You should love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.

And there’s a place in the New Testament where it says that.  But do you do it?

I don’t.

It brings me no pleasure, in fact, it pains me to say it. But I don’t give my all to God. And that’s in spite of the fact that I love my Creator. I’m blessed and thrilled to know that I have a Risen Savior. Jesus was totally innocent of all crimes. But He was still put to death in a horrible way. For me. And for you. But I know I don’t put all my heart, soul, strength, and mind into loving Him on a full-time basis. I bet you don’t either.

He made the ultimate sacrifice for us. And all He asks for in return is love. But all of us puny humans focus more on ourselves and the things of this world. Wouldn’t it be great to know why that is?

Well, Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (that’s you unless you’re a Jew), gave us clear insight into this problem. He used himself as an example. He talked about how the right things he wanted to do, he didn’t do. And the wrong things he didn’t want to do…those he did. Then he explained that “…in my flesh, nothing good dwells“.

If something is truly good…not merely good according to the low standards of this world…then it should lead to eternal life. Your flesh doesn’t do that. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there’s a 1:1 ratio of births to deaths in the world. No one escapes the “wages of sin“. But you can escape having to pay for them forever. That’s gonna require some humility. But if you want eternal life you can look forward to with complete assurance, just tell Him…

I Give You All

You gave my heart
A way to touch you, Lord.
You gave my eyes
A gift to see and recall.
And You gave me stars…
To guide me through my lonely fear.
I give you all…I give you all.

You gave me words,
And they can reach the sky.
And You gave my soul
Salvation out of the fall.

You gave me dawn,
To savor all you gave me, Lord.
I give you all…I give you all.    (chorus)

I give you all…my worries and my fear.
I give you all…and I can feel you near.
And I give you all…you dry up every tear.
I give you all…I give you all.

You gave me nights…
That shine your silver stars.
You gave me time,
To change my ways and stand tall…
You gave me hope,
That in my weakness I am strong.
I give you all…I give you all.     (Lyrics © 2009 Cristina Miller)

That song is one of eleven original songs I recorded and produced when I was the praise and worship leader at a small Denver church. Download the whole collection with a link in the handy, useful songbook journal you’ll find here: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/rtpsongbook (paperback available, too)

Stay tuned,

The post I give you all in these lyrics ya’ll appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

You DO have God on your side, don’t you? If not, you have two chances of success without God.

Zero. And none.

Without the hope of an absolute standard of truth, love, and peace you’ll wander in the wilderness your entire life. And it will all be for nothing when your life ends. Even if you sold your soul to satan, and got to be the conquering king of the whole world, you gained nothing. And your conquests devoured true peace like a ravenous buzzard.

But wait. That doesn’t seem to jive with “all things are possible.”

Except that it DOES jive. But only if and when you don’t depend on you to do them.

Let’s take world peace, for example. Even beauty queens know that world peace is a good goal. And God tells us to “pursue peace with all people.” But notice He doesn’t say “attain” or “accomplish” or “establish” it. He’s fully aware that many people want nothing to do with silly, childish notions of peace.

God isn’t looking to you (or me) to make sure peace with all people occurs in our lifetime. He’s trying to establish an attitude…a heart condition for us. He wants us to WANT peace.

So, the desire of your heart should be for peace with all.

This doesn’t mean you have to be a doormat for those who prefer to destroy you and your “peace.” Quite the contrary. You can stand fast and be strong. It’s OK to be powerful and courageous. As a matter of fact, it’s the only way you should be operating in this mean ol’ world.

I hope you’ll start and/or finish your day, today, with an attitude of pursuit. While you’re busy taking care of your family, or helping your neighbor, or running your business…think of ways you can pursue peace. You might not achieve it with all people, but you might surprise yourself at how successful you can be with a little peaceful practice.

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   © 1998 TF

Get that song and 11 others when you download my Amen songbook journal. The lyrics are in the book. And you have plenty of space to write down your thoughts and ideas. And there’s a special link where you can download all the songs that go with the lyrics. https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/amen

Stay tuned,

The post All things are possible because the chasm is crossable appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Because when it comes to love, God is great beyond comprehension.

And the love you can see, in His creation of you and me (humans), reveals He is also real, alive, personal, and good.

Imagine, for a second or two, that you’re God and that you can see and hear all those humans you created on Earth. Think about how you created a planet where you provided, abundantly, for everything they need to live.

Now, think about how you can hear how much the vast majority of those people hate you. And you hear the stories they make up for how the world and everything in it came to be. No matter how many times and ways you show them how much you love them their hatred grows.

