The Diaries of a Fruitcake in a Half Baked World!

So, are you a wart?

This morning, early, I couldn’t sleep and decided to read some blogs that I am following. One caught my eye and it was about being hurt by people who call themselves Christians. Haven’t we all been there? Hasn’t that been some of our excuses of why we don’t go to church? Why we put up the wall of trust? We still might hold bitterness toward someone who didn’t show love and they are suppose to be a Christian.

The question was why if you’re a Christian and are part of the body of Christ, don’t you help someone when they are hurt instead of picking up the stone of judgment and throwing it?

I started thinking about how we come to church and say we are a follower of Jesus, yet some seem to be lip service instead of kingdom service. The first thing that raises a flag read More >

Definition of skirt, pants, trousers, and pantalets

Skirt – v. to border, wrap, or cover with a skirt or something suggesting a skirt in appearance or function. N. the part of a gown, dress, slip, or coat that extends downward from the waist.

Pants – n. trousers

Trousers –  n. sometimes, trouser, also called pants, a usually loose fittings outer garment for the lower part of the body, having individual leg portions that reach typically to the ankle but sometimes to any of various other points from the upper leg down. Idiom – wear the pants, to have the dominant role; be in charge: I guess we know who wears the pants in that family.

1830-40; short for pantaloons.

Pantalets – n. Long drawers extending below the skirt, with a frill or other finish at the bottom of the leg, commonly worn by women and girls in the 19^th century.

Ten years ago I was living in our first home that we bought and trying to find my place in life.  My Momma was over and looking out my front window. “Thea, look at that girl’s pretty hair!” Our new neighbors, whom I hadn’t met yet, had a young girl that had gorgeous hair down to her waist. “You know, she is wearing a dress and riding a bike! That has to be hard.” My Momma was very curious about this little girl. I never really took notice of the details that were being pointed out to me.  “Do you think they are a certain read More >

I always sign the end of my e-mails or any communication with the word, Blessings.  I sign it like that because my hope is that the reader will have them in their life.

What is a blessing? According to the Webster Dictionary a blessing is God’s favor and protection. It is a prayer asking for such a favor and protection; a beneficial thing for which one is grateful; something that brings well-being.

What is blessed? It is something made holy; consecrated; living a holy life.

We can turned to the book of Matthew and read what Jesus said about the blessed. The fact that God spoke these words to us is a blessing to me.

Matthew 5:3-12 KJV

v3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

v4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

v5. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

v6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

v7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercey.

v8. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

v9. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

v10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

v11. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

v12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Tell me something? In our day and time, how are men reviling you, persecuting you and saying all manner of evil against you falsely, for Jesus Christ sake? Is the persecution coming from those that see you living a different lifestyle, by the way you dress, talk and behave? Are you made fun of or talked about in a way because others think you are in bondage and not free? Is the persecution by hearing that people are saying things behind your back because you won’t do what they do, like go out to bars and parties and drink?

We are persecuted for trying to live a righteous (right) life from what our convictions are and what the Word of God says. We are to count it joy! When you have Jesus Christ, the ways of the world are no longer your ways. You really will stand apart from what the world considers normal. You really do start to change the way you have behaved, spoken, dressed, etc…

One of the things that I was convicted on was my language. I was cursing a lot and now when I feel it coming on, I try so hard not to let it pass through my lips. Yes, it is in my mind but I reject it. One day it won’t come to mind.

Another thing is reading romance novels. I use to say I had to get romance somewhere but these novels can become very graphic and you are watching this in your mind. You fantasize about something that isn’t real and then in real life you are disappointed because you want what was the thoughts of someone else’s mind. We like to read to get away from our reality and get caught up in someone else’s. Even though it isn’t real or maybe it is.

I got rid of all the iPhone applications I had that was gossiping about the movie stars and musicians. What someone else says about someone might not be the truth and you are making a judgement based on someone else’s opinion. There is no way for you to walk up to Brad Pitt and ask if it’s true. Some people think that if the actor or actress isn’t suing the magazine or saying something in return, that it must be true. But those actor and actress’ have managers who want the chaos because it keeps their client in the public eye. It is attention, even if it is negative attention. My point is we want our mind to be pure in thoughts and feeling love toward others. Not reading something and thinking how awful it is and us becoming judgmental. I would read it because I thought my day had gone bad so let me see if there is someone whose day was worse than mine…yep, I am doing better than Brad Pitt and he is famous! Shame on me!

We all have our own convictions once we ask Jesus to be Lord of our life and ask Him to forgive us of all the ugliness we have done to ourselves and others and against Him. We then are baptized as an obedience to follow what He asked us to do, in the name of Jesus. It’s an outward expression of what has happened on the inside. Our sins have been washed away. We rise out of the water, clean in Spirit, mind and body.

