Posted on January 8, 2015 by TonyJanuary 6, 2025

Jesus said "Do not Worry About Tomorrow"

You have enough to think about today. So, how will it help you to worry about tomorrow, today? The short answer is…it won’t. And a longer, much more efficient answer can be found in red letters in the Bible. (for those of you unfamiliar with the Bible, red letters are used when it’s Jesus talking)

Think about tomorrow for a minute. It never really gets here. Right? It’s always “out there.” Somewhere beyond the next sunrise. Somewhere in the future. The future is coming, but it never really gets here either. That’s because it hasn’t happened yet. And when the future does happen, it’s today. Not out there in the future.

Today is the only day you can actually do anything about. Tomorrow isn’t here yet, and yesterday is over and done with. (pardon my ending a sentence with “with”, but I’m sure you’ve heard the expression) Anyway, since today is the only time you actually live in, shouldn’t your focus be on what you can do today? That should be a rhetorical question, but sadly too many people are so fearful of what the future holds they let today slip away.

And when today slips away, what does it become? Tomorrow? Nope. It immediately becomes yesterday. A saying I coined many years ago is this: “Today is yesterday’s tomorrow and tomorrow’s yesterday.” Feel free to pass that on, but be sure and give me credit so I can continue to feed my family on all those royalties. 🙂

Wow…time is really a weird thing, isn’t it? When Jesus said “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things“, He was illustrating how futile it is to worry about tomorrow. It’s so futile, in fact, that we should let tomorrow worry about itself. Hmm…can a tomorrow do that? Well, I’m not gonna worry about it. How about you?

Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and love.

Stay tuned…

Happy Birthday Mom

Posted on January 7, 2015 by TonyJanuary 7, 2015

Seventy-seven years ago, today, a lady was born who could only wait until her teens to usher me into the world. She was born on the north side of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. And she met the guy who would become my Dad in the town of Norman only about fifteen or sixteen years later. They were both Oklahoma natives, but my Dad signed up for a term in the Air Force, and he was soon stationed at Lowry Air Force base in the Denver, Colorado area. And wouldn’t you know it…that’s where I began my quest for the Rocky Mountain way a few months later. But I digress…this isn’t about me. It’s my knuckle-headed way of saying “Happy Birthday Mom!”. My sister, Lori, just sent me a picture of Mom, at her desk, taken today. Yep, she has to work on her birthday. She helps my brother Bob schedule appointments for his electric business. But they’re all taking her out to dinner tonight. Here she is…

So…through the power and magic of the internet…now the whole world knows who my Mom is. I’m sure there’ll be some parades and closures in Washington D.C. and other state capitols, but for now all is as it should be. A quiet, lucky double 7 birthday. She said someone told her a person’s gold birthday is when the birthdate is the same as the age. So she figures she had her gold birthday when she was only 7…and now this must be her “gold dust birthday”.

Now, you know where I get my awesome sense of humor.

Anyway…this has been my humble little digital birthday card for Doris…who many know as Dorsie…but to whom my siblings and I say…

“Happy Birthday Mom!”

Stay tuned…

The Living Among The Dead

Posted on January 6, 2015 by TonyJanuary 6, 2025

There’s an awful lot of interest and attention on zombies these days. I don’t get the attraction, but then movies, videos, and TV shows don’t tend to reflect my preferences. So, I guess I’m in the minority. Still…what’s so intriguing about dead people walking amongst the living seeking to eat them? Life is beautiful. Death is a curse. It reminds me of a verse in the Bible, “why do you seek the living among the dead?”

Why do you suppose there is so much attraction to the “dark side” of life? Do you think there’s any chance of that lasting forever? Do you think having the light from the Son casts too many foreboding shadows?

Maybe it’s like Jesus said in the book of John: “...the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.“

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone could simply start loving his neighbor as himself? (hopefully you understand this applies to females, too) Wouldn’t it be great if everyone could simply say, “the hurting in my family, or my business, or my relationships with friends ends with me”? Wouldn’t it be great if we’d all simply “do unto others as we’d have done unto us”? Come on! How difficult can it be?

I guess it’s too simple-minded and, at the same time, too difficult to overcome our disdain for our fellow human beings. So, I guess there’s no chance at all of avoiding the powerful destruction found in the book of The Revelation. But you know what?

I’ll bet God wishes all that destruction wouldn’t come true. I’ll bet He wishes we’d stop looking for the living among the dead.

Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and love.

Stay tuned…

Give More Money For Killing

Posted on January 5, 2015 by TonyFebruary 24, 2025

Over 500 million in tax dollars is given to a group that is highly successful at killing little children. Yep, I said successful at killing. That group is well- organized, well-funded, and well-equipped to kill over 300,000 little children every year. So, it only makes sense that we taxpayers be willing to give more money for killing when it’s so darn successful. Right?

Yesterday I wrote about how Jesus said we should let our charitable deeds be done in secret. Well, it really shouldn’t be difficult to see how killing unborn children hardly falls under the category of charitable deeds. But, I think the group, ironically named “Planned Parenthood”, believes they’re doing charitable work because they’re somewhat secretive about their deeds.

A few years ago I wrote a song called “We Win“.

In it I wrote that…

“It should be so easy
To just see we’re not free
As long as the innocent die.
To say that it’s legal
We spit on the eagle
That stands for what we once held high.”

But you know what…it’s not easy for the majority of Americans to see we’re not free. Because the majority of Americans still remains silent and continues to allow tax dollars to be spent on abortions.

Let’s not give more money for killing innocent, unborn children.

But what does it take to stop that from happening?

First, please speak up. Use whatever means you have. Because saying and doing nothing will make sure that “legal” continues to cast its dark shadow over what’s right.

Then, don’t support any politician or candidate who would support the abortion status quo.

Sadly, I don’t think many will take my advice.

Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and love.

Stay tuned…

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Posted on January 4, 2015 by TonyJanuary 6, 2025

The old Christian hymns often said things so much more wisely and profoundly than the “praise and worship” music that permeates many churches today. They weren’t so repetitive and chant-like. They told stories and conveyed such faith in a relationship with the one true living, loving God.

I’m sharing one of those old standards here again. It uses what’s often referred to as “the king’s English”, but its message is clearly one of Grace. And that’s the cornerstone of the story of Emmanuel: God with us.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

(repeat chorus)

Yeah, that definitely doesn’t even remotely sound like what’s played in churches these days. I’m not saying there aren’t any good new praise and worship. But they’re, as my Grandmother used to say, scarce as a hen’s teeth. (in case you don’t know, hen ain’t got no teeth)

OK, there’s my two cents worth for now.

Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and love.

Stay tuned…

Open Rewards for Secret Deeds

Posted on January 3, 2015 by TonyFebruary 24, 2025

Did you know you could receive open rewards for secret deeds? It’s a principle found in the teachings of Jesus. Uh-oh…there he goes again talking religion and Bible thumping. Sorry if it upsets you to hear all these things I write and sing about that come from the Bible. But I’m convinced when you see the love behind it, you’ll want to know more. Maybe I’m just naive…

Jesus said, “When you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret...” But He finished off that topic with, “…and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

Why would God want you to do charitable deeds in secret? It’s a matter of your heart condition, really. He wants to know your motives. Do you want to give to the poor simply to help the poor? Or do you wish to be known for giving to the poor? Do you want to donate to the construction of a church because it will be a place of worship? Or do you wish to be known as a contributor to this fine building?

If you have a heart for helping others, you don’t need the accolades that might accompany your charity. And if you trust in the Word of God, you know that your rewards will be given to you openly by your loving Creator. So, anything else is unnecessary. Right?

This is a brand new year. And this year you can begin (or continue) to improve your heart condition. Work for the benefit of others because to “love your neighbor as yourself” is a loving command from the Lord. Do it from that simple position of love…and your Heavenly Father will make sure you receive open rewards for secret deeds. And His rewards trump all others.

Stay tuned…

Because I Love I Am Something

Posted on January 2, 2015 by TonyFebruary 24, 2025

Because I CAN love I am something in the love of God.

I’m not nothing. In fact, I am something. Not because of how particularly special I am just by being me…but because I love. Yep, love is the key.

Without love I’m nothing. What does it matter what I do in my life, with my life, if I don’t have love? Without love everything and anything I do is motivated by selfishness. What else could it be? If I don’t love others, then my focus is on me by default. And as I’ve said many times here in my articles…self never gets enough. Self is never satisfied.

But I CAN love. And because I can love, it points me to a Creator who loves. Where else could love originate? It isn’t a necessary in a random, evolutionary process. Love doesn’t make a man a stronger hunter or gatherer. It doesn’t build muscles or enhance survival skills. In fact, love could actually hinder those things.

Love comes directly from our living, loving Creator. He says I am something worth loving and worth sacrificing for, and since He says so, I believe it. Do you? Here are the words and music I wrote to further express it…

Because I Can Love

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

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

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

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

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

Stay tuned…

Posted on January 1, 2015 by TonyJanuary 1, 2023

Happy New Day New Year!

Every day is a new day. So this first of day of 2015 isn’t unique in that regard. Every January 1st brings a new year. So this January 1st isn’t unique in that regard. But this is the most important new day and new year you’ve ever experienced because it’s the one happening right now. How will you approach your new time? Well, here’s what I’d like to say about it…

I hope 2015 will be your best year yet. I hope you’ll discover joy that comes from a relationship with your Creator. And I hope you’ll connect with many others who share your love for Jesus. I hope you’ll reach out to those who don’t. I hope you’ll enjoy many of the delights God created for us. And I hope you’ll share your gifts and treasures with someone who could use them. I hope your dreams come true. And I hope you dream about the One who saved you.

I hope all of that for me too.

New day new year…
Old thoughts still here.
When does time change?
Not yet…so strange.
Where will we be
Eternally?
You get to say.
Don’t wait…today.
Choose life, then live.
Receive, then give.
Throw out your fear…
New day new year.

Stay tuned,

No-cost, low-cost, and premium ways you can help me spread the Word…

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Daily Devotional
(emails with good stuff for Fa-Ree)

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered right to your device. (also Fa-Ree)

Get digital Bible stuff from the same company I do.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for believers, dreamers, and thinkers

Posted on December 31, 2014 by TonyApril 4, 2024

Play some music by writer, singer, illustrator Tony Funderburk

The Bible talks about how we should understand a “laborer” or “worker worth his wages” should be paid those wages. But what about when the worker is doing work you believe is easy? Or not done by the sweat of the brow? Does that principle apply to musicians?

Of course, I’m a little biased…having been a professional musician for over a quarter of a century. But I’ve found in this digital download age that musicians are working for nothing. In fact, they’re oftentimes paying to play. And giving away tons of creative work just to be heard. Do you believe this is right?

A worker worth his wages is anyone you’d have work for you.

If you’re willing to hire a worker to do something you can’t or don’t want to do, then you should be willing to pay that worker. And work isn’t confined to trades or corporate jobs or cooking and cleaning services. Work takes many forms, and this includes creative work.

I certainly wish everyone held music work in higher regard than they do. But unfortunately it has become one of those things so many believe should be made available for free. This doesn’t take into consideration the relentless hours of practice, rehearsal, and self-denial necessary to hone the craft. It also trivializes the need for music. It simply says: “gimme, gimme, gimme”.

I’ll never forget how many times I was told, back in my regular touring days, that I wasn’t really working. I didn’t have a “real job”. Sometimes I was even told I wasn’t actually singing and playing. I took that as a compliment because in order to make it look like I wasn’t working hard, it took me years of practice and hard work at my music.

But maybe I’m singing the blues to no one. Maybe you don’t have any sympathy for the musicians who don’t know what real work is. I hope you don’t think that. If so, tell me why. Just don’t have any music playing in the background as you do.

Stay tuned…

No-cost, low-cost, and premium ways you can help me spread the Word…

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Daily Devotional
(emails with good stuff for Fa-Ree)

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered right to your device. (also Fa-Ree)

Get digital Bible stuff from the same company I do.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for believers, dreamers, and thinkers

Year End Review

Posted on December 30, 2014 by TonyDecember 29, 2021

Since it’s the next-to-the-last day of 2014 I figured I’d take a look back at the year that was…sort of a year end review. Walk with me a little while…

I could take you step by step through the headlines of 2014, but I don’t want you to get too depressed too quickly. And I could skim through only the news where we human beings were cruel to one another. But again, I think you’d get mighty depressed mighty fast.

Hey, I know. Maybe I could stick with the celebrity highlights. Whoops…with well-known “stars” committing suicide, drug and alcohol overdoses, and other falls from grace…that might not be the sweet spot I’m looking for either.

Hmm…this year end review seems bleak.

Well, maybe we should start with how much improved our American way of life became. There are lots of stories on that…aren’t there? Hmm…nope. I can’t find much on that subject from that perspective. So, what do you think? Has your standard of living or quality of life improved in 2014?

OK…maybe a good year end review would be to simply look back and count your blessings. Are you willing to do that? Do you believe you were blessed in 2014? I know I was. It was an extremely challenging year. It was filled with changes, health problems, and even dastardly ne’er-do-wells. But I know this much…God loves me. He is FOR me. And if God is for you, who cares who else is against you.

So, I look back at the year that was and I’m thankful. No matter what went wrong, God was with me. No matter what I endured, I endured it with God’s love. I hope you can say the same thing. Let me know. And let’s pray for each other to stand strong in 2015. Are you with me?

Stay tuned…

Tony

Peaceful And Serene

Posted on December 29, 2014 by TonyDecember 19, 2021

The snow is falling here in the Springs today. And it’s cold. But it’s beautiful and pristine. If you’ve ever spent much time in a place where it snows, you understand the quiet beauty I’m talking about. The snow cushions and insulates the roads so car tires don’t make so much noise as they pass. All the little critters seem to take refuge in their nests and caves and beds. So there isn’t the usual chatter, chirping, whistling, and scampering.

It’s cold and void…and peaceful and serene.

Life can be cold and void, too. It can drop frozen flakes of indifference and apathy on your head and shoulders with a consistency that sometimes boggles the mind. When it does, do you find yourself griping and complaining? Or do you remain peaceful and serene?

I’m sure there are people in the world who don’t believe in God and yet manage to keep a level head in the midst of trials and tribulations. They’ve simply learned to take it in stride…just part of their own “evolution”. But I’ll wager you this…

…their peace and serenity is superficial.

And here’s the real kicker…even if it’s genuine and runs to the core of their being…it’s temporary. Apart from God, all “happiness” and “success” is temporary. It will die out when the body gives out.

I’ll admit to you I don’t remain peaceful and serene in the face of adversity. Not all the time anyway. Anytime I fail, I can easily see where I was leaning on good ol’ Tony. And Tony can’t hold me up all the time. He gets tired.

God never gets tired.

If you already know this, take a couple of minutes to thank Him right now. Thank Him for holding you up, and let Him know you realize He’s doing that as He’s holding millions of others up at the same time. Yep, God never gets tired…and He never gets tired of hearing you thank Him in love.

When you get through thanking Him, go enjoy a peaceful and serene hot beverage and look out your window. Maybe you can send me a hello wave.

Stay tuned…

Tony

Posted on December 28, 2014 by TonyDecember 27, 2024

There’s never not a time when I Am with you.
There’s never any day when you’re alone.
There’s never not a time when I will help you.
Fear not. You’re in my heart, and you’re my own. ~ God

What is it in your life that you believe God can’t help you through? Financial woes? Family rifts? Job pressures? Surely there’s an end to His patience and understanding. Right?

Well…yes, and no.

There isn’t anything in your life, and in fact there isn’t anything in this world that God can’t help you through. But it requires some trust on your part. Do you have that? Let’s take it for granted you believe God is real…and that He loves you. But do you trust Him to live up to His promises? Or do you even know what they are?

In several places in the Bible, God says “I am with you.” And that He’ll help you.

Whether He holds you up with His “righteous right hand”…or He anoints your head with oil…or He sends you “the Helper, the Holy Spirit”…help is as close as a prayer.

So, again…let me ask, what do you think God can’t help you through? Why in the world do you fear what this temporary world may throw at you? I’d like to urge you to trust more and fear less. It may not come to you automatically, but if and when you make it a daily habit to eat the bread of Life and drink the Living Water, you’ll begin to know that you know it’s true when God says “I Am with you.

But, if you haven’t put your faith in God, don’t delay. His patience with this world will run out. It could be today.

Stay tuned…

Tony

Posted on December 27, 2014 by TonyDecember 27, 2023

Love And Pain can easily be reconciled in the knowledge of God's Word.

Unbelievers love to point out what they say are flaws in Christian faith. Like, how can you reconcile a loving God with all the pain in the world? Do you believe, for a second, that love and pain are mutually exclusive?

The correct answer is: Love and pain are not mutually exclusive.

With a good combination of love and logic, it’s easy to show them the error in their assertion. I love how C.S. Lewis stated it:

“The problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a God who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word love, and look on things as if man were the centre of them. Man is not the centre. God does not exist for the sake of man. Man does not exist for his own sake. Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. We were made not primarily that we may love God (though we were made for that too) but that God may love us, that we may become objects in which the divine love may rest well pleased.”

But love from God doesn’t entice most people.

It’s sad how often someone who has such disdain for Christianity uses its doctrine instead of their own to try and ridicule or debunk it. They know their own worldview of complete, blanketed tolerance would necessitate accepting whatever a Christian says or does as simply “doing what he feels is right”.

If they could just leave it at that, at least they’d be living true to their so-called love for tolerance and diversity. But they’re not interested in merely co-existing. They want to negate and obliterate even the notion of a living, loving Creator God.

So…I say we Christians should stand boldly and proudly with the likes of C.S. Lewis and do our best to expose and negate the thoughtless, careless, and loveless doctrines of humanism and self-worship. Both love and pain will be involved, but…are you with me?

Stay tuned,

Tony

Zooming Toward The New Year

Posted on December 26, 2014 by TonyFebruary 24, 2025

It’s seems like only a few weeks ago I was writing about how 2014 was almost upon us. And here we are zooming toward the new year 2015 already. As I write this we only have about 6 days left in the year. As far as I’ve always been able to tell, they’re some of the least productive days for so much of America. Do you suppose that’s OK?

I know a lot of people plan, provide, and participate in a bunch of parties this next week. Sometimes getting someone on the phone at smaller businesses is next to impossible…or at least getting their full attention.

But if it means people are enjoying themselves and celebrating success, isn’t it well worth it? After all…this is a new year we’re talking about. And they don’t happen all the time. Oh wait…yeah they do. Every year, as a matter of fact. Well, what’s the big deal then?

Oh, who cares? I’m just gonna go with the flow. Except for the traffic flow at midnight this coming Wednesday. I think I’ll avoid that at all cost.

So, what about you? What are your plans for ending 2014 and beginning the new year? I hope you’re filled with hope and not dread. Either way, I’d like to hear what you’ve got going on. Drop a line in the comments section below or send an email. I read them all.

Stay tuned…

Merry Christmas 2014

Posted on December 25, 2014 by TonyDecember 24, 2022

Notice I don't say "a" God of Christmas. It's "THE" God of Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

May the Prince of Peace rule in your heart
today and always.

Please enjoy this song as my gift to you.
And here are the words…

I Believe In The God of Christmas

Some believe there’s just today”
And then we die and fade away…
Such a sad and hopeless life to lead.
Others say we never die”
We all live on above the sky…
Disregard the theft and hate and greed.

But I believe in the God of Christmas,
And I believe in His Gift to us all,
And I believe that He died to save us
And that He rose to recover our fall.

Yes I believe in the God who loves us,
And I believe in the God who lives,
Yes I believe in the God of Christmas.
He gave His love, and He still freely gives.

One day soon we just may find
So many millions left behind
In a world where truth is torn apart.
Then no lights, no Christmas trees”
No arts and no humanities”
Will bring peace to any broken heart.

But I believe in the God of Christmas…
(choruses)

Stay tuned,

No-cost, low-cost, and premium ways you can help me spread the Word…

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Daily Devotional
(emails with good stuff for Fa-Ree)

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered right to your device. (also Fa-Ree)

Get digital Bible stuff from the same company I do.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for believers, dreamers, and thinkers

Reason For Faith #1

Posted on December 24, 2014 by TonyFebruary 24, 2025

OK…it’s finally down to the last reason for faith…which is actually the first song on my Raise The Praise Vol 1 collection. This one is called “You Are”. You might say it’s based on one of the laws of thermodynamics that essentially says “you can’t get something from nothing”.

Believing that all we can see in our natural world, solar system, galaxy, and universe just “banged” into existence requires a blind faith that boggles the mind. It makes so much more sense (and it just so happens to be true) that a supernatural Creator designed it all. Everything works far too well for it to have been a happy accident. From the vast expanse of the universe to the irreducible complexity found in a single cell…we should be able to acknowledge that someone even larger and more complex made it.

Well, there are many who DO acknowledge. But there are so many more who just can’t bring themselves where the evidence leads. I hope you’re not one of them. I hope you have the humility to say something like this…

#1) 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

Stay tuned…

Tony

Reason For Faith #2

Posted on December 23, 2014 by TonyApril 4, 2024

My next to the last reason for faith comes from song number two on the Raise The Praise Vol 1 collection. The song is called “Give Me What I Deserve”, and that’s something we should never say to God.

People who donate to charities don’t go to Heaven. People who take care of the elderly don’t go to Heaven. People who perform “random acts of kindness” every single day of their lives don’t go to Heaven. It’s not that doing those things excludes you from Heaven…it’s that they don’t get you there. There is one Way…and one Way only…to spend eternity in Heaven. And that’s to believe and trust in Jesus. If you really believe He is the Son of God and Son of man, and that He really did come to earth to die for your sins, and that He really did rise again to show us how we can have eternal life with Him…

…you’ll go to Heaven. If you don’t believe that, I urge you to reconsider. Because your nature is pulling you ever downward. And it’s a bottomless abyss full of moans and groans. And it’s just as eternal as life in Heaven. All you gotta do is say, “Lord…don’t…

#2) Give Me What I Deserve

You gave me life…
Gave me love, and gave me freedom.
You took my sins…
And You nailed “˜em, and You beat “˜em…

“˜Cause this person who you bought never had the nerve.
So I’m glad that you did not…
Give me what I deserve.

You gave me hope,
Gave me bread and living water.
You gave your blood…
When I led you to the slaughter.

But you never even fought or let your focus swerve.
And I’m glad that you did not…
Give me what I deserve.

Lord, don’t give me…what I deserve.
If I stand in the middle of the road,
Nudge me to Your side.
Lord, don’t give me…what I deserve…
“˜Cause I’m the reason and the cause
Why Jesus died…But then He rose again!

You gave me joy…
Gave Your word you’d leave me never.
You gave Your life so that I could live forever.

And on this earthly azure dot I can choose to serve.
So I’m glad that you did not…
Give me what I deserve.

Stay tuned,

Tony

Reason For Faith Number 3

Posted on December 22, 2014 by TonyFebruary 24, 2025

Hello again. It’s only 3 more days till Christmas, and I’m still counting down the songs off my “Raise The Praise” collection. In case you haven’t been following the countdown, each day I’ve been using one or more of the songs as an example of a reason for faith.

As you can see from the picture, today’s reason is about restoration. Once you realize and acknowledge to God you’re a broken person, you can receive the restoration eternal life brings. And I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that eternity is a lot longer than the 70, 80, or 90 years you might live in this space/time continuum. Oops…sorry…I guess I told you anyway.

My belief is simple…if you’re willing to go wherever Truth takes you, you’ll end up in the saving Grace of Jesus. If you don’t believe you need a savior, then you’ll spend your life seeking to save and redeem yourself.

God knew you before you were born. He wrote eternity on your heart, and He gave you the options to love Him…or not. As for me, I’d rather know I’m a product of intelligent design rather than some “lifeless lump of coal” wandering this earthly plane toward infinite blackness. How about you?

#3 Reason for faith: Your Love Restored My Soul

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

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

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

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

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

Chorus twice

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

Stay tuned,

Tony

Reason For Faith Number 4

Posted on December 21, 2014 by TonyFebruary 24, 2025

Today’s reason for faith, in my continuing countdown toward Christmas, is about giving back to God. Are you willing to give your all? Jesus said it’s right to love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. Can you do that?

I’m not sure anyone truly does that. But it’s certainly a desirable goal, isn’t it? The lyrics, below, aren’t actually mine. They were written by a good friend of mine, Cristina Miller. She’s originally from Romania, but she has mastered the English language not only from a grammatical perspective, but also a poetic one. You should check out her other works at Breathing Moon Poetry.

Here’s a demo of all 12 songs on “Raise The Praise”.

Get this song and the 12 other reasons here

#4) I Give You All

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

You gave me words,
And they can reach the sky.
You gave my soul
Salvation out of the fall.
You gave me dawn,
To savor all you gave me, Lord.
I give you all…I give you all.

(chorus)

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

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

Stay tuned…

Reasons For Faith Numbers 5 and 6

Posted on December 20, 2014 by TonyApril 4, 2024

Yep, I have two more reasons for faith for you today. And yep, they’re found in the lyrics to two songs from my “Raise The Praise” collection.

The first reason is based on the solid knowledge that God will never leave you nor forsake you. It’s called “In The House of the Lord”, and you may notice some close references to Psalm 23. I’d really like you to feel secure in your faith. In this song I mention how I’ll “sing till my very last breath”. That’s how secure I’d like you to feel in your walk with God.

The second reason comes from the lyrics of Cristina Miller. She wrote about how God’s light takes us through the dark times, and we “Shine In Your Glory”. I hope the words bless and encourage you. And if so, be sure and listen to the samples found at the link below. Maybe the songs would be a good praise and worship addition to your home.

# 5) In The House of the Lord

Father God,
You never leave me You never forsake me.
And Your Word…
Gives me courage to go where you take me.

You are with me through each dire upheaval.
With You in me I will fear no evil.
As I walk through the shadow of death…
I will sing till my very last breath…

Green pastures, still waters…
Goodness and mercy for your sons and daughters…
True love dwells in the House of the LORD.
Each person, each nation…
Can be renewed through Your sweet restoration…
True love dwells in the House of the LORD.

Father God,
You made a Way for my total redemption.
I believe…
Jesus died to provide that exemption.

He’s my shepherd through thorns and thru clover.
He’s my new wine, and my cup runs over.
As I walk through the shadow of death…
I will sing till my very last breath”

Chorus

#6) Shine In Your Glory (lyrics by Cristina Miller)

My love for You, Lord,
Is like a river.
Your love is like…the infinite sky.
You guide my steps
Through this worldly desert,
And I will hold your name most high.

And I will shine in Your glory…
And I will raise my hands to the sky…
And I will shine in Your glory…
And I will praise my Savior on high.

My joy is flowing out
Into your ocean.
Your grace rains down…in my open heart.
You take my hand
When the road is narrow,
And you’re my Light when things get dark.

And I will shine in Your glory…
And I will raise my hands to the sky…
And I will shine in Your glory…
And I will praise my Savior on high.

Shine in your glory… Shine in your glory
Shine in your glory… Shine in your glory

Listen to samples of all 12 songs or buy them here

Stay tuned…