How would you be able to stay motivated to love them and want to keep them around? Oh yeah, I left out one detail. As God, you’ve been watching all this for about six or seven thousand years.

You and I would’ve given up a long time ago. But God didn’t. He hasn’t. And that’s why I sing…

Our God Is LPRGL

The world is…obsessed with death and dying.
They’re drowning…in bitterness and crying.
It’s such an awful shame.
They could call upon the name of Jesus.
As followers we say
We know He’s the only Way that frees us
From the sins we hide deep inside. They… can’t please us.

Our bodies…become the dust that scatters.
If that’s it…then nothing really matters.
We may as well give in
When we feel the world begin to seize us.
Who needs all that guilt and blame
You get calling on the name of Jesus?
But it’s not like that. It’s a fact…Jesus sees us.

He’s living and He’s life…He’s personal to talk to…
Relational with every son and daughter.
He’s good and so much more…. He’s loving to the core…
Jesus is the Living Water.
And each time a soul is saved all the angels above sing….
Our God is living, personal, relational, good… and loving.

Our souls know. infinity is calling.
But temptation…can keep our spirits falling.
So we need to fix our eyes
On the true eternal prize of Jesus.
When we stand before the throne,
He knows our lives, alone, won’t appease us.
No, we need the blood of the lamb…we need Jesus.    © 2008 TF

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Have you ever dealt with someone who needed an attitude adjustment?

And was it because they seemed to have that kind of condescending attitude that can get on your last nerve? I get it. Been there.

But here’s something I realized. And I hope you do, too.

Nobody else on the planet can actually condescend to you? Or to anyone else for that matter. And no matter what anybody else says, you are equal in value to anyone.

The key word there is “value.” Because, let’s say you work for someone. Then, their position is higher than yours. After all, they hired you. And they pay you. But all you would need, to reverse that, is a change of position. Hire yourself and run your own business.

All of that has nothing to do with your value. And your value can be eternal. Because you were created in the image and likeness of God.

You’ve heard of Him. Right? Yeah, he’s the One who spoke words and the whole universe sprang into existence. And He didn’t create any other living thing on the planet in His image and likeness. Only humans. Then, He even gave us “dominion” over all the other creatures. But He still has dominion over ALL of creation, including you and me.

So, only He has more value.

And you could say God had a condescending attitude when He lowered Himself to become a man and take the punishment for our sins. He had always existed, in eons past, as a spirit. That’s a vastly superior state of existence without the constraints of flesh and bones.

But He made the choice to live as we live. In a flesh and bones body that has to deal with hunger, pain, and temptations. And then He took that step down a lot further. Because He died a horrible death for something He didn’t do. Why?

Just so you and I wouldn’t have to pay the wages for sin.

So, Jesus condescended to our level, and even lower, so you and I could have eternal life. Yeah, He went through unimaginable hell so we can have a Way to avoid it.

Here’s a song I wrote about it. You’ll have to tune into the The Power of God’s Love Podcast if you care to hear it. But be warned. It’s hope-filled. But it’s an attitude adjustment. Not my usual cheery style.

Consequential Servitude

God looked down on me.
He knew I was wrong;
Usurped my position I held for so long.
Yeah, He just took over where my brain left off.
He knew it was risky. He knew they’d all scoff.
Sometimes I’m so stupid, and so often blind,
Trade reason for feelings; mistakes underlined.

And so again; I behold the outer man
Through God’s condescending attitude,
And I defer to the perfect Architect
And this consequential servitude.

He spirals His thoughts through my barricade.
He knows I am feeble, yet hands me His blade.
And He tells me to rise up from my Phoenix blight.
He builds me a fortress of conquering Light.
When my clay is brittle, and crumbles to sand,
I long to be putty in my Master’s hand.

And then I can behold the inner man
Through God’s condescending attitude.
Because He chose me as His dwelling place
I choose this consequential servitude.

There were no incantations, no hallelujah chorus
He succumbed to His detractors; withstood an inquisition…
And then commended His spirit, relinquished His position,
And then He died a death that was for us!

Repeat 1st verse and 2nd chorus…end

© 2001 & 2008-09 Tony Funderburk

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then 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 enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

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So, this guy’s name was Saul. He lived about 2000 years ago. And he was zealously dedicated to his Jewish faith. In fact, he was so dedicated that he persecuted anyone who would dare say Jesus was their Messiah. When I say “persecuted,” I mean he even killed them. He believed what they were doing was blasphemy. And that was a crime and sin punishable by death. Yikes!

Then, Saul met Jesus.

