Happy 25th Birthday!
February 17, 2023
Psalm 119: 1-3, 9-11, 41-48 (NLT)
Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths...
How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.
I have tried hard to find you—
don’t let me wander from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you...
Lord, give me your unfailing love,
the salvation that you promised me.
Then I can answer those who taunt me,
for I trust in your word.
Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
for your regulations are my only hope.
I will keep on obeying your instructions
forever and ever.
I will walk in freedom,
for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
I will speak to kings about your laws,
and I will not be ashamed.
How I delight in your commands!
How I love them!
I honor and love your commands.
I meditate on your decrees.
Hey Dan, you are officially one quarter of a century! Always my baby, but you have grown into an adult man I am so proud of. And I am not your only fan....
Here is what a few of your friends had to say about why Dan matters...
“I’d personally say that Daniel is a very positive person, he always brings the best out in people whenever he’s around He radiates good energy and can make anyone smile with his laugh 100 %. I definitely see him continuing his way to worship and guiding more people in his future. He really got unlimited potential.”
JoshW.
“I’ve learned throughout the many years I’ve spent with Daniel that our connection is not only in worship music but in laughter. There is something about the two of us being in the same room that just gives off a joyful vibe! The two of us are able to feed off each other when telling jokes which makes the environment we are in a lot more sociable (if that makes sense). He has and continues to be a blessing in my life and I am fortunate to call him my brother.
I hope you have a terrific birthday, Daniel, and I am excited to celebrate more birthdays to come!
Love yah, bro!”
ChrisG.
“There are people God uses even when they don’t realize it. You, Daniel, are one of those. I admire the faith you have in Jesus and your passion for serving Him through one of the gifts He gave you: music. Thank you for being authentic and charismatic. You are one of the reasons I decided to start attending Zoe. God used you for that purpose and you didn’t even know it. May God bless you and I wish you all the best.”
RonaldR.
“Daniel is a brother in my life, someone I can enjoy a good belly laugh with, someone I truly trust, and someone whom I love deeply and have been loved by deeply. His heart of faith is so encouraging to me; how confident he is in God is definitely admirable and cultivates more faith in me and others around him. He is a man who knows God and is so rich in knowledge of His Saviour. It is so clear that he is continually working on and growing in his relationship with God.”
JasonY.
“Danguy! Soon I’m going to have to call you OLDguy! Another year has gone by, and it feels like we’ve known each other for a millennia at this point. Can’t believe it! Thanks for all the good times, jokes, and your encouragement as we’ve served together. Excited for the big plans that God has in store for you in the future. Praying that you have a great day, and that you have at least one more Steak and Frites this year than you did last year! Amen!”
JonW.
“Happy date of birth, Daniel Rudi Henderson. I admire your commitment to Zoe. I like how you’re usually always down to hang and stay out late (I still can’t believe how late you go to the gym sometimes btw), and I appreciate that you shared your old music videos and videos with me. You should definitely bring them back! I hope you have a DANtastic day 😃 May God continue to use you for His glory.”
RaquelQ.
“I really love Dan. He truly is a blessing in my life and a loving friend that is a gift from God. He really is there, present, and loves the way Jesus wants us to. He speaks life and truth into people’s lives around him.”
RyanB.
“Daniel is someone who impacts the life of his friends in a way every friend needs. He’s empathetic and kind and authentic and I love that about him. God definitely broke the mold when He made Daniel!”
ReubenD.
“Daniel…I’m so thankful to know you, and be counted as your friend. Sincerely! There are a bunch of reasons for that too, but for a couple that come to mind most immediately: it’s your authenticity( I feel so privileged to be someone you seemed to trust—your authenticity led to a deeper friendship between us); your passion for truth (you’re a man of conviction, and God knows we need more of those); your resilience (you know what it’s like to weather through tough seasons and trust God when stuff is hazy); and your kindness (you have a good heart, and I feel like people gravitate toward you because of it). I know, brother, that a lot of people appreciate you for your gifts. And I do too, but …who you are is what’s always impressed me most…and it’s why you’re someone I respect, trust and care for very much. Happy 25thbirthday, man.
Planet earth is better because you’re here!
Let’s do lunch?”
TrevorG.
“To say Dan has been a gift in my life is just the beginning. Everywhere Daniel goes he brings joy, laughter, and a kind heart. His heart for worship and excellence creates atmospheres where our hearts can connect to the heart of Jesus, which is a profound gift in itself. When I look at Daniel, I see kindness, tenderness, and love… I’m grateful to have found a friend to walk through life with. May the Lord continue to bless him and bring him deeper into the truth about how much he is loved, valued, and delighted in. Happy Birthday, my love.”💖
CynthiaK.G.
After reading these I felt like it was my birthday. Any Mom hearing these affirmations about her son would fall at Jesus' feet, saying Thank You, Lord, for your faithfulness in Daniel's life, for Daniel's faithfulness to Jesus.
So the word for this year that came naturally to mind from what your friends said and also from my own Scripture reading recently is FAITH.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Throughout Scripture it was faith that healed and brought fulfilment to promises of God.
Dan, you have taught me much about faith. You my son have the gift of faith and I pray that God would increase this daily. You have shown me that my traditional customs or ways of living are not necessarily the right or only routes to living out your purpose for God. Deeply misunderstood many times, you don't surrender to others' expectations or image keeping, even though it must hurt terribly. You persevere under trial. In my study with Lina, she talks about Abraham's massive leap of faith in just leaving his country and relatives to go to an unknown land just because God told him to. More interesting is that he did not grow up knowing God, so that encounter with God must have been massively impactful on him. And every time he had a new encounter with God, he developed a pattern of worship, building an altar.
That, my son, is my blessing for you. May you, Dan, have frequent holy encounters with God that build a foundation of intimacy upon which you build and grow as a man. May you develop that pattern of worship that 'builds altars' that celebrate those sacred moments and places. May the songs you write and sing reflect the sacred moments of your life. Only then will His anointing flow with power to the audience.
One of the best gifts I have ever received was your gift of words last Christmas. You will never know the impact it made on a wounded and needy heart. I love how thoughtful you are, trying to love others in their love language.
So here are 25 pics to show your journey! Of course the crowning moments will be when you officially started dating Cynthia and when you became an uncle! Yay, Uncle Daniel! Cynthia and Georgia, 2 of the most adorable females in this world! How blessed are you!
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