Listen to Bill’s song, “God Is”, on the album Give Praise and Thanks before or after reading this reflection.
You can hear a clip of the song by clicking on the link “Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes” under “Blogroll” below and to the right.

Matthew 23:13
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.

When the ego is in charge we always want to be in control. We are in a constant attempt to achieve and be perfect. We think any sign of weakness is a bad thing and so we wear masks of perfection. But God can only reach us in our imperfection. Otherwise…we have no need for God. It’s only when we acknowledge that we do have faults…we do have struggles…we don’t have control and we need help that we can experience what unconditional love is. The religious teachers of Jesus’ day held the people to a standard of perfection through the letter of the law without any regard to mercy, compassion and forgiveness. It’s only through receiving undeserved and unmerited love and forgiveness that we can experience grace and know who God Is…and thereby enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Suggested song of the day– “God Is” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!