LENT

[timothyu]

As Lent represents the rejection of the will of man in favour of the will of God, that is to say this world in favour of the Kingdom to come as Jesus did in the desert, how many here are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and give up their smartphones and online computer use for the period?

 

[seeking.IAM]

I did it one Lent and highly recommend the practice. I found if quite freeing and peaceful to live without attention to news sites and social media telling me what I should think, feel, do, and fear. It is tough to do though, as Lenten practice should be.

 

[sandman]

I gave up lent... for lent many years ago ….no suffering involved whatsoever.
It was refreshing and healing to abandon the bondage of man’s religious ideals …. and to bask in the Sonlight of what truly pleases God.

Heb_11:6 But without faith (believing) it is impossible to please him (God).

 

[timothyu]

Heb_11:6 But without faith (believing) it is impossible to please him (God).

Yes, faith in God, not traditions although the traditions were reminders of what was and the reasons for it.

 

[Paidiske]

First I would have to be convinced that use of the internet was about the "will of man," and since I'm not, I'm not seeing that as a helpful discipline. Quite apart from not being able to do my work without accessing the internet.

That said, I don't use a smart phone at any time, so there's that...

 

[FireDragon76]

Lent began in the early Church as a way to receive people back for Easter who had apostasized or fallen away, especially during persecutions. The apostates were given penances before they could participate in the mysteries, and catechumens, who were going to be baptized, also received instructions. By some time before the early 4th century, it just had become a routine practice for everyone.

 

[Strong in Him]

As Lent represents the rejection of the will of man in favour of the will of God, that is to say this world in favour of the Kingdom to come as Jesus did in the desert, how many here are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and give up their smartphones and online computer use for the period?

Online computer use, possibly - though it's a bit late for that.
Smartphone, no. I don't keep it switched on and can go for a couple of days without looking at it - but colleagues at work (Samaritans) sometimes need to contact me.

 

[timothyu]

So far being of the world is winning out. All this can be yours...

 

[Paidiske]

Oh please. The internet is just as much an arena of God's grace in our relationships as any other medium of communication.

It's a mistake to write the internet off as "of the world;" the issue is not the medium through which we connect, but the character and intention with which we do so. If I use the internet, for example (as I did yesterday), to post a sermon recording online, knowing that others listen and find it encouraging when they can't get to church, how is that "of the world"?

 

[timothyu]

how is that "of the world"?

Everything can be used to serve a dual nature.

 

[Paidiske]

Everything can be used to serve a dual nature.

Precisely my point. So it is false to characterise the internet, automatically, as "of the world." It's only worldly if you use it that way.

 

[Landon Caeli]

Amen

 

[timothyu]

Self justification will always come into play

 

[Paidiske]

Oh, well, if you just want to descend to baseless accusation, rather than meaningful discussion, we've probably reached an impasse.

 

[Landon Caeli]

When I lose, I do it with grace, by admitting my failures, and congratulating the winner, for a job well done!

 

[timothyu]

When I lose, I do it with grace, by admitting my failures, and congratulating the winner.

I was unaware that making a random comment regarding the subject had become a conflict.

 

[Landon Caeli]

I was unaware that making a random comment regarding the subject had become a conflict.

That's what I say.

...Maybe I was just talking about my own Lenten promises?

 

[Robban]

As Lent represents the rejection of the will of man in favour of the will of God, that is to say this world in favour of the Kingdom to come as Jesus did in the desert, how many here are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and give up their smartphones and online computer use for the period?

I do not know what Lent is about
but when it comes to saving a life,
all bets are off.

 

[Rajni]

As Lent represents the rejection of the will of man in favour of the will of God, that is to say this world in favour of the Kingdom to come as Jesus did in the desert, how many here are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and give up their smartphones and online computer use for the period?

Now that Easter is almost here, I'm curious; were you able to make that ultimate sacrifice for that period? If so, I congratulate you!

Personally, I never understood the threads in religious forums asking what people were giving up for Lent. I had always thought that was a personal, private thing between a person and God. Otherwise, it kind of comes across (to me, anyway) as religious flexing (is that the word I'm looking for?).

 

[FireDragon76]

Personally, I never understood the threads in religious forums asking what people were giving up for Lent. I had always thought that was a personal, private thing between a person and God. Otherwise, it kind of comes across (to me, anyway) as religious flexing (is that the word I'm looking for?).

I think that's the right attitude. That's between you and your spiritual father and/or God.