dennis martin papp

Twenty-One • A Time to Prepare

Starting Sunday, January 10, SouthField will engage in Twenty-One Days of Fasting and Prayer. Like a great meal, a great season of fasting and prayer requires forethought and preparation.

We are playing off the acronym introduced by leadership expert Jim Collins year ago. He advised organizations to move beyond safe, comfortable goals and form some BHAGs:

BIG, HAIRY, AUDACIOUS GOALS

Following his lead we are going to engage in BHAPs:

BOLD, HUMBLE, AUDACIOUS PRAYERS

Last fall we studied the life of Joshua, a man who was commanded to be bold and courageous. It is time to put our learning to action and pray bold and courageous prayers.

To prepare, ponder these four questions:

What audacious prayers will I pray?

Who might I join in praying these prayers?

What will I give over to God for a fast?

How will it work practically over the twenty-one days?

Church at Home // Week 10 :: The Long Haul 1

We move this week to the third stage of spiritual growth--the Long Haul.

Brian interviews graduating senior Jared Bieker in our Marked Up/Marked By segment.

Next Sunday join us for a live online interaction at 10am.

 

Church at Home // Week 9 :: Growth in the Messy Middle (pt 2)

Church at Home is ready for you!

We continue to explore the second phase of growth, the Messy Middle.

Brian also interviews Minooka Senior Bryson Laken.

Oh, and check out Brian's COVID hair!

 

Church at Home // Week 7 :: Growth (pt 1)

This weekend we moved to Minooka to shoot at Shellie's.

Brian and Reilly's house is about the pet. Shellie's is all about projects.

You'll get to see her latest project, and how it relates to our teaching.

We will also be honor our grads in May. Nikelle Carlson is up first!

Happy Sunday everyone!

 

What's Your Plan? (4 of 5)

April 30.

Next up, May 1.

How's your plan looking?

How will you use this month-long quarantine to take steps toward spiritual growth?

May is a great month for growth. Remember, April showers bring _________ __________.

We plant gardens, watch trees bloom and witness vivid shades of green again!

What growth will life's April showers bring to your spiritual May? Are you ready for some growth?

We have thirty-one days, that, if used intentionally and systematically, will result in a flourishing soul!

What will you do daily?

Bible intake? A new prayer practice? Some other soul practice?

If you've not tried it yet, jump on the Dwell app?

We receive Scripture differently when we hear it. If you want to try it, email me here.

Dwell offers several 30 and 40 Day Plans. Choose one and listen daily.

How about this? Why not wake every day and pray on your knees before touching a screen?

Maybe kneeling prayer morning, noon and night?

How about a daily prayer walk? I take mine on the I&M Canal Path and plan to do it every day this month. All 31, rain or shine!

Why not try keeping a daily journal. Maybe you'll write five reasons for thanks every day.

How about this? A meal every day at the table. Maybe even try reading a passage together or listening to a Dwell Plan.

Here's another. Completely turn off ALL technology for one hour every day.

What will you do daily?

Move to weekly.

Have you tried fasting one day a week?

Maybe it is time to take a true weekly Sabbath?

What if one day a week all technology was totally turned off all day long? 

How about connecting with a friend(s) for a Zoom study? Why not pray with someone weekly?

Is it time to revive letter writing? Write a letter of encouragement to someone.

Don't for get your weekly connection with SouthField.

Set your family's time. Worship is totally in your hands right now. Set a time.

Determine what you will do beyond the video. Communion? Singing? Prayer? Talking after about what you learned?

It is way too easy to put it off until later, and then never do it.

Monthy?

What one thing you will do this May to spur your growth?

Is there a book you've been hoping to read? Take it in this May.

How about memorizing a chapter of the Bible? 

You could organize a prayer journal.

Why not try unplugging from Facebook or the "news."

Maybe it is a serve of some sort.

How's your plan looking?

Time is ticking. Try something new. Revive something old. 

Share more ideas is the comments below.

What's Your Plan? (3 of 5)

We're all in this together.

Every time I catch that phase during the COVID quarantine (and we hear or see it about very 20 minutes), my mind starts blasting out with the kids singing on High School Musical. What is it about modern American life that we think a catchy, cute, sappy hashtag cures all? Sorry. I digress.

