The Spirit said to me,

I highly recommend this site. Beautiful, meaningful and inspiring poetry. Plus…Dennis shared one of my songs as well!

den169's avatarMerging Traffic

in the first instant of your being
I laid a burden on you,
which, if you now accept
by the power of my grace,
can be for you as light
as a billowing cloud.

You see, I desire your arms
to be my arms, open
wide for all in need of
forgiveness and compassion.
your legs to be my legs,
carrying you to where
there is a need
for your special gifts.
your hands to be my hands,
creating beauty to inspire
and delight, your fingers
to be my fingers, pointing
to the paths of truth and
reconciliation, your heart
to be my heart, flowing
with love like a fountain
over a dry, brittle,
cynical world.

You, perhaps, are confused
that I call this burden light.
It can be light because
burdens are made heavy
by anxiety over control
and results. But I tell you
this day, that if you…

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Now Is the Time

Psalm 84:6
Happy are those who find refuge in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrim roads.

The more I let go of my selfish desires (the yearnings of my ego)…the more I “die to myself”…the more I then experience the bubbling up of God’s yearnings in my heart. It’s time to turn off the noise that surrounds us and tries to lure us with false promises of happiness that will not last. Let us turn to God by being present to the inner silence in our hearts. What path is God calling you to take? The way might not be clear…but God will lead you as you start following the promptings of your heart. Wholeness and deep gladness are yours with each step. Your walk will likely be the on the road less traveled. Set your heart to your unique journey. The time to do so…is now. Inner peace and joy await you.

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

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Kingdom of God

Luke 6:35
“Love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.”

This is a tough scripture to digest on the anniversary of the 9-11 attacks. But these are words believed to come directly from the mouth of Jesus. In today’s world…look at all the arguing over who is right and who is wrong. The society surrounding us tells us that life is all about individuality. It encourages us to build up our egos (false selves) so that each of us picks sides and works against unity. But Jesus says we should love even those who we disagree with…even those who might hate us! This is the example Jesus set for us…but how blatantly we ignore this teaching! Are you ready to be a radical follower of Jesus? Then you must love. As St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 8:1, “knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up.” It’s time to build up. Jesus warned us that if we followed Him we would be persecuted…so we can count on that. But love changes hearts and changes lives. Isn’t that what the world needs? Can we actually love our persecutors? That will take letting go of our egos and asking for the grace to take part in the building of the kingdom of God. The world desperately needs this radical change!

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

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Be

Luke 6:20
And raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.”

“Blessed” is sometimes translated as “happy.” Can Jesus really mean “Happy are you who are poor“? Are we not happier when we have wealth and all the stuff that goes with it? Well…for a time we are. But think about the last time you really wanted some “material thing” and then got it. Did the happiness you felt last…or did it fade until you started craving something else to satisfy your yearning? The yearning we all feel is actually spiritual…not physical. It’s the groaning of our souls as they yearn to become one with God. God wants to satisfy our inner yearning by leading us to become our true selves. To do that…we must first stop seeking fulfillment from material things…let go of our attachments to all the “stuff” and in a sense become “poor” so that we can be open to what God wants to give us. When we are present to the momentletting go of all the distractions…we are indeed poor…but rich in God.

Suggested song of the day– “Singing My Song” 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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Silent Prayer

Luke 6:12
In those days he departed to the mountain to pray and he spent the night in prayer to God.

Right before Jesus selected the twelve apostles from his many disciples…He went off by himself to the mountain and “spent the night in prayer to God.” Jesus, the Son of God, showed us how to pray. He went off to a secluded spot…a place of silence away from distractions…so He could listen to God speak to Him. Have you tried this? You don’t need a mountain…you only need a special place by yourself. A practice of taking 10 to 20 minutes a day to sit in silent openness to God will change your life for the better. I know that it changed mine. You will find a new inner peace and direction. God speaks in silence. And remember…God’s voice will always be a voice of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion.

