I was reading the other day that snow shoveling is one of the most high-intensity exercises you can do. Apparently, you use all your major muscle groups (some you didn’t know you had).
Get this. If you load a shovel (2 plus pounds) with 10 pounds of snow every 5 seconds, you move a load of over 140 pounds per minute. In 15 minutes time, you will have moved a load of more than one ton.
Given all the shoveling over the past few days (even going back to December), I’m feeling pretty good about my high-intensity workout routine. And when my doctor asks me about exercise, which he’s sure to do at my upcoming annual checkup, I’m looking forward to sharing this information. Now, about my aching back.
You may have heard, but this year (2023) marks Park Avenue UMCs 130th year! Just think about that. That’s 47,450 days of ministry and mission, prayer and presence, witness and service in our south Minneapolis neighborhood and beyond. I’m not sure we could even count the number of lives Christ has touched because of this church. All I know is it’s a lot of people. That’s something to celebrate and shout hallelujah over! In fact, let’s go ahead and do that now. Say it with me, “Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus, for this church and that I get to be part of it!”
Not sure that I’ll ever be overly thrilled about shoveling tons of snow, but I’m very excited about what this year holds as we pray and dream and plan to continue the long, faithful work of this congregation in the years ahead.
Grateful to be on this journey of faith, hope, and love with you.
Breathe love,
Pastor Gregg
