My Head Hurts

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

My head hurts this morning. In fact, it woke me up out of a sound sleep. I knew you’d want to know first thing, so I decided to write to you about it.

In most cases you’ll probably find a headache means you ate the wrong combination of food, or didn’t drink enough water, or breathed something your body didn’t like. But, of course, sometimes it means you’ve been worrying or fretting or concentrating too hard on the wrong things.

There are a couple of other things I have to deal with since I had a serious operation on my spinal cord several years ago. But I’m pretty sure my head hurts this morning because I combined the wrong foods and didn’t drink enough water yesterday. Yep, even people who know better (and I do) often don’t eat and drink the way we should.

The good news is…when you’re not doing the right things for your body and health…you’re designed to feel negative reactions. God, in His wisdom and creative power, designed us to feel aches and pains so we could know when something is wrong. Can you imagine how horrible it would be if you put your hand on a hot stove burner and couldn’t feel it? Yikes!

It may sound a bit crazy at first, but having aches and pains should remind you to give thanks to God. Maybe you’ve heard of the apostle Paul, in the Bible? He certainly had his share of pain. And when God told Him “my grace is sufficient“, Paul said “for when I am weak, then I am strong“. Yeah, your aches and pains should remind you that…

  • You’re mortal. God isn’t.
  • You’re created. God isn’t
  • You’re broken. God isn’t

Maybe it’s just my faith, hope, and love waking up now, but I have to say…my head hurts a little less. I think it might be possible that even thinking about my living, loving Creator and His wonderful power is helping me feel better. So…tell you what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna write one of my short poems for kids about it. I don’t even know what I’m gonna say yet. But I trust the words will be there. Hope you like…

My Head Hurts

I don’t like the way I feel when my head hurts.
I don’t like the way it crinkles up my face.
I don’t like to moan and groan when my head hurts,
I don’t like the grounding pounding in my space.

But I love to know about how God designed me,
And I love to know His Word is always true,
And I love to know He’ll never, ever leave me,
And I hope you know He’ll always love you, too.

Stay tuned,

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If I could guarantee you could lead a quiet and peaceable life by doing one simple thing, would you be interested? I’m not talking about a life where nothing goes on. I just mean a life you could live without fear of someone coming along to impose their will on yours. How about it? Interested?

OK…notice I said “simple”. I didn’t say easy.

The apostle, Paul, wrote a letter to Timothy and said “I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men”. Now, I don’t know about you, but I can think of a huge number of men I can’t see myself giving thanks for. So, do you suppose Paul meant for us to give thanks even for men like murderers, rapists, and thieves?

No. Not at all.

Paul meant men from every walk of life. He mentions “kings and all who are in authority”. So, we’re not to pray for and give thanks for only those good guys we know. We’re supposed to remember men (and women) from every corner and in every position.

Maybe you can understand the words of Jesus a little more clearly when He said “Love your neighbor as yourself”. Same thing.

If you love your neighbor as yourself, you’ll remember that everyone is hurting in some way or another. And everyone needs the saving Grace of Jesus…not just the weak, the poor, and the brokenhearted…because to some degree every person without Jesus is weak, poor, and brokenhearted.

When you see your president be stupid over and over again, it’s a good idea to pray for him. He needs to submit his will to God. Just because you pray for him doesn’t mean he will…but if no one prays for him (and his foolish congress cohorts)…then, he/they may never change. And that will lead the nation further into the abyss from which it may never return.

I certainly prefer a quiet and peaceable life.

I know it will never completely come true until I’m living with the Lord in Heaven. But I can still work on it here…especially since He wants me to.

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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My Monday Morning Music

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Happy Monday to you. I hope your day and week are awesome. As I start my Monday morning ( earlier than I’d like because my dog woke me up) I find music in my head. That isn’t new to me, but a few minutes ago I started pondering how that happens. And you know what? It doesn’t happen in my cells. It doesn’t happen in my blood. And it doesn’t happen in my internal organs. And it doesn’t happen in my hands or feet or skin.

Nope…music happens in my head. Or to be more specific…in my mind. Not my brain “mind” you. The brain is just the hardware that stores the software.

