http://paintedprayerbook.com/2008/02/05/ash-wednesday/ Artist and writer Jan Richardson explores the intersections of word & image & faith. Wed, 16 May 2012 18:35:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://paintedprayerbook.com/2008/02/05/ash-wednesday/#comment-82 katie Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:48:14 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=50#comment-82 It is so easy to think of so many superficial things to give up this Lenten season. I have an addiction to soft drinks and chocolate so I had originally planned to drop those things, but after reading this entry I need to reconsider. I think God is more concerned with my spirit than my body, especially since my body will die and decay. There are so many religious practices that I do without giving much thought or meditation. Wouldn't it be more meaningful to refrain from empty gestures or hollow phrases or the common prayers we lift up to others and to God? It is so easy to think of so many superficial things to give up this Lenten season. I have an addiction to soft drinks and chocolate so I had originally planned to drop those things, but after reading this entry I need to reconsider. I think God is more concerned with my spirit than my body, especially since my body will die and decay. There are so many religious practices that I do without giving much thought or meditation. Wouldn’t it be more meaningful to refrain from empty gestures or hollow phrases or the common prayers we lift up to others and to God?

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