Happy Birthday, Daniel

My Son, Daniel and His wife Bethany

on their honeymoon in St. Thomas

Twenty eight years ago today, my wife and I entered a whole new world, the world of parenting! Today is our oldest son's birthday. We are so proud of the man he has become, but how time has flown! It doesn't seem so long ago that we were waiting for his arrival. My wife wanted to name him after me, Daniel, Jr. After she had carried him for nine months and endured 27 long hours of labor, I believed she had earned the right to name him. I had been given my father's middle name and was always proud to have his name. He and mother didn't give me his whole name becasue he didn't want to name me "Marvin." I have come to understand that a name is what we make it, and Dad has made "Marvin" an honorable name. The other reason I consented to give Daniel my name is because I would have been proud to be Marvin Daniel Hocker, Jr. I have only hoped that I could live my life in such a way that my son would be proud to have my name.

According to Philippians 2:9-11 God has given Jesus an awesome name.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Now we are instructed to pray in the name of Jesus, and expect that God will hear and answer our prayers. Hey, whatever it is that you need today, I want to encourage you to trust Him. I am praying that you will discover the awesome power of the name of Jesus. Have a blessed day!