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Lent is a season of the Christian year where Christians focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. It's the forty days before Easter. Lent excludes Sundays because every Sunday is like a little Easter. Basically, it's about one-tenth of a year (like a tithe of time). Mardi Gras is the day before Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday.  Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday." It refers to the day before Lent starts. Since Lent always starts on a Wednesday, the day before is always a Tuesday. And it's called "Fat" or "Great" because it's associated with great food and parties.  READ MORE HERE

TOP TEN THINGS YOU CAN TRY FOR THE LENTEN SEASON:

  • Try an electronic fast. Give up TV, Facebook, texting, tweeting, email, and all things electronic for one day every week. (Or every day of Lent!) Use the time to read and pray.
  • Start a prayer rhythm. Each day of Lent, go to THE UPPER ROOM prayer wall and pray for another person.
  • Go deeper. Take an online course as a part of your Lenten discipline.
  • Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it (maybe even yourself.) Study a book on forgiveness, such as
  •  Give up soft drinks, fast food, tea, or coffee. Give up a favorite food or drink as a way to grow closer to God. Give the money you save to help folks in a different part of the world who are in crisis.
  •  Create a daily quiet time. Spend 10 minutes a day in silence and prayer.
  • Cultivate a life of gratitude. Write someone a thank-you letter each week, and be aware of how many people have helped you along the way.
  •  Visit Sight Psalms and spend time in visual meditation and prayer.
  • Volunteer one hour or more each week with a local shelter, tutoring program, nursing home, or prison ministry.
  •  Pray for others you see as you walk to and from classes or drive to and from work.