Lost and Found

Posted on July 15, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 10:39
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Jesus makes this statement when telling his followers that in order to choose following him…they must turn from their ego’s desires. The ego seeks happiness in power, prestige and possessions…but such happiness will be brief and the desire for more endless. The result will be never knowing your true self…the person God made you to be. In other words…if you’re looking to discover who you are and why you are here by choosing to satisfy your ego…it will lead to emptiness. Power, prestige and possessions cannot last and will disappear at death for sure. But if you turn from worldly desires as your motivation and instead follow the way of Jesus…you will actually find your true self and inner peace as well. This will require reading the gospels and spending time with the Lord.

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!

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Endure

Posted on July 12, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 10:21-22
Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.

Whoa…this sounds very grim. In other words…following Jesus will not be easy! You will be met with resistance…probably even from family members and friends. Most of the apostles literally lost their lives for following Jesus. But the bottom line is…the struggle is worth it. It’s the path whereby together with God we grow and become whole. God’s desire is that we become our full and complete unique selves. This life is not all there is. Life after death is eternal. While there may be hardships in following Jesus…there will always be a certain peace and calm amid the storms. We have the assurance from Jesus Himself…that it will all be worth it if we “endure.”

Suggested song of the day– “I Want to Follow You” 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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Pay It Forward

Posted on July 11, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 10:8-10
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep.

Jesus’ message is SO counter-cultural! Give without expecting reward. Trust that your receiving will come in your giving. Let go of and do not cling to all the extra stuff as you go on life’s journey. Our culture tells us the opposite: expect rewards…crave rewards…compete for rewards…and amass as much wealth as you can. This idea appeals to the ego. But Jesus says to let go of your ego and simply follow Him…living His message of love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness. Many people choose the culture’s way and end up materially full…but spiritually empty, unhappy, unfulfilled and full of regrets. Which way will you choose? The decision always starts now.

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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Proclaim the Kingdom of God

Posted on July 10, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 10:5-7
“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

What do you suppose Jesus means when He says that His followers should go and preach that ‘the kingdom of heaven is at hand’? When they preach the good news that the way of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion is the way to life, wholeness and inner joy and they live-out that message…the ‘kingdom of heaven’ is already breaking into the present. We would all begin to experience ‘the kingdom of heaven’ (at hand) if we all lived according to that philosophy. How can I be a messenger of the ‘kingdom of God’ today?

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

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Calling

Posted on July 9, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 9:36-38
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

You and I sometimes feel troubled and abandoned. During those times, it’s good to know that we can turn to Jesus for comfort. We many times find Jesus through the help of others who have responded to His call. We might also try turning our attention away from ourselves and toward others who are feeling troubled and abandoned. Then…listen for that Inner Voice to lead you in reaching out to make a difference for them. How is your Inner Voice calling you to attend to those in need?

Suggested song of the day– “You’ll Lead Me” 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!

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Trust in a Higher Power

Posted on July 8, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 9:20-22
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.

Is there something you are struggling with? Is there a problem, hurt, or issue that you can’t seem to shake? This woman suffered a horrible medical problem for 12 years…one that would have made her “unclean” in the eyes of her community. She not only was suffering physically but emotionally and spiritually. But she persevered and put her hope in Jesus. Her hope was in a Higher Power…a Love that would not forsake her. What wound(s) do you carry? It may take time…it may not happen the way we want it to…but if we persevere and reach out to Jesus (God, Divine Source) in faith…healing, wholeness and new life are assured.

Suggested song of the day– “Heal Me” 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!

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Happy Fault

Posted on July 5, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 9:11-13
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Jesus was always hanging out with the “wrong” crowd. He was often sharing meals with so-called “sinners.” He seemed to only have harsh words for one group…the Pharisees…the religious leaders who were trying to enforce the letter of the law. The Pharisees, of course, were sinners as well. No one is perfect. Everyone misses the mark on occasion and sometimes on many occasions. Jesus knows that. God made us imperfect so that we could experience what unconditional love is. Jesus shows us that God wants nothing more than to be with us in our struggles and short-comings. For when we experience God’s unmerited love, forgiveness, compassion and mercy…we can’t help but be transformed so that we, in turn, may pass that same mercy on to others.

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!

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Songs for Contemplation and Inspiration

Posted on July 4, 2013 by billtonnis

Hi!

Thanks so much for following my blog The Narrow Path!

If you like my daily reflections…you will also like my music.

You can now sample all the songs on my new album titled Give Praise and Thanks as well as my first two albums Listen to Your Heart and Live to Love as well as download them for purchase on iTunes (and other music sites):

You can also purchase CDs at my website:

http://www.billtonnismusic.com/store.html

Please pass this along to others who you think would enjoy the music.
Thanks…and many blessings!

Bill
http://www.BillTonnisMusic.com

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Faith

Posted on July 3, 2013 by billtonnis

John 20:27-29
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Who of us is not like Thomas at times? Show me the proof! Since Jesus is not standing before us with all of His wounds we must ponder and struggle to come to grips with what is said to have happened. The experience so changed the apostles that they went from hiding over fear that they would be killed…to boldly preaching that Jesus was alive…even though most were eventually martyred for saying so. The apostles realized that love always wins in the end. In times of death…New Life is promised. Do you believe that? How do you live it?

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

Posted on July 2, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 8:24-26
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.

Most of us are control freaks. That’s why we freak-out so much and lose control when we encounter storms in our lives. But Jesus message to His followers is to trust Him when those storms pop up. This is when our faith can be nurtured as we admit that God is in control…not us. Jesus constantly told His followers, “Do not be afraid.” God’s unconditional love never changes. Practice turning to Jesus by setting aside times of quiet meditation or silent time with Him. Then even when storms surround us…inner calm will remain. What are the storms that are raging in your life? Are you turning to Jesus for inner calm?

Suggested song of the day– “Come to Jesus” 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!

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