NOTE: This Sunday, March 29, 2009 marks the tenth anniversary of the founding of this SOUND BITES Ministry™. SOUND BITES was begun on March 29, 1999 in memory of my son, Dustin, on the first anniversary of his death. After the death of a loved one, we often hear the phrase, "they have gone home." Today's quote speaks of the fact that there's no place like Christ's eternal home.
On this anniversary we would love to hear from you and learn how God is using SOUND BITES to minister to you, or how you use it to minister to others. Leave your comment below. You can view other comments as well. 2,270 quotes have been sent since beginning SOUND BITES, and now it is reaching 1,900 subscribers directly and many more as a forward or through this blog. SOUND BITES reaches every state in the U.S. as well as 17 foreign countries that we know of.
I will be out of the office the remainder of the week. The next SOUND BITES will be posted on Monday, March 30. I look forward to your comments.
Blessings, in Christ...
-- Rev. Dave Wilkinson
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3 NKJV)
"There's no place like home" were the words Dorothy uttered as she clicked the heals of her ruby-red slippers. Her journey began in Kansas with ordinary folks like Uncle Henry and Aunti Em. But Dorothy was not content with her common existence on a pig farm and pictured herself "somewhere over the rainbow." An adversary on a bicycle, a carpetbagger in a wagon, and a journey through a tornado blew Dorothy into the Land of Oz. At last she was living her dream: unusual sights, uncommon personalities and unique encounters. But on the other side of the rainbow, all Dorothy could think about was the comfort of home sweet home.
"Father, forgive them" were the words Jesus uttered as His feet were nailed to the cross. His journey began in heaven with extraordinary company, the Father of lights. But Jesus was not content with our common existence on this clump of dirt and longed to bring all of us over the rainbow to our true home -- seated with Him "in the heavenly places." His uncommon kindness opened the door of eternity to all humanity, not just those who lived in the land of Israel. There's no place like His home!
-- Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose in Pathway to God's Treasure: Ephesians
#2270
Monday, March 23, 2009
38 comments:
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Received via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteSound Bites has been a great “Day Starter” for me. I have shared many of them with our Bible Study group here at work and we are always amazed at how they relate to what we are studying. Thank you for this continuing ministry.
Thanks, Wanda Mardis
Soundbites has become an important daily devotion for me. Usually excellent thoughts and observations to chew on. Thanks so much for sharing your son's memory in such a creative and nourishing way.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Jim Galbreath, Princeton IL
Sound Bites has been traveling with me for the last 7 years as I have moved around the world. Your words of wisdom have become something I look forward to daily. Thanks so much for helping me on my spiritual journey. With blessings, Simone B., London UK
ReplyDeleteReceived via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteI am not too familiar with blogs. I went to the site, but could not figure out where to make my comments about your wonderful ministry of SOUNDBITES. I am a retired UM pastor, but I have been using them whenever I am asked to do devotions for a meeting or a class. I also find some of them touch a particular spot in my own spiritual life and give me a new insight.
Thank you for this ministry. It has been a real blessing to me.
Galen A. Black, retired UM pastor, EO Conference
Thank you so much for your ministry in Soundbites. It has blessed me on numbers of occasions and I have sent it to my youngest son who is suffering a long term disability. You turned your loss into a blessing for many. What a tremendous lesson. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteCamille-Thomas Berry
I discovered Sound Bites several years ago through a friend who forwarded me one of your messages. I immediately liked it. I like the content which is relevant, often practical, and inspiring. It also impressed me that you took the tragic death of Dustin and turned it into a tool of blessing in the lives of many others. I frequently forward Sound Bite messages to our Small Group at church. It surprised me how often the topic of a devotional will dovetail with a topic we happen to be discussing. And I also use Sound Bites as a platform of discussion between my husband and our adult children (scattered across the country) via email. It is a great tool for getting to know your family better. God bless you for carving out the time to maintain this ministry on top of your already full schedule as a pastor.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the sound bytes ministry. I've been receiving it for about a year and a half now and have shared with friends and coworkers. What a wonderful way to honor your son's memory. I will be praying for your family at this anniversary time.
ReplyDelete11 years and not a day goes by that the memory of Dustin doesn't leave my heart. It is amazing and truly touching to see how his memory has lived on, and to see the impact he made not only throughout his 16years of life, but to see how Dustin has continued to make a difference throughout the world still today, 11 years later, through Sound Bites. I have no doubt his memory will continue to deeply touch the lives of others. Thank you Dad (Dave Wilkinson) for your hard work and dedication in continuing this wonderful ministry, you too are a profound inspiration to others.
ReplyDeleteReceived via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pastor Wilkinson, for many years of comforting, worthwhile 'Bites!' I visualize you there in your office--inundated with mailings!. May God continue to bless you and yours with whatever is needed to continue with another 10 years and more. (This was sent to me a few weeks ago, by a dear friend. "I wish you more blessings than you can stay awake to count this evening" I loved it.
- Esther Nohr.
Sound bites are very important to me so I send them to China often. Hope you keep them up.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jerry Slavik
I am involved with the Stephen Ministry program at Germantown Presbyterian Church in Germantown, TN. I sometimes use SOUNDBITES entries for devotionals at supervision meetings for our group. Many of the topics fit hand in hand with the caring involved with Stephen Ministries. Thanks for your ministry.
ReplyDeleteAnne Culver
I, too, lost our daughter in 1991 to cancer. So I have resonated with Soundbites, some being more profound than others. Bottom line, your commitment to this website in honor of Dustin touches me deeply!! Thank you for honoring Dustin in this way. You are a remarkable man, with a grace-filled ministry.
ReplyDeleteAbundant blessings, Anne Huffman
Received via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteRev Dave,
I have written to you before, but want to take this oppurtunity again for this wonderful ministry. We lost our first born son on Sept 8, 2002 as results of a car accident, he was the back seat passenger in a single car accident. I have found much comfort for myself and husband in your messages and have passed many of them on to family members.
Thank you again and I will pray for you and your family on this anniversary.
God Bless you
Diane Christie
Dave, your SOUND BITES are great for daily reminders of who we are. Thanks for keeping me focused.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work, His work!
Barb Terry
Dear Rev Dave,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your daily SOUND BITES. I usually receive them late in the evening here in Singapore. I am often able to pass them on to friends, family, or fellow Bible Study-ers. The message is often very timely and appropriate for what is going on in my life or the life of a loved one. When I share them with others (like my mom or a dear friend), it helps me feel more connected to them, despite the miles that may separate us.
I thank God that He led you to this ministry as a way to celebrate the life of your son. It shows me how meaningful Dustin's earthly life was and continues to be!
Thank you for the courage, strength, wisdom, and love to reach out. It has certainly made a difference! I love to see how God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
THAT is one promise of His that keeps me going.
In Him, Caroline
God is using you and this Ministry to bless many more people than you can imagine. I see names of some from my list of regular Prayer Pals here, we send on requests for prayers and often your Soundbites has something that fits right in. Timing is in God's Hands, and He uses you to send His message around the world. Thank you for doing this.
ReplyDeleteJoni Clark
Dear Rev. Dave,
ReplyDeleteThe best thing about SoundBites is that they are short, and generally they are not "preachy." I love the little quotes or short stories that are relevant for most people.
So, I very often forward your SoundBites to my friends. I have a list of over 200 people that I send inspirational things to, and I try hard not to flood people's inboxes with fluff. Your soundbites are anything but fluff. The ones I send are always solid and helpful. I receive many comments from people saying how helpful something was.
So, keep up the good work, and many blessings on your ministry.
Peace,
Kathy Berken
College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, Minnesota
I use SOUNDBITES in a whole variety of ways. I enjoy the daily devotional dimension it often provides for me personally. Your wonderful array of moving stories, powerful challenges, scriptural insights, and faith filled thoughts are helpful and encouraging for me in my ongoing ministry. I’ve also used your inspirational pieces as devotional thoughts to open our close a church meeting (acknowledging the source, of course). I often forward daily emails of SOUNDBITES to members who are struggling with some issue that your messages have addressed. And just a few weeks ago, I used the wonderful SOUNDBITES message on “The Next Generation” as a concluding challenge to one of my Sunday sermons, and acknowledged my source of that quotation. That sermon brought wonderful words of affirmation from a number of our members, one of which wanted a copy of that SOUNDBITES quotation for their own use. I forwarded the whole page so they could see how to subscribe.
ReplyDeleteI’m grateful for this inspirational tool, Dave, and I truly appreciate your thoughtful, helpful, and inspiring messages. I know that Dustin’s life in this world was much shorter than anyone had expected, but this special gift that you provide for all of us certainly honors and gives glory to God for his life in ways all of us continue to appreciate. Thanks for the witness you provide for all of us, and the special gift of love you continue to share in gratitude for the years of life Dustin shared with you.
Ron Retherford, Lead Pastor
Community United Methodist Church
Elm Grove, Wisconsin 53122
Dear Pastor Dave,
ReplyDeleteI read SOUND BITES faithfully each morning and am blessed by it continually. Also, I often quote it/you in my sermons and give you full credit. Blessings be upon thee, Brother for being so obedient to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and keep up this marvelous ministry of the word as long as you are able and directed.
Rev. Fr. Roger V. Phillips
Orlando, Fl and Central Minnesota
Congratulations on ten years of Sound Bites; I've been receiving this inspiring and often challenging email for almost a year. It's a great way to start my day off on the right foot.
ReplyDeleteMenominee, MI
Received via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteThanks for your work on this, Dave. I have enjoyed and been inspired by these little tidbits arriving daily. What a blessing it has been. Often just the right comment at just the right moment. God Bless always.
Vicki A.
Received via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteApparently my "blogging skills" are non-existent, so I will send you my comment this way.
Dave,
How appropriate that this anniversary occurs each year as winter turns to spring. New life sprouting from the richness of previous life; Sound Bytes sprouting from Dustin's brief but powerful witness. God does work in wonderful ways.
Nancy Kohrman
Received via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteYou have extended your witness through SOUNDBITES and it has become a daily visitor to my home.
