Enough for Everyone

Lenten Living suggestion #5

Turning Toward God

This year for Ash Wednesday, our congregation did something new.  Each of us wrote a sin on a paper and put it on a nail on the cross.  I started thinking about the meaning of the word repentance, which is turning away from, and I started thinking about all the turning I wanted to do.  I started thinking about the things I wanted to turn away from and the things I wanted to turn toward.

There is nothing magical about these 40 days.  God does not love us more if we observe Lent, nor is God angry with us if we fail to do so.  Many good Christians never give Lent a second thought, but if we choose we can make it a meaningful time of turning away from sin and toward God.

- Thomas in Arlington, TX

Lenten Living suggestion #4

Cultivating Mindfulness

 

"These days, it seems like most people (myself among them) are walking around in a state of semi-wakefulness or even complete 'sleepwalking.'  I myself fail to notice things around me from the smallest (my wife asking me to pick up milk on my way home from work or the drivers around me on the interstate) to the largest (loved ones and others who are in need of my help).

 

I have committed to practice regular mindfulness meditation to sharpen my observation skills and my ability to respond genuinely, coupled with a close study of the Gospels to see what is it that Jesus observes, notices, responds to, gets indignant over, gets emotionally involved in.  What an example!  I could learn who and what is worthy of my attention by watching Christ!"

 

- Jesse in Spring Hill, TN

 

Lenten Living suggestion #3

"Until my legs stop working, I’m giving up elevators. I’m also giving up self-doubt (or trying to)."

 

- Andrew in Louisville, KY

Lenten Living suggestion #2

"On every day in Lent give away one thing that you own. It should be something that is significant – not like a pack of gum. Give it to someone you know or to someone you meet whom perhaps you don’t know well but who you know could use it/find comfort in it.

 

I have also done this with youth and it’s had an extraordinary impact on them."

 

- Rev. Jeff Geary, Setauket, NY

Lenten Living suggestion #1

"The PC(USA) Environmental Ministries program has a great daily calendar with 40 suggestions for Lent. It's called Tread Lightly for Lent.

Today's suggestion is 'Pledge not to drink from a disposable water bottle during Lent. Carry a reusable water bottle with you.'"

- Kelly in Louisville, KY

Lenten Living: Calling all Lenten lifestyle ideas

This Lent the Presbyterian Hunger Program invites you to share with us (and, through this blog, the wider church) your ideas and practices related to simple living, responsible consumerism and spiritual growth during the season of Lent.

Historically Lent has meant giving something up, but for many in the church today, it also means taking something on, such as a spiritual discipline or lifestyle practice, as a way of deepening faith and journeying the Lenten path.

We would love to hear and share with the church your ideas and reflections on meaningful and creative Lenten lifestyle practices. Please send to justliving@pcusa.org: 

- A description of your idea or practice (in a paragraph or less)

- Your name and the name of your congregation

- Your town and state and a phone number where we may contact you 

In addition to being posted online for other Lenten seekers to consider, entries will be considered for inclusion in the upcoming publication Lenten Living - the next edition in the Just Living series. In this way we hope to foster an exchange of ideas in the PC(USA) regarding deeper Lenten discipleship through simple living, responsible consumption and spiritual growth.

So, what makes Lent meaningful for you? What lifestyle practices or spiritual disciplines do you and your loved ones engage in that bring depth and meaning to your observance of this most sacred season?