Dan Gould

  • Our Early Time

    This morning as we were getting ready Josiah said something that really caught me off guard but encouraged me also.  As he was in the shower he said, “Dad, we haven’t had our early time yet.”  I had to ask him what our early time was and this is what he said.  You know that time you get up early to talk with God.  WOW!

    A couple of weeks ago Josiah got up a little after I had and came out in the living room to ask what I was doing.  I told him that I get up early to read my Bible and talk with God.  I had no idea that it totally registered with him, but after today I understand that it has.

    Here is the lesson for me . . . He is watching everything that I do!  I know I have a lot of bad traits and habits that unfortunately Josiah and Jackson will probably pick up.  However, what I model for them is impacting them in real ways.  Nothing humbles me and yet excites me more than what Josiah shared with me today.  It almost like I was being held accountable by a 4 year old.  But he is watching, and as he grows, he will remember that his dad would get up early to spend time with God, and hopefully he will do the same thing because I modeled that for him.

    This song captures what I am feeling right now!

  • Mark 11:20-25

    “Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.[a]‘” v. 22-25

    I have learned so much about prayer this year.  It ironic that this is what I read today.  Just last week I was talking about how all this stuff with Jackson has grown and stretched my faith.  I know that God has big plans for Jackson and believe he will advance the Kingdom in a mighty way.  I believe that for Josiah also, but he has just been a much different kid and experience.  God is still teaching me through him also.  But here is the learning.  Jesus is not teaching a name it claim it theology.  He is saying that when we pray in faith God hears those prayers.  But there are some things that we have to own also.  I loved what the notes say today for verses 22-23,

    The kind of prayer that moves mountains is prayer for the fruitfulness of God’s Kingdom.  God will answer your prayers but not as a result of your positive mental attitude.  Other conditions must be met:

    1.)  You must be a believer.

    2.) You must not hold a grudge against another person.

    3.) You must not pray with selfish motives

    4.) Your request must be for the good of God’s Kingdom.

    To pray effectively, you need faith in God, not faith in the object of your request.  If you focus only on your request, you will be left with nothing if your request is refused.

    I have a lot of room to grow in my prayers.  But I am praying now, more than ever.

  • Back from Cali and the crazies begin

    Stephanie and I had a great time in California attending The Gathering at Saddleback Church.  It was a much needed break!  However, when we returned it didn’t take Jackson long to give us another scare.

    When Jackson sleeps he sleeps hard, but he sounds like he is snoring but we are learning that it is probably more of a wheeze.  On Sunday Night, he decided to stop breathing while he was sleeping.  Stephanie and I are already on edge at night because of his history, so we called the doctor, and the nurse asked how long he would go without breathing, I told her that I put my hand on him and he started breathing again.  The nurse said that it could be a form of sleep apnea and we should take him to the hospital.  So, we wake up Jackson, load up Josiah and start driving to the Children’s Hospital that we got to visit just 2 weeks ago.  Of coarse at this time Jackson is awake and seems to be his normal energetic self.  The ER Doctors were great, and said that by what they are seeing there is no reason for them to keep him; but if we would feel better they could monitor him through the night.  So we asked to stay since we have already met our deductible and just paid the $100.00 co-pay to address a problem that is unseen when he was a wake.

    So, Sunday Night Stephanie and Jackson stayed the night in the Hospital and Joe and I came home.  Jackson didn’t sleep much Sunday night so they were not able to observe him like we had hoped for.  He did fall asleep for a little nap in the morning and the nurses were able to hear him sleep.  At least they were able to hear what we hear and understand why we were there.  Later that afternoon Jackson fell asleep for a longer period of time and again stopped breathing a couple of times and the nurses were able to witness it this time first hand.  The monitors that were hooked up to him showed that he stopped breathing for about 7 seconds a time.  That’s good news but still not normal.  After they saw this, they did a throat and nose x-ray to see if there was any blockage and called an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist.  We have an appointment tomorrow with the same doctor that clipped Jackson’s tongue when he was newborn.  The doctor says that it could be his tonsils or adenoids.  His tonsils are to much bigger than they are supposed to be but she couldn’t see his adenoids.  So needless to say we are home.  We know a little bit more than we did on Sunday, but we still have a son that stops breathing when he is sleeping.  Please continue to pray for him and our Family.

  • Devo with a 4 year old

    Tonight Josiah and I started reading a little devotional that his teacher puts together and give the kids when they leave for the weekend.  Tonight the title was, “He’s always Watching”. The lead verse was Psalm 32:8,

    “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8 (nkjv)

    After we read Josiah prayed.  He thanked God for his mom and dad.  And then prayed for our house to sell and that I would be a better leader in our services.  Kids are so awesome!

  • Game On!!!!!

    (4) Missouri at Nebraska

    Hope we see another win.  Excited that I get to watch this one since its on ESPN!!!

  • Goooooaaaaal . . . Pumpkin Patch . . . Friends

    Today started early with Josiah’s soccer game.  Joe played really well, he had a couple of assist, takeaways, and scored four goals.  It was so much fun watching.  Nana, and Papa were here to take in all the action.  From there, we ate breakfast at McDonald’s and then went to a pumpkin patch to pick up some pumpkins for Josiah and Jackson.  The boys had a great time picking out their pumpkins and playing with the straw.  All the pumpkins sold helps raise money for a youth group mission trip.  Great Idea!!! Right now, Josiah has his neighborhood friends in the backyard playing with the water table.  Here are some pics from today.

  • Cali – Day 4

    The Gathering has been everything I had hoped it to be.  Great time with Stephanie, other youth pastors who have become dear friends, and of coarse Doug Fields.  I have really enjoyed my time with Nick Carnes, Ken Leslie, Ben Taylor, Matt Adams, Jim Clark, and Grant Byrd.  The Gathering is a time that Doug Invites PDYM State Mentors to Saddleback Church and his house to talk through learnings, challenges, and victories.  A time that is so refreshing and encouraging for me every year.  This year I got the privilege of bringing my wife again.  She wasn’t able to go last year do to Jackson being only a couple of months old.

    Sad to leave, but thankful for the time away to learn and connect with other youth workers.  These guys and gals have become such great friends and it always hard to say goodbye.  Almost feels like a summer camp experience from my teen years.

    Thanks Doug and Neely for allowing me to play a part in what God is doing in the PDYM Community!

    Here are some pics from today.  Included is the wives at Laguna Beach, some of the guys trying to figure out where we are going, Wahoo’s Fish Taco, and Survivor at the Fields House!  Enjoy!

  • John 12:37-50

    “But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. . . . Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.  For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.” v. 37 & 42-43

    Even though the people heard, saw, and experienced Jesus, many still refused to believe He was the Messiah.  However, some did believe but choose to keep it quiet do to fear of rejection by other religious leaders.  The same happens today.  Some refuse to believe and others seem to be paralyzed by the fear of rejection.  Jesus had strong words for this in Matthew 10:32-33.

    When it comes to what you believe, do you reject Christ, are you affraid for people to find out what you believe about Jesus, or are you a person that is acknowledges Christ with your words and lifestyle.

    Lets strive to be people that aren’t afraid to live for Jesus and acknowledge Him with our words and Lifestyle.  Note to self – this doesn’t mean you have to wear Christian T-shirts, listen to Christian Music only, or stand on a street corner shouting turn or burn.  It simply means that you that you Love Jesus, and you are trying to become more like HIm!

  • Cali – Day 3

    What a day!!  We took a tour of The Refinery, the new student building at Saddleback.  Then spent the day connecting with each other, working through the re-write of PDYM, talking technology and other helpful sites used for ministry, then Bowling and food at Lucky Strikes.  So much fun.  I am very tired and excited about tomorrow.  Here are some pics from today!  Enjoy.

  • John 12:20-36

    “Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” v. 25-26

    Well, for some reason these words of Jesus keep circling around in my reading.  I think God is trying to get my attention when it come to being His disciple.  Here is what the NLT Life Application Study Bible says,

    We must be so committed to living for Christ that we should ‘care nothing’ for our lives by comparison.  This does not mean that we long to die or that we are careless or destructive with the life God has given, but that we are willing to die if doing so will glorify Christ.  We must disown the tyrannical rule of our own self-centeredness.  By laying aside our striving for advantage security, and pleasure, we can serve God lovingly and freely.  Releasing control of our lives and transferring control to Christ bring eternal life and genuine joy.

    Less of me more of Him!