Persevere

Posted on April 13, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Myriam Zilles from Pixabay

Dying leads to new life…every time.

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

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Matthew 28:8-10

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to the disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

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All four gospels in the bible identify Mary Magdalene alone or as a member of a larger group of women to be the first to witness the resurrected Jesus.

The Gospel of John describes a poignant moment when the risen Jesus meets Mary Magdalene by herself and tells her to be the first person to announce the good news to all the male apostles who were hiding in fear.

In Gospels written by men in a time dominated by patriarchy, Mary Magdalene is mentioned by name practically more than any of the male apostles.

So…Mary Magdalene is obviously revered by Christians, right?

Not exactly.

First, she was wrongly portrayed as a prostitute.

After her prominence in the gospels, she somehow disappears in the rest of the new testament.

One thing we know for sure is that Mary Magdalene demonstrated how to be the most dedicated and persistent follower of Jesus.

Perhaps we should read the gospels again with a renewed interest in her example?

Something told her that despite her teacher’s death, there simply had to be something more.

The story could not have ended there.

In this time of a worldwide struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic, may we turn to Mary Magdalene for inspiration as we put our faith in the power of Christ to transform the current darkness to light and new life.

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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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Sweet Surrender

Posted on April 10, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Selfless love leads to the fullness of life.

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

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Psalm 31:6

Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, LORD, God of truth.

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On this Good Friday, we remember Jesus being crucified.

He was put to death in that culture’s most cruel and humiliating manner as though he had committed a vicious crime.

In fact, he had only confronted the religious and governmental powers with their injustices to the poor and oppressed.

He offered no resistance or violence in return for their violence to him.

Jesus showed us the face of unconditional love and truth when confronted by fear, hate and lies.

He showed us what love poured out looks like.

And then came the ultimate act of unconditional love ever:

“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Jesus turned over his spirit to God in the blind faith that somehow his life would not end in death.

What had appeared to be a very bad Friday was in fact a very good one.

Thanks to his act we also know that our lives will not end in death.

We can have confidence that all our struggles, including the one we are in now with the COVID-19 pandemic, will not end in death but in new life!

This is what redeems us.

In our self-emptying we are filled with the life of God.

Our false selves fall away and our true selves rise.

May it happen now…and now…and now – right into eternity.

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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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Praise Be

Posted on April 9, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Avi Chomotovski from Pixabay

In letting go of all the things that don’t matter, we can truly savor the things that do.

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

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Psalm 116:17

I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

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You may recall that Jesus had said, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’ (Matthew 9:13).

Jesus did not want us to sacrifice things, much less live animals, to placate God!

The lamb led to slaughter was the original scapegoat – the one on whom all the blame was placed and then killed so we could feel better about ourselves.

How sad!

Jesus knew that the only sacrifice God wanted from us was the “letting go” of our egos, the dying of our false selves, so that our true selves could rise.

“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).

And when we are free of our ego-generated masks, we are free to be the beloved children of God that we always were…but had forgotten.

It had been trampled over by the illusions and delusions of this world.

With this current COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve had the opportunity to survey the many things in our lives that simply aren’t important.

Let them go!

And then in the freedom of living as the beloved children of God, simply being, we will surely produce much fruit in the way of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion.

Our lives will become a living offering of praise and thanks to God!

By the way, the word Eucharist comes from the Greek word that literally means thanksgiving.

Jesus gives all of himself to us in bread so that we can become that bread and be thanksgiving to the world.

May it be so!

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

Remember: God loves you!

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Mercy Maker

Posted on April 8, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

What the world needs now…is love.

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

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Psalm 69:21

I looked for compassion, but there was none, for comforters, but found none.

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The sentiment expressed in today’s scripture verse would appall anyone who practices any of the world’s major religions.

I know from my many visits to the Festival of Faiths in Louisville (that sadly had to be cancelled this month due to the COVID-19 pandemic), that compassion is the common foundation of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Native American spirituality.

