Author: rutakintome

I married Ruth, my high school sweetheart, in 1983 and we have four children and 5 grandchildren. I have been the worship pastor at Mission Bible Church since 2004. Minooka is a southwest suburb of Chicago. I love singing, bicycling, music, boxing, movies, The Beatles, sunsets, Mahler, the seashore, sunsets at the seashore, and… the seashore. Originally from New York, I grew up 15 minutes from the beautiful beaches of southern Long Island. I have a Fuji X-T30 that I use to capture the world I see. Please let me know what you think about these images.

soul distancing

Soul distancing: the practice of separating your soul
from the day to day rush
the deadline driven exhaustion

the anxiety saturated social media
the identity robbing expense of living for someone's approval

the heart hardening fallout of unforgiveness
the countless heart deadening diversions

and instead

connecting to whatever it is that helps you to

s       l        o         w           d           o            w             n

a walk on the shore... a hike...
sitting in stillness... prayer...
coffee and a good book...

you may discover what you are really living for and decide to change course

you may discover what you really worship and decide to reach higher in the affections of your heart and mind

you may discover an ocean of tears that were held back by your hardness becasue you need to be right

or you won't let it go

or you refuse to forgive

or because you know you need to confess and make it right

you may discover

in the stillness

the voice of God

the shores of my story

the songs are breaking on the shores
of my story
reminding me of family friends and love
gifts of Grace are all around
in every wave i hear the sound
of Your love and care

the songs are breaking on the shores
of my story
reminding me of things undone
hurt and tears seem to abound
in every wave i hear the sound
of my lack of love dear God
forgive me

the songs are breaking on the shores
of my story
reminding me of my dearest love
high school days then wedding day
home and kids
all gifts from above
in every breath i breathe
your love
so grateful
for your love

the songs are breaking on the shores
of my story
reminding me i soon must leave
so may i sing to my Father above
so may i sing to those i love
may He find me ready
to walk on the shore
of my new home
no more tears and endless Light
faith hope
and the greatest
Love

please change me

so here we are again
another day has dawned
lets get it right today
and see what we’ve become

so here we are again
another chance to love
to give and not to take
to set our hearts on things above

dear God we need to hear your voice
let all the change i want to see
let all the change begin in me
dear God
please
change
me