Lent

No sorry - every year I think I should and then don't. It wasn't really expected in the church in which I grew up. I have a friend who is recently ordained and I working as a curate. She gives up wine and chocolate every year and this year has also given up Facebook for Lent. I asked her if it helps her in any way and she said it hadn't- she didn't even lose weight. I don't really understand the concept of giving up things for Lent.

Rather than giving up things we are encouraged to be more reflective and to give extra to a named charity. I have at the same time given up chocolate - if I fall by the wayside any day I will give extra to the charity.

Two years ago I gave up Gnet for Lent. Not only did I not post, I didn't peek for the whole 46 days.

I've been meaning to read the Psalms for some time to see if they have anything to offer in modern life (and to a non-believer like me).

I have found one thing so far.

I thought about giving up indolence, but I couldn't be bothered.

Very good grumppa!

Psalms - one of my favourites is 133:
"See how good and pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity ...."
I said it when our 2 sons, who never got on, managed to share a holiday together with their families, without falling out.
Why does Lent last for 7 weeks, and why the restrictions?

grumppa

To me Lent is about giving up something which hurts a bit, though I applaud those who are doing something different.

So I have resolved a bad habit I have developed - of snacking in the evening. I sometimes think I eat my own body weight more calories in the evening than I do the rest of the day.

So, nil by mouth after my evening meal. Except possibly a cup of tea with the 10 o'clock news. I'm now on Day 3.

I'm calling this the 10/14 diet; ten hours where food is allowed and fourteen where it is banned.

So I have resolved to break a bad habit...

I am giving up wine and crisps (my big weakness) the money saved will be an additional donation to the homeless charity I support

Why does Lent last for 7 weeks, and why the restrictions

Tricia:

Lent is a time when Christians remember the 40 days and nights Jesus spent alone in the desert without food being tempted by the Devil. Jesus used this time to prepare for His work by fasting and praying.

I meant to give up wine but I forgot after a day with the darling DGC!
I took the last box of Christmas chocs to the foodbank.

The food bank?
(although I'm sure someone will be very grateful...)

I have given up treats and chocs

I took more sensible foodstuffs and toiletries as well - if they didn't give them to anyone the volunteers could eat them - they deserve it!

Forty days without food? Really?

All the major religions incorporate some element of fasting (and you know it doesn't mean the same as starving, feetle) and other attempts to move away from the secular things that dominate our lives and prevent us from thinking straight. Often it is combined with meditation and prayer and extra efforts to be charitable, avoid dissension, pay debts of every kind and make up quarrels. Something wrong with that?

I'm not a religious person Lilygran but in answer to your question 'what's wrong with that?' I'd answer 'nothing at all'.

In this day and age it would do many of us good to go without, and to remember that in many parts of our world, being hungry (and cold and frightened) is the norm.

My previous post may have been quite light-hearted, but underlying it is the knowledge that we live in a very privileged country.

It's not 'the secular things' that stop us from thinking straight...

I'm doing something called 40 Acts - it's a guide to doing something positive each day. There's a website and a FB page and every day there's an inspirational film. I thought you might like to see this one: https://vimeo.com/83621582 and be inspired by this wonderful elderly woman.

That clip really made me ga what a lovely lady.

ninathenana I really hope that I have the same sort of outlook on life that that lady has if I live to be nearly a hundred years old.

I'm having a go at 40 Acts too grannyactivist. Some inspiring ideas!

Purpledaffodil It's good fun isn't it? Today I joined a friend and painted over some graffiti on the local High Street. I'm actually ashamed I didn't do it sooner and without the 40Acts prompting because it took only 15 minutes to complete the job and it's been an eyesore in the town centre for many months.
I get much more out of doing this sort of thing than I put in. I have just been outrageously generous with gifts for each of my children - and they were so shocked because they're used to my husband and I supporting people outside the family and just for once I decided that I wanted to do something lavish for them. Their childhood motto was FHB (family hold back) as we so often had needy visitors to the house and to be honest they not only rarely complained, but were very generous themselves. To see their surprise and delight yesterday was worth every penny I spent.

Rosequartz - thanks for the explanation.
I'm not so knowledgeable about the New Testament, though I used to be.
I believe the first Lent ended with the last supper, which was in fact the Passover meal.