Epic Existence

Posted on July 20, 2020 by billtonnis
Hubble Telescope photo of a spiral galaxy

“Life in God should be a daring adventure of love – a continuous journey of putting aside our securities to enter more profoundly into the uncharted depths of God.” – Ilia Delio

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

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Micah 7:19

You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins.

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Why are we here?

It is the age old question that humans have asked since they were first self-aware.

That was a very long time ago!

The oldest fossils of Homo sapiens date back 300,000 years.

There were other human-like predecessors.

Creation has been evolving at least since the so-called “Big Bang” which is estimated to have occurred 13.8 billion years ago.

This is God’s creative plan and each of us is a part of it.

God is not some bean-counting ogre keeping a ledger of each of our sins.

What a myopic view of the God of the universe!

How could God’s plan be so puny and vindictive?

We are not here on planet Earth to see if we “make the cut” for getting to heaven.

How would that make sense in the light of what we now know about the grandeur and epic nature of the expanding universe?

God is pouring out God-self in love throughout all of creation.

Each of us is a beloved spiritual being having a human experience as part of God’s unfolding creative plan.

Isn’t it wonderful!

As for sin, of course we all make mistakes and do selfish things.

But it is through this process that we learn and grow.

Jesus showed us that life poured out in love does not end but is transformed.

God uses it all for good.

So, let us acknowledge our sins, let us allow their effects to change us, and then allow God to cast them into the depths of the sea.

Be all that you were meant to be in the light of God’s unconditional love.

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

Remember: God loves you!

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Purpose Driven

Posted on July 20, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Georg Schober from Pixabay

The keys to a life well-lived are in the following scripture verse.

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

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Micah 6:8

You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.

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This is a much-quoted line from the prophet Micah.

He gives the people what seems to be a pretty simple rule to guide their lives: Do justice, love goodness, and walk humbly with God.

Jesus would later boil it all down to love: Love God with all your heart, soul and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).

I don’t know about you, but I’m seeing very little evidence of these ideals in much of America’s discourse these days.

Instead, I’m witnessing much anger, hate, derision, and mean-spiritedness.

Where’s the walking humbly with your God?

It’s time we all repented, as in, change our direction.

Each of us must be open to change…which means: less ego.

Take time each day to center yourself in the goodness of God.

Each moment is teeming with sacred Oneness, where we “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

Spend time there each morning.

A Centering Prayer practice (or other meditation) is essential.

Ground yourself in the Goodness from which all things flow.

I believe that this, more than anything, would spur us to do justice in the light of goodness and humility.

Each of us is meant to be a part of this evolving, creative plan as only each of us uniquely can.

Wake up!

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

Remember: God loves you!

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WWJD?

Posted on July 17, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Konevi from Pixabay

Christianity calls for compassion to counter-balance law.

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Listen to my song “You’ll Lead Me” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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Matthew 12:1-2

At that time Jesus was going through a field of grain on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the Sabbath.”

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All society’s and institutions need rules to function smoothly or there would be anarchy.

But Jesus gives us a great lesson today in that we have to be open to a “both-and” approach and not be so fixated on “either-or”.

Issues are not always resolved with black or white answers…but more in the gray area in between.

The Pharisees, who were the religious leaders, were critiquing everyone’s every move, looking for any deviancy from the letter of the law.

They spotted Jesus’ followers picking the heads of grain on the Sabbath which was violating the religious law.

But for Jesus, this was where the law had to be tempered with compassion.

Jesus referred to a statement by the Prophet Hosea (6:6) stating, “If you knew what this meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned these innocent men” (Matthew 12:7).

For Jesus, mercy took precedence over ritual laws.

His disciples were hungry, so mercy was required.

Jesus was able to both observe the laws and break them when compassion demanded it.

We have so many people today who are caught up in “either-or” thinking.

This creates great divisions and tribal camps where everyone has to follow lock-step with everyone else on all issues to remain in the good graces of their camp.

We would do well to take a lesson from Jesus.

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Listen to the song of the day “You’ll Lead Me” on the Listen to Your Heart album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music 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!

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Soul Satisfaction

Posted on July 16, 2020 by billtonnis

Sing your song, not someone else’s.

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Listen to my song “Singing My Song” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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Isaiah 26:9

My soul yearns for you at night, yes, my spirit within me seeks you at dawn.

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Do you have a deep yearning for something but you’re not quite sure what?

I think it’s a common human phenomenon.

For many, however, I don’t think they are aware that this is a spiritual yearning and not a physical one.

It’s why St. Augustine told God, “Our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

We think if we could only find that one thing to quench this inner thirst – all would be wonderful.

We look for the perfect job, the perfect relationship, the perfect house, the perfect vacation, the perfect new gadget, etc.

But none of the highs that they bring us last.

So we go back to searching.

No wonder we have so many addictions and even suicides.

We turn to alcohol, drugs, pornography, social media, etc. Maybe just a little more would do the trick?

But it never does.

By the grace of God, I discovered this phenomenon years ago.

Awareness is a great first step in escaping this endless cycle of futility.

But it is not very easy to break our addictions.

My awakening came through the realization that I, or should I say, my ego, could not satisfy my inner yearning.

It was only after my ego was forced to surrender through total defeat, that I could hear the soft whisper of the Spirit.

It set me on a new path that I, well, my ego, never would have chosen.

My yearning is no longer painful but is life-giving.

Sure, I still sometimes get frustrated. But the yearning leads me on a daily pursuit of God in all things.

My revelation was that the deep inner yearning was actually the Spirit seeking me.

I think this is why Jesus said, “Seek and you will find” (Matthew 7:7), because when you seek what the Spirit is calling you to, you can’t help but to find!

And when you let go and seek with the awe and wonder of a child, you will find much joy.

Not that life will be trouble-free, but it will be filled with grace and peace because you will be living the path of your true self.

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Listen to the song of the day “Singing My Song” on the Live to Love album by clicking HERE.

Purchase and/or stream my songs on Amazon Music 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!

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Awestruck

Posted on July 15, 2020 by billtonnis

Are your constant thoughts and judgments causing you to miss life?

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Listen to my song “How Magnificent, Wondrous and Glorious” by clicking HERE.

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Matthew 11:25

Jesus exclaimed, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and learned you have revealed them to the childlike.”

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So many of us are stuck in our heads.

Thoughts upon thoughts upon thoughts – like a merry-go-round they go.

And we get so attached to the non-stop commentaries that we actually believe we are our thoughts.

There are moments, however, when we discover the peace and freedom of breaking that delusion.

We turn a corner and see a breath-taking view of nature.

We witness a glorious sunrise or sunset.

We gaze into a baby’s smiling face as she looks at us.

We hold the hand of a loved one who is dying.

Suddenly time stops and we are jolted into the present.

Thoughts cease.

There is boundless awareness.

There is wonder and awe.

There is love.

There is true life.

Usually, our minds will break the beauty of the moment by immediately getting our attention again with a new commentary.

It’ll usually be a judgmental thought on what we just experienced.

What if you could catch the mind’s commentary as it starts and simply let it go, and return to the glorious moment of beingness?

(Centering Prayer is a great meditation practice to try.)

Besides Jesus’ comment in today’s scripture verse above, he also said this: “Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it” (Mark 10:15).

Jesus then embraced the children in his presence and blessed them.

It’s not through thinking and judgments that you enter the kingdom of God.

We enter by experiencing each glorious moment of life in the awe, wonder and joy of a child.

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Listen to the song of the day “How Magnificent, Wondrous and Glorious” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music 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!

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Road Less Traveled

Posted on July 14, 2020 by billtonnis

Taking the narrow path is tough, but it leads to freedom.

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Listen to my song “Take the Road Less Traveled” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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Matthew 11:20

Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented.

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It’s easy to get dejected when your good work is not appreciated.

Jesus would not have been thought of as very “successful” in his day.

Most people rejected him.

Even his closest followers ran away in the end, except some of the women like Mary Magdalene.

His execution on the cross would have seemed like a total, resounding defeat.

Life is hard.

It’s even harder when you are trying to stand up for the poor, the left out and the marginalized.

Jesus was hoping that many would change the direction of their lives and would turn from power trips, greed and corruption.

But most didn’t.

Jesus was single-minded and single-hearted.

Love is what mattered.

And I’m sure it was very painful for him to be rejected.

It’s very painful to follow Jesus on this path – but it can also be very inspiring and rewarding.

Who is standing today for the desperate immigrant, the people working to make sure black lives truly mattered, LGBTQ people, the poor, the imprisoned, the sick?

God is still calling you.

It’ll take courage to take that path.

If you answer the call, you probably won’t get many accolades or praises.

But I guarantee – you will meet Jesus in the flesh and will experience resurrection.

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Listen to the song of the day “Take the Road Less Traveled” on the Live to Love album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music 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!

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Poor in Spirit

Posted on July 13, 2020 by billtonnis

“There is only one problem on which all my existence, my peace, my happiness depend: to discover myself in discovering God.” – Thomas Merton

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Listen to my song “Pour Me Out” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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Isaiah 1:15-17

Though you pray the more, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood! Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.

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The Prophet Isaiah is chastising those who pray and carry out rituals while at the same time do nothing to help those in need.

What good are words and rituals if they don’t transform you into a more loving, caring, compassionate, and forgiving person?

What good are they if they don’t spur you to take the preferential option for the poor?

This option runs throughout the bible and is one of the seven themes of Catholic social teaching.

As the bible tells us: “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17).

We are all called to redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea and defend the widow.

We are also called to stand with and support those who do.

Understand, however, that when you do these things that you will not be popular.

Many in power will not be your friend.

You will have to let go of your ego’s desires in deference to the needs of others.

Paradoxically, this will lead you to living as your true self.

You will truly understand Jesus’ words: “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).

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

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music 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!

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Golden Rule

Posted on July 10, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

Treat others as you would like others to treat you.

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Listen to my song “The Way You Are” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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Hosea 14:5

I will heal their defection, I will love them freely.

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How often have we all defected…as in deserted God?

How often have we deliberately chosen our own selfish desires knowing that they are not for anyone’s good?

How often have we been harsh to those in need, judging them as lazy?

How often have we turned the other way when seeing someone struggling?

We’ve all done it.

I know I have.

But it gets harder and harder to do such things because I now know Jesus in my heart.

I have felt his kind presence in my times of need.

I have also experienced the overwhelming and totally unconditional love of God when I least deserved it.

This is the kind of love that heals.

It restores.

That’s why God’s justice is called restorative, not retributive.

It’s the kind of love that Jesus described in the parable of the prodigal son when the father welcomes his wayward son home with no questions or scolding, hugs and kisses him, and then throws him a party.

This is the kind of love that God has for you and me.

Pass this message on to someone else today through the actions and words that you choose.

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

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music 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!

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Omega Point

Posted on July 9, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Alex Myers from Pixabay

“The physical structure of the universe is love.” – Teilhard de Chardin

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

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Hosea 11:9

For I am God and not human, the Holy One present among you; I will not let the flames consume you.

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Ever since consciousness evolved in human beings, we have been grappling with the concept of a Creator.

We all seem to have a built-in curiosity about why we’re here and where we’re going.

The universe is likely nearly 14 billion years old, at least that’s the estimate of science as to when there was a so-called Big Bang.

This is what many theologians believe was the first incarnation of God into matter.

Creation is still happening now.

St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits back in the 1500’s, believed we could find God in all things.

Indeed, God self-identifies as “I Am” (Exodus 3:14) – isness or being itself.

In the Old Testament, we see people reflecting their own proclivities for vengeance onto God.

But through the revelation of Jesus, we know that God is not vengeful but totally loving.

As the New Testament proclaims, “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

This Love is as expansive as the ocean in earthly terms, but as vast as the universe in cosmic terms.

As St. Paul came to realize through his transformation in this Love: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

Close your eyes and sit in silence as you allow those words to sink into your soul.

Then listen to my song, “God Is“.

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

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music 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!

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Conduits of Compassion

Posted on July 8, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Capri23auto from Pixabay

“Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.” – Thomas Merton

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Listen to my song “There Is Three” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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Matthew 10:7

“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

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This was Jesus’ instruction to his selected followers as he sent them forth to nearby towns.

Clearly the meaning wasn’t that the listeners were close to going to heaven.

It wasn’t a message that they were about to die!

Jesus also said that we should pray that God’s kingdom would come “on earth as in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

He also said that “the kingdom of God is among you” (Luke 17:21).

This is sometimes translated as “the kingdom of God is within you.”

Jesus was talking about the present, not some distant reward at the time of death.

So, how would we proclaim this kingdom?

Jesus’ way of life and his teachings would certainly show us.

He was always going out to those in need and to those who were marginalized.

Jesus wanted all people restored to wholeness whether spiritually, physically, or communally.

His top priority was to love God and your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).

I would suggest to you that when you are present to others, in relationship with them in their need, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The kingdom of heaven is more than words or simply a final destination.

It’s love and compassion in action.

As Catherine of Siena stated in the 1300’s: “All the way to heaven is heaven.”

Perhaps a good question for each of us to ask ourselves is: Do others experience the kingdom of heaven as being at hand…when they encounter us?

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

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music 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!

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