Sweet Surrender

Posted on April 9, 2018 by billtonnis

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Each of us has an integral role in the unfolding, epic Love story of creation.

(Listen to my song “Let It Be Done to Me” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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Luke 1:38

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

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Mary gives us the perfect example of being open and present.

She is open to receiving a divine message.

She is open to accepting what is…even if it’s something totally different than she planned.

She is open to setting aside her own ego and its desires and to allowing God to do something with her life that she could never have dreamed on her own.

That takes humility.

That takes presence.

That takes knowing that you are part of something bigger than yourself.

Are we following Mary’s example?

If we did…God just might do something amazing with our lives as well.

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Listen to the song of the day “Let It Be Done to Me” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Good News

Posted on April 6, 2018 by billtonnis

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Dying and rising is in the fabric of this on-going creation.

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

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Acts 4:12

“There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”

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Peter was a man of gusto.

But how did he go from denying three times that he even knew Jesus…to boldly proclaiming his name to government and religious leaders…the same people responsible for crucifying Jesus?

Something drastic and life-changing certainly must have occurred to convince Peter to no longer cower in fear behind closed doors.

The only plausible explanation is that Peter had indeed met the risen Christ. 

How else can you account for such an amazing change?

The revelation that death is not final but that there is resurrection and new life and that God’s Love is unconditional and eternal…was “saving” news to Peter.

He wanted to share that news with the world.

This news saves me every day.

It frees me to live as my true self.

That’s why I am sharing it with you now.

Rejoice…and be glad!

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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 iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!

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Exultations

Posted on April 5, 2018 by billtonnis

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Life is a joyous mystery of epic proportions.

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Psalm 8:5-10

What are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them little less than a god, crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them rule over the works of your hands, put all things at their feet; All sheep and oxen, even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth!

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Listen to my song “How Magnificent, Wondrous and Glorious”

on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

 

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True Presence

Posted on April 4, 2018 by billtonnis

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When our minds are lost in thoughts…we can miss the sacred.

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

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Luke 24:15-16 

And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

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You can imagine the grief and utter dejection of two of Jesus’ followers as they walked to the town of Emmaus following the crucifixion.

The one that they believed would free them from Roman rule had been brutally killed.

The two men had not understood that the Messiah’s mission was not one of power and military might…but one of compassion and service.

They were so preoccupied with their misguided belief…that they failed to recognize the resurrected Jesus walking in their very presence!

When your mind is already made up…you can be quite blind to what really is.

It can take an unexpected jolt to wake us up.

That might be the only way that we can experience a heart-changing awakening.

Jesus is calling us to follow him in being missionaries of compassion and service.

We are called to be partners in helping to open the eyes of the world to the kingdom of God in its midst.

We can expect opposition…but Jesus promised that this is the way to a life filled with abundant peace, love and joy.

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Listen to the song of the day “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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Breathe

Posted on April 3, 2018 by billtonnis

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When we are present we experience the Love that sustains all things.

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

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Psalm 33:20

Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and shield.

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Waiting is not something human beings are very good at in these days of instant gratification.

Someone once said that patience is a virtue…but not so much now.

Many people tend to want what they want…right now.

Our egos hate to wait because they always want to be in control.

When we’re waiting…we feel like we are out of control.

But remember that Jesus said we need to die to self…meaning our egos need to let go…so that new life can emerge.

This takes practice.

It takes saying yes to the moment…instead of no.

It takes listening to our hearts for God’s soft whisper.

It takes turning off the noise of the world and allowing our runaway thoughts to slow and then cease.

When we stop and listen…we are truly present which allows all illusions to dissolve.

Then our false identities and attachments can fall away.

We surrender to God’s care.

And then…in our poverty…each of us will know in our hearts that we are a precious child of God.

So wait – breathe slowly – and know with each breath that you are infinitely loved simply because you…are you.

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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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Resurrection

Posted on April 2, 2018 by billtonnis

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In my surrender…freedom springs

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

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Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.

