DAN GOULD

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Author: dgould77

  • Cali – Day 4

    The Gathering has been everything I had hoped it to be.  Great time with Stephanie, other youth pastors who have become dear friends, and of coarse Doug Fields.  I have really enjoyed my time with Nick Carnes, Ken Leslie, Ben Taylor, Matt Adams, Jim Clark, and Grant Byrd.  The Gathering is a time that Doug Invites PDYM State Mentors to Saddleback Church and his house to talk through learnings, challenges, and victories.  A time that is so refreshing and encouraging for me every year.  This year I got the privilege of bringing my wife again.  She wasn’t able to go last year do to Jackson being only a couple of months old.

    Sad to leave, but thankful for the time away to learn and connect with other youth workers.  These guys and gals have become such great friends and it always hard to say goodbye.  Almost feels like a summer camp experience from my teen years.

    Thanks Doug and Neely for allowing me to play a part in what God is doing in the PDYM Community!

    Here are some pics from today.  Included is the wives at Laguna Beach, some of the guys trying to figure out where we are going, Wahoo’s Fish Taco, and Survivor at the Fields House!  Enjoy!

  • John 12:37-50

    “But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. . . . Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.  For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.” v. 37 & 42-43

    Even though the people heard, saw, and experienced Jesus, many still refused to believe He was the Messiah.  However, some did believe but choose to keep it quiet do to fear of rejection by other religious leaders.  The same happens today.  Some refuse to believe and others seem to be paralyzed by the fear of rejection.  Jesus had strong words for this in Matthew 10:32-33.

    When it comes to what you believe, do you reject Christ, are you affraid for people to find out what you believe about Jesus, or are you a person that is acknowledges Christ with your words and lifestyle.

    Lets strive to be people that aren’t afraid to live for Jesus and acknowledge Him with our words and Lifestyle.  Note to self – this doesn’t mean you have to wear Christian T-shirts, listen to Christian Music only, or stand on a street corner shouting turn or burn.  It simply means that you that you Love Jesus, and you are trying to become more like HIm!

  • Cali – Day 3

    What a day!!  We took a tour of The Refinery, the new student building at Saddleback.  Then spent the day connecting with each other, working through the re-write of PDYM, talking technology and other helpful sites used for ministry, then Bowling and food at Lucky Strikes.  So much fun.  I am very tired and excited about tomorrow.  Here are some pics from today!  Enjoy.

  • John 12:20-36

    “Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” v. 25-26

    Well, for some reason these words of Jesus keep circling around in my reading.  I think God is trying to get my attention when it come to being His disciple.  Here is what the NLT Life Application Study Bible says,

    We must be so committed to living for Christ that we should ‘care nothing’ for our lives by comparison.  This does not mean that we long to die or that we are careless or destructive with the life God has given, but that we are willing to die if doing so will glorify Christ.  We must disown the tyrannical rule of our own self-centeredness.  By laying aside our striving for advantage security, and pleasure, we can serve God lovingly and freely.  Releasing control of our lives and transferring control to Christ bring eternal life and genuine joy.

    Less of me more of Him!

  • Cali – Day 2

    Awesome weather, sunburned forehead, great friendships, and lots of laughter would be words that would describe today.  Spent the morning at Hunnington Beach.  Walked around Main Street and the Pier.  Watched surfers and beach volleyball.  The sign said the water temp was 60 degrees.  No wonder they wear wetsuits.

    The Gathering officially started today with lunch at In-N-Out Burger then dinner at the Fields house!  It’s  it so good to see friends, catch up on life and ministry, as well as meet the newbies, people that haven’t been to the gathering before!  Looking forward to a great week!  Here are some pics from today!

  • Cali – Day 1

    We landed in the OC Sunday night at about 8:00pm with really no plans but to get our car and find our hotel.  While waiting at the rental car, we got upgraded to a convertable because they didn’t have any of the premium cars on the lot.  Way cool!  So needless to say we had a great time Monday driving with the top down in So-Cal.

    It was fun just to hangout with Stephanie, kinda weird not having kids with us, but we really enjoyed the time.  We spent most of the morning at the Irvine Spectrum, since it was rainy, ate lunch at PF Chang’s, then headed to Laguna Beach.  The sun came out and we took some pics and just relaxed.  It was so nice.  That evening we went to The Cliff’s for dinner and literally had an ocean view as we ate and watched the Sunset over the ocean.  What a great first day.  Here are some pics.

  • Matthew 21:1-17

    The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.  11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” v.10-11

    As Jesus entered the town on a donkey, the crowd covered the road with garments and palm branches.  Many people came to see what was going on and asking “Who is this?” the crowds responded with this answer, ‘It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee”

    Some knew who Jesus was and others didn’t, regardless, Jesus was drawing a crowd and He still does today.  People flock to churches and other places to hear about Jesus to see if they can believe.  When someone asks you Who Jesus is, how do you respond?  Our response could lead them to a relationship with the Jesus.

  • DVR has spoiled me!

    I am sitting in the hotel room watching sports center and there are so many times I want to rewind it but can’t.  I even find myself doing that while I am listening to the radio in my Jeep.  I’ll hear something and want to rewind it but can’t.  I even find myself looking for the rewind button on my radio receiver.  Anyone else struggle with that?

  • John 12:1-11

    When I read this passage I cant help but think of this song by CeCe Winans.  It really captures the passage!

    How do you respond to Jesus and show your gratitude?  Today, I encourage you to spend some time with God and thank Him for all the blessings He has given you.

  • Change . . . It has to happen

    Like I said yesterday, I’ve been thinking a lot about some of the simple changes that can be made in my personal life that can lead to living healthier and longer.  It’s ironic that we are talking about developing spiritual habits on the weekends with our students and today I am talking about changing some habits in my personal life.  Here are the four areas that I want to change in order to have a healthier, longer life:

    1. Sleeping Habits – I have been bad about not getting enough sleep at night.  I typically go to bed late and get up early averaging about 5.5 hours of sleep.  I am going to try to add 2 hours of sleep each night.  This shouldn’t be too hard, I just need to go to bed and hour early and then allow myself to sleep in an hour later.  That sounds pretty easy but I am sure it will have challenges.  I guess the other option would be to take a nap in the afternoon.  I understand this is an ideal, life doesn’t always happen this way but if I don’t have something to aim for I will miss it every time.
    2. Eating Habits – I haven’t ever really watched my eating habits.  I have been fortunate enough to have a high metabolism, that is unfortunately slowing down with age, so I have pretty much eaten and drank what ever I wanted.  I was the kid in High School that ate a little debbie brownie for breakfast topped off with a glass of coke.  In college I was the guy that went with his roommate to Burger King at midnight to get 99 cent Whoppers.  This will probably be the most challenging.  I have cut caffeine out of my diet once before and it wasn’t that bad, but I came back to it.  I am on day 3 of no caffeine right now and feel like I can kick it again.  I am also going to try to eat healthier.  There are some little changes I can make that will have huge results, so I am optimistic to see what happens.
    3. Exercising Habits – I haven’t been the best here, there can be several days go by without me really having any kind of activity for more than 12 minutes.  My goal here is to add 30 minutes of activity everyday.  This helps bring up your good cholesterol and bring down your bad cholesterol.  Which in affect makes your heart healthier.  This is probably what my body needs the most and will demand probably the most discipline.
    4. Work Habits – I’ll admit it, I am a workaholic, mostly because I love what I do.  There isn’t much time that goes by that I am not thinking about student ministry or the church.  I think it’s just the way I am wired . . . or the way I have programed myself.  However, if I am going to change and create other habits, there are some things that I am sure need to change here also.  I don’t know exactly what that looks like yet, but I am sure after some talks with my wife, (she will be real honest with me) and our student staff, we can come up with a plan and empower others to take on some new aspects of ministry.

    This weekend we talk about accountability and why we need it.  If you’re a reader of the blog feel free to hold me accountable to the things I have just listed.