Not at all surprisingly since readers/listeners are entirely voluntary and may unsubscribe or cease reading/listening at any time most results were positive!

How did you discover the Daily Encouragement Net ministry? (Rounded)
2/3 technology-related (forwarded email, surfing or searching or link from another site)
1/3 personal contact or other such as a church service, conference, printed pass along copy, radio, etc.

Where are you located?  Readers/listeners are from all over the world with representation from each continent, but mostly US, Canada, Great Britain and Australia.

Gender  Female 60% Male 40%

Internet connection  Most have high speed (cable, dsl, T1)

Age  All ages responed from teenagers into the 80's but tends to be weighted toward our age!

Vocationally readers are from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Years accessing our ministry resources. (We started Daily Encouragement Net with two readers in 1996 who still receive the daily messages. It grew slowly from that point on.)
Within last year 14%
One to five years  60%
Five to ten years 24%
Over 10 years 2%  

How the materials are received. Mostly through email and podcast but also bookmarked webpage and blogs/RSS feeds.

How often do you read/listen to the messages?  Most indicated normally each day through the week (each message)

How long have you been a Christian?  All ranges but most readers appear to be long-term Christians (20 years +) One podcast listener stated he was not a Christian.

Where I read/listen
Home 65%
Work 30%
Other such as public or mobile 5%

Features used.  Most seem to use all features and we are gratified at this.

How are messages shared? Many indicate they pass on messages through forwarded email and print them out and pass them around. Lesser (not surprisingly) use the material in bulletins or newsletters and for study preparation.

How readers serve Christ. A wide variety of ways but mostly in local churches.


Most all indicated the text is easily readable and photos clear.  But here are some observation notes followed by my response in red italics.

Several email readers indicated the text was small. On my control accounts Outlook, Comcast, Yahoo, Juno and AOL all are sized as I designed.  In Gmail and Hotmail for some reason I can't explain the text is smaller then I intend. However if I make it sized for these it would be really big in the others! I also understand that readers who use the business Lotus Notes may be hard to read although I have no way of testing this.  I was pleased to hear that readers using Blackberries, cell phones and other mobile devices were able to read the material OK.

A former teacher and secretary made two thoughtful notes:
"There are supposed to be two spaces after the final punctuation mark at the end of a sentence."  We vary on this due to Brooksyne's typing skills and custom learned in typing class (two spaces) and my picking and having no idea of the right way to type.  However modern convention is that single space is acceptable due to proportional fonts and also this sometimes gets messed up in the html code due to the justifying.  (see here for a detailed explanation)

"The grammar and spelling are usually better when Brooksyne proof-reads the message."  It's actually much better!  She does proofread most messages but I still may change things on the fly and the html editor doesn't have the squiggly lines for spelling and grammar!  We often see these errors later and can fix the archive but not the email version.  Once I submit the message to the listserve it's gone and most of you receive it in your mailbox in a matter of seconds regardless of where you live!

"My DSL connection is not very good. Videos break up and I have delays."  I don't know why this would be. Most high speed users reported no problems.

"I have been trying to fill out this survey since it came out and it continued to be blocked. Today it was not blocked. I was hopeful that the music links would not be blocked, but to our dissapointment, they are. We have ""Bsafe"", but do not have any other trouble getting on the internet, just with the links that are on your emails. Any suggestions? It seemed to have happened whenever the day was that the emails came out late because you were switching something...was it some sort of engine? We are surving without the music, but it sure was a highlight to your devotionals."  Sorry, I really don't have any idea why you have these quirks!

A couple respondents expressed that they desired the messages to be a bit shorter.  We suggest you just read the portion you find valuable.  It's obvious based on written comments that many appreciate the typical length.

"I wish you would use the King James Version but outside of that, I enjoy reading your encouragement every day."  We realize there are various version preferences and we do periodically use the KJV since we have verses memorized in that version. We encourage readers to study the verses in their preferred version.

Two readers noted the photos were slow to load. This will be the case with dialup and slower modem.  I do resize the photos but they may still load slow on a phone modem.  This is a hard balance since most enjoy the photos and have a fast connection. I believe slow connections should load the text first and thus should be readable practically immediately.

"Recently I have noticed that some of your links don't work for me, while others do. Such as for this survey, I clicked on the hyperlinked text and it didn't work, but when I clicked on the picture it did work."  I don't know why this would work this way!  I check them out on my two home computers as controls and when I can get to a computer on the road.

"Sometimes ago I read D.E. in large print, but these days it appears in smaller print."  I address the issue of email text size above.  In regard to the website I did use a larger print up to about a year ago for the archive version but since this is also the print version I scaled it down to normal on most computer resolutions to save paper and ink for those that print it out.