Four months ago I had major cardiac surgery at Duke Medical Center. During the hospitization (48 days) I had no access to a computer. Two days after surgery a lady was making rounds selling the daily newspaper. Following the purchase I suddenly realized I could read the headlines but not the story. It became evident that something more than heart surgery had occurred. A stroke had affected my eyesight.
When I returned home in January I was able to enlarge the size of the type and read messages. SOUND BITES BECAME A REGULAR VISITOR....
Thank you for your ministry and for the quality and choice of your daily message...
Let me add a voice of encouragement to continue this wider ministry along with this vote of thanks. Green Bay: First UMC is not only a valued partner of our reborn UMC in Pilviskiai, Lithuania. You have extended its ministry beyond many borders.
Dr. William K. Quick, Pastor Emeritus: Metropolitan UMC, Detroit and Visiting Professor at Duke Divinity School.
Blessed 10th Anniversary to you and Soundbites! THANK-YOU for this ministry! I use the quotes in many ways:
ReplyDelete· For my own devotions and reflection – bits of nourishment on my faith journey
· Use many quotes in my sermons at my church
· Share many quotes with our ChristCare Leaders (small Bible Study groups) – who use them in devotions with their small groups
· Share many quotes with the other staff at my church – for them to be blessed too!
And God’s continued HOPE and strength to you as these years roll on since your son’s death.
Lenten PEACE in Christ our ROCK,
- Pastor Lori Swenson
Received via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!Your e-mail ministry has enriched my spiritual journey and as a Stephen Minister I have had opportnity to share your thoughts with many others-God is good and faithful--Thanks
--I write from Sanibel, Florida--In His love, Nancy Hopkins
Received via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteI usually check emails in the morning. I always am delighted to see Soundbites, which sets the tone for the day with thoughts of God. Makes a big difference. Thanks for sending it, and hope all is well with you all.
Gail Stuehr, Ohio
Received via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary - Soundbites is always the Word I need to hear when I need to hear it, thank you so much for bringing Soundbites into my inbox, sometimes I just have to forward the message on, it helped me and I believe it can help others. thank you. God Bless you.
sincerely, DiAnne
I pass along to others (75 or so) many Sound Bites. And I am sure some who receive them do the same. So-o-o-o, the outreach is considerable indeed.
ReplyDeleteChuck Cooley
Dear Rev. Dave, I look forward to reading your Sound Bites, and the spiritual message it brings to us. I have shared them with friends. Two of them have been most memorable. They were "Appreciating Life" and "The Waves of Grief." Grief can be in so many forms. We do need to know that even though we are overwhelmed, we can become stronger and we will survive.
ReplyDeleteMy job for 20 years, was a bus driver for a workshop for the mentally and physically handicapped. They were my surrogate family. Life can be so complicated at times, and they helped me keep mine in perspective by just showing such love, and making things seem more simple. I wish I could have known Dustin.
Harry&Lois Anderson, Arlington Heights, IL
SOUND BITES has been a personal blessing to me for so many years ... must be close to the 10 years you are celebrating. And I have shared quotes from SOUND BITES with many of my Gleamers who need something to brighten their days. Thank you so much ....
ReplyDeleteLois H. Ward, Editor
Gleamings to Brighten the Day
"Sound Bites" is like my holy glue each morning - I become mindful and stuck (if you will) on the loving presence of God in my day! A fresh start in the Hands of God - what could be better.
ReplyDeleteS. Cooper
Soundbites is the spice needed for my day.
ReplyDelete--- Kathie O.
You are the ONE who gives SUPPORT and ENCOURAGEMENT each day to us readers. TEN YEARS already! This has been an easy habit to develop to follow these readings. It's a privilege to be among 1900 subscribers.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the varied types of messages, may it be for the bereaved, being thankful, needing encouragement, or just talking and listening to descriptions of God and his faithfulness in the message. I often read previous ones from the Blog when you are vacationing.
Thank you, my friend
Phyllis
Green Bay, WI
Dear Rev. Dave,
ReplyDeleteSound Bites has greeted me almost every morning, sometimes in the wee hours of the morning this past year. I just want to thank you and your ministry because you are not only a “beacon of light & hope” but your ministry has been spiritual food for my soul.
Your work is an instrument that turns ashes to beauty.
God Bless you and your ministry!
Winnie in Singapore
I don't have a specific story. But I can say God speaks to me often through Soundbites. It is amazing how he can orchestrate such a huge world to work for his Glory! Praise God! and thank you Rev. Dave for your obedience!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
Clinton, Missouri
I deeply appreciate your commitment for this ministry. I am thankful to God for giving me appropriate message through this ministry. Great work and sure lots of people are being blessed by the words of encouragement and support through this ministry.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Sam Royappa
District Superintendent
Wisconsin Conference UMC
Only recently have I come upon SOUND BITES. I very much appreciate your ministry. I have found the daily comments helpful both in my personal life as well as in opportunities to minister in a variety of settings. Thank you for SOUND BITES.
ReplyDeleteIn Christ Name,
Bruce
Our eternal destination is the consequence of what we believe on earth. Our eternal compensation is the consequence of how we behave on earth.
ReplyDeleteBruce Wilkinson
From Turning Point by David Jeremiah