I am taking a different apporach this year.  Instead of giving something up, I am going to exercise everyday and work on healthy snacks.

Anyone doing something special for lent?

I have to admit, I really don't know much about lent.  Isn't it a catholic thing? 

That's great about exercising every day and eating healthy snacks.  That's something I need to focus on too.

I just saw your same thread on the CMT forums, and see it's not just catholics.  See, I told you I don't know much about lent. :)

i am giving up chips.

Brenda,

I think another Amy posted the CMT lent thread, but I am glad you responded to mine too!

Lent used to be "celebrated" by catholics only.  I am protestant and do not remember anyone "giving something up" for lent until I was in High School (about 15 years ago).  Lent is the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  The 40 days represents the time that Jesus spent in the desert fasting and being tempted by the devil.  It is also a time to reflect on the sacrifice of the crucificiton.  That is why many people give something up that they enjoy or try to improve themselves during this time.  (This is all my interpretation)

I had a wreck right about a year ago and then began having female problems in the summer that led to surgery in December.  I really got out of exercising and this is a great opportunity to start treating the body that God gave me better.

I have my gym clothes ready to go!

Amy

Sorry about that!  You're both Amy, and you're both exercising for lent.  And you posted about the same time.  You can see how I could get confused!  LOL

Thanks for giving me more info!

I'm not Catholic either but how it was explained to me was to give something up, maybe something that takes away time you could be spending doing something to increase your walk w/ God (tv, etc) or add something that would increase your walk w/ God like a Bible study, daily devotions, etc.  I have to admit I have been slack on spending time reading my Bible lately.  I've been reading a lot of great Christian books but have been learning more through those second hand rather than reading my Bible & experiencing God first hand-so my goal for Lent is to get serious about spending time reading the Bible.  I have a few different versions so I look forward to reading from all of them!  

I hope you all do well w/ your Lent changes.  Keep us posted!    Shayla

I didn't realize Lent started tomorrow--kind of crept up.  I don't know yet exactly what I will do, but did find a couple of good sites online that will be having special devotions each day, so I think I will try doing those.  I also decided to change my homepage to a Christian site for the 40 days.  I hope doing these two things will help me see if God is leading me to do anything else.

Yeah Brenda...I can see how that was confusing.  I am used to being one of many Amy's, it was a very popular name back in the day.

Glad I helped you learn a little something!  Feel free to PM me with any questions!

Wow,

I think it's great that Protestants celebrate Lent too. I'm a catholic and I thought we were the only ones who did. For us, it is a time of self-reflection, Almsgiving, fasting, and prayer. This year instead of giving something up, I will try to be of more service to others and try to deepen my prayer life. I wish you all a great LENT season and God Bless !!!

MLP

I'm giving up chocolate, and we've given up fast food as a family.  I also plan to read the Psalms, and try to get to confession more regularly.

I've given up candy. It hasn't been easy.

As a Southern Baptist, our church does not celebrate Lent.  I think it's cool if you want to, but we just don't.

Many Methodists, Presbyterians, and Lutherans do celebrate this.

what is the dates for lent? now through Easter?

Good Friday

Dates:

Lent is a forty-day period before Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. We skip Sundays when we count the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the Resurrection. Lent begins on 6 February 2008 and ends on 22 March 2008, which is the day before Easter.

In the Roman Catholic Church, Lent officially ends at sundown on 20 March (Holy Thursday), with the beginning of the mass of the Lord’s Supper.

(Taken from Ken Collins website)

Argh!  God led me to give up any reading that wasn't spiritual.  I miss my readiing so desparately...sigh*  It is surprising how much I have been able to get done though since my face isn't stuck in a book all the time.