Oneness

Posted on May 17, 2018 by billtonnis

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God’s love has no boundaries.

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

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John 17:22

“And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.”

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Read again the words Jesus spoke above and let them ruminate in your heart.

As you contemplate this prayer that Jesus made to God…do you get the feeling that the meaning of life is so much deeper than simply assenting to a set of beliefs?

Jesus was speaking of a certain Oneness of all things that goes beyond any left-brained, intellectual explanation.

Jesus was attempting to put into words a mystery that could only be approached if the right side of your brain was engaged…the side that deals with creativity, awe and wonder.

Jesus said that God’s love makes all of us one…and that we are being brought to perfection in this Oneness.

Is there anything to fear in this? No!

Rest in that.

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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 iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Modern Disciple

Posted on May 16, 2018 by billtonnis

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Love is a nice thought but meaningless without action.

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

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John 17:18

“As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.”

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Jesus knew in his heart that he had been sent by God…and he knew that he was now sending his followers to continue his mission.

Jesus did not ask for anyone to worship him…only to follow him.

Not that there is anything wrong with worshiping Jesus…but it seems many Christians forget about the following part.

Many have molded Christianity into churchianity.

Their religion entails going to church and performing rituals.

Not that there is anything wrong with that…but it’s only halfway.

Jesus gave us his whole life as a model to emulate.

It’s a blueprint for our happiness and wholeness.

Jesus showed us how to live and how to love.

He showed us how to not cling to anything of this world while still not renouncing it…and to joyfully tend to the needs of all people and all creation.

Jesus ultimately showed us how to lay down our lives for justice…returning hate and scorn with love and forgiveness.

Now…you and I are sent to do the same.

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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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Follow the Call

Posted on May 15, 2018 by billtonnis

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The self-emptying path leads to the fullness of life.

(Listen to the song of the day “Pour Me Out” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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Acts 20:24

“Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace.”

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At the time Paul said these words he was in such communion with his calling that even though he sensed his physical death was looming…he was at peace with the mystery ahead.

He knew in the deepest way that true joy and peace could only come through carrying out his calling moment by moment.

He realized that the world’s ways of attaining happiness would all eventually lead to emptiness.

It was only in his ego’s “self-emptying” through carrying out of his calling…that he would be filled and made whole.

We are all called to “bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace” or in other words…to bear witness to the Good News of God’s freely given love and forgiveness.

How do we do this with the talents, abilities, and deep passions we’ve received from our loving Creator?

That is our ministry…and when we live it…the kingdom of God is at hand.

How are you called to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace with your 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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Listen to Your Heart

Posted on May 14, 2018 by billtonnis

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Each of us is being called on a wondrous adventure.

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

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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.

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Each one of us is chosen by our Creator out of Love.

We come from Love and will return to Love.

We are eternal souls meant to, in the words of William Blake, “learn to bear the beams of love” here on Earth.

And that means…we are meant to “bear fruit that will remain.”

We are here for a purpose…that through our cooperation God’s kingdom would “come on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

We are meant to be channels of God’s love.

For this to happen, we need to find our calling and to live it.

This is the only way to actually be your true self.

You have been chosen.

But to respond…you need to listen, discern and develop your talents so you can be the you uniquely fashioned to be a light of God’s love now and always.

If you do this…your life will become a great and wondrous adventure!

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Listen to the song of the day “Listen to Your Heart” 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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Exultation

Posted on May 11, 2018 by billtonnis

lake_boats_mountain_sunrise

Take stock of your many blessings.

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

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Psalm 47:7

Sing praise to God, sing praise.

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There are many reasons to thank and praise God.

Sure…we all have struggles and some are worse than others…but the bottom line is: We are children of a God who is Love (1 John 4:8).

We come from Love and will return to Love.

We are eternal beings.

We are surrounded by many blessings…if we only open our eyes and hearts to see them.

I’m not talking about material stuff.

That will all disintegrate with time.

We have life!

We have sunshine, music, art, friendships.

Each breath that we take is a gift.

And life will not end at physical death…but will be transformed.

Eternal life is ahead.

Our souls will go on.

Love will have the final say.

Alleluia!

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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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Death to Life

Posted on May 10, 2018 by billtonnis

dandelion_breeze_falling

The ego-created false self must dissolve…or you will never discover your true self.

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

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John 16:20

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

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Jesus knew his followers would grieve when he was killed…but he also knew that they would rejoice after his resurrection.

Such it is in life when we lose something or someone…or even as we slowly lose the false image of ourselves.

Our egos are more concerned about an image reflected by our power, prestige and possessions.

