Tony Funderburk Posted on by

You might know some bad renters stories. Or you’ve heard some. Right? I could certainly tell you some that come from my time as a handyman. Yikes! It’s awful how awful people can be to someone else’s property.

Like the bad renters who took a sledgehammer to the toilets and sinks.

Imagine being a landlord who finally gets the bad renters out only to discover that horrible mess. And there are so many more where people (if we can call them that) pounded holes in all the walls, broke out windows and doors, and even left the natural gas on.

Now, that’s a potential bomb threat, when you get right down to it.

That’s all very bad. No doubt about it. But what if you owned an apartment complex and every renter turned out to be one of those kinds? Can you imagine the chaos and destruction you could face?

But let’s crank up the volume to 11 now.

What if you owned all the property on the planet? But every one of your renters turned out to be someone who ignored your rules. Every one of them did whatever they felt like doing, whenever they felt like doing it. Or not. Yeah, history is ripe with men who wanted to own and rule this world. So many who fancied themselves to be king,  or emperor, or pharaoh.

And because human beings are naturally selfish, that always led to destruction. And made the world a messy place.

Thankfully, none of those wannabes ever succeeded. And none of them ever will.

It might’ve looked like they conquered the world.

But they owned nothing. And when you consider eternity, time without end, a couple of decades here on earth is barely even a vapor. So since they never held onto the power, they became bad, bitter and destructive renters.

Here’s the thing.

This is God’s world. He thought it up. He designed it. And He created it. He even broke it once. And let the waters of the deep cover about 70% of the Earth’s surface. But He didn’t break it just because He felt like doing that. He broke the planet because He had some bad renters. And some even worse property managers.

But one day, maybe soon, He’ll come back and kick out the bad property managers. And He’ll lay set up rules for the renters, and restore His property. After that, I think He plans to tear it all down and build something new and even more spectacular. And I think I’ll get to see that. Wow.

You’ll get to see it, too. Right? In case you know someone who’s not sure, remind them to be…

In This World (but not of it)

I’m in this world but not of it.
I like this life but don’t love it.
My Savior rises above it.
I’m in this world but not of it.

This world can beat me up.
But this world is not my home.
I have a finer place where
I will forever roam.

This world’s no easy street.
This world is not so nice.
It costs a lot to leave,
But my Father paid the price. (So…Chorus)

This world has lots of love,
But this world is filled with hate.
One day it won’t be so,
And so I can hardly wait.

This world has moans and groans.
This world has aches and pain,
But soon even this shall pass,
Jesus the King will reign.

© 2008

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Elias was a carpenter, a building contractor, and a farmer. He moved his family to Kansas City, Missouri way back in the early 1900’s, and gave up the farming part. In Kansas City he bought a paper route and got his sons to help him deliver the papers. And they got to learn to deal with the discomfort and pain that went with that work.

But discomfort and pain can either make you or break you.

In the case of his fourth son, Elias, I think you’ll see it helped make him remarkable.

In 1917, the elder Elias moved his family to Chicago. And the junior Elias took photographs and worked on his drawing skills for the school paper. He hoped to become a newspaper cartoonist. But World War I interrupted his progress, and he served as an ambulance driver.

When he got back to the states, he moved back to Kansas City and went through a series of trials and errors. And I won’t go into detail because you probably already know a lot of them. But his ability to get through them probably came from working with his dad on that paper route.

Oh wait, I forgot to mention one minor detail. Elias was actually his middle name. His first name was Walt. And you’re probably way ahead of me as I tell you his last name was Disney.

But do you know that, because of his production work, he still holds the record for the most Academy Awards? Yeah, for the most nominations. 59. And for the most wins held by a single individual. 22

I remember my whole family gathered around the TV, back in the 60’s, to watch “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.” There was usually a special Sunday evening movie the whole family could watch together. Imagine that. And there was never a show that included any bathroom humor or sexual innuendo.

No wonder it was so unsuccessful. NOT!

Anyway, I just thought I’d share those little tidbits of into with you to encourage you to work through whatever discomfort and pain you’re dealing with, today. And Elias, I mean Walt, was the motivation because he was born on this day, December 5th, 123 years ago, back in 1901.

Time flies when you don’t Micky Mouse around and waste it.

My guess is that Walt would not be pleased or proud of where the Disney empire has gone since then. But I’ll leave that for another time.

CrackerJack and Disneyland,
Scorin’ crack and lyrics banned,
Gets better everyday. Just cast those sins away.
Right and wrong? Who thought of that?
Some guys who thought the world was flat?
Now we’ve learned to see. “No one’s the boss of me.”
(lyrics from my song, “Worldview”)

As long as you’re here, joint the wonderful world and growing body of believers who signed up for the TRUTH Journal, if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Truth sets you free. It just does. It can also get you in a world of hurt. And even tossed into prison. Yes, even in this day and age. And even right here in the good ol’ U S of A.

But it’s still awesome how the truth sets you free.

Because it can free up your mind. Yeah, truth is SO much easier than remembering a bunch of lies. Especially if you don’t remember which one you told who which person. Yikes, that was a tangled, woven, worldwide web long before the digital world wide web.

Anyway…

The reason I brought up this truth revelation is because of how lying has gone on this year, here in America, during the so-called “election season.” From. Every. Single. Main. Candidate.

I encourage you to focus instead, during this Christmas “season,” on THE Truth that sets you free. The One who is the reason for the season. And the One who is the reason you even exist. I hope you already do. And if not, I hope you will. As for me? Well, I wrote a song where I simply said…

I Have To Believe

I can hear my heart, but I just can’t feel my life.
I can feel You cut, but I just can’t see the knife.
You slip Yourself inside of me
To show me what I’m meant to be;
Unlock me with Your golden key;
Protect me from the wizardry
Of this world far below.

I can feel Your love; though I never see Your face,
And whenever I’m alone, You still fill the empty space.
I never have to reach for You.
You always seem to pull me through.
You do the things that I can’t do;
Not even if I wanted to…not even if I tried.

And I have to believe…You did everything for me.
‘Cause what I have to believe
Is the truth that sets me free (repeat)

You must know my dreams
Because you’re making them all come true.
I know that You’re the One
Because no one could but You.
Your steady hand is always near.
With perfect love You conquer fear.
You brush away the dark veneer,
And suddenly it’s all so clear which way I should go.

© 1989

Join the growing body of believers who signed up for the TRUTH Journal, if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

It’s a milestone birthday. And it’s big enough that no one would ever accuse me of being young again. Not that they have for a long time. But it’s a certainty now.

But even an “old” milestone birthday is a huge blessing.

I read a short blurb about this one. The “writer” said:

“Marking the milestone of the ** birthday is a profound acknowledgment of a life well-lived, showcasing the profound legacy crafted over the decades. And to honor this significant moment, employ sturdy, flame-resistant candle holders to illuminate ** birthday candles. Because it’s a powerful symbol of the celebrant’s enduring spirit and unwavering resilience. AND incorporate entertaining games into the festivities. Because they can infuse an extra layer of joy and merriment. And that can foster a lively and celebratory ambiance that resonates with guests of all ages. Plus, you’ll ensure a memorable, enjoyable experience that youngsters and adults will love.”

Notice I put quotation marks around “writer.” Because that little blurb sounds like something concocted by an A.I. prompt. I mean, c’mon. Who talks like about a milestone birthday? Or about anything else for that matter.

Anyway…

I won’t go so far as to say my life has been “well lived.” Or that I’ve built a “profound legacy…over the decades.” But I WILL say it IS a significant moment in time for me. Because there were times, during the last 7 years I wasn’t so sure I’d see this birthday.

Thankfully I’m still here to be light bearer.

And in an increasingly darker world, the light can shine brighter and brighter. Also, I’m grateful and thankful for your prayers and continued connection through the years. I pray for your health and happiness and endurance and strength.

I know the morning sun will shine,
And so, I’ll draw another line.
I’ll keep a box of all my most important things
Inside my heart where they can be
A constant song of joy to me.
I love the sound of optimism when it sings. (from my song “I Can Do”)

© 2020

And here’s something you can (and should) do. It’ll be a no-cost gift you give me (and you) for my milestone birthday.

Join the growing body of believers who signed up for the TRUTH Journal, if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

We live in a world gone mad. Mad, I tell you! A world where people will say, with a straight face (inverted pun intended) that there are more than only two genders. And some will go so far as to say there’s really no way to know just how many genders there are.

If you say there are only two genders, you’re a hater.

Don’t you just hate that?

I know YOU wouldn’t argue against there being only two genders, but I have some info THEY can’t argue against, if or when they’re willing to face facts and not just feelings.

Men and women are different. And that difference is another huge dose of evidence against life on planet earth magically appearing from non-life.

Yeah, the sexual reproduction systems in men and women are incredibly different. But they’re ideally made for each other. And the combined reproductive system has been the only mechanism to produce other human beings.

But just imagine millions and millions of years ago (and imagination is the only way you go back that far) when those reproduction systems were “evolving.” Now, consider how two radically different, yet highly compatible, systems could time their evolution so well. Because that evolutionary (random) process would have to deal with a few compatibility issues, like:

  • Physical
  • Chemical
  • Emotional
  • Environmental
  • Accidental

But we’re just getting warmed up. You’re gonna really see the hate spew out of me, now. Because I’m about to lay some macro truth on ya. Ready? Here goes.

Not only men and women are different.

Bam! Slamma Jamma.

The reproduction systems in the male and female of all the other species had to have been simultaneously evolving at the same (or similar) rate and speed, too. And then there are the plants. Don’t get me started (oops, too late).

It all boils down to timing.

If one or the other, male or female, of the reproduction systems had been off only a little, that species would have quickly become extinct. The number of miraculous accidents that would have had to happen is mind-boggling. Well, impossible to calculate, actually.

Dr. Walt Brown, a PhD from M.I.T., has a LOT more to say about it. And I recommend you read his book “In The Beginning” to discover lots more amazing and awesome evidence for creation. And tons of this evidence shows there are only two genders.

Or share the link with someone you know who could benefit from it.

Because it could help them build confidence in the Truth and give them hope for their life.

And I know some people’s hope requires scientific evidence.

Sure, I’m a Christian. And, yes, I have an agenda.

But it’s not to scam you or lure anyone into one of those churches where you’d better hold onto your wallet. My goal, my mission, is to share the faith, hope, love (and mountains of evidence) I experience, knowing Jesus. And I want, and work, to share it with anyone who’s looking for better answers than evolutionary science fiction.

Because if I’m right about this, and I am, the only thing you have to lose is eternal life?

A word to the confounded…
Pour light into your eyes.
If you expect more than neglect,
Get wisdom; yeah get wise.

Hey, while you’re here, join the growing body of believers who signed up for the TRUTH Journal, if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

As I write this, it’s officially the first day of December. The first day of the last month. And I gotta say, so far so good. I hope it’s off on a high step for you. If you’re not sure yet, I have some words that might help.

I saw this quote, by Dr. Seuss, about the first day of December.

And being a similar sort of poet I immediately liked it. Maybe you’re familiar with it. He said, “How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” Sure, he took poetic license with the word, flewn. But we poets are allowed. Don’t try it, alone, if you’re a newbie.

So, this being the first day of December, 2024, I thought it would be fun to share some other quotes about it. And I found some very interesting one. But I’ll only share upbeat, cheery, optimistic, positive ones. Because there’s enough darkness in the world. No need to add to that with talk of gloomy winter angst. So, here ya go…

“God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.” ~James M. Barrie

“December has the clarity, the simplicity, and the silence you need for the best fresh start of your life.” ~Vivian Swift

“You have again made your way in, cold and beautiful. You are December, and I love you.” ~Thomas R. Parsons

“Of all the months of the year there is not a month one half so welcome to the young, or so full of happy associations, as the last month of the year.” ~Charles Dickens

“I’ve come to sing you a song called December.” ~Ryan Murphy

“Will you love me in December as you do in May, Will you love me in the good old fashioned way? When my hair has all turned gray, Will you kiss me then and say, That you love me in December as you do in May?” ~James Walker

Here’s one last rhyming quote from Professor Fundy:

So, I hope this December finds you happy
And as healthy as you’ve earned the right to be.
I hope it helps you start your new year snappy
Fueled by blessings that you can and cannot see.

OK, let’s you and I go fire up those warm, December embers and add some special flickering flashes of light to this world. Whaddaya say? Are you up for it?

And just in case you haven’t already, join the growing body of believers who signed up for the TRUTH Journal. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

If you’re a Christian, you know accidents happen. Right? Especially when Jesus, Himself, said they happen. And, by definition, miracles are rare. So, a baby isn’t a miracle. And things DO happen by chance. Again, Jesus, Himself, said they do.

If you disagree that accidents happen, this might flip your lid.

Here’s a tough one, even for Christians. God does NOT hold this world in His hands. Not currently. And again, Jesus tells us that. Three times! He WILL rule this world one day. But He currently does NOT rule this world. And the evidence should be as clear as the daily news.

Your righteous, loving Creator did NOT plan THE course of all human history.

Yes, he does have an ultimate PLAN. And He will not allow you and me and everybody else to mess up His ultimate plan for eternity. But not infinite plans for the infinite potential directions billions of lives could go each and every day. God is infinitely more brilliant than that. He’d never design men and women, in His image and likeness, only to have to plot out their every move. That would be what marketers call “make work.”

No, God designed us to be able to think. And work. And build things. On our own. Because He’s like the ultimate, dazzling, loving father. It brings Him joy to see what you come up with. At least until you come up with ways to ignore and even remove Him from your life.

If you currently find yourself with that attitude, my suggestion is to change your mind. Because you CAN change your mind. And you CAN change the course you’ll take for eternity. Where you’ll end up, forever, hasn’t already been planned.

Yes, there IS such a thing as unplanned. Heaven or hell, for you, is unplanned. Until you choose. And don’t just make a plan to choose.

Choose now.

Because, as Elvis sang all those years ago, “Tomorrow may be too late. It’s now or never…”

I wrote…a sad life story…
Just words one could soon forget.
Learn from…this allegory
“Too late” hasn’t happened yet.

© 2014

Also, join the growing body of believers who signed up for the TRUTH Journal, if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Remember. And never forget. If there’s anything, in this life you can trust, it’s Hallmark advice. So, if you’ve come up against any issues that you just can’t seem to figure out, you know what to do. Right? Yeah, follow your heart. Because your darn head just creates logic fog.

Follow your heart, and you can’t go wrong.

Because you have plenty of time for follow-up after you do whatever you feel is right. Now, that’s just the hallmark of Hallmark advice if I ever did hear it. And I did.

By the way, this great advice applies to YOU.

