Author Archives: billtonnis

About billtonnis

Child of God, Pastoral Minister, Chaplain, Music Minister, Jail Minister, singer-songwriter, author, activist, former radio news anchor, imperfect follower of Jesus inspired by God's unconditional love, proud uncle... what else is there?

Mary of Magdala

Posted on July 22, 2014 by billtonnis

John 20:18 Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus selected a woman to be the first witness to His astounding resurrection…and to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged Christ, contemplation, courage, Give Praise, grace, Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary of Magdala, Pour Me Out, religion, resurrection, spiritual, true self | Leave a comment

Game Changer

Posted on July 21, 2014 by billtonnis

Micah 6:8 You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God. The Prophet Micah says that God … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged Christian, contemplation, game changer, God, Micah, religion, sacrifice, spiritual, true self, unconditional love, walk humbly, worthy | Leave a comment

Building the Kingdom of God

Posted on July 18, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 12:7 “If you knew what this meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned these innocent men.” The Pharisees condemned Jesus’ followers for picking the heads of grain and eating them on the Sabbath which was … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged compassion, contemplation, God, Jesus, kingdom of God, Listen to Your Heart, love, mercy, Pharisees, religion, sacrifice, spiritual, true self | Leave a comment

Loved Unconditionally

Posted on July 17, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Rules and regulations are good to start with…like when we are children starting out on our spiritual journeys. They give us boundaries … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged brokenness, burden, Christ, contemplation, faith, I will give you rest, Jesus, religion, rest, spiritual, true self, unconditional love | Leave a comment

Listen to Your Heart

Posted on July 16, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 11:25 Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” Our egos are … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged Childlike, contemplation, ego, false self, God, Jesus, Listen to Your Heart, possessions, power, prestige, religion, spiritual, true self | Leave a comment

Have Faith

Posted on July 15, 2014 by billtonnis

Isaiah 7:9 Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm! How often do we think that we have to have our lives totally together before we’ll be ready to take a stand in faith? The truth is…it’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged brokenness, contemplation, faith, God, Jesus, live to love, new life, religion, spiritual, true self, unconditional love, worthy | 2 Comments

Being A Christian

Posted on July 14, 2014 by billtonnis

Isaiah 1:16 Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow. The prophet Isaiah said that God was not interested in the people’s sacrifices…their attempts to win favor…to somehow merit more of God’s love. God’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged Christian, contemplation, ego, God, Isaiah, Jesus, Listen to Your Heart, love, religion, sacrifice, service, true self | Leave a comment

Both – And

Posted on July 11, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.” Being a Christian is not easy. It takes determination, guts and bravery. The early Christians were many … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged both-and, Christian, compassion, contemplation, either-or, faith, grace, Jesus, Listen to Your Heart, religion, spiritual, true self | Leave a comment

Unconditional Love

Posted on July 10, 2014 by billtonnis

Psalm 51:3 Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense. We are all wounded. We have all done things we are not proud of. We are not perfect. We were made that … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged comfort, compassion, console, contemplation, forgive, God, heal, Jesus, mercy, religion, spiritual, true self, unconditional love, wholeness | Leave a comment

God Bearer

Posted on July 9, 2014 by billtonnis

Matthew 10:7 “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” Jesus gave this instruction to His apostles as He sent them out. This was the message He told them to deliver as they cured people … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged apostles, compassion, contemplation, forgiveness, God Bearer, grace, Jesus, kingdom of heaven, Listen to Your Heart, love, mercy, spiritual, true self, wholeness | 2 Comments