Happy Detachment

Posted on September 12, 2012 by billtonnis

Luke 6:20
And raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.”

Blessed is sometimes translated as “happy.” How can this be? “Happy” are you who are poor? Are we not happier when we have wealth and all the stuff that goes with it? Well…for a time we are. But think about the last time you really wanted some “material thing” and then got it. Did the happiness you attained last…or did it fade until you started craving something else to satisfy your yearning? God is ready and willing to satisfy that inner “yearning” by giving us our heart’s desire…perhaps something we aren’t even aware of yet. But first we must stop seeking fulfillment from material things…stop being “attached” to all the “stuff”…empty ourselves and in a sense become “poor” so that in our emptiness and poverty we can be open to what God wants to give us. This is when you get a taste of the kingdom of God! Jesus showed us this saving path to finding your true self.

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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Intimacy with God

Posted on September 11, 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.

It’s hard for us to grasp how Jesus is both fully God and fully human…but He apparently chose to embrace His humanness completely. Notice how Jesus went off to a quiet place and spent an entire night in prayer before making a big decision about picking apostles. He needed to remove all distractions so He could listen to what God would say to Him. Are you trying to do this yourself? It may be frustrating and seemingly pointless at first…but with practice you may be amazed at how your life will change.

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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The Way of Love

Posted on September 10, 2012 by billtonnis

Romans 8:28
We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Life is a long road. There have been, are, and will be twists and turns and potholes in that road. But God has a plan to fulfill a purpose in Creation. It is beyond our understanding…but it will be something beautiful. All of creation is becoming one in Christ. It’s way beyond our capacity to grasp. But each of us has a part to play. God is calling each of us to be our unique selves in this amazing love story. As long as we stay focused on loving God…getting back up when we fall and then with each step in life…simply focusing on doing the next loving thing…I know that something good and wonderful is in the making.

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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Committed

Posted on September 7, 2012 by billtonnis

Psalm 37:4-5
Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart’s desire. Commit your way to the LORD; trust that God will act.

You’ve heard the saying about Jesus being the vine and we being the branches. If we rely on Jesus and trust in Him…we will experience peace even amidst the storms of life. If we try to satisfy the yearnings the Holy Spirit is placing in us and find pleasure in that pursuit…the psalmist says God will then give us our “heart’s desire.” What is your “heart’s desire”? Maybe you won’t know…until you “commit” yourself to following Jesus and delighting in that pursuit. God is sure to act in amazing ways in your life!

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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Life-Changing

Posted on September 5, 2012 by billtonnis

Luke 5:10-11
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

Peter (a.k.a. Simon) and the rest of the apostles had just been stunned by a huge haul of fish after Jesus had told them to cast their nets into deep water. The seasoned fishermen knew Jesus’ advice didn’t make sense…but they did it anyway. This is how it seems many times in our lives when we look to Jesus’ words for direction. Sometimes we may hear in our hearts words that challenge us to make a change. Peter and the rest were so impacted by what happened that when they got back to shore…they left everything and followed Jesus. Are you ready to detach from your desires for material things and follow the only One who can satisfy your heart’s desires? Easier said than done…but the only way to discovering your true self.

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” icon.
Have a blessed day!

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Reflecting God

Posted on September 5, 2012 by billtonnis

Luke 4:42-43
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

Jesus certainly reflected God…as they were intimately connected. But in His humanness, even Jesus needed space and quiet time for prayer (“went to a deserted place”) in order to maintain that closeness with God. The people were so attracted to Jesus because He reflected the love and kindness of God. He was not harsh or threatening to those who came to Him in their brokenness and sinfulness. He healed them all. Bring your brokenness to Jesus and receive this same healing. Then perhaps you can reflect the same compassion and mercy of God to others? This will happen the more we cultivate a relationship with Christ.

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

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Living Praise

Posted on August 24, 2012 by billtonnis

Psalm 145:10
All your works give you thanks, O Lord, and your faithful bless you.

The Greek word for “Eucharist” means thanksgiving. Jesus showed us how to live our lives as “thanksgiving” to others. He gave of Himself in the name of love…pouring Himself out in unconditional love for all…even when persecuted and crucified. We are called to do the same. When we receive the Eucharist we are meant to become thanksgiving to all. We are meant to go forth and use our gifts and talents to be living signs of Christ. Each of us is unique in how we do this since each of us is a unique creation of God. When we are living in this manner we are giving thanks to God. Every creature and living thing gives praise to God in being themselves to the full extent of their being. They have no choice in the matter…but we do. Each of us has to ask, “How am I being the unique vessel of God’s thanksgiving to the world?”

Suggested song of the day—“Shall We Sing” 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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Restoring Love

Posted on August 23, 2012 by billtonnis

Ezekiel 35:25-26
I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts.

The prophet Ezekiel foretold of a Love that became human flesh in Jesus. God’s love for us is unconditional. It’s a love that will go to any lengths to lift, heal, redeem and restore us. It has nothing to do with reward and punishment. God did not make us imperfect in order to punish us for being imperfect! It is so we can experience what true love is…a Love that can look down from the cross and say, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” God’s love is restorative…not retributive. Once you experience this Love you are forever transformed. You will be able to look upon others in their imperfect state and pass on the same transforming compassion. God’s love changes hearts. Allow this Love to cleanse you and give you a new spirit!

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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Faithful Guide

Posted on August 22, 2012 by billtonnis

Psalm 23:4
Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.

The path of love will lead us through many a dark valley. To love is to respond to persecution with mercy, forgiveness and compassion. Jesus showed us the way. He also showed us that all dark valleys eventually lead to beautiful, bright mountaintops. The dark valleys teach us that we cannot do it on our own. We need someone to lead us…someone like Jesus. The Good Shepherd comes to us no matter what we’ve done. No matter how far we have strayed…this Shepherd will never give up on us. He comes to us in many ways…through the actions of others and through creation itself. But He also comes to us in the silence of our hearts. When all else fails us…when everything fades away…this Shepherd will still be there to hold us. “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack” (Psalm 23:1)

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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The Divine Presence

Posted on August 21, 2012 by billtonnis

Matthew 19:23
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

What does it mean to “enter the kingdom of heaven”? Certainly we all hope to enter upon death…but Jesus is always focused on the “now” and not some future “reward.” When a scribe agreed with Jesus that the two greatest commandments were to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself…Jesus told him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34). Jesus was clearly talking about experiencing the kingdom of God in the present. A rich person has an abundance of power, prestige and possessions. It’s easy to get caught up in defending and protecting all of that to the point that there is no time for God or anyone else. It’s not the power, prestige and possessions in themselves that is bad…it’s the attachment to them. To be present to the Divine Presence so as to live in the love of Christ and reflect the love of Christ…is to be experiencing the kingdom or reign of God! What is blocking me from being truly present to God’s love?

Suggested song of the day–“Breathe On 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!

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