Dan Gould

  • Acts 4:4-22

    “The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” v. 13

    This passage is so awesome!  Here you have Peter and John who heal a crippled beggar at the temple, Peter tells the crowd that gathered in amazement about Jesus, then the two of them, Peter and John are arrested.  After they are questioned, the council concludes that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures.

    This is faith under fire!!!  Peter and John did what Jesus would have done and they taught as Jesus would have taught.  Because of this, they were arrested and told not to talk about such things anymore, but instead they responded with this statement;

    “’Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.’” v. 19 – 20

    When your faith is tested, how do you respond?  When you hit opposition, do you move forward or shrink back?   Let’s be bold and faithful to the things and places the Lord has called us too.  Let’s remember His teachings and His Life and tell others about His Grace and Forgiveness, even if some do try to keep us quiet!

    Father give me boldness that’s not careless, but intentional, passionate, and relational to those I come in contact with!  May they see Jesus in me!

  • Acts 3

    “But Peter said, ‘I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,[a] get up and[b] walk!’” v. 6

    This was the very first verse I ever lead a devotional on, when I was in College for our Jamacican Mission Team.  As I read it today, I am reminded of that devo and challenged to make the most of every opportunity.

    Peter could have easily walked by this man ignoring him like everyone else, but he stops and acknowledges him.  Peter didn’t necessarily have what the man wanted, but Peter had something the man needed, Jesus.

    Jesus had the power to change this man completely, all Peter had to do was be available to be used by God to impact this person.  But the story doesn’t end there.  This event drew a crowd beacuse the begger was drastically cxhanged and praising God for what had happened to him.  Again, Peter steps up with boldness and proclaims the message of Christ to the people that had gathered there at the Temple.

    Opportunities await us everyday.  Do we take the time to be used by God, or do we ignore those opportunities and move on to something else, maybe a litte easier, less demanding, or requiring nothing from us.  When we ignore the opportunity, we miss out on the potential of that moment.  Let’s be like Peter, and offer what we have, a relationship with Jesus, it may not be what others are asking for, but it is what they truly need, because Jesus has the power to change everything!

  • Thanksgiving Rewind!!!!

    We had a great Thanksgiving with our family.  As we drove from place to place it gave me some time to think about all the things I am thankful for.  So here is a short list of the things I am thankful for:

    1. Jesus – I am not trying to sound super spiritual here but I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for Jesus. At a young age giving my life to Christ was something I did because I wanted to go to Heaven.  At 18, when I learned more about what it truly meant to be a Christian changed my life forever.  Today, I am so thankful for His grace, mercy, and blessings.  Every time I look at the things in my life I am reminded of how good God is!
    2. My Family – I can’t imagine life without my family of 4.  It has been a challenging year with Jackson being in and out of the hospital with really non-related things, but to be honest, we are so blessed and it really could be much worse.  Seeing Stephanie smile and hearing her laugh still lights me up on the inside like it did the first day we met.  Josiah is growing so fast!  Watching him look and experience new things in life helps me remember what it was like to be a kid and experience things all over again!  Jackson has a way just to brighten any situation.  From his laugh to his babble, when I look at him i see the miracle of God and am reminded just how precious life is and how faithful God is!
    3. My Extended Family – Stephanie and I come from very different families.  Our families have played such a huge role in developing us, caring for us, and helping us succeed in life.  It’s always good to come home, and sad to leave because the time goes by so fast.  The boys have had a blast with the family over the past couple of days.  We are so blessed and the boys are so spoiled because of them.
    4. Our Church Family – We have been humbled and blessed by the generosity of our church family.  Words can’t even explain the feelings of gratitude we have.  To be loved on in such a big way spoke to the depths of our hearts.  All we can say is thank you!
    5. Our Friends – We have great friends around the nation.  Your prayers, time,  and words of encouragement have been a blessing to us.

    What about you, did you take time to think or talk about the things you are thankful for?  What would your list include?

  • Acts 2:42-47

    “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[a]), and to prayer.

    43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[b]—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

    What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you read this passage?  Leave a comment so we can learn from each other!

  • Another Thanksgiving Meal, Family Portrait, & MU Football

    Today started early with a nice appointment to the Chiropractor.  While adjusting me the Chiropractor said “You really needed this didn’t you?”  I guess was a nice way to say, “Man, you are messed up!”  After about 10 minutes she was done and moved on to Stephanie.  Visiting the Chiropractor seems to be the family stop when we are in Salem.  I have no idea why, that’s just the way it goes.

    At noon all the family showed up for another Thanksgiving meal.  This time we had ham instead of turkey.  The food was so good.  I think I have gained 15 pounds just this week!  We took tons of pictures!  It seemed every time I turned around someone was snapping a picture.

