Get Ready for Lent . . .

Get Ready for Lent: Suggestions for Fasting (And Feasting)

Fast from fear;
     Feast on faith.
Fast from despair;
     Feed on hope.
Fast from depressing news;
     Feed on prayer.
Fast from discontent;
     Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger and worry;
     Feed on patience.
Fast from negative thinking;
     Feast on positive thinking.
Fast from bitterness;
     Feed on love and forgiveness.
Fast from words that wound;
     Feast on words that heal
Fast from gravity;
     Feed on joy and humor.

Get Ready for Lent: 100 Things to do for Lent

"Do you realize how soon Ash Wednesday is? Shoot, y’all, it’s time to start praying on what you’re going to do for Lent."

A few years ago,   Meg Hunter-Kilmer posted 100 Things to do for Lent . . .
organanized around the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Peruse for some great ideas for stimulating your observance of Lent this year.

Get Ready for Lent: 100's of Resources for You to Use

Links to hundreds of web pages filled with resources for study, reflection, worship/liturgical preparation, lovingly and thoughtfully compiled by  Jenee Woodward.  

This page should be the preacher’s first stop on the road to worship preparation and planning, as well as the first stop for anyone wishing to find resources for a particular day, season, or scripture.

Check it out.

Get Ready for Lent: A Time to Think of Things Spiritual

Lent begins March 1st

 
Traditionally, Christians have taken time before Easter to think on things spiritual.

Taking clues from Jesus who before beginning his ministry took a 40 day hiatus, the church has set aside this amount of time during this season when the days lengthen to concentrate on how the faith we profess affects the life we lead.

Through the years, people have used different tools to encourage such thoughts. 

Recalling that the Bible says that Jesus fasted for 40 days, many people choose a form of that to help place them in the proper mindset to receive and perceive spiritual thoughts.





The idea of “giving something up” for Lent became a substitute for an all-out fast for Westerners living in an increasingly secular society.

But, we all know that negative behavior in itself does little to stimulate Spiritual thoughts.  And, far more important than giving up something for Lent is a proactive behavior specifically designed to encourage thoughts about our faith and the life we lead.

And, so each of us is encouraged to do something specific during this time before Easter:

    •   read a book,  (Meeting  Jesus Again for the First Time, by Marcus Borg, will certainly  generate thoughts and stimulate conversation with others)

    •  use a daily devotional guide to help stimulate your thoughts, (if you already  use one on a regular basis,  add another specifically designed to stimulate new thoughts for the season.)
 
    • pray (set aside a certain time each day,  or place a post-it-note with the word “PRAY” on your computer or in a prominent place to remind you that the proper time to pray is any time, all the time)

    • do something for others  you  have not done before (perhaps write a note to             people on  your Christmas card list –  just think what the recipient  will think  when they hear from  you from “out of the blue”,   so to speak)

    • Come to church every Sunday  until Easter 

Whatever you choose to do, I encourage you to choose to do something during this season. 

You will find your faith stimulated and your life enhanced.

This season, this Lent, can be of tremendous significance to you – if you let it, if you participate in it.

Get Ready for Lent: 40 Acts of Generosity

Let begins March 1st. 

This year, do Lent differently, 
     do Lent courageously, 
          do Lent generously. 

Stretch your faith and change your community.
One day at a time.
One act at a time.
 
Try the 40 Acts challenge on for size: for yourself, your family, you congregatiion.

Get Ready for Lent: Alternative WorshipResources

Nearly 50 Links and articles collected by Simple Living - the folks formerly known as Alternatives and Alternatives for Simple Living, publishers of the Alternative Christmas Catalogue, Whose Birthday Is It Anyway?, And various publications promoting alternative celebrating.


Check it out.  There are resources for personal and corporate worship, devotions, family and group celebrations, Holy Week  and Easter observances.

http://bit.ly/2llcTH6