Listen

Posted on February 24, 2015 by billtonnis

Matthew 6:7-8
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Just before today’s scripture verse…Jesus told His followers to go to their “inner room” and pray to God “in secret.” He further emphasizes His point by telling them “do not babble” with many words. God already knows what we need. The question is…do we? We all want things but only God knows what we truly need. Jesus goes on to tell His followers to pray to God that “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.” God wants the best for us now…right here on earth. It’s not a waiting game for a big pay-off or reward in the future. God wants to be with us and transform us now. So why not simply sit in the silent Presence of our Loving Creator and say, “Not my will…but Yours be done.” Listen. God speaks in the silence of your heart!

Listen to the song of the day “Turn Off the Noise” on YouTube by clicking HERE
Songs available for download and purchase through iTunes by clicking HERE
CD’s available for purchase through PayPal by clicking HERE
Remember…God loves you!

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Build Bridges

Posted on February 23, 2015 by billtonnis

Matthew 25:40
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.”

(Listen to the song of the day “Salvation” by clicking this YouTube link HERE)

The measuring stick for success in our culture is the amassing of possessions (wealth), power and prestige. It’s getting to the top and leaving everyone else in the dirt. The measuring stick of success in the kingdom of God is how well we love. It’s purposely moving to the people at the bottom to help those in need. Our perfect model in Christianity is Jesus. He gave us His definition of success succinctly when he said, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35). The season of Lent is a time to repent…which means to “turn around” and “change our direction.” It’s a good time for each of us to ask ourselves how we can change direction…so that we are using our time, talent and treasure to be a success in the eyes of God. Each of us is already loved infinitely. We don’t have to do or become anything more…for God to love us more. How am I sharing that Love?

All Bill’s songs available for download and purchase on iTunes by clicking HERE
CD’s available for purchase through PayPal by clicking HERE.
Remember…God loves you!

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Saved By Grace

Posted on February 20, 2015 by billtonnis

Psalm 51:3
Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.

We tend to beat ourselves up over mistakes and transgressions. But when we turn back to God…instead of punishment and chastisement…we receive loving acceptance. This encounter with Love is transforming! Just look at the parable Jesus told of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). The son totally rejects his father, runs off and spends his entire inheritance on an immoral life…and ends up in total depravity. So with no other recourse…he goes home hoping his father might let him join the ranks of his servants. But instead…the father (who is the “God” figure) totally accepts him and throws him a party without a word of scolding or ounce of punishment! And the son actually never even says he’s “sorry!” This is how Jesus describes God. This is the Great Compassion Who created you from nothing as a beloved son or daughter, Who wants to draw you deeper and deeper into a Love that will fill you, change you, complete you…and have no end! This is “Good News“!

Listen to the song of the day “Changed” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE
All Bill’s 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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Be You

Posted on February 19, 2015 by billtonnis

Psalm 40:7
Sacrifice and offering you do not want; but ears open to obedience you gave me.

The prophet Hosea made a similar statement as this psalm: “For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6). Jesus said, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice'” (Matthew 9:13). The “sacrifice” God seems to want is for each of us to let go of our selfish, egocentric desires so that we can offer ourselves in extending mercy and love to others. It’s not about making a sacrifice to earn God’s love or favor. God loved you before you were born…before you knew any rules to follow. Rules are essential for children to function. But once you grow into the knowledge and understanding of God’s amazing love…the rules, although still good, are no longer the focus. Some people are still stuck in a childhood religion of desperately following a list of guidelines…always fearing they will mess-up and God will somehow get angry at them. Jesus shows us a God who would allow Himself to be crucified and while dying say to His unrepentant killers, “Forgive them, they know not what they do.” This is an unconditional lover. Get to know that Lover. Now…what is God asking you to do to make the world a more compassionate, forgiving, just and loving place?

Listen to the song of the day “Make Me a Channel” by clicking HERE
Download and purchase any of Bill’s songs on iTunes by clicking HERE
CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE
Remember…God loves you!

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Be Renewed

Posted on February 18, 2015 by billtonnis

Psalm 51:12
A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.

Whatever you have done to turn away from God…is in the past (even if what you did was seconds ago). That time no longer exists. As St. Paul said, “Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Now is the only time where God is present…where the kingdom of God comes alive…where God is always gazing at you with unconditional love and acceptance. God always looks at us with open arms. There is no condemnation. There is no question of “worthiness.” Open your heart and allow Compassion itself…your loving Creator…to renew you. During this time of Lent, take the opportunity to simply turn to God. In this moment I turn to you, O God, and bask in Your awesome Presence. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:6, “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.” Spend some quiet time with God…and be renewed!

Song of the day is “Breathe On Me.” Listen by clicking HERE.
All Bill’s songs available for individual purchase by clicking HERE.
CD’s available to purchase by clicking HERE.
Remember…God loves you!

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Kingdom of God

Posted on February 17, 2015 by billtonnis

Mark 8:20-21
“When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered [him], “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

When Jesus showed His followers what would happen if they willingly shared their food with others…miraculously everyone was fed. And there were even leftovers! We can believe that Jesus magically multiplied the food…and he certainly could have done that. But how much more beautiful a miracle to simply demonstrate that by sharing the little they had…others would then follow their example and share what they had as well…and that in doing this all would be cared for? Jesus was all about bringing the “kingdom of God” alive in the present. We are called to do the same. “Do you still not understand?”

Suggested song of the day:”Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album. Click HERE to listen.
Songs available for purchase by clicking HERE.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE.
Remember…God loves you!

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Eternal Acceptance

Posted on February 16, 2015 by billtonnis

Mark 8:11-12
The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign?

Jesus’ actions spoke for themselves…and yet the religious leaders of the time wanted more signs of proof that He was of God. Many are still blind to the truth of God’s loving presence. The beautiful sunrise; Singing birds; Blue skies; The mind-boggling, expanding size of the universe; A warm hug; Laughter with a friend; The savory taste of your favorite food; The fragrant aroma of flowers; The emotional sounds of your favorite songs; The feeling you get when someone reaches out to you with compassion or forgiveness; What other sign do we need that there is a Loving Source behind it all? Why not drop any cynicism and simply believe? Deep down…there is a Love that refuses to let us go. It is the source of our deep yearning for unconditional acceptance and love. Abide in this never-ending wellspring of Goodness.

Suggested song of the day– “How Wonderful to Me” on the Live to Love album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs and available for purchase by clicking HERE.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE.
Remember…God loves you!

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Love Endures

Posted on February 13, 2015 by billtonnis

Psalm 32:6-7
Then should all your faithful pray in time of distress. Though flood waters threaten, they will never reach them. You are my shelter; from distress you keep me; with safety you ring me round.

Jesus knows what you are going through. He felt the pain and distress of being rejected…of becoming the one cast-out and nailed to a cross. Yet He never gave up on His mission of extending God’s unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion…of showing the true face of God. From the cross He said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This is the God Who created you…the One who forgives even when being crucified! This is a Love that will never give up on you! Never!

Suggested song of the day– “Lift Up Our Voices” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking HERE.
CD’s and “Listen” t-shirts available for purchase by clicking HERE.
Remember…God loves you!

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Love Unites

Posted on February 12, 2015 by billtonnis

Mark 7:24
From that place Jesus went off to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice.

Jesus had a mission…to bring the Good News of God’s unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion to all people. He wanted all people to live in the freedom of this awareness. At the time, it was unthinkable for a Jew that God could accept the gentiles…foreigners…who were considered “unclean.” But Jesus had a revelation for the world: God’s salvation is for all people. God loves all people unconditionally. Even in spreading this message…Jesus did not want to call attention to Himself…only to God’s love. As Ilia Delio writes in her book The Emergent Christ, “Jesus Christ is the human person who symbolizes the capacity for all human persons to be united and transformed in God.” There are no borders or divisions in the kingdom of God. No nation has ever truly understood this or attempted to live it. What divisions are there in our lives that we can work to erase so that the kingdom of God can truly come and God’s will be done “on earth as it is in heaven”?

Suggested song of the day– “All Are Welcome” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking HERE.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE.
Have a blessed day!

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Love Transforms

Posted on February 11, 2015 by billtonnis

Psalm 104:30
When you send forth your breath, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.

All things belong to God. All things have their being in God. God breathes and life comes forth. Everything is sustained by God’s desire. This Loving Source is always creating, redeeming and renewing. Creation is on-going in each moment and you are a part of that process. The aim of this process…is goodness. Allow God’s compassionate desire to fill you. What is the “good” that your Loving Creator wishes you to do to renew the face of the earth? First off, be you! No one else can make the unique contribution that you can. Give of yourself as Jesus did to serve others. Use your gifts, talents and abilities to channel Love to the world. Make a difference with your life.

Suggested song of the day– “Make Me a Channel” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking HERE.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking HERE.
Remember…God loves you!

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