DAN GOULD

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Tag: Faith

  • Keep Running: Why I’m Not Done Growing

    Keep Running: Why I’m Not Done Growing

    You can love Jesus deeply and still struggle to take care of yourself physically.

    A question came up several weeks ago that still has me thinking: “Why are so many pastors overweight?”

    Honestly, it’s a fair question.

    One of the challenges of ministry is that you can spend so much time caring for other people that taking care of yourself keeps getting pushed further down the list. Add family responsibilities, late nights, stress, meals on the run, and a schedule that never seems to stop, and unhealthy habits can creep in pretty quickly.

    I understand it because I’ve lived it. I can always come up with a reason why the workout can wait, why grabbing something quick is easier, or why I’ll start making changes next week. But I also know plenty of people with demanding schedules who still make their health a priority. At some point, I have to stop making excuses for myself and start making changes.

    I turn 50 next year, and one of my goals is to enter my 50s in the best shape of my life physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I’m not there yet, but I’m working on it.

    One thing has become pretty obvious: there aren’t any shortcuts.

    Most of the progress I’ve made has simply come from showing up consistently, making better choices, and doing it again the next day.

    Paul writes, “You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, (NLT)

    For me, this is about stewardship. Stewarding the things God has blessed me with.

    I want to take better care of the body God has given me. I want to have the energy to serve well, enjoy life with my family, and hopefully still be doing the things God has called me to do years from now.

    That doesn’t mean I have to change everything overnight. In fact, most of the progress I’ve made hasn’t happened that way. Most of it has been pretty ordinary. Make a better choice. Do it again tomorrow. Get off track sometimes, then get back at it.

    That’s really what Keep Running means to me.

    It’s not about being perfect. I’m going to miss workouts. I’m going to eat things I probably shouldn’t. There will be days when I’m motivated and plenty of days when I’m not.

    For me, it simply means I don’t want to stop growing just because I’m getting older.

    The phrase or charge to “Keep Running” applies to more than fitness. In fact, it comes from Hebrews 12 where we are encouraged to “run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus.” Keep Running his a reminder for me to keep growing spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

    At 49, I confess that I still have a lot of growing to do, and hopefully a lot of race left to run and so do you!

    Keep Running!!!

  • Good News Worth Sharing

    Good News Worth Sharing

    “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” Isaiah 52:7 (NLT)

    We share things with people all the time. Things like favorite restaurants, TV shows, movies, songs we’re listening to, books we’ve read, events we’ve attended, and stories we’ve experienced ourselves or watched on socials. If we like something, we usually don’t have a problem telling someone about it.

    Isaiah 52 points us to news worth sharing: God reigns, and salvation has come.

    God’s people had experienced judgment and exile, but God had not forgotten them. God was coming to rescue His people. That was news worth sharing.

    Big Truth: If the Gospel really is Good News, we should want other people to hear it.

    Isaiah 52 reminds us that salvation is God’s work, not ours. We didn’t find a way back to God or somehow make ourselves worthy of Him. God came after us. He sent Jesus to rescue sinners who could never rescue themselves.

    Ultimately, this Good News points us to Jesus. Jesus went to the cross for our sin and rose again, doing for us what we could never do for ourselves. That’s the Gospel. Think about the people around you right now. Some of them need to hear this good news.

    Sharing the Gospel doesn’t mean you need to have every answer or turn every conversation into a sermon. Sometimes it simply starts with telling someone what Jesus has done and why following Him matters to you.

    Today: Think of one person God has already placed in your life who needs Jesus. Pray for them by name, look for an opportunity to have a real conversation, and be willing to share the good news you have received.

    The Gospel was never meant to stop with us.

    Keep Running,
    Dan

  • Back Again!!

    Well today marked our 5th ER visit with Jackson since early September.  We really thought that we were moving past this, but it just goes to show that at anytime things can change so much.  Jackson was completing a follow-up sleep study from his surgery that removed his tonsils and adenoids.  While there he had about a 3-5 minute seizure.  He was taken to Plano Presby for follow-up evaluation.  The only bad thing is he still has the electrodes on his head from the sleep study.  We have tried to get them off but those things are like super glued on his head and the Baby Shampoo Presby said would take it out didn’t work, nor did peanut-butter, and Vitamin E oil hasn’t worked to well either.

    Other than that Jackson is doing fine now, and the family is sleeping.  All of us have been up since 1:30am this morning.  The only reason I am able to stay awake right now is I had coffee this morning.  Don’t ask, I am not a coffee drinker, but I saw some old guys drinking it and was inspired to have a cup.  That’s all it took since I have not had caffeine since early October.

    We have had the unfortunate opportunity now of seeing every Hospital in Plano, Allen, and Frisco.  If I had to rate them on our experience, Stephanie and I would have to say that Children’s Medical Center in Plano has been by far the best with Centennial Medical Center in Frisco being a close second.  Both of these places have provided excellent care to Jackson and given us quick info and results.  Here is what our list would look like from best to worst care and experience.  Please keep in mind we have never had to wait in any ER waiting room at any of these hospitals.  This is based strictly on the care we felt was provided

    1. Children’s Medical Center Plano – great ER, great Nurses, great overnight staff, ok food (2 ER visits, 2 nights stay)
    2. Centennial Medical Center Frisco – great ER, great Nurses, great overnight staff, ok food (1 ER visit, 1 night stay)
    3. Medical Center Plano – old facility, decent care, not good food (2 days and 1 night stay)
    4. Plano Presby – Less than desired ER, Higher expectations than what was reality based on peoples references, Jackson became a pin cushion when getting blood-work done,  took extra long to get results.  (1 ER visit which was an all night deal)
    5. Allen Presby – Less than desired ER, Jackson became a pin cushion when getting blood, not kid friendly, great Labor and Delivery unit, awesome food.  (Labor and Delivery, 10 Night stay in NICU, 3 ER visits, 2 nights stay)

    If you were to look at Jackson right now, beside seeing a lubed head with electrodes stuck to it you would see a normal boy.  In fact, today on the way home from the hospital he was dancing and singing to the music on the radio.  I am so thankful that he is ok, and God has taught me a ton through this process, but I sure would like to not have to experience this anymore!  To see Jackson in minutes go from one extreme to the other is painful, and exhausting as a Dad.

    Lord Jesus, will you meet us where we are, comfort our fears, provide for our greatest needs, strengthen our family, and help us raise two boys to bring glory to your Name!