Cheers!

Posted on October 16, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

“To sing is to pray twice.” – St. Augustine

+++

Listen to my song “Sing a New Song” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

+++

Psalm 33:2-3

Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; on the ten-stringed lyre offer praise. Sing to him a new song; skillfully play with joyful chant.

+++

Listen to my song and have a great weekend!

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Sing a New Song” on the Live to Love album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!

Posted in inspiration, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rejoice

Posted on October 15, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

“When we wallow in guilt, remorse, and shame over real or imagined sins of the past, we are disdaining God’s gift of grace.” – Brennan Manning

+++

Listen to my song “Lift Up Our Voices” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

+++

Ephesians 1:3-6

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.

+++

Somehow St. Paul had profound knowledge beyond the other apostles.

Today’s passage is one of those deeply mystical insights that express an understanding beyond the normal, rational mind.

Paul clearly had been privy to concepts from a higher realm.

It would do each of us well to read these scripture verses several times while sitting quietly, mulling them over, and allowing them to settle in our hearts.

Each of us was chosen by God in Christ – before the foundation of the world!

And we are chosen to be whole and complete and destined to be with God through Christ.

And it’s all through God’s grace.

It is not by any merit of our own, not by any worthiness.

Paul knew in his heart that this was so.

It reminds me of the same types of comments given by many who have had a “Near Death Experience.”

Some believe Paul may have had such an experience.

We know that he survived being stoned. “They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and entered the city” (Acts 14:19-20).

And then Paul states elsewhere, “I know someone in Christ who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows), was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this person (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4).

It is believed Paul is speaking of his own experience.

Re-read today’s scripture verse again.

Rest in this message and be glad.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Lift Up Our Voices” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!

Posted in inspiration, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rest

Posted on October 14, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Susanne Stöckli from Pixabay

“There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen.” – Rumi

+++

Listen to my song “Slow Me Down” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

+++

Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

+++

Are you experiencing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?

At times I do, and at times I don’t.

It’s the times when I do that I realize I am in the flow of the Spirit, and not in the flow of my ego.

It seems difficult these days to remain in the flow of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.

While we do need to be aware of what’s happening in the world, we also must discern what we are allowing into our hearts.

What and who are sources of love, gentleness and peace, and what and who are sources of hate, anger and division?

In writing to the Galatians, St. Paul knew that the law could not provide the fruit that only the Spirit could give.

Who are the voices of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – and who are not?

Align yourself with those who demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit.

Listen to the Spirit speak to you in contemplative practices such as Centering Prayer or meditation.

Allow the Spirit to transform you.

This is what the world desperately needs.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Slow Me Down” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!

Posted in inspiration, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love Over Law

Posted on October 13, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.” Pope Francis

+++

Listen to my song “Mercy Reigns” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

+++

Luke 11:38-39

The Pharisee was amazed to see that Jesus did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.”

+++

Jesus seemed to get along quite well with the so-called “sinners” of his day.

He didn’t condone sinful ways but always treated such people with compassion which they no doubt realized.

It was such treatment that many times led them to change their lives.

It was the religious leaders who provoked criticism from Jesus.

The Pharisees meticulously followed the letter of the law and held others to this strict standard.

Jesus certainly knew the purity codes that required him to wash before the meal, so he obviously broke the rule on purpose to make a point.

He knew that the Pharisees were hypocrites.

Their self-righteousness is what angered Jesus.

Following rules is a great starting place on your spiritual journey but a horrible place to finish.

At some point, you have to move from your brain to your heart.

Information does not lead to transformation.

God is interested in your heart.

As Jesus put it elsewhere in scripture when addressing the scrupulous Pharisees, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Matthew 9:13).

Acts of mercy and compassion are what God wants.

That is how lives are changed.

Each of us would do well to pause and ponder this before speaking, acting or posting on social media.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Mercy Reigns” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!