At least it does if you fit into any of these categories:

  • Entrepreneurs
  • CEO’s
  • Homemakers
  • Hormonal teenagers
  • Dark sci-fi thriller writers
  • Shopaholics
  • Rodeo riders
  • Deep sea divers
  • Jet fighter pilots
  • Zoologists
  • Everybody else

Regardless of your lot in life, thankfully, YOU have plenty of time.

So, sports fan, enjoy your 3 big screen TV’s. Because there’s plenty of time for all the home games of your favorite teams.

Knock yourself out, history buff. Because you’ve got plenty of time to explore all those old and used bookstores.

Dream on and dream big, pastor. Because there’s plenty of time for you and your congregation of affluent givers to build that “campus.”

Rock on, musician. Because there’s plenty of time for hours of practice. Every. Single. Day.

Hammer down, mister skilled craftsman. Because you’ve got plenty of time to build that next project and go get that next bid.

Rest easy, you silly unemployed worker bee. Because you’ve got plenty of time to come and go as you please.

Yeah, if any those descriptions fit you, don’t worry about it. You have plenty of time. I mean, think about it. This OLD world has been turning for millions of years, right? So, who’s to say it won’t turn for millions more? And, A.I. is working hard to make sure you can live through all those years.

Definitely don’t pay any attention to those “do-gooders.”

You know who I mean. All those haters who push their “get right with God” message. And that irritating “you need a relationship with Jesus” message. Or that stupefyingly arrogant message about how there’s “only one Way to Heaven.”

Talk about a gaggle of goose-brained killjoys. They don’t want you have any fun because their lives are so miserable. And you remember what they say about misery. It loves something or other.

Whatever.

Just don’t give them another thought. Keep doing what you’re doing. And follow your heart. It’ll never lead you wrong. Unless it will.

But you still have plenty of time.

Unless you don’t.

Time flies away.
Don’t put off who you should get to, today.
Time flies away.
So, don’t you wait till we meet in the angel café. (from my song Angel Café)

Yeah, I recommend you don’t let another day pass without joining the growing body of believers who signed up for the TRUTH Journal, if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

It’s Thanksgiving Day 2024. And here’s something I shared 12 years before. Still true.

It’s a short list of things I’m thankful for this year. And it doesn’t start with politicians.  🙂

This Thanksgiving Day, 2024, I’m thankful for:

  1. My living, loving Creator who gave me life and made The Way for me to have it forever.
  2. A wife who loves me and encourages my artistic endeavors.
  3. Health that, even thought it’s not perfect, is far from as bad as it could be.
  4. Words and music, God’s sweetest personal gifts to me.
  5. More sunshine than gloominess.
  6. A roof over our heads and over our vehicles
  7. Technology that allows me to quickly and easily share my thoughts with anyone interested.
  8. A country that’s still free enough for me to voice a Christian worldview
  9. The support of thousands of people who’ve bought and shared my songs through the years.
  10. Opportunities to continue to grow, be inspired, and connect.

Thank God

In the best of times, where’s the challenge?
In the worst of times, where’s your choice?
And in the fevered pitch, where’s the silence?
When the love is breached, where’s the voice?

Could you have your very life taken from you
While the world stood at your feet?
Wouldn’t that completely stop and numb you?
Wouldn’t you admit defeat?

Well, thank God He didn’t leave it up to you. (repeat)

In the darkest hours, who’s your Father?
In the scheme of things, who’s the One?
And in the best laid plans, who’s the Spirit?
When your heart is healed, who’s the Son?

Could you let your very blood be taken
For your friends who’d run away?
Wouldn’t all your faith and hope be shaken?
Would you even think to pray?

Well, thank God He didn’t leave it up to you. (repeat)

Thank God.

© 2010

Also, join the growing body of believers who signed up for the TRUTH Journal, if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Well, tomorrow (as I write this) is THE thankful Thursday of the year here in America. Aka: Thanksgiving.

Now, I think that many think that thankful Thursday isn’t theistic thanks.

But maybe I’m just thickheaded about it. And maybe it’s just a thoughtless theory. But I don’t think so. (whew, thank goodness I don’t have a writing lithsp…oh no, looks like I do)

Anyway…

My goal, in this message is to be as thoroughly thoughtful as possible. So, I’d like to thay, I mean say, a heartfelt thousandfold thanks for connecting with me. And I hope you’re able to celebrate a threefold throng of blessings as you sit down to your Thankful Thanksgiving Thursday tomorrow.

If you can’t think of things that ring a bell, then think of this. You were fearfully and wonderfully made by the one, true, living loving God of ALL creation. The one hanged that thermonuclear orb in the sky to bring you light. The one whose voice thunders and thwarts. And the one whose thaumaturgy provided a thornless eternity for you and me.

Yeah, think on those things during your thankful Thursday.

In The Middle of A Heartbeat

In the middle of a heartbeat
Something small stirs…
Like the sound that a kitten makes
With pulsing purrs.
Your blood goes whooshing through your veins
From head to toe,
And you might just kinda wonder
What makes it go.
It’s the code down deep inside you,
It’s yours alone,
A gift from the eternal King
On His white throne.
So, hold your breath, be very still,
And then you’ll hear
In the middle of a heartbeat…
A love so dear.

