Love Is Winning

Posted on September 12, 2017 by billtonnis

cross_sun_roof

In the midst of suffering…a Great Compassion is sustaining everything.

(Listen to my song “Come to Jesus” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

+++

Luke 6:17-18

A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured.

+++

When you watch Jesus, you see that his mission was always about healing.

He wanted to free people who were being oppressed in body, mind or spirit.

The oppression was sometimes inflicted by illness…but sometimes it was inflicted by the rulers in government or religion.

This required Jesus to speak truth to power without resorting to violence.

It also required him to reach out to those on the fringes of society…those who needed help.

Jesus wanted to restore all those who were suffering to wholeness.

He wanted to dissolve the illusion of separation.

He wanted all to know that they were included and loved by God…just as they are.

This is what Jesus wants for you.

We are all broken in some way.

Jesus said that he came to be a physician for the sick (Mark 2:17).

Bring your pain and brokenness to the Divine Healer.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Come to Jesus” by clicking HERE.

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

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Breathe

Posted on September 11, 2017 by billtonnis

boardwalk_moon_sky

A sacred peace is available in each moment.

(Listen to my song “Breathe On Me” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

+++

Psalm 62:6

My soul, be at rest in God alone, from whom comes my hope.

+++

What if each day when we awaken from sleep…we would take a deep breath and simply rest in the Presence of God?

What if as we sat down to breakfast before we took that first sip of coffee…we would take a deep breath and simply rest in the Presence of God?

What if after we got in the car before we started the engine…we would take a deep breath and simply rest in the Presence of God?

What if as we found ourselves in the frenzy of angry drivers on the road…we would mentally pause, take a deep breath and simply rest in the Presence of God?

What if when someone says something offensive to us that before we responded…we would take a deep breath and simply rest in the Presence of God?

What if when things don’t go our way that before we made a knee-jerk reaction…we would take a deep breath and simply rest in the Presence of God?

I’m thinking if we made a practice of this…we would find more peace in our lives and in our relationships.

God’s Presence is always here, always with you and for you.

Allow that Presence to give you hope now…and now…and now…with each breath.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Breathe On Me” by clicking HERE.

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

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

 

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Have Faith

Posted on September 8, 2017 by billtonnis

field_sun_clouds

If we trust and persevere…tragedies are transformed to triumphs.

(Listen to my song “Heal Me” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

+++

Romans 8:28

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

+++

God can transform any negative to a positive…when we open our hearts to Love.

It happens over and over as we see tragedies turned into triumphs.

Look at what Jesus did on the cross?

He turned what appeared to be the greatest tragedy in history…to the greatest victory.

Love does indeed win!

When disaster strikes…a Great Compassion rises within people whose response then overwhelms the bad with good.

God’s plan of creation is beyond our imaginations…but each of us was created to be a part of that amazing plan of self-giving, creative love.

For me…a ruptured appendix appeared to be a horrendous disaster…but the spiritual transformation it led me to made it one of the most treasured, positive experiences of my life.

Whatever you are dealing with now…turn it over to God.

Let it go, trust…and see what happens!

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Heal Me” by clicking HERE.

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

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Let Love Lead You

Posted on September 7, 2017 by billtonnis

flower_change_growth

To live a fulfilling life…requires growth and change.

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

+++

Luke 5:11

When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

+++

What would it take to make you totally change the direction of your life in an instant?

Jesus had just told three fishermen to cast their nets again after they had caught nothing all night. When Peter, James and John lowered their nets this time, they caught so many fish that their nets were tearing.

Peter’s reaction was, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

It’s as though he felt he didn’t deserve such a miracle of generosity. 

Isn’t that how we are?

We look at our imperfections and the selfish choices we have made and feel that we aren’t worthy of God’s love.

And yet Jesus seems to say that our worthiness or achievements have nothing to do with God’s response to us. 

God’s response is out of unconditional Love for us.

It’s the kind of love that, if we opened ourselves to it, might move us to change our lives and drop all the trivial pursuits for happiness that will never satisfy our souls.

Following Jesus is the way to living as your true self.

The way will not be easy…but Love will carry you to the life you were meant to live.

+++

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

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

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Purpose in Life

Posted on September 6, 2017 by billtonnis

hike_autumn_sun

How are you being called to make the world a more compassionate place?

(Listen to my song “You’ll Lead Me” by clicking HERE)

+++

Luke 4:42-43

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

+++

Even Jesus needed to withdraw to “a deserted place” so he could better “hear” God speak in the silence of his heart.

It is from this practice of contemplative listening that Jesus understood his purpose: to “proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God.”

The “good news” is that “the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15 and Matthew 3:2)…meaning right here, right now.

God’s Love and Presence is available to everyone in the present moment and it’s entirely free.

You are totally accepted as is.

Jesus also understood that his purpose was not to bask in the accolades of his adoring fans…but to move out of his comfort zone and tell others the “good news” as well.

If you are a follower of Jesus…then it is your job, too.

How are you being called to be a messenger of the good news of God’s unconditional love for all?

+++

Listen to the song of the day “You’ll Lead Me” by clicking HERE.

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

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rest

Posted on September 5, 2017 by billtonnis

man_sun

When times get tough…know that God infinitely loves you.

(Listen to my song “I Will Give You Rest” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

+++

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear?

+++

Jesus lived in the Presence of the awareness of God’s unconditional Love.

He knew there was no lasting happiness to be found in the power, prestige and possessions offered by this world.

The Light that will lead you in life…is Love.

A sure way to allow this Light to lead you is by following Jesus.

As it says in the Gospel of John: “What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:3-5).

Is there something weighing heavy on your heart?

Is there some apparent obstacle in your path?

Rest in Jesus. Allow his peace to fill you. 

Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

He is the light of the world! 

That Light will lead you through the darkness of any situation to new life and true growth.

So what is there to fear?

+++

Listen to the song of the day “I Will Give You Rest” by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my CD’s on iTunes by clicking HERE.

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wholeness

Posted on September 1, 2017 by billtonnis

pink_rose_leaves

Be the unique instrument of God’s love that only you can.

(Listen to my song “Make Me a Channel” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

+++

1 Thessalonians 4:7

For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness.

+++

If whatever we are doing or thinking is not “life-giving” or “loving” either to ourselves or to others then it is not leading us to wholeness (or holiness).

God is always calling us to become whole…to live authentically as ourselves.

When we are…we are bringing to life the full, complete, and unique expression of God’s love to the world that only each of us can.

No one can be you like you can!

We are incapable of being whole apart from a conscious connection with God…the Source of Life and Love.

How do we do this?

By being present to the Divine Presence.

Be lovingly attentive to life as it unfolds.

Allow the Great Compassion in Whom “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28) to lead you.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Make Me a Channel” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Now Is the Time

Posted on August 31, 2017 by billtonnis

field_sun_warm

God’s Love envelopes you the moment you ask.

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

+++

Matthew 24:42

“Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”

+++

These are powerful words of wisdom from the master teacher, Jesus.

Some have turned this into an ominous warning about not knowing when our death will come. But that doesn’t jive with one of Jesus’ main messages: Do not be afraid.

And he also said that he would not reject anyone who came to him: “And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day” (John 6:39).

So today’s verse is not a threat…but more like a basic message on how to live your life.

Isn’t it true that many times we end up sleep-walking through life…filling each day with meaningless pursuits?

How often are our minds on overdrive…constantly chattering about this or that?

Stop!

Wake up!

Each moment is a gift full of God’s presence…but many times absent of ours.

God is ready to be known to us in many ways and through many experiences but we are essentially asleep.

We are unconscious of God’s presence because we are too immersed in the noise of the world and our own minds. 

Set aside a few minutes of quiet. Allow the inner chaos to cease.

Silence your rapid-firing thoughts.

Simply observe them and let them go.

Who is observing those thoughts? You, of course…the real you.

Be still and awaken to the Presence of God.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Turn Off the Noise” by clicking HERE.

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

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Living Praise

Posted on August 24, 2017 by billtonnis

flowers_butterfly

When you are being yourself…you are giving glory to God.

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

+++

Psalm 145:10

All your works give you thanks, O Lord, and your faithful bless you.

+++

A flower doesn’t look around and say to itself, “I’d really rather be a tree.”

Nor does a dog wake up in the morning and grumble, “I wish I was a horse instead.”

All living things…flowers, plants, trees, and creatures of all kinds…are just busy being themselves each moment of every day.

And they do it quite naturally and without reservation.

Do we?

Humans seem to be the only beings who struggle to be who they are.

Spend some time doing the things you love doing…whether it’s reading, writing, drawing, painting, singing, playing a musical instrument, making crafts, running, working out, acting, etc.

Enjoy your “you-ness.”

Be you with enthusiasm.

Think about how we have been given life, love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and eternal life…all with no strings attached.

Not only that…we’ve also been surrounded by the beauty of creation.

It’s all gift.

Stop for a moment and take it all in.

Then breathe deeply…and give thanks.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Glorify You with Me” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Be Thankful

Posted on August 23, 2017 by billtonnis

landscape_lake_mountains

God’s love is gratuitous and extravagant.

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

+++

Matthew 20:15-16

“Are you envious because I am generous? Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

+++

In Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard, the owner pays the workers the same daily wage whether they worked all day or were hired late in the day.

The people who worked the longest griped about the ones who worked fewer hours getting the same pay as they did.

That’s when the owner makes the above comment.

The  point of the story is this: God’s love is unconditional and generous.

Everyone receives the full outpouring of God’s love because it has nothing to do with earning it.

It is always offered…but it’s up to each person if they want to accept it.

I’m sure that God wants each of us to be glad that everyone receives such love and not be envious or angry. 

In the Kingdom of God, nobody is “first” and nobody “last.”

That’s because all are equally loved. And for that…I am eternally grateful!

May we all grow to love as God loves.

And may we all yearn that everyone would come to know this amazing Love.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “God Is” by clicking HERE.

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

CD’s available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment