Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I don’t know this, personally. But “inside sources” say Bruce Willis, Emma Stone, David Beckham, Drew Barrymore, and Harrison Ford all have this in common. Not just the fact that they’re all “celebrities.” But they all have green eyes.

Someone else, with much higher celebrity status, has green eyes.

Elgielene. (pronounced el juh lean)

For the neglected percentage of the population who don’t know, she’s my wife. So, she gets top billing over any of those also-rans.

But there’s still someone else with green eyes. Grady. But his eyes give him a lot of trouble at night. Here’s part of a rhyme about that…

Grady’s Green Eyes

Grady had green eyes and it was great…
At least until it started getting late…
‘Cause even though he wouldn’t make a peep,
Grady’s green eyes wouldn’t let him sleep.

Grady’s green eyes glowed when it was dark…
Which sometimes made his dog, Beethoven, bark.
But what’s a glowing, green-eyed boy to do?
Even with closed eyelids they shined through.

What do you think Grady should do?

Well, when you’re ready to find out, get the illustrated ebook on Amazon. If you’re a subscriber, you can even get the kindle version, free. And if you do that, I have a request. Leave me a 10 star review.

Just kidding (sort of). Reviews can only go up to 5 stars. But you get the idea. Of course, if you and your kid(s) don’t like it, you can humiliate me with a terrible review. And I’ll just have to live with that. But my guess is, you’ll be delighted.

Get Grady’s Green Eyes, today. And email me to let me know how much you liked it.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

When you get right down to it, it’s pretty easy to brew up a good batch of anger issues. Right? Yeah, pretty much anyone can do it. With one arm tied behind ’em. And since that’s true, think about honeybees.

“Huh? Honeybees and anger issues?”

Honeybees build waxy honeycombs. And that’s where they store their larvae and the nectar they gather from flowers. Honeycomb cells are designed so that two opposing honeycomb layers nest into each other. And each facet of the closed ends is shared by opposing cells. Individual cells don’t show that geometric perfection. So, in other words, the honeycomb needs all the parts to provide the sweet and delicious honey.

Are you with me? Or do I still seem crazy for connecting honeybees with anger issues?

Well…

The Bible says “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones”.

A honeycomb needs all its parts to provide that sweet, yummy honey. And humans need pleasant words. Because no one can live a full and happy life without them. God says they’re “health to the bones.” So, my guess is they must be health to your bones. And mine.

But here’s the problem. Or at least the start of it.

No one is born with a natural immunity to anger.

So, you gotta be fortified. And I mean with something stronger and better than your “self.” For Christians, fortification is easier. Because we know we have the Word of God (And if you don’t already have that assurance, I recommend you look into it). It’s literally health to your bones. Because it’s the Bread of Life and the Living Water your soul and spirit can drink and eat from forever.

But for someone who doesn’t believe in the Creator God, it’s not easy.

Think about how often you’ve “flown off the handle.” Or how about all the times you “pitched a fit.” Or maybe you just “lashed out” at someone because they didn’t understand your valuable, relevant, and most important needs.

When that happened, did you say something hurtful or cruel? Did you slam your fist down on a table or against a wall? And did you make demands? Sure, they seemed reasonable in your mind. But to the other person…not so much.

I could spell out some descriptions. But I bet you know what a face full of anger issues looks like.

So, consider this. When you’re angry and you make your “important demands,” don’t be surprised if you only get negative results. But what if you paused before you spoke? And what if you thought, “Hmm…would what I’m about to say be something I’d like to hear them say to me?”

You’ll know what the answer is whether or not you’d care to admit it. So, if what you would say wouldn’t be something you’d want said to you, then don’t say it. Consider using pleasant words instead. Crazy talk, I know, but it literally couldn’t hurt to try. Or, at the very least, remember the old saying…

“If you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything at all”.

I want you and yours to be healthy, happy, and live forever in Heaven. So, I encourage you to search the Bible for answers. To anger issues and basically all others. Your bones and loved ones will be glad you did.

Spoon-feed the apathy and watch it grow
Into the cold hard truth,
And if you never care, then you will never know…
It’s such a cold hard truth.

(lyrics from the song: Cold Hard Truth)

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

OK, so I’m gonna preach a little bit. So, if you’d rather not subject yourself to that, fair warning. Close your eyes, ears, email, or computer and move on. If you’re still here, here I go. You’ve seen ’em. On TV. And on the internet. Those guys who lay their healing hands on people and miraculously heal them. You’ve seen ’em. Right? And you know, without a doubt, they must be doing the will of God. Because, how else could they heal anybody? It’s simple really.

They’ve been blessed with healing hands.

And what an awesome blessing. I mean, imagine. You simply walk up to someone, lay your hands on them, and they’re healed. Who wouldn’t want that power…uh, I mean…ability? C’mon, admit it. You’d love to be able to to heal somebody who can’t walk. Wouldn’t you? Of course. It’s only natural.

Uh, I should say “supernatural.”

Some might even say “miraculous.”

But, sadly, not everybody has healing hands. I don’t. My wife doesn’t. Even though her hands can have an almost healing touch when applied to my neck during a migraine. But I digress.

You know who else didn’t have healing hands? A guy named Paul. In case you’ve never heard of him, he’s the guy who became the “apostle to the Gentiles.” Oh sure, he was involved with some healings, for a short while in a few places. But in pretty short order he lost that ability.

In fact, he couldn’t even heal his friends who were sick…much less lame. He even left a sick friend behind when he had to do some traveling. And as a matter of another fact, he couldn’t even heal himself. And when he asked God to heal him, he was told something that almost all people who trust in miracles forget.

God’s grace is sufficient.

And obviously that doesn’t mean sufficient enough to put the power of healing into somebody’s hands. No, God’s grace is sufficient to carry you and me over and/or through all the health problems in life.

And if so-called “healers” are real, why don’t they ever heal amputees? Why don’t they go lay hands on all those innocent little kids in cancer units? And why have we never heard of any of those liars, oops, I mean healers (no, I really mean liars) walking all those people, who need a kidney transplant, out of those hospitals.

Because that’s not the real world we live in right now.

This real world has real problems. And no one is immune. And no one can heal you. Because a true healing isn’t temporary. It’s eternal. And only one person can provide permanent health. If you’ve followed along, long enough, you know WHO I mean. Right?

So, if you (or someone you know) still believes and trusts in miracles, I encourage you (or them) to stop. Because miracles, by definition, do NOT occur on a daily or even regular basis. And even when they did, miracles didn’t tend to turn people to God. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

Maybe (and I use that term loosely) that’s why the Bible says “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Pretty clear, right? Not by seeing.

But by hearing.

If you and I could heal ourselves, we would. But we can’t. That guy Paul said it like this, “…even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”

But that doesn’t mean we humans can’t have a healing touch. It’s just not like what you see in the movies. Like when someone gets struck by lightning and suddenly they can touch people and cure diseases. A healing touch isn’t about making miracles happen wherever you go. It isn’t about you. It isn’t about me. And it isn’t really even about physical healing.

Healing touch can happen even without any physical touch. You’ve probably had someone “touch your heart” in a meaningful, lasting way. But did they actually touch your heart? Or wasn’t it actually a feeling you had inside?

Personally I don’t seek to be healed of all my physical problems. I don’t believe that’s a wise use of time. But I DO look to connect with people who offer themselves up as a healing touch to their fellow human beings. And I’d like to think I have done and will continue to do that, too. The Bible says to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

You don’t have to even believe in the Bible to know that’s a good way to be. Now, go and be a…

Healing Touch

From breath to breath
And heart to heart
Go share your gifts
And be the start
Of something good
And something pure
A noble cause
Steadfast and sure.
With lovely things
And lots of praise
To light up lives
And brighten days
Give good account
When life is just
And virtue builds
A higher trust.
Offer these things
That mean so much
And you will be
A healing touch.

Stay tuned,

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Have you ever paid attention to the focus factor of a mother bird on her nest? It’s a wonderment. Because birds tend to move around. A lot. And super fast. But when the mother bird is on her nest, she can be so still you almost can’t see her.

I know, because there’s a small mother cardinal in a very small nest up inside our front porch area. And she’s nesting. And we have to really look closely to even see her. Because she basically doesn’t even flinch an inch.

That’s incredible built-in focus factor.

That’s right. I said “built-in.” Because birds (and you and I) don’t happen by accident.

Even as a boy, birds always fascinated me. So did cloud formations. And shooting stars in a sky full of blinking lights. I didn’t think about how my focus on things above me could keep my spirit uplifted. I just found it all so…well…fascinating.

There’s a verse in the Bible that says to “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Of course, that verse isn’t talking about birds or clouds or stars. Read one verse before that. And you’ll see that the writer referred to things far above. So far, in fact, that they’re found at the “right hand of God”. And my guess is, that’s a lot further, and possibly a lot closer, than we could ever imagine.

You might’ve noticed there’s a lot more stress in the world than there used to be. It really is a world full of what the Bible describes as “wars and rumors of wars,” and “nation rising up against nation.” And there really are famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in many different places.

If you focus on all the stressful things in the world, you can easily and quickly get discouraged. And you might even question the meaning for your life and the lives of the rest of the people on the planet.

That’s why God says to focus “on things above”.

Yeah, look up. Because, in spite of what most of the people in the world might tell you, this ultimate solution to this stressful world is your Creator.

Whether you believe in God or not, you’d better be right. Because there will be consequences either way. Believe God is a man-made myth and the consequences are total darkness. If you’re right. But believe God is your Creator, and that He loves you and wants you to be happy, and the consequences are faith, hope, love, and eternal life. If you’re right.

I fall into the second group. And I know most (if not all) my article and email readers do too. But maybe you’re someone still in the myth camp.

If so, I encourage you set aside your human bias for a bit. And open your mind to the possibility that the almost infinitely complex design in our universe points to an even more complex Designer. When you allow your mind to see that, your dead spirit can be reborn. And it’ll be much easier to look up and focus on things above.

But if that just sounds like more silliness from a corny Christian, then you myth the point.

So be patient; be wary.
Sing songs, and be merry.
Then focus your attention
On more than this world’s dimension!
(lyrics from the song, “Worldliness”)

Stay tuned,

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Recently, I heard somebody say “It’s hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys.” And I thought to myself, “Then, you only have bad guys.”

Because “good guys” don’t happen by accident.

Matter of fact, there really aren’t ANY good guys. Allow me to explain…

Do you know the difference between good guys and bad guys? Is it the hat they wear? Or their clothes? Is it the cool weapons they use? Or maybe the car or space ship they drive? Nope, nope, and nope. It’s none of those things.

Good guys aren’t always good. And bad guys aren’t always bad. But you still gotta know the TRUE difference because you’re gonna have to choose which one you’ll be.

First, you gotta know what determines whether something or someone is good or bad. And I’ll let you in on a little (not little) secret. It’s not a “what.” It’s Who.

Nobody on earth gets to make up what’s good and bad.

Only God gets to do that.

He says something is good because it’s good for you. Something is good when it helps you. And when it helps you to help others. And something is bad when it hurts you and hurts others. Really bad things can cause people to die. And God hates that. So, He made some rules so we’d know how things are supposed to work. And He did it for our own good, because He loves us. Not because He doesn’t want us to have any fun. God knows what’s good for us better than we do. After all…He made us.

So, do you wanna be one of the good guys?

Then, it’s a good idea to find out what God says.

Don’t worry about being good every minute of every day. God knows you can’t do it. That’s why He sent Jesus. Because Jesus could do it. And Jesus lived a perfect life and paid the way for you to live forever. Imagine this. You can go to Heaven and live forever. And all you gotta do is trust that Jesus will get you there.

The really, really bad guys…the ones who don’t want to trust and love Jesus…don’t go to Heaven. And that’s their choice. God doesn’t want them to choose that way. But He won’t force them to choose His way. Because He knows that wouldn’t be true love.

So, now you understand the difference. Right? If not, let me know what you don’t understand. I’ll see what I can do to help.

The world if full of good guys and bad guys.
Sometimes if feels like bad guys win the most.
But you can be a good guy, a winner…
You’ve got the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

They’re never gonna leave or forget you.
They wanna live, forever, in your heart.
Then, you’ll always be one of the good guys.
And God will keep the bad guys far apart.

Stay tuned,

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Have you noticed how most politicians, billionaires, and millionaires love clout? Yeah, they love to wield influence and power even when they don’t have the wisdom to do so. But time is running out for anyone who expects influence and power to last forever.

Here’s a list of those people I shared eight years ago. And this is eight years truer now.

Time is running out for…

  • Those who do whatever they feel is right.
  • Entrepreneurial types who likes to work all day and night on that next big project
  • CEO’s of very popular tech companies with pipelines of product launches
  • Homemakers who know the kids won’t be home from school until 3:45 or 4:00, so they use that extra time to catch up on TV shows
  • Hormonal teenagers eager to get to your daily sexual escapades
  • Sci-fi thriller writers whose research keeps them locked in their offices, away from family
  • Shopaholics with eyes constantly glued to the shopping channels on cable TV

 

If any of those describe you, redeem the time. And the definition of “redeem,” in this case is: compensate for poor past performance or behavior.

But maybe none of those descriptions in that list describe you. Ok, try this list…

  • Sports fans with 3 big screen TV’s, who never miss “the game”
  • History buffs who spend every spare moment in cool, old bookstores
  • Pastors focused on building big, beautiful churches with congregations of affluent givers
  • Musicians who practice, practice, practice but never find a purpose
  • Skilled craftsmen always focused on getting the next project
  • Unemployed people who covet the freedom they get from government checks

 

So, if any those descriptions fit you, time is running out.

Or wait a minute (pun slightly intended). Maybe I’m wrong about that. After all, this old world has been turning for maybe millions of years. Right? So, who’s to say it won’t turn for millions more?

Don’t pay any attention to “do-gooders,” like me, who always talk about things like “getting right with God” or “having a relationship with Jesus” or “only one Way to Heaven.” Because we’re just killjoys who don’t want you have any fun because we don’t get to have any fun.

And don’t give us another thought. Keep doing what you’re doing. And enjoy your life to the fullest. You probably have plenty of time.

Unless it’s actually running out.

Well time flies away
Don’t put off who you should get to today
Time flies away
Don’t you wait till we meet in the angel cafe’
(lyrics from the song “Angel Cafe”)

Stay tuned,

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Check this out about the moon and sun. The sun is 400 times larger than the moon. And it’s 400 times further away. What an amazing and happy coincidence that is. It’s practically ecliptic is what it is. No, seriously. I mean it. It’s practically ecliptic, which is both a noun and an adjective. Definition: a great circle on the celestial sphere representing the sun’s apparent path during the year, so-called because lunar and solar eclipses can occur only when the moon crosses it.

And Earth is perfectly positioned to see the moon and sun do that.

Boom! That’s another amazing and happy coincidence. And our solar system and universe seem to be full of coincidences. Or as some like to say, “co-inkydinks.” Not me, of course. But others say it.

Anyway…

The moon and sun will cross paths in that magically ecliptic way, at least partially, again this coming October 25th. And the fact that “scientists” can predict that is yet another amazing and happy coincidence. See what I mean? The co-inkydinks just keep on comin’.

Well, all of this popped onto my internal radar screen when I thought about a rhyme I first shared ten years ago.

A few years before that, we had a nephew who rented a room from us. And he liked to research entrepreneurial opportunities. One of the potential businesses he discovered included a way to paint stars and galaxies on ceilings with a special paint. “Special,” because you can’t see it in the daytime. But at night, when you turn out the lights, after they’ve been on for a bit, your ceiling looks like the night sky.

Very cool idea.

We liked it so much that when we eventually repainted that bedroom, we left the ceiling alone. And we just bought wall paint that went well with it.

And ten years ago, when I thought of that experience, I wrote this rhyme for kids.

There’s a moon in my room…

And the light is in my eyes.
It came in through the window
Just as soft as lullabies.
There’s a smile on its face
As it floats up on the wall.
I love the way it flitters
Without any sound at all.
And I’d love to fly up there,
With the moon, into the sky.
But the sandman just stopped in…
So, for now, I must say “bye.”

Stay tuned,

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Do a search, for “retire,” on just about any search engine with the suggestions function. And you’ll probably see something like “retire ready” or “retire age” or, the best one, “retire early.”

Yeah, if you’re gonna do it, retire early.

I mean, why work any longer than you have to, right? Work is just for those knuckleheads who don’t have a clue about how to make enough money. And let’s face it, if work was a good thing, there wouldn’t be so many people in America avoiding it. Can I get an “Amen?”

Just in case you hear a dripping noise in the background, don’t worry. It’s just the gentle, steady flow of my sarcasm.

Because I’m not a fan of this whole retire early thing. Or retire at all, for that matter. Retirement is for when your body quits and retires back to the ground from whence it came.

Side note: I like to use the word whence because it reminds me of one of those old (there aren’t any new) episodes of the Jack Benny show. And instead of me trying to explain it, watch this video. I think it’s still hilarious after all these years:

Here’s the link: (https://youtu.be/jU7M604Vck8)

So funny. Mr. Benny had to explain his use of the word “whence” every time he played his song. And that reminded me of my days in creative writing classes in high school and college.

I remember how teachers told us how reading could “transport you” to just about any place you wanna go. Because stories can create word pictures. And even those two words joined together created word pictures in my head. So, I was hooked on words, on reading.

On transportation to new places, new faces, new worlds.

I became a voracious reader. First it was tales of imagination and young adventure. Huckleberry Finn. Tom Sawyer. Then it was sports. With stories of sailing ships and famous captains on the high seas. And then, science fiction. There was even a phase when I read just about every Alfred Hitchcock murder mystery book I could get my hands on. Go figure.

Some of my favorite reading was the prose and poetry of relative unknowns like William Shakespeare, Carl Sandburg, T.S. Eliot, and Rudyard Kipling.

As I graduated into the deeper words I also dived (yes dived) deep into the waters of my other lifelong love. Music.

Nothing ever felt as magical, to me, as words and music.

All the resonating tones of wind passing through the “voice box” and into my ears. No wonder it’s so often called a “gift from God.”  And it’s always been my favorite gift.

It seems like yesterday, and a thousand years ago, when I started to find my way around a piano. And I’ll never forget the feeling when I first shaped words and music into original songs.

I was hooked. But it was work. Not driving a tractor or building a house kind go work. But mental work. Because I wanted to get the rhythm of the words in sync with the rhythm of the music. Not just toss out a mass of slightly rhyming words with a background beat (insert subliminal *rap*).

And I’ve worked on that words and music equation ever since. And I hope to be working on it my last day on earth. No retire early for me. Matter of fact, I hope to write and sing throughout eternity.

Give me words…give me courage…
Give me time and a powerful voice.
And when many still may hate me,
Give me Your love and I’ll always rejoice.
(lyrics from one of my songs)

Stay tuned,

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Ten years ago, right here on TonyFunderburk.com, I share some of my thoughts about social media. And I talked about how people get socially bold when they can hide behind a fake handle. So, I mentioned how social media is, in almost all cases, not conversation. Well, instead of me telling you I said such and such, here’s what I said…way back then.

Why I still say being socially bold on social media is not conversation.

— But notice I said “conversation”…not communication. Social media is an awesome way to communicate your message to any person or group you care to connect with (Or is that “with whom you’d like to connect?” You’re not supposed to dangle a preposition. So, I certainly don’t want to.)

Anyway…

The trouble I see with online social media tools is they too often become a soapbox, a bully pulpit, a digital megaphone. And the message too often becomes argumentative, pointless, and in the long run directionless. This phenomenon doesn’t play favorites with nobody’s and has-been’s. It readily affects the rich and famous, the political, the powerful, the pundits. And it binds the bold and beautiful people. It needles the nerds. And it frequents the freaks.

Why?

I’m glad you asked.

Well…think about it. Isn’t it more fun to sit at your computer (like I am now) or smartphone or tablet and say whatever you want without having to listen to someone butt in with their rant or their rave? I mean, c’mon…who wants to actually listen anymore. If people really wanted to listen, they might use their phones to talk with other people…instead of texting, gaming, and sharing pictures and videos.

But I’m getting away from my main point. Social media. So, I’ll just say this as succinctly as I can. I don’t want to talk with “media.” Because I want to talk with you. And here’s the kicker. I’d like you to talk with me. And I’d like us both to listen, learn, and love the interaction.

I love media as much as the next person. And more than most. But I do miss the “social.” The man-to-man handshake. The “catching up.” The something we used to call “visiting with friends.” 

What do you think? Is there a good way to do this digitally? —

OK, that’s my thoughts on it from 10 years ago.

And I think things are pretty much the same now. Except that people are more socially bold than ever. And that’s definitely NOT a good thing.

Unless your boldness includes standing up for the Truth. And the Truth is, there’s one (and ONLY one) living, loving Creator. And He loves you and me. Enough to make an easy way to have eternal life once we leave these current earthly bodies behind.

Yeah. Be that bold. And git social widit.

Stay tuned,

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Calculus, geometry, and trigonometry are almost impossible if you don’t first get some foundational training in basic math. And the same is true in just about every aspect of life. Because if you ain’t got the basics, you’re gonna struggle with the complex.

A house is a good example of foundational training.

Because any builder worth his nail apron will tell you the foundation is the first step to quality construction.

But, it’s only one of several steps in the whole process. If you stopped there, you wouldn’t have much of a house. Right? So, what comes after the first step?

Well, let’s say Builder Ben has a home-building company. So, he hires…

  • a concrete company to pour the foundation
  • some framers to build the main structure
  • electricians and plumbers
  • sheetrockers
  • trim carpenters and painters
  • and a final cleaning crew

OK, each one of those companies or service providers plays a key role in the completion of the house. And if they all do their parts, with attention to quality craftsmanship, they can create a solid structure that could last for decades. Maybe longer.

But not forever.

But you know what does last forever? Well, let’s look at another example I shared several years ago.

God created everything there is. He is the builder. When you choose to work for Him, you’re able to use the gifts and talents He gave you to lay the foundation for salvation in someone’s life. Or you might get to help at some other stage in the process.

The apostle Paul wrote it like this in 1 Corinthians 3:6…”I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase”. Paul acknowledged the fact that he was the first step, the planting of God’s love in the hearts and minds of the Corinthians. But he also gave credit to Apollos for building on that information. And the full credit he gave to God for any good that came of it.

Here’s another cool part to this. Paul also said “he who plants and he who waters are one…” They’re equal in value and importance. And together they accomplish the one goal. And sometimes you might think you’re laying a foundation or planting when, in fact, the foundation you’re laying is also helping someone grow up in their knowledge of God’s love for them.

Either way, be sure you have good foundational training based on love for your neighbor. Because, they say “into every life a little rain must fall.” So, be sure you have your Umbrella.