© 2013

Also, join the growing body of believers who signed up for the TRUTH Journal, if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Several, if not most or all, search engines use something they call “predictive search” as you type in something you wanna find. And it’s actually pretty handy. For example, I started typing “nature is…” and one of the first results that showed up in the dropdown of my browser was “nature is healing.”

And, in a way, nature is healing. So, that’s cool.

More about that in a sec.

First, it’s sorta noteworthy that using the same term, in the search tool on Google.com, I saw:

  • god is love verse
  • god is good
  • god is love
  • god is a bullet cast
  • God Is a Bullet 2023 film
  • god is within her
  • God Is Good All the Time
  • god is love bible verse
  • god is a woman perfume

Most of those predictive suggestions are innocuous enough. But I’m more than a bit curious as to why God is associated with the female gender, so often, in the Google realm. Probably just a colossal coincidence.

But let’s forget about googly stuff right now. Because I like how pretty much all of what can help you get and/or stay well can be found and accessed in nature. And pretty easily for the most part. Of course, our more “modern” and “enlightened” culture has managed to chemicalize it into compounds for huge profits.

Oops…rabbit trail.

Anyway…

Do a little research and you can discover how nature, all the around the world, is filled with things that are amazingly good for you. Yeah, it literally bubbles over in abundance. And it works so well, and with such timed precision, you might even be tempted to think somebody designed it that way.

But resist the temptation. Because that could lead you into another rabbit hole. One that winds it way down and around, back and forth, through and through, and over and up to the God of the Bible. And you certainly don’t want THAT to happen. Well, you and I DO. But not most people.

So, here’s why I brought this up. You know me (and if you don’t you should click or tap the link below) and how it doesn’t take much for me to break out in rhyme. Yep. And this one is about what is…

Nestled In Nature

Nestled in nature, in evergreen fire,
A small cabin sits in its Autumn attire.
Some leaves have fallen and many remain
For just a while longer, to sing a refrain
Whispering breezes have brought to this place.
It’s so solitary and so full of Grace.
A scene so serene you might wonder why
The world goes berserk in the blink of an eye.
Answers are simple, and life can be, too.
Your Creator wants to restore it in you.
Silence and music, in sync and in tune,
Reveal His love from this burnished doubloon.

© 2022

Do you agree that nature is healing because God created it? If so, join the growing body of believers who signed up to get my no-cost-no-strings-attached TRUTH Journal, if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you good stuff, daily, so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

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Here we are in the last days of Autumn for 2024. They say history repeats itself. And it occurred to me, this morning, how often that’s so true.

50 years ago I experienced the last days of Autumn just up the road.

Right here in the “flatland,” the heart of the heartland. Also known as Kansas. Yeah, I was in Manhattan back then. I’ve cross-crossed the country and lived 30 years in Colorado since then. But here I am. Back in Kansasland.

People seem to enjoy dissing Kansas as being “so flat.” But, when they do, I just smile to myself. Because I remember struggling to ride my Western Flyer up those steep hills, under the hot summer sun, on my way to the swimming pool.

And I also smile to myself as I recall my long drives through the hilly countryside with my trusty spiral notebook and Bic pen by my side. And I remember finding a spot on the bank of a small river where I wrote about the trees sitting high above the water on the other side.

As the breeze whisked through their few remaining colorful leaves, during those last days of Autumn, the sound reminded me of applause. And I wrote a poem called “An Audience of Trees.”

Kansas is filled with memories, for me. It helped code a lot of my emotional and imagination DNA. And, across its highways, byways, and backroads you’ll see lots of Christian and pro life billboards. But most people certainly don’t wanna be reminded of all those innocent children who never saw any hills or trees during the last days of Autumn.

So, they focus on the flats. And they miss many little masterpieces.

An Audience of Trees

I sat before an audience of trees,
The wind, blowing through the leaves,
Became an applause.
Why were they clapping?
Surely not for me.
I was merely sitting there writing about them.
Maybe they enjoyed the attention.
These trees were attired in Autumn fashions.
And some were even dressing for the winter.
It’s really odd, though…
A tree thinks its stylish to be naked through the freeze.
Thank goodness I’ll never be that daring.
My stage for the multitude
Was a semi-dried embankment of dirt.
I’m not proud.
I’m also not an attraction, only attracted.
I’ve been alone before,
But never knowing such peace
As when I sat before that audience of trees.

© 1974 Tony Funderburk

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Once upon a time, way back in the dark ages, when men and women only knew how to grow food and build their own houses, they used to believe men were men and women were women. Of course, they suffered from ignorance bliss. And I’m sure they had no idea what amazing and emancipating revelations were in store for future generations.

Ignorance bliss was described like this:

The British Chronicle, a few years ago, in 1786, included a poem called “The Social Fire.” And one verse, in it, described ignorance bliss with these words:

Oh! grant kind Heav’n a state like this,
Where simple ignorance is bliss,
’Tis all that I require;
Then, then—to share the joys of life,
I’d seek a kind, indulgent wife,
And bless my Social Fire.

