Lent

This Wednesday begins the forty days of Lent ~ our preparation for the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  My goal is to focus intentionally on my Lord moment by moment each day.  So often He gets pushed aside in the daily grind of life.  He is my redeemer.  All glory belongs to the Lord!

How are you living through Lent this year?

Lent - To Observe or Not To Observe

The season of Lent began yesterday.

From About.com:

What is Lent?

The Christian Season of Lent

By Mary Fairchild

Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count).

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting,repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.

Not all Christian churches observe Lent. Lent is mostly observed by the Lutheran, Methodist,Presbyterian and Anglican denominations, and also by Roman Catholics. Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Orthodox Easter. Lent for Eastern Orthodox churches begins on Monday (called Clean Monday) and Ash Wednesday is not observed.

The Bible does not mention the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21.

Since the Bible does not mention the custom of Lent, it would appear that this is a man-made observance.

I think reflection on Jesus’ suffering, sacrifice and resurrection makes sense; however, I wonder if a man-made prescription is necessary to do this.  Reflecting on our Lord and Saviour and the mercy and grace we receive from Him should be thought of more often that just 40 days before Easter.

Lent

I grew up Catholic ~ first communion, church on Sundays, confession, confirmation... As an adult, I belong to a Non-denominational Christian church.  I have decided to observe Lent this year.  I have in years past, but not the last few.  I am going to abstain from dairy products and I am going to read in the Bible on a daily basis.  I am writing this in my blog to stay accountable.  I will update on a regular basis, even if it is a sentence or two with another blog posting.

My goal is to have both of those habits ingrained by the time Easter is here and keep on going strong.