Carpe Diem

Posted on September 26, 2014 by billtonnis

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2,4
There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant, a time to uproot the plant. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

Life is a gift with a broad spectrum of experiences that will all lead us to wholeness…if we allow ourselves to be present to each experience. For when we are present to each moment…we are already whole! Be open to how God is at work in these experiences. Life is a journey of ups and downs. You can’t have the mountaintops without the valleys. What is the main struggle that you are dealing with now? If it is death or hardship…bring it to the foot of the cross where Jesus is waiting to suffer with you. If it is a time of joy…bring it to the Resurrected Christ to celebrate. Pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane and dance with Him at the wedding at Cana. The One who said He was “the way, the truth and the life” will lead you to the fullness of life here and now…and for eternity.

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 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Be Compassion

Posted on September 25, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 90:3,12,14
But humans you return to dust, saying, “Return, you mortals!” Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Fill us at daybreak with your love, that all our days we may sing for joy.

Look at creation around you. God pours out life-giving Love into all things. All things receive this life-giving Love and then they give back all that they are to the universe…in a constant cycle of giving and receiving. The pattern is shown within the concept of a Trinitarian God. Our Creator’s very nature is a perpetual giving-and-receiving relationship. Are we ready to receive what God graciously gives to us and then to pass it on…freely giving it for the good of the world? Or are we grasping and holding onto the gifts we are given? When we give of ourselves…we join in the Trinitarian, creative process that surrounds us. When we give generously…we will in turn receive generously. When we are in this flow we are truly being our true selves.

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

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Let Go

Posted on September 24, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 9:3
Jesus said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.”

Just like the apostles…we are being sent out to be Christ (unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion) to the world. Are there any attachments that are holding us back from this journey? What am I attached to that is standing in the way of my total dependence on God? The more material possessions we have…the harder it is to not be attached to them. The things in themselves are not bad…it’s my attachment to them that separates me from the Giver of All. Is there anything you would not let go of…if God asked you to? You can only find wholeness and contentment in the Unconditional Love of God. Open yourself to the flow of Love’s direction. When you follow Christ with all your heart…you will find peace and joy. You will be living as your true self while at the same time giving glory to God.

Suggested song of the day– “Glorify You with Me” 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 on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Faith Plus Action

Posted on September 23, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 8:20-21
Jesus was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you. He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

Jesus was not disrespecting His mother and family with this comment. Jesus also preached to “honor your father and mother” and that you should “love your neighbor as yourself.” In today’s verse, Jesus was making a point that all those who hear God’s call and then act on it are His family…one body of Christ. Making the world a more loving, just and compassionate place is a team effort! Many hear Jesus’ words and even call Him “Lord”…but are they also following Him? What good is listening to His words and saying that you “believe” them…if they don’t cause you to take action? Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). It’s time for action. The kingdom of God is depending on it!

Suggested song of the day– “Shall We Sing” 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Child of Light

Posted on September 22, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 8:16
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.”

The Light of Love is inside of you because you are from God. You were loved into existence. Your “worthiness” or whether you are doing everything “right” has no bearing on God’s love for you. God is constantly pouring out love and compassion on you. It’s an endless supply. You are infinitely loved. In that Light, tell me, in this moment…what is lacking? The past is a shadow and the future an illusion. The only time that is real…is now. Are you ready to allow God to infinitely love you in this moment? Open yourself to Love…and realize that you are loved simply because you are God’s beloved. Is there a place inside you that you feel no one could love? That’s exactly the place where God wants to be with you. It’s the place where you can’t save yourself. But a Perfect Love that accepts everything…imperfections and all…can! Accept that Love and allow it to shine from you to all creation. Then you will know the joy of being your true self.

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.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Spread the Word

Posted on September 19, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 8:1-2
Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities.

Are we still preaching the “good news of the kingdom of God”…or some “merit system of holiness”? Jesus spread a message that God loved everyone unconditionally and that the way of God was mercy, forgiveness and compassion. It was all gift…unearned…grace. And look at the ragtag group Jesus brought along with Him: A bunch of uneducated fishermen; a tax collector; some of them boastful; some vengeful; one a traitor; and all of them without a clue as to what Jesus was all about! And with them…a bunch of women “who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities.” Jesus apparently wanted to hang with people who didn’t have it all together. Thank God! Do you see yourself among those followers? Welcome! Jesus wants to be with you, too! This is Who God Is.

Suggested song of the day– “Come to Jesus” 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Forgive Always

Posted on September 18, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 7:47
“But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

Jesus is always ready to forgive. But some people are not ready to receive it. To receive it…you must be willing to forgive yourself…and to forgive others. Some want to hold on to grudges and past hurts…to “get even” with those who did them harm. This will keep you shackled in chains. God wants to free you. God loves to forgive and to restore. That’s why we have a savior in Jesus. The name “Jesus” means “God saves.” Forgiveness is the key to freedom. When you forgive…you remove the obstacle to God’s love…allowing it to pour through you and into the world! It opens you to love and it opens the one forgiven to love as well. The more you’ve been forgiven…the more you want to love. Who do you need to forgive? Why not do it today?

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

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love Trumps Law

Posted on September 17, 2014 by billtonnis

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

St. Paul’s words are profound. Love is the bottom line. It’s what life is all about. Nothing else is more important. But how difficult it is! As St. Paul goes on to say: “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.” You can carry out all kinds of good works and follow the very letter of the law…but if you do not do so with love…it is meaningless. And if in carrying out the law you are not doing the loving thing…it is meaningless. Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. Love God, everyone…and yourself. God already loves you with no strings attached. You don’t have to earn it. Dear God, help me to love in the same way.

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 available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Belong

Posted on September 16, 2014 by billtonnis

1 Corinthians 12:27-28
Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues.

Each of our lives is meant to be lived-out as a part of the “body of Christ.” Our lives are part of a bigger picture…a Bigger Dream that continues to unfold. Living-out your part is how you find true fulfillment. Under which of the designations written by St. Paul above do you fit? Finding your place in the body of Christ is life’s great adventure! How are you being called to make the world more compassionate and just? It’s never too late or too early to begin!

Suggested song of the day– “Show Me…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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unconditionally Loved

Posted on September 15, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 40:9-10
“To do your will is my delight; my God, your law is in my heart!” I announced your deed to a great assembly; I did not restrain my lips.

When you start following God’s gentle nudges in your heart…God will lead you into delight. However, it may take quite a bit of pain and suffering before our egos will let go of all the false promises and trappings of the world. It usually takes some form of suffering before we will be forced to let go of control and our self-centered desires…so that we can fall into the loving arms of God. That is when we finally allow ourselves to experience an Unconditional Love for which we did nothing to earn. This experience will transform us. Then this love will freely bubble-up from deep inside of us and will be poured out to others through our talents and abilities. We simply will not be able to help ourselves. This is what God wants for you. Spend some silent time in peaceful openness.

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 by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment