Compassion

Posted on September 29, 2016 by billtonnis

musical_circle

When I am motivated by Love…my life becomes harmony in a beautiful song.

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

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John 1:47

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.”

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Jesus could read people very well.

Since he was fully committed to emptying himself in the loving service of God…he had the ability to see inside the hearts of others and to sense their motivations.

Jesus sensed that Nathanael had pure motivations and was not “two-faced.”

How often do we really examine our own motivations as to why we do the things we do?

Here’s a question to ask ourselves before we speak or act:

Am I motivated by loving and serving God…or is my motivation to satisfy my ego and its desires?

If my motive is love…I enter into the flow of God’s goodness and creativity.

Before I can ever judge someone else’s motivations…I certainly need to be quite clear about my own.

This should keep me busy for the rest of my 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 by clicking HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Be Still

Posted on September 28, 2016 by billtonnis

dawn_calm

If you’re anxious…take a deep breath. God is with you.

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

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Luke 9:61-62

Another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

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Jesus was referring to a farmer directing his plow.

If the farmer turned to look back at what was left behind…he would not be focused on the matter at hand and the plow would drift off course.

The same would happen if he was looking a mile in the distance. Then the farmer would miss any obstacle right in front of him.

It’s a great lesson for living our lives.

Stay present!

Sometimes we get lost in our mind’s chatter.

Observe its barrage of thoughts and constant commentary.

We get so caught up in grievances from the past, worries about the future and endless judging that we are unconscious of the now.

The only place we will find the living God is in the present…right now.

If you’re not present…how can you ever experience God’s Presence? This takes constant awareness and practice. It’s a letting go.

Try contemplative prayer. Let go of your thoughts and simply observe the moment.

“You” are not your thoughts!

You are not your mind! It’s a useful tool…but it is not you.

Your true self is the silent observer of your mind.

Your soul-self cannot be harmed. It is eternal.

Open yourself to God’s Presence now…and as St. Paul said in Philippians 4:6-7, “Have no anxiety at all…then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

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Listen to the song of the day “Breathe On 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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Peacemakers Needed

Posted on September 27, 2016 by billtonnis

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Love…not violence…dispels fear and hate.

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

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Luke 9:52-55

Jesus sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them.

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Years of differences between the Jews and Samaritans resulted in the Samaritans shunning the messengers Jesus had sent ahead. So in response…two of Jesus’ followers asked him if they could call on God to destroy the Samaritans in retaliation.

Isn’t that the usual human reaction…to attack someone who has wrongly treated us?

You know…get revenge?

It’s been going on for years…and years…and years…and years.

Jesus’ answer to his disciples’ question was a stern “no.”

We even see this type of behavior today in politics on a less violent scale…where if you disagree with another’s position…you trash them and ridicule them with words.

What would happen if we instead responded to persecution, derision and disagreements in a non-violent manner but with a commitment to justice? And what if…at the same time…we responded with love and compassion?

It has almost never been tried…except for a few notable exceptions such as Jesus, Martin Luther King and Gandhi.

All three paid with their lives…but they also spawned peaceful movements that changed the world and continue to do so.

Violent responses beget violent responses. The cycle goes on and on with no end.

We need more leaders with the vision of Jesus.

That takes both courage and compassion…a combination that transforms lives.

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Listen to the song of the day “Make Me a Channel” 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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Called to Serve

Posted on September 26, 2016 by billtonnis

drip_water_grass

We are meant to be missionaries of mercy, justice and compassion.

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

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Luke 9:48

“For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.”

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This teaching from Jesus is nonsensical to our culture…as well as to our egos.

Our culture and our egos espouse the opposite view…that the one who finishes first…the one who defeats everyone else…the one who has the most…is greatest.

Not so says Jesus.

The one looked upon as the “least” by our culture…is the “greatest” in the eyes of God.

Jesus tells us that God is at the center of our lives…not our egos. Our egos must step aside. As Jesus said to God, “Not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

Living out the unconditional Love of God is the objective…even in the face of persecution.

Especially in the face of persecution!

If you are a “Christian” you are called to serve those in need.

“Whatever you did for one of these least of these, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40)…Jesus said. Those with little are not bound my many attachments.

Jesus called us to follow him on that path.

But as Gandhi is reported to have said: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

Who is speaking and working on behalf of “the least of these” today?

We need more people who are both working for justice and acting with compassion.

Please ponder this in your heart with Love.

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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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Life Changing Question

Posted on September 23, 2016 by billtonnis

jesus_sheep

If you want to know your ‘true self’…get to know Jesus.

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

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Luke 9:18-20

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

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For me…that was a life-changing question.

When I finally took it to heart and delved deeply into the Gospels and spent my own time “praying in solitude”…I was hooked. I couldn’t get enough of who Jesus was…and is.

There was no one like him. He became a friend…an inspiration…and my life started to change.

There was a sense of excitement and inner peace…as well as unrest because change is not easy. But it’s necessary to grow.

Nothing would ever be the same.

First came a call to pick up my guitar which I hadn’t touched it in ten years. Then…out of nowhere (now–here)…came song-writing, then a return to school…then recording an album of original music about my spiritual journey titled, Listen to Your Heart.

Then came a change of careers…from radio news to ministry. First youth ministry and social justice ministry, then jail ministry and chaplaincy.

I’m now working on my fourth album of original songs to pass along the Good News of God’s unconditional love and mercy.

My life has been utterly changed for the better…totally by the grace of God.

How amazing that the more I discover about Jesus…the more I discover about my true self.

So…who do you say Jesus is?

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Listen to the song of the day “Pour Me Out” 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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Eternal Perspective

Posted on September 22, 2016 by billtonnis

blue_sky_night

What is your role in God’s epic Love story?

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

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Psalm 90:3-5

A thousand years in your eyes are merely a yesterday, but humans you return to dust, saying, “Return, you mortals!” Before a watch passes in the night, you have brought them to their end.

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Life can seem meaningless when viewed in a “worldly” perspective.

Without a belief in something more when this life ends…“dust” would be our final destination. But thanks to Jesus…we believe that there is life after death.

Many witnessed and then testified about the resurrected Jesus.

Today…many more are giving their testimony of “Near Death Experiences”…telling their stories of dying, going to the other side…experiencing great love…and then returning when their bodies were resuscitated. There are thousands of cases.

This gives us hope.

Jesus said, “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” (John 14:2-3).

So do not fear. But also…wake up!

Our time here is fleeting…and it is such a precious gift!

What are you dedicating your life to? Is it to something that will end up in dust…or is it to something that will endure for eternity?

Jesus said the greatest Commandment is to love. This human experience is our opportunity to be a part of a grand Love story of epic proportions.

It’s all about love.

The time to take part…is now.

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Listen to the song of the day “Shall We Sing” 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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The Great Compassion

Posted on September 21, 2016 by billtonnis

flowers_sun

God’s love and acceptance are available each moment.

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

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Luke 9:2-3

He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal [the sick]. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey.”

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Jesus sent his followers to proclaim the “kingdom of God.”

And what does that mean?

We know that Jesus stated his mission when he read from the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue: “He has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free” (Luke 4:18).

When those things occur…you have peace, freedom, compassion, healing and justice.

That’s the “kingdom of God.”

That’s what his followers were called to proclaim.

So are we.

The kingdom of God is a state of being where compassion reigns…not power.

It’s when everything and everyone belongs.

We proclaim it whenever we channel God’s love to others to bring them healing and wholeness.

For that to happen…we need to let go of our attachments to all the stuff we falsely believed would bring us happiness.

All you really need is God’s unconditional Love…and it’s already inside you ready to be tapped.

So you won’t need to bring anything else on your journey.

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Listen to the song of the day “Make Me a Channel” 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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Contemplation and Action

Posted on September 20, 2016 by billtonnis

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What is your Creator calling you to do…in the name of Love?

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

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Luke 8:21

He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

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Jesus was good at using exaggeration to make a point.

When told that his mother and brothers were outside waiting to see him…Jesus made the above statement. He wasn’t suggesting that his followers shun their families…because honoring your parents is a Commandment and Jesus was a Jewish man of integrity.

But Jesus was emphasizing that a person’s top priority…over family…is to follow God’s will.

And how to we do that?

By listening to the silent voice of God…and then acting.

Reading scripture with the ear of your heart is one way to listen. What word or phrase is moving you…grabbing your attention? Allow it to ruminate in your heart in silence.

Another way to listen is contemplative prayer…simply sitting in silence and allowing your chattering mind to be still.

And since God is love (1 John 4:8)…whatever divine message you hear will be spoken in love.

But notice Jesus does not stop with instructing his followers to simply listen.

He said you must act.

If your idea of being a Christian is only assenting to a set of beliefs but you are not acting in the cause of unconditional love and justice for all people…you are only a fan of Jesus.

He wanted followers.

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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 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 September 19, 2016 by billtonnis

landscape_mountains_clouds_sun

Under the layers of masks we wear is the Light of Love…our true selves.

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

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Luke 8:16

“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.

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It’s easy to tell people to shine their light…but it can seem hard to be a light when in the midst of struggles and difficulties.

It’s also hard to be a light when the people around you don’t seem very receptive…if not downright antagonistic. Those people are struggling as well.

But remember…it is not about you being perfect before you can shine your light.

It is not about you being worthy enough to shine your light.

It’s not about getting anyone’s approval to shine your light.

It’s not really your light anyway. It’s the light of God inside you.

That Light…is always there at your core.

God works with you where you are.

Every time, in our imperfection and struggles, we turn to the mercy and unconditional love of God in the present moment…we are more able to reflect that Divine Light to others.

Sometimes we can lack confidence that we’ll be able to say or do the right thing in tough situations. But, to paraphrase part of a prayer Mother Teresa often quoted: “Do it anyway.”

It’s not our job to change people’s minds or hearts…that’s up to a Greater Power.

Our job is to allow the light of Unconditional Love to shine forth from our core through the use of our varied gifts and talents.

Bask in the Light of the Love that made you.

It shines on you, in you and through you right now…just as you are.

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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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Christianity 101

Posted on September 16, 2016 by billtonnis

universe_eternal

All people have an innate, eternal worth…so let them know.

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

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Luke 8:1-2

Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities.

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Are we still preaching the “good news of the kingdom of God”…or are we preaching some “merit system of holiness”?

Jesus spread a message that God loved everyone unconditionally and that the way of God was mercy, forgiveness and compassion.

It was all gift…unearned…grace.

And look at the ragtag group Jesus brought along with him: A bunch of uneducated fishermen; a tax collector; some of them boastful; some vengeful; one a traitor; and all of them without a clue as to what Jesus was all about!

And with them…some women “who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities.”

Jesus apparently wanted to hang with both men and women who didn’t have it all together.

Thank God!

Do you see yourself among those followers? Welcome! Jesus wants to be with you, too!

This is Who God Is.

This is Good News!

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Listen to the song of the day “Come to Jesus” 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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