Now, I’ll tell you, up front, I have no idea what the poet’s intention was in writing that poem. But I DO understand how not knowing something (being ignorant of it) can be a kind of relief. I’m confident that Adam and Eve understood this on a deeper level than any other people since.

But I also know, there are some things too important to remain encased in your own ignorance of the truth. Like all the goings-on of the people of this world, and principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness. Yeah, don’t ignore them.

Because they thrive on conflict. And they flourish on ignorance. And they grow exponentially on apathy. Plus, they love stirring the pot AND the kettle of human discontent. I sang about this a long time ago.

It’s about how they keep on…

Dreaming it up, they keep on scheming it up,
And then they’re blowing it up in unsuspecting faces
Groundwork is laid; they’ve got it made in the shade
But there won’t be lemonade in some eternal places

Closing their eyes; they walk right into the lies
But every person who dies will have their eyes wide open
By then it’s too late for all the people who wait
You just can’t enter The Gate with all your earthly hopin’

(chorus)

With all their best laid plans they still just come to this.
I guess they’ll remain where they are while their ignorance is…

Bliss

© 1998 Tony Funderburk  (from my song “King of Hearts”)

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So, I took the FunderVan to the car wash today. And, as I often do, when I’m alone in transit, I tuned in to the local classical music station. And I heard violins of hope. No, that’s not the name of a quirky quartet of stringed instrument musicians.

And the station didn’t even introduce any violins of hope.

The audial image just came up in me as I listened. And the image was like what you might see in a 19th-century optical toy consisting of a cylinder and a series of pictures on the inner surface. That’s called a zoetrope. And when you watch the pictures through slits with the cylinder rotating, you get the feeling of continuous motion.

That’s what the violin section, of that particular orchestra, and that particular piece of music, did for my audial vision. Now, I realize you might not appreciate the inner workings of someone’s mind that’ll come up with a zoetrope and violins of hope just because strings played certain combinations of musical notes.

But that’s the kind of stuff my mind does. And on that note (I know you see what did there), here’s a rhyme I wrote a couple of years ago. It was inspired by something visual instead of music notes. Somebody, on social media, shared a picture of the inside of a violin. I saw it and wrote…

The Violin

Maple and Spruce and Ebony
Make their way to the symphony.
And intestinal fortitude,
From overture to interlude,
Exude from deep within the space
Beneath a pensive, focused face.
A Pernambuco arrow glides,
And firmly wound white horse hair slides
Across fine-tuned Pirazzi strings.
Divine, inspired, a high voice sings,
Revealing Heaven from within
The soul inside the violin.

© 2022

Of course, the soul of a violin is metaphorical. And the little stringed instrument can make no sounds without the musician.

And that, naturally, reminds me of how the musician could make no sounds without the Maker of musicians. Because ultimately there can be NO sound, heavenly, musical, or otherwise, without the Creator of sound and music.

So, here’s the thing. God does exist. And He can be found (figuratively, not literally) even inside the inner workings of a violin. If you’re willing to open the eyes of your understanding. I hope you do.

Also, join the growing body of believers who signed up for the TRUTH Journal, if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

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Business owners can’t be coasters. At least not if you wanna have any kind of shot at success. Because the only way to coast is downhill. And, last time I checked, that was the opposite direction of success.

Business owners who prefer to go the success route have to:

  • rent an office or design a own home office
  • buy the office supplies
  • get the phone line(s)
  • establish internet service
  • upgrade gear (computers, software, phone, printer, etc.)
  • pay the bills

And they also need (and want) to:

  • work on ideas
  • brainstorm
  • learn new software
  • design business promo materials
  • build a website (or have one built) for SEO, e-commerce, etc.

Wow! That’s a lotta stuff. And if describes you, I applaud you.

Because coasters don’t do that stuff.

They don’t brainstorm an idea and work hard to build it into a business. And they don’t work hard to build that business into something that’ll pay their bills. Plus, they don’t care about how even business owners who can work from home put in WAY more hours than job workers.

Yeah, they don’t care that business owners have to deal with knowing you can “build it and they still won’t come.”

There are only two kinds of good coasters.

  1. THE Coasters who told you to “take out the papers and the trash, or you don’t get no spendin’ cash.”  Matter of fact, the lyrics to Yakety Yak are filled with work orders. Check ’em out:
    If you don’t scrub that kitchen floor
    You ain’t gonna rock and roll no more
    Yakety yak (Don’t talk back)Just finish cleanin’ up your room
    Let’s see that dust fly with that broom
    Get all that garbage out of sight
    Or you don’t go out Friday night
    Yakety yak (Don’t talk back)You just put on your coat and hat
    And walk yourself to the laundromat
    And when you finish doin’ that
    Bring in the dog and put out the cat
    Yakety yak (Don’t talk back)

    Don’t you give me no dirty looks
    Your father’s hip; he knows what cooks
    Just tell your hoodlum friend outside
    You ain’t got time to take a ride
    Yakety yak (Don’t talk back)

  2. And those little knickknacks that go under your drink on the coffee or end tables.

When you get right down to it, those thingys under your drink DO something. Sure, they’re obviously motionless. But they’re doing the work they were designed to do. Man, there’s that work word again.

And here are the kinds of things life’s coasters do.

They play video games in mom and/or dad’s basement. Into their 30’s and 40’s. They illegally sneak across borders of countries at all hours of the day and latch onto government “benefits” that the government stole from you to give to them. And many of them beg on street corners and live in tarp-topped communities along what used to be lovely river walks and neighborhoods.

And they buy chemical-filled foods and gulp them down till they have to waddle, at a snail’s pace, to get anywhere. Plus, they jump on every social media channel and cry, scream, and whine about how “rich people need to pay their fair share.”

Oh, if only there was some way to know what to do about them.

Wait a sec.

I believe I DO know the Way.

But I think I’ll save that for the next time.

In the meantime, join the growing body of believers who signed up for the TRUTH Journal, if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

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Thursday rhymes are so Thursday-ish. I don’t know why I even bother. Because this fourth day of the so-called “work week” is just a nod to Viking mythology. Thor’s Day. Whatever.

But here we are.

And I guess I’ll share one of my Thursday Rhymes anyway.

But I’m not gonna get all excited about it. Matter of fact I’m just gonna share a section of a much longer rhyme (aka: poem). Because it’s the only section in the rhyme that points to Thor’s Day. Here ya go.

Thursday turned around and saw
The look on Wednesday’s face.
“You must have seen the sign,” he said,
“That pointed to this place.
The sign that said to come inside
And have a nice cool drink.
That must be why you’re here today.
At least that’s what I think.”

There. Are you happy out there all you It’s-Thursday-so-I-better-share-a-special-rhyme-for-this-day people? I feel like I need to go wash my hands after stooping to typing something so obviously full of appeasement to the social expectations of the day.

Just in case you get any ideas that I should do up some special treatment for the rest of week, well I’m way ahead of you. Because I knew somebody wouldn’t be satisfied with just some Thursday rhymes. You every-day-deserves-special-rhymes people are so predictable.

Anyway…

I’m not gonna share where you can get the rhymes for those other days. Only my TRUTH Journal subscribers get that information. If you’re one of those subscribers, you’ll see the link below. If you’re not one of those subscribers, your link is also below.

But it’s the link where you can join the growing body of believers who signed up for the TRUTH Journal. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

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It’s larynx. Not lairnix. Or larenix. Or however one would have to misspell that mispronunciation. But we don’t have to get all wrangled up and out of joint about it. We can just call it a voice box. And I bet more than half the people you say that to will know what you mean. The others probably wouldn’t know because they still think Biden was a smart guy and Kam-what’s-her-name was a great speaker.

Anyway. I’m not here to get all political.

I’m here to talk about the paramount value of the voice box.

Before I go further with that, though, here’s a message about the paramount voice that didn’t require a voice box. I think you’ll see why I say that.

Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

In case it wasn’t already clear, that’s a passage from the book of Genesis in the Bible.

Now, here’s a snippet about your larenix. I mean, larynx.

~It’s the part of your throat that allows you to speak and make sounds. Your larynx does more than that, though. It plays a key role in enabling and protecting your respiratory system.

And the larynx is a hollow tube, about 2 inches long, that connects the back of your throat to the windpipe, or trachea. Larynx function includes three jobs:

  • Aid in breathing
  • Create vocal sounds
  • Prevent food and particles from entering your respiratory system

Because of the larynx’s role in speaking and making vocal sounds, it’s sometimes referred to as the voice box.~

So, there you go. Straight from the internet, so it’s gotta be true.

I’ve shared all this, so far, because I want you to get a feel, if you don’t have it already, of how important your voice is. It’s always been of HUGE importance in my life. Because I used mine to make a living for over a quarter of a century. And using it came so naturally to me, that I took it for granted that I’d always be able to use it at will.

However…

During the last almost 7 years, that has been FAR from true. And my most favorite things to do, sing and talk for a living, were just not there. My voice has sounded just plain awful due to some respiratory issues brought on by exposure to junky stuff. But I don’t wanna get into that.

Because, just in the past three weeks, or so, I’ve regained enough clarity in my voice to actually step back into the voice talent pool. And the good news is people have liked the sound of my voice box enough to pay me to read their books.

So, cool beans, my bruthus and sistuhs.

I’m grateful how my wife has been such a constant prayer and health warrior for me. With her help (and the Lord’s, of course), I’ve waged a vigilant battle to clear things up. I’m not 100%. But I’m also not 5% either. And let me tell you, I’d only wish that 5% (and that’s being generous) on the aforementioned Kam-what’s-her-name.

OK, you may go back to your regularly scheduled activities. And thank you to those of you who’ve prayed for me during these almost seven years too. Proof that prayers don’t fall on deaf ears.

Keep an eye, and your ears, open for more books and other places where you’ll hear the Tony Voice.

