Tony Funderburk

Posted on August 21, 2014 by TonyDecember 11, 2022

Today I’d like to share a pro life music video from John Elefante. You may remember him as the lead singer for the band, “Kansas”.

This song came out in the last part of 2013, but I heard and watched it for the first time today. It takes what one blogger called “an overtly pro life stance on the contentious matter” of abortion. I’ve known for a while that John Elefante was a Christian, and I’m proud of him for taking this stance. In fact, it inspires me to get busy and create more pro life words and music.

If you’re a musician, artist, or writer of any kind, I urge you (and challenge) to take up the cause of the unborn. These days it’s far more dangerous to be an unborn baby in America than it is to be just about anyone else anywhere else. That’s incredibly sad and despicable.

And writers, singers, and artists can do more to effect change in the hearts and minds of people than anyone else. I strongly believe that. Pastors and other speakers can do a great job…and many do…but there’s nothing like words and music and pictures to create enduring and effective messages.

If America has lost her soul to the god of selfishness, and turned away from the God of Creation, then it’s no surprise that abortion, murder, child abuse, racism, and so many other sins escalate out of control. In fact, it’s inevitable.

My hope is that I can write, sing, draw, and produce some effective messages to change hearts. God, direct my path and bless my efforts.

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

Humble Pie

Posted on August 20, 2014 by TonySeptember 23, 2014

When I was younger I remember hearing the expression, “you may have to eat some humble pie”. It was a common way of saying “you messed up and now you’d better man up”.

When you're the apple of your eye, have a slice of Humble Pie.

Humility is an important part of spiritual growth and wisdom. I compare humility to a drive in the Rocky Mountains. If you’ve never been to the Rockies, you may not completely relate to this analogy, but it’s like this. Many roads going over passes have multiple switchbacks (sharp turns where you can see where you’ve been and where you’re going), and you can see other vehicles way up the mountain side. The further up, the tinier they appear.

You get a real sense of just how small you are in this world as you observe even 18 wheelers looking like toys on the road.

That’s how it is with humility. Hopefully you’ve come to a point in your life (or soon will) where you realize there IS a God, you’re not Him, and His eternal attributes dwarf your own finite life. That’s what Christians are talking about when they say “humble yourselves before God“.

Most people don’t seem to want to humble themselves. They’ve already lifted themselves too high (they feel) to have to submit to some so-called higher will. And that’s a shame because they miss out on the best part of humility…where God lifts you up.

Go make the most of every day
In everything and every way.
Believe in changing things for good
As any caring person would.
Be like a little secret elf
And love your neighbor as yourself.
When you’re the apple of your eye,
You need a slice of humble pie.
It isn’t good, but it’s divine.
I know that’s true ’cause I’ve had mine.
So have a slice, and then you’ll know
God lifts you up when you are low.

Stay tuned”

Give Grace To Others

Posted on August 19, 2014 by TonySeptember 23, 2014

Do you know what it means to give grace to others?

Give Grace to others because it's good for everybody...including you.

Grace, according to one of the definitions in the dictionary, is the “free and unmerited favor of God“. No kidding…that’s actually in the dictionary. Who’d’ve thunk it?

Well, since that definition says it’s of (or from) God, can we mere humans know what it’s like to give grace to others? If we’re to take the Bible as the truth, we certainly can. In fact, we should. Inasmuch as it’s possible to give grace (or you might say, pass it on), we must do our best to do so.

Think of that person who cut in line at the grocery store. He certainly didn’t merit any favor. Am I right? Or that person who called you at dinner time to ask if you’d received their latest credit card offer. Whew! Hard to pass on any grace to her.

The thing about it is this…if you’re looking for someone who deserves your gift of grace, you’ll be looking for a long, long time. There is no one on the planet who fits that description.

You only need to look at yourself, truthfully and honestly, to know what I’m saying is correct. You’ve most likely either cut someone off in a line or in traffic. Or you’ve called someone at the “wrong” time. Or you’ve responded in unjustified anger when someone said something you didn’t like. Or…well, you get what I mean. Right? You ain’t all that and a bag of chips either.

