Bill Tonnis Ministries

Isaiah 35:4-5
Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared.

The Prophet Isaiah foretold of the coming of the Messiah. God became human in Jesus. God became one of us. That’s how much God loves each of us. Jesus showed us how to live in order that we could experience the kingdom of God…the fullness of God’s love in the here and now. Whatever you are going through…no matter how bad it may appear to you…God is saying, “Be strong, fear not!” God promises to save us. We may not be able to fathom how…because we are spiritually blind and deaf until Christ opens our eyes and clears our ears. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

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.
Have a blessed day!

Psalm 27:1,14
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear? Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!

If God is Love and God loves you simply because you are God’s son or daughter…then what is there to fear? God is an endless Source of Love shining on you…in you…and through you. Open yourself to this Love and know that it will never waver based on whims or your actions. You are the beloved. How might this God want to birth something new in you this Christmas? Be open. Be present. Be awake. Be. Christ is coming to you in a new way!

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.
Have a blessed day!

Isaiah 26:5-6
He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; He tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.

Scripture is filled with examples of God’s love for the poor. The Prophet Isaiah told us that those who build their own lofty kingdoms for themselves would see it reduced to dust. As Jesus said in Luke 12:48, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much.” We are called to take the option of the poor. Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.” As we prepare for Christmas and the coming of Christ in a new way in our lives…let us remind ourselves that Christ came to us, God made flesh, as a tiny, poor, defenseless baby. May we see Christ in all those in need…and respond!

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.
Have a blessed day!

Romans 10:14
But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

Listening to the words of Jesus in scripture and hearing Him speak to my heart while sitting in contemplation has totally changed my life. Perhaps it has done the same for you…and I’m sure it has if you’ve tried it. It is a guarantee. You may have experienced a major change in your life through a relationship with Christ but have encountered new struggles that have made you skeptical. Life will deal us difficulties…but why not cling to Christ in those struggles? This is precisely when God wants to be intimately close to you and be the light that leads you to new life and perhaps even to a place where one day you might be very thankful to God for allowing the struggle to happen in the first place. For God is not causing your difficulties…but wants to lead you through them. Then by your very life…you will be that same Light to others. As St. Francis was reported to have said: “Preach the Gospel always…and when necessary…use words.”

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.
Have a blessed day!

Psalm 72:12-13
For he rescues the poor when they cry out, the oppressed who have no one to help. He shows pity to the needy and the poor and saves the lives of the poor.

I was listening to a call-in show on public radio today with political writers and they made the point that there are no presidential candidates standing up for the poor. If you look at and listen to the media today you will be hard-pressed to find anyone who is championing the cause of the poor, the outcast, the people on the fringes of society. Jesus was that person. Jesus said that whatever we do for the least of these…we do for Him. This is what is required to take part in the “reign of God” as Jesus puts it…or the “kingdom of God.” Each of us has to ask ourselves these questions: How am I rescuing the poor when they cry out and the oppressed who have no one to help? How does Christ want to accomplish this…with me?

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.
Have a blessed day!

Matthew 8:8
The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”

Jesus never seemed concerned with anyone’s worthiness! He never mentions whether anyone is worthy of God’s attention. Jesus simply goes to and spends time with those who were considered unworthy! As Franciscan priest Richard Rohr was known to say: “God does not love you because you are good, but you are good because God loves you.” He has even updated that saying to: “God does not love you because you are good, God loves you because God is good.” He says both sayings are true. God loves you in your unworthiness! Allow that knowledge to sink in as you begin Advent and await the coming of Christ in you in a new and life-changing way!

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.
Have a blessed day!

Daniel 3:57
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

God gives all to us…including eternal life! How do we respond? Do we in turn give all back to God? When we receive God’s blessings and then pay them forward to others we take part in the pattern of the Trinity…a constant giving and receiving of unconditional love. All of creation pours itself out…being all that it is and can be in each moment. How might we do the same? It starts now.

Suggested song of the day—“Singing My Song” on the Live to Love album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
Have a blessed day!

Luke 21:3-4
He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

The poor widow contributed two small coins but that was all she had. Wealthy people had no doubt donated much more…but it was nothing they would miss. How much of ourselves do we give to God? Do we give of ourselves when it’s convenient? Do we give of ourselves only on Sunday when and if we go to church? Do we ever even think about giving of ourselves for God’s desires and purposes? What are God’s purposes for each of us? To be the “me” that God made to the fullest extent possible and in being this to use my gifts and talents in the service of others to make the here and now a more compassionate, just and loving place.

Suggested song of the day—“God Is the Goal” on the Live to Love album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
Have a blessed day!

Luke 19:45-46
Then Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.'”

The only times we see Jesus truly and justifiably angry is either when the religious leaders (Pharisees) are holding people to the letter of the law while ignoring the greatest Commandment to love…or in this temple area scene. Here, Jesus sees the selling of small animals to people so that they might take them to the temple for sacrifice. What infuriated Jesus was that people were being misled to believe that sacrificing an animal would somehow make God forgive them…pacify God’s anger with them…make God love them. Jesus knew that God’s love…was free. God’s love and forgiveness were not for sale. Jesus said, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice'” (Matthew 9:13) when he quoted the Prophet Hosea (Hosea 6:6). Good works and sacrifice do not make God love you. Knowing in your heart that God loves you naturally leads you to good works and personal sacrifices. Do you know that God loves you deeply…just as you are?

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.
Have a blessed day!

Luke 19:41
As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes.”

Have you ever been disappointed deeply over something so much that you cried? You probably have. So did Jesus when he looked over Jerusalem and realized that the people whom he loved did not get His teaching. Not only that…those same people would kill him. Loving God and loving your neighbor are not easy tasks. They require putting aside our egos’ desires and instead working for justice while at the same time loving those who don’t agree with us or who would do us harm. They require dying to self. Jesus told us and showed us how to live our lives so that the kingdom of God would come about…but for many…it remains hidden from our eyes. Loving God, show me how I can be an agent for peace.

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.
Have a blessed day!