For months I have been waiting for the release of the ESV (English Standard Version) Study Bible.  After much anticipation, I finally have one in my hands.  This is possibly the most comprehensive study Bible I have seen.  It is filled with great study notes.  When I say study notes, I do not mean commentary, but rather a background of the text.  It has some commentary but there is a great deal of history and the background of the writing.  The ESV Version is fast becoming my favorite version of the Bible.  If you are looking for a good study Bible, consider the ESV Study Bible.  You will love it!

As a result of moving this week, Josh and I were away from home for four days.  I do not like to be away from home because I love spending time with Sonya and our family.  It seems that while I was gone Hannah missed me terribly.  There was an interesting habit she formed when I arrived back home.  She now calls me Danny.  It would bother me if she did not say my name with such love and affection.  I was unloading the truck and she was crying out for me, “I want my Danny.”  She came running down the hall, saying, “Where are you Danny?”

It is true that children are supposed to call there dads, “Daddy or at least Dad.”  But in our household she has laid hold of the name that everyone else calls me, “Danny”.  The truth is, I kind of like it this way.  It does my heart good to here her call me by my name.

This is similar to the our relationship with God.  I have always prayed to the Father in Heaven.  As a matter of fact, I address Him as Father.  This is what He means to me.  He is My Father!  There are other names that fit Him and that we can address Him by any time we pray.  He answers to more than just Dad or Father.  There are names throughout Scripture that define who God is.  Names that others have called Him throughout history and He has answered.

Jehovah-Jireh, our provider.
Jehovah-Rapha, our healer.
El-Shaddai, the all-sufficient one.
El-Elyon, the Most High God.
The Great Shepherd
Wonderful, Counselor
Prince of Peace and many more names.

He answers to the names that we call Him as long as it is done with love and affection.  Call out to Him, He answers to His name.

We arrived at Rogers this afternoon with our last load.  It is all unloaded and yet to be unpacked.  We are excited to be settling in and learning a new community.

Today, I had the privilege to vote!  Yes, I said privilege!  We live in a nation where we are allowed to pick our leaders.  Many say one vote does not count, but every vote does count.  It is our duty as Americans.  It is our responsibility as Christians to vote for the leaders of this nation.  For many years I have heard people complain about our country, but yet they have never voted in any election.  If you do not vote you have no right to complain. 

This article today is from the heart and mind of Danny Cheney.  I have never been this candid about an election.  I cannot say how I would vote from the pulpit because they say it is “illegal”, however, I am allowed to say it personally.  This is my personal blog!  It has no bearing on how anyone in my congregation feels.  These are my opinions, so here goes.

I voted Republican: MacCain/Palin.  No, I did not vote for Obama.  At the onset, let me say that I think Obama is an incredible motivator/communicator.  He is highly intelligent and could no doubt be a leader.  He is already a leader, but as a Christian I could not vote for Obama.  1.  He is for abortion.  He is a supporter of partial birth abortion which is especially inhumane.  I cannot vote for someone who supports these things.  2.  He is liberal.  He votes for the most liberal and immoral of causes.  3.  Obama is not a proven leader in foreign affairs.  Our nation is in serious condition.  McCain is not the perfect candidate by any means.  However, in this unstable world we live in, I believe we need a strong leader.  McCain will stand against terrorism and the threats that face our nation.  I have a hard time thinking about Obama actually believing we can negotiate with terrorists.  4.  Obama is inconsistent.  He wavers to much in what he stands for.  He is a gifted orator but is also a crowd pleaser.  We do not need a gifted communicator for a president (because McCain is not a gifted speaker)  but rather need someone who stands by their convictions and leads the nation.

Finally, if Obama wins the election, he will be my president.  I will uphold him in prayer and intercede for him as I did George Bush and Bill Clinton.  He will have my respect and I will not bash him, even if I do not agree with him.  I will pray for God to touch him and give him wisdom to lead our nation.  I would pray for him and respect him the same I would McCain. Why? Because God ultimately appoints our leaders.  The Bible says, “The heart of the king is in the Lord’s hands”.  We must pray that God would guide whoever leads our nation.

Whether you are Republican or Democrat we must value each others opinions and spend time praying for our nation and its leaders.  God bless America!

I am always amazed at God when he doesn’t follow my instructions.  There is the old song, “I thank God for unanswered prayers” and there is alot of truth in that. 

This week we have been moving our last load from Nederland.  I had reserved a 17 foot U-Haul thinking it would be plenty of room for the rest of our belongings.  U-Haul called me to inform me that they did not have a 17 foot, only a 26 foot.  I was frustrated because I do not like driving that big of a truck especially while pulling my car.  Every time, I would wake up Monday night, I prayer for God to let them get a 17 foot truck by morning.  I interceded for this.  I even got frustrated because it didn’t seem like things were “going my way”.  I cried out to God to provide for me the 17 footer.

God didn’t answer my prayer!  I arrived at the U-Haul dealership and saw my 26 foot U-Haul with no 17 footer in sight.  “Thanks for answering my prayer God.”  The only consolation for me was the fact that they only charged me for a 17 foot truck, but as I drove off it did not ease my pain.

We got back to the house and began loading all of our things, when I stopped to thank the Lord for making me take the 26 foot truck, because I needed all 26 foot for my move.  We filled up every inch of the 26 foot truck.  God knew what I needed.

I sit in the hotel room tonight, thinking about how great God is.  I did not ask God to get me a 26 foot truck.  I wanted a 17 foot truck.  If I would have gotten what I wanted I would have been in serious trouble.  God saved me from a big mistake.  He always looks out for us.  I didn’t ask Him for the help but He gave it to me anyway and saved me money.  What an amazing God!

How often in life do we go our own way and do our own things, thinking we know what is best?  How many times do we get frustrated when things do not go our way, only to find that it all worked out in the end?  I have learned a big lesson in this move: all things work together for the good to them that love God!  God works everything out for our good.  I am still learning how to relax in God’s control.  Letting Him run my life is alot easier than having to make mistakes and do things over.

Today we had a great service at Rogers First Assembly.  There was an atmosphere of excitement in the air and God surely was present in our service.  It is interesting to be in a church service for the first time because when you welcome the guests, you really do not know who is a guest and who isn’t.  We know there were some new people today that we did not meet when we were here to try out.  This morning we had a good crowd and are excited to see what God is going to do in the months ahead.

Josh and I flew back to Houston this evening from Tulsa.  We had a good flight and will drive to Nederland tomorrow morning to finish packing our belongings to move to Rogers this week.  Our prayers continue for Nederland First Assembly as they search for a pastor.