Category Archives: Christian Articles

Tony Funderburk writes and sings about the rhyme and reason for life so believers and searchers can see some of the millions of reasons to trust Jesus.

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Play

Get The Rhyme and Reason PodcastDelivered to Your Device Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS | More

God is everlasting and everywhere He wants to be. You and I are SO not like that. But if you could take a minute to try and see yourself from God’s perspective, you can get a better understanding of how much trouble He’s gone through to bridge that gap. And that’s true because of one thing, and one thing only.

The power of God’s everlasting Love that’s available everywhere.

OK, fair warning. This is gonna be a little bit of a Bible study. So if you’re not into it, drop out now.

In case you didn’t know, there was a guy named Paul who wrote a letter to the Romans, about 2000 years ago, telling them (the ones who were interested) about the Grace of God. And God’s grace is synonymous with His everlasting love. Paul wrote this in his letter: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

You might look at that second question and answer, “Well, almost everyone is against us.” But the point Paul is making with that question is that even if everyone IS against us…none of it compares with God who is FOR us. And God is for you the moment you trust in His Son as your savior. That’s a crucial and key point.

Because His Son took your punishment.

Paul’s letter continues, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? See? There’s that love again. Jesus came to earth as a man to offer everlasting life to anyone who would trust Him. He put His life where His intentions were…and are. And He allowed Himself to be “conquered” by His captors so that we could be more than conquerors. Are you with me so far?

Continuing with his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” Wow. That’s amazing. You have an advocate whose everlasting love makes everlasting life a reality for you. And when you choose to believe and trust in Jesus, the deal is sealed…

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Here’s a list of physical obstacles unable to separate you from God: “Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.‘ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

And here’s a list of non-physical obstacles unable to separate you from God: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“

Are you starting to see how important it is to trust Jesus? When you do, your eternal life is sealed and secured. But, like I always say…it’s YOUR choice. No one can make the choice for you…not even God. He lets you freely choose. If you haven’t already, why would you let another day pass without choosing? You might not have tomorrow.

More than conquerors,
Or even world-beaters.
More than warriors
Or non retreaters…
We are loved with an Everlasting Love.

Everlasting and Everywhere

I want the Everlasting Work Of Art,
Not just on canvas, but engraved in the heart.
I need the Everlasting Scale Of Worth.
That’s the only Way to perfect peace on earth…

Everlasting and everywhere…
He’s Everlasting and everywhere

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

You  seek the answers to the mysteries of life.
But how much truth can you handle.
And as for me, well, there is only One Fire
That lights the flame on my candle.   Chorus

I look to the Everlasting Guiding Star
To make my path straight as I travel so far.
I sing the Everlasting song of man;
Teach us to understand our place in the plan.

Chorus…inst…chorus…bridge…chorus…modulate up and repeat 

2 verses and choruses to end    © 1992  TF

If this landed somewhere good with you, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Daily Devotional

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Play

Get The Rhyme and Reason PodcastDelivered to Your Device Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS | More

I’ll start this off with a question. Have you ever seen someone for psychiatric care? I haven’t, but I’ve known people who have. And I’ve certainly seen enough movies and TV shows with people seeking therapy that way. But they never act or talk like it actually works.

And I don’t see much care in their psychiatric care.

Plus, there’s an unavoidable problem when you tell a doctor your deep, dark secrets. Especially a typical psychiatrist who has no healthy relationship with Jesus. Because, when you share your feelings and secrets  with someone who doesn’t love his Creator (and many times even with someone who does), you risk hanging yourself out to dry.

All those notes the doctor takes can be like witnesses against you. If the person taking them ever wanted to turn against you for some dire reason, they have a great reference tool. And if you believe the so-called “doctor-patient confidentiality” thing will protect you, you don’t know human nature.

Years ago I watched an old black and white movie where the main character went to a psychiatrist for some marital or other relationship problems. The star of the movie was only one of a collection of weird characters. And it seemed like they all wanted to be the weirdest one. Funny thing is, I thought they were all successful in their efforts.

Shortly after watching the movie, I heard a story on the evening news about how many people were seeking psychiatric “care.” And not long after that I read an article in the local paper (yeah, we still read newspapers back then) about the same topic.

“Hmm,” I said to myself. “I see a pattern forming.”

In all the stories there was never even a tiny mention of God. Far from it.

It’s just not wise to not go to God with your problems? Because He can help you rise above your selfishness. In fact, His words can make you healthy.

God should be your main counsellor. Yes, He does take notes on all of us. But, for those who love Him, He will wipe the slate clean and remembers the notes no more. Why would you ever to tell your story to a note taker who doesn’t do that? Here’s a goofy song I wrote about therapy after seeing the goofy characters in a movie…

Therapy

I think I’m going crazy.
I’ve got all the signs.
My hair is wild and wooly.
I’m reciting Shakespeare lines.
My favorite food’s granola,
And I thrive on herbal tea.
I think I’m going crazy.
I could use some therapy.
And I think my mind is slippin’
In and out of space.
I had and out-of-body experience
In another place.
And some beings from Jupiter
Did experiments on me.
Yeah, I think my mind is slippin’.
I could use some therapy.

Therapy…let me tell you all about it.
Therapy…I need someone to relate to.
Therapy…I’ll sell my story to the paper.
Therapy…I know you’ll read it…you can hardly wait to.

I guess I’m not so crazy,
When I look all around.
It seems a lot of people
Have found what I have found.
And these days it’s so hectic
Trying to be first
To be the real bizarre one…
To be the one who’s cursed.

© 1989 Tony Funderburk

If you’d rather look for help in God’s word, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Daily Devotional

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Just so you know, upfront, when I share the bad news of the day, I don’t want anybody to think that I think that’s all there is. Far from it. And I can say far from it because I trust Jesus. That being said…

Check out this bad news of the day:

  • Political figures charged with sex related crimes
  • Man charged with aggravated assault for pushing another man in front of a subway train
  • Celebrities caught with the spouse or significant other of other celebrities
  • Groups of young thugs forcing their way into convenience, stores to steal
  • Murder in numbers so large that no one can even keep up anymore
  • Gossip and dysfunctional relationship TV shows with large audiences
  • Street preachers and abortion clinic protesters violently attacked
  • Etc. etc. etc.

OK, now let’s compare that bullet list to what Paul wrote to the new Roman Christians a couple of thousand years ago. He talked about how the world would get to the point that it would be…

filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful

Wow, it sounds like Paul had a direct visual connection to present day America. His description sounds just like what’s going on all across this great nation.

But just because that’s the way of the world doesn’t mean all hope is lost.

Well, it doesn’t mean that as long as you believe in and trust Jesus. Because He is the only way out of the horrible mess this world has become. And, of course, that isn’t just my opinion. He actually said that’s the case. Yeah, Jesus said that He is THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life. Then He said…

“No man comes to the Father except through me.”

Uh-oh. That sounds like some pretty narrow-minded thinking. Hmm… there is that line in the Bible that says something about a wide path and a narrow gate. Hmm… could it be…?

So, He is the only way to turn all the bad news of the day into eternal, good news.

But that’s way more than good enough for me. How ’bout you?

I hope you agree with me. And if you do, you should connect with me. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Daily Devotional

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Play

Get The Rhyme and Reason PodcastDelivered to Your Device Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS | More

Just imagine if God said something like this: I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live…

Wow, that almost sounds like God says you can choose between life and death.

But there are a lot of people who call themselves Christians, who say that everything that happens is part of God’s plan. And they say that includes who will live forever and who won’t. And they say there’s nothing you can do to change it because it’s all part of God’s will. In other words, you can’t choose because God already chose your destiny for you.

