Soul Birth

Posted on September 16, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 40:17
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. May those who long for your help always say, “The LORD be glorified.”

What are you seeking? There is a deep yearning in each of us. St. Paul puts it this way: “We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now” (Romans 8:22). Groaning in labor pains. If you relate to that…it is because we indeed are in labor pains…to birth our true selves. Your soul is trying to emerge from beneath the layers of masks and pretenses your ego has invented. Are you paying attention to that yearning? Most of us fall into trying to satisfy that yearning through various addictions. The yearning inside each of us is spiritual and can only be satisfied through God’s help in birthing our true selves. Are you seeking the One who created you with all your heart? God is seeking you…and yearning to be with you.

Suggested song of the day– “God Is” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
Free samples of all songs can be heard on iTunes. Click 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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Do Not Judge

Posted on September 13, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 6:42
How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.

Jesus also tells us not to judge others…but that doesn’t mean we have to “turn our brains off.” We do have to “judge” what is in our best interest. We also can’t help but to “judge” as in “determine in our own minds” whether we think what someone else is doing is a good idea or not. What Jesus doesn’t want us to do is to make any judgments about another person’s salvation or inner goodness. After all, we don’t know all the reasons why that person may be doing what they are doing or what experiences might have influenced that person’s actions. A “wooden beam” in my eye might be obstructing a clear view of that other person…and I might be completely clueless about that “beam” that is clouding my understanding. Loving God, remove anything that may be blocking me from seeing the goodness in all people…even the ones that give me a hard time.

Suggested song of the day– “Breathe On Me” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
To listen to a 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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Forgiveness Frees You

Posted on September 12, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 6:27-28
Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Following Jesus means living a radical life. He says things that contradict our natural human response. The fact is…there are no boundaries in the Kingdom of God. Jesus was saying that all people are one in the Body of Christ. God loves everyone equally as daughters and sons. There are countless true stories of people who forgave others who were guilty of horrible crimes. That forgiveness in turn helped transform those people who ended up doing great things. There is a saying that refusing to forgive is like drinking poison hoping it hurts the person who wronged you. Anger and vengeance wrap themselves around you like chains. By forgiving and loving those who hate you…you end up freeing yourself…and allowing God’s love to transform the world. It’s really a matter of perspective. Are you living your life as though you are the center of the universe…or are you living as though God is at the center? Oh…and while you’re at it…forgive yourself. God does.

Suggested song of the day– “Salvation” on the Live to Love album.
All songs available on iTunes. To hear free clips click on the link under “Blogroll” to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Soul Cries

Posted on September 11, 2013 by billtonnis

(Listen to a free clip of Bill’s song “Pour Me Out” by clicking on “Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes” below and to the right under “Blogroll”)

Luke 6:20
And raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.”

Blessed is sometimes translated as “happy.” How can this be? “Happy” are you who are poor? Are we not happier when we have wealth and all the stuff that goes with it? Well…for a time we are. But think about the last time you really wanted some “material thing” and then got it. Did the happiness you felt last…or did it fade until you started craving something else to satisfy your yearning? The yearning we all feel is spiritual…not physical. It’s the groaning of our souls as they yearn to become what God intended them to be. God wants to satisfy our inner yearning by leading us to become our true selves. But first we must stop seeking fulfillment from material things…stop being attached to all the “stuff” and in a sense become “poor” so that we can be open to what God wants to give us.

Suggested song of the day– “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click 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

Posted on September 10, 2013 by billtonnis

(Listen to Bill’s song “Turn Off the Noise” by clicking on Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes below and to the right)

Luke 6:12-13
In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles.

It’s hard for us to grasp how Jesus is both fully God and fully human…but He chose to embrace His humanness completely. Notice how Jesus went off to a quiet place and spent an entire night in prayer before making a big decision about picking apostles. He needed to remove all distractions so He could listen to what Abba would say to Him. Are you trying to do this yourself? Do you have big decisions and struggles and aren’t sure what to do? Set aside 10 to 20 minutes regularly for quiet meditation. Let go of your thoughts. It may be frustrating and seemingly pointless at first…but with practice you will be amazed at how your life will change and your inner peace will grow.

Suggested song of the day– “Turn Off the Noise” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click 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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Love Is Your Calling

Posted on September 9, 2013 by billtonnis

(Listen to Bill’s song “Shall We Sing” by clicking on the link under Blogroll below and to the right)

Romans 8:28
We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Life is a long road. As you know, there will be twists, turns and potholes in that road. But God has a plan in Creation to fulfill a purpose. What is the purpose? It’s way beyond my capacity to grasp. But…I have faith in one thing: God’s plan is a great one…better than anything I could come up with. I’m convinced God wants each of us to know Love and be transformed by Love into a unique reflection of our Creator. There is nothing I can do to earn God’s love. It is always freely given. We are invited to join God in a creative dance. The choice is ours. The process will lead us to discover our true selves. As long as I stay focused on loving God and loving my neighbor (all people), getting back up when I fall, and with each step simply focusing on doing the next loving thing…I know all shall be well.

Suggested song of the day– “Shall We Sing” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link “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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Joyful Pursuit

Posted on September 6, 2013 by billtonnis

Listen to Bill’s song “Glorify You with Me” before or after reading this spiritual inspiration.
Follow the directions below the reflection

Psalm 37:3-5
Trust in the LORD and do good that you may dwell in the land and live secure. Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart’s desire. Commit your way to the LORD; trust that God will act.

You’ve heard the saying about Jesus being the vine and we being the branches. If we rely on Jesus and trust in Him…we will have an inner peace amidst the storms of life. If we try to satisfy the spiritual yearnings that the Holy Spirit is placing in us by pursuing God and not power, prestige and possessions…and find pleasure in that pursuit…the psalmist says God will then give us our “heart’s desire.” What is your “heart’s desire”? Maybe you won’t know until you commit yourself to following Jesus. When you do…perhaps your heart’s desire will become evident in the process. The process will lead you to becoming your “true self.” That is true spiritual inspiration! God will act in amazing ways in your life!

Suggested song of the day– “Glorify You with Me” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
Listen to the song 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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You Have a Calling

Posted on September 5, 2013 by billtonnis

Listen to Bill’s song “Listen to Your Heart” before or after reading this reflection. See how below.

Luke 5:10-11
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

Peter (a.k.a. Simon) and the rest of the apostles had just been stunned by a huge haul of fish after Jesus had told them to cast their nets into deep water. The seasoned fishermen knew Jesus’ advice didn’t make sense…but they did it anyway. Peter and the rest were so blown away by what happened that when they got back to shore…they left everything and followed Jesus. They recognized that there was a greater plan for their lives. “Catching people” for God…telling them the Good News of God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, mercy and compassion, was far better than catching fish! Are you listening to God speak in your heart? Are you pondering the words of Jesus for their meaning in your life? Are you ready to let go of your desire for power, prestige and possessions so that you can follow the only One who can satisfy your heart’s desires?

Suggested song of the day– “Listen to Your Heart” on the Listen to Your Heart album. To listen to the song click on the link “Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes” below “Blogroll” 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 September 4, 2013 by billtonnis

Listen to Bill’s song “Salvation” with this reflection. See how below

Luke 4:42-43
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

Jesus certainly reflected God. But in His humanness, even Jesus needed space and quiet time for prayer (“went to a deserted place”) in order to maintain that closeness with God. Jesus attracted crowds who were looking for hope. The people were drawn to Jesus because He reflected the unconditional love, kindness and acceptance of God. He was not harsh or threatening to those who came to Him in their brokenness and sinfulness. There was no condemnation. This is why people wanted to be with Him. God’s kingdom is a place of unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness, compassion and justice. That is truly Good News! Jesus came to announce it and to live it. Do we reflect the same compassion, mercy and acceptance of God? We are called to do so.

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

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Jesus Redeems

Posted on September 3, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 4:36
They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.”

We may not see people who are definitely possessed by a legion of evil spirits…but we may see people obsessed with things not of God (and thereby possessed by them)…things leading them from God. Who has not on occasion (or many occasions) been led astray by selfishness…greed…or lust? It’s not an easy task to break free of the allure of satisfying our physical desires or our ego’s insatiable appetite. But with the help of Jesus…all things are possible. It’s only when we admit that we are not perfect and do have weaknesses…that we can experience the saving power of unconditional Love. That’s what Grace is. Being a Christian does not mean being perfect but admitting to our weaknesses and accepting the free gift of God’s forgiveness and unconditional love. Bring your brokenness to Jesus…and be free.

Suggested song of the day– “Come to Jesus” on the Live to Love album. Listen to it 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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