Restorative Justice

Posted on August 5, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 15:14
Let them alone; they are blind guides (of the blind). If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.”

We are sorely in need of leaders with both wisdom and compassion. These are people who know what it’s like to struggle, to not be in control…but to still be unconditionally loved and cared for by a Higher Power. Such people have been taught by other leaders who have themselves experienced redemption and restoration. The Pharisees (to whom Jesus is referring to in today’s scripture verse) were the religious leaders of the time who held people to the letter of the law. It was all “black and white”…with no “gray” areas. It was rigid rules…with no heart or compassion. You either followed the rules…or you didn’t. It was that simple to the Pharisees. It takes an enlightened person like Jesus to know how to both follow the rules…and know when to break them in the name of love. A legalistic mind cannot grasp this! Justice without compassion is cruel. Jesus shows us the true face of God whose justice doesn’t aim to punish…but to restore.

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.
Remember…God loves you!

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Unconditional Love

Posted on August 4, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 14:30-31
But when (Peter) saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

We all face times of struggle…when the seas of life are full of turmoil and toss us about. These are the times that test our faith. These are the times we are called to step out of the boat and trust. These are the times that will build our character. But, yes, these are also the times when we can falter from fear. Have courage! Jesus showed us that God is not a God who is poised to criticize, punish and seek retribution when we struggle or fail…but a God who reaches out to lift us and embrace us. It is through our struggles and failures that we learn and experience the unconditional love of God. How else would we ever experience it? Jesus showed us that God wants each of us to be redeemed, restored and made whole. When Peter called out…the response from Jesus was immediate. So…why be afraid? God will never abandon you!

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!

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Jesus Deja Vu

Posted on August 3, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 69:8-10
For your sake I bear insult, shame covers my face. I have become an outcast to my kin, a stranger to my mother’s children. Because zeal for your house consumes me, I am scorned by those who scorn you.

Sometimes when we follow Jesus and carry out works of compassion to those on the fringes of society while speaking the words that God places in our hearts…we see great things, conversions of hearts and great joy. We get a wonderful feeling inside that we wish would never end. But sometimes when we follow God’s call…we are met with derision and rejection. Sometimes the worst assault may come from those closest to us who feel uncomfortable about how we’ve changed…when they haven’t. Jesus felt the same scorn when he returned to Nazareth. “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house” (Matthew 13:58). Jesus was persecuted by the very people who were supposed to be God’s representatives…the religious leaders of the time. If you’ve ever been subject to similar persecution…you are in good company. Follow Jesus where He leads. While not easy…you will find inner peace, joy, fulfillment and your true self.

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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Begin Now

Posted on August 1, 2014 by billtonnis

Jeremiah 18:6
Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.

Just as God’s words came to Jeremiah…they are still true today for each of us. No matter what you’ve done in the past…no matter how badly you have messed up your life…God can mold you again. God yearns to re-fashion you again and again and again so that you are in “tune” with the dance of God’s on-going love story (creation). This story is like a cosmic dance with God accompanied by the most amazing music! The invitation is never withdrawn and is always being offered as long as you have breath. Will you accept the invitation?

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!

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Listen to Your Heart

Posted on July 30, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 13:44
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

The kingdom of heaven…or as Jesus is sometimes quoted as saying…the kingdom of God…is SO valuable, SO worth experiencing…that it would be well worth selling all that we had if that would attain it! Perhaps if we cut our attachments to possessions, prestige and the desire for power…those three things would cease to be our motivation? Maybe then our motivation would be to love God, love all people and love all things. Then the kingdom of God just might take us by surprise as we discover 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 by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Surrender

Posted on July 29, 2014 by billtonnis

Jeremiah 14:22
Among the nations’ idols is there any that gives rain? O can the mere heavens send showers? Is it not you alone, O Lord, our God, to whom we look? You alone have done all these things.

God sends the rains on the just and the unjust. Some say, “Unfair!” Let’s face it. Our egos don’t like this unconditional love of God! Have you heard that “ego” stands for “Edge God Out”? God is generous beyond our understanding! God loves everything regardless of response. Jesus says we are to love our enemies. This is impossible to do unless we follow St. Paul’s advice in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform yourself to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” Usually a mind will only be transformed through some form of suffering…when we encounter a loss or struggle that we simply cannot overcome or deal with on our own. This is when we experience the unconditional love of God. God sends the rains to fall on all of us as one body of Christ. Let it rain!

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

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Seeds of Compassion

Posted on July 28, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 13:31
Jesus proposed another parable to them. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field.”

Jesus clearly expected us to take action to cooperate with God’s desire to bring about the kingdom of heaven (a place of pure love) in the here and now. How are we being called to use our gifts and talents in sowing the seed of God’s kingdom so that it grows in this time and place? To know…we must be awake and alert to God’s voice…which means we must practice being silent and being present to the moment. That is where our Loving Creator always is…and always is yearning to love us and to be with us. Allow God’s Light to shine within you and through you.

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

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Let Go and Live

Posted on July 25, 2014 by billtonnis

2 Corinthians 4:11
For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Jesus showed us that the way to life…is through death. It is a constant process of dying to our egocentric desires for power, prestige and possessions so that God’s desires for us can be manifested instead. When I let go of my desires…there is an open space for God to fill. Then the risen Christ has a place to reside in my body…so that I can become the hands and feet of Christ to the world. Giving up our egocentric pursuits will feel like dying because we are letting go…but new life will always come as God gives us what we truly need…as any loving parent would do!

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.
Remember…God loves you!

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Smile

Posted on July 24, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 36:6
Lord, your love reaches to heaven; your fidelity, to the clouds.

Laws and rules are needed. But when it comes to Jesus…love always had the final say. God’s extreme, extravagant love is so immense…so amazing…so beyond what we can fathom…it boggles the logical and rational left-brain. It’s beyond reason. It’s unconditional. That means “no conditions“! Just accept it. Jesus repeatedly forgave sinners even when they didn’t ask for forgiveness. A legalistic mind cannot handle that! “That’s not fair” it will protest. That’s right…it’s not fair. It has nothing to do with worthiness (Our egos hate this!). You are loved just because you are God’s beloved. It has nothing to do with what you do…but who God is. Allow that to settle in your heart. It will transform you…which is exactly what God wants!

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.
Remember…God loves you!

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Called By God

Posted on July 23, 2014 by billtonnis

Jeremiah 1:5-7
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. “Ah, Lord God!” I said, “I know not how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord answered me, Say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak.

What is God asking you to do? Usually it’ll have something to do with your talents…but sometimes you may not be aware of a talent that God wants to develop in you. Is there an “inner yearning” to do something? Perhaps God is calling you? Our egos will make excuses because our egos think our lives are all about us. But our lives are actually about God and God’s love story…God’s dream for the world. You and I are a part of that! Jeremiah’s excuse was that he was “too young” to speak out as a prophet. What is your excuse? You are never “too young” or “too old” or “too short” or “too tall” or “too anything” for God to work with you! God doesn’t call the qualified. God qualifies the called!

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

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