Toledo Faith & Values

VIEWPOINTS: Are you giving something up for Lent?

David Yonke | Toledo Faith & Values | Feb 18, 2013 | Comments (5)

Lent is a period of penance and fasting as Christians prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Credit: Photo by Fergal of Claddagh/Courtesty of Creative Commons (http://www.flickr.com/photos/feargal/3271080983/)

Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and penance that leads to Easter, began last week on Ash Wednesday. Many Christians choose to give something up for Lent as a way to deny their body and strengthen their spirit. Are you giving something up for Lent this year and, if so, what are you giving up and why? If you're not giving something up, why not?

Topics: Faith, Doctrine & Practice
Beliefs: Christian - Catholic, Christian - Orthodox, Christian - Protestant/Other
Tags: easter, fasting, lent, penance, prayer

Comments

Josie Setzler | Feb 18, 2013 | 11:02pm

I’m giving up Twitter and Facebook! I need to foster a more contemplative (less obsessive) environment for these 40 days! Unfortunately, I will need to allow myself to check them once a day for business-related purposes. This could get out of hand fast, yet it can also strengthen my ability to remain mindful about where the boundary lies. So far so good.
PastorLuke | Feb 19, 2013 | 12:44pm

My new years resolutions….

But seriously folks, I’m taking on the discipline of listening more and asking more questions than making statements.
David Yonke | Feb 19, 2013 | 1:31pm

I believe there are spiritual benefits when you deny the body and focus on prayer, and it’s a wonderful thing to get in “spiritual shape” as Easter approaches. Personally, however, I am not giving anything up this year, but am trying to be more spiritually aware and to spend more time reading the Bible and praying.
Bob Moyers | Feb 19, 2013 | 4:52pm

My promise for 2013 and for Lent is as follows: I promise to love, care, listen, encourage, and forgive; I promise to tell the truth, be happy, be healthy, be HUMBLE, and give. I promise to ask good questions, give good answers, and pray; I promise to control my words, admit my shortcomings, and be like Jesus each day. I hope each of my brothers and sisters will join me in making the same promise as we enjoy having Jesus as our best friend…..“When you know what I do and you do it, you will be my friend.”
Ed | Mar 8, 2013 | 12:10pm

My daughter told me, “I’m giving up Lent for Lent.”