God’s Plan for You

Posted on July 28, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 10:40-42
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

What is your motivation? If it is to serve…then serve joyfully. If it is to listen and learn…then listen and learn joyfully. While Martha was running around trying to make sure everyone was fed…her sister Mary was calmly sitting by Jesus listening to him. First off…let’s be clear: Mary was breaking all the rules. Sitting at the teacher’s feet for instruction would have been reserved for only the men at that time. Jesus endorses her “rule breaking.” She was included in the group of men that He was instructing. Serving others like Martha was doing is definitely what we are all called to do…but without listening to the Lord for direction…we will be lost as to our true purpose. Are you taking time each day to sit at the Lord’s feet and listen to Him? Why not reflect on scripture…perhaps this reading…and then sit in silence and just listen.

Song of the day– “Listen to Your Heart” 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cultivating Your Soul

Posted on July 26, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 13:22-23
“The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

God has so much to say to us about how we can live life to the fullest. God is speaking to us constantly through each of our senses…but the problem is…our senses are being bombarded with all kinds of other “noise.” We have to be attentive to “hear” what God is saying. This will require taking some quiet time, reflecting on scripture and being open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gives us the perfect example of how to live so that we are planted in rich soil…so that we can be open to God’s voice and wishes. Are you following the only One who can lead you to becoming your true self?

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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Paschal Mystery

Posted on July 25, 2013 by billtonnis

2 Corinthians 4:11
For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

St. Paul understood what Jesus meant when he said, “unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24). If we let go of our ego’s desires…die to self-centeredness…and follow Jesus…little by little the Risen Christ will live more fully in us. As the life of Jesus is manifested in our flesh…each of us becomes more and more the unique person we were meant to be so that God’s light can shine in a way that no one else can reflect it. So what feels like “dying”…will actually lead to the fullest life you could ever imagine. It’s never too late…or too early…to start your unique journey with Christ. How about now?

Suggested song of the day– “Take the Road Less Traveled” on the Live to Love 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Counter-Culture

Posted on July 24, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 13:2
Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore.

Jesus was quite the draw. But He was no celebrity. While our culture flocks to worship celebrities who identify with their power, prestige and wealth…Jesus identified with no thing. His identity was not attached to the stuff of this world. He spoke of equality, compassion, humility and detachment from possessions…not renouncing them but just not identifying with them. While we promote competition as the pinnacle principle to success…Jesus promoted helping those who were behind. Jesus never preached winning…but helping the one losing. Crowds came to hear Him speak. Do we make the same effort to listen to Jesus speak through scripture and quiet meditation? Set aside some time to simply sit and listen to the One who will change your life and set you free.

Suggested song of the day– “Listen to Your Heart” 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Big Picture

Posted on July 23, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 12:50
“For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Jesus was all about respecting and honoring his family…but He wanted to make the point that we all at some point need to get beyond the borders of family, neighborhood, city, state, and country…and realize we are all the Body of Christ. We are all members of one family in God’s eyes. And when we treat all others with love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion we are doing the will of our Creator…working together in one great dance…building the kingdom of God. How can I expand my view to include all?

Suggested song of the day– “Shall We Sing” 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 “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Extraordinary Example

Posted on July 22, 2013 by billtonnis

John 20:18
Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.

Today we celebrate the life of St. Mary Magdalene. She is said to have been present at the crucifixion, when Jesus’ body was taken from the cross and when he was put in the tomb. What strength! Isn’t it interesting that Jesus selected her to be the first witness to his astounding resurrection and to be the first person to announce the most amazing news that had ever or would ever happen? In a world dominated by men, where women were servants and had no rights, it was Mary of Magdala, who was selected to inform the other disciples of the Good News! I wonder how well that went over with the other disciples? In St. Luke’s account, two angels told Mary of Magdala and other women that Jesus had risen. When the women told the apostles…they did not believe them. It may be uncomfortable for each of us at times to preach the Gospel or to live it. On such occasions…take courage…and think of Mary of Magdala.

Suggested song of the day– “Glorify You with Me” 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Heart of the Matter

Posted on July 19, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 12:7
If you knew what this meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned these innocent men.

Jesus’ followers were picking beads of grain and eating them on the Sabbath. Such “reaping” on the Sabbath was forbidden by religious law. But the scripture says they were “hungry.” The religious leaders called Jesus to task for allowing His followers to break the law. For Jesus…love is the deciding factor in all that we do. His followers were hungry…therefore the loving thing was to allow them to eat. Laws are good foundations…but love is always the top priority. Following rules and laws is necessary to avoid chaos and to give us a good foundation…but following them does not win you favor with God. You already have favor by being God’s beloved daughter or son. Notice how quickly Jesus chucked the law in favor of mercy in regard to his hungry followers. God is interested in your heart. Is your main motive to follow rules…or is it love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion?

Suggested song of the day– “Salvation” on the Live to Love 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trustworthy Friend

Posted on July 18, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Jesus was speaking to the people burdened by being held to the letter of the law by the scribes and Pharisees. Sometimes life hands us situations that are not black and white. Love must be lens that we look through. Jesus simply invited people to bring their struggles to Him. There was no judgment…no condemnation…only acceptance and mercy. Jesus invites us to follow His ways with the assurance that this path will bring us inner peace. Are you struggling with issues in your life or your faith? Keep reading Jesus’ words and forming a relationship with Him. Let go of your need to control. Let go! Trust…and He will give you rest.

Suggested song of the day– “I Will Give You Rest” on the Live to Love album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Childlike Openness

Posted on July 17, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 11:25
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.”

Do you feel like you just don’t measure up or qualify to be an instrument of God? Do you feel like you aren’t good enough? Good…then you’re definitely ready! It really has nothing to do with our perceived “readiness.” Jesus says God reveals Himself to the childlike (not childish)…those humble enough to admit that they don’t “know it all” and don’t have it all together… those who are open to something new. Jesus chose Peter, an uneducated fisherman, to lead His early followers. Was he ready? No! Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. But God loves to do amazing things with willing, open, humble, imperfect people…like you and me. How is God asking you to serve?

Suggested song of the day– “Listen to Your Heart” 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life-Changing Grace

Posted on July 16, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 11:20
Then he began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented.

How many times have we seen God work in our lives where something magical happens and we feel so blessed through no merit of our own…only to find ourselves relapsing to our old cynical ways and forgetting what had happened? It was no different when Jesus Himself performed amazing feats only to see the people of various towns dismiss Him. Jesus never called attention to Himself in the healings He performed because it wasn’t about Him…but about the wholeness of the people He healed. Remember one of the times your heart was touched by an unexplainable Unconditional Love. Allow it to slowly transform your heart again. Then…reach out to someone so that God can transform them…through you.

Suggested song of the day– “Changed” 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!

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment