Open Mind and Heart

Posted on August 20, 2019 by billtonnis

Attachments are roadblocks on the path of life.

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

+++

Matthew 19:23-24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

+++

The kingdom of God is the place of peace that is available at each moment inside you where the Great “I Am” communes with you in the most intimate way.

All shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.

That was the phrase English mystic Julian of Norwich reported that Jesus told her in a vision over 600 years ago.

But in today’s scripture passage, Jesus was telling his followers that the more material stuff you have…the harder it is to enter that place of wellness…that place of peace, love and compassion.

That’s because the more stuff you have…the more attention it demands.

The more attachments you have…whether they be possessions or power or prestige…the more likely you miss the kingdom of God which is so close!

As Jesus put it, “The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the kingdom of God is among you.”

Those last words are sometimes translated as, “the kingdom of God is within you.”

I think the most addictive attachment today is the non-stop commentary of our own minds…the endless stream of thoughts that many people identify as who they are.

Observe your thoughts.

Who is observing them?

You…that’s who! It’s the real you.

Stop.

Let go.

Let the peace of God envelope you.

Live your life from that place.

+++

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.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in God, inspiration, music, progressive Christianity, religion, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Be Here Now

Posted on August 19, 2019 by billtonnis

Life is beautiful when we let go of our minds’ incessant commentary.

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

+++

Matthew 19:16

Now someone approached him and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”

+++

This story gets right to the heart of the Christian belief…and yet it is still roundly misunderstood by Christians.

The young man approaching Jesus wished to somehow merit eternal life.

He wanted to know what “good” he must do…in other words…how can he “achieve” heaven?

Jesus told him to basically follow the Commandments if he wished to “enter life.”

Already he was telling him that it is about now…not some future heaven.

It’s about being present now.

It’s all gift!

God freely gives us the kingdom of heaven each moment.

That’s what grace is!

But the man didn’t get it…and so he pushed Jesus to tell him exactly what to do to make up for what he lacked.

At this point, Jesus gave the man an impossible directive: “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this statement, “he went away sad, for he had many possessions” (Matthew 19:21-22).

Of course, no one can “be perfect”!

And it’s not about being perfect…but being perfectly loved by God!

Jesus stated this again in the Gospel of Luke: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy” (Luke 12:32-33).

When we let go of all our attachments (which is pretty much the only way you can actually be present)…you are beginning to experience the kingdom of heaven.

It’s also the place where you realize that you lack nothing.

So…what’s holding you back from this experience?

+++

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.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in God, inspiration, music, progressive Christianity, religion, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reason to Rejoice

Posted on August 16, 2019 by billtonnis

We exist within Eternal Love so that we might receive it and give it.

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

+++

Psalm 136:2

Praise the God of gods; for his mercy endures forever.

+++

The love of God is sustaining all that is…and yet it can seem so hard to find.

Look at the incredible lack of compassion demonstrated across the world!

I would say it is due to the delusion created by unconscious human beings who are in the grips of their egos.

They are simply not awakened to the fact that God is love (1 John 4:8) in Whom we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

The pattern of Love is to lay itself down for another…even to death.

Jesus demonstrated this not only in his physical death but in the way he poured himself out daily in the service of others (Philippians 2:5-8).

Death and the daily dying to the ego-generated-self are just doors to transformed life.

This is the pattern of Love…or we could call it Mercy.

It is Infinite…like a never-ending waterwheel.

We are all called to participate in this Flow of Goodness…especially in the midst of cruelty generated by deeply unconscious behavior.

Let us live from the place of unconditional love that is freely given to us each moment by our Maker…and gratefully share it!

+++

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.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in God, inspiration, music, progressive Christianity, religion, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Transformation in Progress

Posted on August 15, 2019 by billtonnis

Life and death are different sides of the same coin.

(Listen to my song “Make Your Way” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

+++

1 Corinthians 15:26-27

The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for “he subjected everything under his feet.”

+++

Death is not the enemy…but you wouldn’t know it by living in our culture.

It is definitely treated as though it’s the worst thing that could happen…like it’s the end.

But St. Paul says death has been done-away-with.

Jesus showed us that death is not final.

You and I will go on…but we will live in a transformed state.

There is resurrection all around us. Death is being transformed to new life.

Jesus showed us this pattern all through his life…laying down his ego and its desires for a Larger Plan…the loving will of the One that he called “Abba.”

The Paschal Mystery…dying and rising…is the blueprint for everything.

As we die to ourselves or our egos’ desires…our true selves rise.

As Richard Rohr said, “Each time you surrender, each time you trust the dying, your faith is led to a deeper level and you discover a Larger Self underneath.” 

We also have many accounts from those who have gone through what is known as the Near Death Experience…where their bodies’ have clinically died but their true essence went on to experience another realm of immense beauty and love.

Eventually they were told that it was not “their time” and they returned to their bodies to tell the story.

Death is definitely not the end…but it is a certainty.

It’s an integral part of life.

If we lived our lives from the viewpoint that we only have a finite amount of time in our physical bodies on this amazing Earth and that we are here for a reason…perhaps we would live each moment in generous compassion for all and for a greater good.

+++

Listen to my song “Make Your Way” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in God, inspiration, music, progressive Christianity, religion, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reach Out

Posted on August 14, 2019 by billtonnis

Within caring relationships we experience the Source of Life.

