First Things First (Proverbs 4)

Living by a pace of grace helps us to focus our energies on our true values. We become more aware that whatever we invest our energy in will grow in our lives.... Put your passion first. It is your most productive activity.... Start with what you love... Do what makes your heart sing...
We have choices. Everything works better when we are happy. Seeking joy in our work leads us to what we are meant to be doing. It helps us to find our true sphere of influence.
~Linda Kavelin Popov. A Pace of Grace: The Virtues of a Sustainable Life. pp. 283-4

The first thing is to acquire wisdom;
gain understanding though it cost you all you have.
Do not forsake her [Lady Wisdom], and she will keep you safe;
love her, and she will guard you;
cherish her, and she will lift you high;
if only you embrace her, she will bring you honour.
She will set a garland of grace on your head
and bestow on you a crown of glory.
~Proverbs 4:7-9 NEB

My first passion today is my confirmation class. Our 24-hour "lock-in" retreat at the church begins at 6:00pm tonight. Our theme is from the first line of a Brian Wren hymn, I come with joy, a child of God, forgiven, loved, and free. What a beautiful way to describe who we are. Children of God. Children of Joy. Forgiven. Loved. Free.

Kids love movies. I love movies. So a big part of our retreat (in addition to food, games, and worship) will be watching movies and talking about them--really, really talking about them. Here are only a few of the questions we'll be using...

The Green Mile:  FORGIVEN (Who needs forgiveness in The Green Mile? Who asks someone else for forgiveness? How does forgiveness happen? And where in the movie do we see Baptism, Healing, Grace, Miracles, Evil, Goodness, Faith, Resurrection?)

Toy Story 3:  LOVED (What does it mean? When do we hold on to those you love? When do we let go of those we love? Is there anything about loving your enemies in Toy Story 3?)

Finding Nemo:  FREE (to be free, to be on your own)
Shrek 2 or 3: FREE (to be yourself?)

Final note. This is a 24-hour event.
Thanks in advance to the parents, each taking their shift!
 I'm sure the kids will sleep some.
I'm sure I won't.
So thanks for your prayers.
And for the Red Bull.