Missioned

Posted on May 8, 2019 by billtonnis

We are all called to be whole-makers.

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

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Acts 8:5-7

Thus Philip went down to [the] city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed and crippled people were cured.

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Philip went out to proclaim the Messiah to all who would listen.

This wasn’t a military-ruler-messiah…but the Servant Messiah of unconditional love and forgiveness that Jesus exemplified.

Philip showed us that Jesus was right when he was quoted as saying: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12).

Jesus was a whole-maker…a healer….and so Philip was carrying on that mission.

Philip was doing these works because he was plugged into the Great-Flow-of-Love that is animating the world.

Love heals…not always in a physical way but always on a deep spiritual level.

We, too, are being sent as missionaries of mercy.

Are you listening to the call?

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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 iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Radical Love

Posted on May 7, 2019 by billtonnis

Forgiveness has the power to change the world.

(Listen to my song “Radically Okay” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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Acts 7:58-60

They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

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This is the story of the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen.

Note that Saul was there condoning the brutality.

It’s the same old story that continues to this day: doing violence in the name of God.

Getting rid of the person you disagree with.

It’s exactly the “scapegoating” that Jesus tried to show us was so horribly wrong.

The People killing Stephen thought they were doing something good.

Hard to believe…but to this day many still do harm to other people thinking it’s in the name of God…whether it be ostracizing or literally doing bodily harm.

Stephen reflected Jesus in his ultimate act of forgiveness.

I’m sure this act of Stephen later had a powerful impact on Saul as he was transformed into one of the greatest followers of Christ known as St. Paul.

May each of us plant similar seeds of forgiveness and never resort to violence.

And may each of us be an example of the radical unconditional love of God.

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

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Soul Food

Posted on May 6, 2019 by billtonnis

“We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” – Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

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

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John 6:27

“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”

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Jesus tells us that there is more important nourishment than the food that fuels the body.

There is spiritual nourishment that fuels the soul.

The body, though important and in need of the proper nourishment, will eventually wither and die.

The soul will not die…but go on.

What do you do to nourish your soul?

The earliest movement that was following Jesus was called “the Way” because Jesus had shown them the way of life.

It was a way that led to abundant life now…a life full of promise, peace and happiness.

That doesn’t mean it was idyllic…no…far from it.

There was adversity from those who didn’t like this “Way” that called for all people to be accepted, treated fairly and loved.

But it was a Way of freedom from attachments to things that didn’t last and offered no true fulfillment.

If you want food that endures…feast on the words of Jesus.

Mull over them.

Let them ruminate in your heart and lead you to your true life.

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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 iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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God Is Love

Posted on May 3, 2019 by billtonnis

There is a Love drawing all things to the fullness of life.

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

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John 14:7

“If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

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Some people seem to have the habit of selectively choosing bible verses to hit people over the head with like a brick…lines that are condemning and punishing.

However, the bible is meant to be viewed in its entirety as a progression of spiritual development.

Jesus has the final word.

Actually…he is the Word.

He’s the one who said we had to forgive an infinite number of times (Matthew 18:21-22).

He’s the one that said to love your enemies (Matthew 5:44).

And he’s also the one that said the most important commandments were to love God and your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-31).

And when we review Jesus’ actions…we see someone always reaching out to those in need with healing and forgiveness without condition.

So please re-read what Jesus said to Philip in today’s scripture verse above.

Let those words sink in…and then allow joy to rise from your soul.

Smile!

This is what makes the Gospel…Good News!

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

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Give Thanks

Posted on May 2, 2019 by billtonnis

We are immersed in an abundance of miraculous life that will never end…only transform.

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

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Psalm 34:2

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be always in my mouth.

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There is reason to rejoice because “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

And therefore, we come from Love and will return to Love.

As St. Paul stated: “In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:11-12).

Sometimes we let the situations of this world overwhelm us and we lose sight of the Big Picture.

Any struggle that we are going through we will eventually understand as something that is helping us grow in love.

As St Paul also stated, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

So I exhort you to keep in mind that you are a spiritual being having a human experience.

I was so impressed recently during a jail ministry outing when I was waiting with the other volunteers in the lobby before going to our assigned cell blocks. I observed a man ministering for another church who was saying over and over to himself in a very sincere fashion, “Hallelujah, thank you, Jesus!”

He was truly filled with thanksgiving that he was able to be there early on a Sunday morning to bring the Good News to those in need.

May praise always be on my mouth…and on yours as well!

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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 iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Let Go and Live

Posted on May 1, 2019 by billtonnis

Jesus did not give us a set a rules…but a way of life.

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

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Acts 5:19-20

But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.”

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The followers of Jesus faced persecution just like he did.

Jesus preached publicly for the inclusion of all people.

All are equal in the kingdom of God.

He was a threat to any power structure that excluded, separated or oppressed people.

Jesus was killed for standing up to those governmental and religious powers.

Thanks to the resurrection, his followers knew that death does not have the final say — Love does.

Death is a transition to new life.

Jesus showed us that this “dying to self” is a daily process leading to the kingdom of God now…not just in the future as some final reward.

Following Jesus was and is a way of life.

We are called to live this life and, just like his disciples, to “tell people everything about this life.”

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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 iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Radical Inclusion

Posted on April 30, 2019 by billtonnis

Healing divisions and restoring wholeness is the Christian mission.

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

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Acts 4:32

The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.

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The first followers of Jesus carried on their teacher’s philosophy of life.

Though they were diverse…they were all one family.

Jesus spoke of this oneness.

He told his followers that when he rose “you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you” (John 14:20).

St. Paul got it. He said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

There was no separation.

They saw reality as truly one body of Christ.

This is how Jesus had been able to preach, “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).

Unfortunately, this oneness cannot be seen with dualistic, ego-controlled minds.

When the heart is ignored and only the head is honored…delusion becomes the norm.

It’s time we opened our hearts again and stopped separating and ostracizing.

This is clearly the teaching of Jesus.

For this to happen…it will require much letting go through meditative and contemplative practice.

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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 iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Being You

Posted on April 29, 2019 by billtonnis

New life is always in the making…so let go and lean in to the process.

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

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John 3:3

Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

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The kingdom of God begins in the here and now to those who are awake.

As Jesus put it, “For behold, the kingdom of God is among you” (Luke 17:21).

It takes a new mind to see this kingdom…this realm of God’s goodness.

St. Paul said, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

It takes being transformed…or being reborn.

Usually this happens when we experience grace…unconditional love and forgiveness when we least deserve it.

Or it can happen through an experience of Great Compassion during a time of deep suffering or love.

We must first die to our old selves…our ego-created false selves…before we can rise to our true lives in the Spirit.

That is how St. Paul could say, “I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).

Trust that there is a Love beyond Love.

Rest in the presence of that Divine Presence…and be free.

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

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Love in Action

Posted on April 18, 2019 by billtonnis

When we serve another…we serve God.

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

John 13:3-5

Fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.

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This says it all.

Jesus knew his oneness with God…that he had come from God and would be returning to God.

Do you know your oneness with God?

Do you know you came from God and will return to God?

Knowing his oneness with God…Jesus knew that everyone was one with God.

He gave us the lesson of lessons in life: Serve each other.

Because when you serve another…you serve God.

May we all take this to heart.

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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 iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Be

Posted on April 17, 2019 by billtonnis

To hear God’s voice…we must awaken.

(Listen to my song “How Magnificent, Wondrous and Glorious by clicking HERE)

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Isaiah 50:4-5

Morning after morning he wakens my ear to hear as disciples do; The Lord GOD opened my ear; I did not refuse, did not turn away.

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To hear God speak…you must be listening.

You must be attentive.

This simply means…you must be present.

Recently while on retreat I heard a reading from the gospel of John at Mass…the reading where Jesus said: “Before Abraham came to be, I AM” (John 8:58).

When the priest finished his homily…I was dissatisfied with his summation that Jesus was simply proclaiming that he was God.

In the silence that followed…I heard birds singing outside the church with seeming delight.

And it was then that I received a sudden revelation in my heart.

I understood that the birds were preaching Jesus’ deeper message with each joyful chirp: “I am! I am! I am!”

In an instant I understood that just as the birds are a part of the “I AM-ness” of God…so am I…and so are you and everyone else.

My heart leaped for joy and I felt deep gratitude to be a part of the oneness of God’s amazing creation.

Take some time to really be present.

Let go…listen…and be glad!

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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 iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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