Tony Funderburk's Christian articles loaded with rhyme and reason

Posted on October 27, 2018 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

Make America great again - it's just a slogan

Can we make America great again?

I’m not a Donald Trump fanboy. I didn’t vote for him. Or any of his republican rivals or his democratic opponent in the presidential election. Just want you to know that up front. But I do like the slogan, Make America Great Again. It’s a noble cause. However, no matter how much the president means it when he says it, I doubt he’ll be able to carry it out. So, I’d like to give him (and you) the benefit of my doubt.

First…America’s greatness is not found in money.

According to many stats, surveys, and other sources of information, America’s economy has improved since Donald Trump took office. That’s nice. But not great. Because, during the almost two years he’s been president, Trump has signed checks to Planned Parenthood for a total of about half a billion dollars. That’s most definitely not great.

Picture America as one, big family. Dad took a new job, and he’s making a lot more money. And he’s bringing home presents every week. But he doesn’t keep his family safe. In fact, some of his kids have already been killed by evil men. So Dad just works harder to bring home more money. I know that’s an absurd analogy. But I’m illustrating the absurdity of judging America’s greatness based on bank accounts.

Make America Great Again and start by protecting the most innocent citizens.

If our economy is flourishing, wouldn’t it be a great idea to take some of that wealth and protect babies? I mean, that seems so obvious to me. In fact, it wouldn’t require extra governmental spending. No new taxes. Just stop taking money from hard-working Americans and giving it to organizations and institutions that kill babies. Use those billions of dollars to protect America from predators, improve roads, and create an unbelievably awesome communication infrastructure.

It’s important to realize America is already a socialist nation. Not a republic or democracy. Socialist. Plain and simple. When you forcibly take from working citizens and give it to non-working or barely working citizens, that’s a socialist action. And when elections and high offices are won based on how many social programs are supported, that needs to go in the loss column. It’s not great. It’s criminal.

If you love President Trump, you’ll pray for him…sure. But you’ll also let him know you don’t support him signing those checks to abortion organizations. You can’t support those anti-God actions and love Trump at the same time. That’s not the way to Make America Great Again.

Be sure to jump on the one-of-a-kind The TRUTH today, and I’ll send you some free rhymes and reasons right away. Music, a book, and lots of good faith, hope, and love stuff.

Be sure and tell everyone you know. Don’t keep the goodies all to yourself.

Stay tuned,

Posted on October 21, 2018 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

Motorcycle ministry - this is one you gotta see.

Have motorcycle ministry – will travel

I’d like to show you a motorcycle ministry. If you watch “America’s Got Talent”, you might have seen them already. But we don’t get TV programs here in the FunderBungalow, so I hadn’t seen these guys before. Check it out…

Real Encounter uses its motorcycle ministry to tell the world about Jesus.

On their website, they describe what they do this way: “Our ministry outreach is made up of professional athletes and ministers in the area of Moto Stunting, Street Bike Stunting and BMX Bike Stunt Team. Our outreach strategy uses action sports and extreme sports to connect with all ages of people. The motorcycle stunt show is our platform, but make no mistake; Jesus Christ has center-stage in our lives as individuals and our message as a ministry.”

This is just another example of how God can use you where you are. Any business you’re in…any sport you enjoy…any hobby you’re good at…any topic you build authority in…God can use you.

You should be a ministry. Yes, YOU!

Don’t worry about what you’ll say. Or how you’ll present it. You don’t need a motorcycle ministry. Simply trust God. Be in His Word. Let that Word live in you, and let it flow from you. Someone, somewhere needs exactly what you have to offer. Your perspective. Your insight. And your experience and willingness to share.

I hope the video I shared is an inspiration to you. If four guys, with a motorcycle ministry, can stand in front of Howard Stern and talk about ministry when he mentions pornography…what can’t you do?

So, right now, right where you are…start thinking about what your ministry is. Formulate some ideas inside. Ideas about who could benefit from what you have to share. And how you can share the Truth the world needs. Be sure you’re rightly dividing the Word of Truth…then get out there and share. And be sure to let me know how it went. I love those stories.

Be sure to jump on the one-of-a-kind The TRUTH today, and I’ll send you some free rhymes and reasons right away. Music, a book, and lots of good faith, hope, and love stuff.

And share with everyone you know. Don’t keep this good stuff all to yourself.

Stay tuned,

Posted on October 20, 2018 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

The Simple Truth

The Christian faith is based on one thing and one thing only…the simple truth that Jesus is the only way to eternal life in Heaven. And His love wins out over all the sins of every person who ever lived or will live. A loving Christian will want you to know that truth, if you don’t already. But a loving Christian won’t try to force anyone to choose Jesus. Jesus doesn’t work that way. Why should we? Forcing someone into a choice isn’t loving. And it certainly doesn’t win you any new friends. No, it’s better to share how much our Creator loves us and how much He sacrificed for us. Love has a much better chance at winning hearts than brute force or anger ever will.

It’s simple. The simple truth wins.

Human beings like to complicate things. Why stick with 10 laws, when we can make a million? Or why remember to eat real food, exercise regularly, and get plenty of fresh air, sunshine, and water…when we can create a thousand diets? It’s usually a matter of wanting to look more intelligent. Or else it’s the “control freak” in us. Whatever it is, it’s so unnecessary. After all, if God can write a book and make a point easy for us to understand, shouldn’t we be able to do that, too? Uh…yeah…if we follow His lead.

Here’s a simple poem I’ve shared before. I kept it simple so even kids could understand the love behind the Truth.

The Simple Truth

Take to heart the simple truth
That God loves you today.
He wants you to trust in Him
And know He’s made a Way
You can live forevermore
And never more be sad.
You can have much better life
Than any day you’ve had.
Just imagine life with God
That never ever ends
Where you’ll see Him face to face
And be forever friends.
Jesus is your one way there.
He hopes you’ll want to go,
But He lets you choose the way
Because He loves you so.

Do you have a better truth?

If you read the words on this site and find yourself disagreeing, stop and consider what’s making you disagree? Before you decide to say something mean or full of anger, figure out what part of my words stirred that up in you. Was it the love part? Was it the part where I said we Christians shouldn’t try to force anyone to trust in Jesus? Or was it where I started rhyming things? If it’s not any of those things…and it sure shouldn’t be…then what in the world would make you disagree? I think I know the answer to that, but you can let me know what you think. The simple truth is…I care enough to ask. And I care about where you’ll choose to spend eternity.

Be sure to jump on the one-of-a-kind The TRUTH today, and I’ll send you some free rhymes and reasons right away. Music, a book, and lots of good faith, hope, and love stuff.

And share with everyone you know. Don’t keep these goodies all to yourself.

Stay tuned,

Posted on October 1, 2018 by TonyOctober 3, 2024

Toxic masculinity and hatred for divinity

Toxic masculinity – a cunning, conniving label

Some would say…check that…many would say…check that…most would say, if given the opportunity, I suffer from toxic masculinity. That’s a label, until recently, I hadn’t heard before. And it’s a clever (translate: cunning and conniving) label. Because most people realize when something’s toxic, it’s bad. So, whoever came up with “toxic masculinity” probably spent a little time plotting things out. I give ’em credit for being clever. But I subtract all points and give them a zero for being against God.

Toxic masculinity is actually oxymoronic.

Being masculine is good. In fact, speaking as a man (because, without a doubt, I am one) I can say masculinity is awesome! Of course, being toxic (poisonous, unpleasant, and other synonyms) is bad. As chance would have it, I’m dealing with a toxic issue in my own life, but it has nothing to do with being masculine.

Anyway…just because you were born a male doesn’t mean you’re suffering or will suffer from toxic masculinity. In fact, when you get right down to it, that label is a non sequitur. (for recovering public school grads that means: a conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement). Masculinity can never, and will never, make you toxic. Being stupid and hating God CAN and WILL make you toxic. And that’s not just for guys.

Women can be toxic, too.

“Gasp! Did he just say what it sounded like he said?!”

Yes, women can be toxic, and it has absolutely zero to do with their femininity. So, there’s also no toxic femininity. Just in case there’s someone out there working on that plan.

Your personal toxicity comes from rejecting Divinity.

Not all people who turn their backs on God are toxic. At least not outwardly. Many atheists are generous, soft-hearted, and even seem to care about their fellow man (yes, I said man to describe all humans, so sue me). I’ve known some atheists who seemed to have more love in their hearts than some Christians I’ve known. But getting back to that whole “toxic” thing…atheists might not be outwardly toxic, but they ARE toxic to God.

Sure, that sounds harsh. The truth often does. But even if you hate God right now…or you just don’t believe He exists… you don’t have to end up as toxic waste for eternity. You can be dunked in a cleaning solution and come out feeling like a new man. Or woman. Because you’ll be one.

Don’t buy into all that toxic masculinity label stuff. If you’re a man, be masculine. Be strong. And don’t be afraid to be stronger than women. Not so you can dominate them. So you can protect them. Care for them. Watch over them and give them at least a little sense of security. It’s a God-created hierarchy. Embrace it. Don’t deny the role God gave you. When you accept your Creator’s designing ways, you can live toxin free forever.

Be sure to jump on the one-of-a-kind The TRUTH today, and I’ll send you some free rhymes and reasons right away. Music, a book, and lots of good faith, hope, and love stuff.

And share with everyone you know. Don’t keep this good stuff all to yourself.

Now, maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, let’s change that. Get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional. And bask in daily, delightful flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

Posted on September 29, 2018 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

He is not a she and never will be.

An article popped up on my radar this morning, and I couldn’t help but believe how farfetched it would have sounded just a few short decades ago. The whole piece centered on “acceptable” pronouns we can or can’t use for others. A professor at the University of Toronto prefers to be called “they” instead of he. And the article used nearly 900 words to defend that position. Talk about eye-roll content. Well, the male professor is a man. He is not a she or a they or even an it. Although I’m more tempted to use “it” because of how ridiculous it is to know this guy is an actual “professor”.

And this all relates to why I actually started writing this post today. Because of how many Christians use the wrong pronoun to describe the Church.

The Church is the Body of Christ. And He is not a she.

There I said it. And that should be enough, right there, to stop using pronouns like “she” and “her” to describe the Church. Sure, I know it’s popular to call the Body of Christ “The Church” these days. And it isn’t wrong. But it’s clearly evident how that neutralizes who the Church is. It is the Body of Christ. And is Christ a woman? (you should be able to immediately and emphatically say “No!”)

I saw a link, from a guy I’m connected to on a social media channel, that led to a YouTube video. The title was “Rethinking Church”. So, I clicked the link and watched the video…which was a repurposed podcast recording. Somewhere in the middle of the recording a glaring contradiction jumped out. The guy was giving a speech or a sermon to a church (he mentioned it was about 10 years ago), and he kept referring to the Church as “she” and “her”.

But then he pointed out how the Church can’t be separated from Christ because He IS the Church all Christians are a part of. We’re all part of His body. If He cannot, and is not supposed to be, separate from the Church, how can the Church be a “she” or a “her”. (bonus points if you wanted to shout “He can’t!” just then)

He is not a she and He tells us that over and over again.

If you’re a Christian, you know the Bible is God’s word. Right? So, if God expressly says Jesus is a man, we can accept that, no questions asked. Right? And if God says Jesus is His Son, we can know, without a doubt, that God had no daughters. Right? And if God describes Himself as “he” or “him” or “the Man“, there’s no way He can be a “she”. Right?

Right.

Why is this important to you and me?

Because Jesus designed everything. And He made things dependable. He wants us to know how we work and how our world works and how our universe works. You’re not an accident. Not the product of random chance. Time and dirt did not make you. Jesus did. And He wants you to grow and learn…forever. But you can’t do that when even the simplest things perplex you.

Like what pronoun to use for a man or a woman.

Are you uncertain whether a man is a man or a woman is a woman? Or what pronouns to use? Then, you might be in danger of eternal existence apart from your living, loving Creator. If that doesn’t scare you, it should. Because you’ll be a universe of one where you’ll forever wish you had acknowledged you were either a he or a she who trusted Jesus.

Be sure to jump on the one-of-a-kind The TRUTH today and get the latest rhymes and reasons delivered to your inbox instead of having to come looking for them all the time.

And share with everyone you know. Don’t keep this good stuff all to yourself.

Stay tuned,

Posted on September 25, 2018 by TonyMarch 2, 2025

Grace to me almost unbelievably

This is gonna be about me. But…if you’re looking for some answers for your own life, you should keep reading. Because when it comes to needing answers, solutions, and hope, I’m just like you. My life has not been the picture of perfection. Far from it. Even though I listened to my Grandmother pray for me, when I was 13. And even though I accepted Jesus as my savior as a result…I didn’t always live out a life that demonstrated God’s grace to me.

For 25 years I made my living playing music. Five, six, and even seven days or nights a week. From pop to country, blues to jazz, and rock to standards I sang ’em all. And playing music helped me see a whole lot of America. I traveled from West to East and South to North and most points in between. Wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

But I would like to go back and right the wrongs.

I’m mostly an introvert. Now, you might think an introvert would never wanna stand up in front of crowds and sing. But that’s not the kind of introvert I am. Playing live music gave me a way to interact with people without the commitment of time and energy needed for one-on-one relationships. And that lack of commitment spilled over into the “relationships” I had with members of the opposite sex.

Based on standards of the world, I guess you could say I was a decent looking guy. And you put that together with a better than average singing voice and you’ve got a combination for “getting girls” as we used to say. Before I became a full-time musician, I had two long-term (about 5 years each) relationships. And after those both took disastrous turns, I decided I’d be a “play-the-field” kinda guy.

And that’s why I’m so glad for God’s grace to me.

You’re not gonna get a tell-all or kiss and tell story from me. Let me just say I took advantage of women. In my defense, I can honestly say I wasn’t always the love ’em and leave ’em dude. In fact, I was mostly a nice guy to them. At least, when I compared myself to so many other musicians I knew and saw.

But that’s where sin worked its dark magic. The more I convinced myself I wasn’t like those other guys, the more I could get away with sinful behavior. But you never truly get away with it. You either pay right away, or you pay later with guilt and shame. That was me. Once I met a special girl who I didn’t want to “love and leave”, I knew I had been comparing myself to the world. And I realized how that comparison gave me a false view of myself. And that’s where God’s grace to me kicked in. It’s His grace to me that enables me to see myself as I truly am.

I could’ve wallowed in guilt and shame for the hurt I caused those women…and myself. But I needed to realize how Jesus died to provide redemption from ALL sins. Even all of mine. My sinful nature caused Him such agony. Knowing that made me thankful He hadn’t just struck me with lightning in the middle of my destructive deeds.

Grace to me inspires me to share the news of grace to you.

Whether you know it or not, you absolutely need the grace of God. You aren’t rich enough, pretty enough, and definitely not good enough to ever, ever, ever go to Heaven. But you ARE created in the image and likeness of God. And He hopes you’ll want to be with Him forever. In Heaven…and forever in His life-giving love.

God is merciful and patient. He’s waiting for you to decide. And while He’s waiting, you might be doing all kinds of things you shouldn’t be doing. Believe me, I know because I’ve been right there with you. I still sin. Trusting Jesus to be your savior doesn’t make you perfect. But trusting in Him brings His perfection into your heart and soul. His eternal life becomes your own. Now, that’s grace beyond comprehension. And it’s a FREE gift.

And who doesn’t like free gifts?

Be sure to jump on the one-of-a-kind The TRUTH today and get the latest rhymes and reasons delivered to your inbox instead of having to come looking for them all the time.

