We do as we like

We do as we like
We say what we wish
We are quite selfish
And we do not care
Indeed it seems
This is the world in which we live

We give little attention to others
We care much less for our sisters
and brothers
Life is career, is cash
We want it all
We want our own
Separate stash

A piece of the action
On our terms
We want to make a statement
We like to offend
We cast our morals
To the wind

Our way is right
We pick a fight
We make our demands
We delight
In the fate which
We deem to rest
In our own hands

We are flippant
We are foul
And there's no end in sight
This is our right
So is the world in which we live

What is right and wrong
But a point of view
Which so easily
Can be overlooked
What is right for you
Is fine
So long as it doesn't
Conflict with my time

What are we trying to prove
What are we rebelling against
In all things we glory in
If there is truly no sin
Then why do we still feel
A since of shame
As if somehow deep down
We are to blame

Is there still some truth to be found
Is there some standard that remains
Unchanged and uninfected
Or is all lost to the wind

As the teacher once wrote
All is meaningless
A chasing after the wind
So are all things
Under the sun

No submission
Have we but one
We answer to none
But our desires
And they too
Begin to lose attraction

All passions
Begin to lose their flame
At last we remain
Stripped bear
And who is to blame
We are abandoned
And unloved
At last we begin to feel
The reflection
Of our own
Infection

We are sick
And dying
And there is no denying
So now we await
Our glorious end

So naked and cold
So we shall behold
Our so long awaited end
Without hope
Or friend
All is wasted
All is meaningless

Yet still
Outside
This abandoned place
There stands
A trace
Of hope

Truth remains
It still pleads
Forgives
It can wash away
The most confused
And afflicted
The most rejected
And convicted

It can heal the most
Vile of disease
It only requires
The bowing of will
And the bending of knees

All it asks
Is full acceptance
And allegiance
To confess
With all humility
That one has
No ability
Apart from
The truth
To save themselves
Indeed all is meaningless
Under the sun
For only the Son
Can set one free

-Joshua Lee Foist

So what is there really

So what is there really
In this business of relationships
Some we happen upon
Others we initiate
For our own devices

We love
We hate
Such adventure
Such struggle
In debate

We do not hesitate
We infatuate
Upon what might be
Ideal

Perfection
In every collection
We make for ourselves

We lead such perfectly
Shallow lives
We torture
Our minds over
Fine things

Fine wines
A pleasant picture
A colorful drape
A superb fate
We can hardly
Appreciate

If only today
We muse
Perhaps
They'll come my way

It most certainly
Must be today
Something in the air
I said the perfect prayer
My favorite song just played
And this all not by accident

Romance we seek
At least once or twice
A week

Are we so shallow
Must we always
Be entertained
By such
Petty things

Sure they are fine
In their own kind
But they do not
Fulfill
As such a heart
We long
Could
Thrill

Surely it will in time
With just a precise
Measure
A little fond
Indulgence
Of a certain
Pleasure

It must be so
I just know
Mustn't it
Be so

Perhaps I do not know
Oh, how very sad
Have I truly
Thought
I could buy such a thing
With such a pleasant
Gesture
Or a pretty ring

It takes more of character
And commitment
Of trust
To build
Just
Such a thing

But in time
I believe
Such a thing
Could blossom
Into such a flower
True love
Is awakened
In such an hour

-Joshua Lee Foist

This wind around me

This wind around me
How it toils and it grows
It blows wherever it goes
It takes with it whatever it will
It gathers and scatters

To remain in this place
To not be caught up with it
It takes much purpose
Much conviction
Such a foundation
Is hard to find

Too often
It is easy to be caught up with it
There is pleasure for a moment
To feel the breath of life
As one is caught up in its currents

But when its course is run
And the winds have changed
All is rearranged
Yet still we remain
Lost, without direction
And full of pain
In this, what did we gain

True a lesson was found
In this present purpose bound
But have we the skill to gain
The wisdom in the pain
Or will we again
Be caught up in
These gusts of wind

Who can know when they
Shall return
Either we can burn
With passion
Or yearn to grow
To learn to know

How to build a foundation
That will not yield
To such intoxication
It will remain steadfast
Till the very last
Breeze has blown

While all others
Are scattered
Here we find shelter
In this unshifting sand
For it is stronger
Than that which is made by hand

This rock, this cornerstone
Before all others were known
Its purpose was shown
Its plan would shelter
Would save......man

For those who would seek it
And cling to its foundation
And not be scattered
Or shattered by it
Would find its worth
In this one that came to earth

For in time
When the currents grow
And the winds blow
When the heavens quake
And the earth shakes

Then will all creation
Desire this firm foundation
But they will be scattered
Shattered by its force
No earthly thing can stop its course
Its source of power is not of this earth

So while still this eye of the storm remains
May all creation cease to be amazed
By such earthly desires
And come to trust in that
Which remains sure and steady
May all come ready
To receive this assurance
Found in this rock
Which shall not be moved

May they seek it earnestly
And humbly
Not for what can be gained by it
But what can be found in it
Without it none shall live
It requires all one can give
And more
It desires full control
One must give full allegiance
With heart, and hand, and soul

But what is received is beyond all
Imagination
Nothing more can be desired
For from this rock flows
The springs of eternal life
And with it all longings
Are fulfilled in this
Rock of Ages

-Joshua Lee Foist

And so the year is almost past

And so the year is almost past
Still before we have seen its last
May we reflect awhile
On that which we remember
That for which we regret
And that for which we are thankful

So often the year begins rather slow
As our thoughts which feel rather low
All we had hoped for and already
We wish this year would just go

Oh, think we
That we could just watch the time go
And never have to think so
To watch it from a distance
Seems little work at all
But would it truly be worthwhile
If lived from such a view
I think it would not do

How quickly and easily we forget
We fight for all that pleases
For the moment
And then when the dust clears
And we see what all our
Energy and sweat has brought
It is all forgot

Such a waste we make
When we live in haste
We think little of our life
Much less the rest
With whom we share it

Are we so cold
So selfish
We cannot share such a moment
Can we not embrace
Indulge another
With love and grace
Is it so much to ask

I pray that each day
Somehow
We may love each one
Not as they ought
But as He would have us
To love
For truly His was the greatest gift
To give all for those
Who cared so very little for Him
Too comfortable were they
In their lives of sin

They would rather a thing
To call their god
Than He who created such
a thing
For all the world
He gave everything
Still they are too much overcome
With what they can get
That they forget
The meaning of life
All their fears and strife
For what are they worth
When all return
To the earth

Still His light shines
Though dim to some
It remains
Until the last stroke
Of time
Till then there's hope
It cries out
In the streets
On every corner
To them who would listen

I am here
Do not fear
I've come to give you life
I bring hope to them that have none
And peace to those who long for such
Release from all strife
And terrors of night
I have conquered all
That you may
So live such a life
Of meaning and purpose
Oh do not teary long
I will not always be
As you now see me

One day
When we are face to face
Either you shall find such
Sweet and heavenly grace
Or you will find the terror
That will never leave
This place

Oh, do not teary
This life is short
Do not make such sport of it
May you benefit
From such wisdom as I give
Listen and give ear to me
That you may find
Eternity
And be free indeed

So as you look back
On this year that is past
May you look forward
To the joy that will last
That has come from ages past
And into all eternity
He will come
With strength and power and might
How glorious is the sight
Of the King of Kings
Who salvation brings
To them who believe
Who deny all others
And follow

Each day is worthwhile
When lived for such a reason
Each season
Whether sparse or rich
Has its worth
When it is bound
In Him
Who can save
All
From their
Sin

May this be
Your resolve
Your resolution
For the year ahead
To seek after
Him who came
To give life
And such a life
Of abundance
Tis the very air
Of which we breathe
So very sweet
Which is breathed
In the hope to share
The love of Him
Who did bear it all
For both weak and small
That they may find life
In Him
And so too
Be saved
From sin

So may our purpose be
As we
Look to the year ahead
May it be fed
On His word
Enriched
In His spirit
Which breathes
Life into
Each soul
That rests on Him
That seeks after
Him who
Knew no sin
To become
Our righteousness

-Joshua Lee Foist

On Change

It was happier then
That time
So much hope
Longing for what might come
A great horizon
Spread out before us
Who could tell
For nothing
Could hold us back

So was it then
It was our time
To live

And how we lived
So simply
With never a care
Life came with ease
When once we where there
No great troubles
To talk of
Only life
And love

So were we then...

Yet we were young
And unafraid
We had not embarked
From where we stayed
Here was safe
In this company of friends
Such was contentment
In our days

But now the days have changed
The colors have started to fade
Where once there were rich reds
Now distant grays

The light of life seems to have strayed
Were we wrong when young
To have played
Was it a waste
To be so

So innocent
And full of hope
Nothing could harm us
We were young

Yet were we blind....

Change brings character to mind
Something more there
To find
I wonder if
Twas all worthwhile
Those days
That led to this one

In spring we imagine
In summer we discover
In autumn we despair
In winter we reflect

Must it always be so
Must we always the
Autumn of November
And the winter
To remember

Yea,
We cannot wish them away
No,
They too are here to stay
But perhaps
Amidst the colors that stray
There is still hope
Within the seasons to come

Who can say
How long the leaf
May last
Before it too
Is past

But while its
Still today
Somehow
May we strive
To make some thing
Of it
Whether for a time we
Ponder and sit
Let us still make the
Most of it

Here's still time
To enjoy
To embrace
To long
And chase
Some heavenly
Grace

Yes still
Tis here
There's hope
For a new year
Cast not all
To fear
For it too
Will fade

But when fear may come
May we look to the one
Who brings courage too
And so, may we always
Pursue so diligently
Such a virtue

-Joshua Lee Foist

Love, How long I had sought thee

Love
How long I had sought thee
Twas my desire that I might too
Love so perfectly

But it was not to be
Too much was I concerned
With what I could get with it

Cared I little for it in truth
Only but to feel
To feel love
That was all I thought
I desired
But it was not love

Such a thing was a material thing
And no joy did it bring
Each time it's cost was great
And yet it did not satisfy

I continued to seek it
So determined was I to have it
At any price I would pay
But each time
It did betray
This counterfeit
How it deceived
It bribed
But it did not
Fill my need

Was my quest in vain
Was there ever to be found
Such a love as I had desired

And then one night
I saw a star
Shining bright
Brighter and greater
Than any other light

There was something in it
That made one believe
Something wonderful
Something good
Must come of it

And it was not long after
That I came upon a company
Of wise men
They told me of this star
And what hope was found in it
They told of a great King
Who was to come
This light showed the way
To God's own son

So I joined their company
In search for such a king
Perhaps He would
Bring the love
For which I had so longed

Yet when at last I found this one
I was overcome
Could this be
Such a great king
In such a state
Where there should have been
Great gatherings of those in
Power and wealth
Instead came shepherds
And common folk

Still somehow
Though humble a place
I saw in such a face
The hope of salvation
To come
Indeed here lay
God's own son
And such love too
Was shown here
I could not express
Still I knew at last
I had found the one
Whom perfect love
Did know

It was He
Who would give it
To all that would receive
To them that would believe
He would give this love
With His life
He would pay the dept
And restore to us
The love and joy
For which we
So earnestly longed
To know
It was found in this one
In God's only son

-Joshua Lee Foist

I Asked For Patience and Perseverance

I asked for patience and perseverance
And then was greatly troubled
Nothing seemed to happen
It was as if nothing I desired
Was given to me
Where was patience and perseverance
This was not what I had desired
Was it
Was this what I was meant to feel

I felt like a great vacuum
Inside of me had sucked all life
All hope all longing and desire
All was gone
I could hardly breathe
When at last I did
It took great trouble and pain

All my energy was invested
But nothing was gained
Only sorrow and loneliness
Surely this could not be
I desired joy
How could I rejoice in this
What satisfaction was there in this

I felt betrayed
By that which I had so much
Trusted in
Perhaps indeed this was my sin
I had let it draw me in
It had preyed upon my weakness
As a poison it slowly and steadily
Stripped me of all joy
My strength was leaving me
I had nothing to defend it
All was lost

And then
Through the shadow
I saw a very dim light
Barely visible
Yet I could feel it
Its source of life
Its power

For an instant
I longed to be near it
For it to fill me
To fill these cold veins
And heal this scarred
Soul
Oh, that it would take control
That it would breathe
New life
Into this body

And then, as if it had known my thoughts
I began to feel its touch
As one who consumed
And pricked with chills
So was it's touch
But it was warm
Consuming
Satisfying
I longed to remain in it
Wishing it would never leave
Not knowing how I was so
Privy to its power
Yet pleading it would
Never cease
Indeed here
Was peace

At last
I started to see
That what I had so pleaded
And prayed had not abandoned
Or strayed
This was the very thing
For which I had hoped
Such patience and perseverance
Had brought with it
Such hope....and JOY

I was revived
It was as if at last
I was able to breathe
And draw in such
Deepness and fullness
Of life and being
Such purpose
Was realized
In this One
Who had come

As my thoughts
Reflected back
On where I had been
I saw such sorrow
Had been wrought
From sin
And yet
It was this One
Who had bought me
With the Life
Of His only Son

Somehow I am still much amazed
How was I ever found to be
Worthy of such a life as this
Now can I only praise
And gaze upon
That which is so lovely
No shame is found
In this
No sin
In such infatuation
Such fullness
Such bliss
Always
Satisfied
Always
Faithful
To its own
Tis such love
That has brought
Sinners home

-Joshua Lee Foist