Be Compassionate

Posted on May 22, 2017 by billtonnis

puzzle_pieces_joined

May our choices inspire unity…not division.

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

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John 16:2-3

“They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.”

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Have you ever been excluded or thrown-out?

Jesus was…and he warned his followers that they would get the same treatment.

Some people throw out others based on their religious beliefs. Some are thrown out due to their behavior.

Jesus was thrown out because he preached against excluding anyone.

For him…the law was important but love always took precedence.

Notice how Jesus rejected no one…even people involved in morally questionable behavior.

He could both not condone their behavior and at the same time remain in relationship with them.

This is “both-and” thinking (or what is known as “third-way” thinking)…not the typical “either-or” approach.

Jesus reached out to the outcasts to show them who God is…the very face of Unconditional Love. Many of them were transformed. Their lives were changed for the better and many became followers of Jesus.

How can I show that same unconditional love to those I encounter?

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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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Listen

Posted on May 19, 2017 by billtonnis

sunrise_ocean_calm

How are you being called to share God’s love?

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

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Psalm 57:9-10

Awake, my soul; awake, lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn. I will praise you among the peoples, Lord; I will chant your praise among the nations.

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For me these verses took on a literal meaning.

It wasn’t until my soul was awakened that I started writing and singing songs of praise to God.

My soul was awakened when my misery rose to such a level that my ego was forced to surrender. It could no longer prop up the false self it had created.

My true self was hidden under layers of masks. My “soul pain” had finally overwhelmed my ego’s resistance.

Is your soul awake? 

Are you being your true self?

This requires listening to the gentle nudges of God in your heart. To do so…you will need to practice being present to the Divine Presence. Otherwise…the noise of the world and your mind’s non-stop commentaries will enslave you.

I once heard this piece of advice from spiritual writer and speaker Dr. Wayne Dyer: “Don’t die with your music still inside you.”

What is your “music” that is meant to be shared with others?

What unique gifts do you have to offer the world from your awakened soul?

Go forth glorifying God with your life!

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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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Becoming Whole

Posted on May 18, 2017 by billtonnis

girl_field_running

Love is the only path to joy.

(Listen to my song “Shall We Sing” by clicking HERE)

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John 15:10-11

“If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”

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We know that God’s love is unconditional…so just because we slip up on keeping the commandments doesn’t mean that God withholds that love.

But it does mean that we would move away from the flow of God’s love.

It would be like singing in a great chorus but purposely singing out of tune. When we are keeping the commandments…we are in the flow of God’s love and are singing a beautiful harmony in the great chorus.

When we remain in God’s love…our hearts are transformed and we will naturally want to spread that love to others.

It would be like participating in a circle of giving and receiving love…the very life of the Trinity.

Contemplate for a moment how God loves you unconditionally.

Allow that to settle into your heart.

Feel the joy that Jesus wants you to experience…and then share it with someone else.

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Listen to the song of the day “Shall We Sing” 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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Abiding Peace

Posted on May 17, 2017 by billtonnis

grapes_vine_branch

Cultivate your connection with the Source of Life.

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

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John 15:4

“Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.”

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Jesus says that God is the vine grower, he is the vine, and we are the branches.

How can we make sure that our lives will “bear fruit”?

Jesus says by remaining in him.

How do we do this?

By getting to know him through reading his words in the gospels and meditating on them;

By following his example of letting go of our ego’s desires and serving those in need;

By being his hands and his feet…allowing Jesus to live through us.

In the prayer known as the “Our Father”…Jesus instructed us to pray these words to God: “Your will be done” (which of course means…not my will be done!).

By consciously being connected to Jesus as a branch is to the vine…we are promised life to the full.

We will find our true selves.

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

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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!

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Live

Posted on May 16, 2017 by billtonnis

sunshine_tree_morning

What better way to praise God than to be yourself.

(Listen to my song “How Wonderful to Me” by clicking HERE)

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Psalm 145:10

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

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All of God’s creation is living fully in the moment…just “being” to the fullest extent.

Every bug, every bird, every flower, every tree, every animal…is just being itself with every fiber of its being. 

No cat is thinking, “I wish I was a dog.” No flower is thinking, “I’d rather be a tree.” They are “all in.”

They are completely content at being what they are…to the fullest degree. And in doing so…they are giving thanks and praise to their Creator.

The question is…are we doing the same?

Is each of us being the unique person that God created…to the fullest measure?

Set aside time each day to simply be present to the Divine Presence.

Rest in that Presence.

Experience God’s unconditional love and acceptance. Then respond by sharing your gifts and talents for the good of someone else.

Your acts will be acts of praise to God…and reason to be very thankful.

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Listen to the song of the day “How Wonderful to 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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Peace of Christ

Posted on May 15, 2017 by billtonnis

peace_tranquil_boardwalk

When we love unconditionally…we experience the Presence of God.

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

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John 14:23

Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.”

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There are many ways to experience the constant love of God…through creation, relationships, music, art, a child’s smile, etc.

These are the moments when we are truly present to the Divine Presence all around us…and within us.

Another sure way to experience God’s love…is by living out the words of Jesus. 

When we follow his ways…when we live the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)…when we love unconditionally…we will experience inner peace and joy.

Allow this peace to satisfy your inner yearning and longing, to fill that emptiness inside. It is then that you will begin to discover your True Self.

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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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Grace

Posted on May 12, 2017 by billtonnis

sunshine_darkclouds_horizon

Circumstances that appear dark will be overcome by the Light.

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

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John 14:1-3

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”

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This is such a comforting message from Jesus.

And yet there are so many people who fear death. I’ve met many in my ministry to the sick and elderly. And no wonder…with so much fear having been preached to them over their lives!

And yet Jesus preached over and over to not be afraid.

He showed us that life does not end…but is transformed!

Death is not an end but a doorway to new life.

Jesus promised that he would prepare a place for us.

Remember that scripture says that God is love (1 John 4:8). And it also says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

So know that you are eternally loved!

Whatever you are struggling with now…remember that the Love that created you is with you…now and forever.

Nothing can stop transformation and new life from happening…if you are open to it!

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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!

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Keep the Faith

Posted on May 10, 2017 by billtonnis

lake_reflection_sky

Love is winning and will have the final say.

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

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John 12:44-45

Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.”

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This is a very comforting thought.

Jesus basically said, “If you want to know what God is like…look at me.”

Humanity’s understanding of God evolved over thousands of years…usually reflecting the way human beings behaved. If they were vindictive and vengeful…well then…God was vindictive and vengeful as well.

But a Benevolent Consciousness was in the process of rising in human beings. This Love fueling the universe was always a constant…but it was we who had to change.

Did you ever see Jesus squash anyone? How about threaten to destroy anyone? No!

Jesus gave all of himself in life to show love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion equally to all. He spent his time with those on the margins…those who were rejected by society. He didn’t condemn anyone…even the woman caught in adultery.

The only people who really angered Jesus were the self-righteous, judgmental religious leaders.

Jesus offered compassion to those who messed up…to those who were broken and in need. 

Isn’t that all of us?

Jesus reflected a Creator who loves everyone.

Bask in that knowledge…and be thankful.

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Listen to the song of the day “Salvation” 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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Listen

Posted on May 9, 2017 by billtonnis

river_quiet

The Love that created us is speaking in the silence.

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

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John 10:27-28

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”

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How can you hear the voice of God if you are not listening?

If your life does not include setting aside some quiet time for listening…or simply being present…how can you hear God’s voice speak to you in the depths of your heart?

It’s not just the cacophonous noise of the world that we are immersed in…but also the constant noise inside our heads. Most of the time our minds are running with non-stop commentary.

Thoughts after thoughts after thoughts, etc.

So stop…be still…and be silent.

If you listened you would hear words of unconditional love, acceptance and forgiveness. As Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice…and they follow me.”

Why would you follow if you didn’t trust that voice?

Following the Good Shepherd would be a joy!

Notice that Jesus does not say that when his sheep follow him that one day he will give them eternal life. He says, “I give them eternal life.”

It begins now.

If you want to experience a taste of this freedom, if you want to experience amazing grace now…listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd.

Read and meditate on the words of Jesus in scripture.

Follow where he leads and experience life that has no end…right now.

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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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Everything Belongs

Posted on May 8, 2017 by billtonnis

sheep_flock

What if we all practiced compassion?

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

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John 10:16

“I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

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We all start out in life believing that we are at the center of the universe.

It’s all about me.

Sadly, some people never seem to get beyond this delusional perspective.

The ego feeds on being separate from others…inflating its own self-importance…always judging who is right and who is wrong. Of course…the ego always judges itself to be right!

The ego wants me to believe that I am on the winning side…that I am in the “in” group. Of course, that would mean that someone else is not.

When we exclude we are clearly not being Christian. Jesus reached out to all the outcasts.

He insisted that all will be one flock and that he will be the one shepherd.

This is what the kingdom of God is about…diverse yet one.

For this to happen…egos will have to diminish. As John the Baptist said, “Jesus must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Ask yourself: “How can I change to be more merciful and accepting that everything and everyone belongs?

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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!

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