Please delete this thread.

[powderman]

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/what-is-lent-scott-gunn


Scott Gunn: What is Lent and why does it matter?




Scott GunnOPINIONBy Scott Gunn | Fox News


Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

The season of Lent started this week. Let’s face it, Lent has a bit of a reputation problem.

Among some Christians, it’s this dour season when people willingly take on extra misery. Among other Christians, it’s a strange, pointless ritual that doesn’t seem to have much connection to what Jesus talked about.


There’s a smaller group though. Some Christians are big fans of Lent. I’m one of those people. For me, Lent is the best time of the year. Why? Because Lent reminds me what is important. Lent helps me prepare for the great celebrations at Easter.

SCOTT GUNN: ASH WEDNESDAY IS THE BEGINNING OF LENT -- HERE'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Before I try to convince you that Lent is the best season, let’s review where it came from.



From ancient times, one of the ways Christians prepared for Easter was by providing a time to repent of grievous sins. While that sounds severe, look at it the other way. The church gave people a second (and a third, and a fourth) chance. You could mess up badly and still have an opportunity to make it right.


Lent has always been about renewal, about second chances, about new life in Jesus through the waters of baptism. Lent has always been about the important things.

Lent was also a time for people to prepare for baptism. Those to be baptized had to be taught and prepared. They had to learn the important things about the Christian faith.

Lent has always been about renewal, about second chances, about new life in Jesus through the waters of baptism. Lent has always been about the important things.

Over the centuries, Lent evolved into the season we now keep. Beginning on Ash Wednesday and lasting until the week before Easter Sunday, the Lenten season is forty days (excluding Sundays). This echoes the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness at the beginning of his ministry.

Lent starts dramatically on Ash Wednesday. Those ash marks on people’s foreheads recall an ancient practice mentioned throughout the Old Testament. When people had done something awful, they would be covered in ashes as a sign of humiliation. It was a way of showing that it’s not all about us. We’re not important, but God is very important.

Wearing ashes around on your forehead in glamorous America is only a little bit humiliating, but it certainly reminds us that the world doesn’t revolve around us. When we receive that little cross-shaped ashen smudge, we’re told, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

This sounds harsh, but it’s a beautiful gift. We are reminded that life is short, so we’d better live it well. And so after Ash Wednesday we enter into the Lenten season to remember how to live life well.

The word “Lent” comes from an Old English word that means “spring season.” Many of us do a spring cleaning of our homes, and I like to think of Lent as a spring cleaning for our souls. You don’t have to be Catholic or to be part of Christian church that observes Lent to make your own journey through the season. Lent can be for everyone. It is, quite simply, a time to remember and to practice the most important things.

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No one should give up something for Lent for the sake of misery itself. Misery is not God’s desire! Instead, we might give things up that take us away from Jesus to make more room for those things that bring us closer to Jesus. So if I play too many computer games, I might give up computer games to make more time for prayer, or service of those in need, or even quality time with my family.


Now, in our culture where most of us consume more than we need, the custom of self-denial can be helpful. Again, it’s not about misery. I might fast — that is, skip meals — to remind myself that meals are a gift from God. In so doing, I am reminded that I depend on God, not on things. In other words, giving things up can help me notice that it's not all about me.

Lately, it has become more common to take things on for the season of Lent. People might decide to read the Bible or pray more. But we might also decide to focus on something like forgiveness. How can we practice forgiving others? Who do we need to forgive?


Lent quietly teaches us. We have all that we need in God’s grace. We aren’t meant to look after ourselves alone but rather to offer sacrificial love to our neighbors. We don’t need to fear anything.

The voices shout at us all the time. Get more stuff! Look out for your own interests! Stay safe!

And in response, Lent quietly teaches us. We have all that we need in God’s grace. We aren’t meant to look after ourselves alone, but rather to offer sacrificial love to our neighbors. We don’t need to fear anything.

Loving God and loving our neighbors are the most important things. And Lent is a wonderful way to remember that life is about love, not about our own desires. Lent is the best season, because it’s all about the best things.

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If you have never tried out Lent, or if you grew up with Lent as a season of punishment, give Lent a try this year. There are plenty of resources for Lent online, and your local church can help you journey through the season.

This season can be a gift to us. Let us accept the gift of Lent as we seek to focus on the most important things.

[BUGEYE]

Garbage.
A person should repent of sins every day.
If you wait until lent to repent of "grievous" sins you might die before lent and go to h*ll.

[Graybeard]

As far as I know it is only important to catholics.

[Bob Riebe]

As far as I know it is only important to catholics.

This event is observed in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Presbyterian, Oriental Orthodox, Reformed, and Roman Catholic Churches.
Some Anabaptist and evangelical churches also observe the Lenten season.
I actually attended my first Lenten service in a long, long time last year, ditto for Advent.
That  bothers me.

