Tony Funderburk Posted on by

OK…so impress me already

Everybody cops an attitude once in a while. Right? Even songwriters. Way back in 1988 I was writing some thoughts down, based on how I perceived some social interaction. As I often do, I just let the words take me where they would. And they took me to a song I called – Impress Me. I’m sharing the lyrics to the song here on the blog today. If you’d like to hear an old recording of it, you can subscribe to my podcast. 

Impress Me

They say you’ve got diamonds in your eyes
They say that your hair is spun from silk
Well I never cared too much for jewelry
And I never liked honey with my milk

They say you out-smile the Mona Lisa
They say you can soothe the savage beast
Well the Mona Lisa barely curled her lips up
And I’ve seen a lion tamed with just a feast

So c’mon and impress me..let me see what you’ve got
Is it true what they say? Can you show me today?
Can you give it a shot?
C’mon and impress me..let me see what you can do
If you give me a look that you got from a book
Then I won’t even know you

They say that you’ve turned a million heads
They say that your feet don’t touch the ground
Well lots of women get those double-takes
And it’s hard to feel someone who floats around

repeat chorus

It’s not that I’m so hard to please
I’ve had my share of victories
But now I want to hold some flesh and blood
If my little dam should break, well I don’t think
That I could take the flood

repeat chorus…inst…repeat chorus twice to end

© 1988

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Would you say you’re
abounding in faith with thanksgiving?

If you’re a Christian, you’ve probably been taught that faith in Jesus is essential to attain eternal life. And that’s true. But do you have a faith that appears more like you’re barely clinging to your last shred of hope? Or do you wake up each day abounding in faith with thanksgiving? Are you thankful for every little blessing you have? And do you understand how this world can only give you morsels compared to the cornucopia that’s yet to come? Am I asking too many questions? OK…I’ll get to my point…

When you woke up this morning, you woke up to immediate blessings. Oxygen entered your lungs. Maybe light entered your room and your eyes. Maybe sounds entered your ears. And maybe aromas of coffee or breakfast entered your nostrils. Every single breath, sight, sound, and scent was…and is…a blessing.

Are you thankful and abounding in faith?

Do you have faith in the One who gave you a beating heart, functioning lungs, eyes, and ears? Or do you simply go through your day focused on your problems? Sorry…I’m asking too many questions again. Well, I’d just like to point out that without a Creator, there would be no creation. And there would be no YOU. Nothing to complain about or be thankful for. But you get to exist. You get to know you exist. You get to experience so much in this life. Sights, sounds, feelings, aromas…so many, many things. In fact, so many things it’s easy to take them all for granted. But instead, they should all keep you abounding in faith with thanksgiving.

Never let a day slip by without thanking God for the abundance of wonder you’re blessed to experience. Don’t merely have faith in Jesus. Have abounding faith. Grateful, glorious faith. He IS your life. Apart from Him you are hopeless. Just imagine…He created everything in the universe by speaking words. Yet, with all His sovereign power, He still considers you His friend. Think about that. His friend! He laid down His life for you in order that you could live forever.

So…walk in Him today. Stand tall. Stand strong. If you’re a Christian, you’re more than a conqueror. You’re a mighty, spirit-filled child of God. And no power on earth can ever take you from His love. Now…are you abounding in faith with thanksgiving?

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Have you asked – What can I do?

If you’ve lived long enough to become an adult in this world, you’ve probably noticed how many bad things are done by bad (and good) people. And if there’s a caring bone in your body, maybe you’ve asked – What can I do? You might feel like you’re alone…or that no one else sees what you see. You might think it’s hopeless. You might throw your hands up in despair. If so, don’t think less of yourself. We’ve all been there. I know I’ve been frustrated with people, governments, and nations.

What Can I Do? Have you asked this question?

I felt so frustrated back in 1988 that I wrote a song to express it. I used dark, minor chords. I used a dark sounding piano with a nagging, urgent pulse. And I added a smacking snare to the drum kit so I could add to the frustrated feeling of the song. And I did something I don’t often do in my music…I left the question unresolved. I did it to challenge myself to find an answer.

And today, I’d like to challenge you to answer the question. Don’t simply ask it with a sense of hopelessness. Find answers. They exist. Truth exists. Hope exists. Will you look? Here are the lyrics to the song I wrote. You can hear it when you Get my Podcast.

What Can I Do?

I want to dream, but I can’t even get to sleep
I want to run, but I’ve got promises to keep
I don’t mind the struggle, but I’m tired of the fight
I don’t want to stand still while the day turns into night

But what can I do?
I’m only one man
I’d love to see peace in this life
But I don’t have a plan
Tell me what can I do?
I’m only one guy
I’d love to see love conquer all and hatred run dry
But what can I do?
Tell me what can I possibly do?

I want to laugh, but I can’t even seem to smile
I want to win, but I don’t even make the trial
I don’t mind the darkness, but I do prefer the light
I don’t want to stand still while the day turns into night

Chorus

inst…repeat chorus to end

© 1988 Tony Funderburk

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

This past week I shared thoughts, ideas, and truth about life and where it comes from, how love is shown by serving one another, Sleepwalking, and my Phoenix Imagination. And this podcast episode brings it all together for those of you who’d rather listen than read. Thanks for tuning in. Use 1 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.

Truth in Words and Music Podcast - Episode 144

[powerpress}

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My Phoenix Imagination

My Phoenix Imagination -

It arises from rainbow ashes.
It takes flight on crystal butterflies.
Once forgotten and then forsaken…
Now it glows above translucent skies.
And it’s all mine…imagination,
A Phoenix, a ruby lightning rod.
I’m transported up through the heavens,
With a blink, into the house of God.

I love wordplay. I love alliteration. I love juxtaposed metaphors and impossible phraseology. I love working with words. And I love the one true, living, loving, creative God who gave me the language I can manipulate. Take a word like – Phoenix. In English, it’s not pronounced at all like it looks. How cool. And today that word popped up on my linguistic radar. And I decided to work it into a short poem, swirling with truth AND imagination.

Not wanting to simply “use” the word…I decided it would be an eight line metaphor. It would describe how my imagination has been prisoner to tasks. And it would show how it was only a temporary situation. And that’s somewhat metaphorical for how life is. Does that make sense?

Life, very often, gets in the way of creativity and dreams. Do you experience that? Sure you do. I don’t think anyone is immune to the distractions and disturbances of life. But this earthly life is only a temporary existence…even though you (the true you) are an eternal creation. Where you’ll be forever comes down to who you choose to believe right now. Will you choose self over all else…and be emperor over a universe of one? Or will you choose Jesus, your Creator…and rise out of your own ashes, a glorious Phoenix spirit, soaring into the eternal presence of the One who created you?

Are those fair questions? Or do I sound biased? Yes…and…yes.

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If you truly have love in you – serve one another

Healthy life. Peaceful life. Wealthy life. Joyful life. Do any (or all) of those describe you in your life? If not, my first question is “Do you love others as you love yourself?” If you answered “yes”, then the next question is…do you serve one another? After all, it’s only in serving one another that a healthy or peaceful or wealthy or joyful life can be had. Serving yourself leads away from those attributes. So does expecting others to serve you. That sort of expectation can only lead somewhere troublesome. Here are three things to focus on to help you serve others…particularly if you’re a Christian…

Serve One Another - spread the love

  1. Whatever things are true – it doesn’t matter that more and more people in the world attempt to prove that truth is relative and experiential. There are some things that are absolutely true. For example…the morning sun never “rises” or appears in the west. And it never “sets” or disappears in the east. Right? Some things are absolutely true, and dependable. Focus on them.
  2. Whatever things are pure – I know this can be a difficult area to focus on with so much grit and grime and despicable behavior in the world. But there are pure things. A newborn baby. A blue sky from a mountain top. A genuine love between a husband and his wife. I’m sure you can find other pure things if you look. Focus on them.
  3. Whatever things are praiseworthy – Look for some way to compliment others. It could be as simple as telling your barista how delightful your Americano is today. Or tell your mom how nice she looks in her new coat. How about telling your co-worker or employee what a great job they did yesterday? It’s difficult not to see praiseworthy things. Focus on them.