And share with everyone you know. Don’t keep this good stuff all to yourself.

Stay tuned,

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Posted on September 19, 2018 by TonyMarch 2, 2025

One Day Soon

I remember, when I was about five years old, snapping green beans on the porch with my Grandmother in Oklahoma. She would almost always find a way to talk to me about God, Jesus, and time. On this particular day she was making sure I understood how short this life is. She told me, “Don’t take your parents and grandparents for granted. One day soon you’ll wake up and find ’em gone.” Of course, as a little boy, I wondered why old people talked about those things.

My, how time flies.

If my calculations are correct, Grandmother would have been a few years younger than I am now when she told me those things. That “one day soon” she mentioned is already in my rearview mirror. Out of all my grandparents, step-grandparents, and parents, only my mom remains. Wow. Years fly by like the scenery through the side windows of a speeding car.

Your perspective, whether you think so or not, will change considerably when you can measure your life in multiple decades. Don’t be surprised if you hear yourself telling somebody younger, “Just wait, one day soon you’ll see what I’m talking about.” And that’s why it’s important, like Grandmother said, to not take people or circumstances for granted.

One day soon your circumstances will change.

It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor. Black or white or red or yellow. Man or woman. Old or young. Your circumstances are going to change. And very often for the worse.

I’m not a pessimist. This isn’t about helplessly wringing hands or throwing in the towel. Far from it. I’m talking about reality. Your bank account will never be large enough to protect you from hard times. You won’t be immune from troubles just because you were born a certain color or sex. And young people suffer hardships just as often as the elderly.

That’s all reality. But the good news is…there’s always good news. You’re not an evolving train wreck. And you’re not floating helplessly through space on a meaningless ball of dirt. You were designed. On purpose. And one day soon you’re gonna meet that Designer. And it will be glorious beyond your hopes, dreams, or expectations. Unless…

…you choose not to.

It’s like this. You make choices in this life.

What to wear. Where to work. How to act around other people. When to eat, drink, and sleep. Every day…lots of choices. But none of them are permanent. Only one choice you make in your life has permanent consequences. That choice is whether to believe there’s one, true, living, loving Creator who made you and loves you. Or. To believe everything that happens is just leading to an eventual black hole of nothingness.

One day soon you’ll either find out you were right or you were wrong. If you’re young, it might be decades from now. But trust me, that won’t matter. It’ll still feel so much sooner than you ever imagined. You’re either gonna face a life-threatening illness, or accident, or crime. But whatever it is…you’re gonna face your own end days.

I urge you not to go it alone. And I urge you not to trust your life to your health, your wealth, your friends or family or government. Nothing and no one, here on Earth, can give you the security of eternal life. You can only find that in one person. Jesus. And my hope for you is that one day soon, when you meet Him, it’s with open arms.

Be sure to jump on the one-of-a-kind The TRUTH today and get my latest words, music, and voice delivered to your inbox instead of having to come looking for them all the time.

And share with your friends, family, and other business owners. Don’t keep this good stuff all to yourself.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk

Your Life Has Rhyme And Reason Because God Made You

Category Archives: Christian Articles

Can we make America great again?

First…America’s greatness is not found in money.

Make America Great Again and start by protecting the most innocent citizens.

The Simple Truth

It’s simple. The simple truth wins.

The Simple Truth

Do you have a better truth?

Toxic masculinity – a cunning, conniving label

Toxic masculinity is actually oxymoronic.

Women can be toxic, too.

Your personal toxicity comes from rejecting Divinity.

He is not a she and never will be.

The Church is the Body of Christ. And He is not a she.

He is not a she and He tells us that over and over again.

Grace to me almost unbelievably

But I would like to go back and right the wrongs.

And that’s why I’m so glad for God’s grace to me.

Grace to me inspires me to share the news of grace to you.

One Day Soon

My, how time flies.

One day soon your circumstances will change.

It’s like this. You make choices in this life.