| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Feb 28 2006 : 1:03:09 PM
I'm just curious -- is anyone here giving up anything for Lent (starts tomorrow)? I'm not Catholic, but I always give up something -- it's something we did in my family and I've continued as an adult. This year will probably be my "biggest" item; I'm giving up meat.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.blogspot.com/ |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 12:23:58 PM
Yes, Lent starts today. This year I'm giving up one thing and adding one thing.
Adding -- 30 minutes of listening prayer every day (Yes, I already spend time in prayer in the morning and evening & at other times through the day, but I know I tend to tell God this & that and I rarely stop to listen to His still, quiet voice).
Deleting -- Any online game playing, which I tend to do while my dial-up internet is loading something. Or I sit down for a quick "break" and play Spider Solitaire for 30 minutes. Gone for 40 days!!
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
| primjillie |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 07:41:29 AM
This was so interesting, I didn't even notice it was from last year! Alee - very interesting viewpoint and I think I agree with you. I don't know very much about Lent so it is good to read about it in an objective way. That is one of the many things I love about this forum - I learn so much! |
| momto6 |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 11:19:53 PM
I was reading through all of the archives, and as I was reading this particular group of posts, I noticed that Lent starts tomorrow. Is anyone celebrating Lent as described in the above posts? I was really inspired by Patti's post in 2006. Val |
| ali2583 |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 09:43:08 AM
What a fantastic dialogue between the both of you, Patti and Alyssa! You've both been blessed with fantastic argumentative skills - must be a gift from God!
"God's gift to you is life. What you choose to do with that life is your gift to God" |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 08:13:47 AM
Alee, you definitely didn't offend me. I'm the sort of person who loves to hear other people's views and learn about various perspectives. I just figured I had not expressed myself very well. I guess it's the English teacher in me that is always so focused on making sure I say what I mean, and that can be really hard, especially when not talking face to face.
I really respect what you've shared, and you've given me some things to think about. I already printed out your posts and tucked them in the front of my journal. I want to read them again tonight during my quiet time. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I'm a pondering sort of person, and you've given me something important to think about.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 08:00:56 AM
Patti-
I know you didn't mean "equate" but to me, Christ's sacrifice was so huge, so amazing, that I don't think we will ever, ever understand even that smallest grain of what he felt/went through/ or thought. Maybe equate was not the best word to use. I think it is great to make a time in you life to be more aware of other people. I just feel uneasy when someone says "I am giving up chocolate for 40 days. Now I understand better what Christ went through when he died." Even understanding _better_ seems hubris to me since giving up a little tiny pleasure in our lives is in no way equal to even the physical pain and suffering he went through- and we can only guess at any mental pain and suffering.
Also I hate to focus just on the Death of Christ. It was horrible, and had to be done, I understand that. But his life was not _just_ about his death. I think a lot of people forget that. His life was about love, and caring, and helping everyone. His death was just a carryover of his life's work. As a man of those times, if he had not died the way he did, he could have only helped for about 70 years. By dying the way he did, he ensured to be helping for all eternity. (sorry for the long post!)
For me, if anything, I think donating your time and effort would be more connective with the reasons behind Christ's life.
Any way- I don't want to offend anyone. These are just my own view points and I don't expect anyone to agree with me. I respect everyone's right to believe and worship however they feel strongest. I have very- odd- ideas when it comes to religion sometimes, so if my ideas don't jive with yours, that is okay. :)
Also, I do respect those who follow Lent, as I said before. No matter what your goal is, deprevation or donation, I respect you. I would not want to go 40 days with out some of the things I enjoy in life. I donate time, but it is with the animals. I wish I had more to donate elsewhere. So I respect everyone that goes that extra mile.
One last thought on Lent- I feel that 40 days is too short if you are helping others. I like the idea of the "WWJD" (What would Jesus do?) concept. In other words, if Jesus planned his life around others, it would be nice if we tried to emmulate that.
Alee |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 06:01:55 AM
Lucinda, I think your mother's idea is a wonderful one -- wish I'd thought of that when my kids were smaller. It would have been a wonderful thing to do with them.
Alee, maybe I didn't word it right. I don't know of anyone who feels that their sacrifice is done to "equate" it to Christ's sacrifice. As humans, we can never comprehend or do that. But in our own human way, it's something we can do to remind us of and to *somewhat* understand (not equate), as much as we can, the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.