Maybe we can all use the example of God’s grace found in Proverbs where it says humility is essential. If you humble yourself before God, admit He’s real, and ask for forgiveness, He gives it to you in eternal spades. Life everlasting.

Of course, you and I don’t have the power to give eternal life to anyone. But anytime we give grace to others, we’re showing them an example of what the love of God can do in this life. So, love your neighbor as yourself, today, and the grace you give will be given back to you in immeasurable ways.

Stay tuned”

Posted on August 18, 2014 by TonyApril 8, 2024

Writer singer illustrator, Tony Funderburk, shares his Music Podcasts on his website.

Have you been getting my music podcasts?

Don’t let the word “podcast” scare you off. You don’t have to go inside any sort of alien enclosure or a new sort of outdoors store to get ’em. Podcasts are just easy ways to get media content delivered right to your computer or media player automatically.

And that describes my music podcasts for the past few weeks.

Simple blog posts with free songs embedded right in the content. How cool is that?! Well, pretty darn cool if you like free songs…and especially if you like my songs at that same low price of free.

I’ve been sharing some oldies-but-goodies, some fairly recent tunes, and even some of my contemporary Christian music I haven’t released anywhere else. So…it might be worth your while to subscribe to my daily emails. Or tune into my The Power of God’s Love Podcast.

See how easy I’ve made it for you?

You know why? Because I care enough about you to make sure you get the most bang for your buck anytime you’re hangin’ out with me online. That’s why I’ve made sure to put music podcasts, story time podcasts, and lots more all through my website.

Now don’t forget to share with all your friends and family. That way I can keep on writing more books, making more music, and drawing more pics.

Your support means the world to me, and I hope my words, music, and pictures bless you in some way on a regular basis. Write to me and let me know if they do.

Stay tuned,

No-cost, low-cost, and premium ways you can show your support…

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

Faith Is A Gift

Posted on August 17, 2014 by TonyNovember 2, 2024

Faith is a gift, given to us by our Creator.

And faith is a gift we give ourselves.

But it’s very important to note that faith shouldn’t be misplaced into self. Self demands a lot, but the true, saving faith you need for eternal life can never be in self. It must be in the only One who was faithful enough to withstand the mistaken, misinformed, misguided scrutiny of the world. The One who took on the full force of God’s wrath so you wouldn’t have to.

The One who turned all of His faith toward us as the free gift we know as Grace. Thank God Jesus did that. When you take stock of your attributes, can you say you’re living, loving, and good all the time?

Yeah…me neither.

So, isn’t it wonderful you can lift our eyes up and see the world from a hopeful and eternal perspective. That is…if you’ve placed your faith in the One whose faith can give you eternal life. When you think about how a non-corporeal, spirit being…who has always existed and will always exist…was willing to take on human flesh and suffer for all your mistakes, you begin to understand just how much that kind of faith is a gift.

I wish I could give you and/or all my friends and family that sort of gift, but I can’t. I wish I could reach into your heart, switch on a light, and help you to see how much your life means. But I can’t. I wish I had enough faith to take everyone I love to Heaven with me when I go, but I can’t.

But I can point you in the right direction.

I can talk about the love your Creator has for you. I can show you the importance He’s placed on your life. He loves you more than you even love yourself. He’s willing to show you that with his faithful gift of eternal life in paradise with Him. Can you muster enough courage to accept this gift in faith? If you can, you’ll be delighted to see how God will move Heaven and earth to give you His life.

Join the growing body of believers who signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And receive daily, delightful dashes of salt and flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

Posted on August 16, 2014 by TonySeptember 20, 2018

Hope Is Not A Strategy

There’s a book called “Hope Is Not A Strategy” by an author named Rick Page. (I made that a link since I’m mentioning his name, but I don’t receive any compensation for sales…just so you know) He’s apparently an authority on sales strategies, and so salespeople or potential salespeople could probably glean some good stuff. But…

Hope is not a strategy, unless we're talking about eternity. Hope certainly IS a part of the strategy of a Christian believer…or it certainly should be. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 1 Corinthians 13:13 where the Apostle Paul talks about the perfect trio…faith, hope, and love. The whole chapter there is actually talking about love (“the greatest of these”), but Paul is talking about how faith, leads to hope. And hope is in being with the One who loves us enough to give us eternal life.

