Comments for Todd Agnew http://toddagnew.com The Official Website of Todd Agnew Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Ezra and Special Education, part 3 by Brenda Branson http://toddagnew.com/2012/02/21/ezra-and-special-education-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-6695 Brenda Branson Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:44:00 +0000 http://toddagnew.com/?p=961#comment-6695 I've become acquainted with Colleen Swindoll-Thompson, daughter of Chuck Swindoll. She directs the Special Needs Department for Insight for Living. They offer "special needs" support to anyone who has encountered a crisis for which they cannot move forward without support. This includes physical compromise, emotional or mental dysfunction, loss, divorce, betrayal, death, trauma, and more. Their focus is to educate, equip, empower, and encourage those who are hurting. Their Facebook page is:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Special-Needs-Ministry/109071132482250?sk=info  and website is:  http://www.insight.org/specialneeds I've been visiting a new church recently. In an adult Sunday School class I've seen firsthand how a group of people have embraced the special needs daughter of the teacher. Yes, there are multiple interruptions during the class time from this young girl, but I've observed such grace and patience toward her from the teacher and class. It is so refreshing to see this dynamic in action, and also very convicting to my heart when I don't respond with that level of love and compassion. I'm reminded of the disciples trying to divert the children away from Jesus, but Jesus instructing them to let the children come. It's shameful to admit, but sometimes I've acted more like the disciples than like Jesus. I'm grateful for Colleen's ministry and the outreach of many others who minister to people with special needs and teach the rest of us what a privilege it is get involved in their lives. We need each other to learn how to love well.   I’ve become acquainted with Colleen Swindoll-Thompson, daughter of Chuck Swindoll. She directs the Special Needs Department for Insight for Living. They offer “special needs” support to anyone who has encountered a crisis for which they cannot move forward without support. This includes physical compromise, emotional or mental dysfunction, loss, divorce, betrayal, death, trauma, and more. Their focus is to educate, equip, empower, and encourage those who are hurting. Their Facebook page is: 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Special-Needs-Ministry/109071132482250?sk=info  and website is:  http://www.insight.org/specialneeds

I’ve been visiting a new church recently. In an adult Sunday School class I’ve seen firsthand how a group of people have embraced the special needs daughter of the teacher. Yes, there are multiple interruptions during the class time from this young girl, but I’ve observed such grace and patience toward her from the teacher and class. It is so refreshing to see this dynamic in action, and also very convicting to my heart when I don’t respond with that level of love and compassion. I’m reminded of the disciples trying to divert the children away from Jesus, but Jesus instructing them to let the children come. It’s shameful to admit, but sometimes I’ve acted more like the disciples than like Jesus. I’m grateful for Colleen’s ministry and the outreach of many others who minister to people with special needs and teach the rest of us what a privilege it is get involved in their lives. We need each other to learn how to love well.  

]]> Comment on Ezra and Special Education, part 3 by Kelli Albright http://toddagnew.com/2012/02/21/ezra-and-special-education-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-6694 Kelli Albright Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:16:00 +0000 http://toddagnew.com/?p=961#comment-6694 We have a special needs young adult daughter.  We were thrilled to find Upward Bound Camp (for special needs) here in Oregon.  It operates all summer, with campers ages 12 thru all ages of adults.  There have been wonderful testimonies come out of that place.  See upwardboundcamp.org; some of the stories are there.  Perhaps you might consider giving a concert there or doing a fundraiser for them? Blessings from Winds of Praise Broadcasting in Newport, OR!  We have a special needs young adult daughter.  We were thrilled to find Upward Bound Camp (for special needs) here in Oregon.  It operates all summer, with campers ages 12 thru all ages of adults.  There have been wonderful testimonies come out of that place.  See upwardboundcamp.org; some of the stories are there.  Perhaps you might consider giving a concert there or doing a fundraiser for them?

Blessings from Winds of Praise Broadcasting in Newport, OR! 

]]> Comment on Ezra and Special Education, part 3 by Andy Savage http://toddagnew.com/2012/02/21/ezra-and-special-education-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-6693 Andy Savage Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:39:00 +0000 http://toddagnew.com/?p=961#comment-6693 Todd, obviously this strikes a chord for us. We have seen God use our son, Cooper raise awareness at Highpoint and open the door for many other special needs families to finally find a place in a church. Sadly, what we hear a lot is churches that turn people away because of the special need. I definitely think we can get more creative. When we consider Jesus' words on the "least of these" we must ask how to apply this to people w/special needs. Thanks for writing this! -Andy Savage Todd, obviously this strikes a chord for us. We have seen God use our son, Cooper raise awareness at Highpoint and open the door for many other special needs families to finally find a place in a church. Sadly, what we hear a lot is churches that turn people away because of the special need. I definitely think we can get more creative. When we consider Jesus’ words on the “least of these” we must ask how to apply this to people w/special needs.
Thanks for writing this!
-Andy Savage

]]> Comment on Ezra and Special Education, part 3 by Bruce Ray http://toddagnew.com/2012/02/21/ezra-and-special-education-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-6692 Bruce Ray Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:17:00 +0000 http://toddagnew.com/?p=961#comment-6692 Todd - it is SO cool that God put this in my twitter feed today. (I've only read part 3, but that was enough for now - I'll go back and read the other 2 parts when I finish responding.)  My 23 year old daughter has moderate mental retardation (I HATE that word, but it's what we have to work with.) She knows that she is going to heaven because of Jesus! Her "simple" faith has been an inspiration and example to so many people, I wish I could have her impact.Her joy in worshiping the Lord has brought tears to more eyes than I can count. We saw that there was little "out there" for her peer group, in terms of a Bible study that they could relate to and participate in. So, we decided that was something that God was telling us to do. We now present a Bible study for people with special needs. It's called Friendship Circle. We meet twice a month with kind of an ancient church model: singing praise songs (yep, some of yours), studying God's Word, doing a craft that will glorify God and remind us of his promises for us, then sharing a meal. My church has seen its value and is now working toward a church service designed to be welcoming and inviting to all, but ESPECIALLY to our brothers and sisters with special physical and mental needs. I'd encourage everyone with a heart for "the little ones" (young or old) to take that step of faith and share the Gospel message with them. Whether it's in a Bible study, in your home, with a special service at your church, wherever. The joy that we see in our friends at Friendship Circle when they talk about and learn about Jesus and the promises that God has made to them, is awe-inspiring.  I could go on an on about this, but for now, I'd just say - THANK YOU for sharing this with us. If anyone would like to chat more about it, you can contact me thru our website (which DESPERATELY needs updating) at http://friendshipcirclebr.org Thanks again! And may God continue to use you and bless you to His glory! Todd – it is SO cool that God put this in my twitter feed today. (I’ve only read part 3, but that was enough for now – I’ll go back and read the other 2 parts when I finish responding.) 

My 23 year old daughter has moderate mental retardation (I HATE that word, but it’s what we have to work with.) She knows that she is going to heaven because of Jesus! Her “simple” faith has been an inspiration and example to so many people, I wish I could have her impact.Her joy in worshiping the Lord has brought tears to more eyes than I can count.

We saw that there was little “out there” for her peer group, in terms of a Bible study that they could relate to and participate in. So, we decided that was something that God was telling us to do. We now present a Bible study for people with special needs. It’s called Friendship Circle. We meet twice a month with kind of an ancient church model: singing praise songs (yep, some of yours), studying God’s Word, doing a craft that will glorify God and remind us of his promises for us, then sharing a meal.

My church has seen its value and is now working toward a church service designed to be welcoming and inviting to all, but ESPECIALLY to our brothers and sisters with special physical and mental needs. I’d encourage everyone with a heart for “the little ones” (young or old) to take that step of faith and share the Gospel message with them. Whether it’s in a Bible study, in your home, with a special service at your church, wherever. The joy that we see in our friends at Friendship Circle when they talk about and learn about Jesus and the promises that God has made to them, is awe-inspiring. 

I could go on an on about this, but for now, I’d just say – THANK YOU for sharing this with us. If anyone would like to chat more about it, you can contact me thru our website (which DESPERATELY needs updating) at http://friendshipcirclebr.org

Thanks again! And may God continue to use you and bless you to His glory!

]]> Comment on Star Trek, M*A*S*H*, and the Facts of Life by Bill http://toddagnew.com/2012/02/13/star-trek-mash-and-the-facts-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-6691 Bill Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:45:00 +0000 http://toddagnew.com/?p=969#comment-6691 Another sad testimony to the state of popular culture:  the use of profanity on prime-time broadcast entertainment shows increased 70 percent from 2005 to 2010.  Even bleeped or muted uses of the F-word went from 11 instances in 2005 to 276 instances in 2010. (from a study by the Parents Television Council) Another sad testimony to the state of popular culture:  the use of profanity on prime-time broadcast entertainment shows increased 70 percent from 2005 to 2010.  Even bleeped or muted uses of the F-word went from 11 instances in 2005 to 276 instances in 2010.
(from a study by the Parents Television Council)

]]> Comment on Star Trek, M*A*S*H*, and the Facts of Life by Bill http://toddagnew.com/2012/02/13/star-trek-mash-and-the-facts-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-6690 Bill Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:06:00 +0000 http://toddagnew.com/?p=969#comment-6690 Maybe we need to just turn off the TVs.  The only reason the programming is the way it is, is because that's what people want.  TV shows are nothing more than vehicles for delivering advertising.  The advertisers buy the ads because folks are watching the shows.  If we quit watching the shows, they'll quit buying the ads and the programming will change.  At least dozens of times I've heard good people complaining about something they saw on TV--immorality, violence, materialism, etc--yet they keep on watching it.  Something like 90% of Americans self-identify as Christian.  suppose just half of them quit watching television.  The result could be amazing. Maybe we need to just turn off the TVs.  The only reason the programming is the way it is, is because that’s what people want.  TV shows are nothing more than vehicles for delivering advertising.  The advertisers buy the ads because folks are watching the shows.  If we quit watching the shows, they’ll quit buying the ads and the programming will change.  At least dozens of times I’ve heard good people complaining about something they saw on TV–immorality, violence, materialism, etc–yet they keep on watching it.  Something like 90% of Americans self-identify as Christian.  suppose just half of them quit watching television.  The result could be amazing.

]]> Comment on Wrist Surgery by Johnmoran8200 http://toddagnew.com/2012/02/02/wrist-surgery/comment-page-1/#comment-6689 Johnmoran8200 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:07:00 +0000 http://toddagnew.com/?p=946#comment-6689  We will be praying for you and your wife. I certainly know about surgery and it's fears. Love you Guys  We will be praying for you and your wife. I certainly know about surgery and it’s fears. Love you Guys

]]> Comment on NEWS UPDATE: Pre-Order How To Be Loved by Nailed2thetree http://toddagnew.com/2012/02/15/news-update-pre-order-how-to-be-loved/comment-page-1/#comment-6688 Nailed2thetree Sun, 19 Feb 2012 04:12:00 +0000 http://toddagnew.com/?p=972#comment-6688 new song sounds great new cd comes out on my birthday thanks .philip new song sounds great new cd comes out on my birthday thanks .philip

]]> Comment on Ezra and Special Education, part 2 by Deborah http://toddagnew.com/2012/02/09/ezra-and-special-education-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-6687 Deborah Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:23:00 +0000 http://toddagnew.com/?p=956#comment-6687 I work as children's director at a church in seattle, wa and we are using the gospel in motion to share the gospel with the kids.  It is the wordless book started by Charles Spurgeon and  adopted by Child Evangelism Fellowship, but it is now set to motions.  Younger kids love it and the older ones are leaning as a way to share their faith with others.  New method to share the same message I work as children’s director at a church in seattle, wa and we are using the gospel in motion to share the gospel with the kids.  It is the wordless book started by Charles Spurgeon and  adopted by Child Evangelism Fellowship, but it is now set to motions.  Younger kids love it and the older ones are leaning as a way to share their faith with others.  New method to share the same message

]]> Comment on H2BL Story Behind The Song: “The One You Want”, the blog by Tteslori http://toddagnew.com/2012/02/08/h2bl-story-behind-the-song-the-one-you-want-the-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-6686 Tteslori Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:11:00 +0000 http://toddagnew.com/?p=949#comment-6686 Just made me cry. Thanks Todd. Just made me cry. Thanks Todd.

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