Bill Tonnis Ministries

Matthew 10:7-8
“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

Jesus never seems to be about making sure people get to heaven one day. He is all about getting them there…now. How did we miss this for so long? Jesus brings the kingdom of God alive in the present by curing the sick, raising the dead and healing those suffering from various afflictions or addictions. This place of healing, love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion is the kingdom of God. You and I are freely given this by God…and are sent to freely give it to others in an unending flow of grace. Let’s begin now.

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!

Psalm 33:2-3
Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; on the ten-stringed lyre offer praise. Sing to God a new song; skillfully play with joyful chant.

St. Ignatius said he and all people were made to praise, reverence and serve God. What if we all used our talents to praise, reverence and serve God? What a beautiful song would be created! What song does God want to co-create with you? Whatever talents God has given you…you have also been given free will to do with them as you please. What if you used them to serve others and to give glory to God?

Suggested song of the day—“Sing a New 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!

Matthew 9:35-36
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.

Do you ever feel like one of the people in this crowd? Are you troubled over something or feel abandoned? Each of us has a place inside in need of unconditional love and compassion. We have an issue or a struggle that we just can’t seem to deal with on our own. We are not alone! It is a part of the human condition that Jesus knew well. He went everywhere “proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.” He wanted to be with the people who were suffering and in need of help. The Risen Christ wants to be your shepherd today. Bring your troubles to Him.

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.
Have a blessed day!

Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

I wonder how many of our burdens and problems would dissolve if we truly understood in the depths of our beings the unconditional love of God? Say to yourself, “I am the beloved of God.” Jesus showed us the love of God, showed us the way to live our lives, and promised rest for those who followed Him. It is written: “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” (1 John 4:9).

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.
Have a blessed day!

Psalm 115:1
Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name give glory because of your faithfulness and love.

God is not my instrument to carry out my ego’s desires…but rather I am God’s instrument to carry out God’s desires. As a child, my program for happiness revolves around satisfying my desires. I am at the center of the universe. However, as I grow I come into the knowledge that God is at the center of the universe…not me. Usually this comes through pain and suffering…seemingly the only way we will learn that our egos’ designs for happiness are all illusion. I do not exist for my glory…but for God’s. When I am being fully present to the moment with all my senses fully engaged…I can truly give God the glory. As St. Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is the human fully alive.”

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!

Matthew 8:26
He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.

What is the storm in your life this day? We all experience storms and waves that seem to wreak havoc with what we want in life. While the disciples allowed the storm to rattle them…Jesus remained calm. God is in control and will ultimately save you. Love wins in the end. It’s winning now because God is with you no matter what the appearance or feeling is. So why live under the illusion that the storm will triumph? Listen to the Inner Voice of calm. No matter what the challenge or storm…be present to the Love that never abandons you but saves you!

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.
Have a blessed day!

Isaiah 49:1
The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.

God calls us into being…loves us into existence as an expression of God-self. It is not my story but God’s story being told through me and through all of creation. God calls each of us forth to grow into the fullness of the unique individual expressions of God to the world. The Word became flesh in Jesus. How is the Word…Christ…becoming flesh in you? How is the love of Christ to be expressed to the world through your gifts and talents? Follow Jesus and listen in your heart to God’s silent voice.

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!

Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”

When you look at Jesus’ statement through the lens of a “reward-punishment” scenario…it brings fear. But that scenario is a false one. When Jesus talked about the “kingdom of heaven“…He many times used the phrase, “kingdom of God.” He was generally talking about the present. When you are doing the will of God…you are already experiencing the awakening of the kingdom of God. It’s in dying to ourselves and our self-centered, ego-centered desires…that Christ can fill us and we can become what God intended us to be. Ten years ago I had no idea I would be writing songs and daily reflections, would have a music ministry with a website along with two original music albums and would be a youth minister while having countless other amazing experiences. When we surrender our will…God’s will takes over. It’s not so much us doing God’s will…as God’s will being done to us. As Mary said, “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

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!

Psalm 105:2
Sing praise, play music; proclaim all his wondrous deeds!

This is what I try to do with my songs…the songs I believe God has given me. I desire to express God’s amazing unconditional love for each of us and all of Creation. How is God yearning to work through you and your gifts and talents to express this Love…to co-create the kingdom of God on earth…and to bring you to your unique fullness and completeness?

Suggested song of the day—“Sing a New 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!

Matthew 7:14
“How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”

We think freedom is having everything and grabbing for more and more…when in truth…that only leads to bondage to stuff and an insatiable craving for more. Jesus knew that all we really need is God. When we let go of our emotional needs and cravings and allow God to fill us…it may seem like a “constricted road”…but it will lead you to an abundant life. It will lead you to being the “you” that God wants to create…the “you” that God wants to live in! Is your life bringing you peace and joy…or something else? Make it a regular practice to sit ten to 15 minutes in silence to allow the Divine Healer to embrace you and fill you with abundance. New Life awaits!

Suggested song of the day—“Take the Road Less Traveled” on the Live to Love album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
Have a blessed day!