Dan Gould

  • Josiah aka Womanizer

    So, today was valentine party day at MDO where Josiah goes to school.  On Tuesday Night Stephanie had Josiah put his name on all of his classmates Valentine cards.  As he was filling them out he asked if he could give one to Dani “his girlfriend”.  Dani was the girl that Joe played with all last year.  They were in the same class but this year they are not.  So this morning, he went to the other class and gave her the Valentine present that he had picked out for her.  Her eyes got real big when she saw him and saw the little heart shaped box of chocolates, Josiah got ready to walk away and she gave him a hug! It was a proud moment for the Gould boys.  Josiah was on cloud 9 and I was so proud of him!

    When I picked him up, Dani came into his classroom and gave him a special valentine.  Again it ended with a hug.  At this age it really cute and so innocent . . . I just hope I am not training him to be the womanizer that Brittany Spears describes in her song but a young man that will treat girls and women like a daughter of the King.

    Here are some pics of him putting his classmates gifts together!

  • 1 Corinthians 13

    “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” v. 1

    Love!  Its such a big word that is miss used so often.  We throw it around like we do a football on a Sunday Afternoon.  Because of this we have lost what it means to love others the way the Bible describes.  We have become good at saying we love, maybe we even sound convincing, but the real test of true love is found in our actions.  When our actions and our words don’t match we have a problem.

    This past weekend we had a conference and the theme of the conference was LiveLove!  It challenged us to look for way to love others and share Christ with them.  Here are my two thoughts when it comes to loving others.

    Experience God’s Love PERSONALLY!

    As I grow older, my love for God grows stronger with each day and challenge I face, why?  Because I am spending more time with Him and getting to know Him deeper personally.  This has major impacts on my personal life and bleeds into how I treat myself and others.  If I don’t experience God’s love personally, I will not be able to do this next action.

    Express God’s Love PUBLICLY!

    Because of my personal experience, I can share and express God’s love to others.  You can’t express what you don’t know or haven’t experienced.  That’s why the Bible says that that having the right things to say, or even knowing what and how to say things doesn’t mean you genuinely love that person.  If our words and our actions don’t match up we sound like a gong or clanging cymbal.

    Today, lets begin by thanking God for His love and spending time with Him.  As we begin to do this consistently, our love for HIm will grow deeper because of His love for us and we will begin to be people that truly LiveLove!

  • Romans 12

    “And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” v. 1-2

    This is one of my favorite passages in the scriptures.  It truly talks about what it means to Love God and Love Other.  One of the things I told the students this last weekend was that out Private Worship impacts our Public Presence.  This is so true.  Being a living Sacrifice isn’t easy.  There are many times that I want to get up off the altar and do what I want to do instead of what the Lord wants me to do.  I want to please myself instead of pleasing Him.  As you read this today, how can you be that living sacrifice?  What are the things that you need to give up in order to be the person God has created you to be, and love others the way the way it is described here . . .

    “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

    14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

    17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

    19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

    “I will take revenge;
    I will pay them back,”[g]
    says the Lord.

    20 Instead,

    “If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
    If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
    In doing this, you will heap
    burning coals of shame on their heads.”[h]

    21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

    Romans 12:9-21

    Today, who will you live for and how will you live?

  • Romans 8:19-39

    “And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” v.28

    This has been a verse that several people have sent me over the last couple of weeks concerning the challenges we have faced with Jackson.  This verse doesn’t promise that good things will always happen but that God will bring good things out of the process.  Whatever situation we face, if we have a relationship with Jesus we are not alone!  During the good times and the bad times He is shaping us into His image so we can be more like Him.

    The reality is this, as we face difficult times, it’s easy to want to blame God or think something is wrong and that God is punishing us.  I don’t believe that to be the case.  We live in a sin filled fallen world and the Enemy tries to do anything he can to get our eyes off of Jesus, to cause us to doubt our relationship with Him, or even cause us to lose hope and give up.  These times can be scary if we don’t keep our faith rooted in Christ, better yet, even with our faith in Christ, they are scary, but the good news is that God is with us every step of the way.  As we seek Him, he comforts us and gives us the hope we need for every situation thrown our way and in this process, he teaches us and makes us more like Christ.

    What about you?  What are some challenges you are facing?  Have you asked God for His strength and understanding, or have you put God on pause and tried to solve them yourself?  Today, give those challenges to the Lord, because the Bible says that God causes EVERYTHING to work together for the GOOD of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

  • Weekend Review

    I had a great weekend.  I really enjoyed my time at Student Life with our HS students.  Francis Chan spoke and Kristian Stanfill led worship.  For most of our Students Friday Night when we had the worst seats seemed to speak to the the most.  Francis talked about How Holy God is using this passage of scripture –

    After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

    In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

    “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

    9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
    11“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
    for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.”

    Revelation 4

    Student Life was awesome! Afterward we sat in a park and had some time of reflection.  I challenged to students to respond to this question Francis challenged us to ask God, God look at me right now and tell me what bothers you!  Help me to love you enough to get rid of those things!!

    Great Question for each of us to ask.  What is keeping you from experiencing God completely?  Do you love Him enough to give those things up?

    Still diggn this song!!!

  • Student Life Conference – Lord of All

    We had a great time last night.  God used Kristian Stanfill and Francis Chan in a big way to bring to lofe just how big and how Holy God is!  This song kicked our rears.  The words are so powerful!!!

    I am excited to see what God does today . . . in me and our group!!!

  • THE PULSE

    February wk- 1 – 2009
    This Weekend
    This weekend we start an new series called YOU!!!!  Make sure you are here this weekend as we talk about Worship!  We are going to answer these questions:

    • What is it?
    • Why Honor God?
    • How to Honor God

    Also this weekend is Student Life with Francis Chan and Kristian Stanfill.  I am excited to hang out with our High Schoolers learning, and playing together.  It’s going to be an awesome Weekend.