Also, your email address is all it takes to get encouraging, regular issues of my TRUTH Journal. It comes directly to your inbox so you spend your valuable time reading instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to 2 of my Christian books for kids and 2 songs, right away, that grownups AND kids can enjoy.

The TRUTH

Stay tuned,

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What is your brand here on good ol’ planet Earth? You have one. So, what’s yours?

I remember an article I read about business brands. It mentioned how you should seriously consider branding yourself. Because, the article said, if you don’t someone else will. Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret I’ve observed.

Sometimes your brand here brings out other branding irons.

At least I’ve found that to be true when you brand yourself a Christian. Yeah, when you do that, most people in the world form an immediate opinion. And they love to dish out their own brand for you. For example, I’ve been called:

  • “arrogant”
  • “bigoted”
  • “a nazi”
  • “ignorant”
  • “old-fashioned”
  • and many more.

Many times those labels (or brands) came from “friends and family.”

Much of the time, in your personal life, branding yourself a Christian means losing “friends.” And, in your business life, it can often mean losing out to your more “tolerant” competition. At least if you don’t keep your Christian faith “under a basket.” And my website makes it pretty clear I don’t.

I know there are still plenty of people who aren’t Christians who appreciate Christian values applied to business. Even if they don’t outwardly admit how much they like working with someone who doesn’t lie to them or about them. Or working with someone who won’t steal from them.

Boost your brand boldly.

So, if you’re a Christian doing business in this more “tolerant” and “accepting” world of ours, don’t be surprised when people make fun of your brand here. Or outright refuse to work with you. In fact, take it as a compliment. A sign that you’re on the right track. More importantly…

You’re on the right team.
And you’re swimming upstream
To headwaters crystal and clear.
And love is in store.
So worry no more
’Cause God is inside your brand here.

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You know that Paul was an apostle. Even if you’re not “into” Bible stuff, you’ve heard of him. But you might not think about how tough he was. I mean, this was a guy who was beaten, tossed into prison, shipwrecked, beaten some more, and imprisoned more too. And in spite of all that he urged believers to go for love before and above all else.

As I write this it’s Monday. So I urge you to go for love this week, starting now.

Don’t just make a bunch of noise about it. And don’t try to show how big your faith is. Because it’s microscopic compared to your Maker’s faith.

And PLEASE, do NOT tell me about how much good you’re doing in this world. Because all of what you’re doing doesn’t amount to, as they used to say (and maybe some still say) a hill of beans.

Yeah, all your deeds, sowing seeds, into lives filled with needs, are just weeds.

At least they are if you don’t have love.

Now, if a tough guy like Paul says it’s the greatest thing you can have or give, then it’s definitely not just for girls and women. It’s even for tough guys. Which, of course, makes it perfect for you and me.

I know, for me, I’d much rather spend 8 seconds with Jesus than to have a whole lifetime of worldly accolades and awards.

I wanna go for love and pass it on the best ways I know how. And I’d like to encourage you to do the same. Not the all-you-need-is-stuff the Beatles sang about. But the kind that comes from a heart full of gratitude for the Grace of God, which I know is real…

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!

© 2010 Tony Funderburk

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It’s probably juxta-me, but I get a kick out of the word “juxtaposition.” Not for what it means. But for how it jumps out of your mouth when you speak it out loud. It demands to be heard.

And you probably know that juxtaposition is a literary device.

Just like personification or portmanteau, two words I thought of during a beast of a brunch.

Anyway…

What? Oh, what would cause such an onslaught of offbeat verbosity. Well, if you must know (and yes, you must) these thoughts popped into my head after I watched crybabies whining about the presidential election. Grown women literally bawling crocodile tears over how their lives are, for all intents and purposes, over.

Some women even shaved their heads. And a bunch of them decided to ” shave their heads, don blue bracelets, leave their husbands, abandon their homes, and take vows of celibacy.”

I imagine that might come as quite a relief to many of their husbands. But, again, maybe that’s juxta-me. Regardless, most responses I’ve seen included hysterical laughter and mocking.

Rightfully so.

But what does that kind of news have to do with juxtaposition?

Oh, thanks for asking and getting me back on track.

Turns out that on this day, November 17, all the way back in 1962 The Four Seasons had  a #1 hit on the U.S. charts. It was their second #1 hit of that year. And it stayed at that level for five weeks. It also made it to #13 in the UK.

And that #1 hit was “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” (cue some more hysterical laughter)

Isn’t that juxta perfect example of irony? Or at least pretty darn decent example?

Yeah, back in 1962 American girls and women were more mature. And they knew what they were made of. And they were made of good stuff. Because God made them. And they knew it. Do you see a pattern forming?

Sadly, WAY too many women (yeah, yeah, men too) have decided to go the way of the world. And they’ve decided their fragile feelings are more important than reality. But the reality of that kind of behavior is where it leads.

You’ve heard of the “road to perdition?”

Uh-huh. That’s where.

I bet a shaved head, blue bracelet, and lots of crying are not on your to-do list. And that means there’s probably a juxtaposition lurking somewhere in a comparison between you and the bald women-like women. But I’ll leave that to someone else.

I’ve got

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