So my question, dear friend, is: blessed… are you?

Galatians 5:22,23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.

This is the fruit that we need to renew in the Spirit. When you have the Spirit, which is the Holy Ghost, He will produce this fruit in you. It is up to you whether to share it or not. To be honest, you will want to share it.

Sometimes, when I have been hurt, talking from my experiences, I tend to hold certain things back. Like joy, peace, kindness and self control.  It is the best thing, even though it can be hard, to forgive immediately when you have been hurt. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.  If you do it will start manifesting itself and become very ugly.

The Bible is here for us to learn how to make our life much better.  John 20:31 tells us why the Bible was written: “But these things are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in His name.” Living in the world can be very hard and can ultimately cause you to go against all that was written in the Bible, to go against God. What is living in the world? What are the examples? The acts of the sinful nature are obvious:

Galatians 5: 19-21

…sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

A lot of people think these things are fun. Going out and partying and getting drunk and just having a good time. Sure, I was there. But when you are drunk you aren’t all there. You are open to all kinds of things that can come into your space and lead you astray. I have heard on shows or from women or men that when they did something wrong, it was because they were drunk. What’s the song by Jamie Fox, Blame it on the Alcohol? In order to change myself, I have to know that I need to change. You will know deep within if you need to make some changes. The next step is to ask for help from the Helper. He will not turn you away.

Jealousy can lead to fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, envy, discord, etc…  How can we live a life that is pleasing to God? What would that life look like to you? I think if I live for Christ, He will send His Holy Spirit to help me live right. Everyone has the choice to either listen or ignore the Spirit. I try to always listen but there are times my own self will wants something more. In those times, my life then becomes chaotic and a lesson is then learned. I need to ask for forgiveness, not be full of pride and keep walking.

So to get your fruit renewed in the Spirit, sit down in a quiet room and have a chat with the Lord Jesus Christ. You can have a chat. He already knows your every thought. Just talk with Him and let Him know you are ready to make a change in your life and you need Him.  Deep down we all want this, it’s just that our pride gets in the way of humbling ourselves or admitting that we need someone else, especially someone you can’t see with the physical eye. But believe me, you will feel Him and hear Him!

I pray that your fruit will be renewed in the Spirit right now!

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”   Hebrews 10:24-25

For many years I have neglected meeting together with my brother and sisters in Christ.  It became my habit and one that I couldn’t seem to break. My family seemed to fall in this trap with me. I call it a trap because we seemed to not be able to escape what was in our minds that was keeping us from forgiving offenses in our life, which caused us not to want to be around other Christians.

It is so easy to be offended by others and let everyone know about it.  When I was hurt, I wouldn’t wait until the kids were out of the room, I would do it there. They would see me crying because I was hurt and ask what was wrong and I would tell them. Not in a vindictive way but in a pathetic way. I was hurt. By letting my kids see this and know who offended me, they drew their own conclusion and opinion of those in question.

As the years passed, the dust on the Bible accumulated. We went as a family to different churches but I couldn’t leave fast enough. I was still hurt. I didn’t want to open my heart to anyone again. It was so hard. The churches we visited were so open and welcoming but I was closed off. I didn’t want to get involved in any ministries, I just wanted to be…

The Lord saw my hurt and carried me through the years…

I thought for a moment that I might be one of the sisters that had fallen away and their heart becomes harden and can’t find her way back. I was so worried about not being close to the Lord but then a friend’s face entered my mind. I started calling her and meeting with her. Slowly the ice was melting away. I let someone in.  I started opening my Bible and went to a woman’s conference that opened my heart to those sisters around me. I found the joy in the Lord and forgave the offenses that I had against others. It felt like a huge weight was taken off my shoulders.

Something like scales had fallen off my eyes and I could see again. I could see others and feel love for them. I wanted to be around other brothers and sisters in Christ, to meet with them and fellowship. I was reborn!

It feels so good to have sisters that meet with you and want to pray with and for you. To have a Pastor that cares about your soul and preaches what the Lord puts on his heart.  If feels indescribable to be able to have the freedom of worship, true freedom, where you don’t have to worry about someone else watching you, your focus is all on Jesus, not anything else. How the Spirit of the Lord moves throughout the worship and sermon. To be able to be in a service and not think about what things you have to do that day but think about the message and the Lord.

It is wonderful to have a meeting place to go to.

Well, I was raised Southern Baptist and accepted Jesus Christ as my savior on March 25, 1985. I was 14 and had my baptism that following month on Easter Sunday. I was baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. What is that name? What is the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit? When we are baptized “in the name” isn’t that singular? It doesn’t say “names”.

So, I was going through some of my journals and I came across one of my writings that I wanted to share. read More >