And really, you can’t take the three things apart. We hope for the One we can’t see. Our faith in Him and His Word gives us that hope, and that hope builds our faith. And of course, it’s all built on the foundation of love because without love, none of the rest of it amounts to much.

What do you hope for?

Are you hoping you’ll be able to make it through another day of office grind? Or cooking, cleaning, and kids? Hope you’ll make it to the end or beginning of the month bills and expenses? Or rising prices?

Are you hoping for world peace and a better tomorrow? Do you hope someone will stop all the violence in America? Is there anything you believe your hope will help? Or does it all seem hopeless?

Well, maybe hope is not a strategy for making a lot of money in sales…but it’s an essential part of the strategy you should implement when it comes to making a lot of sense in the world.

Stay tuned”

Worldview Definition

Posted on August 15, 2014 by TonyMarch 15, 2024

Here’s a worldview definition. See if it’s how you’d describe it.

That’s a fair worldview definition.

But it makes it seem like a worldview happens to you by your circumstances or surrounding. I prefer to believe you shape your worldview. It doesn’t shape you.

What I mean by that is…you choose to believe facts and figures or fantasy. Choose is the operative word. No one makes you believe what you believe. You believe it because either you can’t disprove it, or it settles well within your comfort zone. A worldview can be stiff-necked, or spineless. Humble or haughty. Effective or effaced. Right or wrong.

Did I lose you at that last comparison?

Yes, worldviews can be right or wrong. For example, if your worldview says it’s perfectly right to annihilate another group of people whose worldview differs from yours, your worldview is wrong. And if your worldview states that “all men and women are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights“, then your worldview is right.

You can argue or disagree, but these are both self-evident points.

The worldview definition I shared with you above talks about philosophy of life or conception of the world. If you have a notion that life happened as a result of some serendipitous connection of electricity and ooze, then your worldview might be skewed toward simple survival. But if believe you’re a created being designed by a living, loving, personal Creator, you’re more likely to put others before yourself.

So…your worldview is extremely important because it can have eternal consequences. What you do, say, and believe can change hearts, minds, and spirits. People can go from merely diving into destiny to Heavenly hope.

What’s your worldview definition? Do you know? Do you care? Is it right?

Stay tuned”

Reward of the Inheritance

Posted on August 14, 2014 by TonySeptember 11, 2015

There’s a couple of verses in the Bible that say I can know I’ll receive from the Lord “the reward of the inheritance”. I don’t feel like I deserve any inheritance, but thankfully it doesn’t depend on how I feel.

No, I don’t feel like I “serve the Lord Christ” very well. Do you ever (or always) feel like that? I mean…I know I write my daily articles here on my website and most of them are about Biblical truth…but I also feel like I daily let God down. I disappoint Him with my selfishness, or my neglect of prayer, or my wavering thoughts, or a variety of other human weaknesses.

So, why should I ever expect some sort of reward of the inheritance when I’m not a very dependable son?

I believe I’ve been given the gift of words and music, and I’ve squandered far too much of it away on nothingness for far too many days. As I approach (and enter) those “silver” or “golden” years I often wonder if I’ve passed the prime…lost the gifts.

Then, like today, a verse from God’s words will pop up…either in my Bible app or on a website or social media post…and remind me that His promises aren’t contingent on my merit.

Whew! I really need to know that, own that, remember that, and be grateful. I have a living, loving, personal God who wants me to live forever. And He’s made a place where I can go and live forever, without worry of troubles, tribulations, dying, and death. I wish everyone could have the assurance I feel in that. Do you have it?

Are you unsure whether your future is eternal or not? Do you wonder where you’ll go or if you’ll even exist after your body expires? Do you wish you could also have a reward of the inheritance mentioned in the Bible? Well, if you’re not sure, like anything else in life you’re unsure about, you should check into it. If it’s even a remote possibility, doesn’t it deserve a closer look?

Stay tuned”

God Is Not Dead

Posted on August 13, 2014 by TonySeptember 23, 2014

In spite of the efforts of some of the best so-called “free thinkers” the fact remains…God is not dead.

