All Things Are Possible with God

Posted on November 10, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 17:5-6
And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

So many times we want answers…but Jesus seldom gives them. Instead He gives parables and sayings that disrupt the usual patterns of our thinking. The important thing is to live the question…so that God can transform you in the process. Answers alone bypass the importance of the journey and the discoveries God wants to reveal to each of us. Jesus seems to be saying to stop looking for answers…and simply believe in God’s providence. Let go of your need to be in control…your need to be the center of the universe. You just may be surprised at the amazing and seemingly impossible transformations that await you!

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

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All Is Grace

Posted on November 7, 2014 by billtonnis

Philippians 3:17
Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us.

It may sound arrogant of St. Paul to tell the Philippians to be more like him…but Paul is a man who was completely changed. And he knew that he could take no credit for that change. Once a persecutor of Christians (persecution that even led to their murders)…Paul became a man totally dedicated to following and serving Christ. It came about through a mysterious encounter with the risen Lord. Paul realized that it was Grace that saved him…nothing he merited or earned. Then Paul became the one persecuted! But despite the persecution…he had found a new inner peace and joy. He had found the way to the fullness of life in the process of turning over his ego’s desires in exchange for Christ’s. If you want the same contentment and fullness of life…allow Christ to lead you!

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

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All Belong

Posted on November 6, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 15:4-6
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'”

If you feel lost in any way…or like there is something about you that if anyone knew…they could not possibly love you…know that God loves you just the way you are. Jesus tells us in today’s scripture verses the amazing depth of God’s care for you. God will never give up on you or turn away from you…but instead will relentlessly pursue you. And wherever it is inside you that you feel no one could possibly love you…or whatever it is that you did that you are ashamed of…know that that is exactly where God wants to embrace you…accept you…and call you beloved “son” or “daughter.” God’s love does not depend on your goodness…but God’s. Rest in that.

Suggested song of the day– “I Will Give You Rest” on the Live to Love album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking on Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Be Who You Are

Posted on November 5, 2014 by billtonnis

Philippians 2:13-15
For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world.

Did you ever wonder where that inner desire…that deep yearning…to do something that will make a major impact and difference…comes from? I believe it was planted in each of us by a loving Creator who has a grand purpose of Love. The Light of this Love can only come into the darkness of this world if we open ourselves to the flow of God’s Love and Compassion. Become a channel of that love. Let go of any need to control and simply open yourself to the flow of the now…this moment. Do not waste your time with resistance to what is. If you want change…be the change you want to see. Offer your gifts and talents in the service of others. It is then that you will experience the joy of being a unique expression of God’s love.

Suggested song of the day– “May I Be Light” 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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Be Free

Posted on November 4, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 22:31-32
And I will live for the LORD; my descendants will serve you. The generation to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought.

From generation to generation…each of us is given the responsibility and the joy to pass along the Good News. What is this Good News? You do not have to prove yourself to God. You cannot earn or merit God’s love. It has already been forever given! Jesus showed us that even killing Him could not stop God’s love! Forgiveness was freely given! Death does not win. The resurrection shows us that God’s love triumphs. Let the experience of this Love overwhelm you! Let it inspire you to pass it on to all people and all of creation! Following Jesus and serving others sets us free to be our true selves. In following Jesus…we all have the way to peace, fulfillment and everlasting happiness. That is “deliverance.” That is Good News! Pass it on.

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 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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Love Has No Boundaries

Posted on November 3, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 14:13-14
“When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Are Jesus’ words not completely opposed to how the world thinks? Jesus gets to the motivation of our actions. When we invite people to a party…do we determine who gets invited by what we believe we will get from them? Do we invite only those who have given us something in the past? Do we invite only those who will not tarnish our prestige, reputation and position? Jesus says we should invite those who have nothing to give or to repay. Invite all those who have been purposely left out and are on the fringes. Jesus, the Son of God, knelt and washed the feet of those who could give Him nothing in return. Paradoxically, this is the path to experiencing the true joy of the Gospel! How might I experience this joy today?

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

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Unconditionally Loved

Posted on October 31, 2014 by billtonnis

Philippians 1:6
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.

St. Paul speaks to us from experience. He had been changed from a man who persecuted others in the name of religion to a man who would die to spread the news that God is an unconditional lover. An encounter with the unconditional love of the risen Christ is what changed him. He had done nothing to merit such an encounter! God has more than enough time to work with you and wants nothing more than for you to know that you are whole and complete as you are. You are God’s beloved. Do not compare yourself to anyone. You already are and have always been a masterpiece of God. There is nothing you have to do to be more wonderful or worthy. You were born wonderful and worthy! Open yourself to Christ and allow Him to lead you. Focus your attention on each moment as the process unfolds. Then the kingdom of God…will truly be at hand!

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

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Have Faith

Posted on October 30, 2014 by billtonnis

Ephesians 6:16-17
In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

St. Paul uses imagery of a warrior battling spiritual attacks against us. But notice he does not suggest doing any violence. Your shield is your complete trust in God’s unfailing love. The only weapon Paul suggests using is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” God’s “word” will always be one of unconditional love for you. It will always defuse negative attacks and lead you to the fullness of who you are…your true self. If we immerse ourselves in the words of the prophets and of Jesus Himself and then live those words…our lives will be transformed. Then we will become the transformation that will help transform this world into the Kingdom of God. This is our mission.

Suggested song of the day– “You’ll Lead Me” 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.
CDs available for purchase by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Christ Culture

Posted on October 29, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 13:30
“For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Jesus says that the people our culture looks down upon…those viewed as being “last”…might actually be looked upon as “first” in the viewpoint of God’s Kingdom. And the reverse is also true. What matters in God’s eyes is our motivation in all that we do. What is in our hearts? Am I catering to my ego…or to the Greater Good? If we are motivated by love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion…then the Kingdom of God is at hand! In the Reign of God…there is no “first” and “last”…no separation…no one excluded. All are one. We are each called to live our lives in such a way that God’s kingdom does come “on earth as is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

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

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Listen

Posted on October 28, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 6:12-13
In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles.

Jesus often communed with God in silent prayer. The Son of God apparently prayed in very human ways…by being in the quiet Presence of the One He called “Abba.” Before making a big decision…like picking the apostles…Jesus went to the mountain by Himself and “spent the night in prayer to God.” How often do I set aside time to be in the silent Presence of God to listen to the quiet inner voice of our loving Creator? That voice will always have your best interest at heart. It will always treat you as “the beloved.” The God who knitted you in your mother’s womb…wants a close, intimate relationship with you! May we all set aside some silent time to listen for God’s tender voice.

Suggested song of the day– “Turn Off the Noise” 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.
CDs available for purchase by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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