Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Negative and positive attitudes can both be caused by something. And you can look around and see plenty of places to put (or lay) the blame. Tyrants in control of many (or most) of the nations. Self-serving, thieving politicians. Ubiquitous drugs, legal and illegal. And the list goes on.

But I believe negative and positive attitudes are actually your fault.

Because, ultimately, YOU decide how you’ll react to the problems in the world. And you get to choose which side of the attitude spectrum you’ll show to the world.

My suggestion, and you can totally ignore me if you think my tips are just too simpleton, is to choose positive. Because when you choose to be positive, you’ll almost immediately be different from almost everyone. And, for the most part, that’s a mighty good thing.

Here are some tips I shared a few years ago. And they’re still great recommendations:

  1. Show your teeth. What?! I just mean that you need to smile. When I was a young kid my dad was an avid runner. I wanted to go with him, but it was difficult to keep up. He told me to smile as I was running, and it would keep my attitude more positive. I didn’t believe him, and it felt goofy, but I did it, and it worked.
  2. Focus on what you do; not what you don’t. When things don’t go so well on any given day, it’s easy to start focusing on what you did wrong. That’s OK to a point, but only as long as you learn from your mistakes. Sometimes it’s not a mistake. Sometimes it’s just a difference in perspective. Keep in mind…you’re a professional; you’ve worked hard to learn what you know, and just because someone doesn’t agree makes no difference.
  3. Speak “up”. The words that come out of your mouth aren’t just heard by others. You hear them, too. Make sure that your words are uplifting whenever possible.
  4. Eat better. Just as the words coming out of your mouth can affect you; the food going in can, too. If you’re filling your “tank” on sugars and caffeine to keep going, before you know it you’ll have a larger tank. And it’s even more difficult to stay positive when that happens.
  5. Filter the news. While it’s good to stay informed, it’s not beneficial to hear each and every day about the countless crimes and misdemeanors. In fact, you don’t have to hear about them to know they happened, so get a dose of information from your various sources, and then read a good book or work on your next project.
  6. Move it. OK; I know you hear this everywhere you look or listen, but it really does help your positive outlook. Get away from your desk or TV or whatever it is you sit in front of too much. Even if you take a walk around your neighborhood, you’re getting oxygen into your blood. And oxygenated blood goes to your brain, and you know what your brain does.
  7. Love. You really never have to look far to find someone to love. I don’t mean the kind of love you find on the cover of the newsstand magazines. I mean the giving kind of love. If you don’t have a wife or husband or potential, you can still love your fellow human being. Love them enough to say an encouraging word now and then. When you do that, you’ll be working on suggestions 3 & 7 at the same time.

 

Combine and or all suggestions and get positive. The world needs YOU.

I look for Everlasting holy clues
To steel myself through all this negative news
I dream the Everlasting wide-eyed stuff,
But I’m still aware that dreaming’s never enough.

(from the song “Everlasting and Everywhere” off the Do Right collection)

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I read another interesting article about health benefits from the elements of music. And this article used a couple of words you should never use if you don’t believe in our Creator God. A woman, named Barbara Else, who’s a senior advisor of policy and research at the American Music Therapy Association, said this…

“We have a such a deep connection to music because it is ‘hardwired’ in our brains and bodies,” Barbara Else, senior advisor of policy and research at the American Music Therapy Association told Medical News Today. “The elements of music – rhythm, melody, etc. – are echoed in our physiology, functioning and being.”

Did you catch the words I’m talking about?

Not the rhythm, melody, etc. elements of music part.

But how those elements are “hardwired into our brains and bodies.” And how they “are echoed in our physiology, functioning and being.”

Nothing gets hardwired accidentally. Hardwired implies (correctly so) something DONE on purpose. And nothing echos without an original sound or element. In fact, check out this definition of echo: a sound, or series of sounds, caused by the reflection of sound waves from a surface back to the listener

I love that last part. “The reflection of sound waves from a surface back to the listener.” Yeah, the listener made the sound in the first place. Or else there wouldn’t have been an echo of that sound. And, somewhat metaphorically speaking, elements of music don’t echo into us without someone first creating them.

They didn’t magically appear from nothing.

Now, getting back to the subject of music and health. How does any of what I just shared have anything to do with your health? Because we DO have a deep connection to music. And the rhythm, melody, and harmonic waves DO affect our physiology, functioning, and well-being. And I believe that’s by design.

God created your body and all its functions.

And I believe His abiding and immense love for you affected His decision to make so many healthy things pleasurable. Like music. He probably could’ve created music as just another sound you hear. But He didn’t. Because musical sound waves affect your physiology much differently than, let’s say, the sound of a large hammer hitting a metal object.

I’ve got lots more to share about this. But I also wanna say I’m not hardwired to share it. It’s totally my own choice and my own will. And it gives me pleasure to talk about the one, true, living, loving Creator of the universe and all its life. AND I feel incredibly blessed to have music be such a huge part of my life.

You’re the breath in my lungs.
And you’re the song upon my tongue.
You’re the source of life no doubters can erase.
And through sickness and health,
Lord I consecrate myself
And I just can’t wait to see you face to face.

(from the song “Jeremiah’s Prayer”)

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It’s the term for when a record or album sells at least two million copies. And back in 1972, a collection of Christian music was recorded that would become an album of double platinum songs. And that album would become the bestselling gospel album ever.

The Queen of Soul sang those double platinum songs.

And she sang a lot of other hits, too. In fact, according to stats I’ve seen, she sold over 75 million records in her 76 years on Earth. Plus, she had a bunch of top 40 hits. And she won 18 Grammy awards.

Not bad for a girl born in her parents house in Memphis, Tennessee.

Ms Franklin was also lavished with lots of praise for her voice. In fact, in 2010 Rolling Stone magazine (the epitome of a clear-thinking Christian periodical) rated her at Number 1 of the top 100 female vocalists of all time. Can’t do better than that, right?

Her signature song, “Respect,” was actually Otis Redding’s song. But her recording of it was so popular, basically no one would have imagined it was ever anybody else’s music. When Otis heard her version, he supposedly said, “That little girl done took my song away from me.”

I wasn’t a fan of Aretha’s music.

Double platinum songs or any others. Not that I didn’t like ’em. I just liked other music and other artists much more. So, I spent my money on their music. Not hers.

But I can certainly appreciate all she did. Especially when you consider what her obstacles would have been as a young, darker skinned woman back in the 60’s. Aretha could certainly belt ’em out. And I hope her bestselling gospel album, “Amazing Grace,” has helped at least a few people get to know God.

She knows if that’s true. Because Aretha died exactly four years ago today, August 16, 2018, after a fairly long battle with cancer. She knows, now, that Amazing Grace is real.

What a choice, to be loosed or bound.
Plant your feet on the solid ground.
And receive; and receive the Grace.
Put the Light in your dark heart’s place

(from the song “Give To Gain”)

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About 5 years ago I had an idea for an abounding grace song. So, I did what I always do. I wrote the lyrics. But there was still something missing. In fact a couple of things still missing.

Seems like an abounding grace song would need music.

Right?

Yeah, that’s usually how it works. Words and music make a song. But I didn’t put the words to music. So, the words sat on my external hard drive. And I added them to one of the articles here on the website. But I still didn’t add music. What’s an abounding grace song without music? Duh. It’s just a poem, dude.

OK, fair enough.

And it’s not like I think I have forever to finish the song. In fact, who knows which day or hour will be my last. But I DO know every day is an opportunity to seek the wisdom that leads to eternal life.

And I know I’ve been given the freedom to choose. Life. Or death. Of course, I don’t mean this brief life and death scenario going on here on earth every day. I mean eternity. The fullness of forever. You and I already started our journeys through eternity. But we can’t experience the fullness of it in this space/time continuum.

Thankfully, we WILL experience it.

Well, sadly, most people won’t be thankful for their location. But you can rest assured they’ll be exactly where they chose to be. Torment. Or paradise. And the paradise only happens because of…

Abounding Grace

If this was the last day of my life…
If this was the last sunrise I’d see…
I’d still thank the Lord for my days
And His abounding Grace to me.

If this was the last thing that I wrote…
If this was my final poetry…
I’d still thank the Lord for His word
And His abounding Grace to me.

If this was the last time I could pray…
If this had to be my closing plea…
I’d hope you could say, “I love the Lord
And His abounding Grace to me.”

© 2017

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Who’s afraid of a little extra heat? I’ve shared, a few times, how God promises that as long as the earth is around we’ll have our regular kinds of weather. And now I wanna share a video with you about some animals that got stuck in the ice and froze right where they were because it was so cold. The man in the video asks if you think freezing cold weather leads to global warming. Well, duh. Of course it does. Just as global warming causes the freezing in the first place.

Yeah, it’s silly to think global warming could cause flash freezing.

But it’s every bit as silly to think freezing can warm up the earth.

But I’m just a dorky writer and singer. What do I know? Well, I know I’m not worried. And I’m not scared. And I don’t believe people just because they have “degrees” (Hmm, is there a slight pun there?) or call themselves “scientists.” Because many (most) of them have a bias against creationism and design. So, of course their so-called science will take them away from God. But that’s a stupid decision.

Because apart from the source of life, there’s no hope. And without hope the quest for knowledge becomes diluted with lies. And without knowledge, lives are destroyed. No big deal. Unless you love your neighbor as yourself. And unless you realize your neighbor needs hope just as much as you do.

Well, I just wanted to check in and share some hope with you. Because I know you’re not gonna live on a burning or freezing planet. And that’s despite the fact that there are frozen and burning spots. But they’re only on our planet because it’s broken. One day you won’t live on this broken planet.

You’ll either exist somewhere worse. Or you’ll live, forever, in paradise.

You’ll moan and groan in a place that makes global warming seem like a walk in the park on a cool spring day. Or you’ll enjoy a place that makes that walk in the park seem like sheer torture.

And you probably don’t need me to tell you this. But somebody you know needs to know.

One place too many…
Three days, forever.
No chance, not any…
These ties must sever.
Intent is noble…
Desire, contagious
The need is global…
Real life, outrageous.
Cash in, no forward…
Shut down production.
Form lines, no foreword…
Avoid induction.
This time tomorrow…
Ahead, not over.
One place for sorrow…
One place for clover.

© 1992

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The road to perdition is paved with nothing. And as silly as that sounds, most people on our little blue planet believe it’s the right road. And they’ll even say it out loud. With conviction. And sometimes indignation.

I found this definition, in an online dictionary, for perdition: (in Christian theology) a state of eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful and unrepentant person passes after death.

Sounds like fun, right? No, it sounds horrible. And yet, the vast majority of our human race is driving, full-speed, toward that destination right this minute.

And, like I said, their road to perdition is paved with nothing.

Because they actually still believe everything in the whole universe came from nothing.

Their little fairy tale goes like this:

Once upon a time there was nothing but a tiny dot. And the tiny dot exploded. Then everything we know about rose up out of that explosion. We all had our beginning in the “primordial soup.” So, like someone I know used to say, “from the goo to the zoo to you.”

Of course, I simplified the story because they like to make it sound scientific. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Their claim that everything came from nothing is silly. And childish. And definitely not staying true to actual science. It’s a fairy tale just like magical toys that come to life and talk. Or little boys and girls who fly. Or talking elephants. And even creatures that are part human and part horse. Fun and imaginative stories, maybe. But it’s good to remember they’re make-believe.

It’s so weird to think, in this age of microscopic photography and quantum biology, there are still adults who’ll tell you there’s no such thing as God. But, yes Virginia, they still believe in their debunked fairy tale.

That’s just as silly and foolish as saying everything came from nothing. Even worse, it’s sad. Because people who make that choice will spend forever in a place all by themselves. Eternally lonely. If you know someone like that, I hope you’ll show them how much you love them. And how much God loves them, too. And you can do that with evidence. Not just feelings.

Because there’s a mountain of evidence to support Biblical truth. Manuscripts. Archaeological discoveries. Prophetic manifestations. And tons of a documented (actual) scientific statistics.

Evidence gets and keeps you on the right road.

And the awesome thing is, the learning process never ends. I’m still learning. Anyone who seeks truth, instead of way to be their own god, keeps learning. Because we can never get to the end of our awesome, infinite Creator.

And the best part is, everyone who loves God will get to live with Him forever. And we’ll spend eternity discovering how only He can make and keep us healthy and happy forever.

If you know someone who’s on that road to perdition, give ’em the better map. God’s word.

Believing in nothing is no good.
It’s better when something’s understood.
‘Cause nothing didn’t make you, and nothing doesn’t take you
Where only your Creator ever could.

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Imagine directing a film version of The Ten Commandments. And including a scene, from the Bible, where God parted the Red Sea. OK. Now imagine directing that movie in 1923. When there was no such thing as a green screen, motion capture suits, or digital editing. What an incredible undertaking that would be. And it seems like a director might look for easier projects from then on.

But the director I’m talking about did The Ten Commandments again.

And I think most people would agree the second time was better than the first. At least it’s the one that anyone who remembers, recalls.

And the director of both epic Biblical movies was Cecil B. deMille. If you’re not a Silver Screen buff or aficionado, you might not recognize that name. His first name is pronounced with the short e, like set. But everyone, from back then, certainly knew that. Because he made such amazing, memorable movies. In fact, over 70 of them.

I read an article that said his first film, “The Squaw Man,” was “the 1st feature-length film ever made in Hollywood for Paramount Pictures. That was in 1914. And his career lasted into the 1950’s almost up until he died. During those years his epic films included Cleopatra, Samson and Delilah, and Sunset Boulevard.

Of course, he won many awards, including the Oscar.

And he enjoyed years of fame and fortune. But, from other bits of information I’ve read, he professed a Christian faith. Which might explain why he made Biblical themed movies. I hope that’s true. And I see no reason to think otherwise.

But, I didn’t actually get up this morning with a longing desire to write about Mr. deMille. Nope. It’s just that his birthday happens to be the same as another famous person. A much more important and intriguing person. And a person who changed my life permanently and profoundly.

Happy Birthday to my wife, Elgielene. The incomparable Miss El. Here’s to many more. 🎶

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“the poor will never cease from the land.” Wow, that’s a pretty negative quote. Sounds like somebody who just doesn’t have foresight. Definitely not a visionary. Not like one entrepreneur I’m connected with in a business network. I just saw a post of his where he said his purpose is to “end poverty.”

So, he obviously doesn’t believe the poor will never cease from the land.

Because if he believes that, why would he think his mission is to end it. If it will never cease, that means he won’t be able to make it cease. OK, have I driven that point far enough into the ground?

To be fair, the entrepreneur I’m talking about is a very nice guy. And he’s very successful in the world of copywriting (that’s writing for business, in case you don’t know). I’ve spoken with him, personally, and I have nothing against him as a person. In fact, he says he’s a Christian, and I have no reason to doubt it.

But he misses the real Christian message, so often, with the Christian messages he shares. And his purpose to end poverty, while noble (in a touchy feely way), is in stark contradiction to the person whose quote I shared to start this post.

They can’t BOTH be right.

They could both be wrong. Or one of them could be wrong while the other is right. But they can’t BOTH be right. Because one seeks to end poverty while the other says it will always be here.

I guess I should share this little morsel of info about the person who said the poor will never cease from the land. He also said you should help the poor when you can. So, he’s not hard-hearted. And he DOES care. But he also knows (and shares) what’s true and what isn’t. Regardless of how it “feels.”

And here’s one more morsel for you.

He’s God.

So…there’s that.

God also said this to a guy, who appeared to be concerned about the poor, “The poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

Wow. Always. Sounds like there’s really no end to poverty. So, to make ending it your purpose in life sounds fruitless. Especially when you consider there are so many people in this world who prefer it.

Yes. Prefer it. They absolutely do NOT want to work. And they absolutely do NOT want the responsibility that comes with wealth. If you were able, somehow, to make them wealthy, they’d be rid of it faster than you could probably imagine.

But hey, if it makes you feel good, who cares what God says about it?

How can anybody profit?
Give of your hand and not your heart
And no one’s world can change.
When will anybody listen?
When all the deer and the antelope
Lose their home out on the range?

Why does everybody forget?
Their little brick and glass domain
Can’t shield them from the fire.
I wish that we could all be happy.
I know we should and maybe we could
Put our faith a whole lot higher

(from the song, “Rainbow City”)

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My love for letters and words began long before my first day of school. Many of my earliest memories are of my Grandmother and my Mom reading stories and the Sunday “funnies” to me. And I think the word pictures from those stories and comic strips led, in part, to my lifelong habits of observation.

Here’s how I see it (pun slightly intended) observation creates thoughts. Thoughts create ideas. And ideas create words. Then, words create sentences. Sentences create paragraphs. And paragraphs create verses or chapters or books. So, it’s like the power of observation becomes good ink for the pen. Or in my case, nowadays, strokes for the computer keyboard.

So, writing became one of my favorite lifelong habits

Do you prefer to read and leave writing to authors? The world needs readers AND writers. So, you’re good either way. And whether you write, or prefer to read, I hope lots of good ideas and words dance in your thoughts today. And everyday. Who knows? Maybe some of them will become…

Ink For The Pen

The little girl who fell and bruised her knee on the ground
Didn’t know her tears were some more ink for the pen.
The little boy who ran and laughed and jumped all around
Didn’t know his giggles were more ink for the pen.

The dog that chased a ball and caught it right in the air
Didn’t know its wagging tail was ink for the pen.
The ducks that saw the dog and then scattered everywhere
Didn’t know they quacked up some more ink for the pen.

The loved ones who were here but have since passed away
Didn’t know their lives provided ink for the pen.
Until I leave this world and my body’s cast away
I’ll write about this love that brings me ink for the pen.

© 2013

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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.

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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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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.

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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”)

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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.”

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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)

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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.

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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”)

Stay tuned,

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