I know atheists and other non-believers acknowledge “God is dead” as simply a metaphor or some other figure of speech. They say they have to phrase it that way so we simple-minded Christians will catch their drift.

I’ve often said you don’t need to commit intellectual suicide to believe God exists and that the words of the Bible are true. And last night I heard that phrase uttered in a very good movie called “God’s Not Dead”. Have you seen it? I recommend it with two thumbs up to believers and especially to skeptics. The movie does a very good job of making the case for God’s existence from a rational, intellectual, and compassionate viewpoint.

Christians have been commissioned by God to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”. By our faith, in our hope, and with love we are to share the wonderful information of a living, loving God who wants to give us eternal life.

And for that we’re ridiculed, prosecuted, and even persecuted.

It really comes down to this…if there is a God…and there is, then of course God is not dead. Because, by definition, He’s eternal Spirit. He cannot die. He has always existed and will always exist. If you’re truly willing to go where the evidence takes you, you have a good chance at arriving at the same conclusion I have.

If you’re simply unwilling to acknowledge there is a God and that you’re not Him, then you may fall for any mythology dreamed up by other haters. Saying “God is dead” doesn’t make it any more true than saying “God is not dead”. But the evidence for the Biblical accounts is insurmountable. It’s an obstacle you’ll come up against until the end of this age.

Don’t wait until the last minute to change your mind because you probably won’t get a last minute opportunity like the professor did in “God’s Not Dead”.

Discover for yourself, God is not dead, and don’t be denied.

Stay tuned”

Bouncing Off That Brick Wall

Posted on August 12, 2014 by TonySeptember 23, 2014

I know you’ve heard the expression “beating your head against a brick wall”. Right?

Don't just keep bouncing off that brick wall in your life. Break it down and build something better.

Back in 1987 I found myself in a loop of sorts, and I felt like I was beating my head against a brick wall. I was playing music all across the U.S., and much of the time it was just a chore…a “job”. For all intents and purposes, the fun of being a professional musician had worn off.

And I just didn’t like that.

After all, playing music starts with the word “playing”. That sounds like fun right off the bat. Doesn’t it? Well, what are you supposed to do when something you thought would always be fun turns into just another job?

Well, here’s what I did…

I wrote some of my thoughts into songs
I changed the playlist
I went back to Colorado and got off the road for a while
I looked for different kinds of venues
And I never stopped singing

When I changed what I was doing, I breathed new life back into the profession I loved so much. And I kept going for a long time after that. I broke down the “brick wall” and built myself an “observation deck”.

What do you do when you come up against something like this? Share your thoughts and ideas with me in the comments or email them to me. In the meantime…here’s one of the songs about that time in my life…

Bouncing Off That Brick Wall

What do we ever really know?
Outside ourselves, what do we really know?
How can we tell the truth from lies?
We must do more than simply criticize.

What can be done to change the rules?
Are we being made to play the fools?
How many years must we endure
The pressures of the ones who aren’t so pure?

And we say we’re bound by all the red tape,
And we feel there’s no hope at all.
How can we expect to bring the house down,
If we don’t keep bouncing off that wall?

Keep bouncing…keep bouncing..bouncing off that brick wall
Keep bouncing…keep bouncing..don’t let it get you down.
Keep bouncing…keep bouncing..bouncing off that brick wall
Keep bouncing…keep bouncing till trouble’s not around…
Bounce off that wall

Can we win, or are we bound to lose?
Is it fate, or do we get to choose?
We should try to make the truth from lies.
Maybe then we’ll open up their eyes.

Stay tuned”

Long Time Gone

Posted on August 11, 2014 by TonyMarch 15, 2024

This is just how it is…you’ll be a short time here but a long time gone.

You'll be a Long Time Gone from this world when you die. Be sure where you're going.

When you die, no one here ever sees you again. Have you ever noticed that? You don’t get to come back as a bug, a bird, or even a dog. And even if you did…no one would know it was you. So what would be the point?

“Well, what’s your point, Tony?” you ask.

