Dying and Rising

Posted on July 25, 2017 by billtonnis

wheat_field_bluesky

The key to experiencing new life…is letting go.

(Listen to my song “Pour Me Out” by clicking HERE)

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2 Corinthians 4:11

For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

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St. Paul understood what Jesus meant when he said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24).

If we let go of our ego’s desires…die to self-centeredness…new life will rise in us.

This is the emerging of the true self.

As we follow the example of Jesus…letting go of attachments to things that won’t last…we’ll discover the joy of giving ourselves for a Greater Good.

We’ll be taking part in a creative process with eternal designs.

Then the life of Jesus will start being “manifested in our mortal flesh.”

We will become more and more the unique person we were meant to be.

So what feels like “dying” will actually lead to the fullest life you could ever imagine.

It’s never too late or too early to start your unique journey in Christ.

How about now?

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Listen to the song of the day “Pour Me Out” 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!

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Be Still

Posted on July 24, 2017 by billtonnis

lake_sky_blue_reflection

The Presence of God is everywhere.

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

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Matthew 12:38

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”

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How often do we do the same thing…ask God for a sign?

While the scribes and Pharisees were asking to test Jesus…what if we in good faith ask for a Divine sign?

There is nothing wrong with this as I think there is a Loving Goodness at work Who delights in giving us signs.

Did you ever wonder how many signs we might be missing…simply because we are too busy and distracted by the “noise” we are constantly immersed in…and are immersing ourselves in? 

Do you ever experience silence?

How often is your own mind the source of noise with its endless critiquing, judging and commentary?

Stop and observe your rambling thoughts.

Who is the one observing those thoughts?

You…the real you.

Allow your true self to emerge. Set aside 10 to 20 minutes today to simply sit in silence and let go of your thoughts.

Then make it a practice to really be present to your life. Observe your surroundings without judgement or critique.

You just may find that Divine messages…abound.

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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!

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The Way

Posted on July 21, 2017 by billtonnis

sunrise_field_bluesky

May compassion guide our words and actions.

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

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Matthew 12:7

“If you knew what this meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned these innocent men.”

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The Pharisees condemned Jesus’ followers for picking the heads of grain and eating them on the Sabbath which was against the religious rules.

This rule was made so people would set aside all their work to honor God on the Sabbath. The rule was well-intentioned.

But there was a reason why Jesus’ followers were breaking the rule: They had had nothing to eat and were hungry.

With Jesus…mercy and compassion overruled the rule!

Jesus quotes the prophet Hosea (Hosea 6:6) to the Pharisees…but to no avail.

They are black and white thinkers. They are incapable of thinking beyond their either-or, dualistic minds.

For Jesus…the “letter of the law” always deferred to the “way of love.”

It’s not about how well we follow the rules. It’s not about being right…but about being in right relationship with God and our neighbor.

It’s about a way of life.

That’s why the first followers of Jesus were called followers of “the Way” (Acts 9:2).

We are called to temper all rules with mercy and compassion…but don’t be surprised if you get criticized and ridiculed when you do.

Jesus promised his followers that they’d be persecuted (Matthew 24:9). But he also promised them they would have “abundant life” (John 10:10).

This is the way of love.

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Listen to the song of the day “Mercy Reigns” 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!

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God Is Present

Posted on July 20, 2017 by billtonnis

rose_sun_trees

Renewal begins now…and now…and now…etc.

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

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Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

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Does it seem like you are on a runaway train?

Life can get so hectic.

Schedules are packed.

Seems like we are always trying to prove something…achieve something…accomplish something.

Are we also trying to prove our worthiness to God?

Are we trying to earn accolades from our Creator?

Jesus said that if we know him…then we know God (John 14:7).

Did you ever see Jesus require worthiness for his help or attention? No!

God’s love is a free gift!

Relax. Life is not a contest.

Our egos hate that…but it’s true!

Jesus invites us to simply come to him and allow him to lift your burden.

Stop.

Breathe deeply.

As St. Paul said: In God “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

Accept the free gift of Grace and then rest in it.

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Listen to the song of the day “I Will Give You Rest” 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!

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Open Your Heart

Posted on July 19, 2017 by billtonnis

children_swing_tree_dusk

No college degrees are needed to know God.

(Listen to my song “Listen to Your Heart” by clicking HERE)

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Matthew 11:25

Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.”

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The “wise” and the “learned” sometimes think brain power equals superiority.

But God seems to have a particular fondness for the simple and humble.

When our egos are in control…we are often quite unaware of God’s Presence. That’s because we are too full of ourselves.

If a person is only motivated by his or her ego’s insatiable desires to be the center of the universe…that person will never truly become the “real self” that God intended…but only the “false self.”

Simply observe your ego’s demands.

This will begin the process of the ego’s diminishment and give your true self a chance to emerge. 

Jesus opened himself totally to God’s will and allowed God to define him: “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

Each of us is also God’s beloved child.

For us to know who we truly are…we must put a childlike trust in our Creator…open our ears, eyes and hearts…and then begin to live the answer!

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Listen to the song of the day “Listen to Your Heart” 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!

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Believe

Posted on July 18, 2017 by billtonnis

ocean_sunset

Our Source is an Eternal Fount of Unconditional Love.

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

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Psalm 69:33-34

“See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, take heart! For the Lord hears the poor, does not spurn those in bondage.”

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Are you struggling?

Do you feel like you have chains binding you that you just can’t remove?

Do not turn from God in shame!

This is exactly when to open your heart to the Love that made you.

How else can you experience Unconditional Love?

God wants to be with you in your pain and free you.

Jesus mirrored the face of God to all those who were oppressed or struggling. He was always reaching out to the “lowly ones” and all who were left out…all those who were ill and infirm.

You cannot do anything that would make God love you more or less.

This Love is Eternal. That, my friend, is truly great news!

So “be glad; you who seek God, take heart!”

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Listen to my song “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!

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Be You

Posted on July 17, 2017 by billtonnis

falling_leaves

To live your calling requires listening and letting go.

(Listen to my song “Take the Road Less Traveled” by clicking HERE)

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Matthew 10:39

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

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This is one of Jesus’ key, transformational teachings.

It is similar to a “koan” which is defined as: “A paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment.”

This saying of Jesus is very meaningful to me. The “life” my ego manufactured as a radio newscaster needed to be lost or let go…so that my true life…or as Thomas Merton would have put it, my true self…could be found.

When I am most truly myself…I am using my gifts and talents in the service of others which in turn gives me great peace and joy.

Are you being your true self?

What do you need to let go of…so you can find the life you were meant to live?

Practice being still and letting go of your thoughts and concerns. Start with 5 minutes and work your way up to 20 minutes.

Not only will you start to find a new inner peace, but you may find yourself drawn in a new direction.

Read the words of Jesus…especially the Beatitudes. Follow his ways.

Let Love be your motivation.

Some habits will have to be left behind so that new life-giving ones can develop.

New life starts now.

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Listen to the song of the day “Take the Road Less Traveled” 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!

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Let Go

Posted on July 14, 2017 by billtonnis

beach_sun_heart

Is your yearning to satisfy your ego’s wants or your true self’s needs?

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

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Psalm 37:4

Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart’s desire.

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How comforting is today’s verse!

So hopeful.

It resonates deep within me.

How I yearn for…what?

I’ve yearned for many things…but if and when those things are manifested in my life…they’ve never completely satisfied the yearning.

Well…maybe briefly. But the yearning returns. Take comfort in knowing that this yearning is built-in-the-fabric of all that is:

“We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now” (Romans 8:22).

St. Paul wrote about it. We…and all creation…are “groaning in labor pains.” That captures the feeling pretty well.

God is drawing us…enticing us if you will…to God’s self.

It’s a love story. God is the Lover and we are the beloved.

When you let go of your ego’s understanding of what will satisfy that deep yearning…you can simply go-with-the-flow of the Love that is calling you.

This will require a contemplative practice…periods of meditation or centering prayer.

Then…even now…your “heart’s desire” is in the process of being revealed.

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Listen to the song of the day “Glorify You with 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!

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Servant’s Heart

Posted on July 13, 2017 by billtonnis

reach_holding_hands

What if we made a practice out of setting aside our egos’ desires?

(Listen to my song “Pour Me Out” by clicking HERE)

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Matthew 10:8-10

Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep.

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Jesus’ message is SO counter-cultural!

Give without expecting a reward.

Have no security net besides a Higher Power.

Put your faith in a radical trust that when you give…you will receive.

Let go of and do not cling to possessions as you go on life’s journey.

Our culture tells us the opposite: expect rewards; crave rewards; compete for rewards…and amass as many rewards as you can. This idea appeals to the ego.

But Jesus says to let go of your ego and simply follow him.

That means living his message of love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and just treatment of all people.

Many choose the culture’s way and end up materially full…but spiritually empty, unhappy, unfulfilled and full of regrets.

Some will choose the narrow path of Jesus.

Which way will you choose?

The decision always starts now.

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Listen to the song of the day “Pour Me Out” 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!

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Let Love Lead You

Posted on July 12, 2017 by billtonnis

boardwalk_fence_sky

What do you need to let go of…so you can truly live?

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

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Matthew 10:7

“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'”

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Jesus gave this instruction to his apostles as he sent them out.

This was the message he told them to deliver as they cured people of afflictions and basically restored them to wholeness.

Note that he didn’t order them to go out to deliver to people a set of rules to follow so that they could be rewarded some day with a trip to heaven.

“The kingdom of heaven” is not only some place we hope to reach one day; it is what Jesus told his followers to help bring about in the here and now.

As St. Catherine of Siena said, It’s heaven all the way to heaven.

When we “die” to our ego’s plans…our true selves begin to rise.

It’s then that we can become instruments of God’s love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion. And that’s when the kingdom of heaven will be at hand!

How will the kingdom of heaven begin to manifest this day…through you?

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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!

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