Favorite Color

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I think I’ve made no secret that my favorite color is blue.

Just take a look around my website, and I think you’ll see it’s pretty obvious. But have you ever wondered about blue?

“Uh, no Tony. Why would I waste my time doing that when I can just read what you have to say on the subject?”

Well, I do ponder things like that…maybe too frequently…and I think blue has a very interesting story to tell. For instance, did you know bluebirds don’t see the color blue? In fact, it would appear that owls are the only birds who CAN see blue. Or did you know that blue is the least common color in our food?

How about this? 92% of the people in the world don’t have blue eyes, yet blue is a primary color and more blue is seen than any other color in the world. You may have noticed pictures of earth, from space, show a very blue planet. (so what’s with all this “green” talk I keep hearing?)

Blue is thought to induce more productivity, so apparently a lot of offices are painted blue. Maybe that explains a lot about some restaurants I’ve been in that were painted another color. Women think men like blue, so more blue women’s sweaters are sold than other colors. And here’s a follow up…by most surveys, men do seem to claim blue as their favorite color. I guess I’m Mr. Average in that regard.

Well, I hope I didn’t give you the blues with all this talk about blue. And it’s time I blew out of here and got some other work done. But I’ll leave you with my favorite reason why blue is my favorite color…and a poem about it. My favorite reason is because, in the Bible, blue symbolizes heavenly grace. Bam! I’m sold!

Singer songwriter, writer, and illustrator, Tony Funderburk, shares why his favorite color is blue.

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

 

Father Of Mercies

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Maybe you’ve heard of the “father of classical mechanics and calculus”…Isaac Newton. Or maybe you’ve heard of the “father of modern physics”…Galileo. Surely you’ve heard of the “father of physical cosmology”…Albert Einstein. But more important to your everyday life is the “Father of mercies“. Perhaps you’ve heard of God?

We all need the Father Of Mercies whether we admit it or not.

I don’t know how many times I’ve listened to an unbeliever say how Christians “need a crutch, so they created God”. OK, I’m completely willing to admit my broken spirit needs the comforting crutch of the God who loves me. And I won’t deny myself that crutch anymore than I’d deny myself a wooden crutch to help me with a broken leg.

But I certainly didn’t (and don’t) conjure up a god just to make me feel better. If I had, surely I could have conjured up something or someone who would do a better job on me than what is evident. Of course, you could misconstrue that statement to mean I don’t think God has done a good job on me. Nothing could be further from the truth. He has saved me from a tormented eternity. He has saved me from myself. The thing is…He doesn’t put my right foot in front of my left and vice versa. He doesn’t choose my job or my breakfast or my vehicle or my reading material or any other of my daily choices.

So…God isn’t responsible for the bad choices I make or the bad things that have happened to me in my life. But I give Him all the credit and glory for any and all of the good in my life. And this brings me great comfort…far beyond what an unbeliever is even remotely able to comprehend.

The comfort I receive from the Father of mercies imbues me with hope…the kind of hope you may have heard “springs eternal”. If that sounds silly and childish to you, so be it. If it sparks something mean in you that has to rise up and ridicule, so be it. If I suffer the slings and arrows of your outrageous misfortune, I chalk it up to life in a broken and dying world. My comfort comes in knowing I’ll also partake in the consolation of a risen Savior.

If you’re reading this, it means you’re still breathing. So…it’s not too late for you to also get this crutch for your broken spirit. With all this talk about so-called “free insurance”, don’t you think an eternal insurance policy should at least be investigated?

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

The Old One Two

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I saw the date for today 1/2/2014, and an old saying came to mind. “Give ’em the old one two.” It was often used in reference to boxing or other forms of fighting. It meant to let your opponent have it with a left hook and a right cross or uppercut.

Today I just wanna encourage you to let the world have the old one two from you. In other words, don’t let down your guard…and put everything you’ve got into making things better.

You were given great gifts from God. Life, a brain, your own will. He wants to see what you can do with them. You’re not being secretly coerced by your Creator, and no angels direct your every move. You can make your own decisions and your own mistakes and your own successes. Take responsibility for your actions…good or bad…and determine to improve upon where you’ve been and what you’ve done.

Don’t let the negative and darker forces of this world shade even your smallest efforts. Your life here on earth is a vapor compared to the eternity ahead, and yet your life counts right now…not just in the future or in “the next”.

