROCK! They added a lot with their choreography, juggling, Christmas trivia, radio announcing, and Christmas themes. On the way out Santa and the elves greeted us as they partied... No problems on the way in (what with all the construction going on) but going home we were met by a fireball probably fifty feet high, looked like a head-on collision of two tractor trailers. I am blogging an hour and a half later and it is still on the news. You could tell death was in the air. We sat there from 10 PM until 10:35 and then a few of us were let through. Glad to be home and praying for anyone involved!

We lift up our praise to you In adoration for all of our days to you And there we will begin To truly enter in and dare To open up our hearts And lay them bare to you. We confess our sins to you Forgive us and make us new We come now to agree We have come to clearly see That righteousness is far from us So cleanse and make us true. We are standing in the need of prayer Standing in the naked light with hearts laid bare Standing, standing in the need of prayer So raise us up from here on our knees Heal us from our dread disease Cleanse us from our sins Here is where life begins. We express our thanks to you Our hearts humbled in gratitude Thankful when nothing remains To be grateful and unashamed A servant spirit offered up- Let this be our attitude We lay all our needs before The altar of the open door In humble supplication We understand our station Frail children of dust, Trusting Father evermore. We are standing in the need of prayer Standing in the naked light with hearts laid bare...

Perfect Peace (Shalom Song) You- provide a place to rest We are blessed- in your presence, Lord. You- draw us to your side Here we hide- in your presence, Lord. Every minute, every hour Every moment by your power We will pray. Perfect peace, perfect peace Sweet release in the depths of our souls Perfect peace, perfect peace Will never cease in the depths of our souls. His name we extol! Jesus- Prince of Peace! The wisdom of your plan The might of your right hand Your wish is our command You are righteous and just, Jesus! We lift our hearts in praise Our songs of faith we raise Oh author of our days We will trust Jesus! Lord give us peace give us power-give us purity Give us strength in your sovereign security. Perfect peace perfect peace Will never cease with Christ in control Perfect peace, perfect peace We are priests of peace and your name we extol! Peace- we cannot understand Peace- according to your plan Peace- in your shalom we shall stand In your shalom all is well- Jesus- Princ...