Spiritual Gut-Check

Posted on September 30, 2013 by billtonnis

John 1:47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.”

Jesus could read people very well. Since He was fully committed to loving and serving God He had the ability to see inside the hearts of others and to know their motivations. Jesus sensed that Nathanael had pure motivations and was not “two-faced.” How often do we really examine our own motivations as to why we do the things we do? Are we motivated by loving and serving God? Let’s face it…we all sometimes have selfish and at the very least mixed motivations. That’s why it’s a good idea to never judge someone else’s motivations…and to sincerely work on our own. When I’m motivated by love of God and neighbor…then I am on the path to becoming my true self.

Suggested song of the day– “Singing My Song” 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 on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Jesus Is the Way

Posted on September 27, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 9:18-20
Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

First off…are you taking some time to pray in solitude so that it’s possible to hear God? This will involve spending time in silence allowing your thoughts to drift away. Secondly…who do you say Jesus is? If He is the Son of God, “the way, the truth and the life,” then what effect does He have on how you live your life? Following Jesus is the path to discovering your true self.

Suggested song of the day– “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
To hear free clips of Bill’s songs click 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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Eternal Perspective

Posted on September 26, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 90:3-5
A thousand years in your eyes are merely a yesterday, but humans you return to dust, saying, “Return, you mortals!” Before a watch passes in the night, you have brought them to their end.

Life can seem meaningless when viewed in a “worldly” perspective. Without a belief in something more when this life ends, “dust” would be our final destination. But thanks to Jesus…we believe that God loves us and that there is life after death. Many witnessed the resurrected Jesus. This gives us hope. Jesus called us to start building God’s Kingdom now by dying to our egos’ desires so that God’s desires can rise in us. Then we would spread the good news (Gospel) by living a life of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. We only have a short amount of time on Earth to do this. Our bodies will in fact return to dust…but our souls will live on. Jesus promised that God would transform this world into a new creation. How else…but through us? We are called to take part in that on-going transformation.

Suggested song of the day– “Shall We Sing” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Listen to free clips of all Bill’s songs by clicking “Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes” under Blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Kingdom of God

Posted on September 25, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 9:2
Jesus sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal (the sick).

Jesus wanted all to know that when you follow His ways and love others…you are cooperating in bringing about the kingdom of God. When you are an agent of God’s unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion…you are proclaiming the ‘kingdom of God.’ You are an agent of healing to the world. The “kingdom” starts here. You and I are being called to do this. We have to ask ourselves whether we are proclaiming this “kingdom” that reaches out to those in need of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. Do others come to know God’s amazing, unconditional love…just by witnessing our lives? Jesus didn’t just ask us to believe in Him. He asked us to follow Him.

Suggested song of the day– “I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Listen to a free selection of all Bill’s songs by clicking on the link under “Blogroll” to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Spiritual Inspiration Now

Posted on September 24, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 8:20-21
Jesus was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you. He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

Jesus was not disrespecting his mother and family with this comment. He also preached to “honor your father and mother” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.” This is just another time when Jesus knocks down boundaries that separate us. All those who hear God’s call and then act on it are family…one body of Christ. Are we listening to God speak through scripture, through silent, meditative prayer, through nature or simply in the quiet of our hearts? And are we acting on what God is telling us to do? You cannot hear God speak to you if you never make an attempt to listen.

Suggested song of the day– “Turn Off the Noise” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
To hear a free clip click on “Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes” under “Blogroll” to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Spiritual Inspiration Now

Posted on September 23, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 8:16
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.

Sometimes it is hard to be a light when we are in the midst of struggles and difficulties. It’s also hard to be a light when the people you are with don’t seem very receptive if not downright resistant to it! After all…they are struggling as well. You don’t have to have it all together before you can be a light. God works with you where you are. Every time we turn to the mercy and unconditional love of God we are more able to reflect that Divine Light to others. Sometimes we can lack confidence that we’ll be able to say or do what will truly matter in tough situations. But, to paraphrase part of a prayer Mother Teresa often quoted: “Do it anyway.” It’s not our job to change people’s minds or to change their hearts…that’s up to the Holy Spirit. Our job is to reflect the light of God through the use of our varied gifts and talents in the service of others. A good start is to open your heart to a relationship with God Who loves you just the way you are.

Suggested song of the day– “May I Be Light” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Listen to a free clip by clicking on “Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes” under “Blogroll” to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Spiritual Inspiration Now

Posted on September 20, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 8:1-3
Afterward Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

Are you looking for some real purpose in your life…something to get fired-up about and make you feel alive? What was it that inspired the group following Jesus in today’s scripture to make such a drastic change in their lives? These followers were quite the mixture of people. Besides the assorted men including fishermen and a tax collector…there was also quite the assortment of women. Some of these women must have been wealthy because they “provided for them out of their resources.” All these people left their previous lives to follow Jesus. He gave them a “soul purpose.” Perhaps the more we get to know Jesus through reading about him and allowing Him to speak to us in the silence of prayer…we might be equally inspired to find the true purpose of our lives. It’ll mean some difficult changes…as well as deep inner joy.

Suggested song of the day– “I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Listen to a free clip by clicking on “Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes” under “Blogroll” to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Spiritual Inspiration Now

Posted on September 19, 2013 by billtonnis

1 Corinthians 15:1-2
Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

God is always ready to save us because God is love…and God IS. God is totally present in each moment of our lives and is therefore ready to save us and love us always. That’s the gospel that St. Paul was preaching to the Corinthians and it’s the same gospel he’s preaching to us today. Are we “holding fast to the word” that St. Paul is preaching…or are we turning from God and choosing ways that are not helping us become our true selves? If we receive the gospel (Good News of God’s unconditional love) and allow it to transform us…then we are in the process of being saved (being made whole!) It is good news that God is always ready to love us when we mess up. What else would a God of Love do?

Suggested song of the day– “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
To hear a free clip, click on “Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes” under “Blogroll” to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Spiritual Inspiration Now

Posted on September 18, 2013 by billtonnis

1 Corinthians 13:4-6
Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

This is a great standard to measure our conduct in everyday life. Are we operating under the motivation of love in all that we do…or is our motivation self-interest? None of us meets this standard perfectly. Jesus gave us the blueprint of how to love…even when faced with persecution and execution. Could it be that God wants us to learn to love…in living our lives? And isn’t it refreshing to know that God is love…and therefore always acts according to that standard in dealing with each of us?

Suggested song of the day– “Love God” on the Live to Love album.
Listen to a free clip by clicking on the “Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes” link under “Blogroll” to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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We Are the Body of Christ

Posted on September 17, 2013 by billtonnis

1 Corinthians 12:27-28
Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues.

Each of our lives is meant to be lived-out as a part of the “body of Christ.” It’s the only path of true fulfillment. Under which of the designations written by St. Paul above do you fit? If you are not sure where you fit in…you are not alone! Finding your place in the body of Christ is life’s great adventure! You are being called to find your soul’s unique expression of God’s love. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). He will be your key guide to finding your true self.

Suggested song of the day– “You’ll Lead Me” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Listen to a free clip by clicking on “Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes” under “Blogroll” to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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