Bill Tonnis Ministries

John 3:17
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Jesus did not condemn anyone…even the religious leaders whom He held in great contempt for their self-righteous behavior. He did not condemn the sinners…even the woman caught in the act of adultery (as in breaking a Commandment). The key to being “saved” for Jesus was clearly forgiveness. For Jesus…being “saved” was coming into the kingdom of God…which can start right now! It does not mean only “getting into heaven one day”! Jesus gave us the blueprint…the model…of how to be fully human…how to become whole and complete (saved). When we follow Him and His ways…the reign of God becomes present. As Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). Being a Christian means working for the salvation and conversion of all sinners (since we all belong in that category!). Forgiveness is the only way! Remember…St. Paul was a forgiven and converted killer and terrorist of Christians.

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!

John 14:7
“If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

God has not changed…but human understanding of God has changed and evolved over time until the definitive revelation came in Jesus. He told us that if we knew Him…we also would know God. Jesus loved and forgave freely and unconditionally. The only people He had difficulty with were those who held others unbendingly to rules and were self-righteous. Jesus hung out with sinners and others who had been thrown-out and rejected. He showed love to those who showed no love to Him and forgave those who unjustly killed Him…when they hadn’t even asked for forgiveness! How could you help but fall in love with such a God? Allow that knowledge to sink into your heart and soul.

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!

Acts 4:31
As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Sometimes we get signs that seem to be definite responses from God to our prayers…amazing signs. And sometimes we get more subtle responses. We may get signs that we simply miss because we are not paying any attention, not spending any time in quiet prayer, or are too distracted by the noise and busyness of our daily lives. Or…perhaps what we get in response from God…is silence. Could it be that some of God’s most eloquent responses are spoken in a rich silence that needs to sink in and saturate our open and surrendered hearts?

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 118:1
Give thanks to the Lord, who is good, whose love endures forever.

We’ve all experienced the love and comfort of God in times of sorrow and pain…and we’ve all experienced the love of God in times of joy and pleasure. Jesus immersed Himself into humanity. The Son of Man showed us how to be fully human. He shared in the joy and He shared in the suffering. When you feel the pain that comes along the path of life know that Christ hangs with you…suffers with you…cries with you…and comforts you. His Spirit sends others to also comfort you. God’s love does not depend on our response, beliefs or actions. It is always freely given and in abundance! It will always lead to new life and freedom. It’s all you need. In the end…Love wins.

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 24:36
He stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

How many times are we tempted to say, “I told you so” when we are right and someone else is wrong? Our egos always want to come out on top and win the argument. Or how many times have we rubbed it in when someone else is caught red-handed or when they do us wrong? The Risen Christ had every reason to scold His followers for failing Him…but He didn’t. Instead…Jesus offered them peace. This is only possible when the ego…or “false self”…is put aside. What a different world it would be if we followed this example! May each of us be a channel of Christ’s peace today.

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!

Psalm 105:1-2
Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name; make known among the peoples his deeds! Sing praise, play music; proclaim all his wondrous deeds!

There is much to be thankful for! We are all beloved children of God and are destined for eternal life. God is with us and has showed us the extreme nature of Divine Love. Jesus endured the worst injustice possible…and forgave all! We are called now to be the body of Christ to the world. How will you do this? For me it means in part to literally sing and play music. As a priest friend of mine would say…God is coming in on the music frequency for me. What frequency is God coming into your life on? What is it that you do that brings you pure joy? Perhaps God is asking you to do whatever that is…for the glory of God and so that the kingdom of God might break into the present.

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!

John 20:16
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher.

Sometimes we feel abandoned. I remember vividly a day when I was very sick in a hospital bed following a ruptured appendix. I felt scared and alone. In the middle of the night as I lay helpless and not sure what would happen next, I felt the most wondrous embrace from God and heard a voice inside my heart that said, “I love you. You don’t have to do anything to merit my love. It’s a gift.” I knew in that amazing moment that God loved all people unconditionally. Mary of Magdala must have felt abandoned at the tomb of Jesus–grief-stricken over his death. But she never stopped following him, even when all seemed lost. And it was then in her despair that she came face to face with the resurrected Christ and experienced firsthand the ultimate victory of life over death. New life will come! Christ is alive!

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!

Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.

It’s that nagging perpetual question: What is God’s will for me? Finding it is the way of contemplation. It takes being present to God and listening in the depths of our hearts. Then it takes action…taking steps in the direction that God is leading. It can be a lonely path leading us away from what loved ones want for us or what our egos want. But this path will lead us to our true selves…and to God. As Thomas Merton puts it, “Not to accept and love and do God’s will is to refuse the fullness of my existence” (New Seeds of Contemplation, p 33). Where is God leading you? Take a step in that direction today!

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!

Acts 10:40-41
This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

Colossians 3:4
When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

Christ lives. To walk with Him in life is to die to your false self and to discover your true self. It won’t be easy but well worth it!

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! Happy Easter!

John 13:14-15
“If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

Right as you expect John’s gospel to tell the story of the Eucharist at the Last Supper…he instead tells us how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. John’s gospel was written years after the other gospels when the Christian community had more time to digest what the Eucharist fully meant. It is about more than “me and Jesus.” It is about Christ feeding us so that we become Christ to others. We become thanksgiving to others. We become Christ’s love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion to others by serving them. Allow God’s Grace to transform you. The entire body of Christ needs each of us so that God’s kingdom can come and God’s will can be done on earth as it is in heaven.

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!