Wake Up

Posted on January 17, 2013 by billtonnis

Hebrews 3:13
Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,” so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin.

“Sin” is basically when we “turn away” from God’s desires…and choose our self-centered…ego-satisfying desires. It is choosing our “false self” over our “true self.” When we are engaged in building a “false self” we are truly unconscious to the real, present moment. Today…this moment…is a brand new opportunity to turn back to God and away from the self-gratifying ways that leave us empty. God holds no grudges…but always has and always will love you.

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 Mystery of Suffering

Posted on January 16, 2013 by billtonnis

Hebrews 2:18
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

What test are you suffering through? Whatever it is…may you be comforted in knowing that Jesus has already walked through greater trials…all the way to the cross…to show you that there is nothing to fear. In the end…there will be resurrection and New Life. Fear of rejection, failure, loss or death…is meaningless in the Light of the truth of God’s unconditional love and eternal hope shown fully to us in Jesus. Whatever is testing you now…remember: “This, too, will pass.” Eternal Love will prevail!

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!

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

The Healer

Posted on January 15, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 1:23-25
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!”

What unclean spirit has its grips on you today? Is it fear…worry…anger…or some unhealthy attachment? Whatever it is…the truth is that God loves you unconditionally…just the way you are. As St. Paul put it: “Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ponder that for a moment. Bring your “unclean spirit” to Jesus…and be free!

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!

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

Awake to the Moment

Posted on January 14, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 1:15
“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus’ words tell us that the kingdom of God…begins now. The focus is on the present…not some distant future. Now…this moment…is the only time that’s real. The past is finished…the future is a mystery. In this moment we have the opportunity to “repent” or in other words…turn away from our selfish, egocentric interests…and turn to God. Jesus lived out the gospel…channeling God’s unconditional love, mercy and compassion…even to the extent of laying down His own life. This is the path to your true self. In each moment on that path…the kingdom of God will be at hand!

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

Contemplation and Action

Posted on January 11, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 5:15-16
The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

Jesus modeled how to live our lives. He took loving action with compassion for those in need…but he also took time to “withdraw to deserted places to pray.” He needed quiet time in solitude to listen and commune with God. Do we do the same? How else can we hear God’s voice?

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!

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

Commanded to Love

Posted on January 10, 2013 by billtonnis

1 John 4:21
This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Who is the one person that you just don’t want to have to deal with? Who is that one person that just pushes all the wrong buttons inside you? That is exactly the person God is calling you to love. Loving those whom you like is easy…but loving those whom you don’t like is hard. Try it and see if a transformation occurs…in the other person and inside yourself. The kingdom of God will be at hand.

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!

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

Why Fear?

Posted on January 9, 2013 by billtonnis

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.

Only God loves perfectly…because God is Love. When we fear…we know it is not from God. Why do we fear? Are we afraid of God? God does not desire to punish you…but to love you. This was the message of Jesus from the cross when no one had asked for forgiveness: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). God does not desire retribution but restoration. Hand your fear over to Jesus who says: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

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

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

Way of Life

Posted on January 8, 2013 by billtonnis

1 John 4:9
In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.

The bible tells us that God is Love…an incomprehensible…unconditional Love. Jesus said, “If you know me, then you will also know my Father” (John 14:7). Jesus shows us Who God is…and how God operates. He is the model of how we are to live our lives. If you want a real life…if you want to be your “true self”…then follow Jesus.

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

Path to Wholeness

Posted on January 7, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 4:23
He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

What is the “gospel of the kingdom”? Just before this statement…Matthew wrote that Jesus proclaimed that the “kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heaven begins here and now when we follow Jesus and extend mercy, compassion, love and forgiveness to others. When we are on our way to wholeness we are on the path of the Kingdom of God. Jesus doesn’t want us to wait for some future heaven. He calls us to action…to build the kingdom now.

Suggested song of the day– “Salvation” 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!

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

Come and See

Posted on January 4, 2013 by billtonnis

John 1:38-39
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”

Put yourself in this scenario. You meet Jesus and He asks you, “What are you looking for?” Interesting question. What are you looking for? Jesus is our great teacher in life. He simply asks us to “come” and follow Him. That will require letting go of what our egos are urging us to do…listening to God’s silent voice in our hearts…and then taking a step in the direction we think God is calling us. Life is not about some future destination…but about being present to each moment of the journey in becoming more and more like Christ. Have you heard this quote? “How you get there determines where you will finally arrive.”

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