But that statement, I said to imagine that God said, IS something God actually DID say. In the book of Deuteronomy in the Bible. And it shows a much more loving God who wants you and me to be able to freely love him. Because true love must be freely given. Otherwise, everyone is just a robot who can only do what we’re programmed to do.

But I don’t believe that for even a nanosecond. Because I’ve read too many beautiful passages in the Bible that completely contradict that kind of a creator. The power of God’s love is revealed on just about every page in every book of the Bible. Old Testament. And New Testament.

That’s why a few years ago I shared a bullet list of why I love life. Here’s what I said…

I love life and the opportunity to live it.

I love the:

  • smooth sailing,
  • trials and tribulations
  • growing up,
  • gaining knowledge,
  • gaining friends,
  • awards and rewards,
  • challenges and failures,
  • clouds and sunshine,
  • joy and laughter,
  • pain and redemption, and
  • words and music…

Those are all components that help make up this journey through life. It’s not a two part journey. It’s a two place journey. And I’m eager and privileged to participate in both. This place we’re in right now is amazing and difficult. The next place will be unfathomably kinetic, energizing, and joyous. More reasons why I love life.

But the next place won’t be like that for everyone.

That’s a shame because it’s really not difficult to achieve. You just need to believe. But here’s another bullet list of where you should not place your faith:

  • Dreams
  • Yourself.
  • a “force”
  • The “law of attraction”
  • Internal spirits
  • Mohammed
  • Confucious
  • Buddha
  • Allah
  • Oprah
  • Obama
  • and least of all, satan

Put your faith only in Jesus. I’m sure thankful I did that a long time ago. Because that one name is the key to choosing between life and death.

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Daily Devotional

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Baby boomers, or boomers (spoken with great disgust in the tone of your voice, as you hear all around the Internet these days), or just too old to learn something new. Yeah, facts is facts. I mean, those must be the facts. Because there are so many brilliant young people these days who believe that. And what did they say about a lie? Oh yeah, if enough people believe it, it becomes the truth. Right?

Well, right there is an opportunity to learn something new.

The actual quote is more like, “A lie is still a lie, even if everybody believes it. And the truth is still the truth, even if nobody believes it”

See? Isn’t it liberating to learn something new? Yeah, makes you almost feel like a new man. Or woman.

Here are some real world examples of learning something new. See if you can relate.

Do you apply your creative mind or your analytical mind or your marketing mind to everyday situations? And do you dig deeper into information to find a story you can apply to your life, or your business, or your creative endeavors?

If so, then you discovered that you actually CAN teach an old dog (if that’s what you wanna call yourself) new tricks. And that’s true if your “old dog” self has a mindset to turn “new tricks” into productive habits.

I never fell for the idea that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks anyway. In the first place, most people, who use that phrase, apply it to people. And people aren’t dogs. And in the second place, I’ve seen actual old dogs learn new tricks. Now, I’ll be darned if I’m gonna let an old dog outlearn me.

And above all that is something someone said about putting on “the new man.”

Hmm, now let me see. Where did I hear that? Or was it something I read? No wait, I remember now. I know you’re gonna think this is crazy. But the author of the best selling book of all time inspired a guy named Paul to write a letter to the Christian church in the city of Colossae (it was in Phrygia which was southern Asia Minor… look at you learn something new). And God inspired Paul to tell the Christians there to put on the new man who is “renewed in knowledge (translate: Learn Something New) according to the image of Him who created him.”

I’m gonna make a wild guess and say God wouldn’t inspire somebody to write that if He knew it couldn’t be done.

So, think of it this way. Everyone eventually grows old, if circumstances and health permit. When you do, will you give up? Or will you look forward to and rise to meet the challenges? You ain’t no dog. You’re a human being made in the image and likeness of God. And since he says you can learn something new, all you gotta do is believe and make it so.

