Take the Road Less Traveled

Posted on September 1, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 4:24
“Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.”

Jesus had just told the leaders in the synagogue that He was the one the prophet Isaiah had foretold…who would “proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind,” and “let the oppressed go free.” But the leaders said, “Who does he think he is?” They all saw him grow up as just a carpenter’s son. Have you ever been prompted somewhere deep inside to speak up for someone who was unjustly treated or to tell someone in need about the love of God? And if you followed through…did you find that those closest to you looked down on you with contempt? Did you find that those closest to you…now distanced themselves from you? Following God’s calling and being a disciple of the light is sometimes the most difficult when you’re with the people who know you best! Jesus felt this judgment as well…but took action anyway. Turn to Him for help and follow your heart. It may lead you down a road less traveled…but it will be the path leading you to freedom, wholeness and 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 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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Death Leads to Life

Posted on August 29, 2014 by billtonnis

1 Corinthians 1:17-18
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning. The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Paul was speaking to members of the early Church about the difficult message of Jesus’ death on the cross. While our egos seek personal gratification and are fed by worldly messages to “grab” all the pleasures we can…the cross has an opposite message. Jesus emptied Himself…giving everything He had…His very life…to show us the way of God. When we empty ourselves of our egos’ desires to be satisfied…we open ourselves to God’s desires to lead us to what we truly need and who we truly are. This is being saved! Jesus’ way clashes with the world’s way. To love unconditionally is to give of yourself for another’s benefit and to respond to persecution with love all the way to the end. For popular culture…the message of the cross is death. But to Christians, the message of the cross is that death is not the end…but the pathway to resurrection and new life. Giving leads to great joy. Jesus showed us the way. Each of us has the choice of whether to follow.

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

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God Is Present

Posted on August 28, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 24:42
“Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”

More words of wisdom are offered today from the master teacher, Jesus. This may sound like an ominous warning about not knowing when our death will come. But also remember that Jesus said many times that we should not be afraid. Given that, this statement cannot be based in fear. Each moment is an opportunity to encounter the risen Christ. But instead, many times we end up sleep-walking through life…filling each day with meaningless pursuits. Stay awake! Each moment is a gift where God is fully present…ready to be made known to us in ways we can’t imagine…if only we would cooperate! But how often do we find ourselves too immersed in the noise of the world? Take a few minutes of silence to allow God to embrace and enlighten you. For when you seek…you will find.

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.
Have a blessed day!

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Write On

Posted on August 28, 2014 by billtonnis

Dennis always has deep insight in his poetry. It gives me great comfort. I highly recommend following him!

den169's avatarMerging Traffic

Words that fall on a million deaf ears
are sometimes the exact words needed
to heal one wounded heart.

© 2014 Dennis Ference

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Unconditionally Loved and Accepted

Posted on August 27, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 23:27
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.”

Most of Jesus’ words were kind and gentle…except for the church leaders. The Pharisees liked to dress in fine garments and act in a self-righteous manner…holding the people to strict rules and codes without extending God’s unconditional love and mercy. Notice how Jesus never had a harsh word for any of the “sinners” he came across. God knows that each of us has impure thoughts and weaknesses…but instead of pushing us away…God draws us nearer. Jesus’ message was that God loves us anyway! Whatever the temptation or struggle is inside of you that is messing with you…God is aware of it and wants to be with you precisely in that mess…to say, “I love you and accept you.” Jesus never made someone’s worthiness an issue. He offered healing to whoever asked. This is the kind of love that transforms people! Lord, help me to extend that same kind of love and acceptance to others!

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

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The Kingdom of God Is at Hand

Posted on August 26, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 145:13
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations.

The kingdom of God or the reign of God is eternally present when we are totally present to God…our Source. God rejects no one! When we are “in tune” with God’s presence and unconditional love we will naturally want to cooperate in God’s on-going creative process. We will be taking part in “building the kingdom of God.” However, usually our minds are so busy mulling over past events and pondering future possibilities that we are almost never present to the moment…the only time that is actually real and where God wants to engage us. No wonder we are flustered and uneasy because we are out of touch with our Loving Source! The Eternal Now…the kingdom of God…will break into our lives if we stop…focus on the stillness and listen for God’s gentle voice that will always say, “I love you and accept you!”

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

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Be You with Joy

Posted on August 25, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 96:1
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands.

All of creation symbolically sings a song in its very being. Every living thing in its very nature…pours out all that it is without any indecision or hesitancy…except us human beings! We have a choice. Many times…we compare ourselves to others. We envy others or wish we could be different or try to out-do others. What if we simply were ourselves to the fullest extent with no filters? What if we simply kept our eyes on God and followed Jesus while pursuing our deep passions? What unique song is God trying to sing through you? Each person has a song that is different than any other person’s song and each is beautiful and needed to be heard to bring about God’s dream for the world!

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

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God Is Love

Posted on August 22, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 107:5-6
Hungry and thirsty, their life was wasting away within them. They cried to the Lord in their distress; from their straits he rescued them.

Jesus said that He is the vine and we are the branches. When we sever our connection to the Giver of Life we wither. Of course…we can never actually sever our connection with God…but we can choose to ignore it. Staying in conscious connection with the living Christ is essential through practices of being present to the Presence of God, the reading of scripture and silent reflection and contemplation. If we do this we will begin to be aware of promptings from God on decisions in life. At one time…I was “hungry and thirsty” with my life seemingly “wasting away” within me. I did cry out to the God in my distress…and as I look back now…I clearly see how God rescued me (and many times since!). Have faith and trust that God will lead you to wholeness. God is always good even when we or life’s happenings are not!

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

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God Saves

Posted on August 21, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 51:12
A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.

Sometimes we can be on a spiritual high when everything is going our way and we seem to be in that “zone” where it just couldn’t get any better. It’s also during these times when it seems so easy to slip and fall…when we get cocky and believe we are somehow spiritually ahead of others. When this happens…don’t beat yourself up over it. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you back to God. Jesus said that He came for sinners…not the self-righteous. Jesus still wants to be with you! You don’t save you…Jesus does…and He loves doing it! Your life is not about your goodness…but about God’s. This is really Good News!

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.
Have a blessed day!

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The Good Shepherd

Posted on August 20, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 23:4
Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.

The path of love will lead us through many a dark valley. To love is to respond to persecution with mercy, forgiveness and compassion. Jesus showed us the way. He also showed us that all dark valleys eventually lead to beautiful, bright mountaintops. The dark valleys teach us that we cannot do it on our own. We need someone to lead us…someone like Jesus. The Good Shepherd comes to us no matter what we’ve done. No matter how far we have strayed…this Shepherd will never give up on us. He comes to us in many ways…through the actions of others and through creation itself. But He also comes to us in the silence of our hearts. When all else fails us…when everything fades away…this Shepherd will still be there to hold us. “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.” What more could I want than the total unconditional love and acceptance of God?

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

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