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?

The One to Follow

Posted on November 9, 2012 by billtonnis

Philippians 3:17 Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us. It may sound arrogant of St. Paul to tell the Philippians to be more … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged changed, Christ, contentment, following, imitators, Jesus, joy, Listen to Your Heart, Lord, peace, Philippians, serving, St. Paul, You'll Lead Me | Leave a comment

God’s Beloved

Posted on November 8, 2012 by billtonnis

Luke 15:4-5 “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged abandon, broken, God, Good Shepherd, I will give you rest, Jesus, joy, live to love, lost, Luke, sheep, unlovable | 1 Comment

Inner Spark

Posted on November 7, 2012 by billtonnis

Philippians 2:13-15 For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged desire, gifts, God, grumbling, lights, Listen to Your Heart, love, may I be light, Philippians, purpose, shine, talents, yearning | Leave a comment

The Way

Posted on November 6, 2012 by billtonnis

Psalm 22:31-32 And I will live for the LORD; my descendants will serve you. The generation to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought. From generation … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged deliverance, follow, generation, happiness, I want to follow you, Jesus, Listen to Your Heart, Lord, peace, Psalm 22, serve, serving, true selves | Leave a comment

All Are Welcome

Posted on November 5, 2012 by billtonnis

Luke 14:13-14 “When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Jesus’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged banquet, Blessed, blind, crippled, Jesus, lame, Luke, motivation, poor, repay, resurrection, salvation | Leave a comment

Life-Long Project

Posted on November 2, 2012 by billtonnis

Philippians 1:6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. St. Paul knew of the infinite purpose of each of the people … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged Christ, compassion, forgiveness, God, grace, Jesus, Listen to Your Heart, love, loved, mercy, Philippians, purpose, St. Paul, unique | Leave a comment

Self-Transformation

Posted on November 1, 2012 by billtonnis

Ephesians 6:16-17 In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. St. Paul … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged battle, Ephesians, faith, Jesus, kingdom, Make Me a Channel, salvation, shield, spirit, St. Paul, transform, transformation, transformed, violence, weapon, word of God | Leave a comment

Motivated by Love

Posted on October 31, 2012 by billtonnis

Luke 13:30 “For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Jesus says that the people this world might look down upon…those viewed as being “last”…might actually be looked upon as “first” … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged compassion, first, forgiveness, God, kingdom, last, love, Luke, mercy, motivation, rank, salvation | Leave a comment

Solitude

Posted on October 30, 2012 by billtonnis

Luke 6:12-13 In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged alone, God, Jesus, Luke, pray, prayer, silence, turn off the noise | Leave a comment

Compassionate Living

Posted on October 29, 2012 by billtonnis

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. God has reached out to us in the most amazing way through his Son. Jesus…God as one of us…showed us how to … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged Christ, compassionate, cross, ego, Ephesians, false selves, forgiven, forgiving, God, I want to follow you, Jesus, kind | Leave a comment