Thanks for asking. I’d like you to ponder the length of your life for at least a minute or two today. I read an article, a couple of days ago, that said adults have about 25,000 mornings to wake up to…on average. That’s not a gigantic number by anyone’s standard…except maybe a little kid.

So…compare this relatively small, finite number of mornings to…uh…I don’t know…let’s say forever. Time without end once you pass away. Like I said to begin with, that’s a long time gone. When your body finally gives out, and you breathe your last breath, you go from this finite life to some sort of infinite existence. (Of course, you might be one of those who subscribes to the blackness theory, but that’s another article some other time.)

Comparing forever to some measly thousands of days is like comparing nosebleed seats in a football stadium for one game to season tickets in box seats or front row seats. Well, sort of. But you get the idea. There’s really no comparison. If I’m wrong about where we go when we die, this is all a moot point. And one day I’ll either look like a dork or none of us will exist anymore and it won’t matter to me or anyone else.

But if I’m right when I say there’s a Heaven and a hell, and all you need to do to be sure and get to Heaven is trust in the One who built it for you…then even if we are a long time gone from our current temporary bodies…we’ll be blissfully happy, eternally healthy, and spiritually complete. Thank God.

Stay tuned,

We Need The Truth

Posted on August 10, 2014 by TonyApril 2, 2023

Singer songwriter, Tony Funderburk's "Amen" CD

My faith, hope, and love for my fellow human beings inspired me to write a song and sing about how we need THE Truth…

…but the world doesn’t care.

Have you ever taken an early Sunday morning drive when it felt like the rest of the world was still inside eating breakfast? And didn’t that morning feel peaceful and full of quiet assurance?

This morning my wife and I took a drive like that. From the tiny town where we’re currently staying, we found a back road higher up on the mountain slope and drove over to the next town…not quite as tiny, but still small. On the way I mentioned how it amazes me that all human beings can’t just be content and satisfied with their lives. It sickens me how some people feel a deep-down, dastardly need to rule over others.

I know you, my wonderful readers, realize we have a very short time here on planet earth. There’s a one-to-one ration of births to deaths. No one gets out of this life any other way. So, given that fact, can’t we just do unto others as we’d like them to do to us? I know it’s an old-fashioned idea, but it’s still the truth…and like I said…we need the truth. And, of course I’m talking about THE Truth found in the person of Jesus.

Oh no…there he goes again thumping his Bible at me.

Well, let’s put it this way…if there is no absolute standard of truth…then there are about 7 billion versions of it. That’s called chaos and confusion. God is not the author of confusion. His Truth is crystal clear and health to your bones and spirit. That’s why we need the Truth. Here’s my song about it…

How Long Till

How long till we see the vengeance?
How long till You make things right?
Lord, how long till the trumpet blows
And calls us into flight?

How long till we see the Savior?
How long till the end of night?
How long till Your trumpet blows
And takes us out of sight?

We need the Truth! The world doesn’t care.
They can’t see design; though it’s everywhere.
No absolutes, and they’re absolutely sure.
They worship time and bow down to chance.
They give themselves up to circumstance.
I have to say I don’t comprehend the allure.

(repeat chorus)

Our bodies ache; You can hear the groans.
We twist Your words into sticks and stones
And wield them around like giants in a trance.
This posturing while the world looks on
Just makes them ask where our minds have gone,
And I don’t blame them; it’s such a silly dance.

(repeat chorus…inst…repeat chorus to end)

Stay tuned,

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Daily Devotional
(My regular emails about the essentials of life, AND some music and other good stuff, for Fa-Ree)

Plenty Of Time

Posted on August 9, 2014 by TonyAugust 4, 2022

You have plenty of time to do whatever you feel is right.

Maybe you’re one of those entrepreneurial types who likes to work all day and night on that next big project…

Or you’re a CEO of very popular tech company, and your next product launch is just around the corner…then the one after that, and the one after that…

Maybe you’re a homemaker who knows the kids won’t be home from school until 3:45 or 4:00, and you use that extra time to catch up on TV shows…

Or you’re a hormonal teenager anxious to get to your daily sexual escapades…

Maybe you write dark sci-fi thrillers, and your research keeps you locked in your office away from your family day and night…

Or you’re a shopaholic, and every day you’re either in a store after some more bling or glued to the shopping channels on cable TV…

If any of those describe you, don’t worry about it.

