Dan Gould

  • You’re my Father

    Today as I was getting Joe ready for school (he was complaining about going, he’s only 4, we have a long way to go at this rate) he asked if I could give him a piggyback ride up to his room to get some clothes.  I was going to say no but instead, I asked him why?  He answered without hesitation and said, “Because you are my Father!”

    The moment he said that my heart was filled with joy and instantly my mind changed from saying, “no” to saying, “get on and lets go!”

    At first I thought it was no big deal.   But as I drove to the church today, I couldn’t stop thinking about how big that statement was and how it relates to my relationship with God.

    Josiah had no reservation about asking me for what he wanted.  In his world I am his dad and why wouldn’t I give him a piggyback ride?  It’s kinda a no brain-er.  But then when I heard him acknowledge me as his father it made my heart swell with joy and I wanted to give him what he was asking for!

    So here’s the lesson.  I have a Heavenly Father that wants to bless me more than I could ever try to bless my son, all I need to do is ask.

    Why ask . . . Because He is my Father!!

  • Purpose Driven Youth Ministry Conferenece!

    Hope you are making plans to attend the PDYM Conference March 24-27 at Saddleback Church!  This year it’s going to be in the new Students Center called the Refinery!  It truly is one of the best conferences when it comes to practical student ministry.   It’s going to be off the chain!  Hope to see ya there!

  • Acts 24-28

    “‘But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. 15 I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.” 21:14-16 (NLT)

    When the odds are against you what do you do?  Paul, doesn’t back down and stands on the Truth of the Gospel, not just once but several times in front of several officials and a King.  Each time he declares what he believes and how Jesus changed his life.  Because no-one can find it worthy to kill Paul as the Jewish leaders desire, they choose to hold him in prison, set another trial with a different leader, and the finally send him to Rome to be heard by Caesar.  In this time, he is held as a prisoner, is involved in a ship wreck, bitten by a snake, heals the sick, teaches about Christ, and writes most of the New Testament.  It would have been easy for Paul to give up, but the good news for you and I is the fact that he doesn’t.  Because of his faithfulness to the Lord, Paul’s letters are still impacting people today!

    Paul faced extreme odds!  He could have given up and thrown a pity party, woe is me, but instead he took advantage of every situation by remaining faithful and sharing the truth with his words, spoken and written.  When the odds are against you, what do you do?

  • Why do bad things happen to good people?

    Today I have the privilege of introducing Brad White as a guest writer.  He is a member at Grace and founder of Deeper Bible Studies.  Make sure you check out the site after you read this post!!!

    Many non-Christians and agnostics reject God and Christianity by posing this seemingly unsolvable question…positioning God as mean, unforgiving, wrathful, and apparently devoid of love and compassion. You’ll hear statements like “I can’t believe in a God that is that cruel”. The question is actually easily answered and souls can be saved by answering it with confidence. However, before you can answer that question, you must first ask who is good and who sets the standard for what is good?

    Popular culture and non-Christians would suggest that if you aren’t a thief or you don’t go around killing people…then you are basically good. And “IF” there is an afterlife, you’ll probably get a free pass; a “Go directly to heaven” card.

    That’s a nice thought, but it’s simply not biblical truth. If that’s what you believe…then who or what is the source of your truth? Who makes the decision of who to pass judgment on and who says you can go to heaven?  Do YOU decide? Hardly! That would be like a convicted criminal making the decision regarding whether he can be let out of prison.

    So, who makes the call? God does! It’s God’s heaven (or home) and He makes the rules. Ever hear the saying “My house, my rules!” In heaven, God sets the standard for who and what is good.

    So, what is God’s standard for who and what is good? The Ten Commandments are a good start. But read the words of Jesus Christ who adds in John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” If you don’t love one another, then you have broken a command of God.

    Jesus adds in Matthew 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” If you look at the opposite sex with lust in your eyes, you have already committed adultery, and broken a command of God.

    Jesus says in Matthew 5:23-24 that “…if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. ” This passage suggests that repairing relationships and resolving conflicts between family members and neighbors is GOOD, and even more important than offering gifts to God.

    In other words, your good works, gifts, donations, and tithes are worth nothing if you hate or envy your neighbor or harbor resentment for another person. In this way, Jesus helps us define “Good” in God’s eyes as getting along with and resolving differences with other people. If you are angry with someone else, or harbor resentment, or neglect to repair a broken relationship….you are not acting in accordance with God’s will and favor.

    So, do these things make you a “bad” person, or can you still be a basically “good” person?

    Christians believe there is only one person who ever walked the earth that was PERFECT: Jesus Christ. The Pope, Gandhi, Buddha, Jesus’ Mother Mary, and Mother Teresa all have one thing in common…they were not perfect. Only Jesus Christ was perfect.

    So, what does Jesus Christ say on this issue? Mark 10:17-18. “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good–except God alone.’” So, if the only perfect human said that no one is good, what does that suggest about us?

    The answer? None of us are good in God’s eyes. Only through Jesus Christ are we made acceptable to God. Jesus Christ holds the key to our eternal salvation and eternal life with God in heaven.

    OK, so back to the question. If God sets the standard for what is good. And by this standard none of us are good. Then, the question actually needs to be re-phrased: Why do bad things happen to bad people?

    Answer: God’s judgment on a selfish, Godless people, is just and true. When people don’t live according to His holy and perfect standard, his judgment is holy, sovereign, and true. Just as good and responsible parents discipline unruly and defiant children, so God disciplines his children. And this is an act of love, not hate.

    So, is God mean, unforgiving, wrathful and devoid of love and compassion? Certainly Not!

    John 3:16…. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” God loves you and me so much that even though we are completely hopeless and unworthy in our own right, he died for us, to save us, so he can be in intimate relationship with us. That is the biblical definition of love.

