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?

Beyond Understanding

Posted on May 20, 2013 by billtonnis

Sirach 1:1-2 All wisdom is from the Lord and remains with him forever. The sands of the sea, the drops of rain, the days of eternity—who can count them? Did you know that a single grain of sand contains 22 … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged atom, creation, eternity, forever, God, how wonderful to me, Jesus, live to love, love, quintillion, Rob Bell, sands, Sirach, subatomic, universe, What We Talk About When We Talk About God, wisdom | Leave a comment

The Way to Life

Posted on May 13, 2013 by billtonnis

John 16:32-33 “But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged abandon, alone, courage, cross, crucified, end, faith, false self, God's love is all you need, Jesus, John, letting go, life, Listen to Your Heart, peace, power, prestige, rejection, trouble, true self, world | Leave a comment

True Love

Posted on May 10, 2013 by billtonnis

John 15:12-13 “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” That’s it in a nutshell. That’s the message. Jesus said that if … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged commandment, compassion, cross, forgiveness, God, Jesus, John, life, live to love, love, mercy, salvation | Leave a comment

Dying and Rising

Posted on May 9, 2013 by billtonnis

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.” Jesus knew that His followers would grieve when He was killed…but He also knew … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged change, dying, ego, egocentric, false self, grief, grieve, Jesus, John, joy, live to love, mourn, rejoice, resurrection, Take the Road Less Traveled, transformation, true self, weep | Leave a comment

Eternal Giver

Posted on May 8, 2013 by billtonnis

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. … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged Acts, breath, Breathe On Me, Creator, earn, earth sanctuaries, gift, God, grace, heaven, human, life, Listen to Your Heart, source, unconditional | Leave a comment

Rejoice

Posted on May 7, 2013 by billtonnis

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. Our Loving Creator is as close as the … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged breath, Creator, fidelity, galaxies, God, Great Compassion, joy, live to love, Lord, love, My Lord and My God, praise, promise, Psalm, rejoice, spirit | Leave a comment

Contemplation

Posted on May 6, 2013 by billtonnis

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged Acts, agenda, distractions, God, heart, let go, listen, Listen to Your Heart, Lydia, Paul, prayer, sabbath, tranquil, turn off the noise | Leave a comment

Awaken!

Posted on May 3, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 57:8-9 My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and chant praise. Awake, my soul! Is your soul awake? That might seem like a strange question…but it just might be the most profound question that … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged awake, chant, ego, false, God, heart, Jesus, kingdom, live to love, persona, praise, Psalm, real, self, sing, Singing My Song, soul, steadfast | Leave a comment

Connected to Your Source

Posted on May 1, 2013 by billtonnis

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” Is the Risen Christ at the very center of your life? … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged awareness, branches, Breathe On Me, Christ, compassion, desires, ego, fruit, John, joy, Listen to Your Heart, love, peace, priority, true self, unconditional, vine | Leave a comment

Love Is the Answer

Posted on April 30, 2013 by billtonnis

Acts 14:22 They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Paul had just been stoned and dragged … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged Christ, compassion, cross, disciples, exhorted, faith, forgiveness, God, hardships, kingdom, live to love, love, mercy, Paul, persevere, preach, present, retaliation, stoned, Take the Road Less Traveled, unconditional | Leave a comment