Some Very Practical Lenten Suggestions

Here are some suggestions on how to have a "holy" Lent.    (To make something “holy”, in the Biblical sense of the word, is to set it apart for a sacred purpose).

Three general suggestions first: If you take something on during Lent, give something up. In other words, most of our lives are all full to overflowing right already. We don’t want to add something to our lives that will only make us busier, diminish our margins, and further wear us out. In order to avoid that, if we commit ourselves to an additional practice that will require a further commitment of time and energy, then we need to stop doing something else.

Second, limit the number of things you’ll do/quit doing. As a very general rule of thumb, I’d say making one to three significant behavioral changes is probably optimal, and that any more than five is only going to bring frustration and failure.

 Third, make at least one of your Lenten disciplines secret. Keep it between you and God alone.

With that in mind, here are some suggestions for Lenten disciplines. 

1. Change eating habits for a healthier diet
2. Fast, either skipping a certain meal each week, or fasting one day a week, and perhaps even considering a 36-72 hour fast before Lent’s end (always consult your physician first!)
3. Abstain from technology on some regular basis, or from some specific form of entertainment (surfing the web, facebook, favorite TV show, video games, etc)
4. Walk regularly with a spouse, child, or friend, or otherwise exercise
5. Read a daily devotional. We have daily devotions written by members of St. Matthew’s posted here (my wife, for instance, wrote today’s). I also understand my good friend Dean’s church is doing the same thing, and you can find their Lenten devotions here.
6. Study a book. Scot McKnight’s Fasting, for instance, might make a good choice.
7. Journal daily (you could begin by writing down the answers to the questions I posted on Tuesday).
8. Attend a group Bible study, or engage in a weekly small group. If you are in our area, I invite you to come on Wednesday nights and study The Shack with us. I’m very excited about this one!
9. If you don’t go to church, consider giving one a try, or maybe trying a different one each week. If you do go to church, be there without fail every week. Stay around afterwards and visit.
10. Engage in one secret act of kindness every day.

Comments

[jan]

Whew! No abstention from Thin Mints mentioned!

I did my good deed for the year already, so I figure I'm good for 12 months of crankiness, right?