DAN GOULD

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Author: dgould77

  • Late Night

    Last night one of our former students (Josh Robinson) was in town playing drums for Dave Barnes, so the family made the trek to DBU to hang out with him and catch a free show.  I must admit that DBU has from what i saw, a great campus.  It sits on a hill overlooking a lake and the metroplex.  But this post isn’t about DBU.

    It’s always fun to hang out with Josh!  He has experienced so much at a young age . . . good things and bad things.  Each of these things has and is shaping him in to who he is becoming.  However, I still see the teenager who was asking questions about God and Girls. I see a leader who stood up to do something when no-one else could or would.  I see a friend.  It amazes me how God could use someone like me and yet at the same time teach me and bless me so much in the process.

    Why do I work with students?  2 reasons – 1.) Because if someone hadn’t stepped into my life when I was 18, I don’t know where I would be today.  2.) Because of what I saw last night!  Someone who is trying to find God in all he does.

    Josh, it was well worth the drive!

  • John 10:1-18

    “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” v.10

    This happens to be one of my favorite verses.  It explains so much in so little.  Many time people want to argue the existence of God with this statement.  “If God is a loving God, why do bad things happen?”  or better yet, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  Have you ever heard or asked that question yourself?  Well John 10:10 is the answer.  Just as much as there is a God who loves us, there is a thief, Satan himself, who want to Steal anything good God wants to give us, Kill our peace, joy, and other things God blesses us with, and Destroy our effectiveness, influence, reputation, faith, eternity.

    But Jesus says He has come to give us a rich and satisfying life!  Sometimes we may have to go through some rough stuff to get to this, but in the end, we will be able to enjoy life to the fullest. Gold at it’s purest form has to go though fire.  While in the fire, all the impurities in the gold are burned off making it more valuable.  This same thing happens to us as we allow God to purify us. Don’t be afraid to let God purify you.

    Today, may we excperience what Jesus is talking about by making sure we are following the Good Shepherd, klinging to His voice and following His way!

  • Hornet 1 . . . Cat 0

    I just watched my cat try to eat a hornet all to find out hornets sting when they are threatened.  Even though the Hornet is half dead, he still managed to sting the cat on his tongue!!!  So funny!!!!

    I guess if the cats face swells we know he is allergic to Hornets!

  • Leaders Summit @ Grace – Day 3

    Well today was the last day of Leaders Summit for the staff at Grace. We had a great discussion on these two topics this morning People Skills and Developing Leaders.  As a Leader, both of these areas, as are the other 10,  are crucial to the advancement of the Ministry or Organization. Here is what we talked about in each of these sessions:

    People Skills

    I took a people skills test and was surprised that what i thought would be my biggest weakness was my biggest strength.  I am sure i messed the test up somehow.  I think my wife would be a better gauge than the test I took today.  However, it did make me realize how important the skill of working with people is in ministry. DUH! Right? But seriously, it’s easy to over look some things and think you are good with people.  The little things add up.  One of the things that comes to a challenge for me is remembering peoples names.  I am not very good at it but need to improve in this area.

    Towards the end we had robust conversation about relationships on staff.  The essence of the question really centered around this thought “how do we become more than co-workers?” Meaning, how do we become friends who work together?  I thought it was a great question and am glad to see that others are thinking in this direction also!  Exciting things can happen when we get to know the people we work with on a personal level as well as a professional level!

    Developing Leader

    This was different this time around than last time.  If you want to grow you have to develop more leaders, but that’s not the question, the question is how do you develop leaders?  Chris shared this chart with us and we dialoged about it for quite a while.  Many times in leadership development, we gravitate to one or two approaches.  Chris challenged us to think in a broader term.  Here was the diagram we used to spark this conversation!

    This afternoon they will talk about Execution.  Wish I could be there for that I am sure it would have been good!

  • 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!