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

+++

Matthew 18:20

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

+++

What if we took these words of Jesus seriously and set aside time to actually gather with two or three others in Jesus’ name?

A one-on-one relationship with Jesus or God or Spirit or the Source of Life would be essential…but I’m thinking it’s also important to get together with a friend or two on a regular basis and to share what’s going on in your lives.

It opens you up to being a compassionate, caring, listening presence to someone you care about.

It also gives them the opportunity to be the same to you.

When that Spirit of Compassion is experienced…you have experienced Christ.

How might each of us make the effort to arrange such regular gatherings?

How might we also open these gatherings to those who are left out…and in most need of community?

+++

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.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in God, inspiration, music, progressive Christianity, religion, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Be Encouraged

Posted on August 13, 2019 by billtonnis

Allow Love to lead you.

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

+++

Deuteronomy 31:8

“It is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed.”

+++

Do not fear is probably the most repeated sentiment in the bible.

Jesus also counseled against worry and fear: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid (John 14:27).”

Scripture also tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8).

And later in that same passage, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

One of my main callings in life is to communicate to all who will listen that God loves you.

I experienced this realization in a life-changing way back in 1998…and have since experienced it many more times.

Turn away from any harbingers of fear…and turn toward God who is Love itself.

You came from Love.

Love will never fail you (1 Corinthians 13:8).

So go be the Love that you are!

+++

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 my clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in God, inspiration, music, progressive Christianity, religion, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

One Human Family

Posted on August 12, 2019 by billtonnis

The Jewish and Christian traditions both call us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

(Listen to my song “All Are One” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

+++

Deuteronomy 10:17-19

“For the LORD, your God, is the God of gods, the Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who has no favorites, accepts no bribes, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving them food and clothing. So you too should love the resident alien, for that is what you were in the land of Egypt.”

+++

These are the words that the bible says God spoke to Moses to deliver to the people of Israel.

Jesus also spoke similar words when he said, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35).

He went on to say, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

This calls to mind what’s happening on our southern border.

This is not an “either-or” situation…where either you uphold the law with an iron fist or let all immigrants flood in with no regard to the nation’s security.

That type of dualistic black-or-white thinking is not helpful in complicated situations that take us into the gray areas of life.

Why not think “both-and”?

How can we both maintain security and deal with those who have come for asylum with compassion?

In the eyes of God…love is always the determining factor in how we address those in need.

We need more leaders who exemplify this attitude.

Each of us is called to do so as well.

+++

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

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

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in God, inspiration, music, progressive Christianity, religion, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Give to Live

Posted on August 9, 2019 by billtonnis

Love is the way to your true self.

(Listen to my song “Glorify You with Me” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

+++

Matthew 16:26

“What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”

+++

Why are you here?

What is your purpose in this life?

I guarantee you that it is not to amass possessions and wealth…nor power or prestige.

All those things might give you pleasure…but that pleasure will not last.

You will always require more…and when all is said and done…none of it will last.

It could disappear within your life span…and certainly will at this life’s end.

As the saying goes, “You can’t take it with you.”

In today’s scripture, Jesus gets to the heart of the matter.

What if you spent your whole life amassing power, prestige and possessions and never came to know who you really are?

You may end up creating quite the false self…when your true self was never uncovered.

Take a moment to imagine that you are on your death bed.

Your life is down to days or hours.

Will it all have been worth it?

What will be your legacy?

Hopefully it will be love.

To love is the calling that will lead you to your true self.

The only requirement is that you drop your attachments.

Once freed of those shackles…you are free to be you.

Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45).

How are you uniquely gifted to serve?

+++

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.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in God, inspiration, music, progressive Christianity, religion, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gratitude

Posted on August 8, 2019 by billtonnis

Take a moment to rest in all your blessings.

(Listen to my song “How Wonderful to Me” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

+++

Psalm 95:6-7

Enter, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the LORD who made us. For he is our God, we are the people he shepherds, the sheep in his hands.

+++

How do we define God?

However we do it…it will be wrong…or at best…not complete.

There is no way to define such a vast mystery.

All we can do is speak in metaphor, poetry or song.

As St. Paul said of God: “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

God is like a shepherd and we are like the sheep.

When we trust and surrender to God’s providential care in each moment…life just seems to be so much more peaceful and full.

Stop.

Take a deep breath.

Just be.

Know that you are loved infinitely just as you are.

How wonderful is that!

Thanks be to God.

+++

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.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in God, inspiration, music, progressive Christianity, religion, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Boundless Love

Posted on August 7, 2019 by billtonnis

Compassion has no borders or lines of division.

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

+++

Matthew 15:22

And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”

+++

Canaanites were despised enemies of Israel.

Who did this woman think she was to call out to Jesus for help for her daughter?

That’s what his followers would have thought.

They actually go on to tell Jesus to send the pest away.

Jesus then appears to insult her by saying, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”

But that doesn’t stop the woman’s perseverance as she replies, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”

Jesus declares, “O woman, great is your faith!” and heals her daughter.

In my opinion, Jesus, the great divine therapist, is playing the crowd for effect.

He sees this woman’s great faith and wants to maximize its impact on his followers.

God’s love is not just for the supposed favorites.

God has no favorites!

God loves everyone without conditions!

Let this be a lesson to us all…and may we mirror that same unconditional love to the world.

+++

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.

Remember…God loves you!

Posted in God, inspiration, music, progressive Christianity, religion, spirituality, Today's Contemplation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment