The Way to Life

Posted on February 8, 2017 by billtonnis

sky_clouds_waves

Go with the Flow of Love in each moment.

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

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Psalm 104:30

When you send forth your breath, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.

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All things belong to God.

All things have their being in God.

God breathes and life comes forth.

Everything is sustained by God’s desire.

This Loving Source is always creating, energizing, redeeming and renewing.

Creation is on-going in each moment and you are a part of that process.

The process is Love.

The aim of this process…is goodness.

You belong in this process.

Allow God’s compassionate desire to fill you.

What is the “good” that your Loving Creator wishes you to do to take part in renewing the face of the earth?

First off, be you!

No one else can make the unique contribution that only you can.

Give of yourself as Jesus did to serve others. Use your gifts, talents and abilities as a channel of Love to the world.

Surrender yourself to the flow of Love and Goodness.

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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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Love and Order

Posted on February 7, 2017 by billtonnis

open_gate

What if we stood for both justice and compassion?

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

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Mark 7:8-9

“You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” Jesus went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition!”

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Jesus was quite at home with all people including the people thrown-out by their own religion as well as a wide variety of “sinners.”

The only people Jesus consistently and sharply criticized were the Pharisees…the religious leaders.

They were always holding people to the letter of the law no matter what the circumstances.

They used the law like a sledge hammer.

Rules are good and necessary to give us some guidance and structure.

But don’t forget that Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul and mind…and then to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:38-39).

These come first.

The law must be tempered by love.

Most nations (and many people it seems) operate from a dualistic “either- or” consciousness…unable to move to the non-dualistic “both – and” consciousness.

Rules and guidelines can lead to a beautiful, life-giving tradition…if Love is the foundation.

If law is the foundation…the tradition will be cold and dead.

May love be the filter through which you look, think and act.

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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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Praise God

Posted on February 6, 2017 by billtonnis

earth_sun

All people and all creation are connected in this magnificent work of art.

(Listen to my song “Give Praise and Thanks” by clicking HERE)

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Psalm 104:24

How varied are your works, Lord! In wisdom you have wrought them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

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A friend of mine loves to take photos of the amazing array of creatures at zoos all over the world and then shares them over social media.

The wide variety of these beautiful and sometimes strange looking creations of God…immerses me in awe and wonder.

I’m also reminded that our Creator has made us humans the stewards of all living things on the earth.

Are we mindful of that responsibility? 

Do we care for God’s creation and do we stop to appreciate the glory of God in all that our Creator has made?

We are all part of this wondrous circle of life. All people are our brothers and sisters.

No matter ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or skin color…each person is a work of art.

We are called into relationship with all of creation in this time and in this place.

Praise be to the Love that has created, sustains and continues to create it all!

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Listen to the song of the day “Give Praise and Thanks” 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 Free

Posted on February 3, 2017 by billtonnis

sunrise_landscape

If you truly knew that God is Love…how would it change your life?

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

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Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom am I afraid?

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We get so caught up in the struggles and challenges of life that we start giving in to fear.

We lose sight that God is Love (1 John 4:8) and love drives out fear (1 John 4:18).

God…or Love…will ultimately save us…even when things appear out of control. 

Love wins in the end. Jesus gave us the ultimate example.

You are loved eternally and unconditionally. 

God will never abandon you…and no matter how a particular situation in your life turns out…God will still love you.

You are part of an unfolding love story in which God aims to bring you and all things to their fullest expression of Love.

So persevere and engage confidently in each moment of your life no matter the circumstances.

Relax in the knowledge that whatever today’s struggle is…it will pass…but the Light of Love will never leave you!

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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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Have Faith

Posted on February 2, 2017 by billtonnis

canoe_lake_flow

There is an Infinite Love that is carrying you.

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

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Hebrews 2:18

Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

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Jesus knows what you are going through.

He experienced all the joys and sorrows of being human.

As St. Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is the human fully alive.”

All of human experience is sacred…the joys and sorrows.

Whatever pain and suffering you are going through…know that Jesus went through the pain of total rejection, extreme persecution and what appeared to be total defeat.

But he did so not by resisting…but by responding with love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion.

Total defeat was transformed into total victory in the resurrection.

Your pain will either transform you or you will transmit that pain to the world.

Walk with Jesus in your pain and he will lead you to transformation and new life.

Go with the flow of Love.

Then you will be a source of transformation and new life for others.

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

Sample and/or purchase my songs by clicking HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Go Forth

Posted on February 1, 2017 by billtonnis

path_forest_dark

You are called to shine the light of truth in the name of Love.

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

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Mark 6:4

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.”

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When Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth…he astounded the people with his teaching. At first they were impressed. But then they asked, “Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary?”

In other words, “We remember who you were…so who do you think you are now?”

And then the scripture says, “They took offense at him.”

Following your heart…giving your all to being the person you were meant to be (your true self) will mean growth and change. Some people will not be comfortable with that.

As a matter of fact, sometimes your closest friends and family can be the very ones who will give you the hardest time.

If they see you change…then they have to change in the way they see you.

The fact is…many people do not like change!

When you follow the dream God has given you and begin to live it…you will be growing and moving out of your comfort zone. This will challenge others around you to do the same…and they might not like it.

Your duty is not to please them but to please your true self… because when you do that…you are pleasing God. So listen to your heart…and then follow Jesus.

It’s a sure path to finding your true self and inner peace.

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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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Being Christian

Posted on January 31, 2017 by billtonnis

cross_jesus

Following Jesus means siding with the oppressed.

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

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Hebrews 12:3-4

Consider how Jesus endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

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When you stand up for compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and justice especially for the poor and outcast…those who are different than you…you generally get ridiculed.

Egocentric people tend to be “me” centered…and they need to be part of an “us” that is opposed to a “them.” That creates “scapegoating” which is defined: “A person or group made to bear the blame for others or to suffer in their place.”

It’s like what is happening now with Muslims and those who live in certain countries. All are lumped together with the relatively few culprits.

This is our sin…the sin of separating from each other…when as Christians we are taught that we are all one body of Christ.

Jesus became the scapegoat to show us how evil scapegoating is.

And yet many times Christians are the very ones who seem to not get it.

Jesus predicted his followers would be persecuted. “Then they will hand you over to persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name.” (Matthew 24:9)

Jesus showed us God’s nature. He showed us the face of Unconditional Love…responding to hate with love even at the cost of his life.

To be a Christian…means to follow his example.

Not easy!

Whatever you are struggling with now…turn to Christ for help. He knows your pain and will walk with you.

Christ turns no one in need away. And neither should we!

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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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Love Never Fails

Posted on January 30, 2017 by billtonnis

candle_darkness

In times of trouble…be still and know God is with you.

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

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Psalm 31:23

Once I said in my anguish, “I am shut out from your sight.” Yet you heard my plea, when I cried out to you.

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We all go through times of darkness and suffering.

It seems it is a necessary part of this mysterious journey.

Many times, it appears that we need the suffering to force us to let go so that we can experience the new life that is coming.

We actually cause our own suffering by refusing to go with the flow of what is.

Even Jesus suffered as he wrestled with his apparent fate on the cross. He said to God, “if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

Jesus was our ultimate model of how to live our lives.

In times of trouble and darkness, he showed us how to let go and accept what is.

But he also showed us to then place our trust in a Higher Power.

Trust that Love will lead you.

He showed us how to follow that path of Love. Jesus showed us what “unconditional” love is…by loving and forgiving others even when being persecuted and put to death.

Death does not win! There is always resurrection and new life coming.

God will save you. So when the tough times come…do not to label them as “bad” because God will surely allow those times to transform you if you are open to it.

Christ will be there with you in your struggles…and all the way through them.

It’s the way of the cross. New life is coming.

Count on it!

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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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Peace and Joy

Posted on January 27, 2017 by billtonnis

bird_flying_ocean_sun

Letting go of attachments awakens the true self.

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

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Hebrews 10:34

You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.

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What are the things that bring you happiness?

Are they human-made things that will not last…or spiritual things that will?

What is at the center of your motivation for whatever you do? Is it to please your ego…or to please God? 

We tend to treasure material possessions…while God treasures love, mercy, forgiveness, compassion and justice.

We are actually spiritual beings in the process of becoming the unique human expression of God’s Love…but many times we get side-tracked into the grasping for power, prestige and possessions. 

We will have to let go of all those things when we die. Why not start letting them go now?

As your attachments diminish…your true self emerges.

It springs from the depths inside you where God (Love) abides at your core.

Peace and joy are available now …for the kingdom of God is present (Luke 17:21).

“Be still and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:11)

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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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Love Dispels Hate

Posted on January 26, 2017 by billtonnis

night_moon

Shine the light of compassion and justice.

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

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Mark 4:21-22

Jesus said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.”

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When we see injustice…we are required to shine the light of truth upon it.

No injustice can be hidden from God.

Jesus certainly wants us to shine the light of God’s truth…but also the light of God’s Love.

How is God calling you to shine that Light?

But beyond that…could Jesus also be saying that we should not be afraid of the darkness inside of us…the things we struggle with and aren’t proud of?

What if we weren’t afraid to allow God’s Light to shine into those areas as well?

Jesus never condemned or ridiculed those who humbly brought their shortcomings to him…but instead he forgave, loved and healed them.

Allow the Light of Love and Truth to shine on you…in you…and through you.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

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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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