    Sadly, Mizzou lost to Kansas today in Football.  It was an exciting game and KU played good.  Sad day for MU fans but a great way for KU to end the season and hopefully get a bowl game.  Yes I said it, that’s for you Mike and the Cunningham’s!

    Here are some of the pics from today.

  • WordPress.org vs WordPress.com

    I have been thinking about switching to a wordpress.org account so I could have more freedom with my blog.  However, I like the fact that wordpress.com is free even though it is limited. So here is my real question, is it better to pay for the custom css on wordpress.com or to transfer over to a web host with a new domain and use wordpress.org and pay a monthly fee?  Help wanted . . . any suggestions?

  • Tractor Rides, The Farm, Christmas Gifts, B-Day Cake

    One of the things that has become a tradition for Josiah when we visit Nana and Papa’s house is to go on a tractor ride with Papa.  Today, he got to do that; and boy was he excited.  Also one of the things that has become a tradition for all of us now has been going to the farm and having Great Papa give us a ride behind his big tractor.

    Today we did things a little different!  Instead of being pulled behind a tractor, we just piled in the back of Great Papa’s pickup and went for a ride through the farm.  Both boys had so much fun and Stephanie’s Grandfather loves to do it.  We saw cows, drove through the creek, went past the old barn, and saw more cows. Doesn’t sound like much, but the fact that the family was all together and the boys loved it, made it so worth it!!!  To top it off, the weather wasn’t to bad either, it has been colder!!!

    Afterward, we all came back to the house for some good ole BBQ Pork Steak!!!!  It was so good!  The night was capped off with Christmas Gifts for the boys.  Nana and Papa said, since this is the only time we will all be together lets do it tonight.  However, Nana said something about coming to Texas over Christmas.  After the opening of gifts, we celebrated Rachel’s Birthday with an Ice Cream B-Day Cake.  It was sooooo good, and I don’t even like ice cream that much!

    Today was a lot of fun. Here are some pics of our adventure.

  • Nana and Papa’s

    We made it!!!  After eating a ton of food, playing with, better yet, being worked over by kids, and getting my rear kicked by my nephew in Madden 09 football, we packed up, left Nixa and headed for Salem MO.  We got in at about 8:15 last night.  Some exciting news . . . we bought gas last night for $1.57 and saw it for $1.41 on our way here!  We are excited to be here and will celebrate another Thanksgiving feast on Saturday.

    Here are some pics from yesterday:

  • Acts 2:14-40

    “Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?

    38 Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles[f]—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!’” v. 37-40

    After Peter’s powerful, Spirit-filled message, the people were deeply moved and asked, “what should we do?”  This is the basic question we must ask.  It is not enough to be sorry for our sins.  We must repent ask God to forgive us, and then live like forgiven people.  Has God spoken to you through His Word or through the words of another believer?  Like Peter’s audience, ask God what you should do and then obey. – NLT Life Application Study Bible

    Peters first Sermon was powerful.  Why? The truth was told, people were convected of Sin and responded with repentance, and many about 3,000 are baptised and added to the church that day.  The Gospel is so powerful!  How are you responding to it?

  • Chinese Food, Jump Mania, and The Mall

    We slept in, haven’t done that in awhile but it was so nice!!!  On the agenda today was Chinese food, Jump Mania, and the Mall.  Yes, we can’t seem to go to any town with out visiting a Mall.

    So we accomplished all of these things however, the Chinese place that I was craving apparently was having a bad day.  As we walked in a guy told us that the food wasn’t very good today that he eats here all the time but today it made him sick and he was getting his money back.  Whether the story was true or not, we left and went to a different Chines place.  I was so excited until I got there.  They had a great Buffet but the Cashew Chicken wasn’t the kind I was craving.  So needless to say, I didn’t get my Springfield style Cashew Chicken that I am still craving.

    From eating Chinese we went to Jump Mania.  A place a Larry Stehr, one of my former teachers in College and Youth Ministry friend recommended.  It was so much fun and it only cost us $5.00.  Both boys had a blast and Stephanie and I were able to play with them.  I must say, that it wore me out.  I have a feeling I am going to be sore tomorrow.

    From there we went to Battlefield Mall, a place I know all to well.  It’s the only real Mall in Springfield.  It was nice just to walk around without an agenda or time frame.  The only problem . . . my wife decided to close the Mall down.  Yes we were there for 5 hours.  Jackson was soooo good, and Josiah, well he wanted to go home with Grandma Sheila after Jump Mania, so it was just the three of us.  Maybe that’s why we were there for 5 hours.

    So tomorrow will be our last day here at Grandma Sheila’s.  We will have our big Thanksgiving Day meal and then leave early evening for Nana and Papa’s.  It’s only a 2 hour drive but its not very entertaining.  Here are some pics from today.