DAN GOULD

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Author: dgould77

  • Pastor Appreciation Month

    October is deemed Pastor Appreciation Month.  It’s supposed to be a time where you love on your pastor/s and let them know how much you appreciate them.  I have had some great pastors in my life and I just want to take the time here to thank them for their investment in me.

    • My Grandfather – He will never be able to read this because he is with Jesus.  But growing up as a kid, he was the person I talked to about God.  When I was eight years old it was him that prayed with me when I asked Jesus to be my Savior.  Now, I still have a collection of books that were meaningful to him and that he poured his life into.  When I read them and see his markings it still speaks to me today.
    • Richard Eakins – This was my first Pastor.  I grew up under his teachings, was baptized by him at Boulevard Baptist Church, and then served on staff with him at First Baptist Church in Nixa, MO as an intern and then part time student pastor.  I learned a lot from him, and appreciate him more now than I probably did then.  He knows the Bible so well, and cared for people.
    • Mike Frazee – God used this man in a time that I was searching!  I was a senior in High School, my grandfather had just past away, and I had questions about God, Heaven, and me.  He was my first and only Student Pastor.  I grew up going to church without a Student Pastor.  He taught me that being a Christian wasn’t something I did on Sunday, but was something that was taking place on the inside of me everyday.  He took the time to Disciple me, and then asked me to volunteer with a MS Boys Sunday School class.  I think he was desperate!  But God started working on my heart and used that situation and Mikes dedication to lead me to the place I am today, sharing the love of Christ with Teenagers.
    • Doug Fields – I have had the privilege to get to know Doug a little more over the last couple of years by participating in the PDYM Community.  His books have been an inspiration to me and a resource I come back to more times than not.  I love his heart for coaching, and really simply linking arms with other youth workers for the sake of building the Kingdom.
    • Bob Ingle – Man of God, Great Pastor/Teacher, and good friend.  I was able to serve with Bob for almost 7 years.  We saw a lot of things happen in those 7 years.  I was only 24 when FBC Warrensburg took the risk to higher me as their full time Student Pastor.  Every Sunday was a great Sunday.  Bob is probably one of the best communicators I have ever listened to.  He is able to take some of the most difficult teachings, throw some humor in there and walla, you leave convicted yet inspired.  I learned a ton about leadership from watching him lead not only the church but his family.
    • George Feiser – Is the founding and Senior pastor of Grace Community Church where I currently serve.  I am still getting to know George.  I like his heart and vision for Grace and The Church.  He cares about people and wants to see them become all that God has created them to become.
    • Pastor’s by Podcast – Because I am teaching Teens the same time we have Church for adults it has caused me to enter the realm of Podcast’s to listen to other great pastors.  Currently I am listening to these guys on a regular basis Steven Furtick, Perry Noble, Ed Young Jr, Erwin McManus, and Matt Chandler.  It is still knew but I am loving it.  These guys are all passionate about seeing God be lifted up and others changed from the inside out by the Gospel.

    This turned out to be a longer list than I thought it would be, but God has used, and is using, these guys to shape me, encourage me, inspire me, and convict me to become the Man of God I was created to be.  For that I am always thankful.  Thank you to each one for you passion for God, your dedication, your time and effort, and your willingness to share the truth in love even when it is hard.

  • Luke 21:25-38

    “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” v. 34-36

    People get ready, Jesus is Coming!  When I was in college I was able to be a part of a mission team teaching and sharing Christ with the people of Jamaica.  It was an awesome experience and something I was able to be a part of for three years.  One year we used the song “People Get Ready, Jesus is Coming” by Chrystal Lewis as our theme for the year.  It is a very powerful song and when I read this passage it makes me think of this song

    The NLT Life Application notes had this to say about these verses,

    Jesus told the disciples to keep constant watch for His return.  Although nearly 2,000 years have passed since he spoke those words, their truth remains.  Christ is coming again, and we need to watch and be spiritually fit.  This means working faithfully at the tasks God has given us.  Don’t let your mind and spirit be dulled by careless living, drinking, of foolishly pursuing pleasure.  Don’t let the cares of this life weigh you down.  Be ready to move at God’s command.

    I needed these word this morning!  Thank you Jesus!

  • Dip N Dot’s and Nana to the Rescue

    Jackson has been doing pretty well with his sore throat, however he is running a fever and doesn’t want to drink or eat anything.  This poses a huge challenge since he had oral meds that have to be taken.  His fever got to about 100 degrees and we had to cool him off in the bath tub.  Pretty scary for parents of a kid who has febrile seizures when his fever gets high.  After we got the fever down we had to figure out how to get the meds in him for the night.  This is when Nana came to the rescue!!!

    Jackson will eat Dip N Dots, so we put the meds in a spoon with a couple of Dip N Dots and walla, Jackson took all of his meds! Tricky I know, but we were able to out smart a 16 month old!!!

    Praise Jesus for Dip N Dot’s and Nana!!

  • Soccer and Chuck E Cheese

    We are starting to get back to normal after 2 weeks of high stress.  Jackson is recovering well and Josiah is being a good big brother.

    Today was a great day for Joe.  He had a soccer game in the morning then a Birthday Party this afternoon. He was so excited.  You have to understand, this wasn’t just an ordinary Birthday Party, this was Josiah’s girlfriends b-day party and to top it off, it was at Chuck E Cheese.  The place was packed and we had a blast!!!  Here are some pictures from this afternoon

  • Jackson is coming Home!

    We made it!!!!  Jackson had surgery yesterday at 7:00 am the procedure to take out his adenoids and tonsils only took 20 minutes at most.  We were fortunate that Jackson slept off the sleepy juice instead of getting really cranky and mad.  The doctor said that typically kids come out of anaesthesiology very irritable and upset.

    Yesterday seemed to be pretty easy in the Hospital, we had a great nurse named Latrina.  Our ENT said that the first day is always the easiest, GREAT, and days 3-5 are the hardest!  So we will see how it goes for the next couple of days.

    After spending all day at the Hospital, Josiah and I came home to sleep while Stephanie and Nana stayed at the Hospital.  Stephanie said that Jackson slept very good last night, didn’t toss or turn like he normally does and was quiet.  The quiet thing we will have to get use to.

    Special thanks for the prayers, visits, and stories of similar scenarios.  This always helps us realize we are not alone and shows us how BIG God is!

    Jackson and Daddy 1 hour after surgery
    Jackson and Daddy 1 hour after surgery

  • Luke 21:1-24

    “‘Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’[b] and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. 9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.’ 10 Then he added, ‘Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.’” v. 8-11

    I remember as a kid thinking the world was going to end soon.  War was happening, and people were claiming to be able to tell when the world would end. (in the 80’s this was big news not so much today) But it is a reality.  Jesus says He is coming back but hasn’t told us when.  He has said that there will be signs of His Return, but no-one knows the exact time except for God.

    It’s easy to think maybe even the things that have happened in the last couple of years with our weather and wars could be a sign and now with the world trade and financial disaster this could be heightened.  But Jesus says one thing in verse 13,

    “But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.”[c]

    In these moments, Jesus will use us to tell others about Him.  It doesn’t mean we have to know when it will happen, it simply means we have to be prepared ourselves to be used by Him.  In this moment, He will give us the strength and words we need.  So, instead of worrying when, where, how, it could happen, (it could be persecution, opportunities, or Jesus return) simply be prepared at any minute for it to happen.

  • Surgery Tomorrow

    Jackson is all set for surgery tomorrow.  We have to be at Centennial Medical Center at 5:30 am.  Yuck!!  His surgery is scheduled for 7:00am and should only take about 30 minutes to take out his adenoids and tonsils.  From there we will go to recovery, then to his own room on the pediatrics floor for at least 24 hours of monitoring.  The ENT said that days 4-6 are the worst and we have to keep him hydrated.

    We welcome visitors and would love the continued prayer.  Nana will be here tonight to watch Josiah and care for all of us.

  • Matthew 23

    “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses.[a] 3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. 4 They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. 5 “Everything they do is for show.’” v. 1-5

    The Pharisees had become more worried about what they said and how they appeared in public than they did about pleasing God.  They knew their stuff but they didn’t seem to apply it to their personal lives (they did their public life) and added man made rules to Gods laws that made it very burdensome for other people.  Jesus says listen to their teaching but don’t follow their example.

    It’s easy to want to be recognized.  But we have to be real.  When we put on a mask, or begin to look good on the outside but are dieing on the inside we are in trouble of doing some of the things Jesus called the Pharisees out on.

    In this passage Jesus accused the Pharisees of these 7 things

    • Not letting others enter the Kingdom of Heaven and not entering yourselves v. 13
    • Converting people away from God to be like yourself v. 15
    • Blindly leading God’s people to follow man-made traditions instead of God’s Word v. 16-22
    • Involving yourself in every last detail and ignoring what is really important: justice, mercy, and faith v. 23-24
    • Keeping up appearances while your private world is corrupt v. 25-26
    • Acting Spiritual to cover up sin v. 27-28
    • Pretending to have learned from past history, but your present behavior shows you have learned nothing v. 29-36

    Pretty convicting list.  If we are, better yet, If I am not careful, I can easily get caught up in one of these areas.

    Jesus, as I read yesterday help me love you with All that I am and help me to stay focused on you and not try to be something I am not.

  • Jackson Update and Prayer Request

    Well we got the results today from Jackson’s sleep study.  The doctors report showed that his tonsils and adenoids are causing him to snore and struggle breathing at night to where he does stop breathing.  But there is also a mild case of central apnea.  This involves the brain and one that our neurologist thinks could be caused from the shortness of breaths causing the read to be that way.  He wants to see the report so he can advise what needs to be done as well as see how Jackson responds after the surgery.

    So, Jackson is scheduled to have surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids on Thursday.  We are waiting for the nurse to call with all the details today.  Nana is driving down from MO tomorrow to help with Josiah and our sanity.  Please continue to pray for our little guy.  He has had such a ruff start to a very young life.

    Here is how you can pray specifically:

    – Pray for HEALING

    – Pray that God would be in Control

    – Pray that the doctors have wisdom in what is going on and how to treat it

    – Pray that surgery goes well and recovery is fast and painless

    – Pray that Josiah still gets attention and isn’t affected negatively by whats going on with Jackson

    – Pray that God would be our provider spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially

    – Pray that God would multiply our sleep, comfort our fears, and give us supernatural peace and rest

  • Mark 12:28-37

    “Jesus replied, ‘The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’[a] 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] No other commandment is greater than these.‘” v. 29-31

    What does it look like to love God with ALL of your heart, ALL of your soul, and ALL of your strength?  This is a strong statement that Jesus is making.  It easy for me to love God, or is it?  That word ALL means with every aspect of my life. Ouch! I fall short in several areas.

    I will never be more like Jesus than when I evaluate the details of my life to align them with what He says here in these three verses.  This is a heart piece.  Jesus doesn’t want us to change our actions, He wants to change our heart.  When we allow HIm to change us from the inside out, we will be in the process of becoming more like Him and have a desire to do more things out of love for the Father.

    Jesus, I want this, my soul longs for this, help me to love you in all the areas of my life, help me to love others the way I love myself, help me to not just change habits or to do more things that are spiritual, but to allow you to change my heart so that it impacts my life and habits everyday.