Christians, what are you giving up for lent?

BizReynoldsS

I'm Nazarene and I'm giving up FACEBOOK. Yikes! I'm so addicted. But I'm going to use the time I wasted on facebook for family, exercising and studying.. Maybe after the 40 days I won't feel it necessary to waste so much time on it. Good Luck everyone!

jwelch7290

I was Catholic until I was about 6 but went to a Catholic school and so many people gave stuff up because they felt they had to, I would usually give something up and do my best to stick to it in order to help my friends stick to theirs but I didn't care a whole lot. It wasn't until i came to college that I really began to understand the point behind 'giving something up' for lent, as more of a sacrifice. I can see and agree that everyone has difficulty giving stuff up that others may think is easy or shouldn't count, but to each their own. Personally, I am giving up POP once and for all, and yes, using lent as my starting time. I'm also going to give up PROCRASTINATION (well, at least best I can), and try to use that extra time to sleep more and be more intentional in spending time with God and the people around me.

alapointe

We each give up something every year, but we also go out of our way to do something for someone else each week during lent. We try to do this year round, but can't always, but during lent we make sure we pick a charity, make a donation, or volunteer at least once a week.

I am giving up "chocolate", but I like the TV idea and may do that as well.

Amandac6772

I no longer practice Catholism, and haven't done a Lenten Fast for years, but this year I plan on giving up red meat and pork. It has been hard to give these up, and this is the push I need. I am non-denominational Christian now, and we don't do a "Lenten fast", but I figure if Christ can fast for 40 days and nights, I can give something up to remember what He has done for us.

Exactly!

fuhrmeister

Its basically a spring cleaning, well a spiritual cleaning.

Lent is actually 44 days (if anyone was curious).
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Yes it it but Sunday's don't count...Sunday's are always a feast day a "mini" easter if you will.

christinal83

For some people, giving up soda and chocolate are extremely difficult. I for one, will never give up juice. I eat everything in moderation now, but I really, really love juice..so I'm giving it up. I gave up TV last year for lent. I am thinking that it may seem easy to you, but perhaps it might not be for others? Just my two cents!

Ok, now I'm not trying to start something... but why do people give up seemingly trivial things... or things that seem easy.... like food. I mean I can see cigarettes... I mean isn't the point of Lent to give up something that hinders ones relationship with God? I'm truly curious, so I'm not trying to judge anyone... I mean, I guess unless consuming things like chocolate or soda is hindering ones relationship with God by not being a good steward of your body... but if that's the case, then shouldn't one abstain from that for longer than 40 days?

Maybe "easy" isn't the right phrasing... I guess, I just don't understand the meaning of Lent in the way that many people observe it... But I would figure that people would give up things that hindered their relationship with God to the point that it is (almost) sinful... Like I can see giving up Tv or the internet (or specific webpages) because that can take time away from other things we should be doing... but unless you gorge yourself to the point of gluttony on things like juice, chocolate, soda, what have you... well I just don't understand why... really, why for only 40 days.... why not longer?

Thats how long He was in the desert

k8blujay2

For some people, giving up soda and chocolate are extremely difficult. I for one, will never give up juice. I eat everything in moderation now, but I really, really love juice..so I'm giving it up. I gave up TV last year for lent. I am thinking that it may seem easy to you, but perhaps it might not be for others? Just my two cents!

Ok, now I'm not trying to start something... but why do people give up seemingly trivial things... or things that seem easy.... like food. I mean I can see cigarettes... I mean isn't the point of Lent to give up something that hinders ones relationship with God? I'm truly curious, so I'm not trying to judge anyone... I mean, I guess unless consuming things like chocolate or soda is hindering ones relationship with God by not being a good steward of your body... but if that's the case, then shouldn't one abstain from that for longer than 40 days?

Maybe "easy" isn't the right phrasing... I guess, I just don't understand the meaning of Lent in the way that many people observe it... But I would figure that people would give up things that hindered their relationship with God to the point that it is (almost) sinful... Like I can see giving up Tv or the internet (or specific webpages) because that can take time away from other things we should be doing... but unless you gorge yourself to the point of gluttony on things like juice, chocolate, soda, what have you... well I just don't understand why... really, why for only 40 days.... why not longer?

Thats how long He was in the desert

I know that ;-) ... but I'm talking in respect to the food thing... why not work to abstain from it longer than 40 days.... or is that the point? That Lent is a starting point? But then why can't the starting point be Epiphany or the first day of Advent or just some other arbitrary date? I think this is why I never observed Lent... because everyone always seemed to be giving up Chocolate and I never saw the point in that... yeah it's hard (I like my chocolate and Dr. Pepper as much as the next girl, seriously) to do, but it seems like for many people it's giving up something for the sake of giving something up and that it's not really a sacrifice.... though I guess it could be if the person has chocolate pretty often and regularly...


I'm sorry, I'm just rambling to try and understand something I might not.

love22step

Lent in 2012 will start on Wednesday, the 22nd of February and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 7th of April. (I had to look it up, so I just copied and pasted.) I've never observed Lent, but maybe this is a good year to start. After reading through the posts, I think I know what I have to do. I'm not giving up my current addiction, MFP, but I will give up at least 30 minutes daily to spend in reading/studying my Bible. Lately, almost daily, I'm getting messages that I need to be studying God's Word. I heard a statistic yesterday that 50% of Americans surveyed can't name the first book of the Bible. I'm not that clueless, but I have been lax about studying the Word, and I know we're instructed to do that. I think I'll get a head start and begin this evening! Thanks for the nudge!

kristelpoole

The 40 days is significant because it was how long Jesus was in the desert before beginning his public ministry. During that time, he was tempted by the devil thrice. There are other references to the 40 days in the Old testament and it is believed that Jesus rose from the tomb after 40 hours. To mourn his death, his followers fasted.

People practice Lent at various levels and to different degrees. Sundays don't count, for example. And you're supposed to fast on Ash Wednesday (tomorrow) and another day (I can't remember which one...sorry). Fridays are supposed to be without meat (called Days of Abstinence.) There are other things related to church services but I won't get into that. Lastly, Lent is not just about the fast or denial of something, it is also supposed to include 2 more pieces (a trinity! oh my!): something to bring you closer to God and also alms-giving or stewardship to one's community. Lent is about all three but tradition has brought about that for most people, you just give something up.

I'm Episcopalian - or was, I'm not particularly religious but I love the Lenten season... Hope that helps.

kristelpoole

I know that ;-) ... but I'm talking in respect to the food thing... why not work to abstain from it longer than 40 days.... or is that the point? That Lent is a starting point? But then why can't the starting point be Epiphany or the first day of Advent or just some other arbitrary date? I think this is why I never observed Lent... because everyone always seemed to be giving up Chocolate and I never saw the point in that... yeah it's hard (I like my chocolate and Dr. Pepper as much as the next girl, seriously) to do, but it seems like for many people it's giving up something for the sake of giving something up and that it's not really a sacrifice.... though I guess it could be if the person has chocolate pretty often and regularly...


I'm sorry, I'm just rambling to try and understand something I might not.

I explained more in my last post, but wanted to also comment on your point "why not longer" which I think is valid, too. Personally, I have stuck with a lot of my goals for Lent in a long-term sense. In the past, I've given up cake, potato chips, soda, etc. and now I very rarely have any of those things. 40 days is long enough to change a habit, but only if you want to.

walkinmydoxies

I'm giving up chocolate and all sweets for Lent :sad: Good luck to all!

stacygayle

I'm not Catholic and I will probably one of the only people in my church who observe lent, but I do it to get closer to God. I did it one year with a Catholic friend and found that it is something as a Christian I feel I should do.

I will be giving up sweets which are my most favorite thing so I'll be doing a lot of studying and praying because I want sweets all the time and I will be doing more charity work.

LemonSocks

I'm not religious, but Lent gives me a period of time that I can reasonably stick to, to cut back and live a healthier life. This year it'll be takeaways and chocolate. I wouldn't ever give up something I rarely have because it just feels like cheating - what's the point?

MummaSue

I'm a Methodist, as a denomination I don't think we're expected to give anything up but quite a lot of us do. Last year I gave up my favourite soap - TV not hygiene! and I haven't gone back to watching it so I earned myself a couple of hours extra time each week. This year I was thinking of giving up wine, but maybe it'd better to give up being such a couch potato and get more active in Lent - hopefully that will go on after Lent is over too :happy:

k8blujay2

Thanks everyone for your replies...

Oh and to the PP, I never disgard someones thoughts based on religiosity...

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mommared53

I'm a Christian (Baptist) but I don't celebrate Lent.

stacygayle

too funny! Love it!

kbmnurse

Not a dam thing.

catshark209

I'm actually going to make an effort to lift more and gain some weight.

TrinaCanDoThis

Well, I am Catholic and was originally going to say Catholic, but then I saw on wikipedia that it said, "This event, along with its pious customs are observed by Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans and some Baptists."

edit: I said "Christians" to be safe. I'm aware that not all Christians observe~!

Im Baptist and it is observed by Baptists. typically, the Pastor will request the church to fast during certain hours of the day or request them to give up something. My goal is give up meats, except seafood. It'll be tough but I'm going to try. Wish me luck!

Micheller1210

Ok, now I'm not trying to start something... but why do people give up seemingly trivial things... or things that seem easy.... like food. I mean I can see cigarettes... I mean isn't the point of Lent to give up something that hinders ones relationship with God? I'm truly curious, so I'm not trying to judge anyone... I mean, I guess unless consuming things like chocolate or soda is hindering ones relationship with God by not being a good steward of your body... but if that's the case, then shouldn't one abstain from that for longer than 40 days?


ETA: sorry for using "I mean" too many times in this posting... :ohwell:

that's what I thought......But being overweight and the sin of gluttony can be be a barrier between you and God, I think the sacrifice depends on the motivation of the heart.

Helenatrandom

Ok, now I'm not trying to start something... but why do people give up seemingly trivial things... or things that seem easy.... like food. I mean I can see cigarettes... I mean isn't the point of Lent to give up something that hinders ones relationship with God? I'm truly curious, so I'm not trying to judge anyone... I mean, I guess unless consuming things like chocolate or soda is hindering ones relationship with God by not being a good steward of your body... but if that's the case, then shouldn't one abstain from that for longer than 40 days?


ETA: sorry for using "I mean" too many times in this posting... :ohwell:

that's what I thought......But being overweight and the sin of gluttony can be be a barrier between you and God, I think the sacrifice depends on the motivation of the heart.

I agree that sacrifice is different for each of us. Even a small sacrifice can draw us closer to Jesus and help us meditate on his great love for us and His tremendous sacrifice.

Also, I heard a priest (practicing Catholic here) once explain that it was also a process of practicing saying "no" to ourselves. If I give up eating cookies for six weeks, I will have practiced the self discipline necessary to avoid actual sin when the opportunity presents itself.

MotorCityFemmeFatale

I'm a Christian (Baptist) but I don't celebrate Lent.

this

kymmixxx

im not religious but im taking the opportunity to give up being mean!

Martha_VH

I guess I'm not really giving up anything, but I am going to church on my day off of work. This is in addition to Sunday. I figured that I can improve my relationship with the Lord that way.