    1 John 3:16… “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” God IS love and the source of all love.

    So, what’s a better question to ask? God, will you please forgive me of my sins, through your son Jesus Christ? Lord Jesus, I accept the sacrifice you made for me on the cross, and I believe that you are resurrected from the grave so that I can have a new life in you. Lord will you come into my life and work to make me holy, clean, and acceptable to God almighty? Lord, I give you my life! Amen!

    Copyright © 2008 DBS Company. All rights reserved.

  • LOST – Season Opener

    LOST has been our favorite TV show for almost 4 years now.  However, I am losing interest in it for a couple of reasons.

    1. The short season!  It’s been almost a year since the last episode and the new episode that aired last night (which I might say was a disappointment).  I remember the hype, excitement, and buzz that use to be around in the first 3 seasons, but now, with all the time in between, I think people have gotten interested in other shows that are more consistent and provide the same type of drama, action, and suspense.
    2. Season Opener!  I don’t know when they filmed it, but it didn’t meet my expectation of what it was going to be.  Since leaving the Island I think its been hard to adjust to the way the characters who we loved and cheered for, are now depressing and messed up.  I did like that we got to see what was going on on the island last night with the others.

    It will be interesting what happens next week!  Maybe my expectation and excitement were just too high for last night.  I am not throwing in the towel but hope it gets better as the season moves along!

  • Acts 23

    “Gazing intently at the high council,[a] Paul began: ‘Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!’” v. 1 (NLT)

    What a statement!  Paul says he has a clear conscience, and he is not ashamed of the way he lives.  That’s confidence; and he has that confidence because he lives pure before the Lord.

    How about you?  Can you say you have always lived before God with a clear conscience?  Is purity something you pursue?  Lets take a test

    • Do you have a clear conscience about the things you watch on TV, the Movies you see, or the Music you listen to?
    • Do you have a clear conscience about the conversations you have publicly and privately?
    • Do you have a clear conscience about your actions and reactions to people or situations?
    • Do you have a clear conscience about your private life as well as your public life?

    I am sure the list could go on, but the goal for us is to become more like Christ!  Let’s begin and be reminded that we have this awesome opportunity to walk with God, to be used by God, and to see God do great things, but we have to be ready for it.  If we are living in ways that aren’t pure we limit our experience with God, lesson our effectiveness for His Kingdom, and live with out a clear conscience.  This in return steals our joy, peace, and confidence.

    Today, let’s examine ourselves, and begin to live pure in a dirty world!

  • LOST – The wait is over

    It’s Back!!!!  Our DVR is set to record LOST tonight . . . is yours?  Here’s a teaser of what tonight’s episode looks like!  If you want to watch it late, your welcome to come hang out at our house for a LOST party!  We will start it at 9:15 pm!!!!

  • ESL – hanging with the kids at Meadows Elementary

    Yesterday, was the first day of out ESL service project at Meadows Elementary and let me say this, It was Awesome!!!!  We didn’t know exactly what we would be doing but once we got there it was so easy.  The kids were a little stand offish at first, but once we started throwing the football outside things opened up.  There were 8 of us, teens and adults from Fusion, and about 25 of them, kids ranging from k-7th grade.  It was so awesome seeing how our students loved on these kids.  It reminded me as to why I got involved in student work.

    The two hours went by fast!  We played football, played on the Jungle gym, played freeze tag, played Jenga, played with Play-dough, played Connect Four, played Jax, and attempted to play soccer in the gym.  Some did crafts while others played computer games or did homework.  It was a great opportunity and relationships are being formed.  I am excited that we get to do this once a month!

    If you want to get involved its really simple.  Show up at Meadows Elementary at 4:50 on the third Tuesday and Thursday of each month.  We will serve for two hours on Tuesday 5-7 and 3 hours on Thursday 5-8.  It’s a great time and the kids appreciate it so much!!  Join us this Thursday!

  • Acts 22

    “‘Brothers and esteemed fathers,’ Paul said, ‘listen to me as I offer my defense.’ 2 When they heard him speaking in their own language,[a] the silence was even greater.” v. 1-2 (NLT)

    The power of a Story!  When standing in front of the crowd Paul shared his story of how he came to faith in Christ.  The crowd was silent and listened intently, until he declared that God had told him to go to the Gentiles.  Upon hearing this the crowd was angered and wanted to kill Paul.  They rejected the fact that God would send someone to the Gentiles, therefore they rejected Paul and the message.

    Sometimes when we share our story, people may reject it, or even reject us.  However, that shouldn’t stop us from sharing.  I don’t know if the stat is still true, but it was said, that it takes a person 7 times to hear the Gospel before they put their faith in Christ.  Every time you share the Gospel, remember it not you who saves that person, it’ Gods work.  We are simply supposed to be faithful and share so God receives the Glory.  If they accept Jesus as their Lord, praise God!  If they reject Jesus as Lord, pray for them that someone else would share with them the good news.  Let’s do our part and let God do his part!

  • Acts 21

    “But he said, ‘Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.’ 14 When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’” v. 13-14 (NLT)

    How do you handle bad news or tough situations?  Lets face it Paul hasn’t had an easy time sharing the Good News of Christ!  He has been beaten and left for dead, questioned by other believers, and now told that when he goes to Jerusalem, he is going to be bound by chains.

    However, Paul considered all of these things (jail, beaten, out-cast) better than not being faithful to the Lord.  He knew that God had called him to preach and teach about Jesus, it wasn’t going to be easy but he also knew that’s what God had called him to do!

    What has God called you to do?  Are you doing it faithfully?  Have you run into some difficulties that require you to be faith-filled and faithful?  Don’t give up, stay the task, ask God for help, let Him be your strength and press through.  You do your part, and let God do His!!!