Letting Go

Posted on March 29, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 31:6
Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, Lord, faithful God.

Jesus shows us the face of God throughout his ministry…all the way to the end. He responds even to his persecutors and killers with love, mercy and forgiveness. He hangs on the cross for you and me and with you and me. No matter what suffering or injustice you are going through…Jesus is hanging there with you…and showing you that this is not the end. Love wins…not death. Cling to Him…for resurrection is coming!

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

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

Suffering Servant

Posted on March 28, 2013 by billtonnis

John 13:14-15
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

Jesus, the Son of God, on his knees washing the feet of his followers! This is the Messiah…our Salvation…our model for living our lives. This is quite different from the model given by our consumer culture, entertainment industry, etc. Until we follow Jesus as servants to others, true inner peace and lasting happiness are impossible. How can I serve?

Suggested song of the day– “I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click 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

Outcast

Posted on March 27, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 69:9-10
I have become an outcast to my kin, a stranger to my mother’s children. Because zeal for your house consumes me, I am scorned by those who scorn you.

Jesus became the “outcast“…the “scapegoat“…so that we could see what happens when we make someone the “rejected other“…in the name of being right or more worthy. We are called to follow Jesus…to feed the hungry…clothe the naked…comfort those who are sick…visit those who are imprisoned…and to love our enemies. It’s a tall order! If you do this…you will see wonders and will experience the kingdom of God breaking into the present. But…you will also experience scorn and you will likely be cast-out by others. Will you be able to respond in love, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do“…as Jesus did?

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

Abandoned

Posted on March 26, 2013 by billtonnis

John 13:21
Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

Before we look down on Judas and lay the blame on him…let us remember that we are all Judas. We have all turned our backs on Jesus over and over and over again. Thankfully, God is an unconditional lover. Jesus told his followers to forgive…always! Take a moment and contemplate the forgiveness you’ve been given so freely. Now ask yourself…who is it that I need to forgive? It could be myself. Invite Jesus…the suffering servant…into your heart. Forgiveness is always given.

Suggested song of the day– “Come to Jesus” 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

Called to Serve

Posted on March 25, 2013 by billtonnis

Isaiah 42:6-7
I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

God spoke these words through the prophet Isaiah about the coming Messiah…700 years before Jesus. Jesus would read these words and realize that they speak of Him and His mission. God is very patient and creative…yearning to have us all take part in a wonderful love story. There were many characters in this story leading up to Jesus…and many after. We are meant to be a part of God’s great love story…each of us. It’s a unique part that only you can play. If you are a follower of Jesus…then you are also meant to take part in His mission stated above. If you do this…you will reflect God’s light to the world…and discover your true self.

Suggested song of the day– “May I Be Light” 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

Deliverer

Posted on March 22, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 18:3-4
I love you, Lord, my strength, Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my rock of refuge, my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold! Praised be the Lord, I exclaim! I have been delivered from my enemies.

Sometimes we are persecuted in life…but if we rely on God…we will be rescued! There comes a time when we realize that we are unable to save ourselves. When we reach the end of our ropes…God is there to catch us. Why not turn to God now? Jesus showed us the extent God was willing to go to show us unconditional Love. If you are amidst a storm…allow God to embrace you like a father or mother would cradle a child while whispering into your ear, “I love you…we’re going to make it together!”

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

Positive Surrender

Posted on March 21, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 1:38
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Mary gives us the perfect example of openness to God. She is open to receiving a divine message. She is open to setting aside her own ego and its desires and is open to allowing God to do something with her life that she could never have dreamed on her own. Are we following Mary’s example? If we did…God just might do something amazing with our lives as well!

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!

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

Path to Freedom

Posted on March 20, 2013 by billtonnis

John 8:31-32
“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

What would you give to be free? What about surrendering your life…all the things your ego wants…and handing it all over to God? Our Loving Creator is the only One who can provide us what we truly need! Jesus says to “remain in my word.” Do we do that? Do we read His words in the gospels and spend time allowing those words to sink in? He promises that if we do this…He will lead us to truth and freedom. It’s the process of discovering your true self.

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

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

Always and Forever

Posted on March 19, 2013 by billtonnis

John 8:29
“The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him.”

Jesus knew who He was. He came to know this through His close relationship with God. This was something no doubt modeled to Him by His father and mother, Joseph and Mary. Jesus then cultivated this relationship with God through quiet prayer…spending time in prayerful meditation alone. He allowed God to name Him and define Him. The relationship was intimate. Set aside some special one-on-one time with God.

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

Eternal Hope

Posted on March 18, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 23:4
Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side.

When you feel rejected…buried in troubles…lost…remember that Jesus felt the same feelings in the most extreme way. The Son of God chose to be fully human and allow Himself to become the one rejected, cast-out, despised and finally nailed to a cross to die in the most painful and humiliating way…so He could say to each of us…”Do you see? No matter what you do…I will hang with you and not reject you!” This is un-conditional love poured out. What seems unbelievable is true. This is God’s Love for you…both now…and forever!

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