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Established 2000

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Ruth McKinney

A few weeks after graduation and about ten days after marrying Pastor Silas Napoleon McKinney, we arrived in Nassau.  It was January 1956.  In short order we were assigned to the South Andros District, a place of breath-taking coastal beauty and wonderfully warm and friendly people.  My husband pastored the six churches there and I was asked to be the principal of the Andros Elementary School.  Our home and the school, which sometimes were housed in one building, were located in Kemp’s Bay.

Pastor Silas and Mrs. Ruth McKinney

Development and maturity in our spiritual experience and in our vocations were enhanced as challenges were successfully met by God’s guidance.  Bonds of affection and love were formed with my assistant teacher, my students and the brethren, that have stood the test of time.  I cherish these memories.  As my husband’s work demanded and as we pursued educational advancement, we had to break up house, sell out and move overseas a number of times.  I found the moving process very difficult, not to mention expensive; but as we focused on the fact that we were following the Lord’s leading, things were executed more smoothly.  Our family increased with the addition of three children – Rosa, Michelle and Neil – and so did our responsibilities.

Because of the moves we made, I had to fit into new posts and positions –

  • Secretary:  Bahamas Mission, Bahamas Conference, West Indies College and West Indies Union; 

  • Teacher:  Andros Elementary School, Bahamas Academy and Northern Caribbean University; 

  • Accountant:  Bahamas Mission, Bahamas Academy and West Indies Union.  I even served as Acting Treasurer of Bahamas Mission for one month, May, during 1964.

While my husband served as president of West Indies Union ( formally Jamaica, Bahamas, Cayman Island and Turks and Caicos), nestled in the beautiful hills of Mandeville, Jamaica, I was asked to chair the Office Administration Department of Northern Caribbean University.  My lovely co-workers were supportive and cooperative and as the students were self-motivated and focused, they were a pleasure to teach.  My years at Northern Caribbean University were enjoyable and we formed chains of life-long friends and happy memories.

For every life that touched mine over the years and for every opportunity to make my contribution, as I supported my husband in his work, I give God thanks.  In retirement my weekly visits to the sick and at-home members, my Ministry of Encouragement on the internet and my occasional speaking appointments, gardening, and piano, provide fulfillment, bring many blessings and help me to “brighten the corner” where I am.  Praise the Lord for His protection, His guidance and His blessings!

 

The Prayer List

Several times each week, Lady Ruth, as she is affectionately called, sends out prayer requests to hundreds on her prayer list.  Many around the world are being blessed by her ministry.   Ruth McKinney is quite aware that with one click of the mouse she might be changing the life of someone.  You can be a part of the great ministry.  Send your email address to ladyruth@coralwave.com  

Not only will you get requests to pray for others, you will also get great news about answered prayers and wonderful poems.  In addition, you will receive mini videos, inspirational slide shows, and anecdotes that will enrich your life. 

 
 
 
Poems by Ruth McKinney for Your Encouragement

Last Update:  April 02, 2022

 

 

 

Worship

By Ruth McKinney

July 5, 2009 

 

Into Your awesome presence we come,

Prostrating ourselves at Your mercy seat.

We are Your people, Your own beloved;

We thank You that with us You promised to meet.

 

We sense the closeness within this room,

With brethren and sisters, a nearness warm,

So sweet together in one accord,

Real peace and contentment – a holy balm.

 

We give You, Lord, all adoration

Our Creator, Redeemer and Advocate too.

Please make our praise Your habitation,

As on this day, we worship You!

 
CLAY
 By Ruth McKinney
 April 2006
 
In this quiet, early-morning hour
Your love floods thought and mind.
I am that insignificant, unworthy
Lump of clay,
Who thanks You every day
That I am clay.
For clay has a wonderful property –
It sticks and clings.
 
Now, every day I give my life anew
To You, Creator and Redeemer mine.
And by Your power, I grasp again
Your strong arm,
To lead me through this day.
For in Your strength
I can hold on; You made me so –
Clay sticks and clings

 
HIS TREASURE
 By Ruth McKinney Dec 2005
 
I  am so very special
To my sweet Jesus;
Before I was even born
He loved me so unstintingly
His blood He shed for me
On Calvary’s cruel tree!
 
