Journey to Wholeness

Posted on March 13, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 7:9-11
“Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.”

If a child asked to have a gallon of ice cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner…what loving parent would say ‘yes’? Just so…could it be that what we think we want from God might actually not be what’s good for us? We may really want something…but is what we want really to satisfy a self-centered desire…or is it something that will be life-giving to us and others? If God is like a loving Father…we must trust that such a God would give each of us what we need so that each of us can fully become the unique person that we were intended to be. This is what God wants for you…for you to become whole and your “true self.” Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the desire to ask God for what you truly need.

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

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

God Is Love

Posted on March 12, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 51:18-10
For you do not desire sacrifice; a burnt offering you would not accept. My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.

We’re all broken in some way…messed-up somewhere inside. But most people try to hide it…pretend it’s not there…and sometimes beat themselves up over it…feeling like a failure…feeling like God is pointing to it in disdain. What if God wanted to love you in your brokenness? What if God…knowing this brokenness…wanted nothing more than to be with you precisely in that place to let you know that you are loved unconditionally. Jesus demonstrated God’s ultimate unconditional love when He said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” as He hung on the cross. What more proof do you need? Instead of trying to earn points with God by making sacrifices, why not give up your ego? Jesus said, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’” (Matthew 9:13). Why not offer to God your broken self? Sacrifice your ego…let it go. Allow God to love you in your brokenness and lead you to healing and wholeness.

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!

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

Contemplative Prayer

Posted on March 11, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 6:7-8
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Jesus advises us to pray by saying little. The only words he instructs His followers to pray are in the “Our Father” where He tells us to say to God, “Thy will be done”…which also means…not my will. We need to get out of the way. By “we”…I mean our egos…and our non-stop chattering minds. If, as Jesus tells us, God knows what we need before we ask…why not ask God what that is? The only way “God’s will” can be done is if we hear what it is that God wants for us and then act on it. The only way that will happen is if we go to our “inner room” as Jesus puts it (Matthew 6:6), turn off the noise…and listen.

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.
Remember, God Loves you!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Call to Action

Posted on March 10, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 25:35-36
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”

When Jesus tells us about the “final judgment” it seems to have nothing to do with the Ten Commandments. Those, of course, are foundational. But Jesus takes it a lot further. He seems to say that getting the rules right is not the objective. The objective is to love your neighbor. And as a matter of fact…when you love your neighbor…you love Christ Himself! The fact is…when measured against the standard Jesus sets in this scripture…none of us can possibly measure up. Perhaps Jesus wants to pull the rug out from under the ‘self-righteous’ who believe their pious, self-centered religious practices are what God wants of us? Perhaps we all need to “die” to our ego-centered selves and identify with those who have not been included, those who have been cast out by society? After all…aren’t we all lacking in some way and in need of the mercy and compassion of God?

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

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

Redeeming Love

Posted on March 7, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 51:3
Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.

Who among us is without the need of forgiveness? No one. That’s because we are all imperfect. We were made this way. If we were perfect…we wouldn’t need God. Wherever you are struggling and are in need of healing and forgiveness…allow God to embrace you. That’s what God wants to do. That is precisely how we learn what unconditional love is. Jesus showed us God’s unconditional love in all that he did and ultimately when he forgave all from the cross. God doesn’t want to punish…but redeem. Bring your imperfections, failures and struggles to God in openness and honesty. Allow God to be with you there. When you experience the transforming love God wants to give you…then you will be able to pass it on to someone else who needs the same forgiveness, healing and unconditional love.

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

Soul Satisfaction

Posted on March 6, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 9:24-25
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?

What are you living your life for? What is the purpose? If it is to satisfy your ego…it is to satisfy your “false self.” As I have said in the past, “ego” stands for: “Edge God Out.” The false self will never be satisfied. It subsists on a program for “happiness” set up in childhood in which every whim and self-centered desire needs to be satisfied. Lent is a good time to practice letting that system for happiness dry up. It is a false system leading nowhere. Live to love and live to serve. Follow in the ways of Jesus…and you will find soul satisfaction…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!

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

Dying to Live

Posted on March 5, 2014 by billtonnis

2 Corinthians 6:2
Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Ash Wednesday is a great time for a new beginning. We are surrounded by God’s blueprint for life…plants, creatures and the very seasons themselves. They are all in a continuous cycle of dying and rising. Our lives are made up of a series of little deaths to self…and then risings…when we’re made new through the experience of the struggle. Jesus showed us that even the final death…is not the end at all…but the ultimate new beginning. When will it be time for your new beginning…your step into becoming the unique expression of God’s love to the world? Now…of course. It’s the only time that is real. It’s the time and place where God is “present.” It’s the time to begin your healing and your road to wholeness (salvation). Rise from the ashes! The time is now. Are you ready to start anew? “A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit” (Psalm 51:12).

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.
Remember…God loves you!

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

Let Go and Live

Posted on March 4, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 10:29-30
Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age.”

Our culture encourages us to grab as much as we can for ourselves. This is consumerism. Jesus calls us to turn away (“repent”) from this way of trying to attain happiness. He says we should not cling to possessions or people…but instead be willing to part with them. While many believe that their possessions, status or relationships define them…Jesus says the opposite. You will never know who you truly are until you disassociate yourself from those things. Make note that this does not mean to reject those things or treat them with contempt…but simply to detach from them. Do not possess them. Be willing to let them go. It is only when you let go of the things you’ve been grasping…that your hands are free to give and to receive what God wants to give you. It’s only in giving yourself away in the service of others that you will finally find your true self…your true calling. That will be worth a hundred times more than any possession or attachment.

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.
Remember…God loves you!

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

True Freedom

Posted on March 3, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 10:21
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

This “rich man” was doing all the right things…following all the commandments and religious rules. He had many possessions. But he wanted to know what it would take to enter eternal life. We can begin to enter into eternal life or the kingdom of God whenever we are totally present to God and God’s will. This is only possible when we are detached from possessions, titles, people and other things that we mistakenly believe will give us happiness. The source of happiness is God alone. The rich man had many possessions. Material possessions, loved ones, and other things are not bad in and of themselves…as long as we are not clinging to them. That’s when they block our relationship with God. What or who is blocking you from serving God and following Christ?

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.
Remember…God loves you!

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

True Fasting

Posted on February 28, 2014 by billtonnis

Isaiah 58:6-7
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.

Isaiah was a great prophet who lived over 700 years before Jesus…and yet he preached many things that foretold of the coming of the Son of God…a Messiah quite different from the powerful warrior that Israel wanted. Jesus quoted Isaiah when stating his mission (Luke 4:16-21). Fasting is not meant to “earn points” with God…but is a practice to help us know that only God can satisfy our deepest yearnings…not the things of this world. Fasting should free us from our bondage to stuff…so that we are free to serve God and others. How can we, today, help to free someone who is oppressed, shelter the homeless, clothe the impoverished, and act with love toward all?

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!

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