Jesus commanded his followers to love their neighbor.

He further stated, “Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

Jesus also famously told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) who came to the aid of a man who had been beaten and robbed on the street.

Two others including a priest had ignored the victim.

Jesus asked his listener to tell him who was neighbor to the robber’s victim.

The man answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”

Then Jesus responded, “Go and do likewise.”

In Christianity, we look upon its namesake as he hangs nailed to a cross.

See the one who became the scapegoat, who became the one grossly violated for totally unjust reasons.

Allow compassion to rise inside your heart.

Allow it to spur you to take action on behalf of the suffering, the poor and those unjustly treated.

Give thanks for the doctors and nurses who are valiantly putting their lives at risk now as modern day Good Samaritans.

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

Remember: God loves you!

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God Is

Posted on April 7, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Anja🤗#helpinghands#stayathome #solidarity#stays healthy🙏 from Pixabay

Rest in the present moment and find peace.

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

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Psalm 71:3

Be my rock of refuge, my stronghold to give me safety; for you are my rock and fortress.

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These words of the psalmist ring true today as the Coronavirus pandemic continues.

It seems like we are under siege.

We obviously need to be concerned and to take necessary precautions.

But we also need to be on guard to catch our minds’ incessant commentaries that can lead us down the path of fear and worry.

In this moment – (and when is it ever not this moment?) – everything is fine.

Even if there is something causing us pain, when we are simply present to the moment…we can deal with it.

The suffering is mostly caused by our minds’ narrative that starts telling us the worst-case scenarios.

They are all fictions.

When we are consciously present to the moment, we are able to experience the Divine Presence.

God is always here…it is we who often aren’t!

Our minds have the habit of mulling over the past or fretting over the future, all the while missing the only thing that is real: the now.

When we are truly present, we feel an underlying sense of peace and safety.

This is the peace beyond understanding that St. Paul spoke of (Philippians 4:7), or as Jesus put it, the peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27).

Peace is always available in this moment of pure beingness.

As God told Moses, “I am who I am”, then told him to tell the Israelites, “I Am has sent me to you” (Exodus 3:14).

Experience the great “I Am” and find refuge.

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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” by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!

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Be Free

Posted on April 6, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Be still and allow the Light that sustains you to shine.

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Listen to my song “May I Be Light” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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Isaiah 42:6-7

I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

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Jesus took these words of the Prophet Isaiah to heart.

They resonated in his soul.

Jesus became them.

He gave life to them.

Theologian and spiritual teacher, Beverly Lanzetta, writes in her book Path of the Heart:

“Our mission is to articulate and to celebrate the coming of divinity into form. We, as humans, are a microcosm of the macrocosm of the absolute. Within each being is a particular spectrum of the absolute, and thus each person is a unique expression of the sacred on earth.” “We are the co-architects of sacred words. Each one of us is a unique configuration of sacred letters and each one of us, in thought, word, and deed, births them into form” (page 166).

As Jesus articulated and celebrated the coming of divinity into form, we too must do so.

You and I also must be a “unique expression of the sacred on earth.”

And if we identify as Christian, we must also be a light to the world, open the eyes of the blind, bring out prisoners from confinement, and those who live in darkness.

May each of us be a light to the other so that in these dark times the Light is shining on us all.

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Listen to the song of the day “May I Be Light” 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” by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!

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Breathe

Posted on April 3, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Benjamin Balazs from Pixabay

Let go of fearful thoughts and settle into the Loving Presence that sustains you.

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Listen to my song “Breathe On Me” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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John 10:37-38

“If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

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Jesus is modeling here his relationship with God so that we might also take part in the same relationship.

This was revolutionary!

When he says that God is in him and he is in God, this is also true for you and me!

It’s why Thomas Merton could write,

“Ultimately the only way that I can be myself is to become identified with Him in whom is hidden the reason and fulfillment of my existence. Therefore there is only one problem on which all my existence, my peace and my happiness depend: to discover myself in discovering God. If I find Him I will find myself and if I find my true self I will find Him” (New Seeds of Contemplation).

