Let Go and Live

Posted on February 27, 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.” Have you heard the saying that “ego” stands for: “Edge God Out?” When we let go of our ego’s insatiable desires…God’s desires are able to be heard and to grow. Our lives will become more about loving and serving. If you follow Jesus and His example…you will find 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 “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!

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Wake Up

Posted on February 26, 2014 by billtonnis

2 Corinthians 6:3
Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

We spend so much time either carrying the weight of past hurts or injustice or worrying about the future. But, as St. Paul tells us, now is the only time that is real. Now is where God resides. Now is the time and place where God wants to meet you and make you whole. Are you present to this moment? It’s the only moment to hear and see God’s Presence. In each moment, God is telling you that you are loved beyond measure. It has nothing to do with what you’ve done or what you will do…but simply because of who you are…God’s beloved son or daughter. Live in that awareness…and be free. Now is the day of salvation.

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.
Remember…God loves you!

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Ego Mania

Posted on February 25, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 9:34-35
The Apostles had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then Jesus sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

Jesus lays out in His statement the key to finding peace and joy in this life: using your gifts and talents to serve those in need. But our culture preaches the opposite. To be happy we must have power, prestige, and wealth and be served by everyone else. Our egos’ goal is literally to be number one. Which path will you follow? Our egos will likely choose the culture’s way. Yet grabbing for more power, prestige and wealth cannot ultimately satisfy…because none of it will last. Why not try out Jesus’ way and see what happens?

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!

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Faith

Posted on February 24, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 9:23-24
Jesus said to him…”Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”

When a boy suffering from chronic convulsions is brought to Jesus’ disciples they are unable to heal him. So the boy’s father turns to Jesus who heals him. Don’t we all relate to the father’s response? How often do we believe…but still question? When asked by his disciples later in this passage why they couldn’t heal the boy, Jesus tells them that more prayer was required. When we are centered in a life of prayer where we cultivate an inner silence open to hearing God’s voice…we begin to be in tune with what God wants for us. Our desires become one with God’s desires. Then we can simply say with confidence and peace, “Your will be done.” How much time do we set aside each day for prayer…a time of silence to cultivate our relationship with God?

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

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Death Leads to Life

Posted on February 21, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 8:34-35
He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “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 and that of the gospel will save it.”

Jesus laid down His life in the service of God. In His humanness He also had to deal with His ego. He had to choose God’s wishes over whatever His ego desired. He had to deny those self-centered desires…and take up God’s mission for His life. That mission would undermine the power structures of both government and religion…and quite literally lead Him to take up His cross. But death did not win. The cross led to His resurrection and new life. Jesus doesn’t ask us to just believe in Him. He doesn’t ask us to like Him, be a fan of His, or to worship Him. He does ask us to “follow” Him. Jesus promises that if we do…the life we lose will not compare to the life we gain. We will discover our true selves. What could be more important than that?

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!

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All Belong

Posted on February 20, 2014 by billtonnis

James 2:1
My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.

Today’s lesson is that God views all of us as equal. All people deserve to be treated as God’s beloved daughters and sons. But this is sadly not how the world operates. We create systems of power, prestige and wealth that show partiality to the extreme. We separate who is in and who is out based on our beliefs, appearances or behaviors. But God treats everyone the same. As Jesus said, “God makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). How can we work to change unfair structures that keep people in bondage? How can we show “no partiality” as we “adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ”? How can we be agents of God’s unconditional love to all people? It starts with my next thought…and my next action.

Suggested song of the day– “All Are Welcome” 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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Make Me a Channel

Posted on February 19, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 116:12
How can I repay the Lord for all the good done for me?

Think back on all the people who made a difference in your life by allowing the Spirit of Christ to flow through them. Maybe it was one person in particular who came along at just the right time. Maybe it was something that mysteriously happened in nature at just the right moment? Maybe it was the unconditional love shown to you at just the right time…by your pet? God is doing amazing things for you. God is showering you with unconditional love now and always. Open yourself to this Love. Let it flow through you to make a difference in someone else’s life today.

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

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Providence

Posted on February 18, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 8:20-21
“When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered [him], “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

We often say, “Seeing is believing.” If we’d only see proof…we’d believe. Well…the apostles saw Jesus perform many miracles (including the multiplication of loaves of bread) and yet in today’s scripture verse when they forgot to bring bread with them…they still worried how they would be fed. Think of all the rough times you’ve experienced and how…somehow…things happened to help you make it through. Have faith! God will never forsake you! “Do you still not understand?”

Suggested song of the day– “God’s Love Is All You Need” 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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Blessings Abound

Posted on February 17, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 8:11-12
The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign?

God surrounds us with many signs of His love. Stop for a moment and take stock of all the blessings you have received. If you are struggling…think of the people who have come into your life to help you. Look at the beauty of creation that surrounds you. The Pharisees were eye-witnesses of “signs from heaven.” They witnessed many of Jesus’ miraculous healings. But they had preconceived agendas. Their hearts and minds were closed. They were blind to God working in their very midst…so they were incapable of witnessing more signs from Jesus. Our faith is tested many times in the storms of life. Cling to your faith. Jesus promises to never let you go. If you keep a journal of your experiences…you will see the thread of God’s Presence and wondrous signs of Unconditional Love.

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

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The Way to Healing

Posted on February 14, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 7:34-35
Then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.

Many of us find ourselves bound, stuck, struggling, or hurting in some way or many ways. Just as Jesus “groaned” in today’s scripture reading…God groans in yearning to heal us in our brokenness. Jesus healed this deaf man as he had healed many others of physical, emotional and psychological problems. He knows exactly the healing that you need. He is the Divine Physician. Call out to Him. Then…have faith that the healing you need will happen. But remember…the healing you want might not be the healing you need. God’s objective is that each of us becomes the full, unique person that each of us was created to be. You are on the path to becoming your “true self.” Trust that God knows best the path, the experiences, and the healing that you need to become whole.

Suggested song of the day– “Heal 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.
Remember…God loves you!

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