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?

God Centered

Posted on June 3, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 112:1, 4 Happy those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in God’s commands. They shine through the darkness, a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and just. Today’s scripture says so much. We are all looking … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged center, compassion, darkness, delight, God, happiness, journey, light, Listen to Your Heart, love, may I be light, merciful, moment, presence, present, shine | Leave a comment

Less Is More

Posted on May 31, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes delight in his people, honors the poor with victory. While the consumeristic culture urges us to add more to our lives…amass more and more wealth, power and prestige…the inner spirit urges us to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged attachment, cling, consumer, eternal, God, Less, Listen to Your Heart, Lord, material, more, poor, possessions, power, prestige, Psalm, subtraction, turn off the noise, wealth | Leave a comment

Reason to Smile

Posted on May 30, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 33:3, 9 Sing to God a new song; skillfully play with joyful chant. For he spoke, and it came to be, commanded, and it stood in place. There is reason to sing for joy. God loves all of creation…and … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged beloved, chant, creation, God, Jesus, joy, joyful, live to love, sing, Sing a New Song, smile, song, transformation | Leave a comment

True Greatness

Posted on May 29, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 10:43 “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant.” Two of the apostles had just boldly asked Jesus to allow them to sit at his right and left when he comes into glory. They were expressing … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged apostles, Christ, ego, glory, great, Jesus, kingdom, live to love, Mark, now, power, prestige, salvation, servant, serve | Leave a comment

Letting Go

Posted on May 28, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 10:29-30 Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged calling, cling, consumerism, culture, disassociate, give, given up, God, gospel, grasp, happiness, I surrender, Jesus, letting go, live to love, Mark, now, possessions, present, repent, service, status, true self | Leave a comment

Attachments

Posted on May 27, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 10:21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” Eternal … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged attachments, cling, eternal, God, heaven, I want to follow you, Jesus, lacking, Listen to Your Heart, Mark, possessions, rich, treasure, true self | Leave a comment

Faithful Friend

Posted on May 24, 2013 by billtonnis

Sirach 6:14-15 A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. Take a moment to cherish any true friendship you may have. Such … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged Faithful, friend, Jesus, Listen to Your Heart, Make Me a Channel, Sirach, treasure | Leave a comment

Becoming Your True Self

Posted on May 23, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 9:43 “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire.” Jesus used hyperbole…an exaggeration…to make his … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged becoming, compassionate, ego, exaggeration, fire, Gehenna, God, Jesus, life-giving, live to love, Mark, salvation, self-gratification, selfish, sin, small self, surrender, true self | Leave a comment

The Big Picture

Posted on May 22, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 9:38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” You’ve got to love the apostles as they give us hope! They … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged apostles, big picture, ego, God, holy Spirit, imperfect, Jesus, John, judge, live to love, Mark, Take the Road Less Traveled | Leave a comment

Last Is First

Posted on May 21, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 9:35 Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” The apostles had just been arguing over who among … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged apostles, big picture, cast out, competition, first, God, greatest, I want to follow you, Jesus, kingdom, last, Listen to Your Heart, losers, Mark, servant, winning | Leave a comment