Source of Joy

Posted on February 1, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 37:4
Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart’s desire.

That deep yearning inside you is the groaning of “your heart’s desire.” The trouble is…our egos want to satisfy that yearning with physical or material things…when in fact it is a spiritual yearning that only God can fill. Get to know Jesus by reading the gospels and then follow Him. His way will mean letting go of your ego and your “false self” so that God can reveal to you your “true self”. It will feel like dying and rising. Along the path…you will discover joy and your heart’s desire!

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

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God’s Reflection

Posted on January 31, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 4:21
He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?”

Are you keeping the good news of God’s unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion inside yourself…or are you sharing it with others? Sometimes we feel we are “not good enough” to be God’s light…but this is not true. Each of us is quite good enough. God loves us exactly where we are! How have you experienced this love in your life? How can you share it? How can you use your gifts and talents to be God’s light to a hurting world? Each moment is a new opportunity!

Suggested song of the day— “May I Be Light” 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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Spiritual Pollution

Posted on January 30, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 4:18-19
“Those (seeds) sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.”

God’s word comes to us in many ways…through scripture, nature, silent prayer, music, our church experiences, and other people, etc. There are many “seeds” being sown…but what is the condition of our “soil”? Are we cultivating our soil so that it is fertile for spiritual growth? What other words, music, media, or friends might be poisoning our soil and “choking” God’s seeds?

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!

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Trust

Posted on January 29, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 40:2, 4
I waited, waited for the Lord; who bent down and heard my cry, and put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God.

This Psalm is very powerful and meaningful to me because it is very literally true in my life. I did cry out to God…waited…cried out…waited…and God quite literally put a new song in my mouth. I began to write songs and experienced quite a transformation. What is it you are crying out to God for at this moment? If you are struggling or suffering in anyway…there are no easy answers. All I can say is to trust…wait…and know that God is embracing you like a loving father or mother. You are being made new. It’s what you are yearning for. You will be a source of inspiration to others. Trust.

Suggested song of the day— “Singing My Song” on the Live to Love 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!

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Transforming Struggle

Posted on January 28, 2013 by billtonnis

2 Timothy 1:8
…bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.

If you follow Jesus you are called to make love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion your motivations in life. Others who are motivated by the pursuit of power, prestige and possessions will clash with you. Perhaps there is a clash of motivations going on inside you as well. We all struggle with the world’s influences. St. Paul wrote today’s scripture verse while in prison for preaching the gospel. God promises to give us strength in times of struggle. Unmerited Grace only comes when we let go and open ourselves to God’s unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion.

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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The Way to Freedom

Posted on January 25, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 3:13
He went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.

Jesus called his apostles and they followed him. He called them to a new way of life. They left whatever lives they had chosen and ended up doing something completely different. Be open to hearing God’s voice in your heart. Jesus is still calling us to follow Him. For each of us…the call will mean letting go of some ego-centered plan in order that we might be led on a unique path in which we use our God-given talents to make this world a better place…to “build the Kingdom of God.” In letting go of your ego’s plans…you paradoxically find your “true self.” It’s never too early or too late to listen and start following Jesus.

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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God’s Love Is All You Need

Posted on January 24, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 40:7,17
Sacrifice and offering you do not want; but ears open to obedience you gave me. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.

Making sacrifices and giving things up are in and of themselves pointless unless the outcome is that we become freer to seek God. God does not need our sacrifices. They do not make God love us more. What God yearns for is our hearts! The God of the universe is in love with you and longs for a relationship with you. May you put aside all the things that you think will satisfy your deepest longings…and pursue the only One who can.

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!

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Love Rules

Posted on January 23, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 3:2
They watched him closely to see if they might accuse him.

It was the sabbath and so under the religious laws…work was forbidden. The law’s purpose was to help people focus on their relationship with God. But when Jesus was confronted with the situation of curing a man with a withered hand…He knew that extending God’s love would trump following the law. The Pharisees were blind to this. Their hearts were hardened. Sometimes the “rule book” has to be put aside. Jesus said the greatest commandments were to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. Allow God’s love to rule your life. Open your heart in a new way today!

Suggested song of the day— “Love 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 on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!

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Path to Transformation

Posted on January 22, 2013 by billtonnis

Hebrews 6:11-12
We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.

Jesus message of God’s unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion for each of us is truly a message of hope. The ways of the world will try you and persecute you. Pain and suffering will challenge us. But if we maintain our faith even when it seems to make no sense and persevere in our faith that the cross leads to resurrection and new life…we will discover an inner peace that surpasses all understanding.

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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Word of Life

Posted on January 18, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 2:1-2
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.

People flocked to Jesus just to hear him preach “the word.” What kind of “words” could have caused such excitement and intense reaction? They were undoubtedly words that spoke of God’s unconditional love. Why not read the words he spoke that are recorded in scripture? Take some time to contemplate those words. Open your heart to listen to His words in silent prayer. His words brought the people peace and hope. They can do the same for us 2000 years later.

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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