Posted in inspiration, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Be Free

Posted on October 12, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Myriam Zilles from Pixabay

“Yet the fact remains that we are invited to forget ourselves on purpose, cast our awful solemnity to the winds and join in the general dance.” – Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation

+++

Listen to my song “Love Will Always Lead You Home” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

+++

Luke 11:29

While still more people gathered in the crowd, he said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.”

+++

Jesus’ message to the people had to be disconcerting.

It wasn’t very pleasant.

But it’s a necessary message for us all to hear.

Jonah really didn’t want to go to Nineveh and warn the people to repent of their evil ways. So he went in the opposite direction as a traveler aboard a ship.

A violent storm then threatened disaster.

Jonah thought it was his fault for not obeying God, so he ordered the ship’s crew to throw him overboard. They did so, and Jonah ends up in the belly of a whale.

Three days later after Jonah agreed to go to Nineveh, the whale spit him onto the shore.

This is the path we all seem to take in our spiritual journeys.

We would rather cater to our egos’ whims and enjoyments than relinquish those things in order to serve God’s purposes.

But, alas, we can only avoid our true callings for so long – or we live a life of misery.

We end up in the “belly of a whale” where we are transformed by our struggles, where we have to “die to ourselves” and our egos’ ways, so we can be reborn to new life.

Jesus showed us the pattern in his death and resurrection.

Letting go of all our egos’ delusions leads us to being our true selves.

It leads us to an abundant life where we are instruments of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion.

It doesn’t have to be the ordeal we make it.

It begins with a simple yes right now.

May it be so.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Love Will Always Lead You Home” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!

Posted in inspiration, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gratitude

Posted on October 9, 2020 by billtonnis
Photo by jplenio on Pixaby

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice.” – Meister Eckhart

+++

Listen to my song “Give Praise and Thanks” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

+++

Psalm 111:1

I will praise the LORD with all my heart.

+++

There are a lot of things to be concerned about:

Coronavirus, climate change, polarized politics, etc.

But we will get through it all if we come together.

Many times, it’s the very struggles that wake people up to seeing our common humanity.

Many of our troubles are caused by failing to see our sacred bond.

We allow differences to divide us when they could actually be reasons that we would want to listen to each other in order to understand our differences.

We all share the same spark of life given to us by God.

All of creation shares that spark of life.

Life comes from the one God of all.

One day, all the human-made constructs that we fight over will dissolve.

When our physical lives end, we will have to let go of all the stuff we thought was so important.

What we will take with us is love.

Did we love others and serve the needs of others?

That will be all that matters.

Look around.

We are given so many gifts of family, friends, and the beauty of nature.

Take a deep breath – and give thanks.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Give Praise and Thanks” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!

Posted in inspiration, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Choose Compassion

Posted on October 8, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Pexels from Pixabay

“To be risen with Christ means not only that one has a choice and that one may live by a higher law – the law of grace and love – but that one must do so.” – Thomas Merton

+++

Listen to my song “I Stand in the Light” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

+++

Galatians 3:5

Does, then, the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works mighty deeds among you do so from works of the law or from faith in what you heard?

+++

St. Paul loses his temper with the Galatians who were converts to Christianity.

They apparently were putting more emphasis on carrying out the law over faith and the Spirit.

He actually starts off this passage by saying, “O stupid Galatians!”

At least, that’s the translation!

This issue continues to this day.

Many people still have difficulty with tempering the law with the freedom of the Spirit to do as she pleases.

At times Jesus would break the religious laws when love demanded it such as when he allowed his hungry followers to pick the grains in the field to eat on the Sabbath, something the law prohibited (Matthew 12:1-8);

Or when Jesus healed a man “with a withered hand” on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6).

We have to work to overcome the hardwiring in our brains that leads us to immediately separate things into either this or that.

It’s the dualism that corners us into a “black or white” world where there is no gray area in between.

