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Tony Funderburk Posted on June 25, 2021 by TonyJune 25, 2021
Tesla papers are cool. But was he just a fool?

Nikola Tesla was an interesting guy. No doubt. And he’s represented, a lot, around here in the shadow of Pike’s Peak. Because he actually lived and worked in the Colorado Springs area for a little while. And recently I read some excerpts from what are known as the “Tesla papers.” Yes, he was an interesting guy. Still is I guess.

Some snippets from the Tesla papers make you go “hmm.”

Like this quote…

“I have devoted much of my time during the year past to the perfecting of a new small and compact apparatus by which energy in considerable amounts can now be flashed through interstellar space to any distance without the slightest dispersion.”

According to the article, Mr. Tesla “never publicly revealed any technical details of his improved transmitter.” But he did reveal a new formula that showed…

“The kinetic and potential energy of a body is the result of motion and determined by the product of its mass and the square of its velocity. Let the mass be reduced, the energy is reduced by the same proportion. If it be reduced to zero, the energy is likewise zero for any finite velocity.”

OK. I’m sure that meant a lot more to Nikola than it does to me.

So, I’ll have to quote another famous guy, Shakespeare, from Macbeth: Act 5 Scene 5. That’s the famous soliloquy that includes, “Life is but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

No, I’m not saying Nikola Tesla was an idiot.

But he might’ve been a fool. Because I’ve been unable to find any definitive answer as to whether or not he recognized Jesus as the one who created mass and energy.

And no matter what sort of theories or formulas or technologies you develop, if they don’t acknowledge the One who gave us the ingredients, you’re still a fool.

So, please…make your life more than a walking shadow. More than a story told by an idiot. Make your life an eternal story. And a story who’s happy ending was written by your Author and Finisher.

The end you come to, here, is not the end.
It can go on forever, with the friend
Who wants your life to be renewed eternally
In ways you cannot even comprehend.

Stay tuned,

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Posted in Rhyme and Reason
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 24, 2021 by TonyJune 25, 2021
Spare time memories of a song I really don't love

In college I had a roommate, Rick. And he was a nice guy. We got along fine. But I think he could sleep through a tornado. And an example of what I mean is also one of the biggest reasons I hate the song, Free Bird, by Lynrd Skynrd. If you haven’t heard it, do yourself a favor, and don’t. Unless you’ve got 5 to 14 minutes of spare time you truly don’t care about.

But maybe I’m being too harsh.

Yeah, now that I think about it, take your spare time and give it a listen.

Then, maybe you can tell me why I shouldn’t hate it. But back to the biggest reason I do. Rick, the college roommate, had a very early morning class he attended twice a week. At least I think it was twice a week. Because this was a long time ago. Anyway…Rick knew he’d oversleep if he didn’t set an alarm. So, he set his clock radio to wake him up with, you guessed it….music.

And the first time his music alarm went off, there was just some DJ talk. But then, the DJ started up the album version of Free Bird. OK, how do I know this all happened? Because I’ve always been a light sleeper. So, Rick’s alarm went off and I woke up immediately.

But Rick didn’t.

Then, the song continued. And continued. And continued. Like I said, the DJ put on the album version, which is a little over 9 minutes long. Probably because he needed a bathroom break or something. But whatever the reason, I lay there listening to Free Bird, which I already didn’t like, and waited for Rick to wake up and shut off his alarm.

But Rick didn’t.

And the song got to the fingernails-on-a-chalkboard-seemingly-endless guitar solo part. Still Rick slept. And still I didn’t. So, I decided to take control of the situation. And I grabbed my handy ax. No, wait. That was just a thought. It wasn’t supposed to be part of the story. Forget you read it.

Anyway…

I finally got up…even though I didn’t have a class for about two more hours…and gave Rick a nudge. And then a slightly stronger nudge. And on about the 3rd or 4th strong nudge, he woke up. But guess what? Yeah, you probably guessed it. He didn’t turn off the radio. And I didn’t go back to sleep.

So, the moral of the story? Well, there are two, actually. Anytime you’ve got 5 to 14 minutes of spare time, listen to some music by Beethoven.

And…if you have a light sleeper roommate, set your alarm to Beethoven’s music. Sure, it ain’t Free Bird. But then again, it sure ain’t Free Bird.

Stay tuned,

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Posted in life is beautiful | Tagged a very interesting story, pop music
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 23, 2021 by TonyJuly 20, 2023
First mate duties for mates and cuties

Ahoy mates. I hope you be in a good mood for a yarn. A tale as big as the biggest creature in all the world. Ay, that’s right. We be talkin’ ’bout the whale. But not just any whale. This be the mighty Moby Dick. But this’ll be no free ride for ye. Not by a long stretch. Ay, you’ll be tendin’ to first mate duties all the way. So, heave ho and away we go.

Since you’ll be tendin’ to first mate duties, maybe ye heard o’ Starbuck. Yes?

What’s that ye say? Never heard of Starbuck? Well, shiver me timbers. Maybe the plank’s in your future. Because you’re startin’ to sound like a landlubber.

But first, I’ll grab some grog and let ya in on some Starbuck secrets. Ay, and they don’t include coffee.

Starbuck was a Nantucketer and a Quaker. And he was also the first mate on the Pequod ship. Ay, that was the whalin’ ship skippered by none other than Captain Ahab hisself.

And Starbuck agreed to sail with Captain Ahab on his mission to hunt and kill the great white whale, Moby-Dick. Sure enough, he went along on his own accord. But he figgered Ahab’s motives made no sense. As Starbuck put it,  “Don’t make sense to hold a vendetta against nature itself.”

Ay, ya see Starbuck was a bit of a spiritual man. Most say he was downright rational. And a firm believer in the laws of nature. And by that he figgered whales be like humans in at least one way. They probably do all they can to protect themselves from harm and death, too. So, naturally they’d be likely to protect themselves from hunters.

And Starbuck, bein’ a reasonable, rational man, figgered it was a bad idea to kill whales just for vengeance.

Now, I ain’t gonna tell you the whole story about Starbuck, Ahab, and Moby Dick. Specially since there’s a book with the whole story in it. Read it this evenin’ when you’re through with your first mate duties.

And when you’re through with that book, I’ll have another for ya to read. I put it right where you can find it.

And the first page goes like this…

Hey little mate, let’s go set sail
In search of the songs from the humpback whale,
The one with the smile and the powerful tail.
Go get your gear, let’s go set sail.

Don’t forget, the book’ll be right here for you to read. Now, get back to work. Or it’s the plank for ya.

(https://www.amazon.com/Hey-Little-Mate-Tony-Funderburk/dp/1093647426/)

Stay tuned,

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Posted in Author, Christian books for kids | Tagged books for kids, humpback whales
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 22, 2021 by TonyJune 23, 2021
Columns are missing, unbelievers are hissing

Columns are missing. And paradigms are falling down. But I’ll bet you don’t even care. You’re probably just gonna go on about your day and enjoy your life as though none of it’s happening. Right? And I bet you couldn’t care less about what happens when huge amounts of time go missing. Yeah, you’re so callous.

Me, too.

Because even though certain columns are missing, nothing’s gonna fall down.

Well, except for those aforementioned paradigms. And scientific theories. And lots of goofy science fiction thinking. Yeah, those are gonna fall down. But it couldn’t happen to a nicer group of people.

So, you’re thinking, “Get to the point, Tony. What in the world are you talking about?”

Actually, I’m talking about the geologic columns in the world. Well, they’re not actually in the world. They’re in the minds and imaginations of people who hate God. Because, in real life, there’s almost zero evidence for the so-called “geologic periods.”

According to Dr. Walt Brown, “only 15″“20% of Earth’s land surface has one-third of these periods in the correct order.” So, millions and millions of years are missing when you check out the layers in the Grand Canyon.

But who cares?

It’s just a bunch of old rocks. What does it matter in the grand scheme of things? Well, it doesn’t matter at all, if there’s really no “scheme.” But let’s say, for grins, that our good ol’ planet Earth is the product of a brilliant designer. And let’s go one step further and say that brilliant designer wants to have a relationship with us.

If that’s the case (and it is), then missing data in the geologic column is pretty darn important. Because then you and I could know we’re here on purpose. And that’s so much cooler than wondering “why are we here?” Or “What does it all mean?”

Then, when you come to terms with a brilliant Designer making brilliant designs, some wonderful things ease into your life. Like hope. And faith. And dare I say it? Yes, I’ll say it…Love.

You could put Hope in Column 1. Faith in Column 2. And Love in Column 3. And you’ll create a spreadsheet that’ll never have any missing or empty columns.

You gotta walk together,
Walk in love and light.
You gotta walk in wisdom,
In the Way that’s right.
And then you’ll walk forever
With the Lord above,
And drink the Living Water,
Of forever love.

Stay tuned,

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Posted in creation science, Faith Hope and Love | Tagged creation science, evidence that supports the truth
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 21, 2021 by TonyJune 23, 2021
God is in control - these words sure take their toll

Once again I read a post, by a well-known social media person, who blamed God for bad stuff. And once again, it’s another person who thinks “God is in control” of even something like back problems. This person, like far too many others, falls for the pagan Greek philosophy version of our Creator. And not for the one, true, living, loving, Creator who doesn’t even force you to choose life. No, you can even CHOOSE death. It’s not forced on you.

“God is in control” means you have no options.

And no options mean you’re bound by a control freak’s decree. This is crucial to understand, especially if you’re a Christian, because people can either go to Heaven or hell based on what you tell them.

And when you tell them your back went out on you, and that it must be God trying to slow you down, they’re liable to reject that kind of Creator. I don’t blame them. I would, too. So, a better idea, when your back “goes out” on you, is to remember you live in a broken world. And bad things happen because humans make bad choices.

Never once, in my life, have I ever blamed God for bad stuff. And that’s what you’re doing almost every time you say “God is in control” as an attempt to understand and explain bad stuff.

But don’t take my word for it. I’m another one of those broken humans who makes bad decisions. I recommend you take Jesus’ Word for it, when He tells us He’s not the ruler of this world.

And remember, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days…”

Yes, one day, when God is in control of this world again, every person will know it without a doubt. Till then…

Choose Life

Well you hid your heart in a so-called safe place,
And you locked your love in a big, black box,
And you had no hope,
But you built your brave face,
And you ran your rat race…through the tics and tocs.

Well, the bluebells bloomed in ideal intentions
As you tilled the truth into lifelong lies,
And you dug in deep making many mentions
Of your pretty pensions…always alibis.

You can’t run away from real truth.
And every word of truth is a knife.
A captivating voice might pigeonhole your choice,
Cut free…and choose life.

When your daydreams die and you feel half-hearted,
And your love is lost in a soulless sky,
Try to train your thoughts when your brain’s bombarded
By the stuff you started”learn to love the lie.

Chorus” Choose life…choose life…choose life

© 2013 Tony Funderburk

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Posted in Bible study, Deuteronomy, Words and Music | Tagged choose life, you can choose
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 20, 2021 by TonyJune 20, 2021
Longest day of the year is weird around here

Here in the Northern hemisphere, today is the longest day of the year. At least in daylight hours. Yep, that means the days start getting shorter starting tomorrow. It’s funny how some people hate to hear that. So, of course, that means I’ve gotta say it every year. Because I’m designed that way. No gettin’ around it.

This longest day of the year, in 2021, is a model of synchronization.

Not only is it the Summer Solstice, but it’s also Father’s Day. My Dad has been in Heaven for the past 35 Father’s Days. So, it’s sort of a moot holiday for me. AND it’s the birthday of my younger brother I haven’t seen in about a dozen years. Yeah, June 20, especially this year, is just sort of weird.

So, if your dad is still around, be sure to let him know how much he means to you. And if there’s a rift between you, do your best to reconcile. This life goes by way too fast to leave it all to chance. And if you’re like me, with no dad to send a card to or call, then I hope you have the peace that passes all understanding in your heart. The peace and love that can only come from the original, one, true, living, loving Father of us all. And with Him, every day is..

Our Father’s Day

We have eyes and ears, a heart and mind.
If we truly seek, God’s not hard to find.
As we leave this broken world behind,
Only His Truth and Love are the ties that bind.
We have hours or days or weeks or years
To be reconciled from our hopeless fears.
Think of this before your last day appears…
Only a loving God wipes away your tears.

He gives life and love and light.
Only He makes all things right.
And we’re here, so we should say…
Every day’s our Father’s Day.
With each day our daily bread…
Every thought that’s in our head…
Should illuminate the Way
Every day’s our Father’s Day.

We can see design upon His land…
Even in an unborn baby’s hand,
And when life is not the way we planned,
Only a living God helps us understand.

repeat chorus

© 2010 Tony Funderburk

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Posted in current events, Words and Music | Tagged longest day, summer solstice
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 19, 2021 by TonyAugust 14, 2021
My cup runs over through thorns and through clover

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Just in case you haven’t noticed, the world is full of mean people and bad stuff. Nations are at war…all the time. Political parties are in constant power struggles. Murder is consistently at epidemic levels. And man-made pandemics are all the rage. But, even with all this dark-hearted dreariness, my cup runs over.

And my cup runs over because all this will go away.

Yeah, it’s temporary. Sure, it doesn’t feel all that temporary when the really bad stuff is happening. But one day we’ll all look back on this and see how it all went by in the blink of an eye.

And I have something that buffers the suffering. Something that stands strong and true. And something that rejoices in the truth, which helps me rejoice. It bears all things, so all things are more bearable. I’m talking about something that hopes all things and endures all things. And it helps me hope and endure.

What is this that’s able to do such wonderful things?

Love.

But not the typical love you’ll find floating around the world. Not that here-today-gone-tomorrow love. And not the confused human love based solely on feelings. No, this is REAL abiding, everlasting love.

Have you ever watched the old movie, “The Bishop’s Wife” with Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven? We watch it every Christmas. Not because it’s good Biblical teaching. Far from it. But because it just hearkens back to a more loving time in America.

But there’s a scene, in the movie, where Cary Grant’s character (he’s an angel) pours some brandy into a professor’s glass. And as the professor talks and drinks, Cary’s character magically refills his glass with brandy. And no matter how much he drinks, the professor only feels the good part and not the drunk part.

The love I’m talking about is like that. You and I can’t use it up. And we never will. Because it’s only found…

In The House of the Lord

Father God,Ӭ 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…

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,ӬYou made a Way for my total redemption.
I believe…”¨Jesus died to provide that exemption.
He’s my shepherd through thorns and through 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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Posted in Faith Hope and Love, The TRUTH Journal, Words and Music | Tagged Faith Hope and Love, greatest love, rhyme and reason podcast
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 18, 2021 by TonyJune 18, 2021
Music charts measure the arts but not the important parts

Imagine if you wrote a song and it became popular enough to be played on local radio. And then, more and more people liked it. So, it actually made it to the “music charts.” And then, what if your song rose to the Top 10 charts and stayed there for a week or two. Wouldn’t that be awesome? Yeah, I’d have to let all my friends (both of ’em) know about it. And I’d make sure to spread the news far and wide.

But what if heard someone else was on the music charts over 31 years?

What?! Are you kidding me? That’s impossible.

Nay, nay dear music aficionados.

It’s not only possible. But somebody did it. And that somebody is the most successful rock composer of all time. Paul McCartney. His songs spent 1662 weeks on the the charts. And that translates into almost 32 years.

Mr. McCartney turns 79 today. So, for almost half his life, he’s charted hits songs. Mighty impressive. And he’s still writing and recording. So, who knows? Maybe he’ll make it over the 32 years mark, too.