AFTER Jesus had been killed! Can you imagine meeting someone, after you had witnessed that person’s death? That might shake your foundation a little. Don’t you think? Well, it certainly shook Saul’s. Figuratively and literally. He was on a journey, near the city of Damascus, when something amazing happened. Saul described it like this:

“Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.”

Saul had to be led into Damascus because the light he saw blinded him.

But Jesus changed him forever. Even changed his name to Paul. And when he first started to share his new message about the Christian faith, people remembered him as that guy who had persecuted them.

How dare he try to preach to them?!

Who did he think he was, anyway?

But once people listened to Paul’s messages, they saw the glory of God in him. That’s one example of how God’s grace changes everything. Paul was changed forever. And he wanted everyone to know how they could be, too. And that’s why I write, sing, and talk about all this. I want you to know how grace can change you forever, too. But you gotta be willing to listen. And you gotta wanna be changed forever.

Here are the lyrics to a song I wrote a few years ago about how the grace and love of Jesus changes you. If you’re willing to listen, and look for it, I included this song in one of my podcast episodes. Or you can get it from a link inside one of my books. But that’s another story for another time. Right now, here are those lyrics:

Drawn To You

Maybe it’s Your grace. I don’t know.
It could be Your Word. I’m not sure.
But You have a way of refining my thoughts.
Your Will is my strength.
Your Will is my cure.

Anytime it’s me making it up
Show me I’m wrong to just forget You.
You barely lift a finger, and You change my whole direction.
What else can I say? What more can I do?

I’m drawn to You
Like a June-bug to the light.
I’m drawn to You
Like a boxer to the fight.
I’m drawn to You
Like a sweet tooth and ice cream,
And it may all sound extreme,
But I’m drawn to You.

Maybe I’ll wake up, maybe soon
And find You take me home…
Who can say?
‘Til then I’ll live it out. ‘Til then I’ll follow through
And see how many more might feel the same way.

Chorus

Jesus, help me, won’t You take me to my heart’s desire?
Nothing could mean more than having You to be my fire!
Take me higher. Draw me near.

Chorus…instrumental…repeat chorus to end

© Copyright 2000

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And see? I knew you could handle the truth.

Because you’ve got a brain. Yeah, you don’t wanna use your head for, as my Dad used to say, just a hat rack.

So, while you’re in the mood to handle the truth, I’ll expound (a word that sounds pretentious but isn’t).

There’s no magic herb, organic plant, or hallucinogen that will ever help you live forever. Despite the fact that countless human beings have wasted their lives trying to prove otherwise.

The body you’re living in, now, just isn’t gonna last forever. The more decades you’re alive, the more you understand how true that is. So, why waste time worrying about your mortality? Sure, take good care of yourself. Eat sensibly, and that should include the best foods you can afford.

Drink plenty of water. Move around more and get fresh air and exercise.

But remember, only fools believe immortality can be found anywhere apart from your Creator.

And that’s great news. Because it takes the burden and responsibility for eternal life off your weak and dying body. So,  give up the quest for the fountain of youth, Ponce. Acknowledge your finite shortcomings. And trust in the one One who knows even the number of hairs on your head.

Put your faith (or continue to put it) in the One who will restore your soul. The One who’ll always be there to help you handle the Truth. And I mean the One who’s in this song:

Your Love Restored My Soul

From my mother’s womb You have been my God…
Even if I didn’t always know it.
And I’ve loved You since my salvation day…
Even if…I didn’t always show it.

I believe Your Son is the only Way
To the life I know is never-ending…
So I cast my lot with the King of Kings
And His Truth I trust is never bending.

Jesus…Your love restored my soul.
You gave Your life to make me whole.
I’d be a lifeless lump of coal…oh
But Jesus…Your love restored my soul.

On my darkest days I am not alone.
You indwell me with Your Holy Spirit.
And Your still small voice is an open book
So, Your grace is there if I draw near it.

And in that open Book is the one True God.
All the words revolve around His story.
And the words are turned into flesh and bone,
And He shares, with each of us, His glory.

Chorus twice

Your love restored my soul. your love restored my soul
Your love restored…your love restored my soul.

© 2010

Do you like to journal?

If so, download this song and a bunch of others with a link you’ll find in the Raise The Praise songbook journal.
(https://www.amazon.com/Raise-Praise-Songbook-Journal-Funderburk/dp/B095WRJBF1) And if you search through The Power of God’s Love Podcast episodes, you can hear this whole song.

Stay tuned,

The post Handle the Truth now and make this your vow appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Because the vast majority of news sources would prefer you to stay locked down, inside your house, and in front of your computer or TV with fear in your heart. Of course, I could just be a conspiracy nut. And, in that case, skip the rest of this raving rant. Save yourself some more time for the fear news.

