The TRUTH Will Set You Free - The blog from - Page 73 of 164

Posted on November 18, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

Already been done because it's under the sun

Just because it’s already been done doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t do it. And maybe you could even do it better. “It” isn’t the same thing for everybody. But “it”, for me, is music. So, I love to hear stories about people who took a song and made it their own.

This hit song, from 1956, had already been done.

And imagine you wanna record a song because you like it. But other acts, much more famous, have already recorded their versions. What do you do? You turn that song on its ear and make it your own.

These names are from way back in the first half of the twentieth century. So you might never have heard of ’em if you’re young and/or uniformed. But picture Louis Armstrong, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey, and Gene Autry singing that song you like.

Most people would just say something like, “It’s not in the cards for me.”

But not the Fat Man.

Nope. Antoine Domino Jr. (aka Fats Domino) sat down at his piano and came up with his own rendition of “Blueberry Hill.” And it went to number 2 on the Billboard Juke Box chart for two weeks. AND it was number 1 on the R&B chart for 11 weeks.

From 1956 into 1957, the song sold more than 5 million copies around the world.

And it was later recorded by Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and even Led Zeppelin. But it was the version by Fats Domino that Rolling Stone Magazine ranked No.82 in their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Not bad for a shy, fat guy from humble beginnings in New Orleans, Louisiana.

So, when you look at something you’d love to do that’s already been done, don’t think of it as out of your reach. Because you might be just the right person to take it to a whole new level.

And, if you’re a Christian, remember what you CAN do.
Keep in mind, not everything depends on you.
You can still give it a go and have a whole lotta fun
‘Cause everything under the sun has already been done.

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Posted on November 17, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

Crybaby crybaby and I don't even mean maybe

Little kids can be so cruel. Makes you wonder where they get it. Right? And it’s always been that way. In fact, I remember, waaayyy back in the 20th century, when I was but a wee lad, kids would taunt other kids who cried about something. And if you listen real close, you might even hear ’em. “Crybaby crybaby na na na na na naaa.”

Wow. I bet you won’t find a crybaby around anymore.

Because who’d wanna deal with all that taunting and ridicule?

And these days everybody’s much kinder and gentler and loving and tolerant. Plus, I’m sure young people are much more mature in these enlightened times. Right?

Well, yeah. That’s all true…until…certain people (whose label will remain unknown, for now) don’t get their way. Or their wishes.

And then, get out the crystal glassware. Because the wine…uh whine…is gonna start flowing.

But, now, I’m not talking about kids. Huh-uh. If only that was the case. No, I’m talking about full-grown adults. Well, physically full-grown. And I mean adults who, for one reason or another, think it’s OK to cry and whine at the top of their lungs. In other words, throw temper tantrums for any reason they choose.

And that IS a lot different from waaayyy back in the 20th century. Back then, at least the big boys and girls knew they couldn’t just cry and whine and throw a public tantrum. And they knew they’d face lots of taunting and mocking if they did. Matter of fact, a band called the Four Seasons (aka Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) had a number one hit with the song “Big Girls Don’t Cry” on this day back in 1962. It was number one for 5 weeks.

So, for at least 5 weeks every crybaby had to hear “Big girls don’t cry…” every day.

Oh the humanity.

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Posted on November 16, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

When I was a full time road musician, I had to include country music in my repertoire so I could get more bookings. And I’ve never made it a secret that country music isn’t my favorite. But there are classics I’ve always enjoyed.

I remember it often surprised audiences when I would sing a hit song from a female artist. And I guess they thought guys were supposed to sing guy songs and girls were supposed to sing girl songs. But since I had extra long hair back then, I was able to comfortably transition between the two. Yeah, I was doing a trans thing before trans was cool.

But anyway…

One of those female country music songs was a number one hit back in 1960.

And it’s a song I sang many times. And I still enjoy it when I come across it on the radio or internet. Which is fairly rare.

You might be old enough to remember Patsy Cline. And if so, you probably recall the song. “I Fall To Pieces.” It was Patsy’s first number one song. And it might be her most famous.

But the main thing about Patsy’s songs and her singing, that stands out to me, is the smooth vocal quality. She didn’t twang out like so many other country artists from back then. And it’s the twang…or the over-emphasized country accent in today’s C&W music…that I don’t like. To put it mildly.

And I think that’s part of why Patsy had so much success with her career. Because she had more of a crossover appeal in her vocal style. I don’t know this for sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me if a lot of non-country music listeners liked her songs back then.

I don’t have an agenda for sharing this with you. Just thought it was interesting that her first number one hit was 60 years ago today. November 16th. And here’s a links to a video of her singing it:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9loTXznGJy4)

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Posted on November 15, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

Coincidence and chance happen coincidentally by chance

Georgia seems to be on a lot of people’s minds right now. And by coincidence and chance, the song “Georgia On My Mind” (sung by the incomparable Ray Charles) went to number 1 on the charts on this day (November 14) back in 1960. Life is full of little twists and turns and coincidences like that. And it’s cool when they pop up. At least I get a big kick out of it. But lots of other people, including Christians, say they believe everything happens for a reason. And other silly things like that.

Yeah, coincidence and chance are real.

And I know when I say this, it’ll be like another line from that Ray Charles hit. “No peace do I find.” Because Christians tend to frown on a brother who’d dare say that everything that happens is not part of God’s plan. I can almost hear the weeping and gnashing of teeth just writing this down.

But any Christian who believes God is currently “in control” and that nothing happens by chance hasn’t been paying attention. And they don’t “hear” what God clearly says. And I believe the reason they don’t is because it lays responsibilities back on them.

Uh-oh…who wants that to happen? Yikes.

Because, isn’t it just a whole lot easier to say “It’s all part of God’s plan” than to take responsibility for your own behavior? And isn’t it a whole lot easier to say “I just wanna pray to find out God’s will for my life” than to actually read His word and know for sure? Yeah, in case you didn’t know, He says what His will is for your life right there in His bestselling book.

And, as it just so happens, He also says things happen by chance.

I know. Blasphemy. Right? But it’s there. In black and white. And RED.

And before you serve up verses like, “Be still and know that I am God” it’s important to understand verses like that don’t mean God’s making everything happen. He’s not doing evil that good may come of it. And there’s a lot of evil deeds acted out by evil men and women. They don’t glorify God. And I’m confident He’s offended by anyone who would imply otherwise.

So…if you get a chance (See what I did there?) look up the word, chance, in your Bible today. And unless you have some odd translation, you might find at least four verses where that word is used. One of them is in RED.

And be hopeful and be joyful in this knowledge
That one day God will take back complete control.
He won’t let those evil ones destroy forever.
Let that fortify and edify your soul.

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Posted on November 14, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

Johnny and the Moondogs faded into night fogs

I just read a funny and coincidental story about a band named Johnny and the Moondogs. And I know you’ll get a kick out of this when I share the whole thing. Because it’ll give you some ammo for making fun of me. But I’m totally confident in my own skin. So, get ready to load up because here’s the rest of the story…

Johnny and the Moondogs lost a star search competition.

Apparently they made it to what was known as the “last heat.” And they had a chance to win it all just by getting the most applause at the end. But, as the story goes, they didn’t have enough money to stay in town that night. And they had to leave so they could make it back home for another booking.

So, since they couldn’t stick around, they didn’t win.

But no big deal. Who cares? Right? I mean…just another band of nobody wannabes.

Yeah, that would’ve been true. Except Johnny and the Moondogs soon became a slightly better known band. The Beatles. Ever heard of ’em?

And I have a similar story about a time my brother and I were in a talent competition in Houston, Texas. But we were able to stick around and actually win third place. Not bad, right?

Not so fast.

First place went to a disco dancer on roller skates. And second place went to a guy who balanced a lawnmower on his chin. So, the deck was stacked against us. I mean, c’mon. Who can compete with all that awesome talent? No fair that we’d be tossed in with the upper echelon.

Yeah, life is full of unfair days. Who allowed that? After all…this is America. Land of the free. Home of the brave. And the great equal opportunity employer.

But such is life and circumstances.
Take your shot and take your chances.
Win sometimes and sometimes lose.
Some days are reds and some are blues.
But through it all your heart should say
Thank God for this…another day.

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Posted on November 13, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

Friday the 13th superstition goes against my intuition

Happy Friday the 13th. And it’s another lucky day (in a long line of lucky days) for me. Because I get to just sit back, watch all the amazing sporting events on TV, drink lots of beer, and toast the power grid. Yeah! Ask anybody. And they’ll tell you. Oh yeah, that Tony’s a beer guzzling, sports watching couch potato.

Friday the 13th is a silly superstition.

I mean…if it was really gonna be an unlucky day, wouldn’t it make more sense to have it on a Monday?

What’s that? Oh you think ALL Mondays are unlucky. Got it.

But what if you got an itchy palm on Monday? Would that turn it around for you? Because an itchy palm is supposed to mean you’re gonna get money. But wait a second. It’s the left palm. Because an itchy right palm just means your gonna meet somebody new. But wait another second. Because some people say an itchy right palm means money coming in. And an itchy left palm means money going out. But if it happens on a Monday, who cares? Because all Mondays are unlucky.

Wow. This superstition thing gets pretty darn complicated pretty darn fast.

Like that whole walking under a ladder superstition. Sure, it makes sense to not walk under and/or through an open or extended ladder. Because you could bump it and something could fall on your head. Like another person.

But some people say you shouldn’t walk under a ladder because of the triangular shape. And they say if you do, you’ll “tempt fate” or “awaken spirits that live within the triangle.” And, of course, if those spirits are evil, who knows what darkness might befall you.

So, what should you do if you accidentally walk through that triangle?

Simple.

Just put your thumb between your index finger and your middle finger. And hold it for 4 seconds. Or was it 5? Or you can cross both fingers (universal sign for good luck) and do like the Catholics do, make the “sign of the cross” for protection.

But in a walking-under-a-ladder emergency are you gonna remember? Is it all gonna come back to you naturally? And what if it doesn’t? Then what? Are you doomed?

No, you could choose another option, simpler and true.
You could opt out of superstition…couldn’t you?

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Posted on November 12, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

Counting out money and this thought's so funny

For some strange reason, and I have no idea why, an old English nursery rhyme and song has been playing over and over in my head. If you’ve been on the planet longer than a couple of decades (maybe much longer), then you might remember the tune. And it’s one of those songs real men shouldn’t sing out loud. Because it’s just too dainty. In fact, the word “dainty” is in the lyrics. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I think the second verse or stanza or whatever contains the strange hook. Because it talks about counting out money.

Counting out money in ye olde counting house

Yeah, that used to be a thing. (probably still is on some level) Evidently businesses used to have counting houses for actually tallying up sales. And those places were where they conducted business related to payments and such. By most accounts, they were pretty dreary places. So, just picture Scrooge taking out his grouchy, humbug attitude on Bob Cratchit.

OK, so what.

I still don’t understand why counting money or a counting house would come up in my mind. What does it all mean? Was it just something I experienced in a bad dream? Or maybe my ears heard the song somewhere without it registering in my conscious mind. But whatever it was, I just can’t get this tune out of my head.

Maybe you have an idea why a dainty, old English rhyme about counting would come up in my mind. Here are the lyrics.

*Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye,
Four and twenty blackbirds
Baked in a pie.
When the pie was opened,
The birds began to sing,
Wasn’t that a dainty dish
To set before the king?

The king was in the counting-house
Counting out his money.
The queen was in the parlor
Eating bread and honey.
The maid was in the garden
Hanging out the clothes.
Along came a blackbird
And snipped off her nose.

Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye,
Four and twenty blackbirds
Baked in a pie.
When the pie was opened
The birds began to sing,
Wasn’t that a dainty dish
To set before the king?

*Now, you’ll have the song stuck in your head.

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Posted on November 11, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

Carry on and on because hope isn't gone.

I remember a line from a movie, but I don’t remember which movie, that applies to current events. And if you remember which movie this came from, let me know, and I’ll be sure to share that update and give you credit for it. But anyway…in the movie, which was set back in the pioneer days, the main characters had just gone through enormous challenges. And endured terrible losses. So, as they’re standing there, in the last scene, looking out at the horizon, one of them asks, “What do we do now?” And another one answers, “We carry on.”

Yeah, in spite of your circumstances, you carry on.

Just because life throws metaphorical boulders on your head doesn’t mean you have to lie down and give up. Because you’ve got something those boulders can’t crush.

You’ve got hope.

And that comes from your faith. Because your faith tells you that you’ll reach the mountain top because there actually IS a mountain top to be reached. And faith gives you hope that on that mountain top you’ll be with the Creator of the universe.

What’s that you say?

You don’t have that faith and hope?

Then, I encourage you to fill yourself with something even stronger than both of those. Love. Because without love, no matter what else you believe you have…you have nothing. But with love, you can fortify your faith and highlight your hope. And you can…

Carry The Dream

Someday”is comin’ at me like a meteor.
Tomorrow flew by me a few days ago.
I don’t have the time to waste that I used to.
Now I see there may be some things I will never know.

I hunger, and I thirst for what the future holds.
It’s hard to concentrate on each moment.
But if I look past where I am now, I could stumble”
And I’ll look back and I’ll wonder where the time went.

So I carry the dream in my pocket.
I carry the dream in my soul.
I carry its weight on my shoulders,
But that’s what keeps me whole.

(repeat)

Knowledge is the key to understanding.
Idle hands could drive a man to drink.
But even so we all need those slow times
To help us believe and trust in what we think.

(chorus)

Well, it all goes so fast
And yet it all goes so slow
And we just get one chance
To be in this big”big show.

(Chorus to end)

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Posted on November 10, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

How can you decide to end the life of an entirely innocent human being and call that a pro choice? Because that’s not even a good amateur choice. And regardless of what any laws or policies or statutes say, it’s not right to have that power over someone else’s life. In fact, it’s immoral, immature, and immensely foolish. Plus, it’s a choice with eternal consequences.

But here’s how you can make a pro choice.

Choose life. And do all you can to be sure every human being has a right to life. And that includes every human being who’s been conceived but still is living and growing inside his or her mom.

Yeah, I only gave you two gender choices. Because…duh…that’s all there are.

Anyway…

Just in case you don’t already know this (and if you don’t then you don’t have the brains to decide the fate of an unborn baby), you were once a single-celled human being. That’s right. You started your life as one cell. And your mom gave you every opportunity to multiply those cells into ears, eyes, fingers, toes, a brain, and the whole person provided in your DNA blueprint.

Since somebody else gave you that opportunity, make a pro choice and pay it forward. And…

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.

Choose life…choose life…choose life

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Posted on November 9, 2020 by TonyApril 25, 2024

Way, way back in the twentieth century, I attended college in the rural countryside of Kansas. And have you ever watched the episode of The Waltons where John boy finally got to go to college? Well, watching him is practically like watching me show up for my first day. Because the halls of higher learning held that same mystique of hopeful anticipation for me, too.

Higher learning ain’t always what it’s cracked up to be.

Unfortunately for me, by the time I was in college, it was nothing like John boy’s experience. Universities had already become fertile ground for thought control. But thankfully it was happening more slowly at my college. Because, like I said, rural countryside of Kansas. And that’s a part of the country where generations have grown up with a Christian conservative worldview.

However…

As I attended classes like “Western Civilization” and “Sociology I & II, I noticed rhetoric I had never heard before. Maybe I was too naive because I was raised with a Christian conservative worldview. And even my high school had leaned heavily in that direction.

But it didn’t take me years of college to figure out the so-called “enlightenment” in the halls of higher learning was at least somewhat subtly Orwellian.

And that became glaringly apparent on one of my homework assignments.

The year I first attended college a measure was put to the voters, in Kansas, on whether or not motorcyclists would be required to wear helmets.

My journalism professor had given us an assignment to present a pro or con view on a controversial topic. So, I chose the motorcycle helmet issue on the ballot.

(Too bad I don’t still have that paper. But like I said…this all happened way, way back in the twentieth century. So, the ink would probably be completely faded from the papyrus anyway.)

So…

I took the somewhat controversial “no helmets” side of the debate. And I wrote about how it would end up being another small step toward total government control of every corner of our lives.

Thankfully there were still plenty of others, back then, who agreed with my position on the topic. But I was surprised at how “passionate” others could be in their opposing opinions. They actually seemed angry about it.

Fast forward to 2020, and what happened back in my college days seems so innocent, compared to what’s currently going on.

And nowadays people don’t just present “passionate” opinions. Somehow large groups of people have determined it’s perfectly fine to riot and loot and burn down businesses to “express their views.”

But here’s a key point.

We have voted our way into this mess.

And I predict we won’t vote our way out of it.

And I’ll leave it there for you to ponder.

Passion doesn’t make you right.
Learning doesn’t shed more light
When it’s learning based on lies
And rebellious alibis.

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Posted on November 8, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

You should have known what history has shown

During this past week I read lost of news stories and social media posts about the way our American presidential election has progressed. Or should I say regressed? And it struck me how many people, on both sides, were surprised at what’s happened. But there’s a certain group of people I’d say this to: you should have known this could happen.

You should have known this could happen if you’re a Christian.

In fact, history shows this to be true. Over and over.

And here’s an example…

Close your eyes and see if you can get this picture in your mind. A whole nation of people, from thousands of years ago, are slaves to another nation. And they’ve been that way for hundreds of years. Generations have been born into, worked their whole lives, and died in this slavery.

What a miserable existence.

But those people were eventually freed from slavery. And they were taken out of that miserable existence with the promise of a glorious life in another land. But things got a little challenging. And many of those same people complained and even asked to be taken back to their slave owners.

“What in the world does that have to do with the presidential election, Tony?”

Well, I was getting to that before you interrupted me.

Of course, I’m only making an educated guess. But I bet if a vote had been taken among those people, a majority of them would have voted to be slaves again.

And there are lots of other stories like theirs.

The world is filled with people who hate God.

And that’s why voting will always (at least eventually) lead to cheating and lying. Because the majority of people in the world reject their own salvation. So, of course, why wouldn’t they reject all other sensible decisions?

Now, you can feel free to disagree with me. After all, we still live in a free enough country for that. But I bet it won’t be much longer, right here in America, till I won’t be able to freely voice my Christian opinion. At least not without retribution.

And a lot of that will be because even Christians allowed it. And, of all people, they’re the ones who should have known better.

I hope and pray that time will prove me wrong,
And that I’ll get to sing a brand new song
About the way my fellow Christians say
How Jesus helps us freely save the day.

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Posted on November 7, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

Embryo connection in the human direction

Life sure is full of weird and wonderful stuff. And I mean stuff you’d probably never make up on your own. At least, not if you don’t let your mind wander off to the dark side all the time. Like for example, through a series of links, for some embryo info, I saw a thumbnail for a horror/sci-fi movie on YouTube. It starred Rock Hudson. And it was called “Embryo.” So, that was weird. Making an embryo connection with a Rock Hudson horror/sci-fi movie. Tell me it’s not just me.

There was also another embryo connection I didn’t know about.

In fact, it’s some sort of organization or company that’s actually called Embryo Connections. Have you heard of them? And if so, what do you think about the info on their website? Here’s what part of it says…

Freedom to choose embryos that are right for you, and help you through the process, perhaps based on physical characteristics, personality, genetics, relationship options, or other important considerations.
Legal support so that you feel confident that those em-babies are yours!
Concierge service to take the burden out of the process. We handle the requirements to move them to your clinic, so that you can use your own trusted docs.
Siblings! Whether there are a few or several in your batch, you store them at your fertility clinic, so that you can implant as many times as embryos, potentially providing genetic siblings for your children.

Wow. When you think of what technology allows us to do these days, it boggles the brain. It’s a little Frankenstein-ish. And it’s also pretty amazing.

But it still only scratches the surface of what’s going on in this complex universe we call home.

Maybe this means nothing to you right now.

Because maybe you’re way more focused on politics and propaganda.

But I think it’s at least a little food for thought on a topic with potential eternal consequences. Consider or disregard at your discretion.

Life is so much more than R’s and D’s.
So, dig a little deeper. Won’t you, please?

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Posted on November 6, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

Hope for a better day and maybe there's a better way

Well, I’ve certainly seen a lot of people tossing around a lot of different perspectives on this recent election fiasco. And especially in the presidential election results. If you’re a Trump supporter, you’ve probably been at least a little concerned over the way things have gone. And I saw one person say, “Well, I sure hope for a better day tomorrow.”

Some people have absolutely no hope for a better day.

Not today. Not tomorrow. And not ever.

But it’s their own fault.

“Wow, Tony. That’s a little brutal, don’t you think.”

Maybe. But that’s how truth can be sometimes. Brutal. And concise. It can cut your heart out. Or it can cut you open so you can have a heart transplanted. And obviously, that’s a metaphor. You DID catch that, right? Not a literal heart, but a metaphorical one…oh, never mind.

Moving right along. And back to those people with no hope.

The only way most people in the world have hope(they think) is when they see something or someone that gives them hope. And when that something or someone doesn’t come along, voila. No hope.

But there IS one kind you can depend on.

And you can’t even see it. But like a guy named Paul said, “Why does one hope for what he sees?”Then, it’s not hope. But what you see is subject to change.

And Christians understand that what we can’t see isn’t subject to change.

Of course, I’m talking about the change that’s coming. Redemption. Body, soul, and spirit transformation and transportation.

Or you could put your faith in the so-called “rule of law”in this broken and falling world. But you’ll discover just how low it’ll let you down. And I’m talkin’ lower than a snake’s belly in a wagon rut. Now, that’s low.

So, look up. Because that’s where hope arrives.
The only hope that can ever change lost lives.

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Posted on November 5, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

You could say it came to me in a dream. Because I woke up with this brilliant thought in my head. And before I could turn over and go back to sleep it formed into a brilliant strategy. And then I couldn’t go back to sleep and take even the slightest chance of forgetting it. Plus, this tiny voice kept whispering in my ear, “Tell the world. The answer is equal pay.” Why didn’t somebody already think of this?

Why didn’t I think of this on my own? Equal pay can save the day.

And you’re probably thinking, “Oh brother. Tony’s completely off his rocker now.”

And maybe yesterday I’d agree with you. But when a vision wakes you up out of a sound sleep, you gotta go with it.

So, here’s the plan. And its brilliance lies in its simplicity.

First, the President, Congress, and U.S. supreme court assign the treasury department with the task of printing brand new money. And (you’re gonna love this) it’s not just some pie-in-the-sky amount either. No. I’m talking about printing enough so that every American receives $250000 each year on January 1.

And then government sets a permanent (and flat) 50% tax rate in place. And it’s taken, up front, which reduces all that confusing paperwork and eliminates the need for any “revenue service” department. That way government has all the money it requires to provide for “a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”

Plus…every citizen will know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they’ll get a million dollars every ten years of their lives.

And that knowledge, alone, will ensure domestic tranquility. Because like Cyndi Lauper so wisely sang (way ahead of her time) back in the 80’s…money changes everything.

And equal money changes everything equally.

So, right about now I imagine you’re already concocting and devising ways to draft me into public service. But you should know this. If nominated, I will not run. And if elected, I will not serve.

Because I would never tolerate the distractions of public office taking time away from my Vision for America.

That being said…

I’m lookin’ forward to my pay day,
My wake up happy and make hay day,
When peace and joy is here to stay day.
Let’s share the dream of equal pay day.

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Posted on November 4, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

Author of confusion and the widespread delusion

Anyone who didn’t see this coming hasn’t been paying attention over the last several decades. And you know what I’m talkin’ about. Yeah, the price increases on sparkling water at 7 Eleven. How much does it cost to put some bubbles in the water? Are you kidding me?! OK, seriously. Of course I’m talking about the mixed up results of the American presidential election. Who’s the author of confusion in all this vote fraud…uh…counting?

I can tell you who’s NOT the author of confusion in this mess.

God.

Yeah, I keep seeing social media posts saying things like…

“I just gotta remind myself…it’s all part of God’s plan.”Or…
“Remember everyone. God’s got this. He’s in control.”Or…
“Asking God to help me understand what He’s doing right now.”

NO!

When there’s such chaotic confusion, it’s important…crucial in fact…to remember it’s NOT part of God’s plan. He’s not in control of such idiotic chaos.

He allows it because of His tender mercies.

But he’s absolutely, positively not working out some clever plan that none of us can understand or comprehend.

Jesus, Himself, told us He’s not (currently) the ruler of this world. He mentioned that fact, three times, in the New Testament. Hmm…three times. It’s almost as if He wants to be sure we get the point.

But most Christians still don’t get the point.

God is not working out a daily to-do list for billions of people. He’s way more brilliant than that. And that’s why He designed us with the kind of brains we can use to think for ourselves. And make our own decisions and mistakes.

You make your own way in life.

But the difference between success and failure…between confusion and clarity…can only happen when you make your way follow The Way.

Don’t put the confusion and chaos of this election, or this world, on the shoulders of your Creator. Because that gives the unbelieving world all they need to reject such a mixed-up and cruel deity.

A better idea? Find out what God’s word
Says about Him. Not just what you heard.
And then don’t be surprised to understand
This mass confusion wasn’t all planned.

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Posted on November 3, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

Maybe God is the answer to all this earthly cancer

There’s a fast-growing cancer just under the surface of this world. It used to be held in check by a country known as the land of the free and the home of the brave. But the cancer is spreading like the western wildfires even in America. And there seems to be no cure. But I’d like to suggest that maybe God is the answer.

It sounds old-fashioned. But maybe God IS the answer.

And when I say “maybe,”I mean…wake up people! He IS the answer. The only lasting solution. None of our puny human efforts can hold a candle to what God can, and will, do.

But that doesn’t mean we don’t need to do anything.

Of course, people who love God, who love Jesus, should be salt and light in this tasteless, dark world. Because there will come a time when even our small amounts of salt and light will be removed from the planet.

And then…it’s gonna get bad for anyone still here. And when I say “bad,”I mean bad on a level that makes everything currently going in the world seem like a Sunday picnic.

So, let’s say you’re a Christian. And you’re looking at the world and starting to get a feeling of despair. If so, I encourage you to take a moment to meditate on God’s word. And think about what it means when He says “Be anxious for nothing.” When Paul wrote that to the Philippians, it was to give them the

“Peace of God.”

If you’re not feeling that peace, even as this dark cancer spreads across the world, I’d suggest that maybe you’re leaning on your own understanding. And you’ll do much better to trust God’s word as it “surpasses all understanding.”

Maybe God can give you peace inside your mind.
But you’ll need to search His word so you can find
What He wants for you to know as your feelings come and go.
It’s your doubts, and not your soul, you’ll leave behind.

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Posted on November 2, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

Beat the clock make your mark or stay lost in the dark

Hey ladies and gents. Kids of all ages. It’s time to play Beat The Clock and make your mark for all time. And this is the game where the stakes are high, the prizes are free, and losers never get another chance. Are you ready? Let’s Play!

But remember Beat The Clock doesn’t mean you’ll Beat The World.

If history teaches you anything, and for most people it doesn’t, it’s that you can’t beat the world. Because the deck is stacked against you. And all the other players are waiting for you to mess up so they can use your head for a springboard to their next move. Yes, it’s an exciting game. But it can be a little vindictive and vicious.

So what. Right?

Just remember to get your points while the gettin’s good.

Don’t look back. Unless it’s to see who you left in the dirt.

Alright! Enough of the pre-game pep talk and list of rules…as if there are any. And now, roll that theme song…

Beat The World (and clock)

Every time you turn your back
There’s somebody there to pick your pockets
And so you see there’s more to life
More than love and rockets
Deal with reality the best that you can
Try to remember there’s a higher plan
That’s the only way to beat the world at its own game

Yeah…every time you make your mark
There’s somebody there to erase it
And people say that’s just the way it is
And boy you’d better face it
But you believe there’s gonna be a better day,
So you pray for strength and better words to say
That’s the only way to beat the world at its own game

C’mon and beat the world, and try to leave a dent
But don’t regret the time that you’ve spent
C’mon and beat the world, and try to leave a bruise
You need to know the life that you choose
Is gonna beat the world…

Every time you see the morning news
They talk about another killing
It’s beyond my power to comprehend
How the taking of life could be thrilling
Banish the dark side; live in God’s light
Rise and shine and you can win this fight
That’s the only way to beat the world at its own game

Oh, can you imagine”if we were all serving the True God,
Would we still be living this way?

Instrumental…repeat chorus to end

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Posted on November 1, 2020 by TonyJune 9, 2023

Different perspective got me feeling reflective

I got a real nice note, in the mail, from my cousin, Becky. She lives in Texas. And she was here in Colorado, with her family, a couple of months ago. But we didn’t get together because she thought I still lived in the Denver metro area. And Elgielene and I moved to Colorado Springs a few years ago. Oh well. That’s life sometimes. But the part of the note that really stood out to me was my cousin’s different perspective.

It’s kinda fun to see yourself from someone else’s different perspective.

Cousin Becky said she and her brother and sisters always thought of my younger brother and me together. In other words, it was almost like they couldn’t say my name without saying my brother’s name. And I get that. My brother and I were connected maybe a little more closely than most back then. Because our parents split up when we were very young. So, the only person he saw, year ’round, was me. And the only person I saw, year ’round, was him.

I’ve mentioned it before. But in case you’re new here, my brother and I used to take two train trips each summer. One from Houston to Kansas City at the end of each school year. And a return trip at the end of each summer.

On one of those train trips, when I was around 10 years old, I remember an encounter with an elderly lady in the dining car. The train had made its usual extended stop in Oklahoma City. And I remember looking out the dining car window, from the railway bridge, at what seemed like the back streets of the city.

It was all an adventure story to me. And apparently my wide-eyed wonder was visible.

As I recall, and I might be romanticizing it a bit because that was a long time ago, the nice lady seemed wealthy. And I remember she had a grown son with her.

As they passed the table where my brother and I sat, she looked down at me and smiled. And stopped. She turned to her son and told him to take a picture of me. “Look at those big, beautiful, blue eyes,” she said. “Get a picture.”

Her son took out his boxy camera and snapped a quick pic.

The nice lady stood there, smiling, for a couple more moments. Then, she patted me on the shoulder, and she and her son left the dining car. And, of course, I never saw her again.

See what a different perspective can do?

I start out reading a nice card mailed to me from my cousin. And I end up telling a traveling story. But I believe that’s a tiny glimpse into the amazing design of the brain. God could’ve designed it to store only the information we need for survival. But from His loving perspective, He knew how awesome it would be to give us memories.

I hope you’ll tell someone you love, today,
Something they will not soon forget,
A little something they can take through life,
A memory. A love vignette.

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Posted on October 31, 2020 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

Did you see the movie “Ghost”with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore? The silly plot to the movie was that Patrick’s character was murdered but he didn’t immediately leave the planet. And he didn’t go to Heaven or hell. Because, according to the plot, he had to make sure his true love, Demi’s character, would be safe. But one thing that stood out, to me, was how when someone died, and Patrick’s character could see shadowy figures carrying them off to some place of torment. Reminded me of a shadow of things to come.

A guy named Paul talked about a shadow of things to come, too.

But he wasn’t talking about some silly, ghostly, spooky shadow. His description was more of a foreshadowing and focus. And he wrote it like this…

“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.”

The foreshadowing is the minor point. And the major point is focus. I really like the part where Paul says “let no one cheat you of your reward.”And that includes YOU, by the way. Because YOU are the only person who ultimately make the decision. For…or against God.

My suggestion is FOR.

Because this world is getting meaner and meaner. And those who would love to see Christians wiped from the face of the Earth are growing in numbers, almost exponentially.

So, make a choice to be on the winning side.
And you have to choose. There’s no place you can hide.
And be prepared to become a lightning rod
For the strikes from all the masses who hate God.

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Posted on October 30, 2020 by TonyNovember 18, 2020

Handwriting without tears through the everlasting years

Some say the way you write says a lot about you. And I don’t mean the words you choose. I’m talking about the way you push your pen. I recently read an article that said if you write with an irregular style, you’re dealing with chaos in your life. And if you use a lot of circles, you’re feeling defensive. But I didn’t find anything in the analysis charts that talked about handwriting without tears.

But who cares about handwriting without tears?

Well, except maybe for all those teenage girls who believe the guy who just dumped “˜em has left an everlasting empty void in their hearts. Of course, they rightfully have tears all over the pages they write in their diaries and journals.

But you, my intrepid fellow human being, have no excuses.

Because you have access to information that even kings and emperors from olden days didn’t have. And you can tap into that well of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding with the tap of your pointer finger.

And when you do, you can see how the handwriting of requirements for the vast majority of the world don’t have to apply to you forever. Ain’t that awesome?

“Aw, c’mon, Tony. Stop beatin’ around the bush. What are you talkin’ about?”

Well, let’s see. What other words fit? Hmm.

OK, you know what I mean when I say “laws.”Right? How about those? Wouldn’t it be great to know that even though you messed up and broke the laws, you don’t have to pay for them? And especially if the jail time is forever.

Yeah, it’s a good idea to get that all wiped off your slate.

But I’ll let you in on a little secret. There’s no judge, lawyer, or bail bondsman who’s ever gonna be able to help you clean your slate like that.

And you’re not gonna be able to bribe your way out of it.

But you CAN repent your way out of it.

“Oh man…honey, bring me another beer and change the channel. Tony’s done started talkin’ church talk again.”

Now hang on a minute. Because this has to do with more than what’s on TV the rest of the night. (and that includes all those campaign commercials)

Yeah, if you get this handwriting issue resolved, and you could be looking at an eternity of good news. Even without a big screen with 1000 channels.

Be sure yours is handwriting without tears
And see how to alleviate your fears
Of darkness, all alone…and hopeless to the bone,
Anticipating when true hope appears.

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Tony Funderburk

The Power of God's Love and Truth

This hit song, from 1956, had already been done.

But not the Fat Man.

Wow. I bet you won’t find a crybaby around anymore.

So, for at least 5 weeks every crybaby had to hear “Big girls don’t cry…” every day.

One of those female country music songs was a number one hit back in 1960.

Yeah, coincidence and chance are real.

And, as it just so happens, He also says things happen by chance.

Johnny and the Moondogs lost a star search competition.

Not so fast.

Friday the 13th is a silly superstition.

Simple.

Counting out money in ye olde counting house

Yeah, in spite of your circumstances, you carry on.

Carry The Dream

But here’s how you can make a pro choice.

Choose Life

Higher learning ain’t always what it’s cracked up to be.

And that became glaringly apparent on one of my homework assignments.

You should have known this could happen if you’re a Christian.

The world is filled with people who hate God.

There was also another embryo connection I didn’t know about.

Maybe this means nothing to you right now.

Some people have absolutely no hope for a better day.

But there IS one kind you can depend on.

Why didn’t I think of this on my own? Equal pay can save the day.

And equal money changes everything equally.

I can tell you who’s NOT the author of confusion in this mess.

You make your own way in life.

It sounds old-fashioned. But maybe God IS the answer.

“Peace of God.”

But remember Beat The Clock doesn’t mean you’ll Beat The World.

Beat The World (and clock)

It’s kinda fun to see yourself from someone else’s different perspective.

See what a different perspective can do?

A guy named Paul talked about a shadow of things to come, too.

My suggestion is FOR.

But who cares about handwriting without tears?

Yeah, it’s a good idea to get that all wiped off your slate.