Think about that as you enjoy this poem about an old house I saw on the Western slope of Colorado…

The Old House

The old house talks to no one,
And no one pays attention.
It tells the story of its life…
The sad parts get no mention.
It once had shining windows
And cedar, wooden shingles.
And folks who lived inside its walls
Would sing their Christmas jingles.
Well, now the wind and sunshine
Have withered all the siding.
The floors, inside, have fallen through.
The yard has started sliding.
But still the house is standing.
The fireplace is still sturdy.
Who knows how many years it has?
It might be one or thirty.
No need to think about it.
A lifespan doesn’t matter.
Unless you’re glad for every day,
Then moments only scatter.
We all will be the old house,
If time and tide keep turning.
But keep the faith and hope and love,
And keep the embers burning.
Then you won’t talk to “no one.”
There’s One who always hears you.
And your foundation will withstand,
If you go where He steers you.

© 2014 Tony Funderburk

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Oh foolish Americans. Who has hypnotized you so that you don’t even recognize the truth? And why, since you’ve known such incredible freedom, do you prefer to return to bondage?

Yeah, so many foolish Americans fall for lies.

Actually that’s not quite accurate. Because they willingly JUMP into the lies. And they willingly give up freedom after freedom. And it might sound counterintuitive, but they do it because they’re selfish.

They don’t love their neighbors. In fact, more and more Americans want their own selfish lifestyles to be paid for BY their neighbors. And this isn’t something I made up. It’s happening. Right now. In YOUR hometown. And all across this once great land of ours. Well, it used to be ours.

My wife and I just spent some time driving across a lot of America. And we noticed how just about every city, town, and village had a lot of “now hiring” signs. When I say “a lot,” I mean it almost seemed like more businesses were hiring than not.

But that’s mainly because of how many people would rather get a regular check from “the government” than get a job and earn.

I know, as one my regular readers, you’re not one of those foolish Americans who like to steal from your neighbors. But I wouldn’t be surprised if one of your neighbors was one of them. And if you smell pot drifting from somewhere on your street, it’s virtually guaranteed that your neighbor’s a thief.

Anyway…

Enough of my selfish lifestyle rant.

Just for your information, tomorrow I’m presenting the start of a study in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Read my first sentence again, and you might see the veiled reference to what Paul told them.

And I’m gonna share every part of this study from a love your neighbors perspective. I know this isn’t enough advance notice for you to join us. But if you’re interested in connecting with this study, let me know. It’ll be on Sundays (go figure). And it’ll be about how love did…

What law couldn’t do
Jesus did with finality.
He rose up from the dead
And promised the same life for you and me.
(from the song, “Freedom”)

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You probably haven’t noticed. But a lot of people sure have a lot of opinions. And they sure don’t mind sharing them with you. Even when you didn’t ask or request. And I wish most of them would shut up already. Because their opinions are about as silly as the sound of their voice when they share them.

But I hope you shut up, too.

Uh-oh. I’ve gone and done it now. Right? It was OK for me to talk about “them.” But now I just fired a verbal shot at you. And that’s a bridge too far.

Well, ease up their buddy boy (or girl). Let me explain. And hopefully it’ll ease the burn of the bullet. This is something I shared years ago. And it’s truer now than ever.

When people around you fly off the handle, that’s a good time to keep your lips sealed. Wanna know why? Because then you won’t sin. When everybody’s yelling at each other, they say mean and hurtful things.. Sometimes they even yell out lies. Other times someone calls another person a name, and things really go wrong.

When you see that happening, shut up.

But what good does that do?

Well, for one thing, you won’t get caught up in the terrible things.

I’m sharing this with you for your own protection. If people around you are doing awful things, you don’t wanna be part of that. Do you? No, it’s not good or smart to get caught up in all that. That’s why God says someone who keeps his lips sealed is wise.

And being wise is the best thing you can be. Wisdom is something you should work on your whole life. There’s no time better than now to get started.

So, if you find yourself around somebody who’s yelling, or saying terrible things, or just trying to be mean…just shut up. Don’t fall for it. You’ll be doing a mighty good thing. And when you do, let me know about it…OK?

Just shut up when others yell.
It’s the wise choice. Time will tell
How you were smart and trusted God.
Just shut up and only nod.

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“You’ve got a mighty bright eternal future here, son.”

“Ah, thanks Father. I can’t tell you what that means to me.”

No, those aren’t lines from an old black and white movie. Although they could be. And too bad they don’t make movies with relationship-building lines like that anymore.

But anyway…let’s get back to that eternal future thing.

Isn’t it great to know you’ve got one? A bright future that lasts forever. It’s just plain awesome to think about. And even with my vivid, vivacious imagination, I can’t imagine how spectacular it’ll be. An apostle, named Paul, described it like this:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

So, no matter what you’ve ever conjured up in your head, you still haven’t seen or heard anything like what God’s gonna do. Or has already done. But think about this. The whole universe came into existence just because of words God spoke. And the universe is just a preview of coming attractions.

Wow!

Have you ever seen pictures of the microscopic world? Amazing, right? And have you ever seen high resolution videos of the beautiful rainbow of life in the ocean? Reminds me of a line from one of those old black and white movies where the main character said, “It’s a wonderment.”

And the mind-boggling details and shapes found in eyeballs when you look at ’em in photo magnification. So much intricate design and function in so little space?

But let’s go from the microscopic to the humongous.

Did you know there are 40,000 muscles in an elephant’s trunk? So, an elephant can use its trunk to lift hundreds of pounds and crush large fruit. But, get this. That same trunk can also pick individual leaves off trees. And after countless attempts and experiments, human engineers still can’t design and create anything like that.

Single-celled creatures that can live in a drop of water. Giant elephants and whales that can push down trees and sink ships. Can you truly believe it’s all by accident? I can’t. Because I see obvious design in everything around me. So, it’s impossible to imagine there would be no designer.

And yet, Paul said none of us has ever seen or heard what’s still to come.

I sure don’t want to miss out on it. I hope you feel the same way. Because it’s an eternal future so bright there won’t even be any night time. Whoa! There’s a reason for that. But I’m not gonna share that with you right now. Just know that there’s a place where you’ll never have to worry about death and dying. And I call it…

The Pure Place

I clamor for the clean life, and I never quite succeed.
I’m hunting for the high ground that’s higher than the sky.
I’m looking for the love-life…the kind that we all need.
And I’m wishing for the wonder that lives in my mind’s eye.

I want to find the Pure Place..that glitters like gold
I need to find the Pure Place..never hot or cold
I’d love to find the Pure Place..
Let the Light shine on my face..
No dreams I’d ever have to chase…
No bad that we could not erase…
I’d love to find..the Pure Place!

I’m searching for the sanctity that I never do quite find
I’m longing for the living days that never, ever end
And I’m thinking so theatrically, but at least I use my mind
To quest for the quintessence of my Forever Friend

repeat chorus…inst…repeat chorus and end

© 1998

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There’s no doubt about it. Haters gonna hate. But what there IS some doubt about is…who are the haters? Ironically (and woefully), it’s almost always the people who are yelling the loudest about who hates who.

And here’s where the haters gonna hate me.

Because I’m about to call a spade a spade.

Have you ever dealt with the frustration that comes with talking to unbelievers who call Christians haters? I certainly have. And if I only depended on myself, I probably would have locked myself up in my own personal Christianity long ago.

But Paul told the new Christians in Galatia to “not grow weary while doing good especially to those who are of the household of faith“.

And it definitely gets old when you hear, for the umpteenth time…

  • “You think you’re better than me.” or
  • “You just want everybody to believe just like you.” or
  • “Don’t tell me what’s in the Bible. I’ve read it.”

 

And here’s the irony.

Those are people who would benefit, the most, from the love and grace of Jesus. And it’s sad how bitter and angry they sound as they reject that message. But they don’t just reject the message. They spew out their hatred for anyone who shares the message.

But remember what Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” You might never experience a threat to your life like Jesus faced. But when you stand up for Him and His Truth, don’t be surprised when you endure the wrath of anyone (and everyone) who hates God.

I’ve experienced a good dose of that this year. Some of it from my own family. Even from some I wouldn’t have thought would do that.

I don’t enjoy lies, about me, whipped up by those whose guilt and shame precedes them. But I still stand on the love God has for me. And, as I’ve said before, every single person in the world can hate me. But since Jesus loves me, I still win.

If you’ve experienced how haters gonna hate on you, then be encouraged. Because that means you’ve taken a stand for your faith, hope, and love in your Creator. And it also means you’re gonna live forever…

In The House of the Lord

Father God,
You never leave me You never forsake me.
And Your Word…
Gives me courage to go where you take me.

You are with me through each dire upheaval.
With You in me I will fear no evil.
As I walk through the shadow of death…
I will sing till my very last breath…

[Chorus]
Green pastures, still waters…
Goodness and mercy for your sons and daughters…
True love dwells in the House of the LORD.
Each person, each nation…
Can be renewed through Your sweet restoration…
True love dwells in the House of the LORD.

Father God,
You made a Way for my total redemption.
I believe…
Jesus died to provide that exemption.

He’s my shepherd through thorns and thru clover.
He’s my new wine, and my cup runs over.
As I walk through the shadow of death…
I will sing till my very last breath…

Chorus

© 2010 Tony Funderburk

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I read some clips from articles that talked about what a man wants in a wife. If you’re a happily married man, you probably already know that the consistent top answer is “a woman who is faithful to you.” Right? Because if you marry (or date) someone who isn’t faithful, even a supermodel is gonna make your life miserable.

But a woman/wife who’s faithful to you can be infinitely valuable.

Because you truly can have an eternity of connection. I’m fortunate, on multiple levels, to have a wife like that. Matter of fact, I’m not sure I’d even be here, now, if it wasn’t for her.

By the way, all this is true in reverse. Women prefer (and deserve) a man/husband who’s faithful, too. Because a good and healthy marriage seeks to be mutually beneficial.

One clip I read called this faithfulness “integrity.” Here’s what it said…

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when nobody’s watching. This is even more apparent when considering what a man wants from his wife. When doing the right thing, whatever the situation is, comes naturally to a woman, it’s a clear signal to a man that he can trust her as a life partner and can be proud of who she is as a person.”

I obviously agree with the principle of that assertion. But I dislike the whole “life partner” thing that rears its silly head in so many places these days. My wife is NOT my partner. Because life is NOT a business. It’s a journey. So, my wife is my companion and helpmate on this journey. And I’m her companion and pilot.

And I know this kind of talk sounds misogynistic to a lot of people.

But only because the common narrative, these days, is an attempt to make men and women equal. And nothing could be further from the truth. Well, maybe there are some extremes that could be further from the truth. But you get my point.

The Bible says that a man “who finds a wife finds a good thing.” Yes, the Bible places the emphasis on what men are supposed to do. But it’s because God wants men to be MEN. And He wants men to lead and protect wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters the way He leads men.

And you can trust God to lead the right way. Because He is faithful to you. Sure, I know you’ve heard about and read how you’re supposed to be faithful to Him. But that’s so much easier when you realize how infinitely more faithful He is to you. It’s like this…

God is faithful in His word
And in His love and deeds.
He knows you are tempted here,
And He knows all your needs.
He provides forever life,
Forever love and care.
Ask Him to be with you now.
He’s faithful to your prayer.

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Neighbor to neighbor. Sounds folksy. Easy-going. Downright neighborly. Right? Well, not so fast there, neighbor. Because it can get mighty messy in a big hurry.

Have you ever heard of the neighbor to neighbor app, Nextdoor?

It was apparently started so neighbors could watch out for each other. And keep in touch. And make recommendations. Sounds decent enough. But there’s one thing the app creators failed to take into consideration. Or they just didn’t care. And that’s the fact that human beings are involved.

And have you noticed, especially lately, how mean and vindictive human beings can be to each other? Yeah, even to people, who live in their neighborhood, they don’t know at all.

I just read an article that shared info about Nextdoor. Check this out this excerpt from that article, and see if you still wanna join.

“If you’re not on the Nextdoor site, the only way to know you are being targeted is for someone to tell you. Ever have a disgruntled neighbor? Imagine that they can publicly post your name, address, description of you and any spurious story they chose to make up and you will be none the wiser. Now who among us hasn’t had a rift or two with a neighbor along the way? Depending on just how vicious that person your disagreement with is, you could find yourself being defamed right where you live. What was once  reserved only for the famous or conversely those mean girls in High School, is now being brought to every ‘adult’ in America via Nextdoor. And herein lies the problem, with Nextdoor, there are no checks and balances. Not only that, their Customer Services team is more concerned with the privacy of their members than that of a libeled person. A post may be taken down but extending an apology for the damage or untenable living environment their program can spawn may be hard to come by.”

The article went on to say…

“Nextdoor has no valid Corporate phone numbers. Their main number doesn’t answer and their alternate number is an answering machine that doesn’t identify the company. Even the Better Business Bureau doesn’t have valid phone contact information for them. FYI, their rating is a D- and their SiteJabber profile has an 86% disapproval rating. So Nextdoor needs to step up to the plate, post working Corporate numbers, train their  neighborhood Moderators on proper neighborly behavior and not allow personal assassinations and accusations on their site. In other words, they need to uphold the contract they have people agree to when they sign up! Nextdoor needs to take full responsibility when they allow people to be harassed, maligned and lied about and eat a little crow by understanding the dangers of their program.”

Knowing all that, can you still love your neighbor as yourself?

After all, God tells you to do that. So, it’s obviously mighty important.

And it’s even more important to know how. Love doesn’t mean you have to be a doormat, always turn the other cheek, or take abuse on Nextdoor. In fact, most of the time, if you’re doing those things, you might not actually love your neighbor.

The main thing to focus on, when it comes to loving someone is how your words, deeds, and actions will affect them. With an eternal perspective first. Everything else is secondary to that. After all…which is more important to your life? 80 years of chaos and confusion here on earth? Or an eternity of perfection with the one true, living, loving Creator of Heaven and life?
(here’s a hint…go with the second choice)

When you have an eternal perspective, you’ll know how important it is to make sure your neighbor understand there IS a God. And there IS a Heaven. And there IS a choice to be made here and now.

Since God wishes that “none should perish”, we should too. But to love your neighbor as yourself means you’re willing to share the whole Truth.

Not just the peace, love, joy, and forgiveness.

Because you don’t do neighbors a favor when you forgive them of something and they didn’t even show remorse or ask for forgiveness. And you don’t love your neighbor when you never say anything about Jesus to him or her.

If you truly want to love in a neighbor to neighbor way, speak up. Stand up. Get up right now and show them the full love, justice, and mercy of Jesus. Even if you start with someone in your family…start.

And if you have a profile on Nextdoor, I recommend you delete it. They don’t make that easy, by the way, and that should be another red flag.

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You can’t keep it all to yourself. In fact, if you think you can, it’s probably not in you anyway. Nope. If you want it to flourish, you’ve gotta give love away.

I read this great quote from C.S. Lewis. He talked about how you’ve gotta be willing to be vulnerable if you’re gonna love. He said,

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries: avoid all entanglements: lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket-safe, dark, motionless, airless-it will
change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable”

My favorite part of that quote is when he describes “the casket or coffin of your selfishness.” Yeah, that nails it.

Selfishness won’t let you give love away.

The apostle Paul told believers in Corinth that without love you’re nothing. And nothing you have or do will profit you without love.

And Jesus said all of God’s commandments can be boiled down to two. Love Him. And love your neighbor as yourself. So, give love away. Every chance you get. I’d say it’s the main thing to work on each and every day. Wouldn’t you?

Will you give your love today
In the little things you do?
Will you think of words to say
That will help your neighbor, too?
Will you think before you speak
And say things you might regret?
Will you think up ways to care…
Ways you haven’t thought up yet?
Will you try to keep your love
In a secret hideaway?
Jesus gives you all of His…
You should give your love today.

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Anger management. Ironically, most of the people who think other people are the people who need anger management seem to be so angry about it. And that makes me so angry.

Not really. I’m just using absurdity to expose absurdity.

The reason I brought it up is because of an article on the subject. And it talked about how some people (weak-minded ones) are so upset when other people (Christians) speak up boldly. The people in that first group call Christians “haters.” And they “hear” only anger from those “haters.” Sadly, many of the Christian “haters” hear those accusations and then apologize.

And, indirectly, they become victims of controlled anger management.

You don’t fall for that nonsense. Right? Because you understand what God says about anger. A short, well-known verse in the Bible says,

“Be angry and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath…”

Notice how it says to “be angry.” It doesn’t tell you NOT to be angry. Because when activities and circumstances go against God, it should make you angry. Just don’t let it make you sin. Because sin makes you stupid.

Admit it. Don’t you get mad when politicians, for the umpteenth time, take your money and give it to someone else? I sure do. And even though it burns me up, I don’t go to bed worrying about it.

Because I know the answer to the problems. Not only do I know, I trust. Because the answer is my Creator. Jesus isn’t gonna allow politicians and anybody else who hates Him to rant on forever. One day, maybe sooner than anyone might imagine, He’ll put an end to it. I call that hope and joy.

But enough of my soapbox preachin’. Check out these lyrics to a song about a guy who some might say needs some anger management. But is that really the case? You be the judge. And if you wanna hear the song, it’s included in my The Power of God’s Love Podcast. Episode 175

You Ain’t Got Nothin’ Over Me

I don’t know why you have to give me all those funny looks
I ain’t no Redford, but you ain’t no girl from Sunnybrook’s
If looks could kill, I’d need a will, but
You ain’t got nothin’ over me

You miss the point when you say I don’t know anything
You’re just upset ’cause you never got a diamond ring
I told you so, and now you know
You ain’t got nothin’ over me

You like to brag about your little German sports car
I’ll take my Mustang, and I don’t care what the odds are
Go on adjust, and eat my dust
You ain’t got nothin’ over me…

Your sense of humor doesn’t make a bit of sense to me
And your rebuttals; well they’ll only get you sympathy
You don’t play fair, but I don’t care
You ain’t got nothin’ over me!

You’ve got a problem with your social and emotional
You think you read me, but your literate ain’t functional
And you’re no sage so act your age
You ain’t got nothin’ over me!

Chorus…

I look around and you’re there
You like to get in my hair
You’ve got me bent out of shape
How did they let you escape?

instrumental

repeat 1st 2 verses…chorus twice and end

© 1989 Tony Funderburk

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There are lots of gods in this world. There’s the one who currently rules our planet (hint: it’s not Jesus). And then there are all the even smaller ones that most of the world worship. One day they’ll all be swept away by the one Who remains. The One and only One.

Have you noticed how America isn’t quite the place it used to be for Christians? Do you see how many more people want to make fun of us and mock our faith?

And have you picked up on the trend where people thank the universe rather than the Creator of the universe? It’s sad, but we can still be glad because we know our God is the one, true, living, loving God. And He’ll have a loving relationship with anyone who chooses to trust Him.

The One God who remains forever is the only God of hope.

And I’d like to share this song to encourage you to remember where your hope is…

Our God Is LPRGL

The world is…obsessed with death and dying.
They’re drowning…in bitterness and crying.
It’s such an awful shame.
They could call upon the name of Jesus.
As followers we say
We know He’s the only Way that frees us
From the sins we hide deep inside. They…can’t please us.

Our bodies…become the dust that scatters.
If that’s it…then nothing really matters.
We may as well give in
When we feel the world begin to seize us.
Who needs all that guilt and blame
You get calling on the name of Jesus?
But it’s not like that. It’s a fact…Jesus sees us.

He’s living and He’s life…He’s personal to talk to…
Relational with every son and daughter.
He’s good and so much more….He’s loving to the core…
Jesus is the Living Water.
And each time a soul is saved all the angels above sing…
Our God is living, personal, relational, good…and loving.

Our souls know…infinity is calling.
But temptation…can keep our spirits falling.
So we need to fix our eyes
On the true eternal prize of Jesus.
When we stand before the throne,
He knows our lives, alone, won’t appease us.
No, we need the blood of the lamb…we need Jesus.

© 2009 Tony Funderburk

I hope you trust the One Who remains your friend forever.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Puns are fun. Yeah, I’m a fan. In fact, you could call me Tony Punderburk, and I wouldn’t be upset. My name has been butchered way worse than that.

Anyway…

But not everybody thinks puns are fun.

But those who don’t are almost always the ones whose sense of humor lives in public bathrooms.

I remember a discussion I had, back in my full-time musician days. A couple of us talked as we set up to play for an evening crowd in Denver. And I made a pun about something. Don’t even remember what it was. But a guy who had come along to help set up the gear said, “Ooh, a pun! Those are the lowest form of humor.”

I immediately replied, “I guess if you leave out dirty words and vulgar jokes about women, different races or ethnic groups, body parts, and bathroom humor…maybe you’ve got a point.”

He didn’t have a comeback. And he just gave me one of those “drop dead” looks.

And I wondered, “Why would a clean play on words ever be considered low humor.”

Most people don’t seem to have a problem being told what foods are good. But they hate being told what words and ideas are good. In fact, it’s difficult to even get a consensus on what “good” is anymore. So, these days, it’s whatever is right in your own mind.

Trouble with that is…a lot of people are clueless about what’s right.

Wholesome words are a good place to start.

If you know a lazy-talkin’-foul-mouth who thinks (or says) “You can’t tell me what to say or think,” ask them (or better yet, tell them) to take it somewhere else. And say something like,

“Your words come off public bathroom walls, and I don’t want that filth around me.”

And here’s a suggestion I had, several years ago, for people like that.

“Consider trying something different today. Look up a word (or two or three), that you don’t understand. And discover what it means and where it originated. Then, see what kind of ideas pop into your head. I promise ideas WILL pop into your head. And when something less wholesome pops in there, focus more on your new ideas. Guess what’ll happen when you do this on a regular basis. You’ll become an idea person. And you’ll be able to rise above the dirty jokes and curse words. You’ll find you no longer need them to feel strong. Because your ideas will strengthen you.”

It works. But only when you work at it.

And, on that note, I meant it when I said I think puns are fun. Maybe this whole thing about ideas has reminded you of some. If so, send me your favorite. If it’s clean (and it better be), I’ll share it.

Here are some words I shared, a few years back, to express the idea about ideas. And if it sounds like it was written for kids, here’s why. Because I wrote it to get kids interested in writing.

Open Your Head

Open your head.
Pour words right in.
Then shake your head
And let ’em spin.
They’ll bubble up
Like polka dots
Into some bright
And bouncing thoughts.
Just let them float,
And let them grow.
When they’re just right,
You’ll let them go
Live on a page
Where they’ll be read
And poured into
Another head.

© 2013 Tony Funderburk

If you know someone interested in writing, get them this journal. Or send the link so they can get it.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to The TRUTH Journal
(emails with good stuff for Fa-Ree)

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered right to your device. (also Fa-Ree)

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for believers, dreamers, and thinkers