But at the same time, you and I are not God.

We are like tiny drops in the Ocean of God.

When you are in tune with your true self, you are in tune with God.

So how can you stay in tune with God which is especially important in these trying times?

Be present!

Be aware of the now.

Be aware of your many thoughts which are often the cause of your fears.

Step back and observe your thoughts.

Let them dissolve.

Do not be a slave to them!

Awaken.

God is with you and Love is prevailing.

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Listen to the song of the day “Breathe On 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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The Great “I Am”

Posted on April 2, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

The Love that is energizing the universe will carry us through this season of chaos.

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

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John 8:51

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.”

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When Jesus spoke these words, many believed that he was insane.

How could people evade death by keeping his word?

Jesus drew large crowds because his preaching must have been new and exciting.

He gave the oppressed people hope.

He said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).”

He repeatedly told his listeners to not be afraid.

He brought them the news that God loved them unconditionally.

Just look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).

Jesus also said that he came so that we might have abundant life (John 10:10).

The fact is, when you listen to Jesus’ teachings and live by them – you find your true self.

You discover the life you were meant to live.

All the trappings of this world cannot compare!

Even amid the storms of life such as what is happening now…you sense an inner calm.

And when you make love your objective in life…love has no end.

Physical death will be only a passageway.

It will simply be a transition to new and eternal life.

Awaken to the reality that you are part of the great “I Am.”

Believe!

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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” by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Good Shepherd

Posted on April 1, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Sr. Maria-Magdalena R. from Pixabay

Since God is love and love drives out fear…be at peace.

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Listen to my song “I Will Give You Rest” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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John 8:31-32

Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

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Many people are now living in fear of the Coronavirus.

While concern is a necessity, fear is not.

As it says in scripture, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).

Love is the perfect antidote.

Jesus said the greatest commandments were to love God with all your heart, soul and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).

In order to love God, my neighbors (meaning everyone), and myself, I must be in relationship with God, others, and my true self.

For this to happen, I must remove all the obstacles to these loving relationships.

Take an inventory of all the things that stand in the way of these relationships.

Many times the obstacles are things that my ego desires for purely self-centered reasons.

One sure way to be free is to follow Jesus.

He tells us that to be good followers we must remain in his word and then we would know the truth and that the truth would set us free.

Read the words of Jesus in the gospels. Read especially the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12):

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

This is God’s truth.

Live it…and be free!

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Listen to the song of the day “I Will Give You Rest” 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” by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Love Is the Only Answer

Posted on March 31, 2020 by billtonnis
Image by Džoko Stach from Pixabay

All struggles lead to new life if we trust in a Higher Power.

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

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Psalm 102:2-3

LORD, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.

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Today’s scripture verses resonate deeply with me in regard to the many news interviews I’ve watched with nurses who are working tirelessly to save lives in hospital ICU’s.

I’ve heard their gut-wrenching accounts of having to do video calls to the loved ones of their dying patients to allow them to say goodbye.

I’m sure patients gasping for breath in those ICU’s are also calling out to God to please answer quickly!

I remember numerous times during my chaplain training when I was called to dire situations that were impossible to fix.

I could only try to be a compassionate presence.

This reminds me of a phrase that surfaced in the 1700’s: “the sacrament of the present moment.”

When we are truly compassionately present to someone in need – God’s presence manifests.

In Jesus’ words, the kingdom of God is at hand.

That’s because your little ego self got out of the way and allowed your deeper and truer self to emerge.

Pain and death are obviously a part of life.

We are in God’s creative cycle of life and death, life and death, etc.

And the glory of the cross is that Jesus showed us that death is not a defeat – but a transforming birth to eternal life.

Many are now calling out to God in distress.

Who will be the compassionate presence of God to them if not you and me?

This takes dying to our ego-generated false self so that our true self can rise.

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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!

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