And the choir jumped in on the chorus singin’

I gotta get shakin’…ain’t no mistakin’,
Can’t be no fakin’ changes I’m makin’
And it can’t be proven while a mountain needs movin’
So, I’m gonna go move it. Yeah, I’m gonna go move it.

And while you’re movin’ move your cursor to the form below and…

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Daily Devotional

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Guess what others might not have more of than you. Before you guess, you should also keep in mind in they might have much less than you. And they might not ever have as much as you. Looks can be deceiving. And what you see in this world doesn’t last forever. But grace lasts forever. And God gives grace to the humble.

Yeah, God gives grace to anyone who admits they need it.

And that takes more humility than most people on the planet are willing to show. I know you’re not one of those people. But you probably know someone who is. And this is what I shared with those kinds of people about 10 years ago…

Do you think more of yourself than you should? It’s OK to be confident, but it’s not OK to be arrogant or envy someone else who is. It won’t get you anywhere good in the long run. Here are some key things to remember about God’s perspective. He says that…

  • the “perverse person is an abomination”
  • He keeps a secret counsel with upright people
  • He curses the houses of the wicked and blesses the homes of the just
  • Also, He scorns the scornful

Knowing all that, it would be a wise choice to choose to love God and His ways. It would be a wise choice to humble yourself. Because, like I mentioned before, God gives grace to the humble. And it would be a wise choice to realize you’re not God and that you need a savior.

So be wise when it comes to your eternal fate. When you are, you’ll inherit glory. When you aren’t, you can only leave behind a legacy of shame.

Now, you humble yourself before God today. Or you can foolishly decide to face the eternal consequences. I recommend door number one. Because God gives grace to

The humble and the wise
And the ones who choose truth over lies.

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

As long as I can remember there have been “peace talks” and “peace agreements” and “peace accords” all over the world. Trouble is…I’ve never gotten the feeling that the world is at peace. Have you noticed that?

For as long as I can remember (and that’s a lot longer than it used to be) there have been wars. We’ve been fortunate here in America. We haven’t seen actual war on our soil for a long time. But I figure it’s only a matter of time. And I believe you can attribute the lack of peace to individuals not willing to allow the peace of God to rule in their hearts. Here’s what I mean…

The peace of God isn’t based on arbitrary human emotions and so-called peace talks.

It’s based on Truth and Life. When you understand you had a beginning designed by the Creator of all things, you can start to understand how important Truth and Life are. And it’s basic. It’s fundamental. It’s simple. Truth exists because God exists. And God is the source of all life. You can know that you know. And knowing can give you a peace you can’t find anywhere else. A peace you can really talk about.

Unfortunately, most people don’t give a rip about that peace. They’d rather zig-zag through their days looking for answers based on their preconceived notions. Or follow their flawed learning process (translation: public schooling) and live esoteric, experiential lives. The trouble with that path is…it leads to nowhere. And it often takes dark and dangerous turns.

You can call me “one of those wacky Christians” if you like. I’ve heard it before. But one thing a Christian has that no unbeliever will ever have is: the peace of God. It’s a peace beyond what you’re able to just imagine. And if anyone, who wants that peace, talks to God and asks Him for it, He’s willing to give it to them. Do you want it?

The One True Way To Peace

Judge me; I need to be judged.
Correct me;  whenever I’m wrong.
Save me from thinking my thoughts.
I’ve lived in them way too long.

Show me what I need to see.
Tell me what I have to hear.
Give me a voice of wisdom.
Thank You for taking my fear.

And I have to trust that my God is just.
And I feel my boldness increase.
I’m a dissident, and I’m an instrument.
For the one true Way to peace.

Search me for the deeper things.
Fill me from Your living well.
Free me from the ways of man.
Take me off the path to Hell

Listen to my fervent prayer.
Bless me so that I can bless.
Change me with Your mighty Word.
Spare me with Your tenderness.

Chorus

Make me to always understand
I’m only mighty in Your mighty Hand.
inst…Chorus to end    © TF

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Daily Devotional

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo