Shine God’s Light

Posted on January 30, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 4:21
He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?”

Do you know how deeply God loves you? We are told in scripture that God is Love. Each of us is God’s beloved child. This is the truth…the Good News. All that God asks…is that you accept it. It’s that easy! Are you keeping the Good News of God’s unconditional love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion inside yourself…or are you sharing it with others? How can you use your gifts and talents to be God’s light to the world?

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!

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Be Awake

Posted on January 29, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 4:18-19
“Those (seeds) sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.”

God’s word comes to us in scripture, in rituals, in silent prayer, through music, through other people, through art, through animals, and through nature and all of creation. There are many “seeds” being sown…but what is the condition of our “soil”? Are we cultivating our soil? What other words, music, TV shows, or friends might be poisoning our soil and “choking” God’s seeds? How are you cooperating in becoming the person God intended you to become?

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.
Have a blessed day!

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Divinely Inspired

Posted on January 28, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 40:2, 4
I waited, waited for the Lord; who bent down and heard my cry, and put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God.

This Psalm is very powerful and meaningful to me because it is very literally true in my life. I did cry out to God…waited…cried out to God…waited…and God quite literally put a new song in my mouth. I began to write songs and experienced quite a transformation from a career in radio news to a calling in ministry. (For more on my story go to http://www.BillTonnisMusic.com.) What is the reason that you are crying out to God at this moment? Trust…wait…and know that God, like a loving Father or Mother, is coming to your aid. You are crying out because it is God Who first placed that desire inside you. So as you respond to God…the process of you becoming your true self is already underway. It’s what you are yearning for. It’s what God is yearning for. You were made to be an expression of God…in the unique way that only you can be!

Suggested song of the day– “Show Me…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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Have Faith

Posted on January 27, 2014 by billtonnis

2 Timothy 1:8
…bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.

If you follow Jesus you are called to make the Good News of God’s unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion the motivations for your life. Others who are motivated by the pursuit of power, prestige and possessions will clash with you. Perhaps there is a clash of motivations going on inside you as well. We all struggle with the world’s influences. St. Paul wrote today’s scripture verse while in prison for preaching the gospel. God doesn’t promise a life of no struggles…but does promise to give us purpose, fulfillment, inner-peace and strength midst the struggles. Open yourself to God’s grace by spending some time in silent prayer, scripture reading and any practice that makes you present to the Divine Presence. That will require a daily practice of letting go of your ego’s desires…so that God’s desires might rise in 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.
Remember…God loves you!

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Path to Life

Posted on January 24, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 3:13
He went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.

Jesus called His apostles and they followed him. They left whatever lives they had chosen and ended up doing something completely different. Their new lives were fulfilling because they were on the path of becoming their true selves. Be open to hearing God’s voice in your heart. Jesus is still calling us to follow Him. For each of us…the call will lead us to a unique path in which we use our God-given talents to make this world a more loving, merciful, forgiving, compassionate and just place…in other words…to build the Kingdom of God. Following Jesus may lead to drastic changes or minor changes in your life…but the changes will certainly lead to more peace and fulfillment. It’s never too early or too late to “listen” and start following Jesus. Why not now?

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!

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Fulfillment

Posted on January 23, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 40:7, 17
Sacrifice and offering you do not want; but ears open to obedience you gave me. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.

Making sacrifices and giving things up are in and of themselves pointless unless the outcome is that we are freer to seek God. God does not need our sacrifices…but yearns for our attention and a relationship with us. The God of the universe is in love with you and longs for a relationship with you. Jesus shows us the way. When we are in oneness with God we discover our true selves. May we put aside all the stuff that we think will satisfy our deepest longings and pursue the only One who can.

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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Choose Love

Posted on January 22, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 3:2
They watched him closely to see if they might accuse him.

It was the Sabbath…so under the religious law…work was forbidden. The law’s purpose was to help people stop doing the things that would turn them away from their relationship with God. But when Jesus was confronted with the situation of whether to cure a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath…He knew that extending God’s love would trump following the law. The Pharisees were blind to this. They only saw the world in black and white. Every issue was an “either-or” instead of a “both-and.” Their hearts were hardened. Sometimes the “rule book” has to be put aside in favor of love. Jesus said the greatest commandments were to love God and love your neighbor as yourself. The question is: Are we looking through a lens of love or a lens of judgment? Allow God’s love to open your heart in a new way 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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Reason for Hope

Posted on January 21, 2014 by billtonnis

Hebrews 6:11-12
We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.

We all need hope. But it’s hard to keep hope alive when we are assailed by the struggles of this world and our humanness. Jesus proclaimed God’s unconditional love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion for everyone He encountered…even amid His walk to the cross. Resurrection and new life is promised. That is truly Hope. The ways of the world will try you and persecute you…but if you keep turning to God and persevere in believing and spreading God’s unconditional love…you will find God’s peace, wholeness and new life.

Suggested song of the day– “Salvation” on the Live to Love album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking 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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Eternal Warranty

Posted on January 17, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 2:1-2
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.

People flocked to Jesus just to hear him preach “the word.” What would cause so many to come to hear Him speak? It was the truth…THE truth…that God is Love and loves each of us infinitely simply for who we are. This cannot change due to our behavior. The “word” was always about God’s love…not punishment. His words brought the people peace and hope. They do the same for us 2000 years later. Read His words…let them settle in your heart.

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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God’s Love Is All You Need

Posted on January 16, 2014 by billtonnis

Hebrews 3:13
Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,” so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin.

“Sin” is basically when we “turn away” from God’s desires…and choose our self-centered…ego-satisfying desires. Sooner or later we need more to be satisfied…and it’s never enough. Today…this moment…is a brand new opportunity to turn back to God and away from the self-gratifying ways that leave us empty. It’s more a “letting go” than “doing” anything. It’s accepting the moment for what it is and allowing for God to move in your life…and then taking action. Each time we revert to our old ways…the next moment is the opportunity to change directions. The beautiful thing is that God holds no grudges and is always ready to forgive you and to love you. That’s what unconditional love is. Now is the time. Accept it!

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

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