The Gospel

Posted on September 15, 2016 by billtonnis

sunshine_hazy_wheat

Love is what created us…and sustains us.

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

+++

1 Corinthians 15:1-2

Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

+++

God is always ready to save us because God is love…and God IS.

God is present in each moment of our lives and is therefore always loving us and saving us.

All you have to do is accept it.

It’s a free gift.

That’s the gospel that St. Paul was preaching to the Corinthians and it’s the same gospel he’s preaching to us today.

Are we “holding fast to the word” that he is preaching…or have we turned the Gospel into some burdensome exercise of trying to earn God’s love…trying to convince Love to love us?

If we receive the gospel (the Good News of God’s unconditional love) and believe it…we are being saved now…and in every moment.

Allow that to sink into your soul.

This is truly Good News!

+++

Listen to the song of the day “God Is” 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dying and Rising

Posted on September 14, 2016 by billtonnis

waterfall_trees_vines

If you’re struggling…know that God is leading you to new life.

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

+++

Philippians 2:5-8

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

+++

Jesus gives us the model…the blueprint…for taking part in God’s great, on-going love story.

It’s all about dying to our ego’s self-centered desires for power, prestige and possessions…emptying ourselves…so that in return we can be filled with the fullness of life.

In letting my false self die…paradoxically my true self starts to live.

Dying-and-rising is the pattern of all life.

Love gives itself away completely and freely…then resurrection and new life follow.

Our way to wholeness and completion (salvation) is through our human experience of dying and rising. 

Jesus “saves” us by showing us this.

He demonstrates the pattern that leads you to being your true self and enjoying abundant life now…as well as eternal life in the future.

So be present.

Empty yourself of self-centered desires.

Serve others humbly without looking for gain.

Accept whatever losses you are faced with in the journey.

Then…when life’s ending comes…the transition to eternal life will be seamless, smooth, and joyful…because the process had always been well-practiced.

+++

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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Reign of God

Posted on September 13, 2016 by billtonnis

mountains_lake_reflection

What if we all lived to share unconditional love with the world?

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

+++

1 Corinthians 12:27-28

Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues.

+++

Each of our lives is meant to be lived-out as a part of the “body of Christ.”

Our lives are part of a bigger picture…a Bigger Dream that continues to unfold.

Our Creator’s masterpiece is in progress…and we are part of it.

When you are consciously aware of being connected to flow of Love…you will find peace. You will also find God…and your true self in the process.

When you live from this place of oneness with Love…you will quite naturally want to share the Good News with all creation.

How will you do that…using the talents and abilities you’ve been given? Under which of the designations written by St. Paul above do you fit?

Finding your place in the body of Christ is life’s great adventure!

How are you being called to bring the kingdom of God alive in this place and time?

How are you being called to work for justice with compassion and kindness?

Now is the time!

+++

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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Amazing Grace

Posted on September 12, 2016 by billtonnis

rainbow_trees

A Great Love is pursuing your heart.

(Listen to my song Changed by clicking HERE)

+++

Psalm 40:9-10

“To do your will is my delight; my God, your law is in my heart!” I announced your deed to a great assembly; I did not restrain my lips.

+++

When we start following God’s gentle nudges in our hearts…we will be lead into delight.

Simply adhering to laws and rules will not lead anyone into delight.

Love will.

Love changes hearts.

Is our motivation love…or laws?

It usually takes some form of suffering before our egos will be forced to let go of control and our self-centered desires…so that we can fall into the loving arms of God.

For me…it was only after I truly experienced an Unconditional Love when I least deserved it…or when I was completely without any ability to earn it…that I was transformed.

My heart melted.

It was only then that I was able to allow this love to freely bubble-up from deep inside of me so that in my imperfection…I could share it. It is my delight to do so.

This is what God wants for you.

Open your heart and receive your Creator’s love just as you are!

+++

Listen to the song of the day Changed 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Let Go of Ego

Posted on September 9, 2016 by billtonnis

branches_sky

What if we focused on being in “right relationship” over being “right”?

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

+++

Luke 6:42

“How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

+++

Jesus tells us not to judge others…but that doesn’t mean we have to turn our brains off.

We do have to judge what is in our best interest. We also can’t help but to judge as in determine in our own minds whether we think what someone else is doing is a good idea or not.

What Jesus instructs us against is making any judgments about another person’s salvation or innate goodness.

After all, we don’t know all the reasons why people do what they are doing or what experiences might have influenced their actions.

A “wooden beam” in my eye might be obstructing a clear view of that other person…and I might be completely clueless about that “beam” that is clouding my understanding. And just how many beams and specks are obstructing my view that I am completely unaware?

Perhaps if I reached out and formed a relationship with someone that I disagreed with…each of us might be changed for the better.

Loving God, help me to focus on my faults and not others. Help me to see the inner beauty of all people…especially those who anger me. And help me to be able to both disagree with someone…and still be in relationship with them.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “All Are Welcome” by clicking HERE.

Sample and/or purchase my songs by clicking HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wholeness in Progress

Posted on September 8, 2016 by billtonnis

sunrise_dark

A Great Love is leading you to new life.

(Listen to my song “God’s Love Is All You Need” by clicking HERE)

+++

Psalm 13:6

I trust in your faithfulness. Grant my heart joy in your help, that I may sing of the Lord, “How good our God has been to me!”

+++

It’s easy to praise God when things are going our way and we are filled with wonderful feelings. But what about when we are heart-broken and in pain?

If God is Love (1 John 4:8) then we know that God is not rejoicing when we are suffering.

What would Love’s response be to our pain?

I’m thinking that Love would hold us and comfort us.

Jesus showed us that God is faithful even in dark times and feelings of abandonment.

Remember that resurrection followed the crucifixion.

New Life awaits us at the other side of any pain or suffering.

Cling to Jesus. Cling to the Love that could never let you go.

Open yourself to this unconditional Love that celebrates our joys and mourns our sorrows.

Let go of control.

Trust that God is leading you through your struggles to new life and wholeness.

Have faith.

This is truly Good News!

+++

Listen to the song of the day “God’s Love Is All You Need” 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Key to Happiness

Posted on September 7, 2016 by billtonnis

ocean_waves_myrtlebeach

Letting go of attachments leads to freedom.

(Listen to my song “Singing My Song” by clicking HERE)

+++

Luke 6:20

And raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.”

+++

“Blessed” is sometimes translated as “happy.”

Can Jesus really mean “Happy are you who are poor”?

Are we not happier when we have wealth and all the stuff that goes with it?

Well…for a time we are. But think about the last time you really wanted some material thing…and then got it. Did the happiness you felt last…or did it fade until you started craving something else to satisfy your yearning?

The deep, inner yearning we all feel is actually a spiritual craving…not physical. It’s the groaning of our souls…our true selves…for wholeness and oneness with God.

Our Creator wants to satisfy our inner yearning by leading us to become our true selves. For this to happen…we must first stop seeking fulfillment from things that don’t last…like power, prestige and possessions.

Those things all have their place in this world…but the attachment to them is what we must avoid.

When we let go of attachments and, in a sense, become “poor”…we are then open to what God wants to give us.

When we are present…open to each moment…letting go of the distractions…we are indeed poor in possessions…but rich in the Grace of God.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Singing My Song” 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Silent Prayer

Posted on September 6, 2016 by billtonnis

nature_lake_dawn

Stop. Rest. Listen…

(Listen to my song “Turn Off the Noise” by clicking HERE)

+++

Luke 6:12-13

In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles.

+++

Notice how Jesus went off to a quiet place and spent an entire night in prayer to God before making a big decision about picking apostles.

Given that he also instructed his followers to pray by going to your inner room and then to not babble using many words (Matthew 6:6-7)…it would seem that Jesus spent most of his prayer in silent listening.

He needed to remove all distractions so he could listen to the voice of God.

Are you following Jesus’ example?

When it comes to making big decisions…or in times of struggles when you aren’t sure what to do…are you finding a quiet place to commune with your Maker?

Try setting aside 10 to 20 minutes regularly for quiet meditation.

Simply let go of your thoughts.

Allow your mind to rest from its constant judgments and commentaries.

It may be difficult, frustrating and seemingly pointless at first…but with practice you will be amazed at how your life will change for the better…and how your inner peace will grow.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Turn Off the Noise” 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

God Is Present

Posted on August 26, 2016 by billtonnis

flower_closeup

If you are not focused on this moment…you are missing your life.

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

+++

Matthew 25:13

“Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

+++

Many times this statement by Jesus is taken to mean some sort of warning about when death will come…and that you better have your act together or else!

That is a very fearful interpretation.

Does that interpretation sound like something the same guy who preached love and forgiveness would say? It seems a far cry from the guy who commanded us to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).

Jesus always reached out to those who were struggling in their imperfection and unworthiness. That’s because God’s love does not depend on our worthiness.

God’s love is given continuously…in each moment. True love is never withheld.

But are we ready to receive it?

Are we “awake” to the Grace that God is ready to give us?

Or are we asleep…distracted by other worldly things with no lasting importance?

God wants to lift us in the places where we are unable to do so…with a Love that will heal us and make us whole. For this to happen…our egos have to get out of the way.

Stop.

Be silent.

Awaken to the Divine Presence.

As Jesus said: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand”(Mark 1:15).

The time of salvation and freedom…is now!

+++

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 to purchase at BillTonnisMusic.com by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Faith

Posted on August 25, 2016 by billtonnis

christmas_Jesus_outline

The Love that created you will lead you…if you follow.

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

+++

1 Corinthians 1:9

God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

+++

God will never let us go…despite all the times we have turned away and despite all the times in the future when we will slip and fall.

Remember that God is love (1 John 4:8).

Also remember: “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

Love was made flesh and took human form in Jesus. Love became human.

Jesus said that he is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). If we follow him…trust him…become friends with him…he will show us who we are.

There are so many influences and voices trying to tell each of us what we should do, think and act in order to be someone.

If you want to know why you are here…if you want to know the real you…your true self…get to know Jesus.

+++

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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment