Rejoice

Posted on May 7, 2015 by billtonnis

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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.

The Maker of the universe made you. The God of all creation wanted you to be a part of it. As St. Paul said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved” (Ephesians 1: 3-6). We know from looking at the life of Jesus that God’s love for each of us is unconditional. He responds to persecution with compassion and to crucifixion with forgiveness. No matter what we do…we can’t make God love us any more…or any less. God’s love for each of us is already infinite. So…what is there to fear? Salvation is freely given. How can you keep from singing?

Listen to the song of the day “Sing a New Song” by clicking HERE

All my songs available for download and purchase on iTunes by clicking HERE

CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE

Remember…God loves you!

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All Are One

Posted on May 6, 2015 by billtonnis

vine_grapes

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.”

Sometimes our egos can get carried away and believe it is all about “me”…that the universe revolves around me and my desires. Power, fame, and wealth can intoxicate us to the point that we don’t have a thought about God. At some point there will be a great setback or suffering when the delusion of power, prestige and possessions will become evident. None of those things last! And when they crumble or can’t bring us through a personal tragedy…we can either fall apart…or fall into the loving arms of God. Our Loving Source will never abandon us. By nurturing our connection with God we will bear the fruit that God always intended. Each of us will live-out the true manifestation of God that only each of us can be. You will be the unique you…a branch unlike any other. Then you will produce “much fruit.” It’s only through our conscious connection to our Source that we can truly find peace and joy. One sure way…is to follow Christ who said He was the vine. Listen to His words. May you rest in the knowledge that you are one of the many branches on the One Vine.

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

All my songs available for download and purchase on iTunes by clicking HERE

CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE

Remember…God loves you!

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Being Christian

Posted on May 5, 2015 by billtonnis

Hands_Earth

Acts 14:22

They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”

For the peaceable kingdom of God to start coming into being in the present moment…there will be hardships. St. Paul endured being beaten, stoned, and imprisoned as well as other persecutions before he was eventually put to death. Those working to dismantle unfair power structures that oppress the poor will meet resistance from those holding the power. Look at Gandhi, Oscar Romero, Martin Luther King Jr., and Jesus just to name a few. We, as followers of Jesus, are called to this path as well. We are also called to return love when we are persecuted…but not to back down. We are called to stand up for the poor and vulnerable, to stand up for the dignity of each person, to work for the solidarity of one human family and to be good stewards of all God’s creation. This is what it means to be a Christian. It is not an easy path. Being a Christian means more than going to church and believing doctrines. It means being Christ to the world.

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

All my songs available for download and purchase on iTunes by clicking HERE

CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE

Remember…God loves you!

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Living Spirit

Posted on May 4, 2015 by billtonnis

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John 14:26

“The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

Have you ever experienced receiving a positive thought or urge to do some kind act or stand up for someone in need…out of the clear blue? Or have you ever had a thought that is like an “aha” moment of enlightenment where some confusing issue suddenly seemed so clear? The Holy Spirit is alive and well! The Spirit blows where it wills and is as close to you as your very breath. But are we paying attention to the movements of the Spirit? Take a moment to simply be present to what this moment has in store. Stop. Just be. Listen with the ear of your heart. Take a deep breath; acknowledge the Holy Spirit who is with you and for you (“Advocate”)…and give thanks.

Listen to the song of the day “The Spirit’s Alive” by clicking HERE

All my songs available for download and purchase by clicking HERE

CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE

Remember…God loves you!

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Transformation In Progress

Posted on May 1, 2015 by billtonnis

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John 14:1-3

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”

If you know Jesus…then you also know God. That’s what Jesus told us (John 14:7). Jesus knew His followers would be shaken by what would happen to Him…so He spoke words of comfort to them. He wanted them to know that life does not end when the body dies…but it is transformed. That’s what Love does! Jesus promised that He would take each of us to Himself. So whatever you are struggling with now…remember that through the struggle and darkness there will be transformation, light and new life. A Love is holding you and will never let you go!

Listen to the song of the day “I Will Give You Rest” by clicking HERE

All my songs available for download and purchase by clicking HERE

CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE

Remember…God loves you!

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Go with the Flow

Posted on April 30, 2015 by billtonnis

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John 13:20

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

The mystery of the Trinity speaks of an on-going relationship of giving and receiving between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This loving relationship is shared with all of creation. We are all called to share God with others and to receive God from others. In this way God fills all creation. There is a continuous state of pouring out and of receiving. We are called to take part in this on-going process. This will require letting go of our self-centered programs for happiness from childhood where our only concern was “me”. There is a bigger picture in which all of creation is taking part! Instead of concerning ourselves about who is right and deserving (which is mostly an “ego trip”)…Jesus was much more concerned about being in right relationship with all things and extending God’s unconditional love and mercy. Awaken and be a part of this process…a part that only you can be!

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

All my songs available for download and purchase by clicking HERE

CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE

Remember…God loves you!

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Good News

Posted on April 29, 2015 by billtonnis

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John 12:44-45

Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.”

Did you ever see Jesus squash anyone? How about threaten to destroy anyone? Humanity’s understanding of God evolved over thousands of years…usually reflecting the way human beings behaved. If they were vindictive and vengeful…well then…God was vindictive and vengeful as well. But a Benevolent Consciousness was in the process of rising. Then Jesus came along and said that if you knew Him…you knew God. Jesus spent His life showing love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion equally to all. He spent His time with those on the margins…those who were rejected by society. He didn’t condemn anyone…even the woman caught in adultery. The only people who really angered Jesus were the self-righteous, judgmental religious leaders. Jesus offered compassion to those who messed up…to those who were broken and in need. This, my friend, reveals the very nature of God. This is truly Good News!

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

All my songs are available for download and purchase by clicking HERE

CD’s are available for purchase by clicking HERE

Remember…God loves you!

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Good Shepherd

Posted on April 28, 2015 by billtonnis

John 10:27-28

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”

How can you hear the voice of God if you are not listening? If your life does not include some time set aside for silent listening…or simply being present…how can you hear God’s voice speak to you in the depths of your heart? If you listened you would hear words of unconditional love, acceptance and forgiveness. As Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice…and they follow me.” Why would you follow if you didn’t trust that voice? Following the Good Shepherd would be a joy! Notice that Jesus does not say that when His sheep follow Him that one day He will give them eternal life. He says, “I give them eternal life.” It begins now. If you want to experience a taste of the reign of God, if you want to experience amazing grace now…one way is to follow Jesus. Read His words in scripture. Get to know the one who described Himself as “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

Listen to the song of the day “I Want to Follow You” by clicking HERE

All my songs available for download and purchase by clicking HERE

CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE

Remember…God loves you!

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Everything Belongs

Posted on April 27, 2015 by billtonnis

John 10:16

“I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

We all start out in life believing that we are at the center of the universe. It’s all about me. Sadly, some people never seem to get beyond this perspective (delusion). The ego feeds on being separate from others…inflating its own self-importance…always judging who is right and who is wrong (and of course…the ego is always right!). The ego wants me to believe that I am on the winning side…that I am in the “in” group. Of course, that would mean that someone else is not. When we exclude we are clearly not being Christian. Jesus insisted that all will be one flock and that He will be the one shepherd. This is what the kingdom of God is about. For this to happen…egos will have to diminish. As John the Baptist said, “Jesus must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).  Ask yourself: “How can I change to be more merciful and accepting that everything belongs?

Listen to the song of the day “Breathe On Me” by clicking HERE

All my songs available for download and purchase by clicking HERE

CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE

Remember…God loves you!

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Group Effort

Posted on April 24, 2015 by billtonnis

Acts 9:10

There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.”

God has a plan to bring all things to a grand completion. The kingdom of God will come about on earth as it is in heaven. But it can only happen “on earth” with the cooperation of human beings. Ananias was certainly a man of great spiritual depth whose prayer life consisted of being silently attentive to the Spirit. Whatever way that he sensed God’s voice…it was clear to him that he must go to a certain house and lay his hands on Saul…so that Saul might regain his sight. Saul was the great persecutor of Christians who through the grace of God and the cooperation of followers like Ananias was transformed into one of the greatest followers of Christ…St. Paul. (What if Ananias had said, “No. Saul doesn’t deserve healing?” Merit obviously has nothing to do with God’s grace…thank God!) Who in your life needs the transforming grace and healing of God’s unconditional love? Perhaps God is trying to send you. Are you listening?

Listen to the song of the day “Shall We Sing” by clicking HERE

All my songs available for download and purchase by clicking HERE

CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE

Remember…God loves you!

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