And when I broke His heart
With all my willful ways,
He ever looked at me with love
In His sad, longing eyes
And freely forgave me.
Precious to Him I must be!
 
 With joy cascading ever
Throughout my happy heart,
Beloved is the way I feel!
(My friend, He also cares for you.)
He loves forever, without measure,
And yes, I am His treasure!

 
My Psalm of Praise
 
By Ruth E. McKinney,  2006
 
At early dawn I lift my voice in praise and gratitude to You, O Lord!
 My quiet thoughts, uncluttered, calm and free
Sing out a chorus of adoration to my God and King.
May the glorious Son of Righteousness
Shine in my heart and in my life today, infusing me with joy!
You are so wonderful, so marvelous!
I PRAISE YOU, LORD!
 
I raise my heart in praise throughout the busy day!
When cares of life perplex and problems weigh me down,
When troubles surface everywhere,
And burdens seem far more than I can ever bear,
You give me a tranquil song of peace.
You are so great, so powerful!
I PRAISE YOU, LORD!
 
When evening shadows fall and darkness settles down,
My grateful heart rejoices in a psalm, a benediction of praise,
For blessings You bestow upon this unworthy soul.
Thank You for forgetting all my many sins and for
Remembering that I am only dust.
You are so gracious, so long-suffering!
I PRAISE YOU, LORD!
 
May every breath I take and every thought I make
Throughout every moment of my life,
Be a melody of joy, a psalm of praise
To You, O Lord, my Redeemer and Friend!
Your love is so awesome,
So matchless, so boundless, so free!
 I PRAISE YOU, LORD!

 

The Plans I Have For You

By Ruth McKinney, May 2009

Written for The Shepherdess Association Retreat May 2009

   

“I know the plans I have for you,”

Are words God meant for you and me,

But seems I do not trust in Him enough -

Sometimes the way I just can’t see.

 

The many calls upon my time

And lots of work I have to do

Clouded the vision God declared

As wife, mother and shepherdess too.

 

I live within a clear fish bowl

And folk with many eyes to see

Are looking, peering in from every side

With no privacy left for me.

 

As director, leader, of this and that

The pastor’s wife just has to be –

So hurried, harried, frazzled and tired –

Are these the plans God has for me?

 

I have only one good nerve left

And the kids are playing so

Very energetically on it.

I wish and pray for them to grow.

 

Then whispers God into my ear,

“They are some plans I have for you,

So help them grow up in my love;

To you my promise I’ll renew.”

 

Now hubby dear I must not neglect,

For top homemaker I must be.

“Hold up his hands, and I’ll hold yours.

Increase your faith, depend on me.”

 

God showed me how to pace myself

And carve some quiet time, all mine.

To delegate He gave insight and

My priorities outlined just fine.

 

The fishbowl He declared was good,

Yet wondered I how this could be.

“Give me your life and all your heart

And everyone through it, my love will see.”

 

My sisters, do not doubt; put fear aside,

Just be a Shepherdess – give it your best.

He’ll give you strength to work His plan.

So, trust your Lord; He’ll do the rest.

 
Christ Alive Again!
By Ruth McKinney
April 14, 2006
 
Christ did not die
And supine lie,
Alone grave-bound
Within the ground.
 
 
He gave His all
So those who fall
Will never stall
But heed His call.
 
If down He stayed
Within the grave,
He’d be a knave
And I, a sinful slave.
 
But rose He again
Conquered the pain,
The sin and shame,
Took all the blame.
 
With fetters free
Rising majestic’ly
Yes, up He came!
Christ lives again!

 
The Christmas Spirit
By Ruth McKinney
December 2005
 
 
We do enjoy this season of year
When with our friends we all can share
Our presents, cards, companionship,
Our joy, our love and fellowship.
 
But when we give our gifts this year,
Please take a little time to cheer
The folk who may be down and out
Who’ve little to be thankful ’bout.
 
Now, most of all, let’s keep in mind
The greatest Gift this world could find.
It was because Christ came down here
We have the hope of life up there!

 
BAHAMAS ACADEMY
SCHOOL SONG
By Ruth McKinney
 
 
Bahamas Academy!  Bahamas Academy!
This is the school for me.
Bahamas Academy!  Bahamas Academy!
Here is the place to be.
 
CHORUS
With Godly teachers to help us,
And parents who care and love,
We’ll strive to attain the utmost
With the blessings of God above.
 
 
Bahamas Academy!  Bahamas Academy!
We’ll all try to do our part.
Bahamas Academy!  Bahamas Academy!
To train head, hand and heart.
 
Bahamas Academy!  Bahamas Academy!
True to our school we’ll be.
Bahamas Academy!  Bahamas Academy!
Preparing for eternity.
 
 

 
I RAISE A PSALM TO YOU
By Ruth McKinney
 Written October 24, 2001
 
You are my strong Tower,
My Rock and my Deliverer!
I raise a psalm to You.
 
My Bulwark and Shelter
In time of storm, my Savior,
I raise a psalm to You.
 
Out of sin's pit, so miry,
You offer your great mercy;
I raise a psalm to You.
 
For your amazing grace
Extends to the whole human race,
I raise a psalm to You.
 
You give me peace and joys
In spite of terrorists and wars.
I raise a psalm to You.
 
So, for your love so free
And every gift to me,
I raise a psalm to You!

 
My Quiet Place
God greets me in my quiet place
Great blessings to impart.
His happiness at meeting me
Was shown me from the start.
You see, at the appointed hour,
Already there is He,
And waits with holy eagerness
To listen and help me.
When we commune I meditate
And grow in grace each day.
Our sweet relationship
Is rich in every way.
I tell Him all that troubles me;
He takes away the stress.
When situations make me sad,
He gives me happiness-
The deep, abiding kind of joy
That overflows around
The edges of my spiritual cup,
For true love I have found.
So, go to your sequestered cove
To meditate and pray.
God waits with open, longing arms
To interact and say,
"My precious child, I do love you.
Open your heart and see
The blessings that I have in store-
For you’re so dear to me!"

Ruth McKinney

 
YOUR LOVE FOR ME
By Ruth McKinney
March 28, 2001
 
Oh God of love, why did you die
For a poor sinner such as I?
Why did you care so much for me
To come to earth and set me free?
To save me from sin's penalty
You gave it all on Calvary.
Your Father's call, deep in the tomb,
The darkness chased, pierced the dank gloom,
For in the grave you did not stay,
To save the lost ones, you did pay.
My heart now full of thankfulness,
Humbly responds in joyfulness.
To comprehend Your love for me
Will span eons of eternity.
To Christ, my Lord, all glory be--
Oh joy untold--for loving me!

 

  

 

Father
By Ruth McKinney
 
F - FAITHFUL
Your faith in God has always been strong and you taught us how to put our trust and confidence in the Lord. You did not only "talk the talk," you have always "walked the walk" and taught us to love the Lord.
A - ATTENTIVE
Our thoughts and opinions were listened to with interest. You helped us build our self-esteem and also showed us how to be friendly.

 

T - TRUE
A man of integrity, you have demonstrated an upright and honest character. Everyone has respected you for this.
H - HELPFUL
With your hands outstretched, you were generous to those in need around. In a world of greed and grasping, you taught us to be kind and unselfish. You even found time to help us with those difficult school assignments!
E - ENERGETIC
Never lazy and indolent, you worked diligently to provide for your family's needs. By precept and example you taught us industry and good work habits.
R - RESOURCEFUL

When impulse buying and “keeping up with the Joneses” was the norm, you taught us how to be thrifty and develop good money management skills.  Somehow your dollar stretched enough to cover all our needs and many of our wants.  You also helped us learn to “make do” and use what we had until we could afford what we wanted, ever keeping in mind that it was the Lord who gave us wealth

 

FATHER, we love you and thank you for everything you have done for us!  May God bless all fathers!