Author: Ruth Kirk

I’m not fit

Ruth Kirk

I am not fit to stoop down
and untie the thong of his sandals
(Mark 1:7; NASB 1995).

I’m not fit to walk beside you,
Yet I follow, close behind.

I’m not fit to worship you, Lord,
Yet I dare, for you are kind.

I’m not fit to gaze upon you,
Yet I long to see your face.

I’m not fit, Lord, to address  you,
Yet I trust your love and grace.

I’m not fit to touch your sandal,
Yet I dare to kiss your feet.

I’m not fit to be your servant,
Yet I sit with you, and eat.

I’m not fit to ask your help, Lord,
Yet you share my pain and fear.

I’m not fit to have you living in my heart,
Yet you are here.

Christ is all that matters,
and he lives in all of us
(Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Made from dust

Ruth Kirk

The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person
(Genesis 2:7; NLT).

You made my body
Out of dust,
And formed me
In my mother’s womb;

My mind, Lord, 
From the good and bad
You send
To help me grow and bloom.

You made my heart
From your great love,
Poured out through Jesus
Here on earth;

My soul, Lord,
From the breath of life
With which you quickened me
At birth.

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Mighty quickens me
(Job 33:4; LSV).

“Self” is only an illusion

Ruth Kirk

There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NLT).

‘Self’ is only an illusion;
‘Me’ and ‘you’, a deep delusion.
‘Us’ and ‘them’ are meaningless:
All God conceives is one.

For he is over all he makes,
And dwells in all he procreates;
To claim autonomy, absurd:
All God begets is one.

For he adores all he sustains,
And lives through all that he maintains.
Three-fold, in unity, he reigns:
All God brings forth is one.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:4-6; NLT).

Looking back

Ruth Kirk

The years of pain.
The empty street.
The fruitless wait;
The mid-day heat.

The dying hope;
The voices, near.
The noisy crowd;
The Teacher, here.

His look of love;
His outstretched hand.
His healing touch;
He helps me stand.

I straighten up,
And take a pace;
The people cheer
While we embrace.

A miracle!
He’s set me free!
I thank him,
And he blesses me.

I bow down low.
The crowd moves on.
I raise my eyes,
But he is gone.

The voices fade
Along the way.
I see it all –
Like yesterday.

I am the Lord who heals you
(Exodus 15:26; NLT).

An inward light

Ruth Kirk

God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6; NLT).

An inward light;
A silent voice;

An offered love;
A sense of choice;

A perfect bliss;
A gentle grace:

God’s tender kiss,
And warm embrace.

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him (Luke 15:20; NLT).

May I be born again

Ruth Kirk

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3; NLT).

Lord,
May I be born again,
Not once, but every day,
Then I’ll walk beside you,
Fearing nothing, come what may.

Lord,
May I be born again,
Not once, but every day,
Then I’ll grow like you
In all I think, and do, and say. 

Lord,
May I be born again,
Not once, but every day,
Then I’ll trust that you
Will seek me, every time  I stray. 

Lord,
May I be born again,
Not once, but every day,
Then I’ll thank you, praise, rejoice,
And never cease to pray. 

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NLT).

Come back soon

Ruth Kirk


O Lord, come back to us!
(Psalm 90:13; NLT).

Lord,
Come back soon
To make us whole,
For we are lost in pain.
Our lives are ruled
By suffering;
We long for health, in vain.

Lord,
Come back soon
To change our minds,
For we are lost in sin.
Our lives are ruled
By selfishness,
Forgetting you, our King.

Lord,
Come back soon
To heal our hearts,
For we are lost in hate.
Our lives are ruled
By prejudice;
We spurn your narrow gate.

Lord,
Come back soon
To save our souls,
For we must all repent;
Then trust in you,
Transform our lives,
And love the One you sent.

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17; NLT).

Heart’s desire

Ruth Kirk

I love you, Lord
(Psalm 18:1; NLT).

Lord,
You are my heart’s desire:
My hope, my peace,
My light, my fire;
My way, my truth,
My source, my goal –
I love you.

Lord,
I am your heart’s desire:
The lowest creature
You inspire;
Your slave, your guest,
Your child, your heir –
You love me.

He loves us with unfailing love
(Psalm 117:2; NLT).

Hope

Ruth Kirk


Give all your worries and cares to God,
for he cares about you
(1 Peter 5:7; NLT).

Lord,
Whatever life may bring,
I want share it all with you,

For, whatever hardships come,
You will always help me through.

Lord,
Whatever I must face,
You will strengthen me to cope,

So, in sickness and distress,
Your constant presence gives me hope.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him
(Psalm 62:5; NLT).