True Life

Posted on November 11, 2016 by billtonnis

seagull_flying_bluesky

Letting go of attachments leads to freedom

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

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Luke 17:33

“Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.”

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A statement like this one from Jesus confounds our normal reasoning process.

At some point I have to relinquish the false self built by my ego…so that my true self can be realized.

We have to let go of the things that won’t last in order to recognize the things that will.

What things in your life do you hold onto and become identified with? It could be possessions, titles, positions, your profession, popularity or abilities.

All these things will eventually disintegrate.

When we are willing to let go of such things…we find our true selves.

It’s hard.

It’ll feel like dying. But the process always leads to new life.

After I peel away all the masks I wear…who am I essentially at the most basic level?

A child of God…eternally and unconditionally loved for no other reason than that.

So are you…and so is everyone.

When will the world awaken to this truth?

It starts with you and me.

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Listen to the song of the day “God Is the Goal” 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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God Is Present

Posted on November 10, 2016 by billtonnis

autumn_leaves

Love dissolves all divisions right now…if we choose it.

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

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Luke 17:20-21

Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he said in reply, “The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the kingdom of God is among you.”

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I think this is an amazing teaching from Jesus since my experience tells me that most people think that the “kingdom of God” is something that comes when we die or at the end of time.

Don’t most people think of the “kingdom of God” as “heaven”…a final reward that we hopefully reach one day?

That would make your life your own little “personal salvation project” (Thomas Merton’s term)…and avoid any real responsibility to anyone else or the rest of creation.

This teaching of Jesus is probably ignored by most people because it short-circuits the notion that God’s kingdom is distant…out there somewhere…sometime in the future.

It requires a whole new mindset to understand this…and it just might transform you.

This is a very important teaching to sit with and to ponder. “For behold, the kingdom of God is among you.”

That means now.

This line is also sometimes translated, “The kingdom of God is within you.”

If God is Love…then the Source of Love is among you and within you.

Are you aware of this?

If not…why? And if so…would anyone experience it by your presence?

When you know the kingdom of God is here…it requires you to respond.

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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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Come Together

Posted on November 9, 2016 by billtonnis

puzzle_peace

If God is Love then to love is our calling and each moment a new opportunity.

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

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1 Corinthians 3:9

For we are God’s co-workers.

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This life is not about carrying out our ego’s desires.

It’s not about our own personal fulfillment.

Each of us begins our lives mistakenly believing that he or she is at the center of the universe. It’s painful coming to the realization that we are not.

We all start out believing it is all about “me.”

The sooner we realize in our hearts that it’s really about God and what God is doing…the more peace and joy we will experience.

As Jesus said, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25) and also, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24).

The ego must surrender so a bigger life can rise.

We are all part of something bigger than ourselves. There is a grand creation in progress…and we are invited to be co-creators.

How else will God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven?

This is the purpose of our lives.

When we go with the flow of this Loving Process we become singers of the sacred song and dancers in the divine dance.

Let Love lead you now.

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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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Let the Joy Rise

Posted on November 8, 2016 by billtonnis

daisy_sunlight

Live in the light of Love.

(Listen to my song “Let the Joy Rise” by clicking HERE)

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Psalm 37:4

Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart’s desire.

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What is your heart’s desire?

Maybe it is clear to you…but maybe it’s not.

Due to the many mixed messages we’re bombarded with in this world…there is much confusion.

Our culture urges us to grab for power, prestige and possessions. Our egos are drawn to accumulating more and more and more.

Meanwhile…beneath all the world’s noise God is calling us to let go and to love.

This is the path to our heart’s desire.

Try focusing on Jesus.

Try listening to God speak to in scripture.

Set aside time for quieting the mind (contemplative prayer).

Set aside your thoughts and be still.

Be present.

God yearns to commune with you now.

Once we start “delighting” in this loving union with God in each moment…our heart’s desire will emerge.

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Listen to the song of the day “Let the Joy Rise” 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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Unify

Posted on November 7, 2016 by billtonnis

we_unity

Let’s work together for restoration.

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

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Luke 17:4

“If someone wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.”

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For Jesus…forgiveness was clearly imperative.

When we don’t forgive…we block the free flow of God’s unconditional Love.

Forgiveness is the key that opens the door to the Kingdom of God.

It happens now.

When we forgive…we not only free the person who wronged us but we free ourselves as well.

As followers of Jesus…we don’t just blindly forgive and roll-over in the face of injustice. We are called to stand up to wrongdoing and to work for justice…but to do so while maintaining a forgiving heart.

This can only happen by way of a transformed mind and way of thinking.

How does this happen?

Follow Jesus! Read his words. Model his behavior.

Practice contemplative prayer.

Let go of your ego’s need to be right.

Remember that while justice is important…it’s equally important to maintain and restore relationships.

The truth is…we are already one (Body of Christ). The delusion is that we aren’t!

God loves everyone and we are called to live in such a way that everyone knows it.

How else will God’s kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10)?

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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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Grace Abounds

Posted on November 4, 2016 by billtonnis

grand-teton_landscape

Bask in the Eternal Gaze of Love.

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

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Philippians 3:17

Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us.

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It may sound arrogant of St. Paul to tell the Philippians to be more like him…but Paul is a man who was completely transformed.

And he knew that he could take no credit for that change.

Paul had been a brutal persecutor of Christians but became a man totally dedicated to following and serving Christ. His transformation came about through a mysterious encounter with the risen Jesus (Acts 9).

Paul realized that it was Grace that saved him…nothing he merited or earned.

Then Paul became the one persecuted! But despite the persecution…he had found a new inner peace and joy.

Paul discovered that in the process of letting go of his ego’s desires, the life of Christ rose within him.

As Jesus said, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25).

This is the path to a truly abundant life and to living as your “true self.”

If you want the same contentment and fullness of life…imitate Christ.

I assure you…you will be changed for the better.

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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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Infinite Acceptance

Posted on November 3, 2016 by billtonnis

white_daisy_ray

If you feel troubled…know that God never stops loving you.

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

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Luke 15:4-5

“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy.”

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Jesus made it quite clear with these words that no matter how lost, broken, or unlovable we might feel…God will never abandon us.

As a matter of fact, God will always pursue us with open arms…no matter what.

Jesus says God delights in seeking us out when we are lost.

How else would we experience being unconditionally loved?

Jesus talked in parables and metaphors to try to explain to us that our Creator’s love is far beyond anything we can imagine.

If you are at the end of your rope…God is there waiting to catch you.

Why wait until you are at the end of your rope? Why not let go and fall into the arms of Unconditional Love now?

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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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News of Great Joy

Posted on November 2, 2016 by billtonnis

sunset_field

God is Love…so what is there to fear?

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

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John 6:37-38

“Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”

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Re-read these words of Jesus several times.

These are words of great hope and comfort. Jesus said that he will not reject anyone who comes to him.

We find this hard to believe because when we do wrong to others…they usually do reject us. And isn’t that our reaction when someone does wrong to us?

How “conditional” is our fickle love!

But “God is Love” (1 John 4:8). Our Creator’s love is unconditional.

Where are you broken?

What have you done that you regret or think is unforgivable?

What is afflicting you with inner turmoil?

While most people likely think these are the things that God despises in us…they are actually the places where God wants to embrace us, heal us and make us whole.

These are the places where we can’t do it on our own…the places where we need God.

The risen Christ wants to show you the Unconditional Love of God.

Accept it.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

The most incredible Love…is true.

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Listen to my song “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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Nothing Shall I Want

Posted on November 1, 2016 by billtonnis

flower_yellow_sun

We have all we need in this moment.

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

(Learn more about my new album project and/or support it by clicking HERE)

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Matthew 5:3

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

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Everyone is looking for happiness.

Our culture’s solution is to grab all you can.

But no matter how many possessions or how much wealth, power, and prestige you amass…it only leads to wanting more and more.

It’s never enough.

The truth is: You have enough now.

In the Beatitudes…Jesus gave us the blueprint for being happy. The very first line (above) is the key to having life to the full:

Cling to nothing.

Do not hold onto anything long enough to become attached or identified by it. But at the same time…Jesus does not say to renounce those things.

Allow yourself to both enjoy the material things God brings into your life and be able to let them go…passing them on to others.

When you are not attached to things that don’t last…you will be open to the things that do.

You will be present to what Love dictates that you do each moment.

The kingdom of God will be at hand for you.

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Listen to the song of the day “Listen to Your Heart” 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 October 31, 2016 by billtonnis

grass_rain_drops

We are called to reach out to those in need.

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

(Find out more about my new album project and/or support it by clicking HERE)

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Luke 14:13-14

“When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

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Here is another teaching of Jesus that Christians (including me) routinely ignore.

Most of us would have to admit that we instead only invite people to our parties that we like…people who will add to our reputation, prestige or position.

But Jesus said we should invite those who have nothing to give or to repay. Invite all those who have been purposely left out and are on the fringes.

Jesus said our motivation in sending out invitations should not be to gain anything.

Jesus kept hanging out with sinners and outcasts. He even knelt and washed the feet of those who could give him nothing in return.

The path to experiencing the true joy of the Gospel…is downward!

Paradoxically, when we give of ourselves to those in need…we gain indescribable riches.

This is how we can share the unconditional love of God.

This is how we can truly experience the kingdom of God in our midst.

This is our calling today.

It’s time to live it.

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Listen to the song of the day “Mercy Reigns” 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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