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?

Top Priority

Posted on July 1, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 8:19-22 A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged attachment, dead, God, happiness, Jesus, live to love, Matthew, peace, Son of Man, surrender, Take the Road Less Traveled, top priority | Leave a comment

Everything Belongs

Posted on June 28, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 8:1-3 When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged All Are Welcome, cross, Everything belongs, expel, forgiveness, Give Praise and Thanks, God, Jesus, leper, leprosy, Matthew, outcast, sin, unclean | Leave a comment

Kingdom of God

Posted on June 27, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” The “kingdom of heaven” is sometimes translated the “kingdom of God.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged commandment, compassion, forgiveness, grace, kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, live to love, love, Matthew, mercy, now, present, salvation | Leave a comment

Importance of Prayer

Posted on June 26, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 7:17 “Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.” A good tree that bears good fruit will have strong roots in fertile soil. A strong family life provides good soil for us … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged compassion, fertile, forgiveness, fruit, God, Listen to Your Heart, love, Matthew, mercy, prayer, turn off the noise | 1 Comment

Do Not Judge

Posted on June 25, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 7:1-3 “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged changed, fault, forgiveness, Give Praise and Thanks, God, grace, image, Jesus, judge, Matthew, splinter, unconditional love, wooden beam | Leave a comment

Born Again

Posted on June 24, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 1:80 “The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.” Today’s passage comes from the account of the birth of John the Baptist. Many believed John … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged addiction, birthing, call, desert, ego, emerge, faith, God, John the Baptist, Listen to Your Heart, Luke, manifestation, persevere, true self, wander, You'll Lead Me | Leave a comment

Eternal Treasure

Posted on June 21, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged decay, eternal, happiness, heart, heaven, joy, let go, Listen to Your Heart, love, Matthew, spiritual, treasure | Leave a comment

Discerning God’s Will

Posted on June 20, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.” Jesus continues his lesson today on how to pray. Yesterday’s lesson was to “go to your inner room” and to refrain from using many words because … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged Discern, earth, gifts, God comes to you disguised as your life, God's will, grace, Jesus, kingdom, Listen to Your Heart, Lord's Prayer, Matthew, now, Paul D'Arcy, talent, You'll Lead Me | Leave a comment

Let Go

Posted on June 19, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 6:6-8 “When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged babble, Creator, inner room, Jesus, let go, Listen to Your Heart, love, Matthew, pagan, pray, prayer, presence, secret, turn off the noise | Leave a comment

Love Is Inclusive

Posted on June 18, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 5:43-45 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged Christ, enemies, Give Praise and Thanks, God, God Is, grace, inclusive, Jesus, love, Mathew, neighbor | Leave a comment