Pastor's Corner by Rev. Dr. Dan Robinson   (Monthly article)

The liturgical season of Lent will come upon us this month, beginning with Ash Wednesday, February 22nd.  Lent is given to us as a time of penitence as we prepare for Easter.  We have probably often heard it said that it is wise to “give up something for Lent”, symbolic of a sacrifice we are willing to make as we prepare for Easter Sunday.  Well I ran across something that might bring a whole new meaning and purpose to the season.

By now, I feel quite sure that all of those New Year’s resolutions have been broken and forgotten until next New Year. And of course, the most verbalized resolution has to do with shedding some additional pounds that we all have put on in recent years, especially during the Holiday Seasons.  Some of us manage to carry this resolution to lose weight right into Lent, and plan to give up some good that we enjoy as a “way of giving up something for Lent” and being health conscious at the same time.   I mean, as long as we are supposed to “give up something for Lent” it might as well have a dual purpose – right?  That’s why I often hear folks say they are giving up chocolate, or sodas or sweets during Lent. Sacrifice of that nature becomes a win-win.

Well, for those who want to burn even more calories, please take note of this report from the Southern California Medical Association.  The report pointed out that proper weight control cannot be attained by dieting alone.  “Tongue-in-cheek” the Association passes along to us these ‘strenuous exercises’ we all tend to do, along with their per-hour calorie consumption rate:

Beating around the bush – 75
Jumping to conclusions – 100
Climbing the walls – 150
Swallowing your pride – 50
Passing the buck – 25
Throwing your weight around – 50-300  (depending on your actual weight)
Dragging your heals – 100
Bending over backwards – 75
Pushing your luck – 250
Running around in circles – 350
Making a mountain out of a molehill – 500
Climbing the ladder of success – 750

Rather amazing isn’t it, how by this Association theory, we are all burning an astounding number of calories without even realizing it!   Now that’s “giving up something for Lent” made easy…          

Pastor Dan