We are going to use Hard to Dance with the Devil on Your Back: A Lenten Study for Adults.  The study group will take place Wednesday evenings.

Personally, I view Lent as an opportunity to let go of some things, and to be more focussed on God.

In the past, I have done such things as give up going to presbytery during Lent in order to stop being so burueaucratic in my dealings with the church; I have refrained from making fun of the Toronto Maple Leafs (that was really hard, especially since that was when Toskala let in that wild bouncing shot). I have taken up running to be more balanced, I wore a visible cross every day. This year I have decided to give up being negative, since it does affect my emotional well-being.

At my church, we host a weekly lunch tims service on Thursdays. We invite six different people to speak on a theme. I always do the last session on Maundy Thursday.  This year we are asking them how being a follower of Jesus affects what they do. We have a retired diplomat, a drop-in chaplaincy worker, a Vineyard pastor who is working on a PhD at a Catholic seminary, a retirement home chaplain, & a church organist. We get 40-50 out each week. For more details, www.dc-church.org

Was it last year or the year before-they all run together-

I tried BUY Nothing New for Lent. Underear din't count, and food was exempeted. Good for the pocketbook-good discipline for me. Not only was money saved-time was gained.

Have you ever thought about how much time you spend shopping?

This year I'll be in W/C on-line book group.

 Tabitha:  I picked up the book on Saturday, so will be doing it with you, as well.  Well, hopefully I will be.  We shall see.

On Saturday, I picked up about 25 books at Grand River bookstore for individual Lenten study.  I was thrilled that some went out today to people who thought they just might read them and try it.   I hope to also have books offered next week for people and at Tuesday's pancake dinner.  They are simple read a page a day books, and also tougher read books.

My good friend Qwerty took a few to consider...to browse and see if they interested him.  

I like spending time quietly during Lent, it reminds me of how I should be during the year....and often forget to

In the past I promoted deliberately making time for loving acts for self, others, the world and God (healthy food, exercise, soaking in a hot bath, quiet time, adequate rest etc. for self; acts of generosity with money, time, words, smiles, help for others; acts good for the environment (hot baths maybe are a contradiction here), prayers of appreciation and readings to get to know God better, etc.)  I will try to do some of these again this year.

I will be reading two books -- one for the WC online study and another for personal development.

 jim, i love how you phrase that....making time for loving acts...wonderful, thanks

I will be participating in the W/C online book study and also doing a 4 week Bible Study called "Uppity Women of the Bible" with some of the women at my church.

rjm -- lol, i read this twice and thought you were having the service at Tims. I was like, wow, your Tim Hortons is pretty accomodating..or maybe you bring in TH coffee.

now, i see it was time...aaah, typos

I plan to walk through the park each day and seek wisdom there in the presence of the trees and the twittering of the birds.

I've also ordered the Dancing with the Morning Star lenten devotion/discussion here at Wondercafe - ordered it last week, I hope I receive it in time.  I hope to draw closer to God and learn more of God through this Lenten Season in a variety of ways - prayer, reading, etc.

I have also ordered the Dancing with the Morning Star, but have not yet recieved it. As we don't seem to be getting mail this week, I fear it will be late. I guess I'll have to joi in when I get it.

Last year I read 40 Days with Julian of Norwich, which I liked very much, though I'm a frightful meditator.

 aaah, I bought one of those for the church library this year, Lighthouseghost...

I am thinking people will be able to follow along, like most conversations here, by catching the essense

I hpoe my book arrives in the mail tomorrow-then I can staart on time!

Meanwhile i have been enjoying 'Faith in a Time of Change"

That's what I'm hoping occurs as well Pinga. I had thought of ordering the book.

 I think you will get more out of it if you have the book, don't get me wrong.  It is kinda like watching a movie from the side....you can participate in the spinoff but won't experience the quiet of just sitting reading it in the morning 

it was a typo, but there is a Tim's on the corner.

I saw this tweeted prayer yesterday  from the monks a the Unvirtuous Abbey-

"For those who use Lent as a diet plan, Lord hear our prayer."

My book arrived in the mail today-talk aboout timely delivery!

While looking for something else, I came across my Lenten Love Offering Calendar. Pasted below are the front and back covers of my calendar.