tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715350302811661486.post2018431640380446177..comments2023-04-17T04:28:26.819-05:00Comments on Faith Steps with PastorE: CinderellaErik Jelinekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379500320756068697noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715350302811661486.post-22815602643159915882008-05-08T21:14:00.000-05:002008-05-08T21:14:00.000-05:00Pastor E said, "First and foremost, our identity c...Pastor E said, <BR/>"First and foremost, our identity comes from God. We are his children, his creation, his beloved. Knowing this first, knowing that we are created as specific, unique beings who are loved and have gifts, empowers us."<BR/><BR/>Wouldn't it be wonderful, if everyone in the entire world suddenly had this perspective, had this infusion of a feeling of "power?"<BR/><BR/>It would be amazing. There would be a stoppage of all war, money would no longer be the end-all and be-all for people, neighbors would love one another and seek ways to help others.<BR/><BR/>I guess the best each of us can do is to start with ourselves. By example, as we are out there, others may be changed by what we do or say, or by what we leave unsaid. <BR/><BR/>Lord, protect us from making judgements of others, or of being unsympathetic. Often what we leave unsaid is best.<BR/><BR/>Because, while we are all created by God, we have not been created equally. There are many who don't consider that they have any gifts at all. I found this to be true in my classroom all the time. A young man who has been told repeatedly that he can't write decently, (and there has been ONLY criticism), is very hesitant to try again, especially when he is now in high school.<BR/><BR/>How do we reach out to all the low self-esteemed in our world, those in our society and in our schools who have been, in a sense, "thrown away?" If every single person in the world could see some glimmer, some gift, inside of themselves, just think what our world would be like. <BR/><BR/>It's an awesome thing to consider and I pray that God finds a way to use me to make it happen.Betty Dygarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13228417023345371842noreply@blogger.com