The Good Shepherd

Posted on July 11, 2017 by billtonnis

sheep_hillside

A Great Love is yearning to guide you.

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

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Matthew 9:36-38

At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with compassion for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

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We all experience times when we feel “troubled and abandoned.”

Isn’t it comforting to hear that Jesus’ heart was “moved with compassion” for such people? He didn’t look down at them in disdain.

Jesus mirrors the face of a loving God. This is Good News!

Our Creator would like to guide us with the same care and love that a shepherd has for his sheep.

Many times we find such help from others who have responded to Love’s call.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help. It gives someone else the opportunity to be Jesus to you.

Who are those near you who are feeling troubled and abandoned? Perhaps it is you who could reach out to them with a comforting word, a smile or some encouragement?

Your Inner Voice will lead you…if you listen.

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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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Eternal Grace

Posted on July 10, 2017 by billtonnis

field_sky_woman

There is an Infinite Love that always accepts you.

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

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Psalm 91:14

Whoever clings to me I will deliver.

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Clinging to God requires not clinging to the stuff of this world.

The stuff of this world…power, prestige, money and possessions…are not bad. But when we “cling” to them…we start closing ourselves off from the flow of God’s grace.

It’s hard not to get attached to the stuff of this world.

Clinging to those things will never free you but only entrap you into the delusion that they will.

God alone will free you to live as your true self.

We are a part of a magnificent love story and our Creator invites us to be part of it.

You are the beloved of God. 

God would do anything to show us unconditional love…the kind that is infinitely poured out without any strings attached.

God shows us this love in all creation and with every breath we take.

This same love was shown to us by Jesus. He showed us in how he lived and how he died and in how he responded to hate and persecution.

And in the ultimate act of unconditional love…he forgave his persecutors!

Cling to this Love…and be free!

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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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Everything Belongs

Posted on July 7, 2017 by billtonnis

sunrise_earth_space

Love erases all boundaries.

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

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Matthew 9:10-12

While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.”

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Life is not a contest to achieve worthiness of being loved by God.

Unfortunately, lots of people think it is and that is why they are in a state of perpetual anxiety and fear.

If God would only love us once we achieve worthiness…then God would love no one.

We are all sinners…meaning at times we all choose our own selfish interests over God’s interests for us. We act out of our false selves and not our true selves.

Jesus was quite comfortable sitting with all the sinners at table…which would have been quite scandalous at the time. The religious leaders took issue with Jesus sharing a meal with such people.

But the only people Jesus seemed to take issue with were the religious leaders who wanted to separate themselves from those they deemed unworthy.

Jesus showed quite clearly that God wants to be with sinners.

How else will each of us truly experience the unconditional, transforming love of God?

Jesus wants to sit at table with you…just as you are!

Who is in need of experiencing this same unconditional, transforming love…through you?

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Listen to the song of the day “Make Me a Channel” 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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Have Faith

Posted on July 6, 2017 by billtonnis

sunshine_trees

God’s Love is free and always available.

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

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Matthew 9:2

And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”

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The paralyzed man’s friends refused to allow him to be excluded. They literally tore off the ceiling to get him to Jesus.

They believed that Jesus could heal him physically.

Faith that strong is powerful!

Jesus told the paralytic to have “courage” and then said, “Your sins are forgiven.” Jesus, who did eventually physically heal the paralytic, was more concerned that the man was spiritually healed and made whole.

Jesus wanted him to know in a palpable way that he was always in the flow of God’s grace.

Jesus wanted him restored to his community as well.

What is it that has you “paralyzed” inside?

Is it a complex you have…a fear…a belief that you somehow don’t measure up? Is it shame?

Whatever it is that is holding you back from living freely as the beloved child of God that you are…holding you back from living as the unique expression of God’s love to the world that you are…allow Jesus to free you.

He is willing to go to extreme lengths to let you know that you are loved and worthy…even to be nailed to a cross…just to show you what unconditional love looks like!

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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!

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Believe

Posted on July 5, 2017 by billtonnis

field_sunrise

The Source of Life is sustaining you in good times and in bad.

(Listen to my song “God’s Love Is All You Need” by clicking HERE)

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Psalm 34:7

In my misfortune I called, the Lord heard and saved me from all distress.

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You are made in the image of your Creator (Genesis 1:27).

You are a child of God…part of the grand plan from the beginning of time.

You are in.

You are included.

God is Love (1 John 4:8) and Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). So if you feel like you are not good enough, know that you are loved exactly as you are.

Remember…you are made in the image of God. When God looks at you…God only sees your pure essence…a reflection of God-self.

If you are struggling and feel like you can’t make it by yourself…that’s completely normal because you aren’t supposed to go it alone! That’s where God comes in.

Call on your loving Creator for help.

God longs to free you from fear, team-up with you and be with you in your time of need!

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Listen to the song of the day “God’s Love Is All You Need” 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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Go with the Flow

Posted on June 29, 2017 by billtonnis

creek_flow_trees

Transitions lead to new life…if we allow them.

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

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2 Timothy 4:6

For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand.

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When St. Paul spoke these words…he realized his martyrdom was imminent.

At the time of physical death…it will be the final “pouring out” of our lives here.

But our faith tells us that it is not the end. It is the beginning of eternal life.

Jesus showed us this truth.

Our lives are made up of many little deaths…transitions that lead to transformations to new life…when we go with the flow of the Spirit.

It means we have to let go when life dictates a transition-in-progress.

It will feel like being “poured-out like a libation.”

But that’s only so your Source of Life can then fill you again with new life.

It is taking part in the very life of God…the Trinitarian flow of life.

God pours out all to Christ…who in turn empties himself and returns all to God (Philippians 2:6-8).

Life and death are part of one continuous Flow.

We see it in the seasons.

We see it each day as night is followed by a new dawn.

You are in this Flow now and always.

Nothing can keep you from the Love of God (Romans 8:38-39). Nothing!

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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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Life Song

Posted on June 28, 2017 by billtonnis

bird_singing_branch

May your words and actions be rooted in Love.

(Listen to my song “Sing a New Song” by clicking HERE)

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Psalm 105:2

Sing praise, play music; proclaim all his wondrous deeds!

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Today’s scripture verse resonates with my soul.

I share my music during visits with shut-ins, the sick, inmates, and occasional concerts and church services.

I want to share God’s “wondrous deeds” through the songs I’ve been blessed with…as well as in my writings and reflections.

I desire to express God’s amazing unconditional love for you and all of creation.

That’s because I first experienced that love myself.

When I was at my lowest…I heard a Divine message in my heart to pick up my guitar which I had abandoned years earlier. I’m now completing my fourth album of inspirational music.

The desire to write more meaningful songs led me back to college, eventually to leave my former career in radio news…and begin a new life in ministry. 

All my recorded songs are available on YouTube as well as other sites like iTunes.

The Creator of the universe is yearning to work through you and your gifts and talents as well.

How are you being called to proclaim God’s wondrous deeds in your life?

First…know that God loves you unconditionally.

Believe it.

Allow this Unconditional Love to lead you one step at a time.

You are a unique expression of God’s love to the world.

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Listen to the song of the day “Sing a New Song” 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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Awaken

Posted on June 27, 2017 by billtonnis

path_woods

When we let go of attachments…we begin to live.

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

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Matthew 7:14

“How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”

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Our culture promotes the idea that the ideal “life” is having lots of power, prestige and possessions.

It says grab for more and more when in truth…that only leads to bondage to stuff and an insatiable craving for more.

Is that life?

Power, prestige and possessions are not innately bad…but it’s very difficult not to get attached to any of it.

Jesus knew that all we really need is God.

And where will you find God? In the present moment.

And since God is love (1 John 4:8)…then all we really need is presence and love.

I’m not talking about the “eros” romantic kind of love…I’m talking about the “agape” pour-yourself-out, self-emptying kind.

When we let go of our ego’s desires and allow God to fill us, we may feel like we’re on a “constricted road”…but it will paradoxically lead you to an abundant life. 

It will lead you to being the “you” that God uniquely created…your true self.

Is your life bringing you peace, joy and inner contentment…or something else?

If you knew your life would end tomorrow…what things would you realize are meaningless today?

What would you gladly let go of…so that you can truly live?

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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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Broken and Blessed

Posted on June 26, 2017 by billtonnis

kind_chalk

Each has no idea what the other is going through…so why not be kind?

(Listen to my song “Changed” by clicking HERE)

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Matthew 7:1-2

“Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.”

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Jesus tells us that before we address the “splinter” in our neighbor’s eye we should attend to the “wooden beam” in our own.

I have to smile at Jesus’ sense of humor. Can you imagine him laughing as he says this?

I am also amazed at his keen insight.

How often do we scrutinize everything we see and immediately judge what’s “good” and what’s “bad”, what’s acceptable and what’s not, what’s “in” and what’s “out” based on extremely little information? 

How often have we ended up completely wrong?

Jesus says each of us has more than enough obstacles in our eyes to cloud our vision…so we’d best focus our attention on our own improvement before focusing on someone else’s.

Each of us is flawed with areas of brokenness. This isn’t so God can then judge us as “unworthy” and reject us…but so God can embrace us in our struggles.

Our broken places are precisely the places where we truly encounter and experience God’s unconditional love.

Those places then become sacred places of transformation.

If it weren’t for the broken places in each of us…how would God’s Light shine in?

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Listen to the song of the day “Changed” 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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Contemplation

Posted on June 21, 2017 by billtonnis

sunset_lake

Silence is brimming with wisdom and peace.

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

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Matthew 6:6

“But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”

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Have you ever considered these words of Jesus closely?

“Go to your inner room.”

What is your “inner room”?

It’s that place at the center of your being…where your true self and God meet.

It’s the place of pure Presence.

The Creator of the universe is there to commune with you and to speak with you.

But to hear the voice of your Creator you must be willing to turn off the noise of the world…be still…and simply be with God.

Jesus said that we should not be like the ones who believe they will be heard because of their many words.

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8).

God wants to give you what you truly need.

Listen.

God speaks in silence.

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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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