Growing up my friends that observed Lent gave up things I thought were silly - brown sodas, hamburgers, or jelly beans. My youth Leader would talk about trying out a new habit for Lent - devotions every day, reading five pages of your Bible every day, prayer before every meal... faith practices we weren't practicing. Basically, it came across as your new New Year's Resolution and the resolve lasted just about as long. So, last year was the first time I ever observed Lent or ever heard about Feast Days. I gave up all beverages but water. The money I would have spent on other beverages was saved and sent to Blood Water Mission to go towards digging wells in for people that don't have access to clean water.
I think this year I'm going to read & listen more. I have a stack of books I haven't made time to read and podcasts I haven't made time to listen to. I know I want to read Timothy Keller's Prodigal God and Brian McLaren's Everything Must Change. I've pre-ordered Rob Bell's controversial book Love Wins - due out later this month. I was also reminded at the Middle School retreat last weekend that never did rewatch The Passion of the Christ after seeing it in the theater. I recently filled in the gaps of my Nooma collection and still haven't seen them all. And last week I won a digital download of all the general sessions from Catalyst West. So in my little cabin in the woods - there will be no tv before 8pm this lent - because that time will be spent letting my Nerd Flag fly.
I like having these 40+ days to prepare for Easter.
How are you observing Lent this year?
I think this year I'm going to read & listen more. I have a stack of books I haven't made time to read and podcasts I haven't made time to listen to. I know I want to read Timothy Keller's Prodigal God and Brian McLaren's Everything Must Change. I've pre-ordered Rob Bell's controversial book Love Wins - due out later this month. I was also reminded at the Middle School retreat last weekend that never did rewatch The Passion of the Christ after seeing it in the theater. I recently filled in the gaps of my Nooma collection and still haven't seen them all. And last week I won a digital download of all the general sessions from Catalyst West. So in my little cabin in the woods - there will be no tv before 8pm this lent - because that time will be spent letting my Nerd Flag fly.
I like having these 40+ days to prepare for Easter.
How are you observing Lent this year?
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