But check out these health headlines from today 1/4/2024 before you go:

• FDA probes side effects of weight-loss drugs
• Possible Ozempic side effects including hair loss and suicidal thoughts probed by FDA
• FDA examining side effect reports with Lilly, Novo obesity drugs
• Highly contagious measles exposures in Philadelphia announced in unvaccinated residents
• Flu misery, COVID on the rise due to lack of vaccination
• ‘Take prevention seriously’: SC urges caution as respiratory illness remain high
• SC flu cases, COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise following holiday season
• As flu cases spike, local hospital adjusts visiting policies

For 50 years I’ve been writing and talking about how this kind of world could and would happen. At first it was innocuous “laws” and policies to simply “provide protection” from accidents. You know. Helmets for motorcycles. And seatbelts for cars. I’m not against those, by the way. But the “laws?” Not so much.

I’m not gonna bore you with some decades long timetable. Because all that data probably wouldn’t change 1 mind out of 10. Probably wouldn’t turn 1 person’s heart, out of 10, toward their Maker.

I CAN tell you the news isn’t likely to get better any time soon.

And that includes health headlines, business headlines, and political headlines. So, I just recommend that you at least scan the headlines and bullet points on major news sites. And don’t be surprised when you see how similar, almost eerily similar, they are to each other. It all reminds me of the lyrics I wrote over 25 years ago. It was a song called Cliché. Here’s a verse…

We want to live in a fat-free environment, and
We want to make sure the ozone is intact.
And so we watch all those service commercials, and
It’s just so easy to sit back and react.
Is it just melodrama…for me to feel this way?
I wonder…is it just me?
Or does it all sound so cliché?
Does it sound that way? So cliché?

Cliché, and 12 other songs are included in my Do Right songbook journal. Get yourself a copy on Amazon today. It won’t build your immune system. But it might help you connect with the One who designed that system.

Stay tuned,

The post Health headlines today keep common sense away appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

But I’ll explain why I’m so anti pro life songs.

Because I’d much rather write songs about all the glorious things of God’s creation. You know; love, flowers, whimsy, and everything else that delights your senses and sensibilities.

But every day it’s easy to look around and see:

• Christians who don’t even know some of the simplest things God said in His word about the blood of the innocent
• politicians who waffle on the sanctity of human life
• celebrities who use the same ol’ worn out clichéd reasons like “life of the mother” or “woman’s right to choose”
• bloggers and other writers who simply don’t do the research

It all motivates me to think of another way to sing about it. My current circumstances prevent me from doing a lot of other things about personhood for preborn babies. But I can write songs about their plight. Then, I can post them here on TonyFunderburk.com AND on iTunes, YouTube, LinkedIn, Gab, Twitter, and even on YuckBook.

And I know that ne’er-do-wells, who don’t judge, despise me for it.

Even though they scream about, and virtue signal their tolerance celebration of diversity.

And to them I say, “Put it in your pipe, with your glaucoma medication, and smoke it.”

But if you don’t disagree with me, please support me. And other musicians, pastors, bloggers, politicians, and anyone else who recognizes the God-given right to life and personhood of everyone from biological beginning to natural end.

Help us to not write any more pro life songs. Or create “pro life legislation.” Or write pro life stories.

It’s a shame any of those things ever needed to exist. Because it’s a worldwide shame abortion exists.

Show the world you’re pro-life. It’s one of the glorious things anyone can do. Even you. Will you give it a try today? I’d love it if I could focus on happy blog posts, songs, stories, and podcast episodes.

Until that time, here’s one I wrote to showcase the personhood of unborn babies.

Personhood

You should thank your Mom cause she thought of you as a person.
From the very start she was calling you her daughter or her son.
And though life isn’t easy; our Moms still believed we would make it.
Now some call life a choice, but it’s still a precious life.
We can’t take it.
We can’t forsake it!

Give an unborn baby personhood
There’s nothing more important we can do!
Give an unborn baby personhood.
50 Million persons beg us to…they beg us to! (much more now)

We can read all the judgements, and continue to build our big plans.
But there are lives in the balance, and the choice is right in our hands.
So do we sit idle? Or is there a way we can stand tall?
Can’t we stand for life? Or do we really stand for nothing at all?
And let the innocent fall?

If human life is just sown by chance, then
Nothing we know could be bad or be good.
If we’re just embryonic particulate matter,
Then we could know there is no personhood…
But we hope and we pray
And we live for the day,
When our love becomes broad
In the image of God…

~ Chorus ~

© Copyright Tony Funderburk 2007

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The post Pro life songs are awful singalongs appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

And today makes me remember another day in the past, too.

It was Pastor Appreciation Day back in 2010. And I certainly appreciated his Bible teaching skills. So, I didn’t look for a special song to acknowledge him that Sunday. I wrote one. It was a song that showed appreciation for who he was AND Who he represented.

Because my friend, the pastor, was controversial. To say the least. And if I shared his name, and if you did a search online, you’d find a long list of despicable so-called “news sources” mocking him. Even in death. But, as another friend of mine said, “If the world still hates you when you die, you must’ve done well.”

I have no doubt that, sometime on September 12, 2021, my friend heard, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Because he dedicated much of his life to sharing God’s word with anyone who’d listen. I updated the lyrics of appreciation to account for his earthly life that’s now in the past.

We Appreciate You Doing That

When you chose to serve the Lord,
You didn’t know everything you were in for.
You couldn’t know how long it would last,
Or what your journey through life had in store.

But you didn’t let it stop you.
You found The Way to keep going.
Truth and Life and Persistence…
They’re the seeds you kept sowing.

And we appreciate you doing that.

You didn’t choose the dark, wide path.
You never ran with the “popular people”
Or raise a fortune to build up a church
Made of lies with a high, golden steeple.

But you work to spread the Gospel
And tell the world about Jesus,
And how He’s all that really matters,
And how the world cannot please us.

And we appreciate you doing that.

We know you didn’t prefer the battle.
There must have been times when it got old.
But your life, here, sure made a difference.
You shared His Story as it should be told.

And we appreciate you doing that.

© 2010-2021

Stay tuned,

The post In the past went by so fast but the life will last appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Have you even ever heard of Rick Wakeman?

Wouldn’t surprise me if you haven’t. I mean, stories don’t come much more boring than his. Well, boring if you leave out the other three marriages and divorces he had before his current marriage. And if you leave out his 100+ albums (that’s not a typo). And, oh yeah, if you leave out his heart attacks and alcohol problems.

Uh-huh. Leave that non-essential stuff, and you’re left with two words. Bo. Ring.

Even his Christian journey lacks pizazz. Don’t get mad at me for talking about it that way. Rick described it this way:

“I’d like to be able to tell you that it was some blinding flash of light, etc. But it was not like that. I was brought up in a Christian family. When I was five, I was sent to South Harrow Baptist Church because my father’s church was too far away. I hasten to add I never had anything forced on me. I loved it and spent many enjoyable years there. It became a second home to me and I became sort of a church member and was baptised in September 1968.

Prior to that I did a two-year course on Sunday School teaching. I was also heavily involved with the Boys Brigade. In a nutshell I suppose that was the whole basis of the building of my faith. I can never remember a time in my entire life when I had any doubt that God existed.”

Cool. I’m not the keyboardist Rick is. But I can relate, somewhat, to his Christian path. Because I was also raised in a Christian family and didn’t have it forced on me. And that’s a big plus since a relationship with your Creator should never be forced. Love should be freely given. God doesn’t need a legion of Yes-men.

How’s that for a segue into part of Rick’s fame.

He was the famous keyboardist for the very successful “progressive rock” band, Yes. I can’t even write that without hearing “Roundabout” in my head. Or “Owner of a Lonely Heart.”

But I digress, a bit.

Rick also described the progression of his life like this:

“I’ve had some bad times in my life and, there’re days I’ve wandered off paths as most people have. But I never ever had a moment in time that I didn’t believe in God, very strongly.”

Keep that in mind as you check out this next section.

Mr. Wakeman endured three heart attacks, pneumonia, and sleeping on park benches. And, by his own admission, he could “out-drink anybody.” And he’s aware that his excessive drinking could have led to the three heart attacks.

But there you go. I guess I was a little hasty when I said his story is Bo Ring. Turns out Rick has had a long and illustrious life in the rockstar realm.

One interviewer asked him how he could reconcile his belief in God with the rock-n-roll. And his answer is familiar.

“Even though I was making mistakes and doing lots of wrong things, I never ever had a moment when I didn’t believe in God or the power of God or had the fear of God. I was aware of it when I was doing some things wrongly. I use a comparison sometimes of the number of times God said to Israel, ‘Right, I’ve had enough of you. But I’ll give you one more chance.’ Because He is ever-forgiving, providing that you own up.”

And Rick Wakeman seems to understand the value of pressing on.

He added this in an interview:

“So there comes a moment in your life whether you’ve had faith before or never had it, when you have to own up and look up towards the heavens and say, ‘Alright God, point taken, come back on board.’ Two interesting things happen from there. First of all, there aren’t any blinding flashes of light, your problems aren’t solved ten seconds later.