You have plenty of time.

Maybe you’re a sports fan with 3 big screen TV’s, and you never miss a home game of your favorite teams…

Or you’re a history buff, and every spare moment you can find is spent in old and used bookstores…

Maybe you’re a pastor intent on building the biggest most beautiful church in all the land, and you focus on a congregation of affluent givers…

Or you’re a musician and every waking moment of every single day you practice and practice and practice…

Maybe you’re a skilled craftsman with a popular home improvements business, and all your spare time is spent getting that next project…

Or you’re on unemployment, and you’re enjoying the freedom to come and go as you please…

Well, if any those descriptions fit you, don’t worry about it. You have plenty of time. After all…the world has been turning for maybe millions of years, right? So, who’s to say it won’t turn for millions more?

Don’t pay any attention to those “do-gooders” who seem to always be talking about things like “getting right with God” or “having a relationship with Jesus” or “only one Way to Heaven”. They’re just killjoys who don’t want you have any fun because they don’t get to have any fun.

Don’t give them another thought. Keep doing what you’re doing, and enjoy it to the fullest. You have plenty of time…

…unless you don’t.

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)

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

Health To Your Bones

Posted on August 8, 2014 by TonyAugust 8, 2022

When you get right down to it, it’s pretty easy to get mad at someone. Right? And I mean anyone. No one is born with a natural immunity to anger. So, each person needs to be fortified with something stronger and better than “self”. For Christians this is easier because we know we have the Word of God. And if you don’t already have that assurance, I recommend you look into it. It’s literally health to your bones.

Think about how often you’ve “flown off the handle” or “pitched a fit” or simply “lashed out” at someone because they just didn’t understand your valuable, relevant, and most important needs.

You may have said something hurtful or cruel. You may have slammed your fist down on a table or against a wall. You may have made demands, reasonable in your mind, but unreasonable to the other person. I could go on with descriptions, but I feel sure you know what the face of anger looks like.

If you currently find yourself dealing with consistent and nagging anger issues, I suggest you consider honeybees.

“Huh?” you ask.

Bear with me a minute…

Honeybees create waxy honeycombs where they store their larvae and the the nectar they gather from flowers. The shape of the honeycomb cells is such that two opposing honeycomb layers nest into each other, with each facet of the closed ends being shared by opposing cells. Individual cells don’t show this geometric perfection. So, in other words, the honeycomb needs all the parts to provide the sweet and delicious honey.

The Bible says “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones“. Just like a honeycomb needs all its parts to provide the sweet honey, we humans need pleasant words. No one is able to live a full and happy life without them. God says they’re “health to the bones”…so they must be pretty important.

Consider this…when you, in your anger, make demands you feel are so vitally important, you only create and receive negative results. How about if you pause before you speak to think “Hmm…would what I’m about to say be something I’d like to hear spoken to me?”

You’ll know what the answer is whether or not you’d care to admit it. And if what you would say wouldn’t be something you’d want said to you, then don’t say it. Consider an alternative of pleasant words. Like the old saying goes…

“If you can’t say anything good…don’t say anything at all”.

I want you and yours to be healthy, happy, and growing toward an everlasting life in Heaven. My suggestion is always to search the Bible for answers. They’re in there, and they’re health to your bones.

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 August 7, 2014 by TonyFebruary 24, 2025

Your kids will love to go to Dreamtown in these lullaby songs from writer singer illustrator Tony Funderburk

If you’re up late and reading this, I hope it’ll help you relax and rest your weary head in just a few minutes.

One cool night, back in September of 2012, I was up late working on a couple of things because I didn’t feel sleepy. As the seconds, minutes, and a few hours ticked by I began to feel somewhat drowsy. Suddenly I remembered a verse of lyrics I had invited readers to give their opinions on, and I opened up the file.

There was the first verse…and there was still nothing else…after months of letting it “rest easy” in its special place on my external hard drive.

Well, I decided it was time to finish it up, and to the surprise of my droopy eyes…the rest of the lyrics (and even a melody) flowed right out onto my computer screen. Since it’s a bit late in the day again, and I’m getting a similar feeling, I figured I’d share those lyrics. Once you read it, I hope you’ll go rest your weary head and come back and join me again tomorrow.

