Category Archives: Rhyme and Reason

Enjoy & understand the rhyme and reason for your life with author, voice expert, and multimedia guy, Tony Funderburk.

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This is what AI says about it: A moon illusion occurs when the moon appears larger as it’s near the horizon compared to when it is higher in the sky. This effect is due to how your brain perceives the moon’s size in relation to surrounding objects and the horizon. And that’s even though its actual size remains constant.

You’ve seen that happen. Right? It’s pretty cool, even if it isn’t really happening.

I believe it’s just another one of millions and billions of examples of how God designed things to delight, inspire, and light up our imagination. Yeah, when you know that Jesus is your best friend, common occurrences and every day things transform into reasons to remember how incredibly blessed you are.

And that’s despite the fact that you don’t deserve any of it. In fact, we should look for opportunities to thank God we don’t get what we deserve. And for the fact that we have minds that can appreciate and apprehend complex beauty, even if we can’t fully comprehend it. Knowing that is what helps me to look at a photograph and compose a thankful rhyme like…

Moon Illusion

The moon illusion caught my eyes
As the wings of butterflies
Fluttered past the dandelions in the yard.
The gentle breezes through twilight
Coaxed the crickets, out of sight,
To compose a rhythm synced to that postcard.
As it unfolded to full view,
With moonbeams in every hue,
Well, my mind could barely even comprehend.
And so I simply sat and sighed,
Knowing what I know inside;
Every bit of it was made by my best Friend. © 2024 TF

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When you see your primary care provider or some other kind of doctor, and they order lab work, it usually means you’re gonna give some blood. Isn’t that a warm and fuzzy description of what’s gonna happen? Yeah, no. There’s not much warm and fuzzy going on in those places anymore.

Just so you know, here’s some of what they look at in your lab work:

  • BUN
  • Creatinine
  • eGFR
  • BUN/Creatinine Ratio
  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Chloride
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Calcium
  • Protein
  • Albumin
  • Globulin
  • Bilirubin
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • AST
  • ALT

And they don’t just look to be sure you have those things in your blood. They want to see how much or how little you have of each of those things. Because if your numbers don’t fall within certain guidelines, you could have problems that require a little more attention.

I’ve experienced quite a bit of lab work time over the past 4 1/2 months. And I’ve seen those kinds of numbers being scrutinized by “experts.”

And I put quotation marks around the word experts for a reason. Because I firmly believe the complexity found in a single drop of blood can only be fully understood by the one and only Expert. And of course, that would be the expert who invented blood. I used the word invented loosely. Because He created blood. Yours, mine, and the blood of every other living creature.

But there’s something in the blood of humans thus far more important than anything else on that bulleted list I shared above. A little something called life. The life that’s contained in the information in your DNA. And it’s the life that comes directly from your Creator.

A wise man (or woman) knows that’s true. Only a fool would say otherwise.

A few years ago I saw a picture of a man-made heart that was very interesting. I seem to remember that the person who shared it marveled at the idea that we humans could come up with such a design. And that inspired me to write a rhyme, aimed at kids, to show them how the design of a real heart is infinitely more marvelous. Here’s that rhyme…

Middle of a Heartbeat

In the middle of a heartbeat
Something small stirs…
Like the sound that a kitten makes
With pulsing purrs.
Your blood goes whooshing through your veins
From head to toe,
And you might just kinda wonder
What makes it go.
It’s the code down deep inside you,
It’s yours alone,
A gift from the eternal King
On His white throne.
So, hold your breath, be very still,
And then you’ll hear,
In the middle of a heartbeat,
A love so dear.  © 2023 TF

Get my Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional, the ongoing Devotional that’s Logical AND Emotional. Because then the flashes of light I share on my website come right to your inbox. So you can spend your valuable time reading and listening instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to books and music, right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies.

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Luciferin light happens when oxidization produces compounds. I bet you’ve been waiting all week long to find out about that. Well, glad I could help. You’re welcome. See ya next time.

Wait! I almost forgot. I want to say a couple more things about luciferin light.

That image, in my glasses at the top of this page, is a photograph that shows bioluminescence rippling in small ocean waves. It’s also known as luciferin light or luciferin emissions. And, if you’re a Christian, that might ring some sort of bell in your memory banks.

Yeah, you might recall there’s a certain character in the Bible who transforms himself into an angel of light. And, of course, he’s known by several names. But one very familiar name is Lucifer.

And I think it’s kind of strangely ironic that a chemical process that produces such beautiful lit up colors, here on earth, ends up with such a devilish name. But maybe that’s just me. It’s not something to fight about. Certainly not in this world where just about everybody fights about just about everything.

Once I saw the photograph, and how beautiful the blue light in the ocean water is, it inspired me to write a short rhyme to describe the picture. Plus, it’s another opportunity and one of millions of reasons to love and appreciate God’s amazingly beautiful designing power. Here’s my rhyming tribute to…

Luciferin Light

Bioluminescence, like diamonds in dreams,
The light is delightful, but not as it seems,
Where oxidization produces compounds,
Aqua light in the night that truly astounds.
“Luciferin emissions” sounds wicked, and yet,
They’re what occurs as we view this vignette.
Labyrinth liquid, one of many designs,
Establishes essence of brilliant blue lines,
And creates conundrums for science to solve.
But one thing’s for sure, it could never evolve. © TF

Get my Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional, the ongoing Devotional that’s Logical AND Emotional. Because then the flashes of light I share on my website come right to your inbox. So you can spend your valuable time reading and listening instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to books and music, right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies.

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Jade green. That color has always been stored in my mind ever since I was a little boy. Because my grandmother had a beautiful jade plant in her house that captivated me for some reason.

And every time I see a Jade green stone, I think of that plant.

But I also have a jade green memory from just a few years ago. And that memory was captured in some pictures at Pensacola Beach in Florida. There’s a whole section of the floor of panhandle known as the Emerald Coast. So, it’s not rare to be able to photograph Jade green water. I think most people prefer to get pictures of the blue or aquamarine colors. But the greens are beautiful too.

I took some pictures below one of the piers that stand along the beach. And when I get home, where I could see the pictures better, I was delighted to find some emerald water shots. I added a short poem to one to create a card of sorts that I gave to Elgielene. Other people enjoyed the picture too. And here’s the poem…

No mirrors.
No smoke.
Just an
Emerald cascade
Reflecting
The moments
Which,
Too quickly, fade.
Dive into
The memories
Soon after
They’re made
While gazing
At pictures
Of liquified jade.   © 2017 TF

I thought I remembered Jade being mentioned in a place or two in the Bible. But in the version I use, it’s not there. Some people say that it is mentioned in Exodus 20:17-21.

But my Bible says this…

“And you shall put settings of stones in it, four rows of stones: The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; this shall be the first row; the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;  and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper.”

That passage is talking about designing a breastplate for armor. Can you imagine going in the battle with all those stones sparkling in your enemy’s eyes? It sounds dazzling. But I don’t see Jade. An emerald is in there. But that’s not the same thing. Do you see Jade in your version of the Bible?

This isn’t the most important thing you’re gonna deal with all day of course. It’s just something that popped into my head. And I hope it entertains you and inspires you to find beauty and the small things around you.

Get my Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional, the ongoing Devotional that’s Logical AND Emotional. Because then the flashes of light I share on my website come right to your inbox. So you can spend your valuable time reading and listening instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to books and music, right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies.

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I remember way, way back in the 1980’s, I lived in the Atlanta, Georgia area. And, just in case you didn’t know this, they have a famous 10k run every year. It’s called the Peachtree Road Race. And it goes through sections of Atlanta that include some fairly large hills. Yeah, it’s a challenge. But I decided to take it on.

So, I bought my expensive, fancy schmancy Peachtree Road Race running gear.

Oh wait. No, I didn’t.  I just:

  • put on my basic blue sweatshirt and sweat pants
  • pulled a pair of running shorts over them
  • slipped on my basic sneakers, and
  • took off from my apartment to go run the neighborhood.

I started my training in January because the 10k run would be around the 4th of July. And I knew I’d need months to prepare. So, like I said, I left my apartment for the first run.

There was a small school nearby, with a running track. And I figured going around in circles for a while would be a better start than trying to tackle the hills right away. So, I headed over there. And the track was covered with about three inches of snow, the kind that gets a slightly crunchy shell on top. But I started running in crunchy circles. And after about three laps, I had a smoother surface.

After about two weeks of running on the track, I decided I needed a change of scenery.

So, I took off for a run through the extended neighborhood. And it was going well enough until I turned one corner and faced “the monster.”

“The Monster” was a steep neighborhood close to the beginning of my run. In other words, before I even got warmed up there it was. And the first time up it was slow. Like S. L. O. W. slow. But I struggled through and made it to the top. Then, a large section of the run was either level or somewhat downhill.

And I gotta say I didn’t like that setup.

At first. Increased.

But after days, then weeks, of tackling that hill I noticed something mighty cool. I wasn’t struggling to barely make it up the monster. In fact, I conquered the monster with a bounce in my steps. Take that, monster!

Then, I noticed something else. Without much of a conscious decision I started running further (or was it farther?) And each week I increased my mileage. Because that 10k (aka 6.213712 miles) was the goal. I didn’t want to just “make it through” the Peachtree Road Race. I wanted to run it, finish with a smile, get my accomplishment t-shirt, and have plenty of fuel left for anything else I wanted to do that day.

So, I trained. And I ran every day. Through rain or snow (which was only a couple of times in Atlanta) or heat and humidity. And I added the miles until it was no big deal to run 6 miles. Or even more.

And I got to that point some people call the “runner’s high” or the “second wind.” That was awesome. I could run till I got my second wind. And then it felt like I could run for however long I wanted. And it felt grrrreat!

And I owed it all to “The Monster.”

Because the tough stuff made me tough enough to reach and surpass my goals.

So, I think that’s a little example of why Paul told the Philippians (and you and me) to keep pressing on toward the goal for the prize. But he wasn’t talking about some silly t-shirt at the end of the Peachtree Road Race.  He said the prize is the “upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” And that ain’t 10k. That’s solid gold.

Reach out through the tough stuff.
Press on through the pouring rain.
And you’ll find enough stuff
To turn your loss into gain.

Stay tuned,

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Get my Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional, my ongoing Devotional that’s Logical AND Emotional. Because then the flashes of light I share on my website come right to your inbox. So you can spend your valuable time reading and listening instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to books and music, right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies.

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I’ve got a key to happiness pitch that comes out a hitch. And I’m always amazed by how many people pass up the opportunity without as much as a second glance.

Maybe that’s because I call it a key to happiness pitch.

So maybe the flood of advertising and marketing you have to go through every single day makes you leery of hearing some knucklehead’s key to happiness pitch. I guess I can understand that.

But let’s say that’s not exactly it. And instead, let’s say your scenario sounds something like my following description (and subtle pitch).

Maybe where you are right now is a place full of anger, bitterness, and turmoil. There’s a way to be happy instead. Or maybe your life is going great, but you think something is missing. And you can’t quite put your finger on what would make that go away.

Well, there IS a way to clear that up.

If physical prowess is the key to happiness, then pro athletes should be some of the happiest people in the world. But I read alarming reports of drug abuse, dysfunctional and abusive relationships, murder, and suicide in most sports.

And if money is the key to happiness, why do some of the unhappiest stories come from celebrities with millions of dollars in their accounts?

Then, of course, there’s work and vacations. Many successful people say work keeps them happy. Others say they get regular recuperative rest in their vacation destination.

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with those solutions. But they don’t last. Otherwise, you’d be able to determine an end game. In other words, you’d know when enough was enough.

So, how can you know how to be happy?

The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:10-23 talked about how to “be abased” and “to abound.” and he explained how to “both be full and to be hungry” and how to “abound and to suffer need.” In those verses he explained how to be happy where you are right now.

