Listen

Posted on January 27, 2015 by billtonnis

Psalm 40:2, 4
I waited, waited for the Lord; who bent down and heard my cry, and put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God.

This Psalm is very powerful and meaningful to me because it is very literally true in my life. I did cry out to God…waited…cried out to God…waited…and I was given a new song in my mouth. It all happened on Friday evening of the first week of March in 1997. That was the start of a transformation that would lead me to begin writing songs about my spiritual journey.
(For more on my story click this link: www.billtonnismusic.com/story)
What is it that you are crying out to God for at this moment? Trust…wait…be open. When we wait we are intensely present. This is the only time that God can speak to you. When the time is right according to a much bigger picture than we can see…like a loving Father or Mother, God will bend down to you and inspire something new and amazing. It’s what you are yearning for. God made you to manifest God’s Presence in the world…in a way that only you can do!

Suggested song of the day– “Breathe On Me” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking HERE or Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking Here.
Remember…God loves you!

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Transformation In Progress

Posted on January 26, 2015 by billtonnis

2 Timothy 1:7-8
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.

St. Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ totally transformed him from a persecutor of Christians (which he was doing because he thought he was doing God’s will!) to totally dedicating himself to spreading Christ’s message of unconditional love. Things were not going well for Paul at the time of today’s scripture reading…as he was in prison being persecuted himself for following Christ. But amidst the struggle Paul had an inner peace and strength. If you are going through tough times it does not mean that God has abandoned you. On the contrary…God has you in a sacred place of transformation. If you trust and persevere…then God will lead you to new life. Allow the risen Christ to show you the way to wholeness.

Suggested song of the day– “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking HERE or Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Be You

Posted on January 23, 2015 by billtonnis

Mark 3:13
He went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.

Jesus called His apostles and they followed him. They left whatever lives they had chosen and ended up doing something completely different. Be open to hearing God’s voice in your heart. Jesus is still calling us to follow Him. For each of us…the call will lead us to a unique path in which we use our God-given talents to make this world a better place…to “build the Kingdom of God.” It’s never too early or too late to listen to your heart and follow Jesus. It will no doubt require changes in your life and perhaps taking a road less traveled…but you will experience great joy and peace along the path of becoming your true self.

Suggested song of the day– “Take the Road Less Traveled” on the Live to Love album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking HERE or Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Listen to Your Heart

Posted on January 22, 2015 by billtonnis

Psalm 40:7, 17
Sacrifice and offering you do not want; but ears open to obedience you gave me. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.

Making sacrifices and giving things up are in and of themselves pointless unless the outcome is that you are freer to seek God. God does not need your sacrifices…but yearns for a relationship with you. The God of the universe is in love with you and longs to be an integral part of your life. May we put aside all the things we think will satisfy our deepest longings…and pursue the only One Who can.

Suggested song of the day– “I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking HERE or Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Compassion Rules

Posted on January 21, 2015 by billtonnis

Mark 3:2
They watched him closely to see if they might accuse him.

It was the Sabbath and so under the religious laws…work was forbidden. The law’s purpose was to help people focus on their relationship with God. But when Jesus was confronted with the situation of whether to cure a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath…He knew that extending God’s love would trump following the law. The Pharisees were blind to this. The religious leaders of the day saw everything as black or white. Their hearts were hardened. Sometimes when encountering the gray areas of life, the “rule book” has to be put aside. Jesus said the greatest commandments were to love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Love is the lens you must look through. It’s the lens through which God looks at you (thank God!). Allow God’s unconditional love to open your heart in a new way today!

Suggested song of the day– “God Is” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking HERE or Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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God Loves You

Posted on January 20, 2015 by billtonnis

Psalm 111:1
I will praise the Lord with all my heart.

Have you ever praised God with all your heart? I’ve had small doses of such experiences…such as when seeing an amazing sunset or sunrise…or when witnessing an incredible act of mercy or listening to the incredible voice of a gifted singer. I recall it happening with a group from high school youth ministry at an outdoor concert where thousands of young people had their hands raised in the air praising God as they were led in song by Chris Tomlin. There are those moments when time seems to stand still and all is intensely well. They are the moments when we are just being who we are in oneness with all that is. Take a moment to stop…let go of all the things that are weighing you down…and know that the God Who is, Who was and Who will be…has us all in an embrace that will never end…no matter what. Praise God! Alleluia!

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 or Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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New Wine

Posted on January 19, 2015 by billtonnis

Mark 2:22
“No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”

Jesus was and is new wine. The Spirit is alive and still creating and making all things new! Following Jesus is supposed to lead to a transformative way of life filled with meaning, growth and fulfillment. Religious tradition certainly has its revered place…but we must think in terms of “both – and.” While we hold onto tradition and celebrate it…we also open ourselves to the new wine God is pouring. What new ways is God inspiring us to express and to live the Gospel message today? What creative and unique “wineskins” is God calling each of us to create…to hold the new wine that is being poured? Or…are we refusing to open ourselves to the new wine and wineskins? One approach leads to endless life, adventure, mystery and joy…while the other leads to a gloomy, static dead-end. Which is your spiritual life like? If you have a worshipping community…which is it more like? Open yourself to “new wine” and the God who says, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

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 or Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Christ Light

Posted on January 16, 2015 by billtonnis

Mark 2:1-2
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.

When Jesus came around…people flocked to hear him teach. No one had ever spoken the amazing truth that He was speaking…words that inspired and touched hearts. Jesus spoke words of comfort to the broken. He reached out to those who were excluded. He was a light of hope…telling the Good News of God’s unconditional love for all people. All clamored to hear Him. They were drawn. The only critical words we ever heard Jesus speak were directed to the Pharisees…the religious leaders who arrogantly believed they had all the answers. They held the people to stringent rules and guidelines without compassion. I don’t know about you…but I’m joining the sinners at the feet of Jesus in hopes I might absorb some of His compassion to take with me into the world.

Suggested song of the day– “Come to Jesus” on the Live to Love album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking HERE or Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Love Is Blind

Posted on January 15, 2015 by billtonnis

Mark 1:45
The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. Jesus remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Jesus never strove for “superstar” status. He didn’t seek the spotlight. He never did anything to call attention to Himself or to show off. In today’s scripture passage…Jesus sternly told the man he had just cured of leprosy not to tell anyone…but the man did the opposite. Jesus knew that everyone would focus on His incredible miracles but miss the point. He wanted to return this man to his community which had cast him out as being “unclean.” Jesus was really about restoring this man and all people to wholeness through acts of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. This is what the kingdom of God is about! Jesus wanted to be a servant…not a superstar. The world’s philosophy for happiness is self-centered. It is to strive for fame and fortune…which actually leads to inner emptiness. A Christian philosophy for happiness is “all-inclusive.” Being a Christian means to personally detach from (not denounce) the enticement of prestige and riches while reaching out to others in service. This leads to inner fullness and becoming your true self. Which path will you choose?

Suggested song of the day– “Take the Road Less Traveled” on the Live to Love album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking here or Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Listen

Posted on January 14, 2015 by billtonnis

Mark 1:35-38
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”

Even Jesus needed to go off to a silent place to commune with God. It was after this time of silent prayer that Jesus had the clarity of purpose that…even though “everyone” was looking for Him…He knew that He had to move on to the nearby villages. “For this purpose have I come.” There are many voices competing for our attention…but what is the peaceful, loving voice in your heart saying to you? If you are not setting aside silent time with God…the Compassionate Source of all things…then how will you ever find your purpose?

Suggested song of the day– “Listen to Your Heart” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking on Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CD’s available for purchase by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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