I know that during Lent, every time I have an urge for what I've given up or when I see others doing what I've given up, I say a quick "Thank you" to God for his Son and his sacrifice.
The whole practice keeps a person focused on what Easter is really all about, imho.
Hopefully, that makes better sense.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.blogspot.com/ |
| thehouseminder |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 04:59:18 AM
I was raised by a Catholic father and a Quaker mother. We observed Lenten Fasts for a while but it really bothered my mother because she felt it wasn't really doing anything for us spiritually. More importantly for her, our fasting and "giving something up" wasn't helping anyone else either. Then she hit upon the idea of spending Lent doing more charity work. We went through our closets for clothes and toys for the homeless shelter. Clothes which weren't in good enough shape to donate were cut up and made into simple, tied quilts, and then donated. We did volunteer work too. For us, this helped us understand Jesus better and made sacrifice meaningful. Concentrating on others instead of how hungry or deprived we felt. I'm sure our priest would not have approved but I'm very thankful for the experience and I still do these things today.
Lucinda
When we were young, there were moments of such perfectly crystallized happiness that we stood stock still and silently promised ourselves that we would remember them always. And we did. --Holly J. Burkhalter , "Four Midwestern Sisters' Christmas Book"
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| Alee |
Posted - Feb 28 2006 : 9:34:45 PM
I always love discussing religion and different views. I understand the idea of Lent. But I am kind of torn in how I feel about it. On one hand I think it is great to acknowledge Christ's sacrifices. I belive Lent is not only just about Easter, but also about the 40 days in the Desert, right? Either way, Christ (if you, like me, believe in Christ) continually gave things up for the world and future generations. So, like I said, on one hand I think Lent is a great idea since you are acknowledging his sacrifice.
However, on the other hand I feel it is a bit of hubris to feel that by giving up one little thing, we can equate it to the sacrifice of Christ's life.
Of course I respect everyone who follows Lent as it is a sign of respect for your religion and also a HUGE amount of self discipline.
So- anyway I hope I did not offend anyone by my sometimes quirky views.
One question for those religion/Lent gurus- Is there a basis for Lent in the bible. (as in a statement that people should?)
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| happymama58 |
Posted - Feb 28 2006 : 5:41:37 PM
Aunt Jenny, Lent is the 40 days prior to Easter Sunday. It's observed by some religions, not by others.
My parents stressed to us that in giving up something that is really important to us, we can come a tiny bit closer to understanding what Christ gave up. Also, it is one small thing we can do to follow in His steps.
A few years ago, a friend who is an ex-Catholic said she no longer gave anything up, but added something instead. That year she asked me to be her Lent partner, and we've done it ever since. She now gives something up and adds something, and I do the same.
Like I said, this year I gave up meat, and my addition is to start and end each day reading the day's Psalms (usually 1 or 2 in the morning and 1 or 2 in the evening). I felt I was addressing both the physical and the spiritual of my life this way, so it's balanced.
My friend is giving up television and adding writing a letter to a relative or friend every day. I thought both of those were neat ideas, too.
Just thought I'd share since Lent starts tomorrow.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Feb 28 2006 : 4:28:19 PM
Well- I am dieting- lol but not necessarily for Lent. We never practiced that when I was growing up so it does not have too much meaning for me. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Feb 28 2006 : 4:03:08 PM
Wow..what a wonderfully worthwhile thing to do Alison!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| ali2583 |
Posted - Feb 28 2006 : 3:11:32 PM
Well...turns out I am giving up something. A lot of people talk about giving up the "bad" things during Lent (you know...chocolate, booze, partying, whatever) but I don't feel the need to give those things up, since I'm not really into them anyways! lol
I think the important thing about Lent is to conscious of your shortcomings, and do something to fix them. If you're going to give up something, it's got to be a "big" thing like Patti said; something that is going to force you to be aware of it 24/7. So for me this year, I'm resolving to give up thinking bad thoughts and saying bad things about other people (none of you, of course!) :-) Oh, and no meat on Fridays!
"God's gift to you is life. What you choose to do with that life is your gift to God" |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Feb 28 2006 : 2:24:59 PM
Me either...how long do you give it up for?? At least you are picking a healthy thing to give up. Maybe some day I will try that.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Libbie |
Posted - Feb 28 2006 : 1:51:00 PM
I've never observed Lent before - and I wish you the best on your Lenten "resolution" (I don't know if that's what they're called, but you get the idea... .
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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