DAN GOULD

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Author: dgould77

  • Thomas the Train

    Today was the second part of Josiah’s b-day. He loves Thomas the Train, and today was his special day to see Thomas in person, It was awesome! He got to see Sir Topham Hat, Thomas the Train, the Conductors, watch a Magician, get a tattoo, jump in a bounce house, ride in one of Thomas’s Coaches as Thomas pulled the train, as well as drive a little train by himself. The day was great, both Jackson and Josiah were pretty good and the excitement was priceless. We had a blast as a family. Josiah was in Thomas Heaven . . . especially when he was the first one to be able to load the the train after the conductor shouted, “All aboard!!!”

    What a day! My wife described it as a Star Wars convention for kids. I thought that was pretty funny . . . when you think about it, that isn’t far from the truth. Anyways, we had a great time and if a day with Thomas is going to be in your area and you have a Thomas Fan, we would encourage you to check it out. Here are some pictures from today.



  • Job 38

    “Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’” v. 1-3
    My God is so Big so Strong and so Mighty, there’s nothing my God can’t do. As we drove our youngest to the Hospital in November, this is the song Josiah, our 3 year old at the time, began to sing. I had never heard him sing it, but talk about appropriate. This will forever be etched in my mind of just how Big our God is.

    In this passage as the Lord speaks back to Job, we see how Strong, Big and Mighty He is. Just by looking at our everyday world we see how big God is. He controls all the elements, like rain, hail, wind, lightning, the rising and setting of the sun, and the list goes on . . . and on . . . and on. The next time you see any of these things let it be a reminder that God is Strong, Big, and Mighty!

    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

  • Leaders Summit

    I have just spent the last two days attending the Leaders Summit. Must say, it is fantastic, practical, challenging, but going to requires growth as it stretches me to become a better leader. I am excited to see what it looks like for me and our ministry. You can take a free online assessment. If you can attend one of their two day conferences it will be well worth the money.

    Right now my brain feels fried, a lot of thoughts going on as i process through the material!!! Definatly will have to go back through this book.

    Here are the main things the conference covers:

  • Job 2

    “But Job replied, ‘You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?’ So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.” v.10
    Many people think that believing in God protects them from trouble, so when calamity comes, they question God’s goodness and justice. But the message of Job is that you should not give up on God because he allows you to have bad experiences. Faith in God does not guarantee personal prosperity, and lack of faith does not guarantee troubles in life. If this were so, people would believe in God simply to get rich. God is capable of rescuing us from suffering, but he may also allow suffering to come for reasons we cannot understand. It is Satan’s strategy to get us to doubt God at exactly this moment. Here Job shows a perspective broader than seeking his own personal comfort. If we always knew why we were suffering, our faith would have no room to grow.

    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

  • Job 1:9-22 part 3

    “Satan replied to the Lord, ‘Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!’” v. 9-11
    Satan attacked Job’s motive, saying that Job was blameless and had integrity only because he had no reason to turn against God. Ever since he had started following God, everything had gone well for Job. Satan wanted to prove that Job worshiped God, not out of love, but because God had given him so much.

    Satan accurately analyzed why many people trust God. They are fair weather believers, following God only when everything is going well or for what they can get. Adversity destroys this superficial faith. But adversity strengthens real faith by causing believers to dig their roots deeper into God in order to withstand the storms. How deep does my faith go? How deep does your faith go? Put the roots of your faith deep into Gods Truth so that you can withstand any storm that may come your way.

    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

  • Job 1:6-12 part 2

    “One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. ‘Where have you come from?’ the Lord asked Satan.
    Satan answered the Lord, ‘I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.’” v. 6-7
    Satan, originally an angel of God, had become corrupt through his own pride. He has been evil since rebellion against God (1 John 3:8). Satan considers God as his enemy. He tries to hinder God’s work in people, but he is limited by God’s power and can do only what he has been permitted. Satan is our enemy because he actively looks for people to attack with temptation and because he wants to make people hate God. He does this through lies and deception. Job, a blameless and upright man who had been greatly blessed, was a perfect target for Satan. Any person who is committed to God should expect Satan’s attacks. Satan, who hates God, also hates God’s people.

    From this conversation we can learn a great deal about Satan.
    1.) He is accountable to God.
    2.) Satan can only be at 1 place at a time.
    3.) Satan cannot see into our minds our see the future.
    4.) Because Satan can do nothing without God’s permission, God’s people can overcome his attacks through God’s power.
    5.) God put limitations on what Satan can do.

    Knowing this should change our perspective about how we deal with everyday life. As we remain close to God, expect Satan to try to deceive and tempt us. But take courage God is greater than Satan.

    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

  • One Cries to get out . . . One Cries to get in

    I don’t understand our boys! Josiah the oldest who is now 4 threw a fit when we didn’t let him get in the pack and play with his 10 month old brother Jackson. While Joe was crying on the outside to get in, Jackson was crying from the inside of the pack and play to get out . . . So we did what any good parent would do . . . COMPROMISE! Here’s what happened next . . .


  • Wagon Ride

    Yesterday the weather was awesome here in Texas. It was a little too windy for a bike ride so we took a walk and pulled the boys in a wagon. It was a good time and they both actually did really well sitting together for the adventure. Fun Times!


  • Gone Country . . . Not!

    I was reading Josh’s blog today and hit a link to a Trace Adkins video. I decided to watch the video and as much as I hate country music, the video has an awesome message. You should check it out for yourself!

    PS – This doesn’t mean I am going to start listening to country music!

  • Job 1:1-8 part 1

    “There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.” v. 1-3

    “Then the Lord asked Satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.’” v. 8
    Job was a model of trust and obedience to God, yet God permitted Satan to attack him in an especially harsh manner. Although God loves us, believing and obeying him do not shelter us from life’s calamities. Setback, tragedies, illness and sorrows strike Christians as well as Non-Christians alike. But in our test and trials God expects us to express our faith to the world.

    When trouble hits how do you respond? Do you ask God, “Why Me????” or do you say, “Use me”? There is so we can learn from Jobs leadership, Integrity, and Faithfulness.

    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible