Dan Gould

Author: dgould77

  • John 9

    “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” v. 25

    What a great response!  This man, who was once blind, is being questioned by religious leaders about Jesus.  The man doesn’t know much, all he knows is that Jesus healed him of blindness and he wasn’t afraid to tell people about what Jesus had done for him.

    Yesterday we talked about being an influence.  Whether we realize it or not, we do influence people.  But when it comes to influencing people for Christ we get scared or don’t feel like we can do it.  Many times we are afraid to tell people about Christ because we don’t think we have all the answers.  The good news is this, You don’t have to have the all the answers . . . you just have to be available and willing to share what Jesus has done for you.  No-one can argue with what you have experienced.  So take courage, and the next time an opportunity arises, don’t be afraid to share what Jesus has done for you!

  • Weekend Rewind!

    What a great day at Fusion!!  We said goodbye to Josh, who has served faithfully as our Student Worship Leader, and welcomed Tyler in as the New Student Worship Coordinator.  Josh is leaving for college.  We are sad to see him go, but excited to see how God uses him.  Tyler, is filling a brand new position at Fusion that we are very excited about.  He and His wife Jen are going to be great additions to our Student Ministry.

    Today worship was great!  Students engaged and we had to bring out more chairs!  We ended our talk on being an Influencer. Here are the Student Notes:

    THE EPISTLE!
    3rd John
    August 24th, 2008

    “Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.” 3rd John 11 (NLT)

    YOU ARE AN INFLUENCER?
    But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)<!–

    1. LOCALLY!

    A. In Your FAMILY!
    B.    In your FRIENDSHIPS!
    C.    In your STUDENT MINISTRY!
    D.    In your SCHOOL!
    E.    In your JOB!

    2.    NATIONALY and even INERNATIONALLY!

    A. Go on a MISSION TRIP!
    B.    SPONSOR A CHILD!
    C.    FACEBOOK or MYSPACE!
    D.    BLOG!

    “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)

    “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.” Colossians 4:5 (NLT)

    YOUR PRAYER

    My favorite part was seeing student open to the idea of using technology to influence the world!  I think we have several of our students stating new blogs today . . . Very Exciting!!!!

    We followed up the service with a Baptism Celebration!  Congrats to Paul and James who both were Baptised today!

    Here is the last song we sang today.  To be honest, we captured a moment especially in HS and a tear rolled down my face as HS Students engaged in worship!!!!

    Vodpod videos no longer available.

    more about “Mighty To Save“, posted with vodpod

  • RAIN DOWN By Delirious

    I can’t get this song out of my head since Tyler, our NEW Student Worship Coordinator at Fusion, taught it to our student band and led with it last weekend! I am so excited about Tyler being on board with us and believe that God is going to use him greatly at Fusion. Tyler doesn’t blog . . . yet, but has a myspace. Peep him out and leave him a comment! Enjoy the video!!!

    Vodpod videos no longer available.

    more about “RAIN DOWN By Delirious“, posted with vodpod

  • Who Am I?

    Well since my wife called me out on her blog, and quizzed me to see how well I knew her, I guess I will answer a couple of questions about myself!

    1. Do you like blue cheese? Um, don’t know! What’s blue cheese?  I don’t like the salad dressing, thought it was ranch once!

    2. Favorite T.V Series? Lost, Office, UFC, and sadly, WWE Raw!  I know, I need counseling for the wrestling!

    3. Do you own a gun? Wouldn’t you like to know!  Does a BB Gun count?

    4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Ummmm, none!  Either Sweet TEA, OR Pepsi please.

    5. Do you get nervous before a doctors appointment?  Yes! Who likes going to the doctor?

    6. What do you think of hot dogs? The best ones are from the Ball Park!

    7. Favorite Christmas movie? Santa Claus.

    8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Not Coffee, give me a Coke or Milk!

    9. Can you do pushups? Yeah!

    10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? Serious . . .  my wedding ring is the only thing i have!

    11. First boyfriends name? Never had one!

    12. Favorite hobby? Sports, Motocross, Church Stalking on the internet as my wife calls it.

    13. Any Birthmarks? Negative.

    14. Do you have A.D.D.? Never officially diagnosed, but I suffer from A.D.D.D.D.D.D.D.D.D.D.

    15. What’s one trait you hate about yourself? I wish I wasn’t as much of a perfectionist, and could spell better.

    16.. Middle name? Duane, yes insert joke here!  Love you mom and dad!

    17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment – What kind of question is this? What do I write? Will anyone really ever read this?

    18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: I bought gas and food but you will have to ask my wife, she spends all the money!

    19. Do you like your job? Yes, I wouldn’t want to do anything else.  I actually get paid to do what I love, crazy!

    20. If you had a night off, what would you do? Get a sitter and hang out with my Wife!

    21. Current Dislikes? Cost of Gas and Country Music!

    22. Favorite place to be? With my Family or on a Beach!

    23. How did you bring in the New Year? With a party!

    24. Where would you like to go? Disney World, Jamaica, Israel, Australia.

    25. Name three people who will complete this? Nick, Jamie, Andy.

    26. Do you own slippers? Those are for old people!  Someday maybe!

    27. What shirt are you wearing? T-Shirt from AE.

    28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Sure!?!

    29. Biggest Pet Peeve? Laziness, procrastination, nagging, and people who don’t get it . . . yes it true, sorry if it sounds harsh.

