Lent & Ash Wednesday

[Daily Miracle]

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.

 

[Jack_Racz]

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

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

 

[Daily Miracle]

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!)

 

[Jack_Racz]

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

 

[Daily Miracle]

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?

 

[Jack_Racz]

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

 

[Daily Miracle]

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

 

[jons911]

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

 

[LuxPerpetua]

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.

 

[g4goddess]

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!)

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

 

[Daily Miracle]

I gave up "heat" in my bedroom. Everyone has been teasing me about WHY I picked this go give up, and everyone says it should be something food or drink (coffee, pop) related.

Phffffpt.

I'm in MI, it's cold here, and as soon as I reflected on my thoughts on the choice I made, everyone knew I picked something good.

After my first night, I wondered how people that don't have heat do it all the time, and I wondered more about homeless people. Granted, only my bedroom isn't getting heat, and I know the rest of the house is still keeping my room warmer than it would be if there was no heat in the entire house.

Last night, I woke up a few times in the night, and my thoughts roamed to God and a quick prayer for still being comfortable even though others aren't so fortunate. I can't believe I woke up and was having spiritual emotions!

I'm one of those people that diets frequently. Giving up food is something I do often, and my thoughts aren't spiritual, LOL. I need to shed a few pounds, and since I stand something to gain on a food fast, I decided it was not the right thing to do at this time.

If anyone else is in MI, and the night temps stop dropping down to 17*, remember who prayed for it! LOL