Lent & Ash Wednesday

I'm still so new to Christianity, so here's my question...

As a Christian, are we supposed to do anything for Lent or Ash Wednesday? What should I read in the Bible...I'm only up to Genesis 26 so far.

Depends on your denomination, or what you want to do.

Like I give up something for Lent although I'm not Catholic.

Suppose I thought I only had to believe in the Bible and God's word...in it's simplicity, which denomination would that be? (Don't laugh!)

Well I'm United Methodist... or at least I was raised that way.

Well, I was raised Catholic back when we went to church and I didn't pay attention to anything or feel the presence of God. Truthfully, I hated church because it was boring to me. I'm 37, and I think we stopped going to church when we moved...so I would have been about 10 at the time. I'm in awe of the Bible now, and can't get enough in Bible study...the difference being that NOW I have faith, and I didn't when I was in church as a kid.

Only Catholics recoginze Lent & Ash Wednesday? I only know of these because of my previous experience in church...I don't know what they mean yet. Not everyone acknowledges these?

Actually, I'm not sure who recognizes what... sorry

Thank you, I'm actually taking comfort in that response .

Daily Miracle -

I am so excited for you!

Lent/Ash Wednesday are typically Catholic traditions. I don't know the specifics - I am sure you could as in the One Bread, One Body forum and learn if that's what you wanted to do.

BUT - you don't need to do that to be Christian.

As for what to call yourself - it doesn't matter to Jesus
"Religion is man's way to reach God; Jesus is God's way to reach man."
It's all about the relationship you have, Daily Miracle.

What *DO* you need to do to be Christian? Ask Jesus into you heart, repent of your sins, and ask for forgiveness.

To *LIVE* as a Christian, that's a different question! And you learn that by doing just what you are doing; reading the Bible; praying; asking others... Jesus summed it all up with two commands:
1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.
The New Testament is a great place to learn about the life of a Christian. James is a very practical book about the Christian life.

As for reading the Bible, try starting in the Gospel on John. Then read 1 John.

Feel free to PM me if you want to chat more!!
Jon

__________________
Things happen when God shows up - and God shows up when we are hungry for Him!

Episcopalians I know observe Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season. I currently attend a Congregationalist church (the United Church of Christ) and we also observe Ash Wed. and Lent.

Lent is a great time for personal reflection and Bible study, fasting, and fervent prayer--but I also think that we should do these things all year long. I don't think your soul is in peril if you do not observe liturgical seasons, but I do think that these seasons are a great way to strengthen our journey with Christ.

I was raised Southern Baptist, and we never observed Lent or Ash Wednesday.

I don't know, but we'd probably be there together.