Beyond Understanding

Posted on May 20, 2013 by billtonnis

Sirach 1:1-2
All wisdom is from the Lord and remains with him forever. The sands of the sea, the drops of rain, the days of eternity—who can count them?

Did you know that a single grain of sand contains 22 quintillion atoms (that’s 22 with 18 zeroes)? Rob Bell in his latest book titled What We Talk About When We Talk About God says that an “atom is in size to a golf ball as a golf ball is in size to Earth.” He goes on to explain how science has now revealed a whole lot of other subatomic particles that make an atom appear to be a giant. Meanwhile the edge of the universe is roughly ninety billion trillion miles away…and expanding. God is still creating. It’s mind boggling. You and I are part of this on-going creation. And despite how tiny each of us is in the spectrum of the universe…we know through Jesus that each of us…is infinitely loved.

Suggested song of the day– “How Wonderful to 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 on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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

The Way to Life

Posted on May 13, 2013 by billtonnis

John 16:32-33
“But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

Jesus knew that He would be abandoned and crucified alone…with only a few remaining throughout His ordeal. But Jesus also had faith that God would never abandon Him…even though that was how it felt when He hung on the cross. Jesus felt every rejection and unjust persecution imaginable…but He had faith that the cross was not the end. Though it appears to be a dead-end to the world…in reality…it is the gateway to the ultimate New Life. It is the ultimate “letting go.” Jesus showed us the process of allowing your false self to die so that your true self can emerge. The prestige, power and wealth of this world will disintegrate…but the Love of Jesus and the New Life He promises…will last forever!

Suggested song of the day– “God’s Love Is All You Need” 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

True Love

Posted on May 10, 2013 by billtonnis

John 15:12-13
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

That’s it in a nutshell. That’s the message. Jesus said that if we know Him then we would know God. Jesus used His life to channel love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion to all…even when persecuted and killed. From the cross he asked God to forgive “for they know not what they do.” That’s Love. Allow the immensity of it to fill you! Now…we are called to follow Jesus’ example.

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

Dying and Rising

Posted on May 9, 2013 by billtonnis

John 16:20
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

Jesus knew that His followers would grieve when He was killed…but He also knew that they would rejoice after His resurrection. Such it is in life when we lose something or someone…or even as we slowly lose the false image of ourselves. As we grow…the egocentric version of ourselves (ego, false self) must die so that our true selves can emerge…the self that reflects the unique image of God that we were meant to reflect. Change and transformation are never easy and always painful…but as Jesus showed us…for something new and beautiful to start…something old must end. Dying leads to resurrection!

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

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

Eternal Giver

Posted on May 8, 2013 by billtonnis

Acts 17:24-25
“The God who made the world and all that is in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything. Rather it is he who gives everyone life and breath and everything.”

We cannot put God in a box. We cannot contain or define the Creator…the Loving Source of all that is. All that we have and all that surrounds us is pure gift. God freely gives us unconditional love. We do not earn it. Each breath we take is a gift. Allow God’s unmerited Grace to envelop you. Pause and ponder the wonder of it all!

Suggested song of the day– “Breathe On 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 on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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

Rejoice

Posted on May 7, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 138:2-3
I praise your name for your fidelity and love. For you have exalted over all your name and your promise. When I cried out, you answered; you strengthened my spirit.

Our Loving Creator is as close as the breath we breathe. The same wondrous God who made the galaxies and continues to create in each moment…also resides in your innermost being and wants nothing more than to commune with you. Allow that truth to sink in. Turn to the Great Compassion Who will never reject you…but always embrace you. Shout with joy to the Lord!

Suggested song of the day– “My Lord and My God” 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

Contemplation

Posted on May 6, 2013 by billtonnis

Acts 16:13-14
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there. One of them, a woman named Lydia…listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying.

Are you making it a regular practice to find a place of prayer…a tranquil place that allows you to put aside the distractions of life? Find that place and simply listen…let go of the thoughts that constantly flood your mind. Let go of your personal agenda…simply let go. Be silent…open your heart…and pay attention to the inner voice of God.

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

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

Awaken!

Posted on May 3, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 57:8-9
My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and chant praise. Awake, my soul!

Is your soul awake? That might seem like a strange question…but it just might be the most profound question that Jesus was trying to put before us! Is it not true that for most people their egos are fully in command? Do they not spend most of their lives trying to build-up and manufacture a persona that is in reality a “false self”? Who is the “real you” that God made to sing a unique song with your life so as to help build the kingdom of God? Jesus says, “Come and see.” Follow Him. May your soul be awakened!

Suggested song of the day– “Singing My Song” 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

Connected to Your Source

Posted on May 1, 2013 by billtonnis

John 15:5
“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”

Is the Risen Christ at the very center of your life? Is following Christ your top priority…or is it satisfying your ego and its desires? You will never find true inner peace and joy if you are not living in the awareness that you are a branch connected to the vine of Christ. This is the path to your true self. The Giver of Unconditional Love and Compassion invites you to give what you have been given. Open yourself to the possibilities.

Suggested song of the day– “Breathe On 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!

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

Love Is the Answer

Posted on April 30, 2013 by billtonnis

Acts 14:22
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”

Paul had just been stoned and dragged out of a city for preaching about the risen Christ. He somehow survived. Rough treatment for someone doing God’s work! Notice how the disciples did not plan retaliation. They didn’t form a militia for a counter-attack. They simply moved on with the same message of unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. For this is the only way the kingdom of God will break into the present! They learned well from Jesus and His path to the cross. Have we?

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

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