Love Wins Now and Always

Posted on January 15, 2014 by billtonnis

Hebrews 2:18
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

What is testing you now? What trial are you going through? Whatever it is…Jesus has already walked through greater trials…all the way to the cross…to show you that there is nothing to fear. In the end…there is resurrection and New Life. Fear of rejection, failure, loss or death…dissolves in the light of the truth of God’s unconditional love and eternal hope shown fully in Jesus. Whatever is testing you now…remember: “This, too, will pass.” God’s unconditional love prevails. Allow yourself to bask in its everlasting glory.

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!

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Let Go and Let God

Posted on January 14, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 1:23-25
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!”

What unclean spirit has its grips on you today? Is it fear…worry…envy…jealousy…or some unhealthy attachment whether it be to a relationship, your job, a material possession, nationalism, politics…or perhaps even to religion? Or is it some illness that you just can’t shake? Call on God. Allow God’s light to shine on that which is shackling you and keeping you from living in the freedom and wholeness of your true self. Simply gaze upon it in God’s light. While the healing may not come in your timing and may not be exactly how you want it…a healing is already in the works when you ask, let go, trust and allow.

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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Unconditional Love and Acceptance

Posted on January 13, 2014 by billtonnis

Mark 1:15
“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus’ words tell us that the kingdom of God begins now. It’s here…not just sometime in the distant future. Now…this moment…is the only time that’s real. The past is finished…the future…a mystery. “Repent” or change your direction. Don’t waste any time beating yourself up over past failures or fretting over future concerns. The gospel or Good News is that God loves you unconditionally now. God wants to be with you now…so that you can become an expression of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion to the world. That is your purpose. It will lead you to becoming your true self. The process will give you enjoyment and fulfillment. This moment is the opportunity to engage in the creative dance of God. Don’t miss it!

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

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Contemplative Prayer

Posted on January 10, 2014 by billtonnis

Luke 5:15-16
The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

Jesus modeled how to live our lives. He took loving action with compassion for those in need…but then He took time to “withdraw to deserted places to pray.” To do God’s work He needed to take time to be in intimate contact with God. So he went to “deserted places” to spend time in silence. How can you hear God’s silent voice in your heart if you never make the effort? We are meant for both contemplation and action. Reflection…then action…followed by reflection…and then action. How often do you set aside time to let go of your thoughts and simply be in the Presence of 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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Body of Christ

Posted on January 9, 2014 by billtonnis

1 John 4:21
This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Who is that one person that you just don’t want to have to deal with? Who is that one person that just pushes all the wrong buttons inside you? That is precisely the person God calls you to love. Loving those whom you like is easy…but loving those whom you don’t like is hard. That’s why Jesus commanded us to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44). That takes a supernatural effort. You need God’s help. It’s humbling. Working on that will be a life-long project. It’s a process that leads to transformation…not just in you…but also in the other. It’s what Jesus called building the Kingdom 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!

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Perfect Love

Posted on January 8, 2014 by billtonnis

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.

God has no intention to punish you because God is love. Human existence is not a “reward-punishment” scenario at all but an opportunity for each of us to know and experience God’s unconditional love. God’s justice is not retributive but restorative. God intends for each of us to experience an unconditional love that will transform and redeem us. When we fear…we know we are off base. God’s only desire is to love you. God’s perfect love was personified in Jesus Who loved and forgave from the cross. That same forgiveness is for you. It is not something that is earned. Simply accept it into your heart.

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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Becoming You

Posted on January 7, 2014 by billtonnis

1 John 4:9
In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.

Jesus showed us the path to life. If we follow in His ways we will be on the path of enlightenment and to becoming our true selves. This is what God wants for each of us. Life is not a test to see who passes and who fails. Jesus showed us that by letting go and not clinging to the “stuff” of this world…we find true life. God…scripture says…is Love. It’s an incomprehensible…unconditional Love. Jesus showed us that God’s love is free and cannot be earned. Forgiveness is free and is freely given. Jesus forgave from the cross all those who had just crucified Him…even when they had not asked for forgiveness. This is the kind of love God has for you. Allow that knowledge to settle in your heart…and set you free!

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!

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Now Is the Kingdom

Posted on January 6, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 4:23
He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

What is the “gospel of the kingdom”? Just before this statement…St. Matthew wrote that Jesus proclaimed that the “kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heaven (or the kingdom of God) begins here and now when we follow Jesus and extend mercy, compassion, love and forgiveness to all. Notice how Jesus restored those who were sick to wholeness. They also would have been restored to oneness as a community since the sick were seen as “unclean” and were outcasts. The kingdom of God is a place of oneness, wholeness and harmony where all are included. That is the “gospel” (Good News!). Jesus doesn’t want us to wait for a future heaven. He calls us to action to cooperate with all people in building the kingdom…now.

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

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True Freedom

Posted on December 31, 2013 by billtonnis

1 John 2:15
Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

The world’s (popular culture’s) way of love is the self-gratifying, self-centered, ego-centric route of seeking power, prestige, wealth, lust, etc. God’s way of love is self-emptying. Love is expressed by reaching out to others in service through the use of our gifts and talents. Jesus showed us how to live and to love. He said that He is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). He showed us the ultimate love…loving and forgiving those who killed Him. All the worldly ways of love sooner or later disintegrate. God’s way lasts into eternity. Which way will you choose?

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 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 the Truth and the Life

Posted on December 30, 2013 by billtonnis

1 John 2:5-6
But whoever keeps Jesus’ word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to live [just] as he lived.

Do you know Jesus? One way to get to know Him is to read His words in scripture and to let them soak in by silent meditation on them. Speak to Him in the silence of your heart throughout the day and allow more silent time to listen for His gentle response. Make an effort to follow in His ways. If you want to be open to the abundance of God’s love…improve your relationship with Jesus. That won’t guarantee you a trouble-free life as Jesus promised that His followers would be persecuted. When you love as Jesus loved, you love all people with no divisions. This will guarantee that some people will not like you. But…you will have an inner peace amidst any storm. Your life will be a source of inspiration and transformation…and you will be on the path to becoming 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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