Your mind is an extension of God. He is the Great Coder. In fact, He invented code. If God had never invented the code that designs who you are, you wouldn’t exist. And you could never grow up to work with any other kind of code…like the code being used to make these words “magically” appear on your computer screen.

Knowing God is on His throne brings me great comfort. It makes me happy. Do you feel that way? Do you tell Him thank you for giving you life and for loving you so much that He made a Way for you to live forever? And do you ever feel so happy about it you just wanna sing?

Well, I hope so because I just wrote some words you can sing any way you want. You can take my words and make up your own song. If you do, send it to me, and I’ll share it here on my website. Don’t be shy. Remember…it can be YOUR song the way YOU like to sing. Here you go…

My Monday Morning Music

Here’s my song…
For the day…
It’s my Monday morning music, and I pray
That it’s fun …
And you’re blessed…
If you want to sing along, well, be my guest.
Take these words…
Make a tune…
Hum it now, and sing it all this afternoon.
Whistle once…
Add a smile…
Find a way that you can give it your own style.
Start the day…
With a song…
And your heart will be much fuller all day long.
Keep the joy…
Inside you…
Then my Monday morning music is yours, too.

Stay tuned,

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

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Do you live your life with thanksgiving? Or do you simply “get through” each day with moaning and groaning?

There’s a vast chasm between living your life and merely trudging through. To live it requires thoughts, joy, and action. “To live” shouldn’t be a passive experience. That’s a result of letting life happen to you rather than thinking about where you came from and allowing joy to work in you with thanksgiving. Do you see the difference?

Life isn’t something to just “get through.” Life is a gift from God. And it CAN be an eternal gift. He’s been working on us humans for 6,000 years to show us how to live more abundantly. With more purpose. And go on forever.

Why do you suppose we’re always so diligent to tune God out? Do you suppose it’s because the noise of the world is so distracting? Or could it be something even more serious? Is there a voice inside your head telling you to “go it alone”? If so, I’d like to suggest to you it isn’t God’s voice. It’s yours.

Consider how much God sacrificed to make sure you have the opportunity to live forever in a glorious life you can only imagine here.

That should motivate you to live your life with Thanksgiving.

My wife and I went on a short pleasure drive yesterday evening. As we crested one hill we saw a flock of turkeys milling around in the middle of the road. I drove up as closely as I could and snapped a picture and took some video. They were funny to watch. We understand why the word “turkey” is used to describe a dufus.

Well, seeing the turkeys reminded me of Thanksgiving, which is coming up in a couple of months. And with Thanksgiving there’s always the family get-togethers, lots of food, and the brisk Autumn temperatures. It’s so important, not just on Thanksgiving but every day of your life, to remember who to be thankful to.

Without your Creator you wouldn’t have life. And without His sacrifice you wouldn’t have hope. So…I hope you’ll consider looking into it today, if you haven’t already given your life to God. Time is running out.

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

No matter who you are…no matter where you live…no matter what you’ve done…you belong to God. He paid for you, and I can tell you this…you were expensive. It cost Him more than any of us can every repay. Even if we put all the resources in the world together, we couldn’t make a dent in the debt.

That’s why the Grace He offers is so amazing. He doesn’t expect you to pay Him back. He paid the price for your eternal life, and He offers it to you as a perfectly free gift. It won’t cost you anything except giving up your need to be your own god. You can do that, can’t you?

Let’s look at it this way…

If I offered you a brand new car, and told you it was paid for…taxes, registration, lifetime gas supply and all…would you be interested? Keep in mind, we’re talking about a car. Have you noticed how every car ever built eventually breaks down and turns into a rust heap? Yet, if someone offered you a brand new one for free, you’d be very willing to at least look at it.

Of course, your skeptical mind might also wonder “what’s the catch?”

Well, you gotta belong to God.

But if you found out all you had to do was accept, you’d probably accept. I know I would. After all…we’re talking about a new car for crying out loud.

Well, if you’re at least willing to look over a free offer of a new car, shouldn’t the possibility of eternal life at least be on your to-do list of things to explore?

Like I said in the beginning of this article…you belong to God. He’s already bought and paid for you. He’ll get to keep you where He decides to keep you. But you can influence His decision because He’s a living, loving God. You can decide right now to accept His free gift of Grace…of eternal life in Heaven with Him. You can open your heart to the Spirit of Jesus who will then renew your spirit with His Spirit of Life.

This is a limited time offer. You only have until your last breath to make the decision. Don’t put it off. You should act now and forever belong to God.

I’d love to hear from you telling me what you’ve decided.

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

There are three things you can do right now to show love. If love is in you, it shouldn’t be difficult. If love is in you…and you’re not just tossing the word “love” out there to hear it crash to the ground like a “clanging cymbal“…then you’ll do these three things if you aren’t already. OK, ready? Here they are: Believe Hope Endure.

Do you believe? If so, in what? Do you have hope? If so, what in? Do you endure what life puts on your shoulders? If so, where do you get your strength? If God is the answer to these questions, you are truly a person of love. You’re a person who surely knows what love is…and where it originates. You aren’t just making noise about love.

And also if your answer is God, then you and I are connected on a level this world can only dream of but never attain. We’ll know and share love for eternity. Last time I looked there’s nothing longer than that.

Believe Hope Endure

If you believe, your love will never die.
You can have hope above the earth and sky.
When you endure, your love becomes secure.
You can live with God up where angels trod,
When you believe and hope and endure.

Stay tuned,

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

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

If you’re a Christian (and even if you’re not) do you ever feel like a lot of what you do is overlooked, ignored, or cast aside? I’ve written and shared a ton of words, music, and pictures to illustrate my Christian faith over the years. And there have been many times I wondered if anyone read, heard, or saw what I was doing. But I understand that if I keep “abounding in the work of the Lord“, all my work “is not in vain”.

Solomon, a very rich king in the Bible’s old testament…and the son of David, a man after God’s own heart…wrote that life was all “vanity” and “a vapor” and “grasping in the wind”. That’s because Solomon, who asked God for wisdom, turned from God and served himself. All his work was in selfish desires and pleasures. And, as I’ve mentioned before, and as Solomon found out the hard way…self is never, ever satisfied.

It’s not in vain if we zoom out for a “big picture” perspective right now.

While this present life may seem like a vapor, we actually have the gift of eternal life ready and waiting for us if we simply ask. Jesus, your Creator, said “ask and you shall receive”. He won’t force His will for your life on you. But He’ll freely give you the keys to His kingdom. It just takes a little humility.

Realize you’re not God. You’re not even A god. You’re just another human being in need of redemption and grace. That in no way diminishes your importance to God. In fact, it elevates it. He KNOWS you need Him. He simply wants you to know it. And He’s given you everything you need to find Him if you want. His Word. His Way. His world.

I encourage you to consider your future very carefully. If you’re certain you can happily exist throughout eternity, apart from God, then skip all this Jesus talk I keep sharing here on my website. But I’m certain you’ll be sorry you chose that path one day. I’m confident your careful consideration…and a request for Grace from the Creator of the universe is not in vain.

Here’s a song of encouragement…

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Stay tuned…

 

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Where is your mind? Where is your spirit? And where is your soul? These intangible parts of you define you infinitely better than your body ever could. I’ve never felt my mind, but I know without a doubt I think and hold thoughts. I’ve never felt my spirit, but I feel the life of it in me. And I’ve never felt my soul…but my soul knows very well there’s a living, loving God who made me.

If I choose to tune out the still small voice inside my soul, I can deny the existence of a Creator God. I can turn my back on what my soul knows very well. I can resist the prompting in my spirit to love. Without acknowledgment of the God who spoke words and created the universe and everything in it, I can believe the thoughts in my mind are simply a collection of experiences and nothing more.

But here’s something my soul knows well.

I don’t (and I won’t) choose to silence the still small voice. I don’t want God to disconnect from me. Even when I’m wrong, and His Word echoes through my selfish mind, I want Him there…correcting me in love.

If you own a computer (and I’m guessing you do if you’re reading this), I’ll bet at some point you had to do a refresh or update or upgrade to the software. Right? Well, as important as that is, it pales in comparison to the refreshing you need if you’ve tried to live your life on your own power.

This life is tough. There are trials, tribulations, and temptations almost daily. Even as a Christian (maybe even more as a Christian) you will have to deal with these things. You can’t simply close your eyes, put your hands over your ears, and blah-blah-blah them away. The noise is too deafening. You need…I need…we all need a Way to meet these challenges head-on with confidence.

That’s why you’ll hear the message of Jesus called “the Gospel” or “the Good News”. He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”In fact, if you do a search through the Bible for “fear”, you’ll see how over and over God tells you not to fear.

But we do, don’t we?

It’s OK…you’re human. You can be afraid and still “fear not”. Here’s what you should remember…God made you. He knows how you function best. He formed your inward parts. He covered you in your mother’s womb. From the very moment you were conceived your living, loving God knew you. I don’t know about you, but I know that my soul knows very well how unimaginably wonderful that is. The rest of me will catch up when I see Him face to face.

Here’s a song to encourage you…

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Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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All Your Heart Desires

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Do you follow what’s in your heart? If so, stop. Do you trust what’s in your heart? If so, stop. Do you go with the crowd that says “listen to your heart…it’ll tell you what’s right”? If so, stop. In this life you will never get all your heart desires because your heart desires God. What?! Read on…

Yes, your heart desires God…even if you’re a full-blown atheist. Even if you’ve never heard of the God of the Bible. Even if you don’t know what the word “God” means. You were created by God, and He put eternity in your heart. Eternity exists because God exists. Therefore, He put the knowledge of his existence in your heart.

Choosing to turn your heart away from God will not erase your knowledge of eternity. And if you choose not to humble yourself, you will choose yourself as god. You will then seek out all your heart desires in the things of this world. You will be focused on “creation”…not the Creator. You will be like countless before you…over and over again committing the original sin…trying to “be like God“. And you will never get all your heart desires apart from God.

Here’s an idea.

Since you’re reading this it means you still have time. It’s not too late. This world is still turning, and you’re still breathing, so try this…read the Bible. If you don’t want to read the whole Bible, start with the New Testament and read the Epistles of Paul. I guarantee you’ll find a God who loves you so much He was willing to take on human flesh and pay the price for your mistakes. He literally died for you…and me.

If you find some other kind of God, would you contact me and let me know. Because I certainly don’t want to worship a God who’s just plain mean and evil. I don’t want to follow some “prophet” who professes a worldview where love doesn’t enter. Tell me if you don’t see a God who wants you to have all your heart desires. We can talk about it.

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

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Rejoice: “to feel or show great joy.” That’s the dictionary’s definition of the word. Notice how rejoice isn’t just the regular ol’ run-of-the-mill joy…it’s “great joy.” So, I say if you’re gonna show great joy, the very best possible way to do it is to rejoice with singing.

Because to rejoice with singing takes more effort and commitment.

Now, I might be biased on this subject since I’ve been a professional singer for more than half my life. But I’m not just blowing smoke either. In fact, I can show you where even God “will rejoice over YOU with singing.” Yes, YOU.

I believe there would have to be love for Him coming from you, but I don’t consider that a difficult task. I hope you don’t or won’t. Take a minute to soak that in, though. God, the Creator of the universe, of Heaven and Earth, and of every living creature…likes to rejoice with singing. A second definition of rejoice is: “cause joy to happen”. Do you get that? It’s a subtle, yet very important distinction. You could look at it this way.

God’s singing can bring you great joy.

Talk about giving you your daily bread! Can you imagine the beautiful voice of God rejoicing over you with singing? He invented music and singing. He invented the larynx for goodness sake. So, His must be the ultimate voice, and He will “quiet you with His love” while He rejoices over you with singing.

I don’t mean to sound repetitive, but I really want you to grasp the magnificence of this wonderful verse in the Bible. You’re not insignificant and small to God. You are His beloved creation. He formed you in your mother’s womb. He knit your bones and muscles together with His words. And He knows the number of the hairs on your head.

Why?

He loves you.

So, if you find yourself overwhelmed with love in response, dust off your larynx, warm up, have a cup of coffee or tea, and show God how much you love Him in return. Do yourself, and Him, a favor and rejoice with singing.

