Vocation

Posted on May 10, 2016 by billtonnis

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Everyone has a calling. What’s yours?

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Acts 20:22, 24

“But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem. What will happen to me there I do not know. Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace.”

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What is the Spirit compelling you to do?

Is there a growing desire in your heart to do something positive, something loving…something in the name of Goodness?

Are you aware of a passion inside you that is yearning to be expressed for the betterment of the world?

Are you in tune with this Spirit?

It will require taking time to listen in silence with the ears of your heart.

Paul realized that Christ was calling him to share the good news of God’s grace…God’s free and unmerited love and acceptance of all people. He had experienced that grace…when he was a persecutor of Christians.

It changed him.

That same Grace loves and accepts you.

You are being called to share it as well. How will you do it?

What is your ministry?

Listen to your heart…and follow!

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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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God Is with You

Posted on May 9, 2016 by billtonnis

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Love is the catalyst of creation.

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John 16:32-33

“Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

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How fickle!

The same men who told Jesus that they believed that he came from God…would shortly abandon him. Jesus knew this would happen…but did not reject them because of it or scold them or threaten any sort of reprisal.

What his followers believed…apparently wasn’t that important.

The love of God didn’t appear to depend on their belief at all.

Don’t we all do the same thing?

We repeatedly turn away from God (or if you prefer…we turn away from doing what is good and loving) only to be forgiven and accepted over and over again.

In response to the disciples’ impending abandonment…Jesus offered peace.

That’s because the love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion of God are unconditional.

God is Love and we are God’s beloved daughters and sons.

So take courage. Love wins!

That, my friend, is transforming and truly Good News!

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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!

 

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Trust in Love

Posted on May 6, 2016 by billtonnis

sunlight_clouds

Struggles are invitations to transformation.

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John 16:20

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

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We all go through hard times.

But be careful about labeling these times as “bad.”

In today’s scripture verse Jesus was preparing his followers for his death and resurrection. He goes on to say that when a woman gives birth she no longer remembers the pain of labor…she only experiences the joy of the newborn child.

For the joy of the birth of something new in our lives…we have to go through the labor pains. 

Change and paradigm shifts are never easy.

The self-centered ways that we sought satisfaction as a child have to be released so we are able to experience the true joy of giving.

The dissolving of the illusion that I am the center of the universe is usually a painful process…but necessary in becoming who I truly am.

Take a moment to focus on your breathing.

When you do…you will be totally present.

Let go into the Presence and know that God is with you.

You are a child of God…wholly loved and accepted.

Let go of your judgments and allow Love to transform you.

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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!

 

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Kingdom of God

Posted on May 5, 2016 by billtonnis

spring_sun_flowers

What if all our thoughts, words and actions were filtered through love?

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Acts 1:3

He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

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Jesus’ resurrection changed everything.

It meant that death did not have the final say.

Love wins. It had overcome the crucifixion.

The resurrection validated Jesus’ mission to bring glad tidings to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and let the oppressed go free (Luke 4:18)…in other words: to bring about the “kingdom of God.”

This kingdom is the state of being that Jesus modeled in how he lived his life.

The keys to the “kingdom” of which Jesus spoke are love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion…not power, prestige, wealth and domination.

Each of us is called to cooperate in the building of this kingdom.

Whose kingdom are you building through the way you are living your life:

God’s or yours?

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Listen to the song of the day “Salvation” 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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Source of Life

Posted on May 4, 2016 by billtonnis

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May the Infinite Love that sustains all things renew you.

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Acts 17:24-25

“The God who made the world and all that is in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything. Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything.”

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God is so beyond any concept our minds can construct…mystery within mystery within mystery.

Just by saying the word “God” I diminish our Creator…boxing up the Infinite in a three-letter word. 

This Source of Life is Love itself!

It needs nothing from us.

And yet this same Infinite Mystery loves you and me as a beloved son or daughter!

We and all of creation are accepted and belong.

Whatever might be your struggle today…allow this Love to fill you and simply be with you.

God’s love conquers all pain and hardships. Death itself dissolves in the Light of Love.

It is a Love that is unconditional and never-ending.

It is all you need now and forever.

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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!

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Begin Again

Posted on May 3, 2016 by billtonnis

fountain

Let Love lead you on life’s adventure.

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John 14:5-6

Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

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Are you unsure of your direction?

What will be your next step in life’s journey?

If you’re like me…you can relate to Thomas in his question of Jesus.

But if we stopped focusing on some future destination that is unknown…we just might be able to focus on the only time that is known…now.

Perhaps if we rested in the Presence of God we would realize we are exactly where we were meant to be.

In this moment we are whole and accepted as we are.

To know this…we will have to “die” to the constant striving to merit God’s favor.

We already have it!

If we simply follow the way of the one who said he was “the way and the truth and the life”…we just might discover a well-spring of life in each moment.

One day we might be able to look back at the amazing fruits that sprouted along our path. But for now…simply “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19).”

Let the adventure begin!

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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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Awaken Your True Self

Posted on May 2, 2016 by billtonnis

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Bask in the peace of silence sometime today.

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Acts 16:13-14

On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there. One of them, a woman named Lydia…listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying.

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How often do you seek out “a place of prayer”…a tranquil place that allows you to physically step outside of the distractions of life?

It could be a place in nature…or it could be as easy as going to an empty room, closing the door and sitting in silence.

The next step would be to listen.

Then let go of the constant flow of thoughts that relentlessly bombard your mind.

Let go of personal agendas…simply let go.

Be silent…open your heart…and pay attention to the inner voice.

Just “be”.

Find a special place to simply be today.

Make it a daily practice…then see how your life changes for the better.

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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!

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Let There Be Light

Posted on April 29, 2016 by billtonnis

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When Love is our main motivator…goodness shines!

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John 15:12

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

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This one sentence from Jesus is enough to keep each of us busy the rest of our lives without judging anyone else.

If you are a Christian…you are commanded to love one another (that means everyone)…even the ones who give you a hard time. Even your enemies!

Jesus gave us the model for being human. He loved even when he was persecuted. He loved even when he was nailed to a cross. Jesus looked down from the cross at his persecutors and said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

As I’ve pointed out before…no one had even asked for forgiveness!

Each of us has failed in fulfilling this commandment. Each of us has chosen to put our ego-centered desires first. Each of us has judged another as unworthy of being loved.

Yet this same Christ looks at us and says, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

Stop for a moment and reflect on this amazing, unconditional, saving love that God has for you.

Allow it to warm your heart.

Then allow someone else to experience that same compassion…through you.

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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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Reason to Rejoice

Posted on April 28, 2016 by billtonnis

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All creation is energized by Love.

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Psalm 96:1-2

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; announce his salvation day after day.

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Ever listen to the birds whistling and chirping in the early morning?

It’s as if when they awaken they joyfully announce with all their being,

“I am! I am! I am!”

With each chirp they proclaim their “is-ness”…they are alive!

They are complete.

They are wholly themselves…in this moment…the only time that is real.

Each moment is a gift.

Each breath is a gift.

Each experience of our senses is a gift.

All these gifts come from God who loved all things into existence.

Each of us is meant to be a unique reflection of our loving Creator.

Accept this Love that is freely given without condition.

Live in this acceptance. It will be your salvation.

Your life will become a new song in praise of God!

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Listen to the song of the day “Sing a New 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!

 

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Love Connection

Posted on April 27, 2016 by billtonnis

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God is as close to us as our very breath.

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John 15:5

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”

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Jesus said that he is the vine and that God is the vine grower. Each one of us is like a branch from that vine whose source is Love (“God is love” – 1 John 4:8).

All of creation is connected to that vine…but we may not be conscious of it.

When we are conscious of this divine connection and live in that awareness…we are truly living in the will of God.

It is letting go into the flow of unconditional love and acceptance.

However…our egos do not like this! Our egos want to take over and make our lives “all about me”…my will…my plan. Then…we are not consciously connected to the Vine.

My own “private salvation project” (as Thomas Merton called it) will not lead to a joyful life (branches with fruit)…but to emptiness (withered branches).

Don’t forget that Jesus also said that God would prune the branches that bear fruit. That means that there will be some painful struggles that will lead to bearing even more fruit…if we remain consciously connected to the vine.

How?

By being present!

This takes practice.

Take time to simply “be”.

Set aside time for silence (contemplative prayer) and meditation.

Give your mind a rest.

Simply observe without judgment.

Allow yourself to bask in God’s unconditional love and acceptance.

Be…and be free.

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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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