Well, well,well! So glad that the fruit of the spirit has a better taste than fruitcake! Not as easy as it may appear, the daily trials of life can be and are challenging especially when special attempts are presented with eyes watching for results. I took special time and energy to spread the word of our Lord in my travels with good fanfare from many who thanked me for taking the time to especially speak to them when times of need and despair were on their hearts. It’s great to spread His word and to see the fruits of their power to those who need it most.
Linda Bitty
I was shocked to be handed a fruit cake. My week was very stressful. Thank the LORD for his mercy and kindness. He works everything out in his own time, and I praise him for that. Boy I had a hard time not eating that fruit cake.
Adam Thuman
I had the fruitcake the week of February 4th. I travel with my job and it was unusual caring around a fruitcake in my car with me (I am honestly suprised it made it). However, I made sure it was kept safe. By carrying this cake everywhere I went, it was a constant reminder God is with me everyday and how much he loves me. I hope everyone feels the same when they have it. I passed it along to Greg Clanton.
Lori Camp
Imagine my surprise at hugging a friend in church one Sunday and having a fruitcake slipped into my hand. I had to laugh at the delivery and wondered how it would affect my week. The week was hectic and the fruitcake’s presence reminded me to handle each challenge - well most of them anyway- with love, patience and kindness. I feel so blessed. The Lord brought to mind someone to pass it on to and I hope they will feel strenghtened because of it like I did. It was also a challenge to keep it in one piece. I wonder if it will make it through the year intact?
Mark Goode
I took the challenge from Tony Smith.I placed the fruitcake on my night stand. It looked strange and stuck out like a sore thumb but it worked. I could not help but notice it when I woke up and before I went to bed. I’m passing it on to Adam Thuman.
Tony Smith
After I received the fruitcake from Clair Hedge, I immediately took it home and ate it. (Just joking!) I have been a Crown Financial leader for many years, and I am very passionate about teaching other Christians what God has to say about money. The fruit cake was my reminder to continue encouraging others to show their love in giving, to be faithful in saving, and to have self control in spending.
Victor Lopez
During the week I had the fruitcake I would say it was one of the most challenging weeks that I have had in a long time. Through all the difficulties during the week I was able to experience God’s love with myself and also with those that were the reason for my challenging week. Hopefully through the experience they did see the love of God somehow by my actions and words.
Jeff Masters
Lynn Deyton blessed me with the fruitcake just before Christmas. I displayed it on my desk at work where many of my friends and business associates scoffed at the present I was given. It was a great reminder of all the blessings God has bestowed upon me and its attention allowed me to encourage others to count their blessings. After much prayer, I blessed Scott Barnett with the cake. I hope he doesn’t eat it.
Lara Langston
I was so surprised when Chuck and his family approached me after the service
to give me the fruitcake! The week before, I was serving in children’s
ministry and did not get to attend the service, but I heard about the
fruitcake challenge from my husband, Lon. He described how Beau called
Chuck to the stage and challenged him to exhibit the fruits of the spirit
and pass the fruitcake to someone the next week. The idea of passing around
a fruitcake for a year is hilarious, but the idea of focusing on the fruits
of the spirit is very inspirational. Each day, I am fortunate to serve God and His children as the elementary
principal of Community Christian School. I regularly pray for the fruits of
the spirit for the students and teachers of our school, but this week, I
purposefully prayed that I would be aware of opportunities to demonstrate
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and
self-control.
I possessed the fruitcake during the week of Christmas which is the perfect
time to demonstrate the fruits of the spirit. Being home with my children
for the week was a blessing that was peaceful but also required patience and
self control. Focusing on the fruits of the spirit truly made me a better
mother.
I would like to thank Chuck for giving me this opportunity. Who would have
guessed that a fruitcake would be the best Christmas gift that I received?
Lynn Deyton
I was one of the 1st three people challenged with the fruitcake.I freaked out when Beau called out my name so I didn’t even hear a word he was saying when I had to go on stage. My husband had to explain when we got home! I thought, “Why in the world did Beau give this thing to me?” But I prayed about the Fruits of the Spirit and God did speak to me and tell me to bless soneone throughout that week. It was such a great feeling to be able to do something really awesome for someone who least expected it. I get such great joy out of giving. I truly believe that is why God continues to bless me and by husband - so that we can bless other people. Because Lord knows we don’t have any other talent! He also led me to exactly who I needed to pass the fruitcake on to and I did. It was great to hear that person say they had prayed and passed it along to someone else. So on goes the Fruitcake Challenge! I hope that everyone is blessed by this just as I was. Thanks Beau for choosing me for this challenge!
