Trust Your Heart

Posted on September 3, 2015 by billtonnis

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Luke 5:11

When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

These were expert fishermen. It was all they knew to make a living. It was their identity. After catching nothing all night, Jesus gave them some advice and they ended up catching two boatloads of fish. And with that…these guys left everything and followed Jesus. It probably was not so instantaneous. But the truth is…they eventually walked away from one way of life to follow a new way. They really had no idea what they were getting themselves into…but I’m sure they had never met someone like Jesus before. Not everyone is called to literally leave everything to follow Jesus…but we certainly are all called to make following Jesus our first priority. What are the things in your life that are taking a higher priority than following the path of Christ? Jesus taught us to detach from all those things…not to renounce them…but simply not cling to them. The path of Christ is the path of love, mercy, forgiveness, compassion…and justice. This is the path to finding God…and your true self.

Listen to the song of the day “Take the Road Less Traveled” 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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Christ Follower

Posted on September 2, 2015 by billtonnis

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Luke 4:42-43

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

How many “Christians” actually follow Jesus? If we are to follow Jesus we must look at his example. First off, Jesus went off to a deserted place to pray. Do we carve out some time in silence to be with God? Secondly, through his prayer with God, Jesus came to know his purpose. He already had quoted the prophet Isaiah in announcing his mission: “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). Jesus accomplished this by working for justice while preaching the unconditional love, forgiveness, mercy and compassion of God for all. That’s the Good News…and it’s what brings about the kingdom of God. Jesus further realized that his mission was to move on to preach in as many towns as possible. What is your mission? As followers of Jesus…we must also be about the task of spreading the Good News. Your ego-created false self will likely not want to go along with this because our egos are self-centered. Our true selves know that we are a part of a much bigger picture where all are one. This level of consciousness generally arises only through the experience of great suffering or great love. That’s probably the only way our egos will lose their grip on us. Only by letting go of this false self will you discover your true self.

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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Let Love Shine

Posted on September 1, 2015 by billtonnis

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1 Thessalonians 5:5-6

For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.

The Light of Christ shines in you whether you know it or not. But that Light might be obscured. Only if you are aware…awake…present to this great gift…can it shine in the darkness. Many people are completely distracted by worldly attractions or perhaps through dire life circumstances have never experienced the Light of Christ through another person. They are in a spiritual darkness. St. Paul encourages followers of Christ to stay alert…in other words…stay present! Pay attention to what is happening around you as you live out this gift of human life. Where around you is the Light of Christ needed? Cultivate the flame of Christ’s unconditional love inside you. Allow Christ’s Light to radiate from your heart so that someone in the darkness might experience this saving Light.

Listen to the song of the day “May I Be Light” 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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Death Leads to Life

Posted on August 31, 2015 by billtonnis

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1 Thessalonians 4:14

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

St. Paul’s message here is truly Good News. Jesus showed us the way. Dying does not mean the end. Our eternal destiny does not hinge on our goodness or achievement…but God’s. Jesus said we must die to ourselves…for that is when we fall into God’s loving hands. When we die to the insatiable desires of the ego…God’s desires can rise in us. Following Jesus is not about learning an evacuation plan to heaven but learning the process of letting go…dying to self. It’s about being transformed in the process. This is the path to being our true selves. What if we all lived as our unique selves and used our gifts and talents to serve others? God’s dream for the world would come to be now. God’s kingdom would come “on earth as it is in heaven.” This is God’s goal. It will come to pass. So have no fear! Cooperate with God’s desires for you and you will find true life. The time is now.

Listen to the song of the day “God Is the Goal” 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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Called to Wholeness

Posted on August 28, 2015 by billtonnis

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1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who also gives his holy Spirit to you.

Sometimes we get hung-up on the word “holiness.” It can bring to mind a very pious, stiff, and arrogant image. Jesus was definitely not that way! He is quoted as saying that He was criticized for enjoying food and drink (“The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’” Matthew 11:19). Jesus was the guy who turned the water into wine! He was definitely a joy to be with…not some holier-than-thou bore. So when we think of the word “holiness”…it might be helpful to think instead of “wholeness.” When you are in the flow of God’s goodness and are being present to this Goodness and to others…and when you are being a channel of that goodness and love…you are becoming whole and holy. What are the things you are involved in that really aren’t helping you be the fullness of your unique self? If you take a few moments and sit with this question…an inner voice (the Holy Spirit) will help you in the most loving way. God does not want to accuse you or make you miserable…but uplift you and give you joy and peace.

Listen to today’s song of the day “Show Me…Me” by clicking HERE.

All of 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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Now Is the Time

Posted on August 27, 2015 by billtonnis

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Matthew 24:42

“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”

Jesus wants to jar His audience awake. He wants them to go from spiritual unconsciousness to consciousness. The truth is…many people are wandering around completely unconscious…unaware of their true identities as beloved daughters and sons of God. They are not living in that reality. They are instead immersed in the delusion and madness of the world. They are not awake to God’s Presence and Love. They are preoccupied and busy with schedules packed with endless activities. Their minds are rattling off a constant barrage of thoughts and comments so that they never truly enter fully into the present moment…open and empty…so God’s Presence can fill them. Days and nights are filled with a steady stream of stimuli…numbing the senses. Stop! Be silent. Let go of your thoughts. Be at peace. Be present. Be. God is yearning to be Present to you.

Listen to the song of the day “Turn Off the Noise” 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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Kingdom of God

Posted on August 26, 2015 by billtonnis

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Matthew 23:13

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.”

When it comes to what many “religious” people consider morally offensive behavior…Jesus said almost nothing. He always seemed to extend compassion to people who had been cast out or seen as “unclean” – meeting them with unconditional love. This is what transformed and healed them. But this was not the way of the Pharisees. The religious leaders of the time held people to strict rules without compassion. These are the only people Jesus sharply criticized. Compassion opens the doors to the kingdom of heaven (kingdom of God). Notice that in today’s scripture verse Jesus was again talking about the kingdom of heaven in the present tense…as something to enter now. The Pharisees not only blocked others from entering but themselves as well. Rules are meant to be used as guidelines…not as clubs to punish people. Harsh rules without compassion create harsh people. Compassion changes hearts and leads to transformation. Open your heart to God’s unconditional love and forgiveness. It’s totally free and available now.

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

All my songs available to sample for free 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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God Is With You

Posted on August 25, 2015 by billtonnis

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Psalm 139:1-2

LORD, you have probed me, you know me: you know when I sit and stand; you understand my thoughts from afar.

There is no fooling God. Our Creator knows everything about each of us…our thoughts…our desires…our struggles…our failings…our joys and our sorrows. When God made you…God placed a stamp of approval on you. From the first moment…God loved you…loved you into existence…so that God could share love with you. You can turn from that love…but God can never turn from you. There is nothing you can do that can make God love you less…or more. God is as close as the air you breathe. You are God’s beloved…not because of anything you believe, do or achieve…but simply for being you. Allow that knowledge to sink in…and fill you.

Listen to Today’s Contemplation song “God Is” by clicking HERE.

All my songs available to sample free 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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Be Your True Self

Posted on August 24, 2015 by billtonnis

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Psalm 145:10

All your works give you thanks, O Lord.

Most of creation has no choice but to simply be itself with every fiber of its being…whether it’s an insect, a bird, a plant, a tree or a dog. In being themselves…they give thanks to their Creator. But as human beings made in the image of God…we are given free will. We have choices. Will I be me with every fiber of my being…or will I try to be someone else…what someone else or what popular culture wants me to be? How do we become the fullness of what God made each of us to be with every fiber of our being? As St. Ignatius said…we were made to praise, reverence and serve God. We do this by being ourselves. That means now…in the circumstances of this moment. How can I use my gifts and talents to praise, reverence and serve God this day…to make a positive difference…to help make this world a more compassionate and just place…or in other words…to help bring about the kingdom of God? When this is our aim…we are giving thanks to God.

Listen to the song of the day “How Wonderful to 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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Listen to Your Heart

Posted on August 21, 2015 by billtonnis

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Matthew 22:36-39

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

We have all kinds of rules and rituals in religion. But when Jesus was asked to boil it down to one thing…He said: Love God and your neighbor as yourself. That’s the bottom line. Everyone has an inborn desire to be happy. The trouble is…we get all kinds of mixed messages about how to “attain” happiness. Religion gives us a list of practices and guidelines. Our culture gives us an endless list of ways to be happy that can satisfy us briefly…but each time we are left empty and yearning for something more. Jesus shows us the way in two simple commandments. But how hard it is to accomplish! Our egos are constantly telling us to satisfy our every desire…while Jesus tells us to let go of those desires and to set love of God and others as ourselves as our top priority. Trying to satisfy your ego is like trying to satisfy a “false self” that will never be satisfied. Jesus’ way awakens you to your “true self.” Inner peace and happiness are by-products of the process. Which choice will you make: your ego’s desires or God’s? One necessary practice to help discover God’s desires for you is contemplative prayer. Try setting aside 15 to 20 minutes to simply sit in silence and allow your thoughts to dissipate. God’s primary language…is silence.

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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