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Over the years I have collected quotes that pertain to the Christian faith and life in general. As I have read or studied what others have written, I have been struck by the profound thought that is captured in their few short words. I have accumulated these quotes and categorized them in a computer file. I have used these short quotes in sermons I have preached, in free devotional booklets I have published for our congregation, in small group studies I have led, and in articles I have written. It has been a great resource to me.

 Early in 1999, a new idea came to mind as to how I might share these brief thoughts with a broader audience – send them out via e-mail. At the same time, our family was experiencing the first anniversary of the death of our sixteen-year-old son, Dustin.

 Dustin had cerebral palsy, a seizure disorder and developmental delays all of his life. He was a happy child who won people's affection easily. He was very dependent on his family for everything but at the same time taught his family and all who met him much about life. He developed a brain tumor, seemingly unrelated to his other situations. After two surgeries this cancer took his life in March of 1998. He died very peacefully in his mother's arms, surrounded by his family and God's grace. He went from his mother's loving embrace to his heavenly Father's everlasting embrace.

On March 29, 1999, one year after our son had died, I began a free e-mail ministry in memory of Dustin that I call "SOUND BITES: Something to chew on that is good for the soul." Five days a week, Monday through Friday, I share one of these quotes with subscribers. Hopefully recipients will find something of faith and life to think about and chew on, which will feed their soul and help them grow spiritually.

The following definitions from Webster's Dictionary provide some understanding of the name chosen. SOUND: solid; logically valid and having true premises; agreeing with accepted views, orthodox; showing good judgment or sense. BITES: (vb) to take hold of; to take in; to grip and impress deeply; (n) morsel; a small amount of food; a keen incisive quality; a sharp penetrating effect.

The first quote I sent out as a SOUND BITES e-mail was by John F. Kavanaugh from "The Word Encountered". "If our faith is something that really does not make a big difference, if it is actually not crucial that we or others believe, no wonder it seems boring to some of our young. Anything we don't care about can't be very interesting. The things we do care about, however, we inevitably talk about... If faith is real, it seeks expression. It will communicate and profess. It will have the energy of passion." Communication and profession, with energy and passion, is what I wanted SOUND BITES to be all about.

The ministry has more than tripled since it began. It gets passed on from one person to another, as do many things on the Internet. At Christmas I invite folks to send their friends and family a free gift subscription to SOUND BITES. Many take me up on this offer. One woman in Ohio wrote, "I enjoy SOUND BITES each day.  Thank you for this wonderful ministry! Please send gift subscriptions in my name... to the following seven people..."

The feedback from this ministry has been very rewarding. One woman from Ohio wrote, "I wanted to let you know that I really appreciate your SOUND BITES ministry.  It is uplifting -- a welcome diversion from most of the junk e-mail we receive." A subscriber in Maryland wrote, "I keep meaning to tell you how much we appreciate SOUND BITES - they are always meaningful to us.  Thanks for making such good use of the Internet!" A manager of a Christian radio station in Wisconsin said, "I really appreciate your SOUND BITES features.  I've used several on the air as short drop-ins.  I like the topics you choose, as they always seem to be relevant to things people are dealing with.  I also appreciate the 'bite-size' method you use.  In this business being concise goes a long way.  Keep em coming!" From England a woman wrote, "I've used some of the SOUND BITES in our Church magazine and everyone really enjoys them." From West Virginia, a subscriber wrote, "My niece has introduced me to your marvelous ministry... I look forward to SOUND BITES. I am an Episcopal clergyman with a love for preaching. Your examples and parables are a godsend to me."

The feedback that has come in simply confirms that this is a ministry that God is using for His purposes. As I select each day's quote I remind myself that I am doing this in the name of Christ to glorify God, to provide inspiration and encouragement for daily living, and to remember our son, Dustin. When I get responses like, "Thanks. This one really hit home today. It had my name on it!!" or "Well timed message. Thanks for coming up with so many great messages." or "I can't tell you how perfect your timing was for just this message." I know that God's Spirit is at work through this ministry.

I have invited subscribers to send quotes that they find inspirational. While I can't use all of them (for the most part I don't include poetry or long quotes) I try to include a subscriber quote each week.

As the subscriber list grows in numbers, so it does geographically. Their are subscribers in small towns and large cities in 31 states from North Pole, Alaska to rural North Carolina, and around the globe from Canada to England to India to Romania to Russia.

I am so thankful that God has given me this ministry that continues to keep our son's name alive. The most recent subscriber response makes me realize its impact. "'Tak for cist.' This is a phonetical spelling of an old Swedish saying meaning, 'Thanks for the past' which is what I would like to do.  Thank you for your messages, which I check out first thing every morning.  Many of them I share with my friends and children all over the country. The way you have chosen to celebrate your son's life is having far-reaching effects.  Of this I am sure."

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If you would like to receive this free e-mail ministry, please send an e-mail message to soundbites@firstumcgb.org and give your name and say, “Subscribe SOUND BITES your_e-mail_address.” I would also like to know how you heard about SOUND BITES and what state, province or country you live in.

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