Lent?

Christine&Joshua

What are you girls giving up for lent? I'm trying to get some ideas.

So far all I can think of is soda. I'm a total soda addict, but I hate diet sodas. I don't need the calories. It will technically make me a better person and it is quite a sacrifice for me. But is that lame?

mrandmrsbrist

I've given up Facebook because I'm a total addict. And I've given up caffeine...that was a brutal one. I don't know what I'm giving up this time around. Haven't really thought about it.

DramaGeek

I did soda one year.  It was brutal, but I made it!  I'm debating between soda and sugar sweets this year.

fpaemp2011

I'm giving up all fried food...which should motivate me to make better food decisions, since it rules out almost everything I like to get at fast food places, and I'm giving up 30 minutes a day of "me" time to work on a 40 day Bible Study.

I did caffeine last year, and it was tough.  FI made me promise not to do that again.

iamjoesgurl

I haven't usually given anything up for Lent.  I should consider this more and come up with something.

Sorry - that wasn't very helpful, was it?

squeakyduck

I gave up soda one year so I don't think it's lame. I will admit is wasn't as big of a sacrfice then as it would be now, but I didn't feel lame. 

My minister once sugessted that instead of something up, to start something new. Something that will help bring you closer to God. One year, instead of giving something up, I started reading a daily devotional. Or instead of giving up facebook, give up some extra time everyday to pray or read the bible. 

joyfulbride424

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_lent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:67be450a-df5a-4ae3-be6d-8a43c6f9b760Post:f30260b0-b3cd-4304-a8c8-fa890f14fe5c">Re: Lent?</a>:
[QUOTE]I haven't usually given anything up for Lent.  I should consider this more and come up with something. Sorry - that wasn't very helpful, was it?
Posted by iamjoesgurl[/QUOTE]

LOL. Yeah me too. I think I gave up chocolate one year but I'm not addicted so I thought that was stupid.  Maybe I'll give up TK! .... or maybe not ;)

AshNoel8

joyful- don't give up theknot! We want you here! Also, I LOVE your siggy pic- so cute! 

I am giving up ice cream/milkshakes. This will be VERY hard to do- especially since the Shamrock shake is out at McDonald's now! I love ice cream, so it will be hard- but compared to what Jesus gave up for us, it's nothing! 

fpaemp2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_lent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:67be450a-df5a-4ae3-be6d-8a43c6f9b760Post:2252e1a9-4555-4118-bf08-49960aa501be">Re: Lent?</a>:
[QUOTE]I love ice cream, so it will be hard- but compared to what Jesus gave up for us, it's nothing! 
Posted by AshNoel8[/QUOTE]

Exactly.  There were several times last year that I would just have a horrible day and complain about not being able to have caffeine...and would just think, "Really, Emily?  Christ bore your sins on the cross after living a perfect, sinless life as fully God and fully man...and you're complaining about not being able to have a soda?"  But that is what Lent is supposed to be about.  It's supposed to hurt a little and foster spiritual growth.

AshNoel8

Exactly. Very well put. 

kellya01

I too have not really ever given anything up for Lent.  I don't know if we do anything special at church for Lent ... nothing I can remember right now.  I will look into it more and give it more thought.  Sorry, I'm also not very helpful.  

musicalsunlight

I gave up pop in my freshman year of high school and it honestly made me give it up forever. I love the fact that I don't drink it anymore. It's been 8 years! I have tried giving up chocolate and it NEVER works, I always give in.

DramaGeek

Kelly, it tends to be a Catholic/Lutheran/Episcopalean (the higher orders) thing to give things up for Lent.  I started when I was in Catholic high school, then H started after he met me.  It really does cause you to stop and think about the sacrifice that Christ made for us.

joyfulbride424

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_lent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:67be450a-df5a-4ae3-be6d-8a43c6f9b760Post:2252e1a9-4555-4118-bf08-49960aa501be">Re: Lent?</a>:
[QUOTE]joyful- don't give up theknot! We want you here! Also, I LOVE your siggy pic- so cute!  I am giving up ice cream/milkshakes. This will be VERY hard to do- especially since the Shamrock shake is out at McDonald's now! I love ice cream, so it will be hard- but compared to what Jesus gave up for us, it's nothing! 
Posted by AshNoel8[/QUOTE]

You are so sweet thank you! I do love TK and I think if I was not getting married in under 3 months I would probably give it up. But I need you girls as support and advice!

I love what you said about giving it up compared to what Jesus gave up - you are so right. I pray you are blessed for giving up ice cream and milkshakes for that reason!

azdancer8

One thing I've done in the past - rather than giving something up, I add something new. Like volunteer work, or extra Bible study, or something.
Just a thought.

Bre2Be

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_lent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:67be450a-df5a-4ae3-be6d-8a43c6f9b760Post:a9d9359f-bbb6-47df-b926-50f4835c089d">Re: Lent?</a>:
[QUOTE]My minister once sugessted that instead of something up, to start something new. Something that will help bring you closer to God. One year, instead of giving something up, I started reading a daily devotional. Or instead of giving up facebook, give up some extra time everyday to pray or read the bible. 
Posted by rentaduckie[/QUOTE]

<div>This is exactly what I was going to say.  The whole purpose of Lent is to being you closer to God.  So whether that means sacrificing something that is hindering your relationship with Him or starting something new that will draw you closer, as long as you keep that goal in mind you can't go wrong! :)</div>

jenn.daniel

FI is giving up soda this year.  NOT caffeine though!

I might give up ice cream, but I'm not sure yet.

AshNoel8

Thanks!! 

GJones27

I'm giving up all sweets.  FI is giving up all junk food.  I consider this easy compared to what Orthodox Christianity normally requires: no dairy products, meat products, or olive oil.  That's too hard core for me.

fpaemp2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_lent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:67be450a-df5a-4ae3-be6d-8a43c6f9b760Post:6135cda8-8943-48e6-917d-b5e7eadca230">Re: Lent?</a>:
[QUOTE]no dairy products, meat products, or olive oil.
Posted by GJones27[/QUOTE]

Out of total curiousity, and because I love learning about other denominations & sects of Christianity...I've been Baptist my entire life, and I have no experience with church "requirements" of its members.  I know the Catholic Church requires abstinance from meat on Ash Wednesday, and Fridays during Lent.  Why do(es) the Church(es) require abstaining from those three items?

GJones27

Honestly, I have no idea where it comes from, and it's a good question.  It's been done for centuries, and it may have its origins in the monk communities.  Maybe it has some connection to animals or luxuries.  I think I remember hearing somewhere that the early Christian communities tried giving up all food during the day kind of like Muslims, as Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days. But it was too hard so they turned to no dairy or meat products.  But I could be totally wrong...