Let Go of Attachments

Posted on August 19, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 19:23
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

What does it mean to “enter the kingdom of heaven”? Certainly we all hope to enter upon death…but Jesus seemed to be focused on the now and not some future “reward.” When a scribe agreed with Jesus that the two greatest commandments were to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself…Jesus told him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34). Jesus was clearly talking about experiencing the kingdom of God in the present. A rich person has an abundance of power, prestige and possessions. It’s easy to get caught up in defending and protecting all of that to the point that there is no time for God or anyone else. It’s not the power, prestige and possessions in themselves that are bad…it’s the attachment to them. To be present to the Divine Presence so as to live in the love of Christ and reflect the love of Christ…is to be experiencing the kingdom or reign of God right now! What is blocking me from being truly present to God’s love each moment?

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

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Just Trust

Posted on August 18, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 19:16-17
“Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

While we know that certain acts are good and others are bad…labeling anything as either “good” or “bad” is generally not a good idea. God can use all that happens for good (“We know that all things work for good for those who love God” – Romans 8:28). In my life there have been many times when something happened that appeared to be “bad” at the time but in the long run turned out to be very “good.” My whole experience of a ruptured appendix appeared to be the worst thing that ever happened to me at the time…but in retrospect I now view the experience as one of the most deeply spiritually transformative ones of my life. The man asking Jesus how to “gain” eternal life was also attached to many possessions and viewed eternal life as a commodity to gain through his own works. Jesus told him that he can enter into life (a very present idea) by keeping the commandments. The greatest commandment is to love God and all people. God will take over from there. As St. Paul says, “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” (Philippians 1:6). Jesus gave the man the best advice after this when He told him to disassociate with his possessions and to “come, follow me” (Matthew19:21). How might I follow this advice in my life?

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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Turn Off the Noise

Posted on August 15, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 1:45

“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was the perfect model of saying “yes” to God’s plans and letting go of her own plans. She put her trust in God…no matter how crazy it may have seemed. What plan does God have for you? What is the one thing that has been placed in your heart to carry out with your life? Perhaps you can’t “hear” God’s silent voice in your heart…because you aren’t taking time to clear a space, sit in silence…and listen.

Suggested song for 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.

Remember…God loves you!

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New Life Now

Posted on August 14, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”

It is truly the key to the kingdom of heaven. Forgiveness opens the gates of the kingdom and channels it into the present. It is the only way into the eternal kingdom. Forgiveness frees us from chains that shackle us. You may not be able to like the person who wronged you or even be around that person…but you must forgive that person and wish them well. And while you are at it…forgive yourself for whatever it is you are refusing to let go of. The truth is: God forgives you. Jesus gave us the ultimate example on the cross. He said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Jesus forgave…when no one had even asked for it! Accept that forgiveness, pass it on, and be free! It’s the pathway to your true self and wholeness (salvation). That’s Good News! 

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.

CD’s available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.

Remember…God loves you!

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Seek First the Kingdom of God

Posted on August 13, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 18:19-20

“Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

God is not a genie granting our every wish. God is our Father and Mother rolled into one! What parent would simply give their son or daughter whatever they asked for? Parents give their children what they determine to be best for them. Who would know what’s best for us better than God? When we pray…are we asking from our self-centered egos’ interests? Or, are we asking from a God-centered self in unison with the Holy Spirit that God’s will would be done for us? After all, isn’t that what would ultimately be best for us? What is God’s deepest yearning in our hearts? Open yourself to those yearnings…then ask another person who is also seeking God’s heart to pray with you that God’s will would be done. When we pray in this manner…watch for wonders to occur!

Suggested song of the day– “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album. 

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Let Go and Live

Posted on August 12, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 18:3-4
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus turns our culture inside out. The greatest in the kingdom of heaven is not the gold medal winner, the one who wins the trophy, the champion, the American Idol winner, or the celebrity. No. The greatest in God’s kingdom is someone who humbles himself or herself like a child. You really can’t force that. It has to be genuine. A child tends to live very keenly in the present moment. A child is open to the awe and wonder of the moment…in the simplest of things. This is the entrance way into the kingdom of heaven. It’s the place where all power, prestige and possessions are freely released so that the Divine Presence might be fully experienced. And the paradox is…when we are humbly present…we actually find our true selves. As Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life” (Matthew 16:24-26)? How sad it would be to face death and not to have lived in the freedom of who you were made to be! It’s never too late to change directions. All it takes…is letting go. You can start…right now.

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 Grateful

Posted on August 11, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 148:11-13
You kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all who govern on earth; Young men and women too, old and young alike. Let them all praise the Lord’s name, for his name alone is exalted, majestic above earth and heaven.

Stop for a moment and consider all your blessings. Look back at your life and all the amazing, wonderful people who made a difference. Without them…you would not be the person you are today. Look at the blessings that surround you now. Your senses are immersed in gifts from God. Each breath is a gift. Yes…each of us has struggles. But at the same time…God never stops showering us with free gifts of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion. It is only through the struggles that we can truly experience God’s unconditional love. God is so close to each of us. At our deepest core…our deepest essence…is God. Our Creator has loved each of us into existence and will never abandon us. How amazing is the One who made us!

Suggested song of the day– “Lift Up Our Voices” 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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Find Your True Self

Posted on August 8, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 16:24-26
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?”

It’s a paradox. When you let go of what-you-thought-your-life-was-about…you find what your life is truly about. When you let go of self-centered desires…it’ll feel like dying. But when you surrender your ego’s desires for power, prestige and possessions and ask for God to show you God’s desires for you…you will be on the path of uncovering your true self. This path will lead you to use your gifts and talents to help others who are in need. This path will be met with resistance by those who do not share your desire to lift those who have fallen or are on the fringes. You will be called to respond in love to those who persecute you…just as Jesus did. In letting go of what your ego wanted…you will find what your true self needed. What could be more important than that?

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

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The Light of Christ

Posted on August 7, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 16:15
Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

That is the question…is it not? If Jesus is indeed “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6)…then what does that mean to each of us? If Jesus has “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68)…then wouldn’t it make sense to listen to Him? Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Wouldn’t the path that He would lead us on…be the one that would lead us to true fulfillment, inner peace and joy? Jesus asks the question to you today: “Who do you say I am?”

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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Everyone Has a Calling

Posted on August 6, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 17:3-5
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

At the transfiguration of Jesus…we see two other leaders from salvation history appear with Him. From this vision we can look at that history and see that while God’s people repeatedly wandered off course…God never abandoned them. God had always sent another messenger to guide them. God will surely see through to completion the great work of creation. Jesus, the very incarnation of God, shows us the path to life and wholeness. The path is one of love for God, self and others. But this path is not an easy one. It is a way of life that will be met with persecution. We will falter. But fear not! Jesus showed us that love ultimately wins. Death does not have the final say! So listen to the words of Jesus…and follow!

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

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