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Jesus often talked about the “kingdom of God” being in the here and now.

But many turned Jesus into an evacuation plan to heaven when you die.

When you read Jesus’ words…it is really baffling how this interpretation came about.

Jesus was giving us a “path to life” both now and always.

He showed us this path in the way he lived his life and the way he let it go.

As Jesus said, “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).

In other words, when I allow my ego’s desires to die…my true self can sprout.

Then my life will produce much fruit.

Then I will find much joy in the present moment where God is abiding…as well as forever where God is drawing me. 

Material things can bring me happiness…but that happiness will fade.

The joy that God/Love brings will remain forever.

Take some quiet time to simply let go and be present…and receive the presents of peace, joy and new life.

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Listen to the song of the day “Slow Me Down” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Easter

Posted on April 1, 2018 by billtonnis

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Peace, love, blessings and new life be unto you.

Listen to my song “Salvation” on YouTube by clicking HERE

 

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Good Friday

Posted on March 30, 2018 by billtonnis

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All struggles are portals to new life.

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

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John 18:37

“For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

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Notice that Jesus did not tell Pilate that he came into the world to die…but that he came into the world to testify to the truth.

Jesus’ words, actions, and the very way he lived each day…testified to the truth.

He said he was “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

He gives us the way to inner peace and freedom. 

He gives us the way to discover our true selves.

As a matter of fact, the original name for the renegade group of Jesus’ followers was “the Way” (Acts 9:2, Acts 19:9, Acts 19:23).

Jesus lived out his truth to show us “the Way” even when he was rejected in the most horrendous manner…so that we would understand and also have a model to live by.

And to die by.

Living and dying is part of one process that leads to resurrection and new life.

The Way of Love will not be defeated.

It will overcome and transform any apparent obstacle…even a brutal form of execution.

That’s what Loving Presence does.

In your struggles in life…know that God’s Presence (Love) is always with you.

Be present to that Love.

Look to Jesus on the cross and believe that New Life is ahead!

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

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Live in Oneness

Posted on March 29, 2018 by billtonnis

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When you serve…you discover the fullness of life.

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

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John 13:14-15

If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.

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John’s gospel is the only one of the four in the bible that does not include the Eucharist.

It has been replaced by the story of Jesus washing the feet of his followers at the Last Supper.

This does not diminish the importance of the Eucharist…as it was well established by the time the Gospel of John was written…but it is telling.

It would seem to say that receiving the Eucharist is just halfway.

The second half of the action is…you must become it.

It means that when you receive the body of Christ…you then must become the body Christ to the world.

And how do you do that?

By washing the feet of others.

By serving.

As Jesus said, “The greatest among you must be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).

He called his ultimate, counter-cultural lesson “a model to follow.”

That’s because…in the eyes of God…when you serve the other, you serve yourself and Christ.

You also receive an abundant life.

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

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

Remember…God loves you!

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Pour Me Out

Posted on March 28, 2018 by billtonnis

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May we be passionate about compassion.

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

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Psalm 69:10

Because zeal for your house consumes me, I am scorned by those who scorn you.

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“Zeal” is defined as enthusiastic devotion.

Since God is love (1 John 4:8)…then are you zealous for Love?

Are you enthusiastically devoted to being loving?

Are you enthusiastically devoted to loving God and your neighbor as though your neighbor was yourself?

This is the life Jesus modeled to us and called us to live.

Love does not exclude but includes everyone…even those that you find repulsive.

This is extremely hard!

But remember…Jesus said we must love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

When you include everyone…you will no doubt feel the scorn of those who disagree with you.

Some people…especially those in powerful places…don’t want certain people included.

Jesus said in The Beatitudes: “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” (Matt. 5:11-12).

So may the zeal to love consume you.

And the next time you are being scorned…remember to respond with love.

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Listen to the song of the day “Pour Me Out” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

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

Remember…God loves you!

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