how can we still be
missing so much beauty
our brother
our sister
all the treasures
of the world
right beside you
right beside me
how can we still be
hurting each other
oh can't you see
the glorious ruin
for that is who we are
who we all are
and we cry
for love
just to be loved
oh God
open our eyes
to your presence
image bearers
all around us
and let us
treasure
the treasures we see
and let
this love
start in me
how can we still be
silent
speak
let your words
embrace the sorrow
let your words
heal the pain
speak
be present
embrace
the treasures
oh God
help
me
see
For us, January 1st is Happy Anniversary as well as Happy New Year. So, in honor of my bride:
just look at those kids
kneeling in stillness
about to unfold
a story to be told
of their love
just look at those kids
praying and longing
about to discover
the path is so steep
and love will require
more than they know
still here we are
still telling a story
older now
somehow
still here we are
just look at those kids
i do
let’s go
i’m yours
your love is true
through all the hurts
pain and sorrow
you still said yes
through each tomorrow
you love so well
with grace and kindness
staying by my side
oh Ruth
so grateful
you’re by my side
still here we are
still telling a story
older now
somehow
still here we are
just look at those kids
dear God
thank you for the journey
and for taking care
of those kids
and thank you
for the gift of
that high school girl
who so long ago
was kneeling beside me
and still is
and can it be
you came for me
a withered soul
so tired so cold
and can it be
surrendered glory
for this heart of pride
all the shame inside
o withered soul
lift up your voice
o withered soul
cry out rejoice
your light has come
your peace is near
Immanuel is here
and can it be
once blind i see
forgiven free
You died for me
and can it be
new life is mine
and for all time
not just a while
i'll sing and shine
i am your child
this withered soul
now your son
your own
and can
it
be
a cup of coffee
in a little corner of my home
lights and shadows
remind me of what lies within me
darkness and light
love and hate
goodness and self-centeredness
the memories descend
life and love
family and friends
grace and peace
laughter and song
so many gifts
undeserved and plentiful
soon the wraith
of dim stories arrives
failures
loss
shame
and the quiet ache
of all things left undone
and of all that i have done
to others and to myself
i choose to surrender
to all the images
that so quickly float
through my mind
as i lift my gaze
in a little corner of my home
three crosses
Calvary
such an ugly place
of death
of pain
of sorrow
of suffering
and it is there
in the midst
of the darkness and light
of my life
it is only there
where the lies i tell
and the lies i believe
are exposed
where my shame is undone
in love and acceptance
where i trade my burden
for hope
mercy
love
and the lightness
of forgiveness
and i realize
He is here
with me
in a little corner
of my home
it’s the beauty and simplicity
that we often miss
the radiance and light
that we just don’t see
the comfort and the healing
that we lay aside
oh let us rest
let us be still
for the greatest of these is love
the greatest of these is love
it’s the glory and presence
that we often ignore
a sunrise
a bird song
a baby’s laughter
the colors of all the leaves
as they fall
grace is always in season
oh let us rest
let us be still
for the greatest of these is love
the greatest of these is love
it’s the bitterness
and anger and rage
that can lead us
to waste our pain
we pursue justice
at the expense of our souls
and become that which
we loath
oh let us rest
let us be still
for the greatest of these is love
the greatest of these is love
God our world is in trouble
but greater still
is my troubled soul
my anxious thoughts
God i need you
to settle this restless heart
help me to see
beauty simplicity
your presence your glory
right here
to laugh like a child
and to sing
your praise
and your renown
with the colors
and the seasons
oh let us rest
let us be still
for the greatest of these is love
the greatest of these is love
lift up your eyes
oh weary one
and let His love
clothe the lies
mend the wounds
and sing over you
lift up your eyes
oh sacred soul
you matter more
than anyone knows
let His grace
lift your head
you bear His image
be at peace
be at peace
lift up your eyes
oh shame filled one
and let His presence
surround the sorrow
all the monochrome
guilt and shame
will be restored
in the color
of His deliverance
in the brilliance
of His countenance
in the suffering
of His love
lift up your eyes
be at peace
and rest
be at peace
and rest
stillness
reflection
quiet
contemplation
listen
He is here
presence
surrender
holy
encounter
He is here
searching
heart open
hope filled
and broken
He is here
rest now
oh my soul
let grace fill
the questions
the doubts
have no fear
His love is here
He is here
someone's falling
oh God
someone's falling
a desperate soul
searching for peace
searching for a place
called home
someone's crying
oh God
someone's crying
a daddy fears
for his little girl
how he longs
to keep her safe
in this dark world
someone's running
oh God
someone's running
and the bullets fly
so hard to breathe
just need to hide
run
keep running
someone's praying
dear God
shouldn't we all
be praying
it's so dark
dear Jesus
shine through
my broken heart
no matter how small
my light may be
shine through me
let me fall
into Your grace
You're my home
and safety
let me weep
with those who weep
You're my comfort and my hope
let me run
into Your arms
and love this world
You love
love this world
You love
dear God
really glad you're here
i'll receive all you have for me
with gratitude
for i know this new day
is a gift from You
so today
if i see a hurting soul
let me be a comfort
so today
if someone hurts me
let me be grace and forgiveness
so today
if i stumble in word or deed
please help me
change me
on this new day
make me new
on this new day
so i woke up
and all the clouds
remind me of the words i said
oh God
the words i said
the anger in my head
so i woke up
and all the clouds
can’t hold the tears
that just rain down
down down
it hurts
and i don’t know why
oh those clouds in the sky
so i woke up
and all the clouds
press on my shoulders
and i manage to pray
oh God
i just want to be okay
just one day
can i be okay
one day
faith
help me to trust
that just behind
those clouds
Your promises still shine
help me to hear
the light of Your words
and rest
oh God i’m so tired
so i rest in You
hope
i choose to reach
beyond the now
one day
only light
and no more tears
so today
while i’m in the clouds
i place my hope
in You alone
in You alone
love
let me see
Your Light
let me know
Your promises
let me hope
that one day soon
all will be well
all must be well
because You
are Love
You are Love
so i woke up today
and all the clouds
remind me
that today right now
You are here
not hidden
so i’ll search for You
and make it through
this cloudy day
with You
with You
rutakintome pictures 
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