My Meandering Mind

oved over from Six Short of a Dozen…

The purpose of Word filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photo’s & a verse!

Let love of the brethren continue.
Hebrews 13:1

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oved over from Six Short of a Dozen…

I was recently asked a question: Why do non-Catholics observe Lent?  I’ve never heard of anyone but Catholics observing Lent until recently.

That is a really good question and here’s my answer:

The reason I chose to observe Lent this year is because I like the basic concept. I have a hard time giving up my computer time in the mornings, so I gave my morning computer time up to the Lord. It’s my gift to Him during these 40 days leading up to Easter.

As Christians, every Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection. Most of us don’t think about that each week. We usually wait until Easter. By setting aside these 40 days from Ash Wednesday (the day to think about our sin and repent) to Easter, it helps me to focus on the fact that I am a sinner saved by grace, that Jesus died for me, and that He rose from the dead.

Each morning, I turn away from my computer, and dwell on His gift to me instead. I’m reminded that everything we do we should do for the Lord. All my hope lies in Him. It’s been wonderful.

Aside from Ash Wednesday, the Lent season also observes Holy Week. The week where they had their last supper, Jesus was betrayed, beaten and crucified.

One cool thing I found out is that it includes Holy Saturday. Have you ever wondered why Jesus died on Friday and arose Sunday? Could it be He rested on the Sabbath day? Friday sundown to Saturday nightfall (about 40 minutes after sunset) is the Jewish Shabbat or Sabbath. Easter ends the Lent season with the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. It really shouldn’t be any different than any other Sunday which should be celebrated, but it’s become the norm to only celebrate the resurrection at Easter.

I can’t speak to why other non-Catholics choose to observe Lent, but I would think it is for similar reasons. I wrote about my decision here.

I’m hoping to continue thinking of every Sunday as resurrection Sunday after these 40 days. I’m also hoping to learn more about the Jewish celebrations, customs, etc. because Jesus is a Jew. God’s chosen people are Jews. I want to know more about Israel and Bible times. As I learn more, I will learn to walk more like those Christians, my brothers and sisters, who went before me.

I’m rambling. Just some thoughts.

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oved over from Six Short of a Dozen…

Today is Ash Wednesday which kicks off the season of Lent. For Christians, Lent is a time of reflection as we examine our spiritual lives. It’s a time of denying ourselves in such a way as to help us identify in some small way with the sacrifice of Jesus. It’s a time of repenting for our sins and allowing Jesus’ blood to cleanse us.

Lent is the 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter except for Sundays. Sundays are instead, a day to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, and it culminates with Easter which is our more popular holiday for remembering that Jesus rose again.

I like that for six days of the week, I’m in a humble mindset focused on Jesus’ sacrifice, but each Sunday is a mini celebration of His resurrection. Easter is a perfect way to end Lent with a big celebration.

Traditionally, Christians fasted for Lent and then feasted on Sundays. As a nursing mama and also one who struggles with hypoglycemia, fasting is not an option. In years past, I’ve given up sugary foods, but I made a commitment to not have sugary foods in 2008 unless it’s a special occasion.

What could I give up? Makeup? Scary thought and wouldn’t work because I’m home most days and that would hardly be a sacrifice. But if I’m honest with myself, going out in public without at least a little makeup doesn’t appeal to me. A little character flaw? Maybe.

The other big thing in my life is my computer or more specifically my online activities. I get up in the morning and mosey on down here to my computer and waste quite a bit of time on this machine. I have certain commitments I need to keep online, but I could give up my computer in the mornings.

That is what I will deny myself. My morning computer play time. The only thing I can use the computer for  is writing, homeschooling, or homemaking until noon.

No chat, no email, no blog reading, no commenting, no ‘research’, no surfing, etc. That’s not much of a sacrifice you may say, to which I’d reply, it is when you are addicted. When you forfeit important things to squander your time on what should be a reward AFTER doing what is needed. When you use it to escape rather than face messes you’ve made by having priorities out of order.

But the beautiful thing about this sacrifice, this denial of my fleshly desire is that I will find myself drawn more to God as I think about Him more, as I ponder His ways, and as I humble myself to ask for forgiveness. I will be changed as I reflect on His crucifixion and resurrection, and that he did that for me. And you.

In the natural, I will find that I get more done and those things will be of a higher priority. I will feel satisfied with my efforts by day’s end. I will learn to choose wisely what I spend my time on.

Yes, this Lent season will be a challenge, but it will bring about good fruit in my life. I can’t help, but feel drawn to the simplicity, the humbleness that surrounds Lent. The joy of celebrating Sundays and finishing with Easter.

Will you join me?

For more information, you can check out these links:
The Beginning of Lent
The Season of Lent

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Moved over from Six Short of a Dozen…

This is a post I did a while back on another blog for Word Filled Wednesdays. I’m adding it here because I’m discontinuing the other blog. You can find the host blog by clicking on the banner.

As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
Psalm 103:15 (NASB)

Wordfilled Wednesday: The purpose of Word filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photo’s & a verse!

This meme combines two things I love - scripture and photography. I think it’s perfect for Scripture Chick.

Click on the banner to join in the fun or to check out what the other participants posted.

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