The True You

Posted on October 13, 2014 by billtonnis

Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

So many people think that by following Jesus they will be restricted from doing a lot of fun things…that somehow their “freedom” will be limited. Instead, as St. Paul writes to encourage the Galatians (and us), following Christ will actually keep us from getting entangled and snared by desires and compulsions that will enslave us…not free us. And by following Jesus…we will actually be freed to joyfully become the person we were made to be.

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.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Grace Is Free

Posted on October 10, 2014 by billtonnis

Galatians 3:10
All who depend on works of the law are under a curse.

This sounds confusing. We are told to follow the rules…but then St. Paul tells us that if we depend on “works of the law” (in other words, the rules) that we “are under a curse.” Following the rules does indeed keep us in line. We know that is especially true with children. They need rules to make sure they don’t get into trouble. But when we grow up…while the rules are still good and with purpose…we soon come to realize that we cannot possibly keep them all perfectly. And there is a good reason for that. We can’t depend on the rules to make us whole (or “holy”). We can’t depend on following rules to lead us to the fullness of who we are as sons and daughters of God. We can only depend on God to do that. By building a relationship with Jesus…we are well on our way. He shows us that the goal is always to love…not to follow rules. God loves to love us in our brokenness. That’s what we call “grace.” It is always freely given. And that’s what makes all the difference!

Suggested song of the day– “God Is” 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 by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Let Go

Posted on October 9, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 11:9, 11, 13
“Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

If we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit and surrender our desires to God…then when we ask our Creator for something…we will already be in tune with what the Holy Spirit is yearning for in our hearts. We will also be open to saying, “Your will be done.” Jesus says that we can then be sure that God, like a loving parent, will always answer and give us what is best for us. What we receive may not be what our egos want…but it will always be what our true selves need.

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 by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Listen To Your Heart

Posted on October 8, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 11:1-2
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.”

The disciples of Jesus must have been impressed as they watched Him pray in quiet solitude. They wanted to know how they could have the same intimate connection with God. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus first gave this instruction to his followers when they wanted to know how to pray: “When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.” He told them not to babble with many words because God already knows what you need. But when they didn’t seem to grasp this more contemplative way of praying, Jesus went on to give them a formal prayer that has come to be known as the “Our Father.” Sometimes we can all rattle-off the words to the prayer without giving much thought to what we are saying. We might ask ourselves if we truly mean what we are saying when we pray that God’s will be done “on earth as it is in heaven.” The only way God’s will can be done on earth…is if we cooperate. By the way each of us lives our lives…we can either help to build God’s kingdom…or ours.

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 by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Spread Compassion

Posted on October 6, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 10:36-37
[Jesus asked,] “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Today’s Gospel reading is about the “Good Samaritan.” At that time Jews didn’t associate with Samaritans. So when Jesus was making a point to a Jewish scholar about the greatest commandment being to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself, He chose a Samaritan as the one who demonstrated “love of neighbor” in His parable. While others passed by the robbery victim, the Samaritan stopped to help. Jesus shows us that there are no boundaries when it comes to the Body of Christ…which includes all people. It doesn’t seem too difficult to treat someone in need as your neighbor…but what about someone who irritates you? Jesus asks us to be compassionate and merciful to them as well.

Suggested song of the day– “Love God” 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 are available for purchase by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Wonderfully Made

Posted on October 3, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 139:13
You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works!

Do you believe that? You are wonderful in the eyes of God! Your intricate design is a unique and amazing miracle. The creation story in the book of Genesis says God created man and woman in “the divine image” and then determined everything God made to be “very good.” We are made in the “divine image” of God! Why do we doubt this? Could it be that someone’s hurtful words or lies promoted by our culture gave us some false belief about ourselves? God made you just the way you are…then looked at that “divine” creation and judged you to be “very good.” There is nothing you can do to make God stop loving you or looking at you as “wonderful.” This is Good News!

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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Love Is the Way

Posted on October 2, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 27:8
“Come,” says my heart, “seek God’s face”; your face, Lord, do I seek!

What are you seeking? Your heart is yearning for something. There is always a desire to fill the void…to satisfy what is not being satisfied by anything we’ve tried before. Could it be that God is the only One who can satisfy that yearning in your heart? Are you seeking God or are you seeking to satisfy this desire for fulfillment through possessions, power or prestige? Maybe if we searched for God’s face in all people, in all creatures and in all creation…including ourselves…we just might find the fulfillment we are looking for. How differently we would treat all things! The kingdom of God…would truly be at hand!

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 by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Be Still

Posted on October 1, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 9:61-62
Another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Jesus was referring to a farmer directing his plow. If he turned to look back at what was left behind…he would not be focused on where he was heading and the plow would get off line. It’s a great lesson in seeing that the kingdom of God is where God is present. And the only place you’ll find the living God…is in the present…the now. If you’re not present…how can you ever experience God’s Presence? This takes constant awareness and practice. It’s like a negative action…a “letting go.” Try meditation or contemplative prayer. Let go of your thoughts and simply observe the moment. Observe your mind as it constantly chatters new thoughts and commentary. Allow it to cease. You are not your mind! It’s a useful tool…but it is not you. Most people are entrenched in their minds which are so mired in past hurts, future worries and endless judging that they are totally unconscious of the now. Don’t miss God’s Presence and the peace and joy that God wants to give you…right now!

Suggested song of the day– “Breathe On 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 by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Love Is the Answer

Posted on September 30, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 9:52-55
Jesus sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them.

Years of differences between the Jews and Samaritans resulted in the Samaritans shunning the messengers Jesus had sent ahead. Two of Jesus’ disciples asked Him if they could call on God to destroy the Samaritans in retaliation. Isn’t this the natural, human reaction…to attack someone who has wrongly treated us? It’s been going on for years…and years…and years…and years. Jesus’ answer to his disciples’ question was a stern “no.” If we all responded to persecution in a non-violent manner with a firm conviction and stance for justice but through love and compassion toward those who wrong us instead of seeking revenge…what would happen? Has it ever really been tried? A few notable people have preached this message…such as Jesus, Martin Luther King and Gandhi. All three were murdered. But all three made a great difference in the world that continues to be felt. Be that kind of change that you want to see in the world!

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 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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God Centered

Posted on September 29, 2014 by billtonnis

John 1:47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.”

Jesus was fully committed to loving and serving God. He did not have mixed motivations. Jesus could read other people’s motivations very well. He had the ability to see inside their hearts. Jesus knew that Nathanael had pure motivations and was not “two-faced.” How often do we really examine our own motivations as to why we do the things we do? Are we motivated only by loving and serving God? As for me…when I stop and examine my motivations…I many times realize my motivations are mixed. My ego and self-centered interests must be acknowledged. Before I can ever judge someone else’s motivations…I certainly need to be quite clear about my own. That discernment should keep me occupied for the rest of my life. It’s good to know that a Higher Power is always there to help me discern with compassion.

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.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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