The Dreamer’s Lullaby

In those seconds sliding into sleep…
There may be some time you’ll wanna keep.
Grab the minutes tightly in your hand”
Close your eyes and soon you’ll understand.

There’s a place you’re gonna wanna go”
Where it’s always free to see the show.
Colors in the sky will breathe you in”
Close your eyes and let the dreams begin.

Hear the lullaby and by
Way up in the sky so high
Every little sigh you sigh will fly and fly
Into the dreamer’s lullaby.

Dreams are hidden right behind your eyes…
Every night a new and bright surprise…
Fly across the Milky Way in bed”
Just lay down and rest your weary head.

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On Things Above

Posted on August 6, 2014 by TonyAugust 6, 2022

Even as a boy I was always fascinated by birds…and cloud formations, and shooting stars in a sky full of blinking lights. I wasn’t thinking about how focusing on things above me could keep my spirit uplifted. I just knew those things up there were amazing.

There’s a place in the Bible where it says to “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth“. Now, don’t get the idea that sentence is talking about birds or clouds or stars. You only need to go one verse before that to see the writer was talking about things far above…in fact, so far they’re found at the “right hand of God”. I’m guessing that’s a lot further and possibly a lot closer than we could ever imagine.

I find these days to be much more challenging to my body and spirit than ever before. Do you get that feeling, too? Could these be the last days of this age? Maybe. Maybe not. But either way, there can be no doubt that wars and rumors of wars, nation rising up against nation, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in many different places are certainly all happening.

If you focus on these things on earth, you can easily and quickly get discouraged and disheartened about your life and the lives of the rest of the people on the planet.

That’s why God says to focus “on things above”.

Who can possibly save us from ourselves? Who can possibly turn things around and make them all new again? If there’s any doubt in your mind, I’ll say emphatically…God!

If you believe there is no God, and you’re living your life accordingly, you’d better be right. However, I suggest you set aside your human bias and open your mind to the possibility that the almost infinitely complex design in our universe points to an even more complex Designer. When your mind latches on to that, your dead spirit (and sense of hopelessness) will be reborn.

Then…it’ll be much easier to look up and focus “on things above”.

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Posted on August 5, 2014 by TonyApril 8, 2024

What God is not

When you talk to little kids about where we came from and how we got here, they’re really “open” to the discussion. In other words, they’re like sponges. They’ll soak up whatever information you give ’em. And it’s vitally important to describe who, what, and how He is to us. But it’s just as important to let them know what God is not.

There’s a lot of nonsense floating around in the world about God. People have developed their own notions of how to describe Him. In fact, they’re not even comfortable with calling Him a “him.” They’d rather use terms like “force” (sorry, but isn’t that Star Wars?), “what’s in your heart” (you ought to see what God says about that in the Bible), or even “the universe.” Yeesh, that’s the worst one of all.

It’s so important for kids to know the one, true, living, loving Creator. Because they’ll be equipped to answer all these silly claims. Believe me, they’ll be dealing with them. Probably even more than you and me.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to speakers or read their books where they say to “trust the universe.” Or “trust your heart because what’s in your heart will lead you where you need to go.” Or “discover how to get in tune with ‘the force’ of positive energy,” And I’m sadly confident this sort of talk will continue to grow as the world moves further away from our Creator.

So, as a little poetic reminder for kids, I’ve come up with this short poem. I hope you’ll read it to your kids, grandkids, or any little ones you have contact with. And I hope you’ll let me know what they think or say.

What God Is Not

God is not a santa claus
With bags of games and toys.
God is not a magic man
Amusing girls and boys.
God is not a spirit guide
Or a feeling in your heart.
God is not the universe
That slowly falls apart.
God is not a fairy tale
Made up out of the blue.
No, God is your Creator
And He loves you through and through.

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Posted on August 4, 2014 by TonyAugust 4, 2022

No One Has Seen God (the Father), but you CAN see God.

The Bible makes two main and distinct points about seeing God. On the one hand God, himself, says, “You cannot see my face, for no man can see Me and live“.

So, no one has seen God.

On the other hand Jesus said, “He who has seen me has seen the Father“. And to take this one step further…even though we may not see God, we should be able to see His attribute of Love. How?

In one another.

God’s Love should be “perfected in us.” When you “love your neighbor as yourself,” you’re following what Jesus said when He condensed all the commandments into only two.

Loving a neighbor isn’t always as easy as it sounds, but Jesus never said this life would be easy. Or that commands would be a breeze to follow. We’re not supposed to pick and choose what advice from God we’ll follow based on how easy or difficult it is to follow.

Here’s my suggestion…take it or leave it…turn the whole thing around and think of it from your neighbor’s perspective. Would you prefer your neighbor or friend or family member to show you love? Or anger, deceit, and persecution? Let’s put it another way. Whatever you’d like to receive from someone else is what you should be giving.

Love? Or hate?

Respect? Or mockery?

Giving? Or taking?

Even though no one has seen God (the Father) and lived, you can show God to others right now. Right this second. Simply love. Not the all-too-often temporary love this world experiences. But agape love…selfless love…the kind of love that expects nothing in return.

Believe me…you will receive immeasurable blessings from living in love.

Stay tuned,

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Posted on August 3, 2014 by TonySeptember 20, 2018

What I See In Me

Very often, when I look in the mirror, what I see in me isn’t what I’d prefer to see. Does that happen to you?

Writer singer illustrator, Tony Funderburk, says "What I See In Me should be more in sync with what God sees in me".

Yeah, when I look at myself with my own limited understanding, what I see in me is my less-than-pristine past. I see my limitations. The losing battle against my aging flesh and all it desires.

If you’re feeling this way…or you ever feel this way…a better question to ask yourself is “what does God see in me?”

Think about that for a minute. God must see something in you worth redeeming. After all He went to a lot of trouble and suffered a tremendous sacrifice in order to provide the option of redemption to you. He was understandably angry with His creation who rejected Him. But His love and mercy extended further and stood taller than His anger.

What God sees in you is a person He made with His loving hands.

The Bible says you’re fearfully and wonderfully made. That means you’re not an accident, and it also means God went into such detail on your design that He even knows the number of the hairs on your head.

Today, I’d like you to be able to say…

“What I see in me, now, is the Spirit of God.”
“He loves me, and that trumps every doubt I have about myself.”
“I’m a child of the Living God, and I’ll live with Him forever.”

When you can say those things and mean them, you can know that your eternal fate is safe and secure. And isn’t that better than any nagging doubt or underlying insecurities?

But if you’re still wrestling with doubt…if you still have questions about how any of this could possibly be true, I’d love for you to leave me a comment below. Or email me. I’ll be glad to do what I can to help you through it.

Stay tuned”

Posted on August 2, 2014 by TonyOctober 4, 2025

Science may say otherwise, but we know The Sun Does Rise.

Science has shown us the earth revolves around the sun. So, scientifically speaking…there is no such thing as a sunrise. But for those of us who know we were created by a living, loving, artful God…the sun does rise.

A sunrise is a metaphor, an allegory, or even a simile. It’s how our creative minds “see” things. Either as we’d like them to be…or as they appear to be. In both cases you get a sense of the imagination forged into our spirits. God didn’t have to give us imagination. He could have merely designed us to see whatever He preferred us to see…to perceive only those things which He deemed necessary for survival.

But God loves. Not that silly Hollywood love that’s here today gone tomorrow. His is a real and enduring love. And our imagination is an intangible proof of His love. We can not only think with logic and reason, but we can also imagine and create worlds of our own. We can soar into the skies, dive into the depths of the oceans, paint rainbows in the leaves of trees, and even rise above whatever physical limitations we may have.

What about you? Where will you let the gift of imagination take you today?

When the sun does rise,
And it surely will,
We will run straight to
The aroma hill.
We will pluck one rose
From its thorny vine,
And refresh our lips
With a sip of wine.
We will find delight
In the sweet bouquet
Of this flowered hill…
Of this brand new day.
It will be a feast
For the nose and eyes,
And it all begins
When the sun does rise.

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