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?

Unmerited Forgiveness

Posted on August 16, 2012 by billtonnis

Ezekiel 16:62-63 For I will re-establish my covenant with you, that you may remember and be covered with confusion, and that you may be utterly silenced for shame when I pardon you for all you have done, says the Lord … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged come to Jesus, covenant, father forgive them, forgive, Jesus, pardon, transformation, unconditional love | Leave a comment

Set Yourself Free

Posted on August 16, 2012 by billtonnis

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter approaching Jesus asked, “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.” In effect Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged forgive, Four Things That Matter Most, God's love is all you need, grudges, Ira Byock, Jesus, pay it forward, resentments, wholeness | Leave a comment

Letting Go to Live

Posted on August 14, 2012 by billtonnis

Matthew 18:3-4 “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus turns our culture … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged American idol, celebrity, child, cross, deny, divine presence, follow, gold medal, greatest, I surrender, Jesus, kingdom of heaven, moment, possessions, power, prestige, true selves | Leave a comment

Give Praise

Posted on August 13, 2012 by billtonnis

Psalm 148:11-13 You kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all who govern on earth; Young men and women too, old and young alike. Let them all praise the Lord’s name, for his name alone is exalted, majestic … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged blessings, breath, compassion, forgiveness, gifts, God, grace, how wonderful to me, love, mercy, psalm 148 | Leave a comment

Transformative Journey

Posted on August 10, 2012 by billtonnis

John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.” Being a Christian involves taking part in a transformative journey with Christ. Jesus didn’t just ask us to believe in Him…but to … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged egocentric, follow, grain of wheat, I want to follow you, Jesus, letting go, self-centered, servant, serve, talents | Leave a comment

Open Mind

Posted on August 9, 2012 by billtonnis

Matthew 16:23 “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” We tend to base so much of our lives on our own ability to reason…and yet Jesus was quite clear in his response to Peter that … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged forgiveness, God, I surrender, Jesus, journey, live to love, model of life, new self, payment, Peter, renewed, transformation, unconditional love | Leave a comment

Eternal Promise

Posted on August 8, 2012 by billtonnis

Jeremiah 31:3-4 With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt. God did not make us imperfect in order to punish and condemn us … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged compassion, forgiveness, imperfect, love, mercy, rebuild, redeem, restore, salvation, transform | Leave a comment

Step Out of the Boat

Posted on August 7, 2012 by billtonnis

Matthew 14:29-31 Jesus said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged anxious, come to Jesus, do not be afraid, doubt, fearful, growth, Jesus, paralyzed, storm, true self, walk on the water, wholeness | Leave a comment

The Voice Within

Posted on August 6, 2012 by billtonnis

Mark 9:7 Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” This is one of those major moments in the life of Jesus when Peter, … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged beloved son, heart, Jesus, life, listen, Listen to Your Heart, peace, silence, solitude, true self | Leave a comment

Life Giving Words

Posted on July 27, 2012 by billtonnis

Matthew 13:22 “The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.” Sometimes people think Jesus is irrelevant to their lives. … Continue reading →

Posted in Today's Contemplation | Tagged fruit, Jesus, listen, prayer, seed, silent, thorn, turn off the noise | Leave a comment