DAN GOULD

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Author: dgould77

  • One Year Anniversary

    Well today marks my one year anniversary at Grace Community Church. A year ago my wife and I pulled into an empty parking lot that was going to become our new church family. A lot has happened in this year. . .

    We have seen God do some amazing things in our family. Not always easy, well pretty much all of this last year was hard with the birth of our son Jackson. It seemed we went from one heath problem to the next. However, today, he seems to be doing good and hasn’t been to the doctor in a month, It’s a new record for him. Joe turns 4 Saturday and several of his friends and our family will be here for his party. Stephanie now works at the church as the front desk receptionist in the afternoons. She loves it and it gives me some time in the afternoons with the boys. She is such an amazing mom, and wife. I really need to tell her that more often.

    We have seen God do a lot in our student ministry. We knew we faced some great challenges. However, God has been changing lives. I wish I had a better way to track the salvation’s that have happened this last year, but if i counted hands right we have seen over 30 students pray to receive Christ this year. Now we just need to see that number being matched by baptisms. Our leaders are great, and we are so thankful to have the leaders we do. They are so faithful and fun to be around. God has used them more than they will probably ever know. We do need more, so if you are reading this an want to get involved, let me know. It is exciting and the students are so thankful. Watch a video to see!!

    I have seen God do a lot in my leadership development. This year has stretched me and grown me into hopefully a better leader. I know I have seen things modeled that I want to press toward and seen things modeled that I want to steer clear of. Leadership is challenging, I have had to have more than one hard conversation encouraging people, holding them accountable, and trying to lead with integrity. This part of leadership can be tuff, but God has been faithful.

    I look forward to what He is going to do next. But pray that He prepares me now for what He has for me today!

  • Esther 3

    “When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. 6 He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.” v. 5-6
    Haman enjoyed the power and prestige of his position, and he was enraged when Mordecai did not respond with the expected reverential bow. Haman’s anger was not directed just toward Mordecai, but toward what Mordecai stood for – the Jews dedication to God as the only authority worthy of reverence. Haman’s attitude was prejudiced: he hated a group of people because of a difference in belief or culture. Prejudice grows out of personal pride – considering oneself better than others. In the end, Haman was punished for his arrogant attitude. God will harshly judge those who are prejudice or whose pride causes them to look down on others.

    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

  • Esther 2

    “Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter[d] of the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone.” v. 16-18
    God placed Ester on the thrown even before the Jews faced the possibility of complete destruction, so that when trouble came, a person would already be in the position to help. No human effort could thwart God’s plan to send the Messiah to earth as a Jew. If you are changing jobs, or location and can’t see God’s purpose in your situation, understand that God is in control. He may be placing you in a position so you can help when the need arises.

    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

  • Easter

    I have been working on my talk for this weekend and having a little trouble knowing exactly which direction i feel led to go. I get started and it just doesn’t feel right. I don’t know if that makes sense to anyone but me. However, I have found some videos that have been inspiring to me. One uses a song from Lincoln Park, one is a churches Easter Promo, and then the last one is from some of our students here at Fusion. It is neat to see them even thinking beyond the Easter Bunny. Speaking of which, I am thinking about doing an Easter Trivia. If you have some questions, (with answers) shoot them to me! Enjoy the Videos

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjfFpa4_Fv8&hl=en”>

  • Esther 1

    On the seventh day of the feast, when King Xerxes was in high spirits because of the wine, he told the seven eunuchs who attended him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas— to bring Queen Vashti to him with the royal crown on her head. He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze on her beauty, for she was a very beautiful woman. But when they conveyed the king’s order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. This made the king furious, and he burned with anger.” v. 10-12

    Queen Vashti refused to parade before the kin’s all male party, possibly because it was against Persian custom for a woman to appear before a public gathering of men. This conflict between Persian custom and the king’s command put her in a difficult situation, and she chose to refuse her half-drunk husband, hoping he would come to his senses later. That didn’t happen as she hoped it would.

    King Xerxes used her as an example, stating that women should do as their husbands ask. She was removed as the Queen setting up a search for a new queen.

    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

  • Nehemiah 8

    “Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all thee chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifter their hands.  Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.” v. 6


    The people heard the law and began to worship as Ezra led them.  Ezra not Nehemiah, was the religious leader.  It is significant that Nehemiah was a layman (volunteer), not a member of the religious establishment or a prophet.  He was motivated by his relationship with God, and he devoted his life to doing God’s work in all aspects of life.  No matter what you work or role in life, view it as God’s special calling to serve him.  God can accomplish his purpose through you, beginning right where you are.
    As Ezra read the Book of the Law of Moses (probably the Pentateuch, first 5 books of the Bible), the people rose to their feet in respect and anticipation.  They listen attentively to Ezra as he read God’s Word, and their lives were changed.  They weeped, because of how far away they had grown from God.  Ezra encouraged them along with Nehemiah to celebrate personally and corporately what the Lord is doing, by sharing with others in need as they celebrate.  
    Sadly, because we hear the Bible so often, we become dulled to its words and immune to its teachings.  Instead, we should listen carefully to every verse and ask the Holy Spirit to help us answer the question, How does this apply to my Life?
    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

  • Nehemiah 5

    “I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall. I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands! The provisions I paid for each day included one ox, six choice sheep or goats, and a large number of poultry. And every ten days we needed a large supply of all kinds of wine. Yet I refused to claim the governor’s food allowance because the people already carried a heavy burden.” v. 16-18
    Nehemiah led the entire construction project, but he also worked on the wall alongside the others. He was not a bureaucrat in a well-guarded office but a leader who got involved in the day-to-day work. He did not use his position to lord it over his people. A good leader keeps in touch with the work to be done. Those who lead best lead by what they do as well as what they say.

    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

  • Dad and Donuts

    Today, I joined my 3 year old (for only one more week) Josiah at his school for dad and donuts. It was fun seeing his excitement. As we ate the donuts there were two things that he had made for me. It was a fact sheet about me form his perspective, and then a poem “Daddy’s Footprints” with his footprints on it! Here is how Josiah answered these questions/statements:

    My Daddy’s name is: DANNY
    He is 2 MONTHS old.
    My Daddy’s favorite sport is: FOOTBALL
    He likes to eat: SANDWICHES
    My dad spends most of his time WORKING ON THE COMPUTER
    When we are together, I like to PLAY TRAINS

    It is interesting to hear his point of view, obviously some of them are way off but others hit close to home. Kid’s are kids for only a short period of time. One-day he will grow up to be a teenager then an adult. I want to learn how to enjoy each phase of life with him so he know that his Dad and Mom ALWAYS cared more about him and our family before anything else!

    Daddy’s Footprints

    “Walk a little slower, Daddy,”
    said a little child so small.
    “I’m following your footsteps,
    and I don’t want to fall.

    Sometimes your steps are very fast,
    Sometimes they’re hard to see;
    So walk a little slower, Daddy,
    For you are leading me.

    Someday when I’m all grown up;
    You’re what I want to be;
    Then I will have a little child
    Who’ll want to follow me.

    And I would want to lead just right,
    And know that I was true;
    So, walk a little slower, Daddy,
    For I must follow you!”

    There is a great responsibility in being a Dad. Sometimes easily overlooked, but every second we are modeling what it means to be a Man, Father, Husband, Friend, and most importantly a Christian. When we do these things we develop and model character, trust, integrity, love, patients, a humble spirit . . . and the list goes on and on and on. I want to take advantage of every second, don’t you?

    Father help me be more like you, because he wants to be more like me!

  • Nehemiah 2:1-20

    “So the king asked me, ‘Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.’
    Then I was terrified, 3 but I replied, ‘Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.’” v. 2-3

    “So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate.

    The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. But now I said to them, ‘You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!’ Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.

    They replied at once, ‘Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.’” v. 11-18
    Nehemiah wasn’t ashamed to admit his fear, but he refused to allow fear to stop him from doing what God had called him to do. He acknowledged the kings position and clearly stated the response for his own sorow. When we allow fear to rule us, we make fear more powerful than God. Is there a task God wants you to do, but fear is holing you back? God is greater than all of our fears. Recognizing why you are afraid is the first step in committing your fear to God. Realize if God has called you to a taks, he will help you accomplish it!!

    Secondly, Nehemiah arrived quietly in Jerusalem and spent several days careflly observing and assessing the damage to the walls. Following this time of thoughtful consideration, he confidently presented his plan. Nehemiah demonstrated an excellent approach to problem solving. He got firsthand information and carefully considered the situation. Then he presented a realistic stratagy. Before jumping into a project, follow Nehemiahs example and plan ahead. Check your information to make sure your ideas will work – be realistic. Then you will be able to present your plan.

    Spiritual renewal often begins with one person’s vision. Nehemiah had a vision, and he shared it with enthusiam, inspiring Jeresalem’s leaders to rebuild the walls.

    We frequently underestimate people and don’t challenge them with our dreams for God’s work in the world. When God plants an idea in your mind to accomplish something for him, share it with others and trust the Holy Spirit to impress them with similar thoughts. Don’t regard yourself as the only one through whom God is working. Often God uses one person to express the vision and others to turn it into reality. When you encourage and inspire others, you put teamwork into action to accomplish God’s goals.

    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

  • Ezra 3:7-13

    “With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord:

    ‘He is so good!
    His faithful love for Israel endures forever!’

    Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid.

    But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy. The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud noise that could be heard far in the distance.” v.11-13
    The celebration after laying the temple foundation was marked by contrast of emotion – shouts of joy and sounds of weeping. Both were appropriate. The Holy Spirit can stimulate us both to rejoice over the goodness of his grace and to grieve over the sins that required him to correct us. When we come into the presence of almighty God, we may feel full of joy and thanksgiving, yet at the same time be sobered by our short comings.

    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible