Gospel

Posted on January 25, 2017 by billtonnis

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Each of us is called to be a channel of God’s Unconditional Love.

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

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Mark 16:15

Jesus said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”

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Jesus is sending each of us to proclaim the gospel…but what gospel are you proclaiming?

I believe the Good News of Jesus was that God loves each of us as well as all creation…unconditionally.

This Love is not only for humans…but for “every creature.”

It’s a transforming Love that forgives, heals and makes whole.

It’s a Love that reaches out to those excluded and includes them.

It gives and gives and gives perpetually…even when persecuted and nailed to a cross. Even then…this Love forgives.

This kind of Love will change you and call you into being the same kind of Love to others.

So go out and proclaim this Love in both words and actions.

Then…the kingdom of God will truly be at hand!

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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 are available for purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Universal

Posted on January 24, 2017 by billtonnis

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All people are family in the eyes of God.

(Listen to my song “All Are Welcome” by clicking HERE)

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Mark 3:33-34

But Jesus said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.”

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It might have appeared that Jesus was disrespecting his mother and family members at the door when he made the above statement.

But we know that Jesus wouldn’t do that. His statement has a deeper meaning.

God’s sense of family is an eternally wide one.

Our dualistic, “either–or” minds like to look at everything and separate what’s in and what’s out…who’s in and who’s out.

But at a deeper level of consciousness there is wisdom and enlightenment where opposites can remain together as one…as God holds all things without dividing.

Jesus said that God makes the “sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).

We are called to look upon all people as brothers and sisters.

The Body of Christ has no divisions.

There is no “other” in the kingdom of God. All are one.

Ask yourself these questions: Who do I see as the “other”? How can I change so that I might accept this “other” as my brother or sister despite our differences?

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Listen to the song of the day “All Are Welcome” 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 Be

Posted on January 23, 2017 by billtonnis

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Blessings abound in each moment for those who are awake.

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

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Psalm 98:1

Sing a new song to the Lord, who has done marvelous deeds.

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The next time that you are tempted to complain…look at the many blessings all around you.

What about each precious breath you take?

This life in human form has an expiration date. We have no idea when the time will be up.

I remember vividly a brush with tragedy several years ago.

I suddenly lost control of my car on ice, narrowly missed a head-on collision, spun around, slid off the road and overturned. It all happened in just a few seconds…but it seemed like an eternity.

Somehow…I did not sustain as much as a scratch or a bruise.

It seems it takes such encounters with mortality to wake up to how awesome and yet fragile life is!

Each moment is a gift.

But how often am I spending those moments lamenting the past or fretting over the future?

Wake up!

Engage with the now…the only time to engage with the Divine Presence.

This Holy Mystery wants to shower you with Love.

You are part of this magnificent unfolding creation.

You have been given life with the promise of eternal life.

How great is the God of all!

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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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Called to Love

Posted on January 20, 2017 by billtonnis

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You have been chosen to bring people together.

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

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Mark 3:14-15

He appointed twelve [whom he also named apostles] that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

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Jesus is not just calling certain “select” people.

Jesus is calling you.

“Callings” aren’t only for the ordained or those in religious life.

Everyone is being called.

Jesus said he was “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). He also repeatedly asked others to follow him.

Following Jesus is one sure way to find your true self and your calling in life. 

How will you use your abilities, gifts and talents to be a channel of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion while standing for justice…especially for the poor and oppressed?

You are being sent to preach the unconditional love of God for all…and to drive out any “spirit” of division or hatred.

The time to start…is in your next encounter.

The time to start…is now.

Let’s do it together.

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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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Shine

Posted on January 19, 2017 by billtonnis

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How are you being called to reflect the Light of Love to the world?

(Listen to my song “May I Be Light” by clicking HERE)

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Psalm 40:7

Sacrifice and offering you do not want; but ears open to obedience you gave me.

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God doesn’t seem to be interested in our sacrifices.

If this psalm quote isn’t enough…how about the prophet Hosea who said, “For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6).

Jesus himself refers to Hosea’s quote: “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice'” (Matthew 9:13).

It’s not about doing something to earn God’s love!

God loved you before you were born…before you knew any rules to follow.

Black and white, rigid religious rules are essential for children to function. But once you grow into the knowledge and understanding of God’s amazing love…the rules, although still good, are no longer the focus.

However, some people are still stuck in a childhood religion of desperately following a list of guidelines…always fearing they will mess-up and God will get angry at them.

Why would you fear God?

“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)

God is Love. (1 John 4:8)

Jesus showed us how extreme this love is…forgiving his executioners even when they had not even asked for forgiveness! (Luke 23:34)

This is the definition of unconditional love.

Get to know this God.

Then through your words and actions…help others to know as well.

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Listen to the song of the day “May I Be Light” 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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Mercy Reigns

Posted on January 18, 2017 by billtonnis

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Looking through the lens of love is the only way to peace and harmony.

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

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Mark 3:4-5

Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

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The Pharisees wanted to test Jesus to see if he would break religious law by curing the man with the withered hand on the sabbath…the day of rest.

As if following a rule was more important than helping someone in need!

That’s what happens when you look through the lens of a dualistic mind that analyzes everything as “either – or”…black or white…in or out.

This is a necessary operating system at times…but you also have to know when it’s not.

Love demands that you look through the lens of a non-dualistic mind that uses a “both – and” filter.

Jesus does this often.

When in our lives do we rigidly hold to certain rules and guidelines and in the process treat others in a cold and heartless manner?

Is it not possible to be both a follower of rules and at the same time be willing to bend them when compassion and mercy are required?

Being right will never change someone’s heart.  Being compassionate will.

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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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Grace

Posted on January 17, 2017 by billtonnis

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Eternal Love is holding and fueling all creation.

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

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Hebrews 6:11-12

We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.

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We all need hope.

But it’s hard to keep hope alive when we are assailed by the struggles of this world, our egos’ endless self-centered demands, our human weaknesses, and the actions of those in the grips of a low-level consciousness.

Jesus proclaimed a God of unconditional love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion for everyone…no matter how misguided or imperfect they were.

He continued to do this…even on his way to the cross.

Even on the cross. “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Jesus showed us the promise of new life…a gratuitous gift of Grace.

That is truly Hope.

Despite the world’s opposition…it is yours now.

The ways of the world will try you and persecute you…but if you keep going with the flow of Love and persevere in believing and spreading this mercy and acceptance to others…you will find peace, wholeness, and your true self in each step, each moment of your journey.

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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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New Life

Posted on January 16, 2017 by billtonnis

sprouts_sunshine

The pathway of spiritual growth is Love-spawned change.

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

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Mark 2:22

“No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”

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Jesus was and is “new wine.”

His teaching was utterly new and different.

He showed us the face of a God who is self-giving and unconditionally loving…not a revenge-seeking tyrant bent on punishing.

The “new wine” Jesus brought could not be held in the old religious structures.

“New wineskins” were needed. That required transformation…which means change.

Allow this same Unconditional Love to transform and change you.

Following Jesus is supposed to lead to a transformed way of life filled with meaning, growth and fulfillment. Religious tradition certainly has its revered place…but we must think in terms of “both – and.”

We both hold onto and celebrate tradition…and we open ourselves to the new wine God is always pouring.

What creative and unique “wineskin” is God calling each of us to create…to hold the new wine that is being poured? What are the new ways that God is inspiring us to express and to live the Gospel message today?

Or are we refusing to open ourselves to the new wine and wineskins?

One approach leads to endless life, adventure, deepening mystery and joy…while the other leads to a gloomy, static dead-end.

Which is your spiritual life like?

If you belong to a worshipping community…which is it more like?

Open yourself to this “new wine” and to the Self-Giving, Unconditional Love who says, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

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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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Good News

Posted on January 13, 2017 by billtonnis

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God’s love for you is free and forever.

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

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Mark 2:1-2

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.

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People flocked to Jesus just to hear him preach “the word.”

What would cause so many to come to hear him speak?

What was he saying that was so attractive?

We know it wasn’t about how to gain fame, fortune and power.

Since God is love (1 John 4:8) and since in the beginning “the Word was God” (John 1:1) and “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14) in Jesus then the Word must be Love.

Jesus’ message was about God’s unconditional Love and forgiveness for all people.

This was THE truth…that God is Love and loves each of us infinitely just as we are.

This cannot change due to our behavior.

The “word” was always about love…not punishment. Jesus’ words brought people peace, hope and freedom. They drove out fear.

They do the same for us 2000 years later.

Read his words. Get to know the Prince of Peace…and be free.

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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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One Body

Posted on January 12, 2017 by billtonnis

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Who are today’s outcasts in need of our help?

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

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Mark 1:40-41

A leper came to Jesus [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”

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Jesus wants each of us to be whole…complete…and included.

A leper was seen as “unclean” and because of that was excluded from his community.

It was believed that the leper must have done something to deserve being inflicted with such a disease. Jesus wanted all to know that this was not true.

He was “moved with pity” and touched the leper (which in the eyes of the people would have made Jesus “unclean”).

Jesus knew that in the kingdom of God…no one is excluded.

We are all called to reach out to those who are the “outcast.” 

Jesus told the leper not to tell anyone about his miraculous cure…because Jesus did not want the focus to be on himself as some miracle worker.

The focus was to be on the leper being restored to wholeness.

We are called to look past our differences and see that through the lens of love…all things are one in God.

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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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