Day 195 - Don't Buy It!

If it won’t build up my health I don’t want to bring it in the house. It's safer that way. Unfortunately, the human mind and emotions are not that simply controlled - to just say no is always easier to say than to do, and this is closely related to the PAPA prayer lesson for today.

Author Larry Crabb calls our center of unsatisfied desire (and consuming terror of exposing our innermost fear) our “red dot”. Imagining the depth of our person and personality superimposed with a red dot can help to visualize what is going on within us. While I am frustrated with some of Crabb’s postmodern expressions, hang on with me here. 



You might have a different name for this, but I have tended even more than usual, since this study, to analyze my feelings before God. For example I recently had a concern that had me restless and undecided. As I analyzed how the concern related to God’s will, and then my comfort, I was confronted with the fact that I was allowing fear to cloud my decision. As soon as I confessed the fear, the cloud was gone and a clear decision was made. Crabb is merely suggesting we continue this dialogue throughout the day – from our waking moments, to several times during each day, every week and month until we have developed a new lifestyle. The premise reminds me of an old booklet by Brother Andrew titled “Practicing the Presence” (of Christ). When we acknowledge Him and place Him at the center of each plan, decision or dream, will find true guidance.

Some of Crabb’s illustrations have me saying the same thing as I began this blog – I don’t buy it. Things like don’t try to see what your emotions mean or where they come from simply follow their lead. Don’t Buy It. Or a time when perspective was lost in a complicated situation and as though he found a better way he says “I didn’t try to calm myself down or recite Bible verses to gain perspective.” Ummmmm – If you can’t gain perspective from God’s words, where can you? His solution was the first P of the PAPA prayer – “present yourself to God and He will present Himself to you. “ I think that sounds dependent – like God’s action is dependent on my action. I Don’t Buy It. But – if he really meant to say acknowledge who I am (unclean sinner) and who God is (holy righteousness) makes me want to pray – to thank and praise Him for even acknowledging my existence, let alone loving me so miraculously, then yes, yes, I’ll buy that. 

Food from the top:  Boiled Cabbage with MCT Oil, Watermelon, Beef Tenderloin
Rotisserie Chicken and Case-Nifla on bed of Green Beans. - Ken got more meat and a Gluten Free Carrot-Walnut muffin :)