...thoughts expressed here are not necessarily final.
Double Journey
A journey of love and a journey of trust
We are called to both paths and tread them we must
We can’t go on either without walking them as one
But it’s easier said than it is done!
Into my darkness the morning light broke
Praise rises up and praise breaks the yoke
Tears shed from the cross lift us up to hope and glory.
If I’ll sing Christ will touch me If I sing Christ will Heal me!
It’s a journey of trust and a journey of love
That leads us ever to the mark placed above
Keep in step with the Spirit and we’ll travel by grace
We will learn love and trust as we travel this place.
When your heart is sore and breaking apart
The God of all comfort will comfort your heart
He will meet you in your deepest need
On this double journey He will always lead.
Anthony Foster
July 17, 2005
July 18, 2005
With all the brew-ha-ha surrounding the Harry Potter series, I offer this bit of advice on whether Christians should be reading them. I heard again in church this week that the books are Satanic- even though the critic admittedly had not read word one of the books.
Where is tha balance? I would suggest that young children not be exposed at all to the conflicting and supernatural themes in the books, and older children only with proper guidance. Children need critical thinking skills to survive what this world will throw them and you parents need to be open and not drop the ball with this oppportunity. You should know what your kids know and monitor them appropriately.
Things to discuss as you READ THE BOOKS TOGETHER:
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What is the difference in the occult and fantasy? What are examples of moral relativism in the books? Pay close attention to times when lying and cheating are winked at. Pay attention to the casting of spells- who benefits and how? Note examples where "being special" seems to exempt the characters from punishment. Note examples of where adult authority is taken lightly. Pay attention to rules that are made to be broken. Be careful to note examples of revenge being championed as the right way. Always be ready to give a defense for the Truth of God's Word. |
By the way,
Writer Gabriele Kuby (author of "Harry Potter -- Good or Evil?") said that Pope Benedict XVI told her in letters written in 2003, when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, that the books "deeply distort Christianity in the soul." That is interesting. Wonder if he has any specific thoughts on this? I checked out SNOPES.com to see if this was an urban legend but apparently not.
As I was driving to church this Sunday I saw a disturbing sight
An animal that was so emaciated I could not readily discern what it was was attempting to cross the interstate at a place where there was no fencing. it looked like a young deer but its ears looked like a dog's. It was obviously starving and could barely stumble one step at a time. You could see it's skeleton clearly defined. Yet it was attempting to get to a lake that across the field. I was able to miss it- barely.
I pulled off the road a bit further along to dry my eyes. It made me wonder what it will take to have the same kind of hunger for the Lord- as the deer panteth after the water, so my soul longs for Thee oh Lord. It brought tears to my eyes, but prepared me for worship in a special way.
Hungry
I was starving on the highway with no food to be found
I could hardly lift my head up from the briery, barren ground.
Struggling to stand up I could barely even talk
I couldn’t stand up on my own- and much less could I walk.
With a hunger deep within my soul and weakness in my bones
When I was so empty I could hear my spirit’s groans
But he who is forgiven much can love much in return
And with all I know that I know I’ve got so much to learn.
To stand by grace in a moment of time
Exercising faith to surrender and find
Once we lay life down to rise up, we must lay it down again
For when we’re weak and without strength then we are strong in Him.
To stand by grace in a moment of time
Exercising faith to surrender and find
Once we lay life down to rise up, we must lay it down again
For when we’re weak and without strength then we are strong in Him.
Anthony Foster
July 18, 2005
Random Numbers from True.com, the AP, AARP Magazine, Allure, Newsweek compiled by the Dallas Morning News. Believe it or NOT?
Percentage of NASCAR fans that are female- 40.
Percentage of Americans who think Supreme Court justices should face a mandatory retirement age- 60.
Number of single men who prefer to date a woman who outearns him- 1 in 3.
Percentage of women who would like to see more male nudity in movies- 86.
People in the federal withness protection program- 17,000.
I heard a series of great sermons on Romans 8:28-32 by Piper last night- these words were adapted from his thoughts: it is in three parts on the web part 1 | part 2 | part 3
Good News
| In new words we will speak We will create new words to say. To tell the inexhaustible story We’ll find another glorious way When you’ve heard it all and said it all Say it again in other rhymes For it’s worth being said again A thousand times ten thousand times! What then shall we say? What will be our reply What shall be our new report How will we testify? God is never against us If we have faith to believe By the power invested within us He will be all that we need. |
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So write another poem Sing another song Say it once again Write it down e’re long Make it new and new and new Swelling up within our souls We express your glory with new lips Purified with your holy coals What then shall we say? What will be our reply What shall be our new report How will we testify? God is never against us If we have faith to believe By the power invested within us He will be all that we need. Anthony Foster July 19, 2005 |
God Hates Sin
When I was a sinner I surely loved my sin,
I thought I was the winner in that dark state I was in
But the cross changed every meaning of what it is to win.
All the time I was a pris’ner and I could never see
The chains and bars that bound me or what it means to be free.
For people love their darkness and to do just what they
please
But iniquity is obscene and sin is a disease.
God hates sin so I’ll hate sin
For sin hates God and God’s way
God hates sin so I’ll hate sin
Yes I’ll turn from my sin today.
Sin will separate you from the Holy One
Sin will bind and bait you and leave you so undone
But when you learn to hate sin the victory is won
That’s the way it is, thus has it ever been
We will repent for God hates sin.
Will you love your sin more than the savior?
Would you rather the flesh to savor?
Or taste and see that God is good and e’re enjoy the flavor?
There are fires within us just as surely as hell burns
Will you treasure Jesus enough to repent and turn?
For people love their darkness and to do just what they please
But iniquity is obscene and sin is a disease.
God hates sin so I’ll hate sin
For sin hates God and God’s way
God hates sin so I’ll hate sin
Yes I’ll turn from my sin today.
.July 20, 2005
Anthony Foster
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Unstop the ears that are deaf Subdue the rebellious mind Soften the heart that is hard Open the eyes that are blind We lay down the life we treasure And long to look to the Lord To live in Your Love and Your mercy In your Peace we will fear no more Overcome all our protests Draw us to your side Compel us by your mercy By your kindness kill our pride. What ever separates us Purge us and o’er us preside Search us and cleanse us Jesus We want to be purified. |
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No good thing will be withheld
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A Summer Reverie...
I remember sensation of sitting in the oak pew at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church on a hot summer Sunday. This had to be before I was saved at age eleven, because the memory takes place in the old frame church building that had once served as a joint shelter for the Methodists and Baptists. There had originally been two front doors with accompanying security- the Methodists had the key to one door and the Baptists had the key to the other. I don't know what significance, if any should be read into this fact.
I recall listening to the strains of Mr. Waldo Gentry playing the fiddle as he was accompanied by Miss Geneva, his wife on the upright piano. The strains of I Shall Sing of My Redeemer float through my mind, and the memory of these early days that impacted me so led to this derived song.
I will sing of my redeemer
I will sing of my redeemer!
With His blood, his precious blood, he purchased me
On the cross he gained my pardon
Paid the cost, once for all and set me free.
On the road to Calvary
Jesus bore all of our sins to certain death
He bore our sins in his body on that tree
He held them there beyond his final breath.
Now sin has died with the Lamb crucified
And placed in Christ, dead and buried, we shall live!
Not for ourselves but for the one
Who ever lives to intercede and forgive!
Yes I will sing of my redeemer!
With His blood, his precious blood, he purchased me
On the cross he paid the total cost
Once for all and so set us free.
You know of sin I was a prisoner
I bore it’s guilt and its burden in my shame
But now to grace I am a debtor
I bear the weight of glory instead of blame!
I will sing of my redeemer!
With His blood, his precious blood, he purchased me
He paid the only price that would suffice,
Discharged the debt I’ll never forget he set me free.
Anthony Foster
Based on the hymn by Phillip Bliss
July 21, 2005
Lord of Heaven
Come, Unshackle your heart, By the Spirit we start
To treasure the Lord of heaven
Come, Cling unto Christ, His work has sufficed
Treasure the Lord of Heaven!
The mind of the flesh cannot submit
All things are possible with Christ
The heart of the flesh cannot be saved
Except through the perfect sacrifice
Who have we to turn to but the Mighty Lord of Hosts?
Who have we in heaven but the Lord who is our boast?
Who else has the words of life?
Who else conquers sin and strife?
We praise The Father Son and Holy Ghost!
Come release your desires, be set afire
To treasure the lord in heaven
Come, open your hands cast all your plans
At the feet of the Lord of Heaven
Who have we to turn to but the Mighty Lord of Hosts?
Who have we in heaven but the Lord who is our boast?
Who else has the words of life?
Who else conquers sin and strife?
We praise The Father Son and Holy Ghost!
Anthony Foster
One Hope Secure
One hope secure we all confess:
In Jesus blood and righteousness
We trust -We are made just-
Made spotles, without blame!
To self we will die
And fully rely on Jesus name!
Oh grace without measure
Our holy, righteous treasure
Worthy of worship and praise we humbly adore
To do your pleasure as your name we treasure
And declare to this world that Christ is Lord!
Oh treasure the Lord of hosts
We find in Him our holy boast
Our hearts desire to exalt the most High God.
In the beauty of holiness
Your holy name we confess
And we will seek to bless the most High God.
Oh grace without measure
Our holy, righteous treasure
Worthy of worship and praise we humbly adore
To do your pleasure as your name we treasure
And declare to this world that Christ is Lord!
Anthony Foster
July 21, 2005
Yes and Amen
When I look on your ways I am filled with wonder
I am fully amazed; I am full of awe.
I can hear your voice in the rolling thunder
And in every burning bush that was there though I never saw.
When I ponder your power I am moved to praising
When I look on your love I am satisfied.
When I answer your call it is so amazing
That the one I worship would draw me to His side!
So I will rejoice , lift up my voice,
And I’ll declare the name above all names
It’s You- the promise is true
You are God’s Yes and so the Amen we proclaim!
When I think of your mercy I am moved
I am touched in the depths of my heart again.
I am changed in a moment for your power has proved
Your words are true, all your promises yes and amen!
So I will rejoice , lift up my voice,
And I’ll declare the name above all names
It’s so true- the promise is You
You are God’s Yes and so the Amen we proclaim!
Anthony Foster
2 Corinthians 1:20
July 21, 2005