Days 202-204 - Results of filling at the Lord's Table

Chapter 17 - The PAPA Prayer

Relational prayer and relational sin are discussed, with examples in Chapter 17. Crabb’s description of relational sin is “anything we do for the primary purpose of getting something for ourselves.” Illustrations show praying people who are ‘not abandoned to holiness’ and therefore not recognizing or aware of relational sin (someone whose praise to God has more to do with their blessings than with intimate fellowship with God) as compared to those who are abandoned to holiness and aware of relational (selfish or self-centered is what I am reading) sin.

In my experience this type of sin results from seeking satisfaction outside of or from any source other than Christ himself. That usually is accompanied by a lack of time in the Word. Ignoring the Word can delay the confrontation and repentance but often at enormous cost. Any time I do not go to the Word of God first, would be considered a relational sin. I heard a quote recently where someone described faith as prayer without scheming.

The chapter ends with a comforting bit of advice: that “focusing on your failure (looking in the mirror of God’s Word and allowing it to confront us with our true motives) does not cause you to hate yourself, but to hate your sin.” I would agree and would add that it also builds the wall between you and your enemy. As James 4:7 outlines –[Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ]... first you must draw near to God. Then, and only then, with HIS strength, you resist the devil, and then (and only then) he will flee.

I must note since this is a food blog that I am NOT condoning the food-related illness of binging on food and then purging to hopefully avoid weight gain. That too is sin, and a whole ‘nother subject.

Purging is a good thing – it might be as unpleasant as food poisoning, but once the root cause is cast out, health and well-being follow.

Spiritual ‘purging’ as Crabb calls it, is useless or temporary unless it follows filling. That is one order of principle in this PAPA prayer that I truly feel is vital.

If you think of a straw that has a foreign object in it, or an artery to the heart, lined with plaque and blocking the life-giving flow of blood, neither will clear itself unless some force assists – water, air pressure, etc., and the debris can be released. If we want the debris of our hearts cleansed, we must first draw close to the Master, opening the doors of our hidden clutter, and be so filled with His love and power that what was formerly blocking the way will flee at His presence. There simply is not room for both.

Food:  Chicken Slouvaki from Greek restaurant but you can easily make this at home.  Skewered chicken roasted or grilled, served with tomatoes, onion, (and sometimes sauce) on a pita.

Perogi:  (Say what?)  Polish in origin, they are little triangles of dough filled with sweet cream, or oftentimes, potatoes, onion, spinach, mushroom or other various fillings. 

Baby Rice Popcorn:  not so hard on the stomach - the golden topping is Foods Alive Golden Flax Oil. Rich buttery flavor with only healthy goodness.  (also awesome mixed 50/50 with maple syrup for either Kettle Corn flavor or served over waffles or pancakes).