Originally Posted by treshay

But I haven't always been this way. Before, I called myself a Christian - but I gossiped, I didn't go to church, I swore, I dwelled on anger and even passed it on to my children. I used the Lords name in vane and sometimes made jokes that today I would consider blasphemy.

Hi again, I am not a pastor or counselor just an opinionated housewife...

It doesn't seem you were filled with the Holy Spirit at that time... Since I don't know the details of your salvation, I would suggest you listen to "True and False Conversion" at this website...

http://www.wayofthemaster.com/learntoshare.shtml

You may have simply behaved the way you did because you were not actually saved,

or did not have the proper tools like the Holy Spirit the GREAT HELPER in the Christian life... Without Him we are all lost... and none can live the Christian Life.

I am not saying we no longer sin when we are saved, but I don't hear of the fruits of salvation in your testimony...

However, I know the Lord is with you, or you would not be confessing and the light or understanding of who you used to be would not occur to a non-believer
So you my sister are on the right boat

I guess my problem is that I need advice on how to let others know that that is not who I am anymore.

They will know you by your fruit not by your speech...

1. Matthew 7:16
   You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?
2. Matthew 7:20
   Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits.
3. Luke 3:8
   Bear fruits that are deserving and consistent with [your] repentance [that is, conduct worthy of a heart changed, a heart abhorring sin].
4. 2 Corinthians 9:10
   And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [ which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].
5. 2 Corinthians 13:5
   Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [ not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you--unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?
6. James 3:17
   But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).
7. Galatians 5:22
   But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
8. 
   Yes, I am a bonified Bible Thumper

The reason it's hard for me is because, I guess I'm worried about what they'll think...no...I KNOW I'm worried about it.

As a Christian ( though I know as a woman this is very hard to do ) you walk by the Word not by your feelings... Your feelings will sometimes decieve you...

1. Matthew 6:27
   And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life?
   Matthew 6:26-28 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter)
2. Matthew 6:31
   Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?Matthew 6:30-32 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter)
3. Matthew 6:34
   So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.
   Matthew 6:33-34 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter)

See, even Jesus own Words are not to worry... So walk on that...

What's crazy is that I really don't care if I lose them as friends if they can't accept the new me, it's just the part where they realize that I've changed that worries me most. I don't want to hurt their feelings, and I don't want to have to get into a debate about my beliefs against someone who has little or no faith at all. Alot of the people I know think that Christians and other religions hide behind the Bible and don't know how to think for themselves. I'm so new to really being a Christian that I don't really know how to argue my case yet either.

Yes, you have a sincere and tender heart I see... That will be used by the Lord for His purpose...

I maybe wrong ... I hope one of the other children here have Biblical verses that can help you...

I know that you will not be able to convince anyone of your passion now... They will simply watch you over your struggles and trials in life and observe your behavior... See they are looking for fruits in your life not leaves... So it will take time... I only discounted 1 person in my life, the others have remainded friends...
Though none have come to know the Lord as yet...

For example, I posted a little blog about the movie The Golden Compass on my website and I got so many people arguing against me saying that I need to read the book to give it a chance before making a judgement based on others opinions. I didn't write it but I so badly wanted to say "You too....try reading the Bible!" I don't feel like I made a powerful argument, I just basically said that I am raising my kids with my values and the plot of killing God goes against all of mine. In addition to the fact that I won't financially support an athiest author.

Good for you, I agree...

I said alot more but they are all athiests themselves so I guess I offended them by saying that. They also think that people should allow their kids to grow up and make thier own decisions on religion.

They are soooooooooooo Wrong... You would never allow a child to make up their own opinion about when to cross a street or if they get educated, or how they will dress, or if they go see a Doctor ect...

I just argued that if I don't guide them someone else will and noone will like the outcome.

You are sooooooooooooooooo right, You have wisdom

I guess I'm getting sidetracked...what's new Ha! What I need advice on is handling my friends and family that don't realize just how much I've changed. I'd really rather just not answer their calls or emails but I know that's not right.