Infinite Mercy

Posted on October 2, 2015 by billtonnis

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Baruch 1:21-22

For we did not heed the voice of the Lord, our God, in all the words of the prophets whom he sent us, but each of us went off after the devices of our own wicked hearts, served other gods, and did evil in the sight of the Lord, our God.

Centuries after this was written…not much has changed! We must admit that this scripture still applies to us today. But ever notice how God’s love is not conditional like ours is many times? God kept loving…keeps loving…despite being rejected over and over and over. If you are struggling and are not proud of some of the things you’ve done…take comfort in the fact that God is not giving up on you. God made us with a free will…knowing that we would make mistakes. Is that so we could then be punished for making those inevitable errors? Or…is it so we could be transformed by experiencing unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion? That would seem to be the only way we could learn to love, to be merciful, to forgive and to have compassion. God is not looking to punish you…but to love you. Whatever your “shadow side” might be…it will likely be the key ingredient in your transformation. So…bring your brokenness, shame, and pain to God…and experience what Unconditional Love is!

Listen to the song of the day “God Is” 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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Transforming Grace

Posted on October 1, 2015 by billtonnis

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Luke 10:8-9

“Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.'”

In today’s scripture the “kingdom of God” is once again the key message. Jesus sent out his messengers to tell everyone the Good News that would free them and heal them: God’s love for all people is unconditional and does not have to be earned. Jesus demonstrated this love by responding to persecution with love. He demonstrated this love in the most extreme way…forgiving his killers from the cross: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). That is the infinite extent of God’s love for you. Accept it. Allow it to sink into the depths of your heart and soul. Let go of your kingdom and allow God’s kingdom to break into the present. It’s the key to your wholeness and happiness.

Listen to the song of the day “Changed” 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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Reflect Christ

Posted on September 30, 2015 by billtonnis

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Luke 9:59-60

And to another (Jesus) said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

How many of us believe in Jesus and are fans of his…but when it comes to actually following him…then we make excuses. “I’d love to follow you but I’ve got this or that to attend to first”…or…”I’m too young or old or busy right now”…or “I’m too imperfect to do that”…etc. Jesus said that now is the time to follow…right now. He used exaggeration in today’s scripture verse to make his point. And if and when we fail in following Jesus…the next moment (now!) will be the time once again. There are no prerequisites or tests to pass. Jesus calls each of us to be present and to spread the Good News of God’s unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion…for that is the “kingdom of God.” So how about opening yourself to the infinite love and compassion of God right this very moment? Then when you encounter someone today…may you be a living example of the message: “The kingdom of God is at hand!”

Listen to the song of the day “Make Me a Channel” 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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Divine Therapy

Posted on September 29, 2015 by billtonnis

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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.”

Jesus could read people very well. He was fully committed to loving and serving God and through this could sense when others had “mixed motives.” Jesus had the ability to see inside the hearts of others and to know their motivations. He 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? Are we motivated by loving and serving God? Let’s face it…we all sometimes have selfish and at the very least mixed motivations. Even when I carry out a kind act toward another…I sometimes realize that I’m looking for an affirmation or pay-back. God will help us see our true motivations if we make it a practice of taking time for silence with the Divine Therapist. It’s hard to have totally pure motivations. That’s why it’s a good idea to never judge someone else’s motivations and actions…and to sincerely work on our own. As Pope Francis said, “Who am I to judge?” When I’m motivated by love alone…then maybe I can start judging others. That should take me the rest of my life…and then some.

Listen to the song of the day “Pour Me Out” 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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Losing to Win

Posted on September 28, 2015 by billtonnis

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Luke 9:48

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

Our egos tell us to strive to be “number one”…to be praised and to always be right. Jesus made the statement above after hearing his followers argue over which of them was the “greatest.” You can just see Jesus shaking his head and asking himself, “Will they ever get it?” The process of finding true life and your true self…is in letting go, not clinging to anything…and dying to the insatiable desires of the ego. This allows God’s goodness to fill us. When we are full of ourselves (ego) there is no room for God. The path to greatness in God’s kingdom…is downward to help those in need. This is what we saw so powerfully demonstrated by Pope Francis during his visit to the United States. When we follow Jesus and serve others…we paradoxically find ourselves and experience wholeness…while leading others to wholeness as well.

Listen to the song of the day “You’ll Lead 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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Finding Your True Self

Posted on September 25, 2015 by billtonnis

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Luke 9:18-20

“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 Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Ah…that is the question! At some point (if it hasn’t happened already) you will hear Jesus ask that question directly to you: “Who do you say I am?” If Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life” as he said (John 14:6)…then what implications does that have on your life? If you are struggling…or if there seems to be something missing…a void inside…or if you are trying to make meaning of your life…look to Jesus’ words in the gospels for direction. The one thing Jesus asks of us is to follow him. That is what it means to be a “Christian.” Following him will require letting go of many things that are blocking you from being your true self. This will no doubt require making tough changes. But you will find a new peace in the midst of your struggle. It will be in the process of following Jesus that you will find yourself. And in each moment of that journey…you will experience ever deepening joy and peace.

Listen to the song of the day “I Want to Follow You” 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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Let Love Lead You

Posted on September 24, 2015 by billtonnis

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Luke 9:9

“Who then is this about whom I hear such things? And he kept trying to see him.”

Herod was a ruthless ruler who had John the Baptist put to death. When Herod heard of the miraculous things Jesus was doing…he had to find him. Herod was jealous. He wanted to protect his power and status and was threatened by the attention Jesus was drawing. Jesus attracted crowds of followers despite the fact that he never wanted fame or ever tried to draw attention to himself. Now…two-thousand years later…there is no name in history that is more well-known than “Jesus”. When you live out your calling, let your ego diminish and follow the path where God leads you…amazing things will happen. You will be living as your true self. What else could be more meaningful and fulfilling?

Listen to the song of the day “Glorify You with 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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Live to Love

Posted on September 23, 2015 by billtonnis

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Luke 9:2

Jesus sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal (the sick).

Jesus wanted all to know that when you follow his ways and love God, others and yourself…you are bringing about the kingdom of God. The “kingdom” starts here. You and I are being called to do this. We have to ask ourselves if we are proclaiming this “kingdom” of unconditional love that reaches out to those in need of emotional, physical, or spiritual healing or not? Do others know of God’s amazing unconditional love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion? They could know these things…through you. But first you must know this love yourself. The Maker of all creation made you. You are a beloved child of God! You are loved unconditionally just as you are…in your imperfection. This is the message you need to bring to others. It’s the message we are seeing delivered so genuinely now by Pope Francis. You are being called to be an ambassador of God through the actions of your life. Through your cooperation much healing would be accomplished…not only for others…but for you as well.

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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Live In Unity

Posted on September 22, 2015 by billtonnis

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Luke 8:19-21

Then his mother and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. Jesus was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

Following Jesus means no one gets VIP treatment no matter who they are. Christians work to dismantle human-made divisions that separate us. Jesus was using exaggeration in today’s scripture verse to make his point…because he clearly loved and respected his mother and relatives. What he was trying to show was that in the kingdom of God where people “hear the word of God and act on it”…all are equal and one. All are family. There are no “special” people or celebrities, no status or prestige of any kind. All people have significance and equal worth as children of God. We are called to work to bring about this kind of world.

Listen to the song of the day “Breathe On 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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Follow Your Calling

Posted on September 21, 2015 by billtonnis

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Ephesians 4:1-3

I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.

What “call” have you received? Everyone has a calling. God made you to be a unique channel of God’s love, mercy, justice and compassion to the world…and to cooperate in God’s evolving creation (in religious lingo…to help build the kingdom of God). If you don’t know your calling…try spending more time communing with God in silent, self-emptying prayer and then follow the yearnings that arise in your heart. It won’t be easy. Your ego will not willingly give up control. Listening to your heart and acting on these desires will mean making changes. God’s priorities for us will not be society’s priorities. St. Paul wrote today’s encouraging scripture to Christians while in a prison cell. This former anger-filled persecutor of Christians had been transformed by the unconditional Love of God into living in the freedom of being the person he was called to be. Open yourself to that same transforming Love.

Listen to the song of the day “Listen to Your Heart” 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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