[Graybeard]

Aren't all of those mildly warmed over versions of catholics? Can't say I've ever known anyone personally who was any of them other than Methodist. One upon a HUGE number of years ago I was dating a girl who was Methodist. I went to her church with her ONCE. The very first thing they all did was pledge themselves to the catholic church. That was enough for me of both that church and her.

That would have been either '63 or '64, don't recall which.

[Bob Riebe]

Garbage.
A person should repent of sins every day.
If you wait until lent to repent of "grievous" sins you might die before lent and go to h*ll.

  Meaning of repentance in English

         the fact of showing that you are very sorry for something bad you have done in the past, and wish that you had not done it:

Well I suppose you could do as they did in Jesus time and beat yourself with a strap every day.
 

[ironglow]

.
  The way the man explained that the Lenten season encouraged and comforted him sounds that it works for him..and that can be good.


  The season is observed and celebrated by some factions of Christianity, here in the states..and I see no harm if it helps them make it through the year..


  In some foreign cultures however, some misled folks do some strange things. There are "flagellents who walk down the road whipping their back over their shoulders..using whips, chains, briars etc.


  There are some cults in the Phillipines who crucify one of their members...(only for a short time, not to the death).


  As one who does not celebrate the Lenten season, I would like to explain why.


  1) Only the shedding of blood can wash away sin.. in the the OT, the blood of sheep, goats, cattle or pigeons could only be effective


   for a short time at best.


  2) God wanted to arrange a one time sacrifice that would forgive our sins for all time.  The only blood that was clean and pure enough


 to sccomplish this, was the blood of His only begotten Son.


 3)  When Jesus willingly went to the cross...his blood paid the full price, no more sacrifice was needed or required.



  4) That is exactly why Jesus last words were, "it is finished" !  He had completed his mission..he dies for US !


  5) Personal repentance should be a daily thing with every Christian, no need to wait for a certain season.

  6) For us to sacrifice further for salvation..would be an insult to Jesus, saying he did not successfully complete his mission.



 7) For folks to do as some do..bring forth their OWN blood..is saying the blood of the Son of God, was not sufficient.


   Check out ….(Hebrews 9:1 1-18) 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


   "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;"


      (Hebrews 10:12)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



   I'm not saying others are bad...just saying this is the way I and millions of others see it !


  Just remember the old hymn...."Jesus Paid It All"..  or another.."What can wash away my sins....nothing but the blood of Jesus "
.




     

[geezerbiker]

I always said that I gave up Catholicism for lent.


Tony

[Lloyd Smale]

and I thought bashing of specific chirstian faiths wasn't going to be excepted behavior here. Looks more like a few like goodshot and powderman and bugeye just turned this place into there own little religion site.

[Graybeard]

I don't read into anyone's comments a bashing of the catholic church Lloyd. Most certainly it isn't my intention.

I don't share the various beliefs of the catholic church as I understand them but hold no ill will toward any person who is catholic. It isn't for me but I believe each person to hold whatever religious beliefs as is proper for them.

I admit readily I've never made an in depth study of catholic beliefs and instead base my opinions and views on what I've picked up from talking to and reading comments of others.

Not unlike the beliefs of several other groups I find many things the catholic church does and/or believes to be counter to what I believe. That merely keeps me from being a member there or attending there. It doesn't make me feel anything bad regarding those folks who do.

I have primarily attended Baptist churches since the time I was quite young. I do NOT consider myself to be a Baptist however. I only consider myself to be a CHRISTian and always spelled with CHRIST in full caps and in red letters. It is just the way I personally think is right and proper and I don't try to force that on anyone.

Until the post by Bob I honestly did think only the catholic church observed lent. But again based solely on my understanding of those others he listed I think of them as very closely related to the catholic church and of only minor differences to it. That view of course might be right or grossly wrong. It is just what little I know of them not having really studied them at length.

I really know of no religious group or by name church that holds all the same views and beliefs I do. Thus I don't relate as or call myself by the name of any such other than the name of CHRISTian. I consider that to be the only proper descriptor of my set of beliefs.

So I'm saying here,  no one should try to turn this into a catholic bashing thread. It isn't and isn't intended to be. It's a discussion of the time and procedure called lent. It isn't about any group as such but just about the practices observed during the period of lent.

[goodshot]

   GB-  The Nicene Creed as repeated in the Methodist church, uses the words "catholic church"   not capitalized as it is NOT the "Roman Catholic Church" to which it is referring.   The word for church in the Greek is for the body of believers, the "Eklesia", not a building, not an organization.   Way too bad you didn't know this as it has been common knowledge to millions, you are the only one I know who got bent out of shape for no reason from this.


 The whole s**t hemorrhage at TOS was from a certain person from we know where who can't tell an attack from a discussion and goes around looking to be offended.

