First Baptist Church of Vineland, NJ

Welcoming, Witnessing & Winning for the Kingdom of God

ANN

I learned how to clap a lot.  I learned how to raise my hands and not be embarrassed.  I learned that it's not about me, it's about God.  It's not about what First Baptist expects of me, or St. Isadore's or Central Baptist or any other church that any person is in.  It's not about rules and regulations.  It's about God's plan for my life and how I accept that and what I intend to do with that.  I praise God that I was there to receive it.

I also learned that it is not only a privilege, but it is my responsibility to open the Bible and not only read it, but dive into it and study it and find out what it says.  Not rely on the little notes at the bottom of the page and what they are telling me it says.  Not just saying "Okay, Lord, tell me what it says" and reading it blindly.  It's my responsibility to dive into it and work.  Not just sit there. 

I learned God loves me, not the person that I project to be.  Not the person that I want to be.  Not the person my husband wants me to be or the kids want me to be or the pastor wants me to be.   It's who I am really deep down inside when I scrape away all of the layers of nonsense - God loves that person inside.  I am so thankful.

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