I read that he had 21 U.S. and 17 UK #1 singles with the Beatles. Then, he had over 30 hit singles on his own. And the information I saw said he’s “written and co-written 188 charted records, of which 91 reached the Top 10 and 33 made it to No.1” For a grand total of 1662 weeks.

Like I said, mighty impressive. So, wherever he is, I’m sure Paul is having a happy birthday.

But, at 79, there aren’t many more birthdays in Mr. McCartney’s future. Now, more than ever, it’s a short numbers game. And then, one day when his body can go no longer, he’ll close his eyes never to open them again. And all that will be left for him will be Yesterday.

Because that’s where the glory years on the music charts will be.

But, unless he changes his tune, his future won’t be with Lucy in the sky with diamonds. He won’t hear the Pipes of Peace. And there WILL be Lonely Nights. An endless eternity of them.

Sure, maybe I’m amazed at how long Paul’s songs stayed on the music charts. But I just can’t get it out of my mind how doomed he might be. No, I can’t just live and let die…you might say (or he might sing).

The saddest part is how all the influence, Paul could’ve had for God, he wasted on the temporary part of life. I don’t know, for certain, that he’s on his way to hell. But, from everything I see and hear about him, there’s no evidence to the contrary. And…

You can’t sing your way into Heaven.
You can’t play your way out of hell.
And on judgment day you can’t plead naïveté.
Your Creator knows you too well.

Stay tuned,

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Posted in current events, Truth Bombs | Tagged famous birthdays, pop music, singer songwriter
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 17, 2021 by TonyJune 18, 2021
Blind Beggar Pub was this army's hub

OK, what possible good could come outside some place known as the Blind Beggar Pub? I mean, c’mon, it’s a pub! And the location is East London. So, this just keeps getting worse. Yeah, what good could possibly start there?

Well, how about a birth?

But I’m not talking about a bouncing baby boy or girl. No, this was the place for the birth of a brand new army. And the timeframe was about 156 years ago this month, June of 1865. And the new army was called…you guessed it. The Christian Mission.

Ha! You thought I was gonna say something else didn’t you. Well, you were on the right track after all. Because about 13 years later, that new Christian organization changed its name to the Salvation Army. And they called it that because the organizers believed their members were soldiers fighting against the sufferings of mankind. They even wore uniforms that resembled those in the military.

So, they started outside the Blind Beggar Pub and expanded ’round the world.

And their first expansion outside of Britain was, as you might imagine, right here in America. A man named, Amos Shirley, came to America with his family and started the Salvation Army in Philadelphia. The next growth spurts were in Australia and then France.

Then, the organization grew to include Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Now, the Salvation Army claims about 1.5 million members. And they say they’re still dedicated to the salvation of the poor and hungry by helping to meet their physical AND spiritual needs. They’ve opened or helped to open hospitals, schools, health projects, and sanitation work all around the world.

You can find ’em in 130 countries. And they have thousands of volunteers (I’m sure you’ve seen the bell ringers around Christmas time) who help every year.

So, why do I bring up the Salvation Army today? No big reason. Just thought it was interesting, yet again, how Christian benevolence arises out of the most basic human needs. And how it can get started even at a place called the Blind Beggar Pub. A place where, about 100 years after they started, a gangster shot and killed a rival gangster.

Now so many years have gone
And we love with blinders on.
How we tolerate is a form of hate.
Where’s the Rock He stood upon?
For the Truth is absolute and it’s foolish to dispute.
It confounds the wise but it opens eyes,
And it saves the destitute.

(lyrics from my song, The Way)

Stay tuned,

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Posted in Christian Articles | Tagged a very interesting story, Christian principles
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 16, 2021 by TonyJune 17, 2021
Overflowing joy is a part of my ploy

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to be wicked? And how difficult it is to be moral and righteous? And you’ve probably felt anything BUT overflowing joy when it comes to current events. Right? Yeah, it’s just so darn easy to be mad. But it’s so darn difficult to be joyful when practically the whole world has gone to the dark side.

I just watched a short video where a guy, supposedly “on the right” schooled a younger guy with a dose of reality. He called the younger guy (who made the video on his phone) a “pimple on the left.” OK, sort of a good zinger. But then the guy “on the right” let loose with a barrage of F-bombs and other vulgarity.

And whether you’re “on the right” or “on the left” that’s just stupid. But it’s particularly stupid if your point is actually the right one. Because then you look and sound no better than those who are wrong. In fact, you give them ammunition. Because they see what triggers you…and how to get you to pull the trigger on yourself.

Of course, it works in reverse. Left or Right. It makes no difference.

But, from the right, overflowing joy from the love of God is more powerful.

And the love of God is all around you. Literally. And figuratively. Matter of fact, a guy named Paul wrote, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made…”

Just in case it slipped past you, humans are part of those “things that are made.”

Yeah, we CAN understand God’s invisible attributes. Like love. And overflowing joy. But WILL we?

Well, more and more it seems like…not so much.

In a world that overflows with immoral, wicked, covetous, malicious, envious, murdering haters of God, it’s definitely more difficult, basically impossible, to show joy…without the help of God’s love.

Yeah, if you really wanna drop some “bombs,” drop some coals of fire on your enemy’s head. No, not literal coals of fire. Close the lid on your grille and put the bag of Kingsford back in the garage.

But you can drop metaphorical coals of fire on your enemy’s head when you feed him. Or give him a drink. Or smile when he’s yelling and cursing at you. The main thing is…don’t be like him or her. Or them or it. Be more like your Creator.

And let His love and wisdom flow through you.

Or look stupid. It’s your choice. God isn’t your puppeteer. He didn’t make good people. And He didn’t make bad people. He made people. Most of them hate Him and

With our instruments And overflowing joyӬ,
Send the words to the heavens above”
God forever stands And He forever lives
And He promised us forever love.

Stay tuned,

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Posted in Bible study, Romans | Tagged coals of fire, hope and joy, joy and laughter, show great joy
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 15, 2021 by TonyJune 15, 2021
The end of night when we're out of sight

Good people, everywhere, want the bad stuff in this world to be over. They wanna see the end of night. The final curtain on this world of cold, darkened hearts. And it’s no wonder. Because the darkness, this seemingly endless night we’re experiencing, is full of terror.

But a lot of the good people, everywhere, realize it’s darkest before the dawn.

And that reminds me of my extremely long 24 hour drives across America back in the 80’s and 90’s. The worst part of the night was just before sunrise. Because that’s when the road was the darkest. And I couldn’t look side to side. So, the road did its best to hypnotize me to sleep. And I fought to make it till morning light.

So, in spite of how dark this world feels, remember…it can get darker. A lot darker. And it probably will. In fact, it surely will as long as those who hate God continue to gain the confidence of “the majority.”

But, hope springs eternal. Especially the hope found in the Eternal One.

His light will be the end the night.

But only for those who look up, with hope and joy in their hearts, and sing…

How Long Till

How long till we see the vengeance?
How long till You make things right?
Lord, how long till the trumpet blows
And calls us into flight?
How long till we see the Savior?
How long till the end of night?
How long till Your trumpet blows
And takes us out of sight?

We need the Truth! But the world doesn’t care.
They can’t see design; though it’s everywhere.
No absolutes, and they’re absolutely sure.
They worship time and bow down to chance.
They give themselves up to circumstance.
I have to say I don’t comprehend the allure.

(repeat chorus)

Our bodies ache; You can hear the groans.
We twist Your words into sticks and stones
And wield them around like giants in a trance.
This posturing while the world looks on
Just makes them ask where our minds have gone,
And I don’t blame them; it’s such a silly dance.

(repeat chorus…inst…repeat chorus to end)

© 1999 Tony Funderburk

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Posted in Faith Hope and Love, Words and Music | Tagged Faith Hope and Love, words and music
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 14, 2021 by TonyJune 15, 2021
Profane fire burns brightly and most don't divide rightly

The profane fire burns brightly on social media, podcasts, and just about anywhere these days. One thing you’ll never, ever find, here on TonyFunderburk.com, is a quote from anybody who uses profanity to make a point. Even their point is amazingly accurate. Because profanity is stupid. And…well…profane.

(The following rant is brought to you by Christians, everywhere, who are more likely to quote a fool who drops F-bombs than to quote God’s view of profanity.)

The profane fire feeds on unsanctified, unconsecrated, unhallowed words.

And those are just the adjective side of the definition of profane. There’s also the verb side. To profane something (or someone) is to disrespect, debase, or degrade it (or them). And to debase someone means you devalue, discredit, and dishonor them.

But it doesn’t stop there.

Because when you choose to allow profanity to set your tone, you disrespect, devalue, and dishonor those around you. AND you disrespect, devalue, and dishonor yourself.

So, even if and when you make a good or valuable point, when you attempt to emphasize it by tossing in F-bombs, you feed the stupid, profane fire.

AND when you quote someone who drops F-bombs, because you think they stand for what you stand for, you feed the stupid, profane fire. Because you encourage stupid behavior in the name of ideology. But I encourage you not to support unsanctified, unconsecrated, and unhallow words.

But maybe my encouragement doesn’t motivate you to change.

OK, what if you found out that God has a lot to say on the subject?

Yeah, you can read through the book of Leviticus and find the word “profane” a lot. And it appears that God is not a fan. Oh sure, that’s a book in the old Testament, back when God was a meanie. And back before He turned into the forgive-and-love-everybody-in-spite-of-their-sins-and-lack-of-repentance God most churches know so well today.

But still…it’s worth a look. Because maybe it’s still important to God. And maybe He doesn’t forgive everybody. And maybe He even hates.

And when you see the word “maybe” you should maybe just leave it out.

“What if I’m right? What if it’s true,
All of these things I’ve been sayin’ to you?
What if you die, and it’s not the end?
What if your life is nothing you can’t defend?
You think I’m wrong…and that I don’t walk in the light.
But what if I’m right?”

(from my song What If I’m Right?)

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Posted in Truth Bombs | Tagged profanity, profound answers
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 13, 2021 by TonyJuly 23, 2021
Legal protections lead in the wrong directions

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Everybody’s trying to be nicer than God. Even real estate websites like to show off their “LGBT legal protections.” Which, of course, are bigoted policies. And I oppose any ideology that singles out individuals or groups who hate God and give them their own so-called “legal protections.”

Instead, I wholeheartedly support the MJSPBR and their God-given legal protections.

What? You’ve never heard of the MJSPBR organization? I’m guessing you have. But you just never heard ’em called that before. Because MJSPBR people don’t identify themselves by their sexual preferences. Gasp! Can such a group actually exist? Yes, Poindexter. And I won’t leave you in the dark. Because this is important…even to you.

And, if you haven’t already, I encourage you to seek out the MJSPBR organization. And grab your free lifetime membership while the limited time offer lasts. You won’t find another body of people in the world as long as you live. Because the owner paid up each and every member’s dues. And you can get that same deal. Guaranteed.

All you gotta do is ask.

What’s that? You’d like to know more about who these MJSPBR people are before you join?

OK. No problem. Would you believe they’re just like you. And they’re quite possibly, literally, all around you and your community. Right now. Yeah, they had to discover, for themselves, all the lasting (dare I say everlasting) benefits of membership. And they had to ask to join, too.

Every single person, who’s ever joined, identifies with a single individual.

An individual who started the organization in hopes of overcoming the world with graceful love. And an individual who was Manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

I highly recommend you join today. Like I said…limited time offer. When you expire, the offer expires, too. And it will never be available again.

Membership has its rewards. But be warned. Most of the world will do its best to make fun of you, mock you, and create policies designed to shut down the MJSPBR body of members.

But we have legal protections the whole world will never remove.

Trust the Judge, trust the Judge
Who will never ever budge
From what’s right. He’s the light.
He will lead you out of night
Into day, He’s the Way.
Seek Him out. Join today.

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Posted in Faith Hope and Love, I Timothy, The TRUTH Journal, Truth Bombs | Tagged rhyme and reason podcast, the same for everybody, the way
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 12, 2021 by TonyJune 12, 2021
Swallowed by a whale and it's not a fish tale

I just saw a headline that mentioned how a Cape Cod lobster diver was swallowed by a whale. And then he was “spit back out.” Now, that’s obviously a fish tale. Right? Because that kind of things doesn’t happen. Period.

So, that’s why I watched a couple of videos, about the story, online. And the diver certainly looks sincere. He doesn’t look like the kind of guy who’d make up a story like that. And he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who wants to be famous or anything like that.

But still…swallowed by a whale? C’mon man.

I enjoyed some of the comments left on one of the YouTube videos about the diver’s narrow escape.

“The whale feels horrible about the mistake and hopes he’s OK.”

“Whale’s wife: Don’t you kiss me with that mouth.”

“Whale: I always imagined they’d taste different. 0 out of 5 stars, will not try again”

I especially get a kick out of that last Yelp style comment. And it’s always to see news reporters try to make the story more newsworthy. Even as they make their puns.

But, in this case, the story has to be some sort of hoax. Because whales don’t swallow up humans. Oh wait. Wait! I do remember one other time when something like this happened.

Let me see. Where was that? And when? Who? Hang on. It’ll come back to me…

I seem to recall the guy’s name was Joey. Or was it Jonathan? Hang on…I’ve got it. Jonah! Yeah, that was his name. Jonah. But he wasn’t a lobster diver.

If I remember right, he didn’t fish for profits.

Be he WAS a prophet. And he ended up in the belly of a whale for three days. Because he disobeyed God. Whoa! Thank goodness you and I don’t have to end up in the belly of a whale every time we disobey God. Can you imagine? We’d all be belly bound.

But fortunately for you and me, Jesus went into the belly of the Earth for three days to make sure we don’t have to experience that dark separation from God. And so, the only belly we experience is like this…

The Belly Song

I was in a belly; you were in a belly
We were belly babies”once upon a time
Mom was in a belly; Dad was in a belly
We all were belly babies”once upon a time.
Growin’ in a belly”sleepin’ in a belly”
Kickin’ in a belly”once upon a time

Sisters in a belly”brothers in a belly
They all were belly babies”once upon a time
Grandma in a belly”grandpa in a belly
Even they were belly babies”once upon a time.
Laughin’ in a belly”listenin’ in a belly”
Dancin’ in a belly”once upon a time.

© 2007 Tony Funderburk

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Posted in Bible study, current events | Tagged giant fish, the inside story
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 11, 2021 by TonyJune 11, 2021
Pony creator who we're gonna see later

Ponies are like puppies. Too darn cute. And there are so many breeds, colors, shapes, and sizes. Elgielene found some websites on Friesian horses. If you haven’t seen them, do yourself a favor and check ’em out. They’re sort of the long-haired composers of the equine world. The pony Creator sure knew what He was doing when He made horses.

And that reminds me of four horses in particular.

A white one, and a red one, and a black one, and a pale one. Let’s call them Conqueror, Peacetaker, Magistrate, and Breathless. Great-sounding names for powerful steeds from Heaven. Wouldn’t you say? Well, you wouldn’t have to say, because I just said it.

But anyway…

The pony Creator gave those horses a lot of responsibility.

So, as a sort of side note, I think He has a special place in His heart for horses. Just a guess on my part. But I’d call it an educated, calculated guess.

OK, back to the story…

I don’t know who’s reading this right now. But if it’s you…and you don’t know the story of these four horses, then I hope you read about ’em soon. Because, depending on your age (and your ability to make a wise choice), you could end up seeing them in action one day. And that’s something I recommend you avoid with extreme prejudice.

Because when those horses appear on the scene, Earth, as we humans know it, will be in its last moments. It’s last gasp at life under the current heavens. And, at that time, there will be chaos, destruction, and loss of life such as the world has never seen. And it will never see again after that.

So, it won’t be like an Avengers movie. There’ll be no sequel. No follow-up of any kind to reposition the plot. By then, the plot will have played out. And certain choices will end with tormented consequences.

But no big deal. Right? Just a little doom and gloom talk as I finish out my day. Must be the bland chicken I had. Yeah, that’s it. Never have chicken when there’s even a remote chance of beef somewhere nearby.

So, forget I mentioned all that dark side stuff.

And go to bed and dream. Sweet pleasant dreams. Like those little ponies dream…

Pony dreams…pony dreams.
Playful, peaceful, panoramic pony dreams.
Painted Pintos, Paso Finos”
Picture perfect Palominos…
Prance in peaceful, panoramic pony dreams.

(from my song Pony Dreams) © 2011

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Posted in life is beautiful, Revelation | Tagged dreams and plans, your Creator
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 10, 2021 by TonyJune 10, 2021
One third of one half and some still make me laugh

How much is one third of one half? Before you reach for your calculator or do a search on Google, you should know I’m not getting ready to build or bake something. It occurred to me that we’re one third of the way through June. And at the end of June we’re one half of the way through 2021.

So…one third of one half.

“So what, Tony! Who cares?”

Probably only me. My mind is always calculating things. Because I like to keep my brain as nimble as it can be. This world ain’t gettin’ any simpler, you know.

And speaking of simple minds…

Have you seen those people who are still wearing masks even though no government agency has a gun pointed at their head? I’m glad to say the number of people doing that is starting to dwindle. But it’s still significant. And it’s amusing to hear their justifications for wearing masks.

And all of their “reasons” boil down to fear.

Because it sure ain’t science. And some so-called “officials” are getting called out on their confused and conflicting positions on the mask-wearing fiasco.

But again…who cares? Right?

So what, if the country was forced into a tyrannical, business-destroying lockdown. Tyranny is just one of those thing you have to deal with in order to remain “safe.” Makes total sense. And so what, if the lockdown and constant mishandling of the virus data caused fear and other permanent damage to untold numbers of people.

And so what, if there are still lots of people wearing masks one third of one half of the way through 2021.

This, too, shall pass. Right?

Well…

Fear CAN pass when faith arises,
Faith that leads through life’s surprises.
Fear can wear such dark disguises.
Faith makes no such compromises.

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Posted in current events, Faith Hope and Love | Tagged current events, Faith Hope and Love
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 9, 2021 by TonyJune 9, 2021
Evidence on demand like those footprints in the sand

Evolution equals hopelessness. Survival of the fittest equals hopelessness. The big bang beginning equals hopelessness. And I want no part OF and no part IN hopelessness. Especially when there’s evidence on demand all around you, me, and the planet.

Small examples, of what I’m talking about, are footprints.

But not just any footprints. I’m talking about those “humanlike” footprints found in rock formations in Utah, Kentucky, Missouri, and possibly Pennsylvania. And so-called “scientists” have dated them to be somewhere between 150-600 million years old. And I’m talking about the “humanlike” footprints found in the little town of Laetoli in Tanzania. So-called “scientists” date those prints at somewhere around 3.7 million years.

But if the footprints were made by humans, then evolution is wrong. False. And, oh yeah, hopeless.

And I keep saying “I’m talking about,” but I’m not the only one talking about this. Not by a long shot. In fact, I got my information from an awesome book by Dr. Walt Brown. And just in case credentials matter to you, he’s a Ph.D. from M.I.T. (look up those abbreviations) And that’s where he was a National Science Foundation Fellow, too.

Back to the footprints and evidence on demand.

Dr. Brown also shared a quote from the “leading authority on the Laetoli footprints,” paleoanthropologist, Tim White who said…

“Make no mistake about it, they are like modern human footprints. If one were left in the sand of a California beach today, and a four-year-old were asked what it was, he would instantly say that someone had walked there. He wouldn’t be able to tell it from a hundred other prints on the beach, nor would you. The external morphology is the same. There is a well-shaped modern heel with a strong arch and a good ball of the foot in front of it. The big toe is straight in line. It doesn’t stick out to the side like an ape toe, or like the big toe in so many drawings you see of Australopithecines in books.”

Now, what gets me is how so many so-called “scientists” can look at the evidence (found all around the world) staring them in the face…and still cling to the idea of millions and billions of years of evolution.

But when you don’t want there to be a God who will hold you accountable for your life’s decisions, you have to write your own fairy tales.

So, the paleos and anthros and bios and all the other real science deniers live out their lives in hopelessness. Of course, they would probably tell you they don’t feel that way. But their feelings are beside the point.

When you deny the existence of your Creator God, you are hopeless. Because there is NO hope apart from Him. And when you deny the evidence for His existence, easily found all around you, you’re just…

Fooling Yourself

If you think life merely means
Leaving silver footprints in the grass,
You’re fooling yourself with fantasy”
Wasting away in dreams.
Oh, but there are times when all is simple”
When things are carefree.
These are the times you should cherish
And think of endlessly”
Because your life is but a fragment of time.
Will you allow yourself to overflow?
Will a daydream pass you by with just a glance?
Casting its shadow on your face?
Teasing you with a chance?
If you think life merely means
Letting every little chance pass you by,
You’re fooling yourself and letting go”
Wasting away”away.

© 1974 Tony Funderburk

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Posted in creation science | Tagged creation science, evidence for creation, mountain of evidence
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 8, 2021 by TonyJuly 23, 2021
Ignorance is bliss unless it's anything like this

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They say ignorance is bliss. Who are they? And why do they say that? But never mind all that right now. There’s one way ignorance will be anything but bliss. Because you won’t be able to plead ignorance when you leave this world. And you’ll discover, if you haven’t already, how your own denial will be revealed to you by the…

King of Hearts

Working it out, they say they figured it out.
You hear “˜em blatantly shout
They don’t need no Savior.
So full of pride, they say your life is inside.
Don’t need some prophet who died
And rose again to save ya’.

Grinding their ax for all their loving attacks,
So don’t you give “˜em no facts
Because their minds are made up.
Making no sense from either side of the fence,
But still you’ll get their two cents worth
In a golden tin cup..

Wonder what made their hearts harden…
Why do they think that they’re God?
I pray they can have the veil lifted
And see their religion is flawed
There are no permanent parts…apart from
The King of Hearts

Dreaming it up, they keep on scheming it up,
And then they’re blowing it up in unsuspecting faces.
Groundwork is laid; they’ve got it made in the shade.
But there won’t be lemonade in some eternal places.
Closing their eyes; they walk right into the lies.
But every person who dies will have their eyes wide open.
By then it’s too late for all the people who wait.
You just can’t enter The Gate with all your earthly hopin’.

repeat chorus

With all their best laid plans they still just come to this.
I guess they’ll remain where they are while their ignorance is

Bliss.

repeat first and last verses…then chorus twice to end

© 1996 Tony Funderburk

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Posted in The TRUTH Journal, Words and Music | Tagged king of hearts, rhyme and reason podcast, words and music
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 7, 2021 by TonyJuly 20, 2021
Time flies by so fast in this world where we're cast

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Back in 2012, right here on TonyFunderburk dot com, I wrote about the longest daylight day of the year. Summer solstice. And I shared how it makes me ponder time. I also shared how so many people say something like,

“Wow, time flies.”

Einstein theorized that time is relative. I believe he was wrong. Unless he actually meant it could FEEL that way. Because a day can take “forever” to a little kid. But Grandma and Grandpa get up in the morning and wonder how it could be the middle of the year already.

Nine years ago, when I wrote about it, I added that I had done a search, on Google, for songs about long days. And over 307 million results popped up. So, obviously a lot of other singer songwriters have thought about ’em and written songs about long days.

But long days will eventually seem like seconds. Or even split seconds or nano-seconds. Because the fullness of eternity is in front of each and every one of us. And that’s a little bit of why I wrote about long days turning into short days. And I composed a metaphorical song, to show a friend what’s important, and it’s called…

Angel Café

You’ve already been to the mountain
And you’ve taken your slice of the pie.
You’ve had your cool dips in the ocean
Tied the knot with a prominent guy.
You work for and live in the good life
And you’re blessed with the ol’ Midas’ touch
But you’re not the girl I remember.
And I miss her so much

You might recall all the tea and conversation.
We stayed up all night just to start it all again.
But now it’s all such a different situation.
You clocked me out just when you were clocking in.

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’.
Don’t you wait till we meet in the angel cafe’.

I watched as your world got so busy.
And I felt all the edges get rough.
I know you just want a secure life.
But I ask is it ever enough?
Is it worth just what it may cost you?
Are you willing to pay off the fine?
Just be wary of what you neglect here.
And that’s my own bottom line

© 1992 Tony Funderburk

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Posted in The TRUTH Journal, Words and Music | Tagged advice for the world, musical memories, remembering, rhyme and reason podcast
Tony Funderburk Posted on June 6, 2021 by TonyJuly 20, 2021
Faster than light to where day becomes night

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Generally speaking, most scientists (and the rest of us, too) believe there’s nothing faster than light. And it’s mighty difficult to imagine that not being true. Because, think about it, when you flip the switch to your kitchen light, it comes on instantly.

But I think there IS something faster than light…

Your thoughts.

And I know, some will say thoughts don’t travel. But my hypothesis is they do. From your mind, into your brain, and then into the rest of your body, when necessary. Yeah, your mind and your brain are two different components. In fact, when you think about it, your mind will last forever. But your brain won’t.

So, when you allow your imagination to wander through the galaxies and solar systems of the universe, it travels faster than light. Not actual physical travel, of course, but travel nonetheless. And that’s why I wrote and sang…

I’m A Traveler

Faster than sound…faster than light
I go gallivant like a bon vivant
To the place where the day becomes night.

Droppin’ the drudge…casting the care
And my free heart flies when I close my eyes
And I go where I once did not dare

I’m a traveler, there’s no moss on me…
And reflective eyes guide my odyssey.
Where cathedral peaks match a golden moon
There’s a bridge so high that it makes me swoon.
Full of wanderlust”and a thirst for more
I move ever on…going shore to shore…
With a heart that no walls can deter”
I’m a traveler.

Lighter than dreams…lighter than clouds
If I trek the trails…or I set the sails
I can toast to the absence of crowds.

Chorus

© 2010 Tony Funderburk

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Posted in The TRUTH Journal, Words and Music | Tagged rhyme and reason podcast, road less traveled, words and music

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