Tony Funderburk Posted on by

How many more times will I write about Truth and Life?

Well, how many more times will anyone read? Or listen? And will anyone care if and when I stop writing? The reason I’m being so outwardly introspective today is…I just found out my previous post was my 1200th one here on my website. That’s somewhat of a milestone…wouldn’t you say? Especially considering how many articles and posts I’ve wiped out because I didn’t think they were relevant or needed anymore. There were at least another 1200.

How many more times will the sun rise for me?

Since I don’t know how long I’ll live, I don’t know the answer to that question. But my goal is to write on as many of those times as possible. Why? Because I want to tell you how beautiful life is. What a gift it is. How it can go on forever and ever if you choose. But like I always say…you gotta choose life.

In the picture you see a slice of a song I wrote way back in 1976. It was just about this time of year…February 11th to be exact. I’ll be making some of my old notebooks available as downloadable ebooks in the near future. That means I’ll be scanning the old pages of handwritten songs and poems, leaving in all the scribbles, chord notations, and everything. Be sure to jump on the The TRUTH if you’d like to know when they’ll be available.

I guess it’s my way of leaving a digital legacy. Hopefully the words and music will touch hearts even long after I’m gone and turn those hearts toward their Creator. How many times I’ve hoped I could help people go to Heaven.

Stay tuned,

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Enjoying my radically rational Rhyme and Reason world? Then follow the links to even more rooms and regions.

Buy books and music from me:

Or tell those you care about to jump on the The TRUTH: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com OR Get the The Power of God’s Love Podcast: https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/fundercast

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

This Week’s Podcast Episode Includes…

This podcast episode brings those topics together for those of you who’d rather listen than read. Thanks for tuning in. Use one or more of the links I’ve provided to share with anyone and everyone you know. Oh yeah, when you get a minute, please leave me a review on iTunes. Here’s the easy link.

Play

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Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Enjoying my radically rational Rhyme and Reason world? Then, follow the links to even more rooms and regions.

Buy books and music from me:

Or tell those you care about to jump on the The TRUTH: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com OR Get the The Power of God’s Love Podcast: https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/fundercast

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

No need to go off the grid to enjoy some analog fun

Have you seen, heard, or read about people who think they have to go off the grid to get away from “the man?” With satellites everywhere in the skies, billions of mobile devices with built-in cameras, and transportation that can go anywhere…do you think that’s possible? I don’t. I’m gonna share a song video with you, but first…

Sure, you can take yourself out of the system and live under a blanket next to a creek somewhere. But it’s nearly impossible to get away from everyone and everything. And here’s the kicker…you shouldn’t want to do that.

Relationships are essential to your happiness. If you’re not truly involved in any healthy relationships, you’re not truly healthy. You can’t be. Because you’re designed by the one, true, living, loving God of life. And He created you from love and to love. He won’t force you to, but that’s still why you’re here. Love. Instead of thinking of ways to go off the grid and get away from everybody, why not figure out ways to help someone else.

Take the focus off yourself.

Put it back where it belongs…on helping others. The Bible says “through love serve one another.” Focusing only on yourself is pure, unadulterated selfishness. And you won’t find happiness there.

A few years ago I wrote a song about a guy who doesn’t like this modern, digital world. He prefers old-school things and ways. I’m gonna share the lyrics video with you now. And I want to notice something important about the “Analog Man.” Notice how he never talks about going off the grid. He’s still locked into the real world. It’s just that he prefers the “soulful bliss” of the analog world. What do you think? Ready to serve others today? Well, get off your grid and go!

(video no longer available)

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Enjoying my radically rational Rhyme and Reason world? Then follow the links to even more rooms and regions.

Buy books and music from me:

Or tell those you care about to jump on the The TRUTH: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com OR Get the The Power of God’s Love Podcast: https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/fundercast

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

The Activist Mommy marches to a different drummer

I’m always impressed when someone isn’t afraid to stand up for what’s true and right and real. And it’s even more impressive when they stand up with class, grace, beauty, and strength. The Activist Mommy has been doing that for a while, but I only discovered her today through a mutual friend’s website. Elizabeth Johnston is The Activist Mommy, and she had this to say about the recent so-called “women’s march”…

I remember reading and hearing about what women were wearing (and not wearing) to the recent so-called “women’s march” and thinking somebody was making it up. “Maybe it’s just a Saturday Night Live skit,” I thought. Sadly, it wasn’t just somebody’s twisted sense of humor. It was real.

When you’re a woman who wants to march around wearing a costume that looks like your private parts, you’ve already lost all credibility. You’ve already lost so much more than you might imagine. And you just might be in for more harsh reality than you can ever bear…because you’re thumbing your nose at the one, true, living, loving God who created you. He created you, with love, to be the beautiful human. Your strength doesn’t come from being equal to men. It comes from being a beautiful creation of God. Why limit yourself to being equal to men?

While you’re still breathing it’s not too late.

You can still choose to leave the dark side and dance into the light. Take a tip from the Activist Mommy…don’t waste your time trying to justify your lifestyle. Instead, follow the One who justified you forever with his sacrificial grace. Do it today. What are waiting for?

March to the different drummer
The world doesn’t care to see…
The One who created you and elevated you
If only you’ll choose to be.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Enjoying my radically rational Rhyme and Reason world? Then, follow the links to even more rooms and regions.

Buy books and music from me:

Or tell those you care about to jump on the The TRUTH: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com OR Get the The Power of God’s Love Podcast: https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/fundercast

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Is it possible to be a chameleon Christian
and not compromise the Truth?

The simple answer is yes. And the more complicated answer is yes. So, by now you might have figured out that my answer is…yes, you can be a chameleon Christian and not compromise the Truth.

Are you a Chameleon Christian?

But let me start with that word…chameleon. As you may already know, a chameleon is a lizard with a remarkable ability to change colors. There’s even a recent paint company commercial with two chameleons as the main characters. They walk across color samplers and change their colors as they walk over each one. It’s a clever and effective ad.

The word “chameleon”has taken on different meanings in the English language.

We use it to describe someone who’s able to change and adapt to their circumstances or other external stimuli. And I think that context applies to my assertion that it’s possible to be a chameleon Christian and not compromise the Truth.

I reached this conclusion by reading what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. In my New King James version Bible that section has been give the subtitle “Serving All Men”. And Paul talks about how he “became as a Jew”to the Jews. He also became like those “without the law”and “became as weak”to the weak. In fact, he sums it all up like this: “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

In other words…Paul was a chameleon Christian. He changed the way he delivered the message of salvation and grace according to the needs of his audience. Please note…I didn’t say Paul changed the message…just the way he delivered it. And he added that he did it “for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a partaker of it with you”.

That’s why I’m writing all these articles on Paul’s writings here on my website of faith, hope, and love. I know that, as I share the information with my readers, I get to partake of the same good news. And I need the good news as much as anybody.

What about you? Have you considered becoming a chameleon Christian? If so, have you found it beneficial? And if you haven’t tried it, have I convinced you to give it a go?

I think it’s yet another area where we should take Paul’s example to heart.

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  I invite you to share this with your friends and family. And let’s stay connected. Here are some more ways”

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Today I’m talking about this love thing

So what is it about this love thing that keeps it hanging around lifetime after lifetime? Or do you think love is just an old-fashioned notion whose time has come and gone? I’ve been reading about and watching videos about seemingly solid relationships breaking up…and it always makes me wonder if true love was ever truly there. Yeah, I’m weird. I wonder about things like that. But bear with me. I won’t dwell on it too long, and I’ll share a rhyme and reason about it with you.

About this love thing - is it for good or just a passing notion?

Here’s how I see true love, and you can show me where I’ve missed the mark…

“Love suffers long and is kind; does not envy; and does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will fail; where there are tongues, they will cease; where there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 

For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

I didn’t write that, but I did write this…

Ink For The Pen

The little girl who fell and bruised her knee on the ground
Didn’t know her tears were some more ink for the pen.
The little boy who ran and laughed and jumped all around
Didn’t know his giggles were more ink for the pen.

The dog that chased a ball and caught it right in the air
Didn’t know its wagging tail was ink for the pen.
The ducks that saw the dog and then scattered everywhere
Didn’t know they quacked up some more ink for the pen.

The loved ones who were here but have since passed away
Didn’t know their lives provided ink for the pen.
Until I leave this world and my body’s cast away
I’ll write about this love that brings me ink for the pen.

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  I invite you to share this with your friends and family. And let’s stay connected. Here are some more ways…

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Is there a chance you might not be a Christian?

Yes. That’s the short answer. What I’m about to share with you might make some people feel uncomfortable. Truth, so often, has that effect. But truth needs to be shared even though it’s getting more and more difficult for many people to hear it. In fact, I might have already offended you, and I’ve hardly even begun to illustrate how you might not be a Christian. However, I hope you’ll stick with me and check my statements with what the Bible says about it. And I promise to make this quick and easy…maybe not painless, but easy.

You Might Not Be A Christian if you don't judge and 4 other things

I’ll list five fairly common misconceptions that many Christians pass around. And I’ll share Biblical evidence to refute those ideas. Here goes…

1. Judge not –

This is one of the biggest signs you might not be a Christian. If you call yourself a Christian and you say Christians aren’t supposed to judge, I wonder if you’ve actually read the entire passage in Matthew 7. What that passage is actually teaching is that you ARE supposed to judge. It’s telling you not to judge IF you don’t want to be judged yourself. In other words (found in the same passage) don’t judge like a hypocrite.

2. It’s all part of God’s plan –

The world is full of chaos, confusion, and evil. None of that is part of God’s plan. Yes, He has a plan. But…hold onto your seats…it’s not the same plan He started with when He created the world. God tells us not to do evil so that good may come of it. He also tells us He is not the author of confusion. He even tells us things happen by chance…and that’s written in RED. God is not like a do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do father. He wants us to follow Him and His ways. And, like any good and loving father, He allows us to mature and make our own decisions. Trouble is…we make bad decisions.

3. God loves everybody the same –

Ooh…this is a tough one, isn’t it? Let me ask you a quick question. Do you think God loves the people in hell the same way and just as much as He loves the people in Heaven? Here’s the thing…God desires that no one would go to hell. But He realizes that in order to give us our choice to love Him or not, most people choose not to love Him. It’s uncanny. It’s surreal. And it’s true. So, God made a place where you can go if you don’t wanna live with Him, in His love, forever.

4. God created evolution –

This one is too complicated to go into at length, but let me say…if you don’t believe in the literal, six day creation account found in Genesis (and confirmed in Exodus), then you might not be a Christian. That’s because it’s the foundation for the whole Bible. If you can’t trust that God could create the whole universe and everything in it in six literal days, then you’re vulnerable to any other lie perpetuated about the rest of God’s word.

5. God made you “that way” –

No. God created you to be either male or female. Not something in between, and not something you can transition from or to. He lets you choose who you’ll be…even though He knows most will choose unwisely. He lets you choose whether you’d prefer to live with Him forever or be apart from Him forever. And if you’re willing to simply accept anyone as they are…unrepentant and rebellious against God and His design, you might not be a Christian. Your worldly wisdom might make you a fool.

OK…I told you it might not be painless. But it was quick and easy. What do you think? Agree? Or disagree?

Here’s a clip of lyrics from my song on this subject called “A Thousand Times No”…

And who are you to judge?
Your eyes can clearly see
That you’re no holier
Than him or her or me.

So should you shut your mouth
And skip the words of Paul?
Did he misunderstand
The Lord’s enduring call?

No, no…a thousand times no.

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  I invite you to share my rhymes and reasons with your friends and family. And let’s stay connected.
Here are some more ways…

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

This Week’s Episode Includes…

My Dream, wayward son, and living up to expectations...The The Power of God's Love Podcast Episode 156

This podcast episode brings those topics together for those of you who’d rather listen than read. Thanks for tuning in. Use one or more of the links I’ve provided to share with anyone and everyone you know. Oh yeah, when you get a minute, please leave me a review on iTunes. Here’s the easy link. And don’t forget to get your free music and book if you haven’t already. Look over there in the sidebar .

Play

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Stay tuned,

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P.S.  I invite you to share this with your friends and family. And let’s stay connected. Here are some more ways…

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You can’t always live up to expectations
from someone else

Have you ever found yourself trying to live up to expectations of others? I have. And it never worked out well. I’ll bet you’ve found that to be true, too. Right? Why do you suppose that is? Well, I have a couple of ideas…

Live up to expectations - just make sure they're God's and yours

Trying to live up to expectations can blur your focus.

When someone else thinks they know what you should do…and you follow their advice…you’re very probably not going down a path where your skills are best suited. It’s not necessarily that the other person is deliberately looking to screw up your life. In fact, they might have your best interests in mind. But they don’t know your mind. They’re not you. And when you follow what they’re saying, you’re not becoming a leader, you’re following. That makes your focus…uh…less focused. And that’s a recipe for disaster. Or at the very least…considerable hardship.

If you don’t have your own expectations for yourself, there IS one you could follow. I know him, and he won’t steer you in a direction you shouldn’t go. His help won’t blur your focus. In fact, he helps you focus on your own skills and talents. As a matter of fact, He gave you your skills and talents.

Maybe by now you already know I’m talking about God. Yep, there I go again. But after all He is the reason you’re here at all. He designed you. That means He might be (translate that “He IS) a credible source for everything related to your health, well-being, and longevity. If you’re gonna try to live up to expectations from anyone…it should be your Creator. He’s got a place ready for you to live forever. I’m living in full expectation of that. Are you? Will you?

Here are the lyrics to a song I wrote a few years back about trying to live up to someone else’s expectations. Maybe I’ll include the old recording in an upcoming episode of the Rhyme and Reason podcast.

I Can’t Live Up To Your Dream

You want so much to make me perfect
You try so hard to give me wings
But there’s no way that I can make it
I’m just a guy who plays and sings
You see the world through tinted glasses
But you don’t see the total scheme
And I’m so rough around the edges
Give up, give up, I can’t live up to your dream

You want a miracle; not a man
Someone to change your life with the wave of his hand
And you want a hero; not a regular guy
Someone who’s bigger than life with the sky in his eye
Well, give up, give up, I can’t live up to your dream

You say your love has made me better
But still I fail to make the mark
How could I ever light your vision
When I can barely light the dark
Give up, give up, I can’t live up to your dream

inst…repeat chorus to end

© Copyright 1985 Tony Funderburk

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  I invite you to share this with your friends and family. And let’s stay connected. Here are some more ways…

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Don’t be a wayward son (or daughter)

One of my favorite songs by the seventies rock band, Kansas, is Carry On Wayward Son. I used to include it in my live shows when I played music full time across America. In fact, I still break it out once in a while and sing it…just to see if I still can. (I can, by the way) But I digress. This article isn’t about one of my favorite songs. It’s actually about the dangers of having wayward thoughts. Let me explain (with the help of Proverbs).

It's best not to be a wayward son or daughter

Of course it’s not cool anymore to start quoting from the Bible when it comes to issues of the day. But if you truly want to live a healthier, longer life, it’s best to go to the source of truth about men and women. You’ll discover more wisdom in a few lines of Proverbs than you’ll ever find in a million other books. And in Proverbs it talks about the perils of adultery.

Put another way, that’s called being a wayward son or daughter.

The Bible uses some poetic (and harsh) descriptions for someone who might try to tempt you to go where you shouldn’t. For example, it says…”For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.” The same is true of the immoral man. Notice how it goes from yummy honey to bitter wormwood? If you’ve ever tasted wormwood, you know how much tastier honey is.

But someone who uses honey to cause you to be a wayward son or daughter will eventually cut you down. That’s where the two-edged sword comes in.

Take time, today, to read the passage of Proverbs that talks about this. You’ll see how important it is to stay true to your true love. It even talks about letting your wife’s “breasts satisfy you always”. See, God is not a cosmic killjoy. So, will you look into it? Will you give it a chance to sink in? Or will you continue down your own, “more enlightened”, path?

Life is screaming at me, Do it while you can!
Try to bridge the gap between a woman and a man.
Remember how it was the day
You first became attracted,
And strive to keep the love,
And do it while you can.

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  I invite you to share this with your friends and family. And let’s stay connected. Here are some more ways…

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Consider joining my dream

I have many reasons for believing in the one, true, living, loving Creator of the universe. There’s an insurmountable mountain of evidence to prove He’s real. And ever since I came to know Him personally when I was only 13, I’ve always wondered why anyone would want to deny His existence. My dream has been to share the love of God, using rhyme and reason, and get as many people to join me in Heaven as possible. Sadly, most people aren’t interested.

My Dream - is it too much to ask?

If you don’t already believe in God…in Jesus as your Creator…why? What part of eternal life with Him doesn’t appeal to you? And please don’t use any of those old tired and worn out reasons like: God is just about a bunch of harsh rules and regulations…or…If God is real, then why do bad things happen?…or…Can’t believe in something or someone no one has ever seen. Find your own, unique reason for rejecting your Creator. And share that with me because, for the life of me, I just can’t see why anyone would turn down the Grace of living and loving forever in Heaven with Jesus.

My Dream

Thought I woke up one dark night
With yellow wings prepared for flight.
A sword of silver, polished steel
To keep me ready, keep me real.
I yelled to see who’d come with me
And celebrate sweet victory,
But no one heard my rising call.
Guess I was not awake at all.

I’m losing the balance on this beam.
Will no one believe in my dream?

© 2000 Tony Funderburk

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  I invite you to share this with your friends and family. And let’s stay connected. Here are some more ways…

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Fiction Writers Are Good At Making Things Up

Good fiction can be based on facts, or influenced by reality, but a good fiction writer needs to be good at making things up. And that goes for songs, too. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard so-called “experts” say that in order for a song to resonate with an audience it needs to be “real”. I disagree wholeheartedly. I’m not saying that formula doesn’t work. I’m just saying it’s not the only formula.

Making things up can make fun, musical things happen.

I’ll share an example with you of what I mean. Several years ago I wrote a song called “Ain’t Got Nothin’ Over Me”. It’s about a guy who’s telling a girl what for. In other words…a lot of attitude. It’s filled with irony, but I’ll leave that to you to pick up on. The point is…I’ve been asked who I was singing about, and I’ve been asked if it was one of those tumultuous breakups for me. And my reply is…the song is entirely fictional. I made it all up.

Yeah, I based some parts of it on things in my life…like the Mustang. But the storyline of the song is just me making things up. I’ll share the lyrics with you here. And if you Get my Podcast, you’ll hear the song in the next episode.

What about you? Have you ever written something that was entirely made up? Tell me about it.

Ain’t Got Nothin’ Over Me

I don’t know why you have to give me all those funny looks
I ain’t no Redford, but you ain’t no girl from Sunnybrook’s
If looks could kill, I’d need a will, but
You ain’t got nothin’ over me

You miss the point when you say I don’t know anything
You’re just upset “˜cause you never got a diamond ring
I told you so, and now you know
You ain’t got nothin’ over me

You like to brag about your little German sports car
I’ll take my Mustang, and I don’t care what the odds are
Go on adjust, and eat my dust
You ain’t got nothin’ over me…

Your sense of humor doesn’t make a bit of sense to me
And your rebuttals; well they’ll only get you sympathy
You don’t play fair, but I don’t care
You ain’t got nothin’ over me!

You’ve got a problem with your social and emotional
You think you read me, but your literate ain’t functional
And you’re no sage so act your age
You ain’t got nothin’ over me!

Chorus…

I look around and you’re there
You like to get in my hair
You’ve got me bent out of shape.
How did} they let you escape………..?

instrumental…repeat 1st 2 verses…chorus twice and end

© Copyright 1989 Tony Funderburk

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  I invite you to share this with your friends and family. And let’s stay connected. Here are some more ways…

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Sunday Morning Music

If you can’t make it to church this morning…and you’d still like some Sunday morning music…sing along with me.

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  I invite you to share this with your friends and family. And let’s stay connected. Here are some more ways…

The best way to stay connected is to join my Rhyme and Reason Club
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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

This Week’s Episode Includes…

This podcast episode brings those topics together for those of you who’d rather listen than read. Thanks for tuning in. Use one or more of the links I’ve provided to share with anyone and everyone you know. Oh yeah, when you get a minute, please leave me a review on iTunes. Here’s the easy link. And don’t forget to get your free music and book if you haven’t already. Look over there in the sidebar of my website .

Rhyme Reason Podcast 155 Pic

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Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

You’re Sending Signals Every Day
to people already designed to receive them

Have you ever talked to someone who doesn’t speak your language and you don’t speak theirs? It’s extremely difficult isn’t it? Maybe you found yourselves sending signals or some sort of sign language to each other as you talked just to make things understandable. Or maybe you raised your voice thinking a lack of hearing was the problem. That didn’t work…did it? The point is, you can send out a perfectly intelligent signal, but if there’s no receiver to process and understand, your message gets lost in the shuffle. Fortunately, there are lots of people designed to receive your signals and understand, because…

Sending Signals - and you're designed to receive them

Sending signals of communication and being able to understand them is part of intelligent foresight.

Your DNA is brimming with code. And since only intelligence creates codes, there must have been a designer of the first human beings. No random set of events could have produced the ginormous number of senders and receivers found in your body. Consider how many times senders are firing off messages through your body and how they’re all picked up by the proper receivers. It’s so much more complicated than even the world’s most complex supercomputer.

It gets even more complicated because we humans don’t have the same senders and receivers as other animals. Or plants, birds, and sea creatures. Each species gets its own molecules and code. And you might have noticed that when you plant corn, corn is what grows. When you breed dogs, you get more dogs. Yes, and when humans procreate, they make more human babies…despite what some fools would have you believe.

Every creature or plant has to have compatible senders and receivers in order to even exist. If one or the other is missing…senders OR receivers…the messages have nowhere to go. The most you get from that is mutants. And you know you don’t wanna live in a world full of mutants. Well, I don’t anyway.

So, how do all those senders keep sending signals and all those receivers keep understanding them?

Simple.

They’re designed by a super intelligent and super creative designer who understands (or more importantly, created) the laws of science. Of course, I call that designer, Jesus. You don’t have to. But it’s helpful to have a name to go with the person…instead of just using names like “intelligent designer” or “cosmos manufacturer”.

OK…you’re not ready to go as far as calling the creator of all matter, Jesus, but consider this. All the senders and receivers in your body have to be in the right place and able to function before someone can talk to you and you can understand. They need to have an energy source, and they need to be able to process matter into energy in order to stay functional…all without your conscious help. Do you truly believe that could happen just by chance? Don’t forget…I’ve only mentioned communication. There’s also breathing and blood pumping, processing food and water, hormonal balance, and so much more. It’s all going on as I’m writing this and as you’re reading it. Trillions of time over.

Nature can’t make that happen. Only the one true living, loving Creator of the universe could have created so many incredible, complex things. And He’s sending signals to you every day about how much He loves you and wants you to be with Him. Are you receiving? Or have you clogged up your receivers with clichés?

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  I invite you to share this with your friends and family. And let’s stay connected. Here are some more ways…

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Sunday Morning Hymn

I invite you to sing along with this old Sunday morning hymn…with an “up” beat.

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This is my Father’s world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand these wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world,
the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
in the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world.
O let me ne’er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

It’s important to know why you are here

Life can challenge you more than you’re prepared for so many times. And it can be easy to give up hope…if you don’t have a firm foundation and an eternal perspective. In other words, if you don’t have something (and more importantly someONE) to look forward to, it’s easier to give up. And that’s why you are here. To learn about and talk about how you got here. You’re not a result of some lightning striking a pond of primordial goo. You are you because you were created on purpose and with love.

Why You Are Here - it's important to know

You might not know how you be of any use to others…yet. Or maybe you don’t know what skills, gifts, or talents you have. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have a purpose for being here.

Why you are here matters…

…even more than the fact that you ARE here. And the reason you’re here, like I said before, is to talk about how you got here. Put simply…God created you. He’s so creative that you’re unique from all the other seven billion people on the planet. No one else is quite like you. And there might be hundreds, or thousands, or even millions of people who would like to hear you talk about how you got here. There are probably some people who don’t believe in God that could only be influenced by you and the way you share His love. Imagine the possibilities.

I encourage you to find your creative skills…whether it’s talking, writing, singing, signing, drawing, hammering, painting, driving, or any other “ing”. Then use those skills to share God’s love with anyone who’ll listen. You’re not responsible for the results. Just take action.

For example…I use my skill of making words rhyme to share the many reasons to believe and trust in Jesus.

I believe it’s why I’m here, and…

Here’s a sample I shared a few years ago…

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Why is the sky blue? Why is the grass green?
Why is the sun gold? What does it all mean?
Why is the air clear? Why is the ground brown?
Why does the earth float and never fall down?

Cause God made skies. He made them blue.
He made the world for me and you
And all because it pleased Him to.
God loves us through and through.

Why is a horse fast? Why is a snail slow?
Why does it get cold when Northern winds blow?
Why is the sea green? Why is the sand white?
Why is the day day? Why is the night night?

Cause God made creatures big and small,
And sand and seas; He made them all.
And even if we trip and fall
God helps us to stand tall.

God’s love is always there.
His love will never die.
And so you can trust in Him
For all your questions why…

© Copyright Tony Funderburk 2008

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  I invite you to share this with your friends and family. And let’s stay connected. Here are some more ways…

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

You have unique properties
even if you don’t own any land

This is a rewrite of something I shared four years ago. And it still applies…and will always apply. You have unique properties because you were created by the one, true, living, loving God.

Unique Properties - you have them even if you don't own land

When a mom is “expecting”, what exactly is she expecting?

  • An apple pie?
  • A new car?
  • New shoes?
  • A phone call?
  • None of the above?

Yep, the answer is “none of the above”. When a mom is “expecting”, it means she’s going to get one of the two most unique gifts known to mankind. A boy…or a girl. If you think about how no one else in the world will have the same fingerprints as you, or the same DNA, or even the same size and shape…you’ll begin to understand how incredible and unique you are.

That’s why, today, I’m not writing for kids…I’m writing this especially for you…

Your Unique Properties

OK, look at your fingers, and what do you see?
Look at them now, and don’t point them at me.
On each of your fingers you have fingertips.
Maybe your mom touched hers to your lips.

Your fingertips make their very own prints
Like no one’s before and no one else since.
It’s true of the billions of people on earth.
It means you have value. It means you have worth.

And something inside you too tiny to see
Says you will be you and never be me.
It was God who designed it and made it that way.
He gave you a code, and it’s called DNA.

