Prayers from a meeting of the Moscow Seminary Board
The Rev. Rod Miller, recently returned from a meeting of the Moscow Seminary Board in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, along with the Revs. Charles Harrell, Doug Strong and Ted Campbell. While there, he was inspired to write several short pieces oriented to the current world context and our faith.
A Prayer: Move Us
written in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Oct. 14, 2024
Lord, move us to do thy will.
I have other sheep who are not of this fold.
There is a prayer house that is not ours. -- Taxi driver referring to Bishkek UMC
Move us to the side of everyone who chooses life
Move us to embrace new friends wherever they are and wherever they come from
Move us from the surface to the foundation
Move us to follow you into the unknown
Move us to weep on behalf of all who suffer
Move us to embrace what is next for all of us
Move us to the end which is a new beginning
Move us to run with you and to hide in you
Move us to see and embrace your higher purpose
Move us to know and to do
Move us to be kingdom people and to help create and unite kingdom people whoever they are and wherever they are
This is the season when the unrevealed begins to be revealed and the improbable blooms
Pink is the color of today – from orange-based salmons through blue-based berry tones – mostly adding a small amount of red to white.
Water with a small amount of blood is pink.
A Reflection: Are You a Kingdom Person?
written in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Oct. 17, 2024
My kingdom is in and not of this world. ~ Jesus
Note: In the 10th century, the Chinese called the Christians on the Silk Road “People of Heaven” (the Kingdom) and “People of the Light.”
It is time to develop kingdom communities. To announce and embody the kingdom of God here today.
What does it mean to be a Kingdom person?
It means moving in ways that bring people together in mutual respect, co-creating the way forward by protecting, hoping, trusting and enduring.
It means intentionally aiming to live and act on Jesus’ teachings in his Sermon on the Mount today.
It means saying No, Because to fear and death and Yes, And to love and ultimately, love is stronger than death.
It means being healers, forgivers, and facilitators of grace.
How do you know if you are a kingdom person?
When you care more about people than success or failure When you are non-violent When you build bridges When you let go in order to let come When you stop fighting and start building When you understand and relate to everyone as a child of God When you stop running away from life and start moving toward love When you embrace, exemplify, employ and embody Jesus in the world
The Kingdom of God is like a colony of ants. Ants are not strong, yet they carry many times their weight. They are little yet able to move mountains. They are almost invisible yet are connected across oceans and continents. They are individuals yet they work together towards a higher purpose. When we are humble, like small ants in an ant colony, we are kingdom people