Love Rules

Posted on January 16, 2018 by billtonnis

grain_field_sun

May all laws be regulated by compassion.

(Listen to my song “I Want to Follow You” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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Mark 2:23-24

As he was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”

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Jesus seemed to break many of the religious rules.

He wasn’t against the rules…they just weren’t absolute.

Rules are necessary and a great foundation to build on as you start out in life and to give you general boundaries.

All those early in development…like a child…need definite white and black boundaries.

But as you grow and experience more of life, you will find yourself being drawn into the gray areas where white and black rules become problematic. 

Jesus allowed his followers to pick heads of grain on the sabbath (when the religious rules did not allow work of any kind) because they were hungry.

Jesus knew that doing the loving thing…always overruled the law.

He still obeyed the rules…but just knew when it was okay to break them!

Life is full of paradox and contradictions.

When confronted with such situations, consult experts, Church teaching and tradition…but first and foremost…follow Jesus’ example.

Then let your conscience make the final determination.

Do what is both compassionate and just.

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Listen to the song of the day “I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Give Glory to God

Posted on January 15, 2018 by billtonnis

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When we are our true selves…we truly shine.

(Listen to my song “Glorify You with Me” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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Psalm 50:23

Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me.

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It seems that God is more interested in you sacrificing your ego than sacrificing any material things.

Jesus said, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’” (Matthew 9:13).

He was echoing what the prophet Hosea had said: “For it is loyalty that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).

When you sacrifice your ego’s cravings…you are free to give your loyalty to God.

Only then…can you offer God your heart.

Then your true self is revealed.

When you are being your true self…you are being the unique reflection of God that you were intended to be.

As St. Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is the human person fully alive.”

Just as all creation gives glory to God through its very being…so do we.

But it’s only human beings who seem to have a choice as to whether they are ‘all in’.

On this Martin Luther King Day, we celebrate a man who was all in.

When we wholeheartedly share our gifts and talents for the betterment and goodness of the world (like King) instead of our selfish interests…we are truly praising our Creator.

So be you…with all your heart.

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Listen to the song of the day “Glorify You with Me” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God  loves you!

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Good News

Posted on January 12, 2018 by billtonnis

sunset_ocean_waves

Unconditional Love is Who God is.

(Listen to my song “God Is” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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1 Samuel 8:6-7

Samuel was displeased when they asked for a king to judge them. He prayed to the Lord, however, who said in answer: “Grant the people’s every request. It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king.”

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It is the same story repeated throughout thousands of years.

The sons and daughters of God reject the God who made them.

They again and again choose gods of power, prestige and possessions instead.

They…or should I say we…choose to place ourselves at the center of the universe.

Each of us mistakenly believes that we…our individual egos…are the center of all that is.

God allows this…allows us to choose.

But this is not so that we can feel God’s wrath and punishment…but so that we can experience the loving embrace of a God who loves unconditionally.

What better way to be transformed by Love…than to reject the One who loves us…and in return be loved anyway!

This is a Love that causes our hearts to melt…and to then yearn to serve such a wondrous God with our lives.

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Listen to the song  of the day “God Is” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Sign of Jonah

Posted on January 11, 2018 by billtonnis

lighthouse_sea_clouds_sun

Love will always lead you home.

(Listen to my song “Love Will Always Lead You Home” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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Psalm 44:24-25

Awake! Why do you sleep, O Lord? Rise up! Do not reject us forever! Why do you hide your face; why forget our pain and misery?

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Sometimes it feels like God has abandoned us.

If you are suffering in some way and feel as though God is far away…remember that Jesus felt such pain in the most extreme way.

On the cross he cried out to God, “Why have you abandoned me?”

But God was not gone.

Our Loving Creator is always there…holding us silently and eventually leading us to new life.

Suffering seems to be the great mystery.

But it also seems to be the one thing that leads us to let go of one thing…so that another can begin.

Jesus questioned…but also surrendered to what was happening.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

As Jesus hung on the dross…he hung between life and death…arms outstretched embracing it all.

And when all was said and done, the crucifixion was not the end.

Following the death of Jesus…was the resurrection of the Christ!

Jesus showed us the way to transformation and new life. 

Look to him…and follow!

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Listen to the song of the day “Love Will Always Lead You Home” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

 

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Listen

Posted on January 10, 2018 by billtonnis

sunset_sea_calm

Are you present to the Divine Presence?

(Listen to my song “Turn Off the Noise” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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1 Samuel 3:9-10

When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the Lord came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

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How often are you silent?

Probably not often.

But even if you do find some quiet time…is your mind quiet as well?

I think you’d have to admit…it’s not.

Our minds are constantly chattering away…usually repeating over and over and over judgments and commentaries.

So if God ever wanted to actually say something to you…would you ever be listening?

God speaks in the silence of your heart.

In today’s scripture verse, Samuel had opened a receptive awareness for God to be heard.

