Part 1: What is Ash Wednesday?

My understanding of Ash Wednesday when I was a kid was murky at best. It was one of those weird things Catholics did. In junior high there was a girl in my class who got to leave school, and came back with weird gray marks on her forehead. The cross-like smudge was as meaningless to me as a bindi. I didn’t know what it had to do with her not being able to eat meat, either. Wait! That’s why there are so many Fish Fry Fridays around here?!?  Continue reading…

Part 2: What is Lent?

As I was finishing last week’s post, I drank a cup of dark chocolate cocoa. With cinnamon. And whipped cream. As I reached into the fridge for the can of whipped cream, I was still thinking about what Lent should look like for me this year. What was I supposed to give up?

Cocoa? I wondered. Continue reading…

 Part 3: Ashes to Ashes, Glitter to…

When I started my post on What is Ash Wednesday? for this six-week series for Lent, I Googled Ash Wednesday to verify the date. The top result was the date…. The middle image under “Top stories” was a glittery rainbow cross and the bold, black, uppercase letters: GLITTER ASH

Wait, whaaaat?!? Continue reading…

Part 4: Self-Denial or Self-Punishment?

What brought you to the observance of Lent this year? Or maybe you’re just learning about it, and considering.

The question we all need to ask is, Why? Read more…

 Part 5: Out with the Old, In with…

So, you decided to give up something for Lent. Beautiful! What has replaced it?

If you found a worthwhile Why, you have a purpose. It’s not about just following tradition or a growing trend. You gave up to grow… Read more…

Part 6: Changing Perspective

I don’t know how it should look in your life, or what God may call you to give up, but I know there’s room for growth in all our lives… and it’s up to us to make room in our schedule, hearts, and minds…

However we decide to observe Lent, our sacrifice must be meaningful… Read more…