Old Style Lent

Churchmouse

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

Another great thread, thriftlady! I far prefer the idea of taking up something - giving something up seems futile for me Last year I used an idea that I saw on here, and made small "acts of random kindness".

I do go to Church, and I couldn't agree more. Just *giving up* something is pretty futile. And Nelski, yes as a smoker I did puff twice as hard on no smoking day:rotfl: I think *taking up* is a good way to go, or if not eating/ drinking something appeals, then use the money saved for a charitable purpose. (No refilling the wine rack doesn't count:p )

AussieLass

For me purely giving up something for Lent has no meaning. What do you get out of giving up chocolate etc for 40 days? The real spirit of Lent is giving, not something inward that only you feel.

eg, the money you saved from not buying the chocolate bars , give to a well deserved charity etc. You going without, is helping someone else.

Bargain_Rzl

beemuzed wrote: »

I'm your good old traditional C of E - but we're often encouraged to actually do something positive rather than give something up - same principle - 40 odd days of a good habit is likely to stick longterm. So, could be adopting a new habit rather than giving one up....will be giving some thought to this over the next 24 hours or so. And Lent starts this Wednesday, and finishes at Easter. Dates vary year on year, but it always is the 40 days (plus Sundays) before Easter - and Mothering Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Lent (ie 2 weeks before Easter Day).

Er, almost, except that you've just cut Lent short by two weeks

Mothering Sunday is the fourth (of six) Sundays in Lent, and three weeks before Easter Day.

I'm a Christian in the "C of E but practically Catholic" tradition - a culture I adopted as an adult, having been brought up in the more relaxed/nonconformist denominations which didn't observe a strict liturgical year. I'm rubbish at giving up things for Lent but at least it makes me think about how wasteful I can be and how selfish some of my ways are.

The Diocese of London's Lent Appeal this year is aiming to build two new schools in Mozambique and Angola, which I'm sure you will agree is a good cause whatever your religious persuasions, or lack thereof

http://www.london.anglican.org/LentAppeal

thriftlady_2

Wow, this is turning into a very thoughtful, reflective thread. I'm now trying to think of something I can adopt alongside my 'giving up unecessary spending'.

FZwanab

I am a Catholic and years ago no one ate meat on a Friday Now however, there are only 2 days without meat are required by Catholics, they are Ash Wednesday - this Wednesday and Good Friday.You can only have 1 main meal on these days and 2 small amounts of food, -not inc. meat at all. Perhaps the money saved on this meat could be used to go to a charity of your choice. I like the suggestion by the COE poster that mentioned taking something up, or doing some good instead of giving up, it just sounds more positive. Perhaps making up with a relative or friend that you have fallen out with or making some marmalade for your neighbour, or visiting family or friends with a home made cake etc.. If you do give up something just do your best, remember the good man Jesus himself got tempted a couple of times, during those 40 days he lived in the desert. Best of luck everyone

HariboJunkie

Churchmouse wrote: »

I do go to Church, and I couldn't agree more. Just *giving up* something is pretty futile. And Nelski, yes as a smoker I did puff twice as hard on no smoking day:rotfl: I think *taking up* is a good way to go, or if not eating/ drinking something appeals, then use the money saved for a charitable purpose. (No refilling the wine rack doesn't count:p )

Hmm..... :think: Taking up stuff is much more my kind of thing.

Would taking up more of Twink's hobnobs count?

And I notice no one is planning on giving up MSE for lent.

Sola

HariboJunkie wrote: »

And I notice no one is planning on giving up MSE for lent.

Actually it may come to it for me. I don't do Lent, having left my childhood C of E for the non-denominational route, but I'm going on private retreat this coming weekend (I like the idea of a springclean - it fits for me). One of the things I'll be focussing on is what gets in the way of my relationship with God, and if He puts His finger on MSE, then it'll go for me! I would miss this OldStyle folder - it fits so well with the Proverbs 31 woman study I've been doing - but right now all bets are off and it could go either way.

tru

Oooh Sola, thanks for that :T

I read your post and was thinking 'Proverbs 31, Proverbs 31, I know this but can't for the life of me remember it'

LINKY for anyone who's interested

I can't wear purple though, it clashes with red hair :rotfl:

bellsbells

rosh12 wrote: »

I'm going to try a bit of a carbon fast from a christian org called tearfund(www.tearfund.org) it's not completely fasting carbon, obviously, but fasting something different each day to... to think about how we can all do our bit to cut carbon, reduce our footprint, think of others etc etc. Whatever you think about global warming etc I think it's a good idea!

Just saw this on the news rosh12:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7226488.stm

I like the idea. I am on a real 'get rid of plastic' push at home at the moment. I have now moved to fully baking my own bread saving the plastic bags the bread comes in, I have not used carrier bags for years, milk comes in bottles, I use eco balls in the washing machine, tomato sauce is always bought in glass jars etc. However I still have pesky yogurt pots everywhere. DS eats at least one a day and I often get through two. So I have decided to take the plunge and start making my own yogurt. EasiYo here I come! Thanks for the great thread:T

thriftlady_2

Sola wrote: »

- it fits so well with the Proverbs 31 woman study I've been doing -.

Ah yes Proverbs 31 'a good woman is a price above rubies' and being like a merchant ship bringing food from afar for your family and all that. Are you making yourself head coverings Sola ?

Those American Christian homemakers love proverbs 31, there are loads of websites devoted to it's philosophy, and it is very OS.