What you have got is, if you do it properly and mean it, you’ve got a clean bill of health. You’ve got a clean sheet to start with. What’s gone before is forgiven, providing you have asked for that forgiveness. And then if people throw it back at you, you go, ‘Okay, I can live with that,’ because I know that from the moment you regale your life or you gave it for the first time you’ve got a clean bill of health. Basically that’s what happened to me in the mid-80s.”

Now, Rick has focused a lot of his extensive talent to the “Christian music scene.” He shared some opinions about it:

“Now I’m not saying that all Christian music that’s available on record is of bad quality. But there is certainly not the choice available and the quality available that people would like. And I’m talking of people again of all ages.”

Yeah, I wholeheartedly agree with that.

Too much fluff-n-stuff in churches these days. Rick also said this about the Christian music:

“There’s too much being written by people who are just sitting in rooms churning it out. In a secular setting this stuff wouldn’t see the light of day. I’m not saying that all of that should be totally reversed but I think that it needs a good kick in the pants and we’re hoping that Hope Records will do that.”

And Rick’s a realist about it, too. He knows if you’re gonna work on more substantial Christian music instead of adding to the fluff, it’s gonna be way more difficult to prosper. He put it like this:

“But I’m still obviously going to have to spend some time doing the secular shows, the rock shows because otherwise I wouldn’t have a house to live in.”

I’m glad that, at 74, Rick Wakeman still wants to use the gift God gave him. And I’m especially glad that he dedicates much of his focus on the Word. Because without it, none of us would have music or anything else filled with hope.

Stay tuned,

The post Rick Wakeman is awake, man appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

First, there’s no cursing.

Second, there’s no sex.

Third, there’s no cursing.

And did I mention there’s no sex?

Oh yeah, those are the big 4 benefits of Christian music.

But then, another HUGE benefit of Christian music is that it’s an indicator of your NEW character. What’s that you say? You’re curious about the NEW character stuff? Good. Because I was just getting to that.

Paul (that guy who claimed his own Gospel) wrote a letter to the Colossians. And he described what you can see when a man (or woman) has a new character. No, not a part in a movie. An actual compilation of who they/you/he/she are/is. (Sorry, I got too inclusive for a second there.)

Anyway…

Paul said the “new man” should and would follow this outline:

“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

See? Love and peace. Yes, thankfulness is in there, too. But then Paul went and spinned the tables when it came to music. Because he had the audacity to say you should use music to instruct others and even get on to them. What? With music? Uh-huh.

He actually said it more like this:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

That’s not exactly what you’ll find in churches these days. So, I don’t think churches truly receive the true benefits of true Christian music. And, yes, that’s a lotta true-based stuff. But for a reason. Because what’s trying to pass for praise and worship music these days are actually repetitious, cotton candy choruses.

But when you try to give churches, and the “pewple” inside, more meaty music, they turn a deaf ear. Mostly.

I speak from experience.

I’m not bitter about it. I AM sad about it. But I also won’t be spinning any cotton candy. So, I pray the music I’ve composed and compiled over the years will be an indication of the treasures I’ve stored up in Heaven. And if that IS how it turns out, then I’ll rejoice at the eternal benefits of my Christian music. And I’ll do my best not to admonish anyone who turned a deaf ear.

And then I can behold the inner man
Through God’s condescending attitude.
Because He chose me as His dwelling place
I choose this consequential servitude.

(from my song Consequential Servitude)

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Anyway…

My rant and rave is about your rants and raves.

Well, you’re included if you’ve posted anything, on social media (or elsewhere) about the sad state of “contemporary Christian music. And praise and worship music. I’ve read lots of comments about how the music offered up in churches, and on the radio, is “repetitive” and “empty” and “repetitive.”

But, in spite of all those commentaries from the bleachers, I still see most church goers still going to those churches. And still enduring those syrupy, up and down, namby-pamby, limp-wristed “love songs” week after week. And then going back home to post a rant about it on Spacebook.

Plus, most of those church goers still buy (on those rare times when they actually buy) music from those celebrity christians. Instead of seeking out singer-songwriters who add meat to the musical message.

And I think it’s because it’s easier to listen to (and buy from) the status quo, that doesn’t judge you and make you feel guilty. And it’s uncomfortable, sometimes, to listen to (and buy from) singer-songwriters who deliver up God’s word in a way similar to the Apostle Paul.

Of course it’s self-serving of me to rant and rave this way.

Because, yes, I consider myself to be a singer-songwriter from the meat market side of Christian music. But I absolutely don’t want you to buy my music or books or anything if you prefer today’s sugar-coated christianity. Because you might hurt your “teeth.”

