Five Minutes with Tony Agnesi

There is something wonderful about kindness. We remember for years kindnesses that we received, many unexpectedly, some a needed blessing, others true miracles. Kindness is not easily forgotten.  In this podcast, Tony discusses random acts of kindness. Scripture: “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” –Luke 6:38 I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.  –John 13:15 Quote: “You don’t pay love back, you pay it forward.” --Lily Hardy Hammond Reflections:  Have you ever been the recipient of a random act of kindness? Does it make you feel like "paying it forward?"  Can you remember someone in your past because of their kindness?

Joy, the second fruit of the spirit from Galatians 5:22, a word used over 100 times in the old and new testaments, but what is it? What is joy?  Ask most people and they will say that it is happiness; but a true Christian understanding of joy goes beyond happiness.  In this Five Minutes with Tony podcast, Tony discusses joy. Scripture: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” John 15:9-11 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:11 Reflections:  What makes happiness different than joy?  Have you ever felt true joy?  What was the occasion and how did it make you feel?  What can we do to have more joy in our lives? ...

There is something special about mothers and sons. It is an unexplainable bond that only they share. She gave him birth, nursed him, wiped his slobbered chin, and held the tissue when he blew his nose.  In this podcast, Tony discusses the special bond between mothers and sons. Scripture: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27 Quote: There has never been, nor will there ever be anything quite so special as the love between a mother and son. –Anonymous Reflection:   What is your relationship with your mother?  What is the special bond you share?  What are the things you can share with your mom and no one else?

I read a while back that the Bible has 365 uses of the phrase “fear not” or “be not afraid.” I haven’t been able to verify that, but I can tell you that it is one of the most used themes in the bible.  In this podcast, Tony discusses fear and how it can paralyze our actions. Quote:  If anyone on the verge of action should judge himself according to the outcome, he would never begin. Even though the result may gladden the whole world, that cannot help the hero; for he knows the result only when the whole thing is over, and that is not how he became a hero, but by virtue of the fact that he began.” — Søren Kierkegaard from Fear and Trembling Scripture:  The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 The LORD is with me; I am not afraid; what can mortals do against me? Psalm 118:6 Reflection: Do you feel your inaction is keeping you from achieving your goals? Do you feel you a...