Bill Tonnis Ministries

Psalm 40:7
Sacrifice and offering you do not want; but ears open to obedience you gave me.

The prophet Hosea said, “For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6). Jesus said, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice'” (Matthew 9:13). It’s not about doing something to earn God’s love! God loved you before you were born…before you knew any rules to follow. Rules are essential for children to function. But once you grow into the knowledge and understanding of God’s amazing love…the rules, although still good, are no longer the focus! Some people are still stuck in a childhood religion of desperately following a list of guidelines…always fearing they will mess-up and God will somehow get angry at them. A God who would die on a cross and say, “Forgive them, they know not what they do,” is an unconditional lover. Get to know that Lover. Now…what is God asking you to do? Let’s stop focusing on the rules…and get busy building the kingdom of God!

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.
Have a blessed day!

Mark 3:5
Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

Jesus was always about bringing people together and restoring them to wholeness. But the religious leaders at the time were more concerned about “doing” their religion. They were angry that Jesus’ disciples were picking heads of grain on the sabbath and that Jesus Himself cured a man’s withered hand on the sabbath. Your religion should be leading you to becoming more merciful, compassionate and forgiving. It should be leading you to reach out in acceptance and love to others. Jesus never made it a rule that “sinners” needed to “get their act together” before He would sit down and dine with them. Let’s work at bringing people together.

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.
Have a blessed day!

Psalm 111:1
I will praise the Lord with all my heart…

Have you ever praised God with all your heart? I have…at the sight of an amazing spectacle of creation…or after seeing an incredible act of mercy or listening to someone sing with incredible talent. It happened at a praise and worship service during adoration at a recent conference in New Orleans. It happened last summer with a group from high school youth ministry at an outdoor concert where thousands of young people had their hands raised in the air praising God…as they were led in song by one of the most talented men in Contemporary Christian Music…Chris Tomlin. There comes a time to stop…let go of all the things that we allow to drag us down…just let them go…and know that the God Who is, Who was and Who will be…has us in an embrace that will never end…no matter what. Praise God! Alleluia!

Suggested song of the day—“My Lord and My 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!

Mark 2:22
“No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”

Jesus was and is new wine. The Spirit is alive and still creating and making all things new! Tradition certainly has its revered place…but again…we must think in terms of “both – and.” While we hold on to tradition and celebrate it…we also open ourselves to the new wine God is pouring. What new ways is God inspiring us to show and to live the Gospel message today? What creative and unique “wineskin” is God calling each of us to create…to hold the new wine that is being poured? Or…are we refusing to open ourselves…to the new wineskins?

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!

Mark 2:1-2
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.

When Jesus came around…people flocked to hear him teach. No one had ever spoken the amazing truth that He was speaking…words that inspired and touched hearts. Jesus spoke words of comfort to the broken. He was a light of hope…a ray of unconditional love. All clamored to hear him. They were drawn. The only critical words we ever heard Jesus speak were directed to the Pharisees…the religious leaders who arrogantly believed they had all the answers. They held the people to stringent rules and guidelines without compassion. I don’t know about you…but I’m joining the sinners at the feet of Jesus in hopes I might absorb some of His compassion to take with me into the world.

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!

Mark 1:45
The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Jesus never strove for “superstar” status. He didn’t seek the spotlight. He never did anything to call attention to Himself or to show off. Jesus sternly told the man he had just cured of leprosy not to tell anyone…but the man did the opposite. Jesus knew that everyone would focus on His incredible miracles but miss the point. He was really about restoring all people to wholeness through acts of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. This was the kingdom of God! He wanted to be a servant…not a superstar. The world’s philosophy is to strive for fame and fortune…which leads to inner emptiness. Following Christ means detaching from the enticement of prestige and riches…which leads to inner fullness. Which will you choose?

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!

Mark 1:35-38
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”

Even Jesus needed to go off to a silent place to commune with God. It was after this time of silent prayer that Jesus had the clarity of purpose…that even though “everyone” was looking for Him…He knew that He had to move on to the nearby villages. “For this purpose have I come.” There are many voices competing for our attention…but what is the One voice telling you to do? If you are not making silent time with God…how will you ever find your purpose?

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!

Mark 1:23-26
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.

Each of us is no doubt plagued with an “unclean spirit” of some sort. As St. Paul wrote in Romans 7:15, “What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate.” We struggle with a “thorn in our sides” so to speak that we just can’t seem to get rid of. Only through Jesus can we find relief and comfort. Jesus does not criticize or scold the man afflicted by the unclean spirit. But He gladly restores him to wholeness. God will surely use whatever affliction we have…to bring us to completion in ways that are beyond us. In the Catholic Easter Vigil sin is called a “happy fault.” It is the place where we can’t save ourselves…only God can! Bring your affliction to Jesus without fear!

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!

Mark 1:16-18
As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed him.

Jesus is calling each of us to follow Him. When we follow Jesus we become the people we were made to be. Ideally, when others see how we follow Jesus…they will also want to follow Him. Following Christ will require changing our direction. For me…it meant leaving a radio news profession. Changes are never easy…but I can assure you…following Jesus will lead you to more joy, contentment and fulfillment than any other pursuit in this life! Start following…or keep following Him…and amazing things will happen.

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 5:12-13
Now there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where he was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately.

Jesus is always trying to restore wholeness. Notice how Jesus does not shy away from the man who is considered “unclean” in the eyes of not only the society but also the religious leaders. The man with leprosy was totally excluded. Jesus does not seem concerned at all about what the man believes. All we know is that the man demonstrates total faith that Jesus can heal him. And with no test of his beliefs…no assurances from the man that he will follow any set of beliefs…Jesus heals him. Where do you feel excluded? Where do you feel rejected by others? That’s the place where Jesus wants to be with you…to let you know you are loved and that you do belong in the kingdom of God! Who are the ones excluded in our society? Let them know they are loved…and that they do belong!

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!