And I absolutely don’t want you buy anything from me until you see if what I say lines up with the Bible. Because, despite what stupid people, like Andy Stanley, say, it’s still God’s word. So, if what I say or sing doesn’t sync with the Bible, then what I say or sing is wrong. Period.

OK. As you can see, I do have a rather hot-blooded opinion about this. But I wrote a rhyme five years ago that kind of expounds on why. Hope I didn’t write it about YOU.

Invisible Song Machines

The times will come in everyone’s life
When changes have to occur.
The reasons could be obvious, or
They might even be a blur.
One of those times is happening now
It’s somewhere behind the scenes,
Where the melodies quickly become
Invisible song machines.
Value is lost down deep in a world
Increasingly wanting “free.”
So, I’m moving my music around
To places listeners can see.
Places where I think they’ll connect
With those who connect with me.
If you believe I’ve got it all wrong
Then certainly, by all means,
Continue to get your free songs from
Invisible song machines.

© 2019

Stay tuned,

Share this link with everybody you know, so they can jump on the The TRUTH
(My regular emails about the essentials of life, AND some music and other good stuff, for Fa-Ree)

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Then, on the other hand, tomorrow is already here. On the other side of the world at the international date line area. But those people who live on the other side of it don’t live in the future. To them, it’s today. It’s right now.

So, if they start something new right now, they start today.

It’s all so discombobulated. Except when you realize you absolutely DO have a future.

You can’t keep it from happening any more than you can keep the sun from shining.

And that’s why I talk about the power of love so much. Not the wimpy, limp-wristed, “tolerance and diversity” nonsense that attempts to pass itself off as love these days. Nope. I mean the love so powerful it makes the moon revolve around the Earth and the sun to shine with light and warmth.

And that all happens in a universe that’s logical, yet magical. Reasonable, yet unbelievably huge.

For that kind of expansive evidence to exist, there MUST be a Designer even more expansive. I’d be a fool to say otherwise.

Since the evidence points to a Designer, a Creator, it’s a good idea to see if there’s more we can know about that person. Turns out, there’s a LOT more. Yeah, He wrote a bestselling book. No, that’s wrong. He wrote THE bestselling book of all time. The Bible. Maybe you’ve heard of it?

And that book says God started something new several thousand years ago.

The “heavens and the Earth.” Maybe you’ve heard of ’em? And after He created a perfect living environment He created a couple of perfect people. And He showed ’em their paradise. And He didn’t do all that for funsies. It wasn’t just something to pass the time. It was an awesome act of love.

And because you can see love throughout the Bible, you can understand how and why you can love. At least if you’re willing to understand. Most people aren’t. But I’m willing. And that’s why I’m sharing this song…

Because I Can Love

What made You think
That I was worth the risk You took?
What made You take the time
To write Your Holy Book?
I don’t believe I’d give myself a second look,
But You did because You love.

You made a world
That was as perfect as could be,
But then I broke it
When You gave it all to me…
By going through the gate You made to set me free.
This You did because You love…me.

Because You love me so…in spite of all You know…
Because You did the most that You could ever do…
Because I clearly see…evidence of You in me…
Because I can love…I do love…You!

You put a life
And a will inside my soul.
You knew true love
Would be to give me full control.
But knowing You is all that ever makes me whole.
I trust You because You love…me.

I can live because You live!
I can love because You love!

© 2010

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I found some lyrics about goin’ to the moon.

And you won’t believe (or maybe you will) where I found ’em.

I did an online search and found some curious words to a “song” under the heading of contemporary Christian music lyrics. Of course, my idea of lyrics is much different than most pop stars these days. But I’ll set that aside, for now, and share just a couple of lines from the chorus of that “song.”

“I wanna go to the moon
Don’t leave so soon (don’t leave so soon)
How could I get through? (How could I get through?)”

I don’t have to share the next six lines to the chorus. Because they’re just a repeat of those three I just shared. But if you’re familiar with rapper, Kanye West, maybe you’ve heard him sing/say those words. I never have.

And here’s the thing.

What is it about those lyrics that would make anyone think they should go under the heading of contemporary Christian music? Because Christians don’t aspire to go to the moon. That’s incredibly short-sighted when compared to going to Heaven.

But maybe you think I’m being harsh and judgmental. Maybe you think, “Gosh, Tony. That’s just the chorus. The verses probably explain why the chorus says that.”

Yeah, you’d think so. Or hope so. But check out this verse. And see if it helps you understand why Kanye wants to make a lunar landing.

