Claimed, gathered and sent

I don't know how many of you are followers of the show "Glee." We got hooked on it during the summer after reading our friends' Facebook posts about it. It's about a group of kids in a high school glee club. In many ways, some would be misfits, but in glee club, they've found a family of sorts. Tuesday night's episode was theologically profound--exploring issues of unanswered prayer, feelings of exclusion from the church community because of sexual orientation, and the possible death of a loved one. Where was God in all of this? This episode will even be viewed and then discussed at my seminary. Here is the link to the show. It will make you think. I suspect that from this one episode, a number of pastors have found plenty of sermon illustrations. Grilled Cheesus

Throughout the past two years of seminary, we have been challenged to "think theologically." And sometimes one can't help but wonder how that really plays out in daily life. I like to think that I go through my day with an open heart and ears to the needs of those around me, to what God is saying, and to what I should/should not say or do. Sometimes God just wants me to listen to what someone is going through and not try to fix it. And it is so very tempting to try to fix things in people's lives. That's not always our job though. This is not to say that we ignore the needs of those around us. God help us if we do that.  My supervisor told me that at the end of each day he goes back over it, examining it theologically. What it boils down to for him is where did he see God throughout the day? That is what it means to think theologically. Where is God? Pr. Larry, my supervisor, keeps reminding me that we know where we expect to find God: church, in the fellow...