Key to Freedom

Posted on November 11, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 17:4
If someone wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.”

Forgiveness is one of the main keys to begin entering the Kingdom of God. It happens now. When we forgive…we not only free the person who wronged us…but we free ourselves as well. As followers of Jesus…we are also called to work to correct any social injustice being done…while maintaining a forgiving heart. This takes a transformed mind and way of thinking. This can happen through following Jesus and His example…cultivating a contemplative prayer practice…plus plenty of grace.

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 on “home” and then the “store” tab along the left margin.
Remember…you are loved!

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Followers of Jesus

Posted on November 8, 2013 by billtonnis

Philippians 3:17
Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us.

It may sound arrogant of St. Paul to tell the Philippians to be more like him…but Paul is a man who has undergone a complete make-over. Once a persecutor of Christians (persecution that even led to their murders)…Paul became a man totally dedicated to following and serving Christ. It came about through an unmerited encounter with the risen Jesus. Over the next several years Paul was transformed into one of the most zealous followers of Christ. He became the one persecuted! But through it all…he had an inner peace and joy…as well as purpose. If you want the same…observe St. Paul and other true followers of Jesus. True followers will model love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion.

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 Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember that you are loved!

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Life Changing News

Posted on November 7, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 15:4-5
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy.

No matter how broken, unlovable, or lost we might feel…Jesus says God will never abandon us. God will always pursue us with open arms…no matter what. Jesus says God delights in seeking us out when we are lost. It is the only way we ever truly experience the unconditional love of God! If you are at the end of your rope…Jesus says that God is there waiting to catch you. Why wait until you are at the end of your rope? Why not let go and fall into the arms of Unconditional Love now?

Suggested song of the day– “God Is” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…you are loved!

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The Way to Happiness

Posted on November 6, 2013 by billtonnis

Philippians 2:13-15
For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world.

Did you ever wonder where that inner desire…a certain yearning to do something that will make a major positive impact…comes from? I believe it comes from a loving God who has a grand purpose of Love. A good desire in you was first a good desire in God for you. God’s light can only come into the darkness of the world if we allow ourselves to reflect it. It takes listening and time in discernment to start living out our role in building God’s kingdom in the present time. It’s like a creative dance with God. Jesus was our perfect example. If we let go of our ego-centric, self-centered desires and use our gifts and talents to help others…the light of God’s transforming love will shine through us to the world.

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…you are loved!

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Free to Be

Posted on November 4, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 22:31-32
And I will live for the LORD; my descendants will serve you. The generation to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought.

From generation to generation…each of us is given the responsibility and the joy to pass along the Good News. Jesus shows us that we are loved by God unconditionally. He saved us from endlessly trying to prove ourselves worthy…an exercise that eventually always ends in defeat. It’s not about our worthiness but about God’s love. It’s about grace. In following Jesus…we are freed of the bondage of the pursuit of possessions, power and prestige. In dying to our ego-centric desires…we are freed to become our true selves in Christ. In serving God…we serve the world so that God’s kingdom can truly come.

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 on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Music for Thanksgiving

Posted on November 4, 2013 by billtonnis

If you are looking for a special gift to give for Thanksgiving my new album is what you are looking for!

“Give Praise and Thanks” connotes the message of the season! Or get a jump on your holiday shopping by buying the new album or either of my first two albums:”Listen to Your Heart” and “Live to Love.”

You can purchase CDs at a secure Paypal site by first going to my website at the link below. On that web page you will also notice an “iTunes” icon. You can also purchase the albums on iTunes or simply buy individual songs from the albums by clicking on the “iTunes” icon:

(If link doesn’t work…go to http://www.BillTonnisMusic.com and click on the “store” tab along left margin.)

Peace and blessings,
Bill
http://www.BillTonnisMusic.com

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All Are Welcome

Posted on November 4, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 14:13-14
“When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Are Jesus’ words not completely opposed to how the world thinks? Jesus gets to the motive of our actions. When we invite people to a party…do we not determine who we invite by what we believe we will get from them or in terms of what we have received from them in the past? Jesus says we should invite those who have nothing to repay. Jesus, the Son of God, knelt and washed the feet of those who could give Him nothing in return. God does the same for us when we are in the most need…when we are unable to help ourselves. That’s when God lovingly embraces us. How might I do the same for someone in need today?

Suggested song of the day– “All Are Welcome” on the Give Praise and Thanks 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.
Have a blessed day!

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Be You

Posted on November 1, 2013 by billtonnis

Philippians 1:6
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.

St. Paul knew of the infinite worth and purpose of each person he was addressing. He knew that each person was loved into existence. Each of us is infinitely loved and wouldn’t be alive if God didn’t will it to be. God wants each of us to live our uniqueness and become fully the human person we were created to be. And on our way to wholeness (“holiness”) we are also called to play a unique role in building a more compassionate, loving and just world (the kingdom of God).

Suggested song of the day– “Glorify You with Me” 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.
Have a blessed day!

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Good News

Posted on October 31, 2013 by billtonnis

Ephesians 6:16-17
In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

St. Paul uses imagery of a warrior to battle spiritual attacks against us. But notice he does not suggest doing any violence. The only weapon he suggests is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” If we immerse ourselves in the words of the prophets and of Jesus Himself…we will be able to deal with any adversity that comes our way. And through that adversity…our lives will be transformed. In the process we will discover our true selves and at the same time become agents of God’s transformation of the world.

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 on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Counter Culture

Posted on October 30, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 13:30
“For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Jesus says that the people this world might look down upon…those viewed as being “last”…the outcasts…might actually be looked upon as “first” in the viewpoint of God’s Kingdom. And the reverse is also true. What really matters is not winning or outward appearances…but our motivation. What is in our hearts? Are our actions motivated by ego and pride? This only brings about my kingdom. However…if we are motivated by love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion…then the Kingdom of God is at hand. In God’s kingdom, it’s all about working together to make sure all are cared for.

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.
Have a blessed day!

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