The One to Follow

Posted on November 9, 2012 by billtonnis

Philippians 3:17
Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us.

It may sound arrogant of St. Paul to tell the Philippians to be more like him…but Paul is a man who was completely changed. Once a persecutor of Christians (persecution that even led to their murders)…Paul became a man totally dedicated to following and serving Christ. It came about through a mysterious encounter with the risen Lord. Then Paul became the one persecuted! But despite the persecution…he had a new found inner peace and joy because he was following the Christ. If you want the same contentment…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!

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God’s Beloved

Posted on November 8, 2012 by billtonnis

Luke 15:4-5
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy.

No matter how broken, unlovable, or lost we might feel…Jesus says God will never abandon us. As the Good Shepherd…Jesus says He will always pursue you and open His loving arms to you…no matter what. All we have to do is turn back to Him…and He will welcome our return with great joy!

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!

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Inner Spark

Posted on November 7, 2012 by billtonnis

Philippians 2:13-15
For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world.

Did you ever wonder where that inner desire…a certain yearning…to do something that will make a major impact…comes from? I believe it comes from a loving God who has a grand purpose of Love. God’s light can only come into this dark world if we open ourselves to God’s will. If we use our gifts and talents to help others…we’ll see that each of us is a unique expression of God’s love.

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” link.
Have a blessed day!

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The Way

Posted on November 6, 2012 by billtonnis

Psalm 22:31-32
And I will live for the LORD; my descendants will serve you. The generation to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought.

From generation to generation…each of us is given the responsibility and the joy to pass along the Good News. Jesus showed us how to live. Following Jesus and serving others sets us free to be our true selves. In following Jesus…we all have the way to peace and happiness!

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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All Are Welcome

Posted on November 5, 2012 by billtonnis

Luke 14:13-14
“When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Jesus’ words completely counter how the world thinks. Again…Jesus gets to the motivation of our actions. When we invite people to a party…do we determine who gets invited by what we believe we will “get” from them? Do we invite only those who have given us something in the past? Jesus says we should invite those who have nothing to give or to repay. Jesus, the Son of God, knelt and washed the feet of those who could give Him nothing in return. How might I do the same today?

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

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Life-Long Project

Posted on November 2, 2012 by billtonnis

Philippians 1:6
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.

St. Paul knew of the infinite purpose of each of the people he was addressing. He knew that each was alive because God had willed it. Each of us is infinitely loved by a God who will never give up on us…even when we turn away…even when we give up on ourselves. God will not rest until each of us becomes the unique instrument of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion that we were made to be.

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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Self-Transformation

Posted on November 1, 2012 by billtonnis

Ephesians 6:16-17
In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

St. Paul uses imagery of a warrior in a spiritual battle. But notice he does not suggest doing any violence. The only weapon he suggests is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” If we immerse ourselves in the words of the prophets and of Jesus Himself…our lives will be transformed…and we will become the transformation that will help transform this world into the Kingdom of God.

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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Motivated by Love

Posted on October 31, 2012 by billtonnis

Luke 13:30
“For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Jesus says that the people this world might look down upon…those viewed as being “last”…might actually be looked upon as “first” in the viewpoint of God’s Kingdom. And the reverse is also true. What really matters is our motivation…not outward appearances. What is in our hearts? If we are motivated by love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion…then the Kingdom of God is at hand! In the kingdom of God…all are equal. Ranking is of no importance.

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

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Solitude

Posted on October 30, 2012 by billtonnis

Luke 6:12-13
In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles.

Before making the major decision of picking apostles…Jesus “spent the night in prayer to God.” Jesus went off to the mountain…alone…and immersed Himself in the silence of prayer so He could “hear” God speak to Him. How often do you take time to sit in silence to simply “listen” to what God has to say to you? It is not easy at first and may seem like a “waste of time”…but with practice it will become the most positive, life-changing practice you can do!

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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Compassionate Living

Posted on October 29, 2012 by billtonnis

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

God has reached out to us in the most amazing way through his Son. Jesus…God as one of us…showed us how to let go of our selves…our egocentric false selves…and forgive. He even forgave after being nailed to a cross…when no one had asked for forgiveness! Jesus told us to follow him. How can I reach out in kindness, compassion and forgiveness in each moment of this day?

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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