Bill Tonnis Ministries

Luke 5:11
When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

These were expert fishermen. It was all they knew to make a living. It was their identity. After catching nothing all night, Jesus gave them some advice and they ended up catching two boatloads of fish. And with that…these guys left everything and followed Jesus. They apparently walked away from their way of life to follow a new path. Not everyone is called to literally leave everything to follow Jesus…but certainly we are all called to make following Jesus our first priority. What are the things in your life that are taking a higher priority than following the path of Christ? Jesus taught us to detach from all those things…not to renounce them…but simply not cling to them. This is the path of love and to finding your true self.

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.
Have a blessed day!

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.”

If we are to follow Jesus we must look at His example. First off, Jesus went off to a deserted place to pray. Do we carve out some time in silence to be with God? Secondly, through His prayer with God, Jesus knew His purpose. He already had quoted the prophet Isaiah in announcing his mission: To bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives and let the oppressed go free. Jesus accomplishes this through forgiveness, mercy and compassion. That’s the Good News…and it’s what brings about the kingdom of God. As followers of Jesus…we must also be about this task. Your ego-created false self will likely not want to go along with this! Only by letting go of this false self will you discover your true self.

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.
Have a blessed day!

1 Thessalonians 5:5-6
For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.

If you know Christ…then the Light of Christ shines in you. But does it? Only if you are aware…awake…present to this great gift. Many are completely distracted by worldly attractions or simply have never experienced the Light of Christ through another person. They are in a spiritual darkness. St. Paul encourages followers of Christ to stay alert…in other words…stay present! Cultivate the flame of Christ’s love. Allow Christ’s Light to radiate through you so that someone in the darkness might experience the Saving Light.

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!

1 Thessalonians 4:14
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

St. Paul’s message is truly Good News! Our salvation is not about our goodness or achievement…but God’s. Jesus said we must die to ourselves…for that is when we fall into God’s loving hands. Following Jesus is not about learning an evacuation plan to heaven but learning the process of letting go…dying to self. It’s about being transformed in the process. This is the only way to become our true selves. What if we all became fully the unique people God made us to be and used our gifts and talents to serve others? God’s dream for the world would come to be now. God’s kingdom would come “on earth as it is in heaven.” This is God’s goal. So have no fear! Cooperate with God’s desires for you. The time is now!

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!

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who also gives his holy Spirit to you.

Sometimes we get hung-up on the word “holiness.” It can bring to mind a very pious, stiff, and strict image. Jesus was not that way! He is quoted as saying that He was criticized for enjoying food and drink. Jesus was the guy who turned the water into wine! He was definitely a joy to be with! So when we think of the word “holiness”…it might be helpful to think instead of “wholeness.” When you are becoming the person God made you to be…you are becoming whole and holy. What are the things you are involved in that really aren’t helping you become the fullness of your unique self? If you take a few moments and sit with this question…the Holy Spirit will help you in the most loving way. God does not want to make you miserable…but joyous and at peace.

Suggested song of the day—“Show Me…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 24:42
“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”

Jesus wants to jar His audience awake. He wants them to go from spiritual unconsciousness to consciousness. The truth is…many people are wandering around completely unaware of God’s Presence and love. They are preoccupied and busy with schedules packed with endless activities. Their minds are so stimulated with endless thoughts that they never truly enter fully into the present moment…open and empty…so God’s Presence can fill them. Days and nights are filled with a constant stream of stimuli numbing the senses. Stop…and clear your thoughts. Let them go. Be silent. Look and listen anew. God is yearning to be Present to you.

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.
Have a blessed day!

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

Most of creation has no choice but to simply be itself with every fiber of its being…whether it’s an insect, a bird, a plant, a tree or a dog. In doing so…they give thanks to their Creator. But as human beings made in the image of God…we are given free will. We have choices. How do we become the fullness of what God made us to be with every fiber of our being? As St. Ignatius said…we were made to praise, reverence and serve God. That means now…in the circumstances we find ourselves this moment. How can I use my gifts and talents to praise, reverence and serve God this day…to make a positive difference…to help bring about the kingdom of God? When we do this…we not only give thanks to God…we are thanks.

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!

Psalm 139:4-5
Even before a word is on my tongue, Lord, you know it all. Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me.

Who is God? Whatever concept comes into our minds…it is grossly limiting to the identity of God. The Maker of all things…the One who crafted the vastness of the universe and the intricacy of all living things…also crafted you. This same Loving Creator is also present in the deepest depths of your being. The bible says that we are made in God’s image. Our femaleness and maleness mirror the grandeur of God. No matter what struggles you may be dealing with…rest in the comfort of knowing that God is holding you in an intimate embrace and will never let you go.

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!

Matthew 23:13
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.”

When it comes to what we consider morally offensive behavior Jesus says almost nothing. He always extends love and compassion to such people thereby helping to transform them. But this is not the way of the Pharisees. The religious leaders of the time held people to strict rules without compassion. These are the only people Jesus sharply criticized. Compassion opens the doors to the kingdom of heaven (kingdom of God) which Jesus is again talking about in the present tense. The Pharisees not only block others from entering but themselves as well. Compassion changes hearts and leads to transformation. Open your heart to God’s free and unconditional love.

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!

Matthew 22:37-39
“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

The Ten Commandments are a good foundation…a good set of rules to set a structure for our lives. We all need to know black and white rules to get us started as children. But Jesus takes it to another level. When asked what the greatest commandment is…Jesus says it’s really not about rules…but about love. The Trinity is a constant flow of love…giving and receiving, giving and receiving…without ulterior motive. It sounds simple…but it’s profoundly difficult: Love God with all your heart, soul and mind…AND love your neighbor (everyone!) as yourself (that means YOU!). While only God can do this perfectly…we are called to try our best. This is the path to discovering your true self. Jesus is our finest teacher.

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.
Have a blessed day!