There are several other areas of life you can focus on to improve your circle of influence. I’ve shared them here on my website. But I want you to know how your focus can change how well you serve one another. If you’re only focused on the mistakes other people make, you’ll never run out of them. And you’ll never be satisfied. Neither will they. That focus helps no one…serves no one. There’s a time for healthy critique. But never waste an opportunity to build someone up. Your soul will thank you for it.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

A guy named David wrote a song saying
You Have Given Me Life
Who was he talking about?

What’s a precept? Have you ever heard of precepts? They’re general rules for life. And in the context of your relationship with your Creator, they’re the only rules that matter. When God says do something or don’t do something, it isn’t because He just enjoys making up rules to see if you can keep them. He knows you can…but mostly don’t. Still, He cares about your health and well-being and your life. And He knows, better than you or me, how to live the healthiest, strongest life. That’s why David wrote: “I will never forget your precepts, for by them You have given me life.

Think about professional sports. They all have rules. Right? But why? The rules aren’t designed to take all the fun out of the game. They’re necessary so each player knows what’s fair and acceptable. And the rules tend to keep players safer. Without rules for a game, it quickly becomes a free-for-all and nobody enjoys paying good money to watch that. (do they?)

Sports have rules. But you’ll probably never hear about a player writing a song to his coach.

And even if he did, it wouldn’t include lyrics like, you have given me life.

David understood that God created Him. He understood that his Creator knows more about us than we know about ourselves. And if your Creator says A,B,C and 1,2,3 are the healthiest, safest ways to live, it’s a good idea to pay attention. A world of no precepts, no general rules for life, quickly becomes that aforementioned free-for-all. In fact, you can see evidence of this downward slide in all parts of the world right now. Each passing day more and more people want nothing to do with the one, true, living, loving God of creation. And each passing day the world becomes more and more unpleasant dangerous to live in.

A guy named Mike has been taking issue with my Christian faith on my Facebook page. He’s an example of what I’m talking about. The very people who preach tolerance and diversity are almost always the ones who love to pick fights with (and attempt to ridicule) Christians. Why? Because we dare say there’s a God of creation. And we dare to pray to God and say things like – you have given me life. How dare we say that…especially in a public place where it can offend so many? Simple…

…it’s Truth.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Do you sleepwalk through your life?

Every day has challenges. And challenges don’t play favorites. They happen to the rich and poor, the beautiful and ugly, the short and tall, the fat and thin, and the old and young. Knowing you can’t get out of facing challenges can either cause you to run headlong into them with your eyes wide open…or cause you to sleepwalk through each day and night in an attempt to avoid life. But here’s the only Sleepwalk you should indulge in…

Sleepwalk – by Santo and Johnny is my favorite instrumental pop tune of all time. My favorite composer is still Beethoven, but, like I said, this is a pop tune. Far removed from long-hair classical music, it’s such a classic, nostalgic piece of music for me. Every time I hear it, I’m transported back to a place and time where innocence was not yet lost and no dreams had yet been squashed forever.

I love the short story Dick Clark shares about how Santo and Johnny came up with the song. It’s almost as if a song called “Sleepwalk” arose after a sleepwalk experience. And the song shows so much more emotion from a slide guitar than the typical country or island song with the same instrumentation.

You probably won’t enjoy the song nearly as much as me, but I’d love to hear what song gives you the feeling of a better time. Share it with me, and I’ll share it with everyone on my podcast. And I hope the song is the only way you sleepwalk through your day.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

This past week I shared thoughts, ideas, and truth about talking heads, breaking rules, and how to let love live. And this podcast episode brings it all together for those of you who’d rather listen than read. Thanks for tuning in. Use 1 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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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Let Love Live – it will change your life

You can’t live without love. Oh sure, you can exist. But you can’t live. And your existence will be an exercise in futility at best…or a dark. lonely place at worst. Why go there, when it’s so easy to just let love live? So how do you let love live? You nurture it, watch it grow, and give it away as much as you possibly can.

Let Love Live - otherwise nothing lives

You might not “feel” love. I’ve heard a lot of people say they don’t. And I’ve read countless stories of people who “don’t believe in love” or “think it’s a crutch for wimps”. Can you believe people actually say those things about love? My guess is, they were never given love, or they were, and they rejected it for one reason or another. Regardless of WHY some people say negative things about love…it exists, and it is an awesome thing.

You can’t see love, but you can see results from it. You can’t hear love, but you can hear someone express it to you. You can’t experience love with any of your five senses, and yet all five come alive when love enters your heart.

Here’s my challenge for you today. Take 3 minutes and think about how wonderful it would be to let love live in your heart. Maybe your mind doesn’t want to believe it at first. But take the full 3 minutes and think about it. Believe, for those 3 minutes, that it can and will transform your life. See yourself with a smile on your face as you tell someone you love them. And imagine how it will feel to hear them say it back to you. Picture those smiles in your mind. Do you see ’em? If not, close your eyes and conjure up some smiling images. You can do it. And relax. I promise nothing bad is gonna happen to you.

After the 3 minutes are up, go on with your day. But if you did that exercise with an open mind, I’m guessing you’ll see smiling face images in your mind the rest of the day…at least anytime you allow yourself to think about it. And I’m betting, before you know it, you’ll be able to…

Let Love Live”
It can turn your trials into sunny smiles.
Let Love Live”
It can beat the blues
It demands no dues”
Take a chance and choose
To Let Love Live.

Stay tuned,

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You Gotta Break Some Rules – But not the good ones

Just because some authoritative power makes a rule doesn’t make the rule a good one, a just one, or a fair one. In fact, many rules, policies, and laws are downright bad. But it takes some thinking and pondering and examining to know which rules are good and which are bad. Before you decide to break some rules you’d better be sure you’re on the right side. Is that possible?

Break some rules - but not the good ones

Maybe you have a lot of self-imposed rules for your life and/or the life of your loved ones. And maybe it would be a good idea to sit down, today, and re-examine whether they’re good ones or not. Here’s a suggestion on how to know…if your rule shows your love for someone else, it’s a good one. If it doesn’t show love, or if it actually displays selfishness, it’s a bad one. That’s pretty much it. Simple. Right? Well, that depends on if you know how to show love. Do you?

If you’re not sure you’re any good at showing and sharing love, then I have another simple answer for you. That rule you’d like to impose on someone else…would you like it imposed on you? If you conjure up a silly notion in your head for how someone else should live and treat you, are you willing to live that way and be treated that way? If not, you might be making up a bad rule. Just think of it this way, and say this to yourself: “If I don’t want that done to me, I shouldn’t do it to someone else.” Then, get together with the ones you love and talk over what’s going on. If you realize the rules aren’t working, somebody needs to say…

Let’s Break Some Rules

We play it all so careful.
We live within our means.
We don’t wear lots of jewelry or ninety dollar jeans.
We do our own repair work.
We water own lawn.
We’ve minimized the risks we take,
But now the thrill is gone

So let’s break some rules tonight…
Incite a riot in our hearts.
Let’s break some rules tonight…
Get someone else to play our parts.
Let’s create some tension;
Go out and grab some danger,
And they make say we look like total fools,
But at least for awhile…let’s break some rules.

We curse those Monday mornings
We gripe about our pay
We say we’ll make some changes
But it just can’t be today.

Chorus…

Well, who’s gonna do it if we don’t?
Who’ll make it better if we won’t?
I wonder…don’t it make you wonder?!

chorus…etc.

© 1987 Tony Funderburk (April 29)

(psst…if you wanna hear an old recording of this song, Get my Podcast)

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

What do all talking heads need?

You may believe what the talking heads on TV say, but I don’t. They can’t even get the weather right most of the time, so why would we think they can get human idiosyncrasies right? I know why they can’t (or don’t) get things right. It has to do with a 6 letter word…

Talking Heads - all talk and no wisdom

…Wisdom

It’s the principal thing. It’s the main attraction. It’s the cat’s meow. And without wisdom you can’t expect much more out of life than chasing shadows and catching ghosts.