Stay tuned,

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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

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

When I was traveling and singing across the country full time, I used to keep in touch by letters. I was very good at writing to friends, and I didn’t have any sort of “mobile” phone…let alone a “smartphone.”

Nope, I used a pen and paper. And these wacky rectangular things called “envelopes.” I know it sounds like crazy talk, but I wrote out each individual word by hand using cursive handwriting. I don’t mean to brag, but I have very fancy schmancy handwriting. That little blue, somewhat musical looking “Tony” is actually my signature…my real one. No kidding.

But I digress…

Back when I was writing to friends, I’d send them stories from the road.

Or greeting cards, or sometimes even some cassettes (you now what those are, right?) with my hotel room recordings of original songs. I didn’t really get a lot of mail in return, but I guess the writer in me needed to write. So I did.

Very often I’d visit a place and then send out letters to my friends to let them know I was thinking of them even when I was enjoying experiences without them. Goofy, huh?

Well, below you’ll see a short bit of prose I wrote when I was in Colorado for a short stint before I got off the road. It shows what I’m talking about better than my rambling on about it here. Hope you like…

Mountain Thoughts

With my captured heart able to spread its wings
And soar in its homeland…
With my loving eyes able to soak in all the splendor
Of my mountain destiny…
With my dream all around me and the peace and happiness
That accompany it…
My thoughts still go out to my good friends.
My thoughts go out to you.

Tony Funderburk
October 14, 1987

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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Antidepressants Side Effects

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Surely you’ve seen at least one of those commercials for the latest drug to help you be happier and more well-adjusted. And if you have, you’ve no doubt also heard the antidepressants side effects list they mention at the end of those commercials.

Yeesh!

I can’t imagine being depressed enough to think a drug is the answer to my problems. Even pharmaceutical scientists have been known to say that how (and if) certain drugs work is still a “mystery”. Really?!

Do you know by some statistical evidence almost 20% of American adults are on one antidepressant or another? 20%. I’m not saying there’s no such thing as depression. But I’m confidently saying that drugs are unequivocally not the solution.

Now, I’m gonna tell you what IS the problem, in the vast majority of the cases, and you’re possibly not going to like the news. Are you ready? The reason so many people are so depressed is…selfishness.

The worst of the antidepressant side effects.

Yeah, when you focus your attention on “self”, it’s easy to get depressed. “Self” always wants more and is depressed when it doesn’t get it. Self always needs to be the center of attraction, and when it isn’t…again…depression. And self is insatiable when left to its own. You can’t battle self by yourself. Sort of ironic isn’t it?

Now, here’s what might be misconstrued as a little monkey wrench I’m gonna toss into the mix. You DO need to love yourself. Don’t take my word for it when I tell you this is even Biblical. Here, use this LINK to look it up. But the catch is, as you’ll see, you also need to love your neighbor as yourself. Yeah, you knew there had to be a catch, didn’t you?

Well, guess what…if everyone would simply follow that simple template for life, love your neighbor as yourself, depression would begin to magically melt away. You know how I know? Because it’s so hard to feel depressed when you’re focused on the needs of others. One doctor I know of calls this “the helper’s high”. Maybe you’ve felt that uplifting feeling you get when you help someone feel better, or solve a problem, or ease a financial bind.

I started out this article talking about those antidepressants side effects. Well, the “love your neighbor as yourself” side effects are beneficial, not harmful. And even more than that…they can be eternal.

So…what do you say?

To borrow a phrase from somewhere I don’t remember…how about “trading those drugs for hugs”? Think about how much you’d like it done for you and do it for someone else.

Make God smile.

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Just about everybody makes good and bad decisions. In America, freedom has given us much more expanded boundaries for making our own decisions. For us, life is full of choices. And since we’re human beings in a world full of sin and temptation, we sometimes choose the stupid things. Have you noticed this in your life. I know I have in mine.

Some bad choices we make have little or no consequences. Wearing plaid shirts with striped pants…not good, but besides a little embarrassment, nobody gets hurt. Or having a third cup of coffee on an empty stomach. You know your stomach is gonna give you some backtalk.

But again…nobody else is affected.

