Let Go and Live

Posted on February 14, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 9:23-24
Jesus said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

To be a Christian is to be a radical in today’s culture. The culture says grab and amass more and more…satisfy your ego’s every whim and desire. Jesus says…deny those desires…carry your daily struggles and persecutions…and follow His path. For the paradox is this: If we follow our culture’s path we end up with lots of material stuff…that all eventually disappears. It certainly will…when we die. And we end up not knowing truly why we lived in the first place! But if we follow Jesus and let go of our ego’s insatiable desires…we end up finding our true selves…and the true meaning of our existence. That is true salvation!

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!

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Dying to Self

Posted on February 13, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 6:2
“When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win praise of others.”

As we enter into the season of Lent…many Christians will receive ashes on their heads today. Let us make sure that this ritual is to remind us that our earthly time is fleeting…and not to attract attention to ourselves. Jesus goes through a litany of instructions against hypocrisy…such as doing good deeds and giving alms to receive accolades. Let us use this time of Lent to practice letting go of our ego’s desires and wants…so that we might better be able to serve the needs of others.

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!

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Transformation

Posted on February 12, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 7:8-9
“You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition!”

The rules and rituals are good when they free us from obstacles that block us from a stronger relationship with God. But they should point us to God. Father Thomas Keating writes: “Christian tradition is not merely a handing on of various doctrines and rituals. It is the handing on of the experience of the living Christ, revealed in Scripture, preserved in sacraments, renewed in every act of prayer, and present in a special way in the major events of our lives. If we are open and available to this presence, our lives will be transformed.” Are the rituals and traditions transforming us…and making us more loving of others?

Suggested song of the day– “I Surrender” 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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Transformation

Posted on February 12, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 7:8-9

“You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”  He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition!”

 

The rules and rituals are good when they free us from obstacles that block us from a stronger relationship with God.  But they should point us to God.  Father Thomas Keating writes: “Christian tradition is not merely a handing on of various doctrines and rituals.  It is the handing on of the experience of the living Christ, revealed in Scripture, preserved in sacraments, renewed in every act of prayer, and present in a special way in the major events of our lives.  If we are open and available to this presence, our lives will be transformed.”  Are the rituals and traditions transforming us…and making us more loving of others?

Suggested song of the day– “I Surrender” 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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Wonderfully Made

Posted on February 11, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 104:24
How varied are your works, Lord! In wisdom you have wrought them all.

God has made all things and deemed them “good.” Scripture says that we are all made in God’s image. That means you! But that also means the person that most annoys us. Could it be that all things belong and are necessary for each of us becoming “whole” and for God’s Kingdom to come into being? God holds all things without dividing. We are called to do the same. Loving God, help me to reach out to and pray for the people I would rather exclude.

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!

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Nothing Shall I Want

Posted on February 8, 2013 by billtonnis

Hebrews 13:5
Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.”

Are we striving to make more money and gain more material things…or are we striving to love more…and better. The things of this world will not last and death is a good reminder that our earthly lives won’t last either. And yet…something inside of us says, “There must be more than this!” A friend once told me that “doing the next loving thing” is what really matters. Jesus showed us the path to life…and as it states in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

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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Drop Your Attachments

Posted on February 7, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 6:8
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.

Jesus says many things that turn our ways of thinking upside down. In today’s scripture verse Jesus is sending out his followers to spread the good news. Is He not calling each of us to do the same? And what is “the good news“? Is it not that God loves all people unconditionally? Are we not called to do the same? Did Jesus say anything about going out to amass material wealth? It’s not that the material wealth is detrimental per se…it’s our attachment to it. The important question is, “What is your motive behind what you are doing?” Is your material wealth blocking you from spreading the Good News?

Suggested song for 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!

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Positive Change

Posted on February 6, 2013 by billtonnis

Hebrews 12:14
Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

It seems like there is so much cynicism and dissension in the world. Do we respond with more of the same? That only leads to a cycle of negative energy. Lord, help me to let go of myself…my ego…and allow you to live in me. For I know that when I follow you…you lead me to becoming my “true self” and you bring me peace. Then I can extend that peace to others…that they may come to know you as well.

Suggested song of the day— “Make Me a Channel” 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 Endures

Posted on February 5, 2013 by billtonnis

Hebrews 12:3-4
Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggles against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

Sometimes life is hard. There seems to be so much opposition to leading a life of love and compassion. Sometimes life’s twists and turns knock us to the ground. Jesus gave us the ultimate example of living a life of love despite the most unfair persecution…and finally death on a cross. Through it all He only expressed God’s love in return. We are called to do the same. Know that Jesus will never abandon you in your struggles. Call on Him!

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!

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Love Frees Us

Posted on February 4, 2013 by billtonnis

Hebrews 2:14-15
…through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life.

By becoming human Jesus showed us the path to life. In the end…love wins…not death. Following Jesus example of loving God and all people frees us from the worldly attachments that we sometimes cling to due to our fear of death. Through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection…we see that there is nothing to fear in death. He shows us the path to wholeness and becoming our “true selves.” It’s the path of dying and rising. We follow that process over and over in our lives. By living a life of love and letting go of any attachments we will simply move freely into the joy of God when this life ends. As Jesus said over and over: Do not fear!

Suggested song of the day– “Going Over There” 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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