Okay”this isn’t actually a rant. It’s an exposé. As a multimedia writer, I’m always on the lookout for technology, gadgets, and ways to improve my performance and productivity”as well as the results I get for the people and businesses who hire me. It’s not just about black words on a white screen for me. It’s about ideas. And not just any ideas, but ideas with wisdom.

I heard a very smart guy once say “Small minds talk about people. Mediocre minds talk about things. But great minds talk about ideas.”

Ideas create whole new industries. The possibilities are endless. And when you come up with ideas using wisdom and discernment, you can be pretty sure they’ll last longer than fads and fans of fads.

Don’t know about you, but I like the idea of creating instead of lamenting. Remember your own can-do spirit, and get your mind on ideas. Turn off the TV when small minds and talking heads are talking about people. Turn off the radio when mediocre minds are talking about things.

Turn on your brain and do something great. Then share it with me, and I’ll tell everyone I know. Is it a deal?

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

This past week I shared thoughts, ideas, and truth about false humility, motivational songs, toxic hazards, and the art of listening. And this podcast episode brings it all together for those of you who’d rather listen than read. Thanks for tuning in. Use 1 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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Truth in Words and Music Podcast - 142

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Are you listening…not just hearing?

There’s a hearing exercise I do every so often throughout my life. It’s what I call pinpoint listening. Maybe you’ve done this, too. You stop doing whatever you’re doing where ever you are and see how many different sounds you can identify. It’s an excellent exercise in focusing your ability to hear and remember what you heard. And it increases your power of observation. You can do this with visuals, too, but for the purpose of this post I’m sticking with sound because I’m serious…are you listening?

Are You Listening? Here's a simple test to find out.

Why do I bring it up?

Well, I’ve observed something I find very unsettling. Many people, if not most, I interact with on a regular basis don’t listen very well. It doesn’t seem to bother the ones who do this, but I think it’s totally counterproductive.

I once heard it said “when your mouth is open, you aren’t learning anything new.”And I think it’s important to learn from others even if you don’t think they’re as interesting, smart, or successful as you. You can learn from a total idiot. At the very least you can learn how not to be a total idiot or that you certainly don’t want to be a total idiot. Another thing you can learn by listening is this”

People are very similar.

Yeah, it’s true. They may believe they’re completely unique or mystifying, or eccentric. But most people are similar. They just have different likes and dislikes. Like for instance”a lot of people don’t mind a group of people all talking at the same time and stomping on top of each other’s words. I do. I find it distracting and annoying. Now, you may be saying, “Tony”you’re really going on a rant. Chill out, dude.”

I don’t mean it to sound that way, but I do want to get the point across. Listening is good. Not merely hearing, but listening. Are you listening? Or only hearing?

I realize some people will take advantage of your willingness to listen and never shut up, but it’s worth the hassle. And it even ties in with business. Can you imagine the difference it would make to a potential customer or client if you listened closely enough to remember their birthday? Then you send a card when every other business person forgets. Where will you be in that client’s mind?

You might end up at the front of the line.

We live in a very hectic age, and people think they don’t have time to listen. Don’t buy into that misinformation. Your fellow human being is worth listening to. You may have a chance to make a difference based on what you hear. And you may just need or want the same respect given to you some time. So…are you listening? Or are you only hearing?

I can guarantee this without guilt, shame, or a sense of superiority”I’m one of the best listeners you’ll encounter. Try me and see. Send me a message using the form over there on the side, and I’ll be sure and get back to you. You’ll even get some free songs and free book for kids…worth the price of admission…wouldn’t you say?

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  Your support for my Words and Music means the world to me. Please share them with others. Here’s how”

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Are motivational songs all in your mind?

Ken had a very nagging feeling that just wouldn’t leave him alone. Right after he had his coffee each morning he’d start to stress over his ideas. As he was having his bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit something would scurry across his mind and sort of punch him in the ear. Then, as he was finishing his shower and about to head out the door to work, it hit him the hardest. So, as he started his car and pulled out of the drive, he flipped on the radio and played some of his favorite motivational songs. But did they help…or was it all something in Ken’s mind?

Motivational Songs - do they really work?

Can music truly motivate you? Does it actually have that power? My definitive answer is Yes…

…and no.

Motivational songs can definitely get you pumped and in the mood to go conquer the world…or at least your little part of it. But I believe they only work if and when you’re willing. Yep, it’s a matter of your will. You want to do something. But will you? You want to learn more. But will you? You want to make better decisions. But will you?

Getting back to Ken…he had some great ideas about marketing a new product and online business, but he couldn’t get past the idea point. Maybe you know what I’m talking about”that point where you can’t seem to get something out of your head, but you don’t know where to go from here. Then days pass”then weeks”then maybe even a few months, and you realize you can’t get off that hump that holds you back. Sound familiar?

Unfortunately; that’s where so many people stop. And their ideas stop with them. And their dreams, wants, and desires. Let’s not let that happen to you…not when there are great ways to be sure you won’t fall into the same trap of letting your dreams fade away. That’s why I’m writing this. To help get you motivated. Here are the best reasons to stay motivated…your family, your business, your life. Keep a mental image of those in your mind and keep the motivational fire burning brighter. You’ll see it isn’t as hard, and it doesn’t have to be as expensive, as you might have been lead to believe.

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Why would anyone say something like ~ I Am Nothing

Am I not important? Does my life mean nothing? Do I serve no useful purpose in this world? The answer to all three of those questions is “no”. But just like King David, in Psalm 16 wrote: ~ O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.”

I freely acknowledge that I am nothing without God. And God still says that I’m important enough to Him that He knows the number of hairs on my head…which has gotten easier to count in recent years.

I’m guessing, since you’re reading this or listening to it on my podcast, that you’re a human being. And that means you’re made in the image and likeness of God. No other creature on the planet can make that claim…only humans. God clearly says that in the Bible. And He clearly demonstrates how important this distinction is over and over. You ARE important to God. You were created with eternity written on your heart. There IS at least a part of you that will last forever. And if you choose to believe and trust in Jesus as your eternal source of life, that forever will be with Him in paradise. But…

…if you choose to serve yourself, you will experience an eternity of knowing how you are nothing without God.

When I was 13, my Grandmother asked me if I’d like to be sure of where I’d spend eternity. She had been working on me since I was about 4 or 5. I remember sitting in the pew at church with her each Sunday and hearing the Baptist preacher ask if there was anybody there that day who wanted to give his or her life to Jesus. And I remember Grandmother nudging me to go on up and ask the preacher to pray with me. I never would. But on a certain day, when I was 13…and my Grandparents were visiting my Dad’s home…she asked me in private if I’d like to trust Jesus as my Savior.

I said I would.

She didn’t force me. She didn’t taunt me. And she didn’t twist my arm or in any way abuse me into it. She simply asked and hoped for my positive response. I CHOSE to accept Jesus. And I’ve never regretted, nor will I ever regret my choice. Until I was 13 I was on a path toward eternal bleakness. But with that one decision, I started walking on a path toward eternal life. And I can only say that with confidence because of what I know about the Giver of Life…Jesus. Clearly, without Him I am nothing.

What about you? Are you walking, or running, or zooming toward eternal bleakness? One easy choice can change your direction. And you won’t regret your decision one day for the next multillion years. Here are some lyrics I wrote showing how I am nothing without God and how I have a living, loving Creator…

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!

©  2001 & 2008-09     1/21/2001

Before you go, share this link with everybody you know. Tell ’em to jump on the The TRUTH AND get some music and other good stuff, for Fa-Ree.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

This past week I shared thoughts, ideas, and truth about filling in the gaps with guesses, love in your home, no compromising, and my testimony. And this podcast episode brings it all together for those of you who’d rather listen than read. Thanks for tuning in. Use 1 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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The Truth in Words & Music - Podcast Episode 141

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My testimony is not a story of perfection…unless you see past me.

Whether I can say I’ve done something worthy of your boasting…or whether I must say I’ve done nothing worthy of anyone’s boasting…both are part of my testimony. I mentioned this a couple of years ago, and I’d like to share it again today because of something someone said to me recently

My Testimony - less than perfect and more than I deserve

In my life I’ve attempted to carry myself with humility and “godly sincerity“. And for much of my life I’ve worked in a field where there is consistent danger of becoming filled with self. When you’re on a stage where hundreds and even thousands of people are clapping and cheering for you, the temptation is to believe you’re “all that and a bag of chips”. Truth is…you’re just somebody on a stage using gifts that came from God.

By the Grace of God I’ve enjoyed a life filled with music, singing, and songwriting. I’ve been all over the country because of my ability to carry a tune. And I say by the Grace of God because I’ve been a miserable failure in so many other ways…so many times. God never saw fit to take my gifts away. For some reason He still trusts me with them…even though I’ve let Him down time and time again.

My testimony of conscience, today, is this…that even though I’ve tried to conduct myself with simplicity and godly sincerity in this world…I freely admit my shortcomings and count myself in the Apostle Paul’s corner as a chief among sinners.

So, does this mean there should be no boasting and I should throw in the towel? Well, if you take it that way, I wonder if you doubt Paul’s sincerity in 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 when he says “for our boasting is this…” And I wonder if you trust one of the follow-up statements “that we are your boast as you also are ours”.

Do you understand what Paul is talking about in that passage? Those 3 verses begin and end with words about boasting, but the key is in the middle…Grace of God. And shouldn’t that key always be in the middle of your life? Here are the lyrics to a song that describes my testimony. If you wanna hear the song, Get my Podcast

You Are

I’m not amazing. I’m no king.
No, I’m not the God of anything…
Oh but You are. Jesus…You are.
I’m not a savior. I’m not pure.
No, I’m not the One who has the cure…
Oh but You are. Jesus…You are.

You are…the start and finish
You are…the Morning Star.
Your love will not diminish.
You’re the Life Everlasting.
You’re the Rock of offense.
You’re the Only Source of Truth
Who makes it all make sense.
If they ask who’s gonna mend
This broken world, I’ll commence
To saying You are. Jesus…You are.

I’m not perfection. I’m not near.
No, I’m not the One anyone should fear.
Oh, but You are. Jesus…You are.
I’m not the True Vine nor The Word.
No, I’m not the Amen that we’ve heard.
Oh, but You are. Jesus…You are.

Chorus 3 times

© Copyright Tony Funderburk 2010

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Don’t leave yourself in a compromising position when it comes to life.

This year, in particular, Christian conservatives might feel like they have to give to get when it comes to voting for a candidate who isn’t Hillary. Believe me…I understand not wanting her for a president. But I’d like you to consider something much more important than whether the president is Donald, Bernie, Ted, or Hillary. The issue that’s infinitely more important is life. Every candidate running for president has taken a compromising position on the issue of life. And I hope you won’t leave yourself in a compromising position by voting for any of them.

I’ve heard it said more times than I can remember that if you don’t vote for one of the 2 parties’ candidates, you’re throwing your vote away. Nothing could be further from the Truth. I capitalized Truth for a reason. If your presidential candidate compromises on the issue of life (our first and foremost God-given right), then what do you suppose they won’t compromise on? Budgets? Spending? Foreign policy? Entitlement programs? All of the above?

Consider this perspective on a compromising position.

If there was one candidate who compromised on all of those issues but wouldn’t budge on the right to life of every human being…from conception to natural death…you could still vote for that candidate with a clear conscience. After all, I don’t expect any office holder to live up to a perfect standard. None of us can. But if a candidate states (and they all do) they’ll compromise on how many unborn babies to kill, that one issue disqualifies them. Period.

If you’re a Christian, and you truly believe the Bible is God’s word, you cannot vote…must not vote…for any presidential candidate now running. It’s better to obey God and let the chips fall where they may. And Jesus said (in red letters) “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these, my brethren, you did it to Me“. Look at that phrase carefully.

Jesus used words purposefully and meticulously. He said “one of the least.” He didn’t say “some” or “part” or “all.” And He said “one of the least of these.” And you can’t get any more “least” than unborn babies. When you take the compromising position that it’s OK to abort even one unborn baby, you disqualify yourself from having any wisdom. And what America needs, in a leader, is wisdom. Not merely winning.

I know there are Christians who struggle with this issue of life because of their own past. But I ask you to remember that Jesus died for ALL your sins. And He wants you to use wisdom to help others see further down the road than you did. Just because you made poor decisions in your life doesn’t mean you can’t use and share God’s wisdom with others who might be struggling with the same decisions you once faced. One way you can help them is to show them you will no longer compromise on the basic human, and God-given, right to life.

And remember this…God wants you to stand up for His Truth.

He’s much more concerned about the souls of men and women than who is elected president. Elections, presidents, and even countries and nations will pass away. But God’s word will never pass away. And He says it’s never right, for any reason, to shed innocent blood. So, as you consider voting this year, consider whether or not your vote will leave you in a compromising position with God’s word.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

When you look around, does it appear
that God is the ruler of this world?

I hope you’ve given your heart to Jesus. I hope you’ve trusted He died and rose from the dead for your sins. I hope your hope is in the one true, living, loving Creator of the universe. I hope you’re willing to lean on God’s understanding rather than your own. And I hope He rules and reigns in your heart. But I also hope you can look around and clearly see how God is not the ruler of this world.

The Ruler of This World - it isn't currently God

God blesses every person on earth every day. Every breath you take is a blessing. Every sunrise you see…every morsel you eat…etc. And in spite of every potential point of evidence pointing to the one true, living, loving God, the vast majority of humans thumb their noses, shake their fists, and turn their backs on Him. God’s not turning their backs…they’re doing it. They’re responsible.

And yes, if enough people, called by God’s name (Christians) humbled themselves, seeking God and His wisdom, then He not only could but probably would heal our land.  I’m not a pessimist, but I don’t see the tide turning in that direction. Instead I see Christians giving in and giving up on almost every single issue important to God.

Yes, God’s ways are higher than ours. But they’re not lower. He tells us not to do evil so that good may come of it. And how much more should He, being a righteous, Holy Father, not do evil that good may come?

Nothing evil in this world is of God. If you, being a loving father, wouldn’t murder or cause murder to happen, how much more so for your Holy Father? God is not orchestrating the evil deeds of this world. That would make Him an evil ruler of this world, and He’s not that…nor will He ever be.

I know, on the surface, it sounds like blasphemy to say God is not in control of this world. But I’m repeating what Jesus, Himself, said…three times at least: John 12:31  John 14:30  & John 16:11  Another verse, to that point, is found in 1 Corinthians 14:33 – God is not the author of confusion. He did not write, speak, or command the confusion we currently see in our world. And yet another verse indicating there is another ruler of this world is 2 Corinthians 4:4 where Paul writes “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded“.

God has given His authority over, for a time, to the “ruler of this world” and to us. That’s why you see the world in the horrible, despicable shape it’s in. And it’s just like in the time before Noah…the world became so wicked that God was sorry He had made man. If they were just a part of His divine and chief orchestration, why would He have destroyed them…simply more of the perfect plan? Absolutely not!

Which is more important to God: Prophesy…or love?  Understanding…or love?  Knowledge…or love? Faith…or love?  Charity…or love?  I’m sure you each know the correct answer.

So when you see love exhibited in this world…in particular through the Body of Christ…you can KNOW it’s of and from God. When you see evil, hatred, rampant sexual misconduct, adultery, homosexuality, sodomy, stealing, covetousness, drunkenness, drug use, extortion, etc…you can be sure it’s not of or from God, but it IS of and from the current ruler of this world.

God does not, and never has raised up pagan rulers or kingdoms. God never does evil that good may come of it. And to raise up a pagan ruler would be evil.

God allows chance and circumstance to affect our lives…as you’ll see in 1st and 2nd Samuel and the Gospel of Luke. God’s the quintessential risk taker. He wishes that none should perish, but He also knows that to give us our “self-control”, means that to hate Him must be an option. He is willing to risk the hatred of many to cherish the love of the few. Praise God!

One day Jesus will come back and be the ruler of this world…first for a thousand years…then forever. When that happens, there’ll be a world of evidence of His rule. There will be justice. There will not be anarchy. There will be loving logic and rational reason. There will not be mass confusion. And there will be peace on earth. Would you like to see that day?

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

P.S.  Your support for my Words and Music means the world to me. Please share them with others. Here’s how”

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