But when you make a choice that causes someone else to suffer negative consequences, you’ve crossed the line. And when the negative consequences include death, there’s no justification for that choice.

Advocates of the so-called “pro-choice” movement are moving away from that label. They know it doesn’t measure up to the term “pro life”. After all, what does pro-choice mean in just about all circumstances? A mother choosing to have her unborn baby murdered. In the vast majority of cases where a pregnant woman goes into an abortion clinic, a death occurs…

…but it’s almost never the mother. It’s almost always an unborn baby who was given no opportunity for choice whatsoever. What’s “pro-choice” about that? And don’t even start to say “it’s a women’s health issue”. Since when did it become necessary to kill an unborn baby to assure a woman’s health?

And if you include the woman’s emotional and mental health in the equation, there’s no doubt about it…most women will never achieve a level of optimum health with an abortion.

Yes, life is full of choices.

Don’t you wish they were just choices about which job you take? Or what kind of car to buy? Or whether or not you’ll wear plaid with stripes?

If you’ve made a bad choice and decided to have an abortion, would you get in touch with me first? I can connect you with people who can show you a wide variety of beautiful, wonderful choices you can make instead. And if you’ve already gone through with your decision, I’d still like you to get in touch with me so I can pray for you…and with you if you like.

God knows what you’re going through. He said if you’ll only seek Him, He’s easy to find…and He’s waiting for your call.

Stay tuned,

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Can you imagine a world with no hatred? The problem is…currently it can only be imagined. It doesn’t exist except in the mind of dreamers, visionaries, and those who refuse to see reality. And it appears that mankind will remain on a crash course with destruction until the Light of the World appears.

For those of you who’ve been living in a remote cave in the jungles of the Amazon (not the website) I’m talking about Jesus.

“Light of the World” is a term He used to describe Himself.

Do those sound like the words a sane man would use? Do they sound like the words just some ordinary “nice guy” would use? The answer to both of those questions is “no”. But…

Jesus could call Himself the “light of the world” because He IS. And He’s not just some ordinary “nice guy”. He’s the One who forever past and future IS God, the Son. He took on human flesh about 2,000 years ago, and now He’s also forever a man. I don’t think even most Christians realize what an eternal sacrifice that was for Him. In order for those who love Him to have eternal life, Jesus had to become a man, suffer the punishment for all sin, die, and rise up again to eternal life. He had to be willing to forever divulge Himself of His non-corporeal existence and be like us. Can you imagine the depth and fullness of the love it took to make that sacrifice? Me neither.

Here’s the sad kicker.

Even though God “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” the world does not love Him back. Not anywhere near it. That’s not to say individuals don’t love Him. I do. Millions do. But not the world as a whole. Most of them still hate Him and despise his “rules”. They want no part of a “ruler God” who “demands to be loved”.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I don’t need demands to coerce me into loving a God who would make the ultimate sacrifice for His creation. Talking to His disciples He said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends”. These weren’t lip service to an ideal. He lived and died according to His Word. So, if He calls Himself “Light of the World”, then I hope and pray I can do my part to flip the switch for as many as possible.

Stay tuned,

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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

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Have you ever noticed how it’s your weakness that drives you to do more? Think about it…when you’re sitting on top of world, whether it’s health, wealth, or relationships…you’re not as laser beam focused on getting those things. But when you’re weak…bad health, financial problems, or dysfunctional relationships…you tend to focus all your attention on getting stronger and better and more.

So, you might say it’s through your weakness that best results come. In fact, God says it’s in your weakness that He’s made strong. In other words, your limitations magnify His lack of them. Your failures illustrate the true success of His words and His life. Not that your stumbling and bumbling make God look good…on the contrary. Your shortcomings should point you to your need for a perfect Savior.

I think you can say in your heart, “I’m weak. I succumb to temptations. And I do that which I don’t want to do, and I don’t do that which I do want to do.” I know I can. But you don’t need to fret and worry about your “heart condition”. God says “my Grace is sufficient“. He gives you His Holy Spirit (for a time) who makes “intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered“. Wrap your mind around that for a minute or two.

If you find yourself suffering too many weak days, remember who loves you with a love that can’t be measured. Remember the Creator God who “became flesh and dwelt among us“. Like the old song says…

“Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong.
They are weak, but He is strong.”

God loves you in your weakness. And His strength can make you strong forever. You simply need to choose life.

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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A Condescending Attitude

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Have you ever met or had to deal with someone who had what you might call a “condescending attitude”? Well, if so, I have some good news for you.

A condescending attitude from a human being is just that.

An attitude. Do you realize no other human being on the planet can actually condescend to you? Or to anyone else for that matter. No matter what the perception is in this world, you are equal in value to anyone.

Notice I said “importance”…not position. Of course, if you work for someone, their position is higher than yours. After all, they hired you. They pay you. But all you would need to reverse that is a change of position. Hire yourself and run your own business. All this has nothing to do with your importance. You’re a created being…created in the image and likeness of God.

I hope you get the full impact of that. I’m talking about God. The One who spoke words and the whole universe sprang into existence. And He didn’t create any other living thing on the planet in His image and likeness. Only humans. And He gave us “dominion” over all the other creatures.

That makes you pretty unique. Don’t you agree?

Well, in a way, you might say God had a condescending attitude when He lowered Himself to become a man and take the punishment for our sins. He had always existed, in eons past, as a non-corporeal or spirit being. That’s a vastly superior state of existence without the constraints of flesh and bone.

Still, He was willing to live as we live, deal with the temptations we deal with, and even die a horrible death for something He didn’t do…all so we could avoid the consequences of our sins…eternal death.

In other words, God made a way for you and me to have eternal life. He had his Son condescend from His position as the untouchable God and became a man who could be touched. He became Jesus.

I encourage you to take a little time to read the accounts of how Jesus died. It’s pretty hard to take, but it fully shows how completely He loves you. Once you take the information into your heart, I’m convinced you’ll be eternally grateful for God’s condescending attitude.

Here’s a song I wrote about it. It’s called “Consequential Servitude”.

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Consequential Servitude

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

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

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

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

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

Repeat 1st verse and 2nd chorus…end

© 2001 & 2008-09 Tony Funderburk

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

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How To Pass From Death To Life

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I’ve studied a lot of tutorials in recent years. How-to books and ebooks on marketing, design, website building, and much more. But there’s one tutorial no family, person, or business should be without. It’s often overlooked since it can be somewhat of challenge to read and comprehend. But this tutorial is worth it because it shows you the one-step process on how to pass from death to life.

If you’ve never read (or even heard of) the Bible (the previously mentioned “tutorial), you may have a hard time understanding how you are spiritually dead. It’s the way you were born, so you don’t have to examine your life to see what you did to get this way.

But knowing you’re spiritually dead is necessary in order to know you need to get your hands on the tutorial. The Bible is also sometimes called the “manual for humans”. Just like the manual you find in a new car tells you how to best take care of your vehicle, the Bible instructs you on all the finer points of life. Not just the here-and-now life. I mean eternal life, too.

Once you realize the spirit of eternal life doesn’t exist in you, you might wonder how you can get your hands on it. If so, great! The one-step process I mentioned above is accepting the free gift of grace and eternal life from the only One who can give it to you. Yes, I’m talking about Jesus. Now, don’t think this is some televangelist type of message where there’ll be requests for money at the end. This is a simple, relational message. A relationship between you and your Creator. Jesus made you, and only He can give you eternal life. Trust in Him, and you’ll pass from death to life.

You can choose to ignore this article of mine. And the choice is also freely yours. But you will not be able to choose the consequences of that choice once you pass away. If you die in your sins, then, of your own free will, you’ve chosen to be apart from God, the Source of Life, forever.

Don’t do it. I implore you. It’s a simple matter of recognizing your own finite limitations and giving your heart to the God of no limitations. Then, instead of passing from this life to death…

…you’ll pass from death to life…and the love of God makes it eternal.

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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How To Know The Difference Between Saints And Sinners

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The Bible talks about saints AND sinners. So which one are you? Take a quick look behind you to see if there is a glowing aura. If so, you’re a saint. If you only see your shadow, or sky, or other people walking by…

…you might just be a sinner.