When I read that passage, I get a sense that Paul enthusiastically rejoiced for and with the Philippians. He acknowledged their care for him and how it uplifted him to the point of rejoicing. Obviously, Paul knew the key to happiness, lasting and real happiness. And I know what that is, too. In fact, the key is what inspired me to write….

Swallowed Up By Life

I’ll be swallowed up by life
That will never fade away
When I leave my body here
On an ordinary day.
I won’t mourn the things I lose
‘Cause there’s so much more to gain
And my spirit will rejoice
When I leave this earthly plane.
I’ll be swallowed up by life
And I’ll never more know death.
I will just begin to breathe
When I breathe my final breath.  © 2014 TF

P.S. If you truly want to know how to be happy where you are right now, look up and kneel down.

P.S.S. Take a second and join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional. When you do, I’ll send you links to free music and words that adults AND kids enjoy right away. Then, I’ll send you flashes of light from the faith, hope, and power of God’s love.

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Most western medicine doctors will probably talk about medical school requirements only if and when it’s complimentary to what they went through to get where they are. But once in a while, you can find an honest one.

Dr. Howard Luks shared this about medical school requirements:

“I’ve Been a Surgeon for 25 Years. Here’s What I Wish They Told Me in Medical School. Medical school taught me anatomy, physiology, and pathology. It taught me how to memorize, how to endure, and how to work longer hours than most people thought possible. But what it didn’t teach me was how to practice medicine with a full view of the human experience, mine included.

Here’s what I wish I had known from the start:

1. You’re not just treating anatomy. You’re treating a person.

The MRI is not the patient. And the labs aren’t the story. People bring fears, histories, habits, and hopes into every visit. So, learn to listen. Not just diagnose.

2. Health is more than disease management.

We were trained to treat disease, not to foster health. But so much of what patients need isn’t found in a prescription pad. It’s in their daily habits. And how they move, eat, sleep, and connect.

3. You can’t outrun burnout with productivity.

Medicine rewards stamina. But 80-hour weeks and constant pressure come at a cost. I learned the hard way that rest, boundaries, and life outside of medicine aren’t indulgences. In fact, they’re necessary for longevity in this field.

4. The best medicine is often “time,” not a scalpel.

When you’re trained to operate, everything looks like a surgical problem. But many of the best outcomes I’ve seen came from patience, movement, and education—not the OR.

5. The system is broken. You have to decide if you’ll break with it.

You’ll face pressures to treat charts, hit RVUs, and please insurers. But your real job is to be an advocate for your patients. And for your integrity. That may mean saying no to bad incentives.

6. Never stop learning. But know what’s worth learning.

You’ll never be done training. But the most valuable lessons won’t always come from journals. They’ll come from patients, from mistakes. And from stepping back far enough to see the bigger picture.

7. Who you are matters as much as what you know.

Clinical skill matters. But so does humility. So does presence. And so does being the kind of doctor your patient wants to talk to. Especially when they’re scared, in pain, or overwhelmed.

I’ve spent decades refining surgical technique. But the real mastery came from learning how to be a better human in the room. So, we need to teach that just as seriously as we teach how to suture.”

I certainly appreciate a doctor who will share something like that. Because it isn’t easy for someone who met all the medical school requirements, and makes plenty of money going the pharmaceutical route, to go against that grain. So when doctors do, it’s important for us to support them when we can.

Now, I can’t prove, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a good attitude and joy actually help you stay healthy. But I bet you can’t prove they don’t either. And that’s why I say things like…

Wake up with joy in the morning And a wink and a smile.
Then show your love to your neighbor
As you walk every mile.
And show the light of the Spirit
Wherever you may go.
And when you wake in the morning,
Your joy will start to flow. © 2010

Get my Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional, my ongoing Devotional that’s Logical AND Emotional. Because then the flashes of light I share on my website come right to your inbox. So you can spend your valuable time reading and listening instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to books and music, right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies.

Daily Devotional

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