Dan Gould

  • Weekend Review

    What a bust week into a busy weekend.  However, I feel like we have made some great progress in a short amount of time.  Last week I e-mailed every students that attended our weekend service and filled out a communication card, to let them know I am praying for there request and to follow up on some decisions they were making.  Several of our Students indicated that they wanted to grow spiritually but admitted that they didn’t necessarily have a plan to accomplish that.  Here is what I sent them,

    1.    Find a consistent time and place to meet with Him. I spend time with God early in the morning, but I used to spend time with God late at night before I went to bed.  The time doesn’t matter, what matters is that you find/make the time.
    2.    Read the Bible and Pray. When you read the Bible God speaks to you, when you pray, you speak to God.  Many times the question is where do I start, and how much do I read.  Even if you don’t like to read (I don’t like to read) its important, so start small.  Here is what I encourage:

    o    Pray – Ask God to forgive you of sin and to guide you as read His Word.
    o    Read a Bible you understand – NIV or NLT are great translations.
    o    Read 1 Chapter a day – A great place to start is in 1, 2, 3 John, James, or the Gospel of John, from there you may have developed a stronger habit and can pick a book from the Bible you would like to read.
    o    Highlight verses that impact you or seem to jump out at you.
    o    Think about what you read.
    o    Pray – Ask God for help, thank Him for the things in your life and lift up concerns to Him.
    o    Think about what you read throughout the day and begin to apply it to your life.

    3. Don’t Give Up! – If you miss a day, it’s going to be ok, just pick up where you missed and start there.  It will take a while for this to become a habit.  There will be days that you forget, or even days that you don’t want to read.  In those days still try to read but admit to God that you are tired, or feeling lazy, or stressed and ask Him to give you the strength you need to meet with Him.  It’s ok to be honest with God!  This will get easier the more you begin to have consistency, I promise!

    The services this weekend were awesome.  Great worship, the talk seemed to connect on personal levels and the Illustration about the family really allowed us to see the way it was supposed to be, and James a 9th graders shared his story and brought it all together.  It was so powerful.  Following the services we went to celebrate baptisms with three families.  It was awesome seeing Dads baptize their kids.

    Last night I was able to connect with Connor and Nick at Chili’s.  I learned a lot about them and had a great time hanging out.   Dash from “The Incredibles” (AKA Josiah) was there also!

  • John 21:15-25

    “After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?[a]‘

    ‘Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.’

    ‘Then feed my lambs,’ Jesus told him.

    16 Jesus repeated the question: ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’

    ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter said, ‘you know I love you.’

    ‘Then take care of my sheep,’ Jesus said.

    17 A third time he asked him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’

    Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’

    Jesus said, ‘Then feed my sheep.’

    18 ‘I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others[b] will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.’ 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, ‘Follow me.’” v. 15-19

    I still remember the first time I heard this passage.  I was in college and a senior had asked a couple of us freshman if we wanted to do a Bible Study.  To be honest, we weren’t vary faithful to Experiencing God, the discipleship stuff we were using but I will never forget this passage that John shared with us.  When he read it, it was like no big deal really but as he started to explain the Greek, I was blown away.  Jesus has such High expectations for us and the requires everything we are, but many times our response is one of affection instead of dedication.  Here are the application notes to this passage today from the NLT Life Application Study Bible,

    Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him.  The first time Jesus said, “Do you love (Greek agape: volitional, self-sacrificial love) me more than these?” The second time, Jesus focused on Peter alone and still used the word translated into the Greek, agape.  The third time, Jesus used the  word translated into Greek, phileo (signifying affection, affinity, or brotherly love) and asked, in effect, “Are you even my friend?” Each time Peter responded with the word translated into the Greek as phileo.

    Jesus doesn’t settle for quick superficial answers.  He has a way of getting to the heart of the matter.  Peter had to face his true feelings and motives when Jesus confronted him.  How would you respond if Jesus asked you, “Do you love me? Do you really love me? Are you even my friend?”

    Today, how will you answer these last three questions?  May our desires and our actions collide so Jesus can be ultimately glorified!

  • Friday Night Lights – Plano Football

    After fighting the wind, making a wrong turn, and major traffic, Josiah and I along with Hunter, made it to Texas stadium to watch the Plano Wildcats beat the Duncanville Panthers.

    The Game was pretty close in the first, but after half-time Plano came out in a big way, beating Duncanville 42 to 15.

    Even though it was cold, we had a lot of fun, saw a lot of our students.  The Football team played well, the Band sounded awesome, and the the Dancers performed really well.

    Josiah really had fun!  He now wants to play for the red team (he can’t say maroon) and he thinks every game is played at Texas Stadium.

  • Once on This ISLAND jr – Fowler MS Musical

    Last night Josiah and I attended the Musical at Fowler Middle School.  We had several of our students from Fusion in the musical.  I must admit I was excited to go, but in the back of my head my expectations were not that high.  When we walked in we were greeted quickly by some of our 8th graders and told we came in the wrong door and had to go around the other way.  So we did as we were told.  As we entered the Cafeteria we began seeing parents and other students form the church that weren’t in the play as well as some Small Group Leaders.  It is always nice to see students and parents outside of the church, and it is awesome seeing Small Group leaders attend events that students are involved in!  Way to go Jenn and Jon!!!!

    We took our seats for the opening act and WOW, this didn’t seem like a MS production at all.  It was so fun watching the students I know, and those I don’t, perform.  You could tell that there was a lot of practice that went in to this performance.  They did such a great job, that it even held Josiah’s attention, which at 4 years old, says a lot!  Here are three pics that were taken last night, I tried to use my phone to capture some pics but as you can see on the first picture the lighting bleached out everyone.  But the other two are after the performance with some of our student’s that stared in the show . . . I should have gotten autographs for when they are famous one day!  I love the pic of Ashley giving her older sister bunny ears!!!!

    Tonight we are off to Texas Stadium to watch Plano Football and see the band, dancers, and cheerleaders perform.  Josiah and I are going to hang out with Hunter one of our 7th grade students!!!!  It’s going to be so much fun.  Can’t wait to see Plano win!

  • Luke 24

    “The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, ‘Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man[b] must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.’” v.5-7

    The Importance of the Resurrection taken from the Life Application Study Bible notes:

    The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the central fact of Christian history.  On it, the church is built; without it, there would be no Christian Church today.  Jesus’ resurrection is unique.  Other religions have strong ethical systems, concepts about paradise and the afterlife, and various holy scriptures.  Only Christianity has a God who became human, literally died for his people, and was raised again in power and glory to rule his church forever.

    Why is the Resurrection so important?

    1. Because Christ was raised from the dead, we know that the kingdom of Heaven has broken into earth’s history.  Our world is now headed for redemption, not disaster.  Gods mighty power is at work destroying sin, creating new lives, and preparing us for Jesus’ second coming.
    2. Because of the Resurrection, we know that the death has been conquered and we, too, will be raised from the dead to live forever with Christ.
    3. The Resurrection gives authority to the church’s witness in the world.  Look at the apostles’ most important message was the proclamation that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead!
    4. The Resurrection gives meaning to the church’s sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
    5. The Resurrection helps us find meaning even in great tragedy.  No matter what happens to us as we walk with the Lord, the Resurrection gives us hope for the future.
    6. The Resurrection assures us that Christ is alive and Ruling his Kingdom.  He is not a legend;He is alive and real.
    7. God’s power that brought Jesus back from the dead is available to us so that we can live for him in an evil world.

    Christians can look very different from one another, and they can widely varying beliefs about politics, lifestyle, and even theology.  But one central belief unites and inspires all true Christians: Jesus Christ rose from the dead!

  • The Senior Choir Remix

    This video is making it’s rounds in the blog world.  Starts a little ruff but gets better, I promise!

    What do you think?  Could you see your senior adult choir doing something like this . . . or have they?

  • John 20

    “One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),[c] was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’

    But he replied, ‘I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.’

    26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’

    28 ‘My Lord and my God!’ Thomas exclaimed.

    29 Then Jesus told him, ‘You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.’” v. 24-29

    Have you ever felt like Thomas, wanting to believe but for some reason not believing until you see some form of evidence?  I know I have.  Thomas has been told the greatest news, and for some reason he doubts it until he actually sees the Resurrected Jesus 8 days later and is able to touch his nail scared hands and pierced side.  What a powerful moment, what a humbling moment.

    Have you ever wished you could actually see Jesus, touch Him, and hear His words?  Are there times you want to sit down with Him and get His advice? (always) Thomas wanted Jesus physical presence.  But God’s plan is wiser.  He has not limited himself to one physical body; he wants to be present with you at all times.  Even now, he is with you and me in the form of the Holy Spirit.  We can talk to Him, and we can find His words in the pages of the Bible.  He can be as real to us as he was to Thomas.

    Today, carve out some time to just sit with God.  Don’t rush through an agenda or a quiet time.  Just be with Him.  I think so many time we feel like we have to do something to be with God.  But invite Him in and He will meet with you and reveal Himself to you in a powerful way!

  • Luke 23:32-49

    “Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull,[a] they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

    34 Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.’[b] And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.[c]

    35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’ 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ 38 A sign was fastened to the cross above him with these words: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

    39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, ‘So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!’

    40 But the other criminal protested, ‘Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.’ 42 Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’

    43 And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” v.32-43

    Thought this was some neat insight toady from the NLT Life Application Study Bible Notes,

    The dying criminal had more faith than the rest of Jesus’ followers put together.  Although the disciples continued to love Jesus, their hopes for the Kingdom were shattered.  Most of them had gone into hiding.  As one of his followers sadly said two days later, “We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel” (24:21).  By contrast, the criminal looked at the man who was dying next to him and said,  “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”  By all appearances, the Kingdom was finished.  How awe-inspiring is the faith of this man who alone was beyond the present shame to the coming glory!

  • Mark 15:6-23

    “So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

    16 The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. 17 They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. 18 Then they saluted him and taunted, ‘Hail! King of the Jews!’ 19 And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. 20 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.” v.15-23

    When you look at Jesus life, what he taught, how he lived, who he poured himself in to, and the many miracles he performed, it is shocking that he would die the way he did.  As Jesus stiood before Pilate, the crowd and the Pharisees yelled “Crucify Him!” Crucifixtion was the Roman penalty for rebellion.  Only slaves and non-Romans could be crucified.  Pilate feeling the pressure already gives in to the crowds demands and ordered Jesus to be flogged and crucified.

    But what happened to all the people Jesus had impacted, where were the Disciples, and the crowds that welcomed Him just a couple of days earlier?  In a matter of 24 hours several people had sold Jesus for numerous reasons.

    • Judas – Sold Out Jesus for 30 gold coins.  Why, we can only speculate.  One thought is that he wantd to force Jesus in to the role of Ruler King the people thought the Messiah would be.
    • The Pharisees – Sold Out Jesus because of Pride and Jealousy.  They had tried to trick Jesus several times and were tiered of Him making them look like fools.
    • Pilate – Sold Out Jesus for Political Gain.  Knowing that he was already in the hot seat, he didn’t want to cause a riot that would affect his advancement in the Roman Government.  So he gave into the crowd even when he saw the real issue in the Pharisees jealousy.
    • The Disciples – Sold Out Jesus because of fear.  Even though they were the closest to Him and knew Him the best, they were fearful that they may be next.
    • The Crowds – Sold Out Jesus to Popularity.  The crowds were there when it benefited them.  It’s easy to be swayed by the opinions of others and the crowd that had gathered this day was pretty insistent on Jesus being crucified.
    • You and Me – Sell out Jesus to _______________________.

    Lets be honest, there are areas in our life that we sell Jesus out also.  It can range from a variety of things to only a couple of things.  Take some time today to think of the things that cause you to sell Jesus out.  If we never identify them we aren’t able to confess them and ask God for help.

    Father help me to not be a sell out, but to be sold out to you in all the areas of my life not just some of them!

  • Weekend Rewind!

    What a day!!!  We continued our series “Family Matters” which is 3 week series that deals with the family.  Worship was off the chain in both services.  I thought the talk went better in Middle School than in High School for a couple of reasons:

    • More students –  Last night was Homecoming and it took a toll on our HS attendance
    • More Energy – It seemed like the MS had more energy than HS, even though the MS service is earlier
    • I felt flat in HS – I realize how much I feed off of the energy in the crowd.  It makes a difference in the way the talk goes.  I like the interaction.

    The general question today was, “Am I part of the Problem or Solution?

    We showed this video to kick off the talk.  It really brings it home when you look at it from a child’s perspective.

    It’s easy to look like a perfect family when the doors are open and people are peaking in, but when the doors shut the real family tend to come out, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  No matter the situation, even if it’s not our fault or something we have no control over, we can still add to the problem or be part of a solution.

    After Church went to Razzoos – Cajun Cafe . . . It was awesome, and the kids plate was only $4.00.  We had a great time as a family hanging out with Will, Rachel, Ryan, Tyler and Jenn.  It was good to eat some good fried food and hang with students and staff!

    Took Joe to watch Wills soccer game for as long as Jackson could take it.  We lasted 45 minutes just enough time to see a half.  Wills team was winning so it was easier to leave!  Hope they won!  will find out tonight at small groups!