If we awaken from the delusion of this image…we realize that these things will not last.

We realize that in order to grow…the egocentric version of ourselves must die…so that our true selves can rise.

This reminds us of one of the key teachings of Jesus: “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).

Your true self  “produces much fruit” because reflects the unique image of God that you were meant to reflect. 

Observe your ego and its self-centered ways.

Do not fight or repress it as it is not your “bad” self…but your “false” self.

Your ego can help you immensely once you utilize it as your friend.

Simply observe it and see it for what it is…and its control over you will begin to fade.

The decline of the false self will always be difficult.

You may feel like weeping and mourning.

But as Jesus showed us…something old must end for something new and beautiful to start!

Your grief will also become joy as you live as your true self.

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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 iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Share the Gospel

Posted on May 9, 2018 by billtonnis

meadow_flowers_space

All creation is imbued and energized with the love of God.

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

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Acts 17:24-25

“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 everyone life and breath and everything.”

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We cannot put God in a box.

In today’s verses, St. Paul is saying that human beings cannot contain or define the Creator who is infinite, ineffable and the Loving Source of all that is.

God gives freely while expecting nothing and needing nothing in return.

All that we have and all that surrounds us is pure gift.

It is not ours to hoard but to share.

If only we all knew this in our hearts and lived in that knowledge!

What a different world this would be!

Instead, there are many who are being unjustly treated in the world…many who are suffering in deplorable conditions.

Who will be the vessels of God’s compassion to them if not us?

Who will let them know that they are not forgotten?

Who will let them know that we are all one…in Christian lingo, all part of one Body of Christ?

It is our responsibility to be missionaries of mercy in bringing them the Good News of God’s unconditional Love.

While we can’t all be missionaries to distant countries…we can be missionaries to the person next door…and to the next person we meet.

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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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Rejoice

Posted on May 8, 2018 by billtonnis

sunlight_earth_space

We exist by the grace of a Great Compassion.

(Listen to my song “The Way You Are” by clicking HERE)

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Psalm 138:2-3

I praise your name for your fidelity and love. For you have exalted over all your name and your promise. When I cried out, you answered; you strengthened my spirit.

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Our Loving Creator chose to create us out of sheer generosity and love.

We are cherished as daughters and sons with a love beyond measure.

This same Source of Life is as close to each of us as the air we breathe.

The same wondrous God who made the galaxies and continues to create in each moment…also resides in our innermost being and wants nothing more than to be with each of us exactly as we are.

You do not have to earn or merit this love.

It is always given and never withdrawn.

Allow this truth to sink in.

Turn to this Love that will never reject you but will always embrace you and accompany you in times of sorrow and happiness.

So go forth in peace and joy!

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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 iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Listen

Posted on May 7, 2018 by billtonnis

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God’s voice speaks in the silence of your heart.

(Listen to my song “Turn Off the Noise” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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Acts 16:13-14

On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there. One of them, a woman named Lydia…listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying.

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Sometimes we need to find a place of prayer…a tranquil place that allows us to put aside the distractions of life.

Then, we need let go.

Let go of the thoughts that constantly flood our brains…let go of our personal agendas.

Let go.

Be present.

Be silent.

Listen.

As thoughts pop up…simply observe them…and allow them to dissolve.

Open your heart and pay attention to the inner voice there.

Set aside special silent time each day to be present to the Divine Presence and see how your heart is opened to new insights, peace and love.

Then…you’ll find you will be able to enter this silent place of peace…even amid the clamor and turbulence of the world.

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Listen to the song of the day “Turn Off the Noise” 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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Choose Love and Live

Posted on May 4, 2018 by billtonnis

clover_brown_earth

Compassion is our calling.

(Listen to my song “Make Me a Channel” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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John 15:17

“This I command you: love one another.”

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This is the bottom line.

Jesus made it quite clear that “love” is what it’s all about.

Note that this is not optional…but a command.

It is easy to love those who love you back…but not so easy when they don’t…and even harder when they are hostile toward you.

And yet Jesus demonstrated that his love would be given unconditionally to everyone…even those who killed him.

Remember his words from the cross, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

In reality, God’s love is constantly being poured out in all creation.

Love is what is fueling the on-going-flow of life.

It is imbued in all things.

To choose not to love…is to choose not to be a part of this flow.

It would be a direct rejection of God.

It would be delusional.

When we make the loving choice…we can be sure that it will have a life-giving effect…even if it should cost us our lives.

As Jesus said just before today’s verse, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

To love in this manner…requires faith that a Great Love will always carry you to safety…even if it’s to a transformed life in heaven.

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Listen to the song of the day “Make Me a Channel” 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!

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