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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, 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 shut-ins, 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:  July 07, 2009

"Worship"  "The Plan I have For You,"  "Clay,"  "Christ Alive Again,"   "I Raise A Psalm To You,"  

"My Quiet Place,"   "Father,"   

"Your Love For Me,"    "His Treasure,"    "Bahamas Academy School Song,"

"The Christmas Spirit ,"   "My Psalm of Praise."

  

 

 

 

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

 

 

 

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!

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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!

 

 

 

 

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!

 

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!