dennis martin papp

Thursday's Prayer for Fruitfulness

I read a quote years ago. I wrote it in a card of quotes that I reflect on and pray over often.

I was never called to be successful;
I was called to be faithful
and in my striving to be faithful
my life will be fruitful
and because it is fruitful
you could say I am successful.

Christ calls us to be frutiful. He tells us that the Father has designed us to bear fruit that will last.

How do we produce fruit? By faithfully remaining in Him. 

In a sense, on Thursday, we need to pray for both:

God help us to be faithful, so that we may in turn be fruitful.

John 15:4-5, 16
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 

16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Praying for Open Doors

Wednesday's prayer for SouthField: Open Doors.

What opportunities does God have in mind for us as we walk into our new house? Do we want His plans more than our dreams? Maybe the two are the same...maybe not. Have we asked Him?

Most people say, "Don't just sit there, DO SOMETHING." With God, we do not want to just do something. We need to SIT THERE...in His presence. Be still and know Him. Be still and listen to Him. Allow our time of prayer to align our hearts with His.

Colossians 4:2-6
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Steel Arrives • May 12, 2014

Looking for Something to Do While Stuck Indoors?

It's Snow! Of Course We Have Church...

Podcast 12.08.13 • Miracles Unveiled

Click here or on the image above to open the podcast player.

Once the player launches, you have some options:

• Listen to the message on the site (controls are located on the series image)
• Download the audio to your computer (click "DOWNLOAD AUDIO")
• Subscribe for automatic updates (click "SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST" at the bottom right corner)
• You can also subscribe through iTunes. Go to the store and search "SouthField Church"

A PDF of Sunday's worship folder is also available on the podcast player.

Podcast 12.01.13 • Longings

Click here or on the image above to open the podcast player.

Once the player launches, you have some options:

• Listen to the message on the site (controls are located on the series image)
• Download the audio to your computer (click "DOWNLOAD AUDIO")
• Subscribe for automatic updates (click "SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST" at the bottom right corner)
• You can also subscribe through iTunes. Go to the store and search "SouthField Church"

A PDF of Sunday's worship folder is also available on the podcast player.

Unwrapping the Gift of Rest • Podcast 11.24.13

Click here or on the image above to open the podcast player.

Once the player launches, you have some options:

• Listen to the message on the site (controls are located on the series image)
• Download the audio to your computer (click "DOWNLOAD AUDIO")
• Subscribe through itunes (click "SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST" at the bottom right corner)
• You can also subscribe through iTunes. Go to the store and search "SouthField Church"

A PDF of Sunday's worship folder is also available on the podcast player.

40lbs by Christmas...Measuring Progress

 

 

On August 6, a bunch of my friends took me up on a challenge. I want to donate 40 pounds to our church building project. Actually, I've committed to lose 40lbs by Christmas Day 2013. In exchange, they've pledged an amount per pound toward the goal. The pledges will only be collected if I reach 40 lbs and if it is done by Christmas Day 2013.

As of today, the amount committed is $1,700 (plus an additional $100 if I'm done early).

Unreal! I am blown away by these people and incredibly motivated!

You can read the original post here.

You can also make your own commitment here.

I love when we can have fun doing something that matters!

Thanks to you, SouthField will be enjoying a new home base in 2014, and I have great motivation to get in shape.

40lbs for the Building • Observations

Yesterday I put it out there. I thought about it for a couple weeks. I've got to admit that I was hesitant. Lots of junk taking up space in my head (will I be able to do it? will people think I'm nuts? etc.)

I'm donating 40 pounds to our new church building, and I'm asking people to help by pledging an amount per pound lost. Here's the challenge for me...anything less than 40lbs. and no one pays a thing. I have to lose no less than 40 lbs. by Christmas Day 2013.

The commitments are off to a great start. The amount blew me away. I will post it later tonight.

I wanted to give you a chance to jump in. I've created a site where you can make a pledge per pound.

Make A Pledge Here

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Today's Observation 

Mindless Eating

The first day of a new eating pattern always makes me aware of what a mindless eater I am.

I cannot tell you how many times I was headed to the pantry or fridge to put something in my mouth without thinking.

Why do I do that?

Recording what is going into my mouth highlights my mindless impulses. 

I like to use My Fitness Pal for tracking my food and activity.

Before tech I kept a clip board on top of the fridge and wrote all my intake down.

I know, you hate recording your food. I can feel your eyes rolling. I get that. Tracking calls attention to our patterns and helps us to set new ones. If you can find a replacement for that, great! For me, nothing works like tracking.

If you want, you can track me on My Fitness Pal.

My user name is dennismpapp.