OH NO! Everyone beware…sinner alert! Hide the children and protect the women folk. Circle the wagons! Sure hope it ain’t ketchin’.

Sorry…guess I’ve been watching too many old westerns lately. Couldn’t hep me’self. Now, I wanna give you some good news to go along with this new discovery of your woeful, lost condition. There are no saints here on earth going to heaven. None. Period.

But…

There are saints in Heaven.

And if you’re not on your way to Heaven, you should really consider re-thinking your attitude toward it because you could be one of those saints. Yes, you!

You see, it’s like this. Saints aren’t determined by a vote count in some echoey, stone cathedral. They’re not elected. They’re not the lucky recipients of the short or long straws. And they’re not even bought and paid for by the good deeds of their relatives.

Nope. The only thing you can do to become a saint is trust Jesus. Trust Him when He says how much He loves you. Trust Him to be who He says He is…
God, the Son. Trust that He paid for your place in Heaven with His very own blood. Trust that He doesn’t see “saints and sinners”. He sees men, women, boys, and girls who desperately need Him and His life.

If you haven’t already done so, why don’t you just give up on trying to be God and accept His free gift of eternal grace. The you’ll get what I mean when I say “Heaven is occupied by saints and sinners”.

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Many times, in sports, you’ll hear an announcer say something like, “Man, he really gave his all.” Or you might hear “Wow, she gave all she had to get to this event.” Well, think about it for a second…is there anything in life you truly give your all to?

There’s a place in the New Testament where you can find what you need to do in order to truly live. You’ll see you should love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. Do you do this?

I don’t.

It brings me no pleasure…in fact, it pains me to say it…but I don’t give my all to God. Don’t get me wrong. I love my Creator. I love the fact that I have a Risen Savior. Jesus was found innocent of all crimes and yet was put to death in a horrible way…for me. For you. Yet, I often don’t love Him with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind.

He did so much for us, and all He asks for in return is love. Yet, we focus more on things of this world. We serve ourselves. Why do you suppose we puny humans are like this? I want to know. Don’t you?

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

If something is truly good…not merely good according to the low standards of this world…then it should lead to eternal life. Your flesh doesn’t do that. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there’s a 1:1 ratio of births to deaths in the world. No one escapes the “wages of sin“. But you can escape having to pay for them forever. That’s gonna require some humility, but if you give your all to God, at least long enough to ask Him for the forgiveness His Son bought for you, eternal life will be yours to look forward to with complete assurance.

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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All That And A Bag of Chips

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I remember, sometime back in 1997 I think it was, when I first heard the expression “he thinks he’s all that and a bag of chips”. I nearly pulled a Danny Thomas spit take.

I’d never heard it put that way…comparing conceitedness to a complete deli sandwich meal that came with “all that and a bag of chips”. Good one.

Do you know anyone who thinks of himself that way? I only ask because I’m sure you don’t think of yourself that way. I mean none of us connected here on TonyFunderburk.com would ever think too highly of ourselves. Right?

While we don’t have to overplay our hand with a load of insincere humility, it is a good thing to be humble. In fact, it’s a necessary thing to be, in order to recognize there IS a God, you’re not Him, and He’s going to do some very powerful things in the not-too-distant-future.

I don’t mean to get all scary preachy on you, but if I’m right about this, it could have quite an impact on quite a few people…everyone, in fact. See…I believe in those seemingly old-fashioned ideas of a Heaven and a hell. I believe they really exist, and that we really do get to choose where we’ll be.

There’s just too much evidence to ignore the claims made in Christianity. But it isn’t just a collection of rules you can’t possibly keep from breaking. That applies, certainly, but that’s the whole point. You can’t possibly keep from breaking the rules of God. His standard is 100% perfection 100% of the time. The good news, though, is this…He loved you so much He made a way around that standard. He paid for it Himself. Your eternal debts are paid if you only ask.

Yes, I know…it means doing that weird thing all those preachers and ministers are always talking about…praying and asking for forgiveness, in humility, and with a repentant heart. But you know who I think are the ones who can’t bring themselves to do that?

The ones who think they’re all that and a bag of chips.

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Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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