NOTE: Today, March 29, 2011 marks the 12th anniversary of the founding of this SOUND BITES Ministry™. SOUND BITES was begun on March 29, 1999 in memory of our son, Dustin, on the first anniversary of his death. SOUND BITES is THE PRAXEIS OF DAILY REFLECTION, as today's quote from Bishop Robert Schnase describes.
On this 12th anniversary, we would value hearing from you and learning how the Spirit is using this "practice" of SOUND BITES to minister to you, or how you use it to minister to others. You may comment below. You can view other comments here as well. 2737 quotes have been sent since beginning SOUND BITES, and now it is reaching close to 1950 subscribers directly and many, 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.
Thank you for your support for this practice of daily reflection, and for sharing SOUND BITES with others.
Blessings, in Christ…
Rev. Dave Wilkinson, Deacon
SOUND BITES Ministry™
First United Methodist Church
Green Bay, Wisconsin
THE PRAXEIS OF DAILY REFLECTION
When we talk about marks, characteristics, or qualities of fruitful living, we too easily fall into a “we have it or we don’t” mode of thinking. It is more helpful to speak of practices that anyone can adopt, change, develop, begin, or improve upon. If we’re not the kind of person we think God intends for us to become, we simply begin to act like it by adopting the practices until they help us become a new person in Christ living fruitfully.
The Greek word for the Book of Acts is praxeis apostolon, or Acts of the Apostles. Praxeis is the Greek word from which we derive the English word practice. Thus, the Book of Acts is about the happenings and doings of the early church! The practice of Intentional Faith Development puts us in the most advantageous place to perceive and receive God’s activity and will for our lives. We become something new in Christ.
Intentional Faith Development refers to all the ministries that help us grow in faith outside of weekly worship… By these practices we mature in faith; we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of God. We pray that we are closer to Christ today than we were five years ago, and that by the grace of God, we may be closer to Christ five years from now than we are today.
Intentional refers to deliberate effort, purposeful action, and high priority. Growing in grace does not come without purposeful commitment to learning the faith and cultivating our love for God.
-- Robert Schnase from www.fivepractices.org
#2738
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
15 comments:
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Sounds bites is a grounding force that brings me back to Christ during my busy day. When checking email, my mind is often on earthy distractions pulling me away from my Christian goals. However, as soon as Soundbites appears in my inbox- I am reminded of who and what I should be worshiping. Most days, it pulls me back. Once in awhile, it gently guides me to where I should be. But some days, when I'm least expecting it, Soundbites acts as the voice of God. It speaks directly to me- pushing me with the greatest of forces- to where God needs me to be that day. HE uses the memory of your son to bring me closer to HIS son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for allowing God to use you and your family this way. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteA dear friend and former colleague shared Sound Bites with me, and I am so glad she did. I have for decades depended upon the booklet Daily Word for inspiration to start my day and provide a memory verse. Since I am on my computer as another daily practice, I now have an electronic reminder of faith in action. What a blessing borne of tragedy. Thanks to all who make this possible.
ReplyDeleteI was first introduced to Sound Bites through a friend in Green Bay, and signed up for my own subscription that same day. I now look forward to receiving your messages each week day, and foward them on to friends often, or save many of them in a folder for later use when a need arises. Many of them come at such appropriate times that I am awed by the timing. May God continue to bless your ministry for many years to come.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for Sound Bites to keep me focused on daily reflection, especially when the tasks of daily life keep my busy. I would really miss having it and thank you, your family, and Dustin for being a part of organizing Sound Bites and keeping it going.
ReplyDelete-Terry Gillis, WI
I just wanted to congratulate you and all those connected with Sound Bites for all that you have done and continue to do for so many in helping and encouraging all of us. Thanks and God bless all of you always.
ReplyDeleteJack Kennevan in Ohio
I truly value this daily devotional.
ReplyDeleteAdam Henderson
My daughter, Jane Jones, first shared Sound Bites with me. I have forwarded many times and often print the message to keep in my Bible or on my refrig to share with others. It is amazing how many times the message seems to be just what I needed for myself or to share with a friend in need. What a wonderful ministry and tribute to your son. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteBecky Barnes, IL
I remember celebrating Dustin's birthday in Israel with communion. I am holding your family in my prayers today. Sound Bites keeps me grounded in my busy life and keeps me focused on what is truly important. Thank you for its ministry. What a beautiful way to honor Dustin's life - everyday.
ReplyDeleteCarol Dost, Wisconsin
Thank you for this ministry. It has often blessed me. I have shared it all along. May all this bless you as your remember your dear son.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless and keep you and grant you peace,
Camille and Jake Berry
My prayers are with you, especially today. I begin each day with your Sound Bites, which was sent to me by our young friend, Barbara Yorks, & with Daily Word, which my Mother always subscribed to. I give thanks for both.
ReplyDeleteMyrna Vest
First Dave and Donna I want to thank you for allowing Dustin to be a part of my life as a very special Angel of God. I begin my daily devotions with Sound Bites and from there continue on with my daily communion with God. I pass many of the Bites on to family and friends so the word of God is heard by many from my little corner of the world. I love you both and you both are in my daily prayers.
ReplyDeleteToni Marchese
Green Bay, WI
I get well fed on Sunday by great sermons at my church, but your Soundbites ministry gives me daily sustenance throughout the week. Thank you and thank God.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Moore, Texas
Received via e-mail:
ReplyDeleteJuly 19, 1998 I lost my sister and best friend Beth. After almost 8 weeks on a ventilator, we made the most difficult decision of our lives...to let go and let God. My other sister Shannon and I each held Beth's hand as they "pulled the plug" each of us holding our breath hoping upon hope that Beth would breathe on her own. We decided it would be God's will either way but that it had been long enough. Alas, God healed our beloved sister by taking her into his ever-loving arms.
I struggled to understand why God would take a 28 year old woman with so much of her life ahead of her. I cling to the promise that I would see her again one day and I drifted in and out of the next few months then I found Soundbites. I really connected to this ministry because of the loss of one too young. I knew the love of God was the only thing that would pull me through. Because of friends, family and God sending me encouraging messages thru Soundbites I am whole and spreading the love of God.
Thank you for all you have done for me and so many others!
Dina Branch
Thank you so much for this mission. I look forward to Sound Bites and read it first every morning! Great way to start the day – in the Lord!
ReplyDeleteI’ve even sent it to my Bible study leader and she’s read them aloud and now she’s a daily subscriber!
God bless.
Kathy in TX
HI Dave and Donna. I think of you often and I use Soundbytes for devotions for missions often. I am leaving for Il next week to pack Health kits for Japan. I am sharing one you send called "Witness is Withness." I have been to Liberia 3 times in the last year to organize UMC libraries and to teach people how to use them. I am not sure when I will return.
ReplyDeleteWe all loved Dustin. We loved his smile. We loved his laughing eyes. We loved watching you being his parents.
VIM,
Kevin L. Schaner
Cleveland Heights, Ohio