What’s everyone doing during lent?
Are you giving something up, starting something new? Working your way through a devotional?
I grew up in a tradition without lent, so I’m curious.
I gave up lent. Figured God didn’t need to temporarily borrow anything from my anymore.
Gave him my all for ever instead “and that’s made all the difference in the world” ; )
-mike
mike,
You must have been observing some Druid lent if that is what you took away from it.
But your comment does draw a question from me. Have you really given your ALL to God? Personally I find that hard to believe, but that may be because I have never run across anyone making that claim and succeeding. By God’s standard any sin is a breaking of the first commandment and is telling God, “I know you have your way, but God, I am going to do it my way. I will place myself as a god before you.”
So, no sin? You are the perfect man of Matt 5:48? If not then you are not giving your ALL to God.
M. L. D.
I’m not a poker player but…
I’ll see your sinless perfection and raise you Jesus.
Never claimed perfection… only Jesus as my savior and lord.
Enjoy the day.
-mike
London, I fully observe Lent, take the ashes on Ash Wednesday etc. This year I am not giving up anything. I give up something every other year so that I don’t feel it’s a legalism but as my choice.
I do read through a devotional our old friend Rich Abanes wrote and gave to me several years ago.
Nonnie @11, even worse are those who publish books to rant against 50 Shades. It is a shameless attempt to profit off the notoriety of the novels. One celebrity pastor has a book on Amazon’s top 20 right now. I just shake my head at all of it.
“I mean, do we really need someone to tell us that?”
I believe pastors should almost never preach and teach on which specific named movies people should attend. It’s kind of like voting; the individual has to act on their conscience.
But, I would wager the percentage of regular church attenders will be similar to that of the population as a whole which sees this new movie. I would also add if one were to take a pole of High School youth groups and young adults a very large percentage of women are either reading, read or plan to read the associate book.
Sometimes the allure is in the “wrongness” and ability to hide participation in the action.
So would Christianity raise in popularity if there was more mystery and badness involved with it.
Bob, I think that Christian bloggers and FB-ers give so much publicity to this kind of trash, that many wouldn’t even think twice about it had they not read about it on a Christian blog, etc.
To me it is a waste of time and I can’t imagine writing an article about it, warning Christians not to see it (or read it). Do they think we are that stupid?
It’s all yours today…
FIRST!!!
I thought this very short article was worthy of sharing – We Are Lutherans. What Does This Mean? The uniqueness of Lutheran thought.
http://blogs.lcms.org/2014/we-are-lutherans-what-does-this-mean
I don’t know if this will work. I’ve never tried posting a link on here. But, if it does work, this is for you MLD.
J.U. – funny every time I see it. 🙂
A cool Lutheran moment
What’s everyone doing during lent?
Are you giving something up, starting something new? Working your way through a devotional?
I grew up in a tradition without lent, so I’m curious.
I gave up lent. Figured God didn’t need to temporarily borrow anything from my anymore.
Gave him my all for ever instead “and that’s made all the difference in the world” ; )
-mike
mike,
You must have been observing some Druid lent if that is what you took away from it.
But your comment does draw a question from me. Have you really given your ALL to God? Personally I find that hard to believe, but that may be because I have never run across anyone making that claim and succeeding. By God’s standard any sin is a breaking of the first commandment and is telling God, “I know you have your way, but God, I am going to do it my way. I will place myself as a god before you.”
So, no sin? You are the perfect man of Matt 5:48? If not then you are not giving your ALL to God.
M. L. D.
I’m not a poker player but…
I’ll see your sinless perfection and raise you Jesus.
Never claimed perfection… only Jesus as my savior and lord.
Enjoy the day.
-mike
Mike, I’m not sure where you came up with your theory of God needing to borrow anything from you for Lent. I think it’s a bit of snark perhaps.
I think Lent is more about us being able to give up something in order to focus on God for that time. It benefits us, not God.
I’d actually like some serious input from those who do find some benefit in Lenten practices. If it’s not for you, that’s ok.
London, I fully observe Lent, take the ashes on Ash Wednesday etc. This year I am not giving up anything. I give up something every other year so that I don’t feel it’s a legalism but as my choice.
I do read through a devotional our old friend Rich Abanes wrote and gave to me several years ago.
http://www.amazon.com/He-Is-Risen-Reflections-Easter/dp/044669679X
mike,
Well if you are not perfect then I must have a wrong definition “giving my all.”
Now, I must admit, I do give Jesus my all. I give him ALL my sin and rebellion – that is all I have to give.
Has anyone noticed all the blog and FB articles with the theme of “Why Christians shouldn’t see 50 Shades of Grey?”
I mean, do we really need someone to tell us that?
I’m thinking articles like this just boost the numbers on someones blog. Am I missing something?
Sometimes MLD you can make obtuse remarks.
You went after Mike and may have chased people away from this post me thinks…did Mike deserve it?
Ya, admittedly Mike did make a snarky remark aimed at those who faithfully observe Lent.
Shame on you for your insensitivity to the faith of others Mike.
http://betweenthetimes.com/index.php/2014/03/04/why-one-baptist-chooses-to-observe-lent/
Nonnie @11, even worse are those who publish books to rant against 50 Shades. It is a shameless attempt to profit off the notoriety of the novels. One celebrity pastor has a book on Amazon’s top 20 right now. I just shake my head at all of it.
Thanks for your comment, EricL. Didn’t know about the books.
I figured as much it was “number$” driving all the articles and blogs.. (now books).
JonnyB,
I made conversation in my reply – I didn’t chase anyone away.
Mike usually lobs his bombs at Michael and runs off on his own.
Nonnie:
“I mean, do we really need someone to tell us that?”
I believe pastors should almost never preach and teach on which specific named movies people should attend. It’s kind of like voting; the individual has to act on their conscience.
But, I would wager the percentage of regular church attenders will be similar to that of the population as a whole which sees this new movie. I would also add if one were to take a pole of High School youth groups and young adults a very large percentage of women are either reading, read or plan to read the associate book.
Sometimes the allure is in the “wrongness” and ability to hide participation in the action.
So would Christianity raise in popularity if there was more mystery and badness involved with it.
C’mon Newnham, get that article up…I have things to do today! 🙂
It’s coming…Phil and I do our show on Monday mornings, so I’m catching up…
OK, thanks 🙂
You were right about when you said that many folks need you to be here, count me as one of them. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Alex.
They need “us”…we all in this together.
It’s up and running…
Bob, I think that Christian bloggers and FB-ers give so much publicity to this kind of trash, that many wouldn’t even think twice about it had they not read about it on a Christian blog, etc.
To me it is a waste of time and I can’t imagine writing an article about it, warning Christians not to see it (or read it). Do they think we are that stupid?
Nonnie,
Those articles are just click bait…you nailed it.
Bonnie
“Do they think we are that stupid?”
Maybe, I do think they think everyone else’s sin smells worse than theirs. It’s an easy trap to get in.
Nonnie
“Why Christians shouldn’t see 50 Shades of Grey?”
I guess I should google it – what is it?
MLD – It’s a dirty movie. I wouldn’t google if I were you 🙂
Hmm. Maybe I’ll write a blog about why Christians shouldn’t google 50 Shades.
Josh – are you binding me with the Law? 😉
Thou shalt not google dirty stuff?
Yep, be bound to that law 🙂