“Hmm, hmm, here we go strappin’, we up
Never forget all the memories
Sittin’, I sip out my cup
Thinkin’ I should be a better me
Truly I’m blessed from the start
So much to say in these melodies, oh
Stare at the sky, the moon singin’ sweet
Oh my God, such a sweet moment
Angels, they say I’m not ever weak, such a lonely moment
Heaven knows I might never sleep, trouble in my soul
Hey, I’ve been prayin’, life can be drainin’, oh
Hey, we were late, tryna keep haulin’ on
I’m ashamed, hated what I will see
And nobody knows, so I go”

OK, I know rappers aren’t bound by meter and diction. And they prefer unrhymed iambic pentameter. But isn’t the point of lyrics to convey a message that somebody besides the singer/sayer can understand?

But let’s say that’s not the point.

If Mr. West is “tryna” make a Christian point, shouldn’t there be actual Christian truth in there somewhere?

But there’s basically NO Christian truth in those words. “Thinkin’ I should be a better me.” But Jesus said no one is good but God. “Truly, I’m blessed from the start.” Well, yeah. Each person is blessed at birth. But every person sins and blots out that blessing. So, each person should find the humility to ask for God’s forgiveness.

“Angels, they say I’m not ever weak” is a weird one. Because, first, angels don’t converse with you. And, second, you ARE weak. You ARE dying. And there’s nothing you can do to keep that from happening. So, you need answers. You can’t just “Stare at the sky” or a sweet singin’ moon. You need the maker of the moon.

And that’s why it’s harmful to call lyrics, like Kanye wrote, Christian. They’re not.

And I pray that he’s not one of those to whom God will say, “I never knew you. Depart from me…”

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So much contemporary Christian music is feelings. Not facts.

I’ll share one example. And I don’t mean to pick on him, because he’s probably a real nice guy. But I just discovered a song, by Matthew Sweet, called “Unplanned.” I couldn’t tell you another song by Mr. Sweet. But I’ve heard his breathy style before, and…oops…I’ll stay away from that rabbit hole.

Anyway…

Matthew’s song says…

“I’m looking at a masterpiece.
And I’m staring at a work of art.
I’m listening to a symphony
In every beat of your tiny heart.
You used to be a choice to make.
But now I think you’ve chosen me
‘Cause I see ten fingers, ten toes,
Two eyes and I know this is meant to be.”

And it’s fairly apparent he’s singin’ about his baby.

Matter of fact, in the video for the song, there’s a clip of a pregnant woman’s ultrasound. So, Matthew’s showing how obvious it is that pregnancy means there’s a human baby inside that woman. And that’s a great thing. Because that tiny baby, forming in the womb, IS a masterpiece. A work of art.

But then he sings, “…I know this is meant to be.”

And that’s a feeling. Not a fact.

Because it implies that what’s happening was planned. And you might think I’m being too picky. Maybe it’s just a figure of speech he’s using to illustrate how his mind has been changed.

OK. But then Matthew continues that idea in the chorus…

“Oh I don’t believe in accidents.
Miracles, they don’t just happen by chance.
As long as my God holds the world in His hands
I know that there’s no such thing as unplanned.”

I’d like to address those lyrics line by line.

If you’re a Christian, how could you not believe in accidents? Especially when Jesus, Himself, says they happen. And, by definition, miracles are rare. So, a baby isn’t a miracle. And things DO happen by chance. Again, Jesus, Himself, said they do.

Here’s a tough one, even for Christians. God does NOT hold this world in His hands. Not currently. And again, Jesus tells us that. Three times! He WILL rule this world one day. But He currently does NOT rule. And the evidence should be as clear as the daily news.

And the last line, in the chorus of Mr. Sweet’s song, once again implies that everything is/was planned. But that’s absolutely not true.

Your righteous, loving Creator did NOT plan the course of history.

Yes, he does have A PLAN. But not infinite plans for the infinite potential directions billions of lives could go each and every day. God is infinitely more brilliant than that. He’d never design men and women, in His image and likeness, only to have to plot out their every move. That would be what marketers call “make work.”

No, God designed us to be able to think. And work. And build things…on our own. Because He’s like the ultimate, dazzling, loving father. It brings Him joy to see what you come up with. At least until you come up with ways to ignore and even remove Him from your life.

If you currently find yourself with that attitude, my suggestion is to change your mind. Because you CAN change your mind. And you CAN change the course you’ll take for eternity. Where you’ll end up, forever, hasn’t already been planned.

Yes, there IS such a thing as unplanned. Heaven or hell, for you, is unplanned. Until you choose. And don’t just make a plan to choose. Choose now.

Because, as Elvis sang all those years ago, “Tomorrow may be too late. It’s now or never…”

Stay tuned,

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