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?

Inspiration

Posted on March 15, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 1:20 The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged calling, conceived, dream, ego, God, Joseph, Listen to Your Heart, Mary, Matthew, message, noise, peace, source, spirit, wholeness | Leave a comment

Top Priority

Posted on March 14, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 106:19-20 At Horeb they fashioned a calf, worshiped a metal statue. They exchanged their glorious God for the image of a grass-eating bull. When we hear what God’s people did after God had faithfully freed them from oppression through … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged alcohol, bull, calf, false, God, gods, image, internet, Jesus, Listen to Your Heart, media, money, Moses, Psalm, sports church, stadium, statue Horeb, turn off the noise | Leave a comment

Eternally Treasured

Posted on March 13, 2013 by billtonnis

Isaiah 49:15 Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. When you feel like you’re alone…that you’ve been rejected…take comfort during this Lent season … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged alone, child, comfort, eternal, God, God's love is all you need, infant, Isaiah, Jesus, Lent, life, Listen to Your Heart, mirror, mother, rejected, treasure | Leave a comment

Be Not Afraid

Posted on March 12, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 46:2-3 God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea. God is always there. God IS. When Moses … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged am, distress, fear, God, I will give you rest, is, live to love, present, Psalm, refuge, strength, worry | Leave a comment

Loving Creator

Posted on March 11, 2013 by billtonnis

Isaiah 65:17-18 Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create. God … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged create, Creator, earth, gifts, God, happiness, heavens, Isaiah, kingdom, Listen to Your Heart, loving, Make Me a Channel, past, presence, rejoicing, renewing, talents | Leave a comment

Greatest Commandment

Posted on March 8, 2013 by billtonnis

Mark 12:32-34 The scribe said to Jesus, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘(God) is One and there is no other than he.’ And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged commandment, desires, ego, God, greatest, Jesus, kingdom, live to love, love, Love God, Mark, neighbor, sacrifice, transformation | Leave a comment

Reflection and Action

Posted on March 7, 2013 by billtonnis

Jeremiah 7:23 This rather is what I commanded them: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper. “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged building, compassion, Creator, dream, God, grow, Jeremiah, Jesus, kingdom, listen, Listen to Your Heart, prosper, reign, talents, true selves, turn off the noise, voice, whole, worry | Leave a comment

Undying Love

Posted on March 6, 2013 by billtonnis

Deuteronomy 4:9 “However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged children, constant, cross, crucified, Deuteronomy, forgave, forgive, God, how wonderful to me, idol, Jesus, live to love, love, teach, unconditional | Leave a comment

Key to Life

Posted on March 5, 2013 by billtonnis

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Jesus says we … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged bondage, compassion, cross, forgive, Jesus, life, live to love, love, Matthew, Peter, resurrection, salvation, sin | Leave a comment

Spiritual Thirst

Posted on March 4, 2013 by billtonnis

Psalm 42:2-3 As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. My being thirsts for God, the living God. We each have a deep yearning inside…a yearning that longs to be satisfied. Why … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged art, creation, Creator, deer, embrace, God, I will give you rest, live to love, longs, music, nourish, Psalm 42, satisfy, scripture, soul, spiritual, streams, thirst, yearning | Leave a comment