All Are One

Posted on December 1, 2015 by billtonnis

poor_man

Psalm 72:12-13

For he rescues the poor when they cry out, the oppressed who have no one to help. He shows pity to the needy and the poor and saves the lives of the poor.

When it comes to all those running for political office…how many do you ever hear voicing their support for the poor? If you pay attention to the media today you will be hard-pressed to find anyone who is championing the cause of the poor, the outcast, and the people on the fringes of society. Jesus did. He said whatever we do for the least of these (those counted as nothing by society)…we do for Him (Matthew 25:40). This is what is required to take part in the “reign of God” as Jesus puts it…or the “kingdom of God.” Each of us has to ask ourselves these questions: How am I rescuing the poor when they cry out and the oppressed who have no one to help? How does God want to accomplish this…with me?

Listen to the song of the day “You’ll Lead Me” by clicking HERE.

For free sampling or purchase of all my songs click HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Good News

Posted on November 30, 2015 by billtonnis

streak_sunlight_ocean

Romans 10:14-15

How can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent?

Do you believe that Jesus is the manifestation in human form of God’s unconditional Love? If so…look at the life of Jesus. He said that if you knew him…you would know God (John 8:19). You can know him by reading the gospels. Read…and see how Jesus lived his life. Jesus expressed who God is…not some punishing tyrant…but a compassionate, forgiving, accepting, merciful Lover. This message is sorely needed in this hurting world! Who will tell others this Good News…if not you?

Listen to the song of the day “May I Be Light” by clicking HERE.

All my songs available for free sampling or purchase by clicking HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Blessings Abound

Posted on November 25, 2015 by billtonnis

matte-painting-_sky_stars

Daniel 3:62-65

Sun and moon, bless the Lord;

Stars of heaven, bless the Lord;

Every shower and dew, bless the Lord;

All you winds, bless the Lord;

praise and exalt him above all forever.

All creation is a testimony to the glory of our Creator. From the dew on the ground, to the winds that blow, to the sunshine, to the vast galaxies of the universe, we are immersed in the grand artistry of a Benevolence beyond measure. You and I are part of this on-going creation! How awesome and wonderful! Immerse yourself in this awareness. Just be. Then…be thankful.

Listen to the song of the day “Lift Up Our Voices” by clicking HERE.

Free sampling 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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Glorify God with Your Life

Posted on November 24, 2015 by billtonnis

flower_glory

Daniel 3:57

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

God gives everything to us in pure love beyond all understanding – including eternal life. The Creator of all things wants us to know and bask in this Love. So how do we respond? What do we do or say in response to being given life and eternal life? Allow this understanding to fill you. I don’t know about you…but when I think of this I feel deep gratitude and thanks. The question is: How can I show this thanks to the world? When we receive God’s gratuitous blessings and then pay them forward to others we take part in the pattern of the Trinity…a constant giving and receiving of unconditional love. All of creation receives the gift of life and then lives in the fullness of that gift…being all that it is and can be in each moment. By doing so…it gives praise to the Source of all. How might we do the same? It starts now.

Listen to the song of the day “Glorify You with Me” by clicking HERE.

For free sampling and/or purchase of all my songs click HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Cycle of Love

Posted on November 23, 2015 by billtonnis

creek_flow_give_receive

Luke 21:3-4

He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

The poor widow contributed two small coins…but that was all she had. The more wealthy people had no doubt donated many more coins…but it was nothing they would miss. How much of ourselves do we give to God? Do we give of ourselves when it’s convenient? Do we give of ourselves only on Sunday when and if we go to a church? Do we ever even think about giving of ourselves for God’s desires and purposes? What are God’s purposes for each of us? What is my unique mission? To be the “me” that God made to the fullest extent possible! In being my true self, I am called to use my gifts and talents each moment to reflect the same unconditional love that I receive from my Creator. How am I called to serve others in a compassionate, just and loving way?

Listen to the song of the day “Pour Me Out” by clicking HERE.

All my songs available for free sampling or purchase – click HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Unconditional Love

Posted on November 20, 2015 by billtonnis

love_free

Luke 19:45-46

Then Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.'”

The only times we see Jesus truly and justifiably angry is either when the religious leaders (Pharisees) are holding people to the letter of the law while ignoring the greatest Commandment to love…or in this temple area scene. Here, Jesus sees the selling of small animals to people so that they might take them to the temple for sacrifice. What infuriated Jesus was that people were being misled to believe that sacrificing an animal would somehow make God forgive them…pacify God…make God love them. Jesus knew that God’s love and forgiveness were not for sale. They were totally free. Jesus said, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice'” (Matthew 9:13) when he quoted the Prophet Hosea (Hosea 6:6). Good works and sacrifice do not make God love you. Knowing in your heart that God loves you naturally leads you to good works and personal sacrifices. Do you know that God loves you deeply…just as you are?

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

All my songs available for free sampling or purchase by clicking HERE

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

Remember…God loves you!

 

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Love Is the Way

Posted on November 19, 2015 by billtonnis

sunlight_blinds

Luke 19:41

As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.”

Have you ever been so deeply disappointed over something that you cried? I know I have. So did Jesus when he looked over Jerusalem and realized that the people whom he loved did not understand his teaching and would reject him. Not only that…those same people would kill him. Loving God and loving my neighbor are not easy tasks. They require putting aside my ego’s desires and putting God’s desires first. Instead of living to satisfy my ego’s desires for power, prestige and possessions…I’m called to work for the common good and justice for the oppressed…while at the same time loving those who don’t agree with me or who would do me harm. That requires dying to the “false self.” This is the “way of the cross” that Jesus told us to follow…a path that leads us to our “true selves.” Jesus showed the people how to live their lives so that the kingdom of God would come about…but for most that teaching remained hidden from their eyes. For most…it remains hidden today. Loving God…open our eyes so that we can all be agents for your peace.

Listen to the song of the day “Make Me a Channel” by clicking HERE.

All my songs available for free sampling and/or purchase: click HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Light Overwhelms Darkness

Posted on November 18, 2015 by billtonnis

Star_light

Psalm 17:6, 8

I call upon you; answer me, O God. Turn your ear to me; hear my prayer. Keep me as the apple of your eye.

There is always much to pray about. Many people are suffering with illnesses and addictions. Many people are victims of terror and are suffering from unjust situations and oppression. Many are alone and feel like they have no one to turn to. Sometimes it feels like there is nothing we can do…like we are powerless to help. Indeed…we sometimes are powerless…and it is only when we come to that place that we can turn to a Greater Power. Faith tells me that God does hear me when I call. Jesus said that when we go to our inner room and come into the presence of the Divine Presence…we are heard and answered (“When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Matthew 6:6). He said that when we ask…we do receive (“Ask and it will be given to you.” Matthew 7:7). For you see…each of us is the apple of God’s eye. Do you know that? Despite the negativity in life…a great Positive is at work and will not be defeated. Cling to that Love and allow it to transform and heal you.

Listen to the song of the day “Mercy Reigns” by clicking HERE.

All my songs available for free sampling and/or purchase HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Relentless Love

Posted on November 17, 2015 by billtonnis

rays_sunshine

Luke 19:10

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

If you’ve ever felt lost…ever felt like you didn’t measure up…ever felt like you let someone down…ever felt like you let yourself down…ever messed up in a big way…did something hurtful or felt like no one could possibly love you…then you are exactly the one that Jesus is seeking out. You are the one that he wants to find and be with because God could not bear to see a beloved daughter or son lost. You see…God’s justice is not punitive…but restorative. Jesus showed us that he would even die to show us the love and forgiveness of God. He responded to persecution with love…even from the cross: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Because death does not have the final say…Love does. Love makes all things new. This is Good News!

Listen to the song of the day “Salvation” by clicking HERE.

All my songs available for free sampling and/or purchase by clicking HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Open Our Hearts

Posted on November 16, 2015 by billtonnis

hands_helping

Luke 18:39-41

The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”

If you are in need of help…call out to the One who has your best interest at heart. The blind man did not listen to people who told him to be silent…but he persisted in calling out to Jesus. Notice that Jesus asked the man what he wanted Jesus to do for him. What is it that you want from God? Is it to heal you and make you whole and complete? Is it to find your purpose and calling? Is it to be more fully an instrument of God’s love and healing to the world? This is what God wants to accomplish with each of us. But we must first humbly admit that we cannot succeed on our own. We’re not meant to. It’s not about a personal spiritual achievement. It has nothing to do with worthiness. The paradox is…that we must first experience our powerlessness…before we can experience the transforming power of God’s unconditional love and mercy. As Richard Rohr states: “You will not learn to actively draw upon a Larger Source until your usual resources are depleted and revealed as inadequate to the task. In fact, you will not even know there is a Larger Source until your own sources and resources utterly fail you.” May we all come to this God of grace and humbly ask for healing. That’s when the healing begins!

Listen to the song of the day “Heal Me” by clicking HERE.

All my songs available for free sampling and/or purchase by clicking HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

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