    Live Love Magazine Video from Student Life on Vimeo.

    PS – If you are in Middle School or have a Middle School Student, don’t miss Planet Wisdom!!!!  It’s happening the last week in February and is going to be a lot of fun also! Here is a taste of what to expect!

    Mexico Mission Trip Info
    The Mexico Mission Trip is right around the corner.  We are expecting a lot of students participating and want to make sure everyone has all the info they need.  Therefore we will hold 2 Mexico Mission Trip Information meeting!  When?

    Mexico Mission Trip Meeting

    • Sunday, April 5th at 12:45 in the Student Center (for anyone interested in going)
    • Sunday, May 17th at 12:45 in the Student Center (for anyone interested in going)

    Who Should Attend?

    • Students wanting to go
    • Parents wanting to go
    • Volunteers wanting to go
    • Parents of teenagers that want to go

    At the meeting we will give info on what we will be doing the week we are there and answer questions that you may have!

    This was an awesome trip last year and God did an amazing work in us and through us.  We are so excited to go back this year and hope that you will join us!

    Fusion Happenings!
    ESL INFO
    We have some info!!!!  We will work the 3rd Tuesday and Thursday of each month, Tuesday from 5-7 pm and Thursday from 5-8 pm.  It does qualify for service hours if you need it.  Please put ESL on your tear off and the day that works best for you.  We will play, teach, help with homework, or other things that arise.  It’s a great way for us to impact a kid with Christ’s love!

    PLANET WISDOM – MS ONLY
    Don’t miss this awesome retreat for Middle School Students.  We will stay the night in a hotel and attend the conference starting Friday, Feb. 27th and ending on Saturday, Feb. 28th.  Register on-line or at Seeds Book Store – cost $120!

    MEXICO MISSION TRIP
    We are going back!  Don’t miss a great week serving God and the Mexican people!  We have a great opportunity to impact kids for Christ!  You will need a passport this year so get it now!
    Happens June 13th – 20th register on-line or at Seeds Book Store – cost $400.

    WILD WEEK
    Yes it will be here soon!  Don’t miss a great week getting to know others and God better, plus all the fun and amazing Worship.
    Happens July 7th – 11th register on-line or at Seeds Book Store – cost $315.
    Weekend Worship

    • YOU – Why did god make me?  Why am I here?  Have you ever asked these questions?  I have!!  We hope you will join us on the weekend as we look in Gods Word for some answers!
    Small Groups

    • Small Groups are BACK!!!!  If you haven’t connected with a Small Group yet, now is a good time. Click here to get the location for your age group.  Here is when they meet:Wednesday Nights @ 7-8:30pm
      6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH, 10TH Grades
      Sunday Nights @ 7-8:30pm
      11th & 12th Grades
    Missions

    • MEADOWS ELEMENTARY ESL PARTNERSHIP – We have a great opportunity to hang out with kids at Meadows Elementary while there parents learn English. We will work the 3rd Tuesday and Thursday of each month, Tuesday from 5-7 pm and Thursday from 5-8 pm.  It does qualify for service hours if you need it.  Please put ESL on your tear off and the day that works best for you.  We will play, teach, help with homework, or serve in other areas that may arise.  It’s a great way for us to impact a kid with Christ’s love!
    Communication

    • THE PULSE – Help us keep Parents and Students in the know.  Make sure you encourage others to sign up to receive THE PULSE via e-mail.  It might be the life-line to the information they are missing! Click here to sign up for The Pulse via E-mail!

  • Jackson Update #8 from Home

    Jackson is doing much better.  He is still congested and coughs but is now eating and playing like normal.  Stephanie and I are still uneasy at night when it’s time for bed.  Jackson coughs more and has a hard time spitting it out or swallowing the mucus. (I know that’s gross) However, I do believe we have made the turn to recovery.

    On another note, our neurologist has increased is medication.  We are in the process of switching from depakote to keppra.  Stephanie and I feel that the levels of these 2 meds were too low and that’s why he had a seizure on Saturday.  Hopefully we will get those levels balanced and not have as many seizures.  That’s the whole point of switching medication.  Please pray with us in this direction.

    Thanks so much for the prayers and taking this journey with us.  I will keep you posted if things get worse!

  • Jackson Update #7 from Home

    We are glad to be home with Jackson, but I must admit last night I was questioning whether we made the right decision to come home or not.  Jackson is really congested.  He now has mucus in his nose that has to be suctioned several times throughout the day.  He has been so couped up for the last couple of days that he runs around the house like a wild man even though you can tell he doesn’t feel good.  I couldn’t imagine trying to contain or entertain him like this in the Hospital.

    We had a scare last night when he got a little choked up from the mucus right before we were going to bed.  He tried to cough it out but couldn’t.  I think he swallowed most of it, you could tell he was scared by the look on his face.  The good news is after that, the night went pretty good.  In fact, Jackson is still sleeping now, praise Jesus.

    We will keep you posted on how he is doing.  I am hoping today is a turning point like Tuesday was.  Thanks again for all the prayers and support you have shown us and Jackson!

  • Jackson Update #6 from HOME!

    We are home!!!!  But . . . Not out of the dark.  Jackson has RSV and is really congested.  The doctors told us we could stay another night, and they would watch him and suction his nose, or we could suction his nose at home on our own.  Since he didn’t need O2 or an IV anymore and because he was taking fluids, we were free to make the decision.  So here we are, at home doing the thing he hates, sucking the snot out of his nose.  Please continue to pray for a speedy recovery!!!

    Stephanie and I are excited to sleep in our own bed tonight but I’m sure we will be sleeping with one eye open to make sure Jackson is okay!