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I don't participate in lent because we are not instructed to do so. It is another one of those man-made traditions. Scripture only teaches us to participate in communion and recognize Christ's resurrection. Not to say that any who practice lent do not do this, but we should honor God and remember Jesus in everything that we do throughout the entire year. We should also strive to draw closer to God all the time, and reject and repent (turn away from) our sins at all times. We should naturally, as born-again believers, seek His face and leave the sins of this world in the rear-view mirror (whether that be anger, lust, impatience, pornography, drunkeness, drugs, homosexual tendencies, fornication, adultery, stealing, idol worship, or any form of immorality). I submit that one day of fasting and prayer shows more faith and trust in God than 40 days of lent will show. But, this is for me and I do not judge anyone who participates.
I don't participate in lent because we are not instructed to do so. It is another one of those man-made traditions. Scripture only teaches us to participate in communion and recognize Christ's resurrection. Not to say that any who practice lent do not do this, but we should honor God and remember Jesus in everything that we do throughout the entire year. We should also strive to draw closer to God all the time, and reject and repent (turn away from) our sins at all times. We should naturally, as born-again believers, seek His face and leave the sins of this world in the rear-view mirror (whether that be anger, lust, impatience, pornography, drunkeness, drugs, homosexual tendencies, fornication, adultery, stealing, idol worship, or any form of immorality). I submit that one day of fasting and prayer shows more faith and trust in God than 40 days of lent will show. But, this is for me and I do not judge anyone who participates.
catholics usually due all of the above,especially during lent--reflecting on Christ's last days on the earth.
We do'nt officially observe Lent, and our church does not recognize it, but we are making the extra effort to remember Christ's sacrifice. We also started an Alms Giving Jar, which we're putting money into when we want something unnecessary, instead of buying whatever it is. After Easter, we'll use that money to buy food for the local food pantry. I know that these are things that we could do year-round... in an effort to help my children understand why we observe Easter, though, I thought this was something nice that we could do. Sacrifice to them has to be something that they can see (they're 8 and 5).
catholics do what from the above? Follow the many man-made traditions that are extra-biblical? Yeah, I can agree with that.
I knew there would be posts from those who are not catholic and/or those who would ridicule or look down their pious noses at the observances that differ from their own.
If you don't observe Lent, great! If you want to debate what is or isn't, IYHO, biblical or christian, then start another thread.
Please don't use someone else's thread to thumb your nose at or to air your "extensive knowledge" of what is or isn't in the Bible.
We went to Mass, but our observances are personal and won't be aired here for the trolls to feed upon. I think Lent is about trying to be better Christian.
Last edited by _redbird_; 02-26-2009 at 08:43 PM..
I knew there would be posts from those who are not catholic and/or those who would ridicule or look down their pious noses at the observances that differ from their own.
If you don't observe Lent, great! If you want to debate what is or isn't, IYHO, biblical or christian, then start another thread.
Please don't use someone else's thread to thumb your nose at or to air your "extensive knowledge" of what is or isn't in the Bible.
We went to Mass, but our observances are personal and won't be aired here for the trolls to feed upon.
I'm not a troll first of all. And I already said I don't judge anyone observing lent. My comments were directed to the many, many extra-biblical man-made doctrines of the Catholic church. I disagreed with the comment that catholics (he lumped all catholics in the same boat) "do all the above." Sure there are many catholics who are born-again, but certainly not all. But you're right, this thread isn't about that, so I will digress to my original comment that I do not observe lent.
I'm not a troll first of all. And I already said I don't judge anyone observing lent. My comments were directed to the many, many extra-biblical man-made doctrines of the Catholic church. I disagreed with the comment that catholics (he lumped all catholics in the same boat) "do all the above." Sure there are many catholics who are born-again, but certainly not all. But you're right, this thread isn't about that, so I will digress to my original comment that I do not observe lent.
I wasn't calling you carolina_guy a troll. My apologies if my post appeared I did.
I agree with you about the diversity of believers within any "sect/denomination", faith, or non-denominational belief.
And I just wanted to remind others that the OP was simply asking "Does anyone here observe Lent?" and not, let's debate about Lent being ...<fill in the blank>.
I wasn't calling you carolina_guy a troll. My apologies if my post appeared I did.
I agree with you about the diversity of believers within any "sect/denomination", faith, or non-denominational belief.
And I just wanted to remind others that the OP was simply asking "Does anyone here observe Lent?" and not, let's debate about Lent being ...<fill in the blank>.
I just reread your post and I think I misread it. So my apologies are in order. Thank you for the correction.
Over the course of the year life can get very hectic, there is a lot going on, we live in a fast pace world.
Lent is the time of the year I slow down and try to refocus.
catholics do what from the above? Follow the many man-made traditions that are extra-biblical? Yeah, I can agree with that.
No, draw closer to God, reject reflect on sins, give up worldly things, engage in more prayer and fasting, and such.
If you don't observe Lent, don't knock it or demean it.
And in answer to the original question, yes, my family and I observe Lent. We do not eat meat on any Friday in Lent or on Ash Wednesday, we spend more time together doing simple things, as individuals and as a family, we have given up something for Lent. As a family, we have given up pizza this year. In my PSR class I teach, my students are doing a rice bowl for the classroom; at home, we will do one as well.
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Thank you for the correction. 