"Photos (when added to a screen saver file) serve on my workstation as a public confession and invite workers to ask about why I believe."  Neat idea!


In regard to the podcast most who listen to the podcast commented that the voices are clear and background music is balanced.

One observed "I have to turn my volume all the way up in order to hear you sometimes."  I don't know why this would be.

Another stated "sometimes there's noise within the voice."  I (Stephen) have a raspy voice. Brooksyne's is clear.  We use inexpensive equipment in a non studio.  But uur ears tend to be accustomed to studio quality sound when we hear a recording.

"I cannot always bring up the music."  I don't know why this would be.

"You need a microphone with a cough switch."  Sorry about that and I realize I do have a loud cough even when I turn my head and seek to muffle it. (My sneeze is even louder!)  I don't have a cough switch and am not even sure what that is.  When I cough or goof up we often start over but that gets tiring!

I appreciated this comment: "No apologies are necessary for the "amateur" nature of the podcast.  I prefer your style to the polished professional broadcasts."


We are gratified at the many who left additional comments of appreciation and encouragement. Several of you had personal questions or left personally identifying information but since the survey was anonymous I have no way of responding. Use our contact form if desired.

Here are some special and representative comments:

I was extremely blessed with a son 2 years ago in January of 2006. Shortly after my son's birth his father decided to divorce me and quickly started a new relationship. Please keep us in your prayers for the Lord to help all of us to work in the best interest of our son on this long challenging journey.

Raising twin boys who are both diagnosed with epilepsy, autism, and MR.  God gave them to me for a reason and I believe the strength God supplies for stamina as a single mother is my witness for anyone who asks how I manage everything, especially the boys.  There is no greater satisfaction than saying, God suppies all my needs.  The Daily Encouragement is one of the few sources I have for gaining another perspective on ideas and/or concepts in the Bible. We have attended several local churches but feel the eyes of contempt when one of the boys makes inappropriate sounds/noises during the worship service.  Should either of the boys have a seizure during worship then we are typically notified of separate rooms where the service audio is piped in through a speaker for our enjoyment.  I find it a nice way of saying we like to have you and your checkbook but would rather not be bothered with your boys.  For this reason we do not join in worship with local congregations.  Much thanks to Stephen and Brooksyne for the encouragement, especially on days when they may not feel much like encouraging. 

"I'm recently disabled, for the rest of my life in a wheelchair. Trying to make life changes and adjustments. Sometime lonely. Maybe I feel sorry for myself. Will never get rid of the infection I carry in my body. That hangs over my head."

"I love to hear your accents....your both have heartwarming voices."  I didn't know we had an accent!

"Add a place to request prayer."  We welcome prayer requests by using the comment form and we will pray for the need.

"When you have a recipe please share with your viewers."  We try to do that!

We appreciate the openess that you and Brooksyne express. Also, the inclusion of your past, local news and photos makes us feel connected to you.

You are both so blessed by God to have such a nice life. I live my life daily without a single person who will say hi to me or to talk with. All I have is my Lord and Savior to comfort me and your daily encourgements.  God bless you both.

It is a blessing to receive and read the biblical messages that the Lord gives you because I live a sheltered life and the messages from God help me to cope with life's everyday discouragements.

I enjoy all of your messages. I particularly like the way you base them on everyday life. You are doing an excellent job.  Keep going!

You have a world-wide ministry! Blessings as you continue to encourage.The Lord also delights in your local ministry to others. Grace grace to you!!

Daily Encouragement has been a cheering ray of light, inspiring others with courage to climb some newfound spiritual height.

You have become part of my family even though we have never met.  I want to thank you for what you do.  You are an encouragement to many.  God bless you.  I look forward to each daily encouragement message.

I look forward to your messages every day!  I stop everything when your e-mail comes...some days when it is later than other days I find myself getting very anxious for the encouragement that I receive from it.

I'd like to say I enjoy reading the devotionals. I am praying God will continue to bless you with this ministry. I think this would be extremely helpfull to those people who may be homebound or handicapped in some way. Hopefully they could learn to access a program like yours to be ministered to.

I like the personal stories that you add to this.  Makes it seem more "real."

Thank you for all you do for someone like me.  You continue to bless and make me feel like part of a congregation.  I pray God's richest blessings on you as you are daily in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks for not ranting, raving, or railing; there's way too much of that out there as it is. Thanks, too, for not pandering to the interests of any group or organization. DEN is an oasis that I like to visit at least once a day.

Enjoy the DE messsage very much...so many times the message deals directly to an issue in my life. It's amazing to realize that God cares enough for me to talk directly to me through your message...Thank you

You guys do a great job!!  Just think, this ministry would not even been imagined 20 years ago and you are now reaching people all over the world.

Keep it up!  When I was at the lowest point of my life, after my husband of 19 years took our daughter and walked out of my life, you were there.  Your words comforted me during this trying period.  God is faithful, and has blessed me greatly.  My test has become a testimony, and I use my experiences to help others in similar circumstances.

Thank You for all your hard work, inspiration and application to every day life!  I do pray for you folks each day!

I have enjoyed getting your messages, love the pictures and the additional music when I can open it.  Wish I could go on some of the walks with you.  Great area you live in. 

Thank you for your devotion to this ministry and to the Lord, I feel like I know you both from your sharing in the devotional.

I thoroughly enjoy the Daily devotionals and look forward to them each day.  I refer to them often in everyday conversation.  I am amazed how the content is related to my life needs and experiences on any given day.  Thank you for serving Christ in this capacity.

I love the simplicity of your messages.  They are applicable to our daily walk with Jesus and I am encouraged by your faithfulness to bless many people with these messages.  Keep up the great work!  Blessings in Jesus!

I would like to see more pictures of the both of you - your baby/growing up years/wedding/early years of marriage with stories included.  I love the historical features you write on your grandparents and parents.

I do like the personal touch and stories that you add to the devotional.  Although I do not know you personally, I feel that you are friends that I can visit with each day.  Thank you for your ministry.

Daily Encouragement Ministry is an important part of my daily routine and it gives me pause in my work to remember all that God has done and continues to do in my life. God Bless you for your DEN ministry!

May the Lord continue to guide and bless you and your family as you seek to serve Him through this ministry of encouragement and edification of the body of Christ.

This website is a source of comfort to my soul.  I am a highly sensitive person who is always feeling stressed by the basic demands of life.  This website soothes and calms my inner nervous system and helps me to remember that no matter how out of control I perceive life to be that God is always in control and always loves me.

I look forward to reading your encouragements during lunchtime at work. I gives me a spiritual boost in the middle of the day!

You lift me up which encourages me to lift others.

I have been reading your daily messages since I started in this new position last August -- I'm not sure how long my predecessor had been a subscriber.

I want to tell you that your Daily Encouragment is unique & glorifying to GOD. I see that D.E. is reaching the world; hopefully able to reach non-believers. A pastor said his passion is to see the church gaining understanding of God's heart for the world & mobilizing itself to take God's message & His Word wherever it has not reached. It has yet to reach some native lands.

I've been reading each day at work on my break time and it truly is an encouragement especially on a stressful day.

I remember at the time of initially receiving this I was battling major depression and I read it faithfully everyday and I know it was there for the hope I began to slowly get back!

I work in a drug and alcohol treatment program and the daily messages are a source of inspiration and peace.

I continue to stand in amazement at the number of times each week your encouragement is "spot-on."

I love you all. I feel like you are my family. Thank you for your kindness which shows through the messages.

I particularly enjoy your up-to date technical presentations including current photos of interest.

It brings some light to my day in the sometimes conflicting state of the church and world.

I love the work you are doing.  Your daily e-mail is like keeping in touch with a good friend who is living the kind of life I admire.  You are an inspiration and a delight.

I have used this for family time devotions with my wife and teenage daughter.

I have found it hard in the past to have a daily time of prayer and Bible reading but these messages are easy and practical - I read them on my laptop before starting my school work. I find them very encouraging.

"The Lord continues to be so real through you to me. There have been a few emails lately when the ""days were long and the pain seemed endless"". Either a verse, comment, or song was just the pick-me-up that God wanted me to hear. I praise Him for allowing you to minister in this way. Your mail is so personal, the pictures so beautiful (my weakness), I feel like I'd know you if we'd meet on the street. It may not be till we get to heaven, though. :)

Just to say thank you for all you are doing.  When I started reading, I was a new Christian, and it has been such a blessing every day.  I feel I know you all through all you have shared and been through.  I am a cardiac nurse and pray for you and Ester.  She is amazing! 

I think what you are doing is a wonderful God blessed ministry and you blend the message with actual events from your personal lives which is great. Thank you for your level of committment.

Daily Encouragement Ministry is an important part of my daily routine and it gives me pause in my work to remember all that God has done and continues to do in my life. God bless you for your DEN ministry!

I have come to feel a sense of belonging and daily inspiration from these messages.

Thanks to all who took the survey. If you would like to add your input here's the survey link or use our comment form.

Blessings to all our readers/listeners!


Stephen & Brooksyne

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

© Copyright 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net - Mount Joy, PA 17552