I feel compelled to write a bit of a Lenten series for my blog, and I’m not sure why, but I do have a few reasons for my madness.
1- I enjoy seeking information on my religion, I think it’s vital that everyone does this
regardless of what they believe.
2- I like to type / blog.
3- It’s a good avenue to explain the methods to our madness to non Christian readers and
friends without “shoving” it in their face. Evangelism?
4- I REALLY like lent. I’m not sure why, it’s always been my favorite church season.
5- My Youth Pastor training in my just cannot die. I have to get up on my soapbox every
now and again and let you know what’s on my mind. It’s ingrained in my brain. (thanks a
lot Pastor Tom).
6- Eric and I are involved with cRAVE for our youth every Tuesday night and we’re exploring
the last words of Jesus. Which I find completely fascinating. And I will be delivering at
least 2 messages before Easter.
Before I go off on that Tangent, let me just give you some background information on Lent that I found interesting. Thank you Tom Christenson and Chip Borgstadt for teaching me all the random things I know about Lutheranism.
Lent, in Lutheran denomination is a 40 day long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The 40 days represents the time that Jesus spent in the desert enduring temptation by Satan.
The purpose of Lent is preparation of and for the believer through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self denial for the commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and resurrection of Jesus.
Today, people give up a vice of theirs, and add something that can bring them closer to GOD. Thus “I gave it up for lent”. Many Lutherans (Protestants) consider the observation of Lent to be a choice rather than an obligation. They may decide to give up a favorite food or drink, or activity, or people will often take up a Lenten discipline such as charity work, volunteering or devotions, instead of giving something up.
This year I have given up Facebook for Lent. It's a ginormus suck of my time, and instead I have given my time I usually spend on Facebook to connecting more with my family, Via phone, or writing longer e-mails, or just hanging out with Eric and the pets.
There are several holidays within the season of Lent.
· Ash Wednesday – marks the beginning of the Lenten season and is commemorated by putting ashes on your forehead remembering “we come from dust and to dust we shall return”.
·Palm Sunday - The 6th Sunday of Lent. Marks the beginning of Holy week, the day Jesus rode in to Jerusalem and people celebrated calling Hosanna! Our church brings in a REAL LIVE Donkey, and someone dressed as Jesus rides him into church, it’s always entertaining.
· Maunday Thursday – Or Holy Thursday, the day we commemorate the Last supper Jesus shared with his disciples.
· Good Friday- to commemorate the crucifixion and burial of Jesus usually spent in a Tenebrae service (Latin for Darkness, or Shadows). The purpose of the Tenebrae service is to recreate the emotion of the Passion story.
· Easter Sunday- the Biggest Celebration service held in Church, ever! Jesus Christ has risen again! Alleluia!
So, on to the Words of Jesus....
This week we concentrated on "Father, Forgive them". Tim talked about how Jesus was crucified and how crucifixion was created by the Romans as a torture device, and how when a crucified person is hanging on a cross they have to lift themselves up by their arms (which are nailed to the cross) to breathe, and eventually their arms become so weak they can not lift up to breathe anymore, and they end up suffocating. (cheerful isn't it?)
We chose to focus on the words of Jesus, because the fact that he spoke from the cross at all is amazing. Why would you use your last breaths of life to pray to GOD to forgive the souls of the men who are crucifying you? Forgiveness is the everlasting theme in Lent and in your life.
Just some food for thought for you in this Lenten Season.
Blessings ♥ abby
1- I enjoy seeking information on my religion, I think it’s vital that everyone does this
regardless of what they believe.
2- I like to type / blog.
3- It’s a good avenue to explain the methods to our madness to non Christian readers and
friends without “shoving” it in their face. Evangelism?
4- I REALLY like lent. I’m not sure why, it’s always been my favorite church season.
5- My Youth Pastor training in my just cannot die. I have to get up on my soapbox every
now and again and let you know what’s on my mind. It’s ingrained in my brain. (thanks a
lot Pastor Tom).
6- Eric and I are involved with cRAVE for our youth every Tuesday night and we’re exploring
the last words of Jesus. Which I find completely fascinating. And I will be delivering at
least 2 messages before Easter.
Before I go off on that Tangent, let me just give you some background information on Lent that I found interesting. Thank you Tom Christenson and Chip Borgstadt for teaching me all the random things I know about Lutheranism.
Lent, in Lutheran denomination is a 40 day long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The 40 days represents the time that Jesus spent in the desert enduring temptation by Satan.
The purpose of Lent is preparation of and for the believer through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self denial for the commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and resurrection of Jesus.
Today, people give up a vice of theirs, and add something that can bring them closer to GOD. Thus “I gave it up for lent”. Many Lutherans (Protestants) consider the observation of Lent to be a choice rather than an obligation. They may decide to give up a favorite food or drink, or activity, or people will often take up a Lenten discipline such as charity work, volunteering or devotions, instead of giving something up.
This year I have given up Facebook for Lent. It's a ginormus suck of my time, and instead I have given my time I usually spend on Facebook to connecting more with my family, Via phone, or writing longer e-mails, or just hanging out with Eric and the pets.
There are several holidays within the season of Lent.
· Ash Wednesday – marks the beginning of the Lenten season and is commemorated by putting ashes on your forehead remembering “we come from dust and to dust we shall return”.
·Palm Sunday - The 6th Sunday of Lent. Marks the beginning of Holy week, the day Jesus rode in to Jerusalem and people celebrated calling Hosanna! Our church brings in a REAL LIVE Donkey, and someone dressed as Jesus rides him into church, it’s always entertaining.
· Maunday Thursday – Or Holy Thursday, the day we commemorate the Last supper Jesus shared with his disciples.
· Good Friday- to commemorate the crucifixion and burial of Jesus usually spent in a Tenebrae service (Latin for Darkness, or Shadows). The purpose of the Tenebrae service is to recreate the emotion of the Passion story.
· Easter Sunday- the Biggest Celebration service held in Church, ever! Jesus Christ has risen again! Alleluia!
So, on to the Words of Jesus....
This week we concentrated on "Father, Forgive them". Tim talked about how Jesus was crucified and how crucifixion was created by the Romans as a torture device, and how when a crucified person is hanging on a cross they have to lift themselves up by their arms (which are nailed to the cross) to breathe, and eventually their arms become so weak they can not lift up to breathe anymore, and they end up suffocating. (cheerful isn't it?)
We chose to focus on the words of Jesus, because the fact that he spoke from the cross at all is amazing. Why would you use your last breaths of life to pray to GOD to forgive the souls of the men who are crucifying you? Forgiveness is the everlasting theme in Lent and in your life.
Just some food for thought for you in this Lenten Season.
Blessings ♥ abby
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