    30. Favorite color? Blue!

    31. Would you be a pirate? If I didn’t have to lose and eye or an arm or a leg . . . yes!

    32. What songs do you sing in the shower? Don’t sing in the shower!  However, some of my best thoughts come from there.

    33. Kids? Two awesome boys.

    34. Favorite boy’s name? Josiah and Jackson.

    35. What’s in your pocket right now? Nothing, usually a pack of gum, keys, and back pocket a wallet.  That’s in-case you want to mug me!

    36. Last thing that made you laugh? Jackson two nights ago.

    37. Favorite girl name? Madalyn Grace!!

    38. Worst Injury you have ever had? Busted head by a golf club when I was 10 or 11.

    39. Do you love where you live? Every thing is bigger in Texas, yes.

    40. How many TVs do you have in your house? One.

    41. Who is your loudest friend?  Whats loud?  Shane, Andy, Brandon, Nicholas?

    42. How many dogs do you have? One.

    43. Does anyone have a crush on you? My wife better ;)

    44. Favorite Candy? Snickers, Peanut M&M’s.

    45. What is your favorite book(s)? The B-I-B-L-E, Blue Like Jazz, Next Gen Leader, Barbarian Way, Confessions of a Pastor.

    46. What is your favorite store? AE, The Apple Store.  Doesn’t mean I can buy anything!

    47. Favorite Sports Team? MU Football and KC Chiefs.

    48. What song(s) do you want played at your funeral? Stay N Alive would probably kill the mood huh?

    49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Trying to give Josiah some cough medicine.

    50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I hope Josiah is feeling and sounding better.

    OK, I did it, so if I called you out please fill it out.  For those of you who don’t know what a call out is, I called out: Andy, Shane, Nick, Nicholas, Jamie, and Brandon.

  • We got Croup!

    Well it’s official, Josiah has gone 4 years without getting it and now he has it!  Cant wait to see how he handles the steroid.  Now the challenge is to keep him away from his brother Jackson so he doesn’t get it.  Of coarse its the weekend so could be an exciting one, in a negative way, if Jackson get a fever!  We are praying it doesn’t happen but are preparing ourselves to deal with it if it does.  We are praying if Jackson does stat to get it we catch it early enough that it wont bring about a seizure.

  • Got a Sick One!

    Josiah woke up yesterday (Thursday) with a cough.  Though it sounded bad, like I did when I was a kid, he acted fine and was his normal self.  Last night however, he sounded horrible!   You could hear the congestion now when he talked.  After a stint in the bathroom with the shower on, we got him to take some medicine and go back to sleep.  He slept fine but mom and dad didn’t. He says he feels fine, but he doesn’t sound fine and today and he woke up with a fever.  We have a doctors appointment today at 3:15.  Until then, here is what he will be doing!

    I hate it when anyone in the family is sick, especially if its either of the boys.  I feel so helpless!

  • Luke 12:22-34

    “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” v. 25

    Jesus commands us not to worry.  But how can we avoid it?  Only faith can free us from the anxiety caused by greed and covetousness.  Working and planning responsibly is good; dwelling on all the ways our planning could go wrong is bad.  Worry is pointless because it can’t fill any of our needs; worry is foolish because the Creator of the universe loves us and knows what we need.  He promises to meet all our needs but not necessarily all our desires.

    Fear and worry are very serious and overcoming them can be difficult, but possible.  Here is what it is going to take:

    1. Simple trust in God, your Heavenly Father! This trust is expressed by praying to Him rather than worrying.
    2. Perspective on your Problems. Look at and develop a strategy for addressing and correcting your problems.
    3. A Support Team to Help. Find some believers who will pray for you to find wisdom and strength to deal with your worries.

    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

  • Luke 12:1-21

    Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!

    4 ‘Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell.[a] Yes, he’s the one to fear.’” v. 1-5

    Awesome stuff this morning from the NLT Life Application Study Bible!

    As Jesus watched the huge crowds waiting to hear him he warned his disciples against hypocrisy – trying to appear Holy when ones heart is far from God.  The Pharisees could not keep their attitudes hidden forever.  Their selfishness would act like yeast, and soon they would expose themselves for what they really were – power hungry impostors, not devoted religious leaders.  It is easy to be angry at the blatant hypocrisy of the pharisees, but each of us must resist the temptation to settle for the appearance of respectability when our hearts are far from God.

    What are the signs of Hypocrisy?

    1. Knowing the Truth and Not Obeying it! People can say they follow Jesus but not be obedient to His Word.
    2. Living a Self-Serving Life! People may desire leadership only because they love position and control, not because they want to serve others.
    3. Reduces Faith to Rigid Rules! People can end up worshiping thier own rules and regulations about what they think God wants instead of worshiping God Himself.
    4. Outward Conformity without Inward Reality! People can obey details but still be disobedient in general behavior.

    Many non-Christians use the supposed (or real) hypocrisy of Christians as an excuse to stay away from God and the church.  Look carefully at your life.  You are not perfect; therefore, at times an action or behavior might provide the ammunition for someone to label you a hypocrite.  However, you must discern your own heart.  Consider the signs of hypocrisy noted above and make sure you are not guilty.  Then ask God to help you live rightly.

  • New Look for PDYM Community!

    The PDYM Community blog has a new look!  Go check it out and join the conversations of like minded youth workers from around the nation!

  • Preacher Faked Illness?

    A FORMER Adelaide pastor who inspired hundreds of thousands of young Christians with his terminal cancer “battle” has been exposed as a fraud.

    According to this article the writer of the song “Healer” which has been a very instrumental song in my journey this summer faked his cancer.  I really hope it’s not true, saddens me if it is, but still letting the powerful words from the song penetrate deep into my heart!

    What do you think?