Let's stick with one word.

Together.

God made us to reflect Him. We are made in His image.

As image-bearers, we crave community. God have never existed apart from community. Three in One. Together.

Our church mission statement reinforces this concept:

WE CHALLENGE PEOPLE

TO TAKE THEIR NEXT 

LIFE-CHANGING STEP

TOWARD BECOMING LIKE JESUS

TOGETHER

That last word reinforces the power of community. We need each other for lasting life-change to occur.

A plan for growth designed and implemented in isolation often leads to a quick start and a quiet ending.

Whether exercise, diet or pursuit of spiritual disciplines, I've always done better in community.

As you map out a growth plan for May, think though the TOGETHER part. 

Who will be my partner on this journey?

What's Your Plan? (2 of 5)

May 1 is just a few days away.

It will be our second COVID shut-down month in Illinois.

We can let the month happen to us, or we can use this truly unique window intentionally.

God has given us space for growth.

Before we jump into brainstorming "what to do" ideas, let's talk when. Frequency.

May has thirty-one days.

I'd like to challenge you to consider three approaches: daily, weekly and monthly.

What is something, or maybe two things that we can do every day? Every day. All thirty-one.

Move on. What are a couple once a week commitments?

Finally, what is one thing I can do this month?

Growth plans tend to break down on a couple levels. 

The first is ambition! We line up thirty-nine daily activities. Two days in, we give up.

Think this way...what is one thing, one thing, that if practiced daily, could have a profound impact on me spiritually?

Same with weekly...one or two things, not twenty-two.

Finally, one biggy for the the month. A substantial event or accomplishment.

We try to undertake too much. Focus on a few practiced with consistency.

Which leads to the second break-down...consistency.

This happens when we go it alone. God meant life to be lived together. 

We will save that for tomorrow.

For today, just get the rhythm in your mind: daily, weekly, monthly.

I know, the "what to do" ideas are already brewing. That's ok. 

Daily. Weekly. Monthly.

Daily. Weekly. Monthly.

What's Your Plan? (1 of 5)

It's Monday.

No, really, today is Monday.

We invented a new Time Zone. Covid Time. All the days blur into one.

Last week we were informed that Illinois will be sheltering until the end of May.

As the days roll on, our habits risk fragmentation if we are not intentional.

May 1 arrives Friday.

How will you use your May?

The Bible makes clear that we are responsible for the use of our days:

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Ephesians 5:15-16
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

It is time to make a May plan.

How will we employ this unique thirty-one day period?

Maybe just stop a moment and dream a little.

What would you like to do or accomplish with the 31 days of May?

(pause. think.)

For our Daily Check In purposes, I'd plan to focus on some soul care initiatives. 

We will never have another season like this one (spiritual fingers crossed).

I want to look back on May 2020 as a season of spiritual intentionality and fruitfulness.

Spend some more time today in deeper thought. Maybe even in conversation.

Where do you need to grow? 

What habit or change have you been delaying for lack of time?

What spiritual focus has been on your "To Do" list?

To what do you keep saying, "Someday?"

We'll talk again tomorrow...that is, Tuesday. 

Stay at Home Week 6 : Believe

This weekend you'll meet my grand puppy Griffey as we Film from Frankfort!

Don and Misty Yost will share verses they have marked up that have marked them.

Oh, and Alexander Kyle will share his interpretation of The Story Maker. Priceless!

 

Grrr... (part 5.3 of 5) *Leaning into Lament*

Today's post is pretty simple, and you get to write it.

Write a lament this weekend.

Start by addressing God.

In the address you may include some attributes that are relevant to your complaint.

Move then to the complaint itself, Spell it out.

Seeing it may surprise you.

Many times what is expressed in our heads feels bigger than when we see or say it.

The complaint you've been feeling is real. Resist the urge to minimize it.

Then, boldly ask God for help.

Express with urgency your need for Him to show up!

Close it out with an expression of your confidence in God.

Write what you know to be true based on Scripture, even though you may be far from feeling it.

Express your hope in Him.

Pour out your trust in Him.

End with an expression of gratitude.

If you want to share it, you can include it in the comments below or email me here.