Be Transformed

Posted on May 5, 2017 by billtonnis

butterfly_budding

Love changes everything for good.

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

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Acts 9:1-2

Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord,
went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.

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The man named Saul brought fear into the heart of any follower of Jesus. He would have been looked upon much the same as we look upon a terrorist today. Saul did reign terror down upon the followers of “the Way” as the first Christians were known.

So who did God select as a very special spokesman for following the way of Christ?

Saul!

Clearly, God does not choose us based on our own merit!

As you may have heard, God does not call the qualified. God qualifies the called.

Or as Saul went on to say after his conversion when he became known as Paul, “God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

So perhaps we should not be so quick to judge someone as “unredeemable.”

Everyone…including you and me…can change.

Do not judge others…but allow God’s unconditional Love to change hearts…including yours and mine.

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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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Follow the Spirit

Posted on May 4, 2017 by billtonnis

quiet_lake

Stop. Breathe. Listen.

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

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Acts 8:29

The Spirit said to Philip, “Go and join up with that chariot.”

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When Philip joined the man in the chariot…he ended up being just the one who could make a difference in that man’s life.

It was not Philip’s plan that day.

This encounter was not on his radar until the moment he was prompted by the “Spirit.”

Are you open to the Spirit’s voice?

For this to happen…you first have to be listening and that takes practice.

First…are you paying attention to your inner-voice?

Secondly, are you taking time to nurture an “inner-life” through daily periods silence?

Thirdly, it also takes time to figure out if the voice you are hearing is actually just your ego’s voice speaking.

If the voice is asking you to do something that will be a channel of love, mercy, forgiveness or compassion…or if it is prompting you to take action in the name of justice…then perhaps it is the voice of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit’s voice will never be harsh or demeaning. It will never be belittling nor will it have personal gain as an objective.

When we are attuned to the Spirit’s voice…we will feel an inner peace and the sense that we are fully alive.

We will experience a taste of the kingdom of God.

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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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Good News

Posted on May 3, 2017 by billtonnis

Christ_drawing

The One who made you loves you unconditionally.

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

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John 14:7

“If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

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We all have wrestled with the concept of “God.”

Who is our Creator?

This is all in the realm of mystery…so beware of people who have it all figured out!

We see how people tried to get a handle on God all throughout the Old Testament. God seemed somewhat vindictive and harsh. This is because the people were mirroring their own vindictiveness and harshness onto God. When horrible things happened…well then…God must have been responsible!

But then we have Jesus telling his followers that they can know God…if they know him.

Is Jesus vindictive, judgmental and harsh? No.

Is Jesus arrogant, critical, judgmental and condemning? No.

Does Jesus smite people? No.

Jesus is loving, merciful, forgiving and compassionate. He reaches out and spends time with those who are “sinners.” But he also stands up for those treated unjustly.

The only ones Jesus routinely criticizes quite pointedly are the Pharisees…the religious leaders who show no mercy and are always holding the people to the letter of the law.

If you are a sinner (and who isn’t?)…then Jesus wants to be with you.

That apparently is Who God Is.

This is Good News!

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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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Love Wins

Posted on May 2, 2017 by billtonnis

budding_newLife

Every death leads to new life.

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

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Acts 7:59–8:1

As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”; and when he said this, he fell asleep. Now Saul was consenting to his execution.

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Stephen, known as the first Christian martyr, would appear to have been a “loser” in the eyes of the world…but not in the eyes of God.

When we respond to hate with love…just like Jesus did…transformation is just around the corner. 

We believe that Stephen’s violent death did not mean his end. We believe that it was simply a transition to new life.

Thanks to Jesus’ example, Stephen was confident that death did not have the final say.

Just as Jesus sparked transformation in his followers through the way he lived, died and rose…Stephen’s way of living and dying brought transformation as well.

His example likely began a transformation in a man named Saul who “was consenting” to the execution. Saul…who persecuted Christians and was at least complicit in the killing of Christians…would one day be known as St. Paul…perhaps the greatest evangelist in history.

That’s what can happen when hate is met with love.

May God’s unconditional love transform us.

May our hearts be changed so that we are willing and able to respond to our persecutors with love.

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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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Path to Life

Posted on May 1, 2017 by billtonnis

Field_of_grain

Let Love lead you.

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

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John 6:27

“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”

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How many of us are working for “food that perishes”?

Each of us needs to ask ourselves, “For what purpose am I using my time, talent and treasure?” Is it to stockpile possessions, power and prestige…to build my own kingdom?

Or is it to build God’s kingdom…in making the world a more loving, just, merciful, forgiving and compassionate place?

Jesus showed us the path to life in the way he lived.

That’s why the original Christian movement was called “the Way.” Following this path will nourish you with “food that endures.”

Allow your life to be led by a Higher Power. Spend time in silence…practicing “letting go” so that your true self can emerge.

When we surrender our egocentric desires we are then open to experiencing the rise of new life within us.

It’s the only way to discover your true self…the unique reflection of the image of God.

Using our time, talent and treasure for God’s purposes is what leads to contentment now…and forever.

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

Sample and/or purchase by 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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Pour Me Out

Posted on April 27, 2017 by billtonnis

ocean_flow_sun

The Eternal Flow of Grace is available now for those who love.

(Listen to the song of the day “Pour Me Out” by clicking HERE)

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John 3:35-36

The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life.

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God pours out everything to Jesus.

And in turn…Jesus pours out everything back to God.

In this everlasting flow of Love and Goodness…we find the Holy Spirit in action.

We are invited into this flow.

Unfortunately, many remain stuck in a Christianity of only beliefs, rules and regulations…all “head” stuff. They never move on to the actions that naturally flow from a transformed heart.

Information…is not transformation.

We have a lot of information about Jesus and many of us admire Jesus and are fans of Jesus…but how many of us follow him?

That’s really what he asked us to do…to follow him.

Jesus was the ultimate model for how we should live our lives. 

He showed us how to be human. He modeled how to let go of things that are impermanent…not to renounce them but simply to not be attached…so that we would be free to live as our true selves…as the unique reflections of God that we were intended to be.

So if we believe all Jesus told us…then we must follow as well.

When we obey…in other words…follow his ways…we enter into the flow of the Spirit. Then we have eternal life…not just one day in a future heaven…but also now. You will begin to experience God’s dream for you in the present.

The kingdom of God…will be at hand…both now and forever.

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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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The Way

Posted on April 26, 2017 by billtonnis

path_field

When we live to love…we are free.

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

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Acts 5:19-20

But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.”

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The apostles had been thrown in jail for preaching about the resurrected Christ. An angel freed them and told them to “tell people everything about this life.”

This life. 

The angel didn’t say to tell people everything about a set of beliefs, practices, or rules.

Jesus showed us the way of life that would free us now…bring us salvation now…help us to live as our true selves now…help us to experience the kingdom of God now. 

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). The early Christians were first called followers of the “Way” (Acts 22:4 and 24:14).

It was a way of life.

The rules and guidelines are a great place to start and a necessary foundation…but don’t get stuck there.

The question is: Are we living the way of Jesus? 

For that to happen…the love of God, the “Way,” must transform our hearts.

Are we living examples of mercy, forgiveness, compassion and equal justice for all?

Are we loving our neighbors and loving our enemies?

Each of us is called to live the “Way.”

Be a part of the transformation!

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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!

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Reason to Rejoice

Posted on April 25, 2017 by billtonnis

Lake_sun_bluesky

We come from Love and will return to Love.

(Listen to my song “Lift Up Our Voices” by clicking HERE)

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Psalm 89:2-3

The promises of the Lord I will sing forever, proclaim your loyalty through all ages. For you said, “My love is established forever; my loyalty will stand as long as the heavens.”

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God loved us from the very beginning…before the beginning of time as we know it.

That’s beyond our mind’s ability to grasp.

God is Love (1 John 4:8). That cannot change.

What does Love do? Love can only love.

There is no vengeance in love. Love is kind. It endures all things and never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

God (Love) does not change by whims and moods like we do. God simply loves and promises to do so forever.

Jesus demonstrated God’s love with his life. Even when people killed him on the cross…his response was forgiveness. That is a response anchored in Infinite Love.

The resurrected Christ wasn’t looking for retribution against those who killed him or abandoned him in any way. He returned offering peace.

This is the love that sustains us and partners with us each moment!

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Listen to my song “Lift Up Our Voices” 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 to Grace

Posted on April 24, 2017 by billtonnis

sun_rise_meadow

Dying to your false self leads to birth of your true self.

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

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John 3:3

“Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

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The Pharisees were the religious leaders who had all the answers based on the law.

But Jesus broke laws sometimes when he was healing people or when a loving response demanded it.

One Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus in the secrecy of the night looking for explanations. Jesus gave him something beyond religious answers.

Black and white theological information is a nice foundation to build on but information is not transformation.

Information cannot replace the transformative journey necessary to enter the kingdom of God in your midst.

For that there must be a rebirth from above.

We need a new way of seeing…a new mind as St. Paul would say (Romans 12:2).

When we are faced with dilemmas that white and black answers won’t resolve, then we have the opportunity of surrendering to a Higher Power.

That’s when we are open to experiencing the transforming unconditional love, mercy and forgiveness of God. Then it’s not about our goodness…but God’s.

The kingdom of God is truly at hand right here and now for those who are willing to die to themselves…so that God can give birth to something new and lasting.

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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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Finishing My 4th Album!

Posted on April 14, 2017 by billtonnis

Mercy Reigns CD Cover (Bill Tonnis) Final-1_1600x1600 (2)

Hello to all! It is my pleasure to post scripture reflections on this blog.

Today I’m asking for contributions to help me finish my 4th album of original music titled Mercy Reigns.

Any donation amount is helpful and appreciated at the secure site on my Indiegogo fundraising page.

Read more about this project, see my video, listen to the title song and make a contribution by clicking below.

Blessings to you all!

Mercy Reigns Fundraising Project

 

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