christianangel140

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J. Damascene

Sunday is a day off from whatever you gave up.

Housesitter

christianangel140
Have a look at this link
Journey tthrough Lent
I think it puts it very clearly.

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Ray
Enjoy a rent free holiday with
Christian House Sitters
www.christian-housesitters.com

Boanerges

While that is not a practice I participate in I heartily suggest that if you are doing it do it as unto the Lord with all your heart and strength.

LOTRgeek

I am glad you are observing Lenten practices! They are very rewarding!! They are certainly difficult, but that's what gives us discipline. It is also a certain kind of sharing in the suffering of Christ.

I would suggest that you try not to give in to the temptation. Maybe limit the time gradually. But don't set unrealistic goals. You'll end up in frustration. But don't go too easy on yourself, either. Limit your time gradually. When you want to get on IM, go and read about history, the Bible, or some subject that interests you. Chatrooms can take up so much time, and it's really not good for our spiritual lives sometimes. Take advantage of the "extra" time, and use it to improve your mind and spiritual life!

Hope this helps!

Mark_18

Are there any traditional things to go by or you just set the goals and times for yourself based on what you think you need to let go and/or do?

Does lent stand for something?

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Mark 1:8 - "I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"

Pastor Gary

Mark18 - Perhaps you can go over this information in the link below as a reference. Lent is not specifically ordered in scripture, but is rather a contrivance of man in a few denominations as a period of fasting, pennitance and reflection. Many persons who are non-denominational Christians, do not observe the practice since it is not specifically mentioned in scripture. It's origin is from around the 4th century AD, and a description of such is not found in Original Manuscript Texts. It was adopted by denominational committee and set forth in denominational policy by decrees of man in it's current form, not by God's specific orders.

Disclaimer: The link below was RANDOMLY selected from many available, as a general reference for the word origin and in no way reflects my own personal beliefs or adherances. It is provided solely for information from one denomination's viewpoint.

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Lent

andiclare

Mark_18, to answer your question, the name Lent comes from an Old English word for spring, or March. The 40 days of Lent are always in the springtime before Easter. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving (or, charity) are all explicitly taught by Jesus in scripture.

I think of it as a time of renewal. You focus on coming home to God, and weeding out some of the distracting "noise" of modern life that distracts us from prayer and reflection. I always learn so much, every year during Lent.

Well, God didn't specifically order us all to post on Christian message boards, either. But here we are, and it's a blessing, no?

BCheezy

Ugh, another lenter of technology. Isn't the whole point (okay not the whole point) but a side point of lent to give up something that's holding you back? Giving up communication on the internet is a strange thing to give up. Just break it, and start over with something food wise like not eating any kind of dessert even for a snack. I just hate it when people discourage technology.

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andiclare

Depends on what's cluttering up your life more. E-mail, messaging, etc. is used frivolously by some people and takes up a lot of time. If it's getting in the way of your spiritual life, and has become too important to you, to the exclusion of more important things...then it'd be a great thing to offer up.