It controls if your eyes will be brown, green, or blue.
It makes you a human, not an odd kangaroo.
And under a microscope what do we find?
That your DNA makes you into one-of-a-kind.

OK, never forget to remember this news
There will never be three or even two you’s.
And even the voice you use when you speak
Will show the whole world you’re truly unique.

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  I invite you to share this with your friends and family. And let’s stay connected. Here are some more ways…

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Fan mail doesn’t get better than this

This illustrated fan mail has everything I could ever need or want from a young fan. Creative illustrations…Calling me “a great singer” and “my favorite”…and even signing her name sincerely. What else could a singer want?

Azure's fan mail letter about her favorite singer songwriter

My wife got this letter a few years ago from a young girl, named Azure, who had listened to some songs I wrote for kids. She also loves horses, so her favorite song on the CD was one called “My Horse”. It’s about a cowboy who loves his horse so much he just knows she’s going to Heaven with him. I shared this song a few years ago, but maybe you (or your kids) didn’t get a chance to hear it.

My Horse

Heaven holds a place for my horse
Standin’ straight and strong and tall.
All the trails we’ve taken; even when her legs were achin
She never lets me down at all.

God was great when He made my horse”
Perfect since she was a foal.
Ranchin’ skills to master; no horse learned “˜em faster
There’s a bonfire in her soul.

So, Lord don’t take my horse too early
We’ve got lots of work to do.
Chasin’ cattle, lots of ropin’, and it’s silly but I’m hopin’
I can ride her all the way to You.

I’m at home when I’m on my horse.
Across the prairies we will fly.
With her nostrils flarin’ and the people starin’
We could race into the sky.

Chorus”instrumental”chorus twice to end

Copyright © 2008 Tony Funderburk

And thanks again for the awesome fan mail, Azure…wherever you are.

Stay tuned,

Singer Songwriter, Tony Funderburk

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

P.S.  I invite you to share this with your friends and family. And let’s stay connected. Here are some more ways…

Join my Rhyme and Reason Club
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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Who do you believe in? It matters so much
I’m gonna sing about it.

Your eternal fate all comes down to that one question. Who do you believe in? If your answer is yourself, or buddha, or confucius, or the universe, you’re ignoring the mountain of evidence against them being good choices. I know that sounds arrogant of me. And believe me I’ve been told how arrogant I am for saying things like that. But I’m confident my choice for the one to believe in is THE right choice, and like Babe Ruth said, “It ain’t braggin’ if it’s true.” I gotta sing about it for a bit, and then I’ll get back to my assertion…

Yeah, I believe so strongly about Jesus being the only way to eternal life, that I wrote a song called “Have To Believe”. Put another way…I must believe. Or I can’t help but believe. When faced with irrefutable truth, you have two choices. Either you believe, or you continue to rebel against it just so you can maintain your status as god of your own universe.

Believe in the Creator…not the creation

Your conscience tells you there’s a design in your world. There’s design in the universe…in the way the moon and sun are the perfect distance away from us. There’s design in the tiny cells inside your body. You know this instinctively. And that’s why it’s so important to know the right answer to the question, Who do you believe in?

Design, at the very least, implies a designer. Christians call that designer Jesus. He created everything there is. Notice I used the word “everything”. Every…thing. Not every idea. He lets you come up with your own ideas. Trouble is, we humans can come up with some awesome ideas and start getting the notion we’re the awesome ones. Yet, we can only take what’s already created and simply manipulate it. We can’t truly create anything. For example…do you know anyone (even yourself) who has ever been able to create even one grain of sand from nothing? Nope…didn’t think so.

Don’t feel bad. In fact, feel great. Because it’s great to know that the one, true, living, loving God of all creation loves you. He created you. And He wants you to live forever. Your more important to Him than you can imagine. Will you at least give Him a chance? I’d love to hear you say “Jesus”, the next time I ask, Who do you believe in?

Stay tuned,

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