We need the law to set certain boundaries so there is not anarchy, but we also need to be open to allowing the Spirit to direct us when instead of an “either–or” conclusion, there might be a better “both–and” one.

It’s really all about what the Spirit is asking us to do so that compassion and mercy are not lost.

The Spirit is available for all who ask.

As Jesus put it: “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him? (Luke 11:13)”

+++

Listen to the song of the day “I Stand in the Light” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!

Posted in inspiration, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Option for the Poor

Posted on October 7, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

“Think what the world could look like if we took care of the poor even half as well as we do our bibles!” – Dorothy Day

+++

Listen to my song “I Want to Follow You” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

+++

Galatians 2:10

Only, we were to be mindful of the poor, which is the very thing I was eager to do.

+++

St. Paul knew that Christians were called to care for those at the bottom of society.

This was the gist of what would be written in the gospel of Matthew when Jesus stated: “Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

Jesus was quite clear in his instructions that his followers were to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the ill and those in prison.

This is the basis for one of the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching, “Option for the Poor and Vulnerable”:

A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

Christians are called to do this.

Is this philosophy to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first reflected in the people calling themselves “Christian” today?

Perhaps before we cast aspersions on others, each of us needs to ask ourselves this:

How am I doing in taking the option of the poor?

+++

Listen to the song of the day “I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!

Posted in inspiration, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Grace Happens

Posted on October 6, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Lawrence Hur from Pixabay

“Most of us were taught that God would love us if and when we change. In fact, God loves you so that you can change.” – Richard Rohr

+++

Listen to my song “Changed” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

+++

Galatians 1:13

For you heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.

+++

Before he became known as Paul and later St. Paul, he was known as Saul.

At that time, he was convinced he was doing God’s work by dragging Christians to imprisonment and even to their executions.

Christians of his time would have considered him a terrorist by today’s standards.

God did not give up on him.

God wants to see all people who think they are doing good acts but are actually doing harmful ones to be transformed.

They are usually zealously doing what they think is good.

Remember the powerful lesson Jesus gave us as he looked down from the cross at his executioners? “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Have you ever been confronted by new information and realized you had been wrong or at least misinformed?

I have.

I remember years ago expressing that racism was no longer an issue.

I recently revisited that now embarrassing encounter and I realized that at the very same time I made that comment, the horrible atrocities that resulted in the book and movie titled Just Mercy were happening in Alabama.

I. Had. No. Idea.

I had no idea about a lot of things that my black brothers and sisters were experiencing because I had no connection to their lives.

I was living in a very “white” world.

People can change.

Usually it happens by Grace.

Something happens that causes you to see from a new viewpoint, one you never saw from before.

Each of us is called to hope, pray, and work for the transformation of all people to be more like Christ – especially ourselves.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Changed” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!

Posted in inspiration, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good News

Posted on October 5, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay

“Jesus lived and died in vain, if he did not teach us to regulate the whole life by the eternal law of love.” – Thomas Merton quoting Gandhi

+++

Listen to my song “Mercy Reigns” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

+++

Galatians 1:9

As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed!

+++

There have always been people trying to pervert the gospel or slant it or make it fit their narrative.

Each of us has to use our conscience to determine when this is happening.

But we first have to know the gospel that Jesus preached!

The gospel, or Good News, is that God is love and wants everyone to know they are loved unconditionally by the way we treat them.

Jesus made that clear when he said the greatest commandments were to love God with all your heart, soul and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).

Jesus gave the same answer to the scholar of the law who asked him what you must do to inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25-27).

To love is the most important thing!

That is why we are here.

And we show love by our actions, especially our actions to help the least of these.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36).

Jesus did not say: ‘Blessed are the wealthy;’ or ‘Blessed are the elite;’ or ‘Blessed are the people of only one political party;’ or ‘Blessed are the people of only this religion or this country.’

The gospel calls us to love all people.

And that requires action.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Mercy Reigns” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!

Posted in inspiration, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment