Abide

Posted on May 25, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by FelixMittermeier from Pixabay 

There is a Great Compassion that lovingly holds all things as one.

+++

Listen to my song “God’s Love Is All You Need” on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

+++

John 16:32-33

“I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

+++

Sometimes we can feel quite alone.

These times of social distancing can magnify that feeling of isolation.

I’m sure Jesus felt that when most of his followers deserted him before the crucifixion.

(Not all deserted him, though, as there were several women who did not abandon him including Mary Magdalene.)

Jesus even cried out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)

Of course, he was reciting the first line of Psalm 22 in which the psalmist goes on to eventually proclaim that God did not abandon him after all and that he will live and serve God.

In today’s scripture above, Jesus knows that God is with him because God is in him.

God, or Loving Beingness itself, is in all things including you and me.

When all seems lost, simply let go and fall into the open arms of this Divine Presence which cannot abandon you.

Impossible!

The world’s ways will create trouble, but the peace of God is at the core of all beingness.

It’s at your core as well.

Rest in that deep and Abiding Peace.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “God’s Love Is All You Need” 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!

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

Spirit Connection

Posted on May 22, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by klickblick from Pixabay

Are you in sync with your true self?

+++

Please listen to my song “Slow Me Down” and consider purchasing by clicking HERE.

+++

Acts 18:9-11

One night in a vision the Lord said to Paul, “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.” He settled there for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them.

+++

What is God asking you to do?

God speaks to all of us, not just special people like St. Paul.

We’re all special in God’s eyes.

We’re all God’s beloved children.

Sadly, most of us have not been taught about the contemplative dimensions of our faith, the practices through which we connect to the spiritual realm.

We are here as co-creators.

We are instruments in God’s hands to help bring about a world of peace, compassion and equal justice for all.

Jesus called it the “kingdom of God.”

When we are in the flow of God’s will, we are living our calling as our true selves.

How can we do this if we aren’t in tune with God?

How can this happen unless we are regularly communing with God in silent receptivity?

This takes practice.

You need a contemplative practice like Centering Prayer or other forms of meditation.

You also need to be aware that God is present and intimately part of your life!

This is how Paul could be open to seeing the Lord in a vision and how he could trust to do what he was told.

It resulted in him settling in a new town for a year to teach the people about this wondrous Creator.

I guarantee you that if you start listening to God in humility and openness, you will hear a gentle and loving voice.

Then, get ready for your life to change and become a magical adventure!

+++

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!

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

Divine Symphony

Posted on May 21, 2020 by billtonnis

 

dawn_birds_landscape

Photo by RÜŞTÜ BOZKUŞ from Pixabay 

Each of us is invited to take part in the Creative Flow.

+++

Listen to my song “Shall We Sing” by clicking HERE.

+++

Psalm 98:4

Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth; break into song; sing praise.

+++

There are times that the grandeur of the Earth seems to sing in praise of its Creator.

When the sun is coming up and bathing a beautiful landscape as birds are singing with seeming delight, it’s as though it is all part of a wondrous symphony.

We are all included in the fabric of this miraculous creation that began possibly with a Big Bang some 13.8 billion years ago.

Bursting forth from Love itself, so began a Creative Flow that continues to this day as the universe expands to mind-boggling proportions.

As theologian and scientist Ilia Delio says, “Love is the reason all things exist. The Giver is the gift” (“Sacrament of Everyday Life” Zoom Conference, May 8, 2020).

God is dwelling in us and in all creation.

We are beckoned to join in the cosmic dance by allowing God to create through us.

Allow your talents and passions to dictate how you take part in that dance.

Together, may we pour ourselves out in participating in the ongoing creativity of God.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “Shall We Sing” on the Listen to Your Heart album by clicking HERE.

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

ListenToYourHeart-BillTonnisLiveToLove-BillTonnisGivePraise&Thanks-BillTonnisMercyReigns-BillTonnis

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

MercyReignsDevotional-BillTonnis

Remember: God loves you!

 

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

Beyond Words

Posted on May 20, 2020 by billtonnis

 

Lake_sunrise_mountains

Image by David Mark from Pixabay 

We are all included in the One who was, is and will be.

+++

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

+++

Acts 17:24-25; 27-28

“The God who made the world and all that is in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything. Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything…so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being.’”

+++

How can we describe God?

Can we distill the Creator into a definition?

Impossible!

Yet in today’s scripture passage, St. Paul does better than most.

He tries to capture in words what is beyond words.

First off, Paul says that this ineffable Mystery cannot be contained in “sanctuaries made by human hands.”

God is so much bigger.

And yet, this God is also “not far from any one of us.”

God is not out there somewhere.

And then St. Paul gives what is one of the best descriptions of that which cannot be described by quoting a saying that was hundreds of years old:

“‘In him we live and move and have our being.’”

Let this phrase settle deep in your soul: God is in whom we live and move and have our being.

God is here.

God Is

When Moses asked for God’s name, this was the reply: “I am who I am. This is what you will tell the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you” (Exodus 3:14). God’s name is “I AM.”

Being itself.

If this is mind-blowing, it should be because our finite minds cannot fathom the infinite breadth and depth of Undefinable!

We are living and moving and having our being in the Love that is the Source of all things.

Sit quietly and ponder the awe and wonder of it All.

+++

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.

ListenToYourHeart-BillTonnisLiveToLove-BillTonnisGivePraise&Thanks-BillTonnisMercyReigns-BillTonnis

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

MercyReignsDevotional-BillTonnis

Remember: God loves you!

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

Transformation in Progress

Posted on May 19, 2020 by billtonnis

 

sprout_tree_stump

Change is necessary for new life to happen.

+++

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

+++

John 16:7

“But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.”

+++

When Jesus told his followers that he would be leaving, I’m sure they were crushed.

Leaving?

Wasn’t Jesus the Messiah they were looking for to lead them out of Roman oppression?

Sometimes our preconceived ideas are dead wrong.

And the other truth is: Sometimes change is needed so that something better can happen.

Life is about change.

Jesus knew that God’s creative plan unfolds through life and death…and life.

It’s what we call the Paschal Mystery.

Jesus taught us the pattern of kenosis or the process of self-emptying on behalf of others.

He loved and forgave in the face of death, and death was not the end but transformation to new life.

Jesus lived out his teaching: “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24).

Jesus’ death on the cross appeared to be a great defeat.

But it was instead a triumphant victory.

He showed us that death leads to resurrection and new life.

Through his death, the Advocate, or the Holy Spirit, was unleashed upon all of creation.

Now we have the Spirit to help us through all the “dyings and risings” that happen throughout our lives.

It’s the only path in finding your true self.

As Jesus said, “You must lose your life to find it” (Matthew 16:25).

+++

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.

ListenToYourHeart-BillTonnisLiveToLove-BillTonnisGivePraise&Thanks-BillTonnisMercyReigns-BillTonnis

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

MercyReignsDevotional-BillTonnis

Remember: God loves you!

 

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

Gratitude

Posted on May 18, 2020 by billtonnis

cliff_two_women_sun

Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay

Give thanks for the Life you are a part of and rejoice.

+++

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

+++

Psalm 149:1

Hallelujah! Sing to the LORD a new song.

+++

Let’s remember today to give thanks for the gift of existence.

Take a deep breath.

Stop reading this and do it now.

Breathe.

All is well as you enter deeply into the Divine Presence.

God is with you.

Allow that knowledge to resonate in your heart.

Give praise to the Source of all life!

Thanks to a fellow spiritual blogger, Val Boyko, I recently read a poem that she shared by Danna Faulds titled, “What’s True Here.”

The poem states:

“What you are giving birth to today is bigger than your usual perception of yourself. It’s okay that you have no idea what’s coming next. How could you? Just stay open and the universe will do the rest. Gratitude, grace and celebration are the keys.”

So, give thanks because everything is grace.

Unmerited and unearned Love is being poured out upon us.

Life never ends…but is transformed.

How will you celebrate that…and share it?

+++

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

Purchase and/or stream my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

ListenToYourHeart-BillTonnisLiveToLove-BillTonnisGivePraise&Thanks-BillTonnisMercyReigns-BillTonnis

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

MercyReignsDevotional-BillTonnis

Remember: God loves you!

 

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

Passion

Posted on May 15, 2020 by billtonnis

Flames_heart

Gloria Williams from Pixabay

May we be energizers of love and justice for all.

+++

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

+++

Psalm 57:8

My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and chant praise.

+++

When Jesus gave us the Eucharist at the Last Supper, he gave us himself in bread.

He gave us his whole body.

This is indeed an intimate and complete outpouring of self.

And when we receive, we are meant to become the bread.

In other words, we are meant to become Jesus.

His human form was soon to leave the planet.

He was sending his followers to be him in his physical absence.

Eucharist comes from the Greek word that literally means thanksgiving.

When we receive it, we are meant to become thanksgiving to the world.

How are you doing with that?

Or, if you are a practicing Christian who receives Communion in your church, are you making it only a private matter of you getting Jesus and that’s it?

What a difference it would make if Christians actually allowed their Christ to transform them so that they could be Christ to the world!

Perhaps then your heart would be steadfast to share your gifts so that all would experience the unconditional Love that is the Source of all.

I do choose to sing, write, and speak about God’s love as well as to be a listening presence of God’s love to those in need.

What is your heart steadfast in doing to make the world a more compassionate place?

+++

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.

ListenToYourHeart-BillTonnisLiveToLove-BillTonnisGivePraise&Thanks-BillTonnisMercyReigns-BillTonnis

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

MercyReignsDevotional-BillTonnis

Remember: God loves you!

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

Grace

Posted on May 14, 2020 by billtonnis

hand_diamond

Each of us is a diamond in the eyes of God.

+++

Listen to my song “How Wonderful to Me” by clicking HERE.

+++

John 15:16

“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain.”

+++

Jesus said if you knew him then you would know the One he called “Abba” (John 14:7).

The Aramaic term that Jesus used is more accurately translated as “daddy” than father.

It is an intimate term a child might use for a generously loving dad.

In my opinion, it’s a combination of the most compassionate father and mother rolled into one.

In today’s scripture verse, Jesus says we were all chosen by him and therefore God as well at the very start.

Our “original chosenness” is what sparks us to want to reciprocate and choose God.

My dear friends, it’s all grace.

This is not a worthiness contest or a game to somehow merit God’s favor.

We are all loved and cherished before time began.

As St. Paul put it, God “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” (Ephesians 1:3-4).

So claim your belovedness in God, live from that place of love, and channel that Love to the world.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “How Wonderful to Me” on the Live to Love album by clicking HERE.

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

ListenToYourHeart-BillTonnisLiveToLove-BillTonnisGivePraise&Thanks-BillTonnisMercyReigns-BillTonnis

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

MercyReignsDevotional-BillTonnis

Remember: God loves you!

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

Express Yourself

Posted on May 13, 2020 by billtonnis

vine_branches_grapes

God is dwelling in all things…including you.

+++

Listen to my song “Glorify You with Me” by clicking HERE.

+++

John 15:5

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.”

+++

Just before this verse, Jesus equated God to being the vine grower.

The point is: we are all connected.

We are all in relationship with the Source of all things.

We truly cannot not be connected.

All things in the universe are in relationship.

Science is showing this to be true.

The point of your spiritual practice (and religion) is to lead you to an experience of this oneness.

God is always pouring out unconditional love.

It’s a Love that is always creating.

When we consciously connect to this Love, we will also create.

So find the things that connect you to God.

That could be anything in creation that sparks your inner passion.

It could be nature, music, dance, art, cooking, making others laugh, teaching, worship, rituals, fixing things, etc., etc.

Then be thankful for this incredible blessing and rejoice!

Express the love that you are and you will be a branch that bears much fruit!

+++

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

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

ListenToYourHeart-BillTonnisLiveToLove-BillTonnisGivePraise&Thanks-BillTonnisMercyReigns-BillTonnis

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

MercyReignsDevotional-BillTonnis

Remember: God loves you!

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

Be Still

Posted on May 12, 2020 by billtonnis

tranquil_lake_loretto

There is a profound calm available now in the silence.

+++

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

+++

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”

+++

Jesus’ words are much needed for us now.

They are very comforting.

Let them soak into your heart and calm your soul.

Take a deep breath.

Breathe out slowly.

Breathe in deeply again…and slowly release your breath.

Really…take a moment and do that.

As you did it, what did you experience?

In those moments…there were no problems.

Feel the peace that the world cannot give.

As you abide here in this present moment…what is there to fear?

Nothing.

Each of us is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

Since God is love (1 John 4:8), we have been loved into existence by Love itself.

Each of us is part of God’s creative masterpiece in progress.

By our mere presence we are more than enough.

You don’t have to do anything to earn or merit the love that has been poured out upon you.

So…no matter what you are going through now, nothing can harm you.

You are safe in a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Close your eyes and breathe slowly.

Spend some quiet time in the Divine Presence.

+++

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.

ListenToYourHeart-BillTonnisLiveToLove-BillTonnisGivePraise&Thanks-BillTonnisMercyReigns-BillTonnis

 

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

MercyReignsDevotional-BillTonnis

Remember: God loves you!

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