He was totally present…so that he could be attuned to the Divine Presence. 

Try setting aside 20 minutes a day to be silent and to let go of thoughts.

I promise you…your life will change for the better.

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Listen to my song “Turn Off the Noise” on the Listen to Your Heart album by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Awaken

Posted on January 9, 2018 by billtonnis

ocean_dawn_beautiful

Let go and live.

(Listen to my song “Make Your Way” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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1 Samuel 2:6

The Lord puts to death and gives life.

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Death and life are part of one whole.

You can’t have one without the other.

It’s not an “either-or” but a “both-and” scenario.

This is our “blueprint” for how God operates.

Life and death is the pattern for each day with the rising and setting of the sun.

It’s the pattern of the seasons…from spring to winter.

It’s the pattern Jesus showed us in his life and death on the cross.

But remember: Each night is followed by a new dawn; each winter is followed by a new spring; the crucifixion was followed by the resurrection.

Death does not win. Christ lives!

All our struggles will lead to new life if we trust in the flow of Goodness.

There is a bigger picture in which all suffering will be transformed to new birth.

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Listen to the song of the day “Make Your Way” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Alpha and Omega

Posted on January 8, 2018 by billtonnis

sun_sea_heart

Each of us came from Love and will return to Love.

(Listen to my song “The Way You Are” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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Mark 1:11

And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

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Jesus shows us the way to abundant life…as in a life full of love.

“I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

We are children of God (1 John 3:2).

When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, he heard the voice of God call him the “beloved Son.”

Each of us is meant to also hear God’s voice call us the “beloved son or daughter.”

This is not a merited status. It is given.

It is your original blessing.

Don’t let other voices tell you otherwise!

God is “well pleased” with you…simply based on you being a unique reflection of Love itself…for “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

Hear God speak these words to you: “You are my beloved son/daughter.”

Now…live each moment in the awareness of your preciousness.

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Listen to the song of the day “The Way You Are” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Compassion Required

Posted on January 5, 2018 by billtonnis

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May Love be known…through our actions.

(Listen to my song “Mercy Reigns” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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1 John 3:16-18

The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.

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What good are words without action?

Simple beliefs are meaningless if they don’t translate into living a more loving and just life.

Jesus didn’t simply profess beliefs.

He demonstrated love by laying down his life while forgiving those who persecuted and killed him.

Laying down our lives for others entails setting aside our own desires.

This means our egos have to be put in check. But first…we have to be aware that our egos are many times in total control of our lives. Many people have no awareness of this.

That’s why Jesus could forgive his killers because “they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

We must step back and observe our minds at work.

When we are actually present to the present moment…we will be able to see what truly is.

We will be able to see the needs of the other.

Gaze for a moment upon Jesus hanging on the cross…while still extending unconditional love.

This is how much God loves you.

You do not have to earn it. It’s given.

Accept it…allow it to sink into your heart.

Then…you must pass it on to others…or what good is it?

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Listen to the song of the day “Mercy Reigns” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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The Way

Posted on January 4, 2018 by billtonnis

labrynth_light

May your daily search be for peace, love and justice.

(Listen to my song “I Want to Follow You” by clicking HERE)

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John 1:38-39

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”

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Put yourself in this scenario.

You meet Jesus and he asks you, “What are you looking for?”

Interesting question, isn’t it?

What are you looking for?

Jesus is our great teacher in life.

He said that he is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

Jesus simply asks us to “come, and you will see.”

That will require letting go of what our egos are urging us to do, listening to God’s silent voice in our hearts and then taking a step in the direction we think God is calling us.

Read in the gospels what Jesus said and did…and then follow his example.

Life is not about attaining some future heavenly reward…but about being compassionately present to each moment of becoming more and more like Christ.

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Listen to my song “I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Shine the Light

Posted on January 3, 2018 by billtonnis

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May compassion be your motivation today.

(Listen to my song “May I Be Light” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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1 John 3:2

Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

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The bible says we are made in God’s image.

That image…as Trinity…is in perpetual, loving relationship.

Each of us is a tiny, unique reflection of the Divine Image.

However, that reflection is dimmed in us by all the superficial and unimportant ways that we express ourselves based on worldly illusions that will not last.

Jesus teaches us to let go of those illusions…to “die” to our egocentric desires so that the Divine Image can shine through.

We are meant to take part in the Trinitarian-Relational-Flow-of-Love.

It is the path to becoming our “true selves.”

Each moment provides us a choice of whether to let go of our ego’s insatiable desires to create a “false self” or to use our gifts and talents for God’s desires.

That requires letting go and being present…to God, everyone and everything else.

Each of us has no idea what our “true self” will be since it is not of our making.

But we can be sure that when we are fully present to the Divine Presence…our true selves will shine brightly.

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Listen to the song of the day “May I Be Light” on the Listen to Your Heart album by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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