"GLEST" - A combination of Glee and West

I'm behind . . . I've never watched Glee until a few months ago when we went on vacation and because of all the chatter about it, I downloaded all the episodes to my iPad. I didn't know I was missing 1/2 of shows! So tonight I was thrilled to see that it was coming on tv.

If you've never watched it, try to catch an episode . . . they have many "teaching points" in each one!

Tonight's show, however, was probably one of the most powerful I've seen! The "Cheerios" (cheerleaders) were being made to do some kind of strenuous ritual to make sure they were thin enough, pretty enough, etc. to be viewed by a famous reporter that was going to give their coach a prestigious award.

It came time for their performance but much to their coach's dismay it was not the cheerdance she was expecting. The song started with the "atypical" cheerio singing Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" and before you knew it ALL the "atypical" beautiful people were out on the floor singing and dancing!

It immediately made me think of West! Our commitment to being a place where "atypical" people can come and feel welcome, loved, accepted regardless of personal characteristics that distinguish anyone as "different" in a bad way. We've committed to loving people whether they are long-time Christians or people who are not even sure there is a God. We want all people to feel a part. Far too often religion has judged people based on social status - how they look when they "come to church," their way of worshipping, life choices, physical characteristics like hair color (died perhaps purple or green), body piercings (if I HAD a cool belly button I'd have it pierced too but I don't so I won't!), tattoos - I like those too but have an aversion to pain, and all TOO often these judgments end up standing in the way of people finding their place on path to faith. We are called to love all people. Breaking out of the huddle means loving all people!

On Glee tonight the point was to empower people where they are in their own lives! People should "be the people they are" without feeling like they have to change to be beautiful! What a powerful message . . . thus I've named this blog "Glest" for "Glee/West" . . . now, if we only had their money.

I thought the words of Aguilera's song were appropriate . . .

Everyday is so wonderful, then suddenly, it’s hard to breathe
Now and then I get insecure, from all the pain
I'm so ashamed

To all your friends you're delirious
So consumed in all your doom.... (oohh mmm)
Trying hard to fill that emptiness,
The pieces gone,left the puzzle undone,
Aint that the way it is?

I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes words can't bring me down
So don't you bring me down today


Let's be a faith community that seeks not to break down but to build up!
Let's show all people they are beautiful in our eyes, but even moreso in the eyes of God!