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?

Letting Go

Posted on March 29, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 31:6 Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, Lord, faithful God. Jesus shows us the face of God throughout his ministry…all the way to the end. He responds even to his persecutors and killers with … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged commend, cross, death, forgiveness, God, how wonderful to me, injustice, Jesus, live to love, Lord, love, mercy, Psalm, redeem, resurrection, spirit, suffering | Leave a comment

Suffering Servant

Posted on March 28, 2013 by billtonnis

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.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged consumer, culture, entertainment, feet, follower, God, I want to follow you, Jesus, John, Listen to Your Heart, master, Messiah, model, peace, salvation, Son, teacher, washed | Leave a comment

Outcast

Posted on March 27, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 69:9-10 I have become an outcast to my kin, a stranger to my mother’s children. Because zeal for your house consumes me, I am scorned by those who scorn you. Jesus became the “outcast“…the “scapegoat“…so that we could see … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged comfort, enemies, father, forgive, God, hungry, imprisoned, Jesus, kingdom, live to love, love, outcast, Psalm, rejected, salvation, scapegoat, scorn, sick, stranger, worthy, zeal | Leave a comment

Abandoned

Posted on March 26, 2013 by billtonnis

John 13:21 Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Before we look down on Judas and lay the blame on him…let us remember that we are all Judas. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged abandoned, betray, blame, come to Jesus, forgive, Jesus, Judas, live to love, love, servant, troubled, unconditional | Leave a comment

Called to Serve

Posted on March 25, 2013 by billtonnis

Isaiah 42:6-7 I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged blind, confinement, covenant, darkness, God, Isaiah, Jesus, light, live to love, love, may I be light, Messiah, mission, prisoners, serve, true self | Leave a comment

Deliverer

Posted on March 22, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 18:3-4 I love you, Lord, my strength, Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my rock of refuge, my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold! Praised be the Lord, I exclaim! I have been delivered from my … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged deliverer, embrace, father, fortress, God, I will give you rest, live to love, Lord, love, mother, persecuted, Psalm, refuge, rescue, rock, save, shield, storm, strength, stronghold, unconditional | Leave a comment

Positive Surrender

Posted on March 21, 2013 by billtonnis

Luke 1:38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary gives us the perfect example of openness to God. She is open to receiving a divine message. … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged desires, ego, example, God, handmaid, I want to follow you, Listen to Your Heart, Lord, Luke, Mary, message, open, word | Leave a comment

Path to Freedom

Posted on March 20, 2013 by billtonnis

John 8:31-32 “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” What would you give to be free? What about surrendering your life…all the … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged Creator, disciple, ego, free, freedom, God, gospel, Jesus, John, Listen to Your Heart, need, process, remain, surrender, true self, truth, word, You'll Lead Me | Leave a comment

Always and Forever

Posted on March 19, 2013 by billtonnis

John 8:29 “The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him.” Jesus knew who He was. He came to know this through His close relationship with … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged alone, Breathe On Me, God, intimate, Jesus, John, Joseph, Listen to Your Heart, Mary, meditation, prayer, relationship, with | Leave a comment

Eternal Hope

Posted on March 18, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 23:4 Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side. When you feel rejected…buried in troubles…lost…remember that Jesus felt the same feelings in the most extreme way. The Son of … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged cross, dark valley, despised, fear, God, human, Jesus, live to love, lost, love, Psalm, rejected, salvation, troubles, unconditional | Leave a comment