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

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Trust the Process

Psalm 13:6
I trust in your faithfulness. Grant my heart joy in your help, that I may sing of the Lord, “How good our God has been to me!”

It’s easy to praise God when things are going our way and we are filled with wonderful feelings…but what about when things are not going our way and we are heart-broken and in pain? If God is Love then we know that God does not feel joy when we are suffering. Many believe that God actually suffers with us. Jesus showed us that God is faithful even through dark times and feelings of abandonment. Resurrection followed the crucifixion. Death did not win. New Life awaits us on the other side of any pain or suffering. Jesus showed us the way. Cling to the risen Christ. You are in the process of rebirth! Be present to the moment…without pining over the past or fretting over the future. Open yourself to God’s unconditional Love and direction right now. Let go…and know that God is holding you. Your Loving Creator can never let you go…because that would not be love…would it?

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.
Have a blessed day!

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Blessed Into Being

Luke 5:36
“No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak.”

The Pharisees thought that strict adherence to all their religion’s rules and regulations determined whether someone was “clean” or “worthy” of God’s love. Jesus said God’s love did not depend on anything. It was unconditional. God loves us no matter how “dirty” we are. No amount of hard work on our part can make us worthy. God loves you because you are God’s beloved childperiod! Jesus gave unconditional love to all. He offers a completely new cloak to us. Why do we tear bits and pieces from it to try and patch up the old cloak we’ve been wearing? Why not let go of our old ways that we thought would bring us happiness…but will never truly satisfy us? That kind of satisfaction can only come through surrendering to God’s desires for us. Jesus is ready to be your guide. It won’t be an easy path…but we are guaranteed unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion every step of the way.

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.
Have a blessed day!

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The Way to Joy

Luke 5:11
When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

Peter, James and John had just been totally shocked by a miracle. Jesus had told them to cast their nets again after they had caught nothing all night. When they lowered their nets this time, they caught so many fish that their nets were tearing. Peter’s reaction was, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” It’s as though he felt he didn’t deserve such a miracle of gratuitous generosity. Isn’t that how we are? We look at the sinfulness in our own lives and feel that we aren’t worthy of God. And yet Jesus seems to say that it has nothing to do with our worthiness or achievements…but everything to do with God’s grace and unconditional love. It’s the kind of love that, if we opened ourselves to it, might spark us to leave everything…all the meaningless pursuits for happiness that will never satisfy…and follow Jesus. It is the way of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion. Each of us needs to ask: What is blocking me from following the path that would lead me to true inner happiness, peace and joy?

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.
Have a blessed day!

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Eternal Presence

Luke 4:42-43
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

Even Jesus needed to withdraw to “a deserted place” so he could pray in silence…so He could better “hear” God speak to Him. It is from God that He understands His purpose…to “proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God.” God’s kingdom is a place…or should I say experience…of unconditional love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion…an experience available now to those who surrender to it, accept it…and then pass it on to others. Are you accepting it? Are you taking time in a deserted place to be present to the moment, accept what is…and then listen to God’s voice? May we all stop…quiet our minds…be present to the Divine Presencelisten…and then use our unique gifts and talents to proclaim the kingdom of God with our lives.

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.
Have a blessed day!

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Be Thanksgiving

Psalm 145:10
All your works give you thanks, O Lord, and your faithful bless you.

The Greek word for “Eucharist” means thanksgiving. Jesus showed us how to live our lives as “thanksgiving” to others. He gave of Himself in the name of love…pouring Himself out in unconditional love for all…even when persecuted and crucified. We are called to do the same. In the liturgy when we receive the Eucharist we are meant to become thanksgiving to all. We are meant to go forth and use our gifts and talents to be living signs of Christ. Each of us is unique in how we do this since each of us is a unique creation of God. When we are living in this manner we are giving thanks to God. Every creature and living thing gives praise to God in being themselves to the full extent of their being. They have no choice in the matter…but we do. Each of us has to ask, “How can I be a unique vessel of God’s thanksgiving to the world?”

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

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