[Argent 88]

Hey guys, Matt allowed Religious and Faith discussions on his site. With the stipulation that it wouldn't
end up becomeing a brawl. 

[Bob Riebe]

I don't read into anyone's comments a bashing of the catholic church Lloyd. Most certainly it isn't my intention.

Until the post by Bob I honestly did think only the catholic church observed lent. But again based solely on my understanding of those others he listed I think of them as very closely related to the catholic church and of only minor differences to it. That view of course might be right or grossly wrong. It is just what little I know of them not having really studied them at length.

Bill you are in a general as much correct as incorrect.
The term Catholic in any denomination actually is used in the dictionary definition, universal, just as used in the Nicene Creed, it not a brand like Chevy or Ford.
The church of Rome is the one most Western denominations branched off of, regardless of reasons, while Eastern denominations, except for Orthodox are not connected EXCEPT being part of the catholic (universal) faith.

I did not know Baptist related churches did not celebrate Lent till I looked it up yesterday.
I found one site which lists why formal Baptists keep Lent at arms length , though it did say Baptists should not criticize denominations that observe it.
Godspeed and may the Easter season of any who read this be blessed by our Lord.  

[powderman]

 The whole s**t hemorrhage at TOS was from a certain person from we know where who can't tell an attack from a discussion and goes around looking to be offended.


True Sir, nobody here attacked anybody"s Church that I've seen. Good grief. CHARLIE. 

[goodshot]

 Thanks for the feedback, and it isn't a brawl here, never was, isn't now, never will be, always discussion, never a brawl or personal attack to anybody, anywhere. Direct talk should be something men of kindred spirit are familiar with.
best wishes

[Argent 88]

Thanks for the feedback, and it isn't a brawl here, never was, isn't now, never will be, always discussion, never a brawl or personal attack to anybody, anywhere. Direct talk should be something men of kindred spirit are familiar with.
best wishes

I didn't say it did, it was only a reminder.

[Argent 88]

The whole s**t hemorrhage at TOS was from a certain person from we know where who can't tell an attack from a discussion and goes around looking to be offended.


True Sir, nobody here attacked anybody"s Church that I've seen. Good grief. CHARLIE. 

As a passive, former Roman Catholic. Charlie you once politely asked me to help you with one of your post.
Which I did, because you were right, and he was wrong. You trusted in me then to do the right thing.

[Argent 88]

and I thought bashing of specific chirstian faiths wasn't going to be excepted behavior here. Looks more like a few like goodshot and powderman and bugeye just turned this place into there own little religion site.

Lloyd that isn't true. They are not doing that. This site is picking up some momentum lately.

[Graybeard]

Back when the episode in the Methodist church took place I wasn't long out of high school and and had never heard of this regarding them. It was far too long ago to be sure but at the time I sure assumed it to mean the roman catholic church. I guess until this thread I never had reason to question that assumption since that long ago date.

I know of no Baptist churches I've ever attended that observe lent. But have never heard any of them put down those who do observe it. I don't put them down either. It is just something I don't do. It would be wrong for me but I make no judgement of how right or wrong it is for others. That is up to each person to decide.

I know there are catholic churches here but I know few if any folks who are members. Perhaps I know some and just am not aware of it, that of course is possible. In this area the vast majority of churches are either Baptist (most common) or Methodist. C of C and C of G are likely next most common here. I've seen a couple of Episcopalian churches but no more. I know there is a mormon, one at least but have no clue where it is, I've never seen it. There is a JW just up the road from me and I assume there are some others in the area. I've heard talk of 7 day Adventist much of my life but have no real first hand knowledge of them, am not sure if I ever met one of them or not.

[Argent 88]

Like is said, no church or religion can really save you on its own. That is a personal relationship you develop
with your Lord and Savior. It looks like to me, that Bill has that.

[goodshot]

  When I first heard the Nicene Creed it really got my attention as well to hear the 'C" word, they were quick to explain that to us young ones.
blessings

[Graybeard]

Well maybeso GS but personally I'm not buying what you are selling.

The Nicene Creed goes all the way back to the Nicene meeting where the roman catholic church was formed and that group of folks decided what books would be part of the catholic bible and what would not. All at the direction of roman emperor Constantine as best as I can recall.

So any and all that came of that meeting is about the roman catholic church and I just ain't buying that the word catholic in the creed is anything other than the roman church. You believe what you wish, I'll do the same.

My interpretation and understand of all that happened when that bunch of drunken priests gathered to party and decide on what books then in current use would be allowed and what would not be allowed as directed by Constantine. He got tired of their partying and gave them a deadline so they quickly got a list together and gave it to him.

To me, rightly or wrongly, all that came of that council is roman catholic in fact.

[goodshot]

Because we were taught to say it and learn of it the way we did may not mean it is verbatim to the original. Quite often we are taught religion over relationship.
best wishes

[goodshot]

 Hi GB, I just took in what you posted, I knew of the deadline, we know we have a G-d who knows the end from the beginning and is guiding us as He will.
   The drunken priests------  that will be fun to look up.
best wishes

[Bob Riebe]

Here is an abstract of the Council of Nicaea:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea
Dealing with the problem of Arian question and Meletian schism were two of the major items dealt with.Other than parading in his fancy duds, Alexander had no input in the meeting.Blishops from as far as Persia, India , Goth Europe and Georgia attended.It was not a drunken gather of nobodies.

[geezerbiker]

Sorry if I came off as bashing Catholics.  I used to be one and almost half my family still are.  I think some of their beliefs are kinda nutz but my Catholic family thinks the same of my faith.  I do believe in live and let live but once in a while I do poke a little fun at other faiths and I suppose that's something I will have to answer for at the final judgment...

Until now I always thought lent was only a Catholic thing...

Tony

[Lloyd Smale]

"I always said that I gave up Catholicism for lent".   Now that's not a snide cut to the catholic church?? This wasn't a personal attack on both myself and YOU?? "GB-  The Nicene Creed as repeated in the Methodist church, uses the words "catholic church"   not capitalized as it is NOT the "Roman Catholic Church" to which it is referring.   The word for church in the Greek is for the body of believers, the "Eklesia", not a building, not an organization.   Way too bad you didn't know this as it has been common knowledge to millions, you are the only one I know who got bent out of shape for no reason from this.
The whole s**t hemorrhage at TOS was from a certain person from we know where who can't tell an attack from a discussion and goes around looking to be offended."

 Bill even your coment saying the Methodist church that believes in homosexuality and abortions is just a copy of the catholic church is in my opinion bashing the catholic church. this comment is on the borderline too. "My interpretation and understand of all that happened when that bunch of drunken priests gathered to party and decide on what books then in current use would be allowed and what would not be allowed as directed by Constantine." It isn't fact its a incorrect opinion. Be that as it may its your fourm and you can say or do with it as you please but like I said. I thought this place was suppose to leave the religious bickering behind and not have a religion section. It may not be called as such but its sure been twisted into one. Same people spouting the same bs on the religion section on the other fourm. That went so well. It caused nothing but hate and made many enemys out of good people. There are religion forums all over the internet these stupid fights can be fought and are even encouraged. Only reason I can see someone comes to an outdoors forum to argue religion is there not confident enough to post where people actually know that there full of bs and nothing but keyboard wanabe bible scholars. One things for absolute certainty. When the door was opened just a crack here those wanabes shoved it open and it will just get worse and worse. Every day theres more and more religion stuff being posted here. 

I don't read into anyone's comments a bashing of the catholic church Lloyd. Most certainly it isn't my intention.

I don't share the various beliefs of the catholic church as I understand them but hold no ill will toward any person who is catholic. It isn't for me but I believe each person to hold whatever religious beliefs as is proper for them.

I admit readily I've never made an in depth study of catholic beliefs and instead base my opinions and views on what I've picked up from talking to and reading comments of others.

Not unlike the beliefs of several other groups I find many things the catholic church does and/or believes to be counter to what I believe. That merely keeps me from being a member there or attending there. It doesn't make me feel anything bad regarding those folks who do.

I have primarily attended Baptist churches since the time I was quite young. I do NOT consider myself to be a Baptist however. I only consider myself to be a CHRISTian and always spelled with CHRIST in full caps and in red letters. It is just the way I personally think is right and proper and I don't try to force that on anyone.

Until the post by Bob I honestly did think only the catholic church observed lent. But again based solely on my understanding of those others he listed I think of them as very closely related to the catholic church and of only minor differences to it. That view of course might be right or grossly wrong. It is just what little I know of them not having really studied them at length.

I really know of no religious group or by name church that holds all the same views and beliefs I do. Thus I don't relate as or call myself by the name of any such other than the name of CHRISTian. I consider that to be the only proper descriptor of my set of beliefs.

So I'm saying here,  no one should try to turn this into a catholic bashing thread. It isn't and isn't intended to be. It's a discussion of the time and procedure called lent. It isn't about any group as such but just about the practices observed during the period of lent.

[goodshot]

oh Wilbur....He's doing it again...
If the hater can be corralled, there will be no hate over here like was promulgated  on TOS.

[goodshot]

Here is a teaching from a neuroscientist with 30+ years of practice, she speaks of how important restraint is in our lives, IF we practice it.

[powderman]

 I thought this place was suppose to leave the religious bickering behind and not have a religion section.


LLOYD. Til you jumped in there was no bickering or arguing. Just a group of adults having a discussion. Grow up.  CHARLIE.