Giving up is hard to do
Fasting during Lent is a way for Christians to identify with Jesus in the suffering He experienced to redeem mankind.
Most folks fast from eating certain foods during Lent.
A few years back we talked to several readers and found that chocolate and sweets, in general, were some of the food items many people vowed to stay away from during the season. One young lady hoped to give up soft drinks for the season.
Lots of other people abstain from other things like certain behaviors or habits.
I used to attend a United Methodist church here in the city and I found the Lenten season very meaningful.
With those memories in mind, I have wondered if I might sacrifice or give up something for Lent.
I don’t think giving up some type of food would be very meaningful because I am doing that anyway as part of a weight loss program that begins this week.
However there are a few habits that I could forego that would reflect a great sacrifice.
One of them is my penchant for watching old sitcoms at the end of the day.
I tape some of my favorites like “Frasier” and then I might catch “The Cosby Show” on Nick at Nite or “The Golden Girls” on Lifetime.
Now giving up my nightly ritual of watching those shows — that I’ve probably seen a thousand times — would be a sacrifice.
I could instead use that time to entend my prayer time and bible-reading.
It’s something to think about.
I’ll decide soon. The night wears on and my handoften creeps to the remote about this time …
Leaders offer Lenten reflections
Read what religious leaders in Oklahoma and others are saying about Lent:
– Read the Most Rev. Eusebius Beltran’s remarks about Lent, go to the Sooner Catholic Online: The liturgical season of Lent. Beltran is archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. – The Rev. Robert Hayes Jr., bishop of the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference, discusses the Lenten season in his recent online column: Bishop Hayes on Lent. – The Rev. David Nehrenz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Norman had this to say: “Our Epiphany Light — Jesus!.”
– The Rev. Mark McAdow, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, blogged about Lent … or ist it lint?: Lent or Lint.
– Father Hamilton at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kingfisher offered general Lenten comments: Time for Lent.
– A Lenten Devotional Booklet is offered on the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma’s Web site. To read the devotional, created by Daughters of the King at St. John’s Episocpal Church in Tulsa, go to the diocese’s Web site: Lenten Devotional.
– The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers information about Lent information on a Web site: Lent.
(PHOTOS: From left to right, the Rev. Mark McAdow, the Most Rev. Eusebius Beltran and the Rev. Robert Hayes Jr.)
Look for more Lent-related blog postings here on the Religion and Values blog in the days ahead.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Encouraging Lenten generosity
An interesting initiative begins today, the first day of Lent.
It has a simple name that isn’t easy to forget: ”Love Life Live Lent.”
It’s a new way of marking Lent.
“Instead of giving up chocolate or going on a detox, it encourages people to undertake a simple act of generosity each day. The actions are small and fun to do, but make a real difference in homes, families and communities,” the Love Life Live Lent Web site says.
The initiative began in Birmingham in 2006. A colleague of mine found out about it on the Church of England’s Web site. She was looking for some fresh ideas to mark Lent this year.
She got on the Love Life Live Lent site at www.livelent.net and signed up for a Twitter alert to get suggestions for simple acts of generosity that she can do each day.
Check out the Love Life Live Lent site for suggested Lenten season family activities, recipes, prayers and Lent and Easter facts.
Look for more Lent-related blog postings here on the Religion and Values blog in the days ahead.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Facebook fast
It’s Lent for the modern, techno-savvy times.
Some Facebook enthusiasts (It seems wrong to call them “junkies” doesn’t it?) are abstaining from Facebook for the 40 days of Lent which begins today.
The urge to click must be quenched.
The need to share must be stifled … if only for 40 days.
In a recent story in The Wall Street Journal, one Facebook faithful mom admitted that her time on Facebook kept her from playing with children.
One wonders how they will make it that long at a time when the popularity of such social sites as Facebook and MySpace just keeps growing.
For those who need help, Steve Johnson at the Chicago Tribune recently posted his 10 suggestions for quitting Facebook this Lenten season.
Click here to read Johnson’s tips: Quitting Facebook.
What are you giving up, by the way?
Facebook or are you on a more traditional Lenten fast of meat, sweets or alcohol?
Let me know.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Southern Baptist Convention’s meeting theme is announced
“LoveLoud — Actions Speak Louder Than Words,” based on Matthew 5:16, is the theme of the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting set for June 23-24 in Louisville, Ky.
Convention president Johnny Hunt announced the theme for the annual meeting this week.
The Baptist Press reported that Hunt said he hopes the LoveLoud emphasis will “challenge our denomination to demonstrate to our communities, our country and around the world the difference Jesus Christ makes in our lives and in our churches.”
“This world has HEARD much from the church about who we are and what we believe. Too often they don’t SEE the church as being a different entity than others in their communities.
“The church simply has to become more of a force to penetrate the darkness that is increasing in our world,” Hunt told the Baptist Press.
Registration is now open for the meeting where the 150th anniversary of the founding of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary also will be celebrated.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Feb. 25 Today’s prayer
The person who trusts in You, Lord, is like a tree planted by water; the roots are never dry and the leaves are always green. Amen.
Lent begins today
It’s Ash Wednesday, the day marking the beginning of the Lenten season.For many Christians, Lent is a time of reflection and prayer in the days leading to Easter.
There are an abundance of Ash Wednesday services today, followed by a host of Lenten programs, services and activities.
Here are just a few in the Oklahoma City metro area:
– An Ash Wednesday worship service will be held at 7 tonight at Northwest Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 2828 NW 30.
The Rev. Zena McAdams, the church’s pastor, will preside over the service.
Beginning March 4, a noon prayer service will be held each Wednesday during the Lenten season, McAdams said. For more information, call 943-4477.
– Church of the Saviour will host an Ash Wednesday service and Communion at 7 tonight at 5600 NW 63. This is a special service titled “Questions for Reflection” by the Rev. Jim Newby.
And for something different:
– First Presbyterian Church is offering a free Ash Wednesday tour of the church’s stained-glass windows at 11 a.m. today at 1001 NW 25.
The tour will be about 45 minutes long. ”Lenten Journey Through Faith and Color” will be similar to a Stations of the Cross service. The tour will travel from station to station, window to window, meditating on Scriptures and relating the stories of faith. For more information, call the Rev. Matt Meinke at 525-6584 or go online to www.fpcokc.org. – Messiah Lutheran Church will host an Ash Wednesday service at noon and 7:15 tonight at 3600 Northwest Expressway.
Feb. 23 Today’s Prayer
Please forgive us, dear Lord, when we trust in our own strength or in the provision from others. You are our provider. Amen.
Feb. 22 Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, even though our sins are engraved on our hearts and minds, You can cleanse us and make us whole. Amen.
Feb. 21 Today’s Prayer
When we encounter sin in others, help us to speak the truth in love to them, encouraging them to return to You. Amen.
