Sarah Wattles "Facebook"

For Lent, I choose to give up Facebook. It was an easy decision for me. Facebook was something I would look at every day, but I always felt like I could and should do without it. Like many other people, I would check it several times throughout the day. The temptation to pick up my phone just to check Facebook was always there.

Since giving it up, it has become less of a temptation to pick up my phone and scroll mindlessly through my newsfeed. I do have a moment occasionally when I worry I might be missing something important. Is a family member sick or hurt? Is there someone I should be praying for and I don’t know about it? Is someone planning an event that I’m not going to hear about? I just have to remind myself, if something is important, I will get a phone call or text.

Being off Facebook has given me more time to actually communicate with real people, especially my family. It has also been nice to be away from the drama and negativity that comes with being on Facebook.

Sue Schultz "Reading"

As I sat in the fasting service and listened to what Drew had to say about our fasting challenge, I thought about what I would give up.  I kept coming back to the same thing.  It had to be something that was a true sacrifice.  For me, that is reading.  Those of you who really know me know of my love to read.  I can escape into a book for hours as life goes on around me unnoticed.  So, reading it is.

It has been hard to go without reading for enjoyment but that is what the challenge is all about.  It has given me a lot of time for thoughts of others and prayer.  Compared to what Jesus did for us my “sacrifice” is trivial.

Am I looking forward to reading strictly for enjoyment?  You should see my reading list!  My list includes many historical fiction titles as well as many Christian fiction books as well.  These make me pause to think of the many blessings our Lord has given me.

John Wattles

Deciding what to give up after we had our fasting service was an easy decision for me. Too many times during the day when given free time, I would catch myself connecting on Facebook instead of working on my Bible reading plans, or actually connecting with friends and loved ones.

In the beginning, I caught myself wondering if I was missing out on things that were going on. But, I also found myself going deeper into conversations with my kids and actually reading ahead in a Bible plan Sarah and I do together. Facebook does give us wonderful opportunities to connect with people, but it also affects the way we connect with the people in our daily lives.

This fast has been very refreshing for me and also a great opportunity to step back and evaluate the ways I balance my free time.

Diana Hunt "my rights"

For lent this year, I decided to give up watching television during the week.  At first, I struggled with finding other activities that provided me with the "down time" I was seeking.  I had a routine of sitting down and grabbing the remote control after all the necessary evening "chores" were done (homework, cooking dinner, basic cleaning, kids' nighttime routine, etc.), justifying it as my reward for working hard all day.  I was reluctant to give this up because I was of the attitude that I deserved to watch TV to temporarily escape the craziness of the day and unwind. 

During this Lent season instead of dwelling on my "right" to relax, I began Bible journaling.  As I read my Bible, I chose one verse to meditate on and drew or copied the text into a notebook.  I am not an artist, by any means, but I enjoy internalizing God's Word. 

Since I started journaling, God has led me to 1 Corinthians 6:12 several times.  It says, "I have the right to do anything - but not everything is beneficial.  I have the right to do anything - but I will not be mastered by anything."  Sometimes limitations stir up feelings of depravation for me and I resist.  God gave us free will, but my choices, although they aren't necessarily wrong, don't always benefit or grow me spiritually.  Watching TV isn't inherently bad (unless the content of the program is bad), but it distracts me from spending uninterrupted time with God.

Audra Caldwell "God determines my day"

Some of you know that I love Big Red fountain drinks, and I will be happy to get a Mt. Dew fountain drink if Big Red is not available. When my day doesn’t seem to go the way I want it to go, I find myself being tempted to just head down to the gas station and get a 32oz boost of happiness. And sometimes I give into the temptation, other times I don’t.

Another thing I’ve allowed to affect my mood is a cup of coffee (with yummy creamer), in one of my favorite mugs to start my day. I find myself ‘bummed’ if I go to make coffee and we don’t have creamer in the fridge.

When I thought about what I was going to give up for the Lent Season, I quickly thought about how I allow myself to be ‘comforted’ by these drinks. They don’t just bring enjoyment to have something ‘good’ to drink, but I allow it to affect my outlook on the day.

I decided to cut out coffee and soft drinks during lent. I’m still very much tempted, but instead of focusing on treating myself to a sweet drink, I remember how I want to depend on God and the truth in His Word to determine my mood. I’ve started memorizing a portion of scripture which is what I’ve decided to ‘Take Up’ as I lay down my dependence on earthly things.

I’ve only a couple more weeks till I will start drinking coffee/soft drinks again. And I’m looking forward to that, but now I am going to make conscience efforts to allow God to determine the outlook of my days.