So give life the old one two. Knock down those mental and emotional barriers that pop up every day. You can do it when you learn to “lean not on your own understanding“. Tap into the wisdom of God and become more than a conqueror.

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

 

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I’m sure no one else out there has taken the time to stop and say “Happy New Year 2014” so I’ll go the extra mile and be the first.

Of course I’m kidding. But I didn’t want to be remiss in wishing you a blessed and safe year. I pray that this year many people will come to know, understand, and trust their Creator. And I have faith that no matter what trials and tribulations we may face…we still can always lean on the One who overcame the world. We’re told by God that He gave us a “spirit of power and love and a sound mind”. Fear doesn’t come from God, so don’t let it take root in your life.

When we say “happy new year 2014”, let’s remember that’s a year we’re talking about…not merely a moment. Each year is connected to the one before it and the one after. Time is ongoing, and we don’t have to be defined by the tiny moments, the tiny glimpses of our lives. Identify yourself with the One who created you and knows the number of the hairs on your head. When you’re a child of the one, true, living God, you are bound for an eternal life of freedom.

That beats anything our government, our country, or this world can ever offer.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

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

 

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Like most people, at this time of year, I sometimes pause and reflect upon the previous twelve months for some hindsight clarification. 2013 got me thinking about Paul’s writing in 2 Timothy 4, and I see myself this way…I haven’t yet fought the good fight or finished the race, but I have kept the faith.

In the middle of 2013 my blog articles transformed from writing for kids to words and music of faith, hope, and love. And I haven’t been at a loss as to what to write about. In fact, I have to rope my thoughts in because there’s so much to share from the Biblical perspective on faith, hope, and love. Harsh times call for boldness of faith, dependence on hope, and copious quantities of love.

As you go through this last day of the year I urge you to remember it’s simply the marking of time. It doesn’t define who you are…good or bad. If you didn’t accomplish what you were hoping to in 2013, just remember the only thing between this year and next is a good night’s sleep. Start tomorrow where you left off today…just as you have done all year. You can make a difference in someone’s life for today and for eternity.

Be safe and blessed through the passing of the evening into morning…through the passing of 2013 into 2014. And I look forward to being with you again very soon.

Happy New Year!

In Faith, Hope, and Love,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

Words And Music of Faith Hope Love podcast episode 27

Tony Funderburk Posted on by
Play

Listen to the Words And Music of Faith Hope Love Podcast Episode 27 or follow links and read the articles.

As you start your week”

This new week you’ll also be starting a new year. How do you plan to affect 2014 for now and for eternity? Do you believe you can make a difference in the lives of others by standing firm on the whole Word of Truth found in the Bible? I’ll let you in on a little secret…

I believe I can. And my plan is to connect with anyone interested in knowing more about the faith, hope, and love I experience reading God’s Word. My hope is that my words and music will somehow inspire hearts to turn to the saving Grace of Jesus. It’s not about me. It’s about Him.

That being said…I’d like you to pray and consider whether I’d be an asset to your organization, your church, your event. I plan to speak and sing whenever and wherever I can be of service and benefit. I’ll be posting updates on how to contact me and set things up. And I hope to see you and meet you in 2014.

Go boldly into the new year with hopeful anticipation. Stand firm on your faith in Jesus, the One Who created you, and share His love with anyone who’ll listen, watch, or read. I promise you this…your efforts won’t return to you void. God bless…

Now”here’s what you’ll find in this week’s podcast. (including some songs)
I talked about:

In faith hope and love,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

Peace Will Be With You

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Even though this world is full of mean-spirited, dark, and evil people…there’s something you can do to be sure peace will be with you…

…Meditate.

That’s one of those words Christians have allowed eastern and “new age” religions to quietly steal away from us. The word “meditate” (or a form of it) is found at least 20 times in the Bible. And every time it’s used as a connection to God and/or His Word.

The definition of meditate is: “think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time…” And it’s derived from the Latin word meditat which comes from the verb meditari from a base meaning “measure” which is related to the word “mete”. In Biblical use, “mete” means to measure out.

So…when Paul says “meditate on these things” in Philippians 4:8, he isn’t recommending you sit cross-legged with palms on knees in an “open position” to bring some mystical power of the universe into your waiting soul. No, that’s a self-centered meditation. Paul wants you to carefully consider what God’s Word is saying to you and then carefully plan out how you’ll apply it to your life and the lives of others.

When you read about meditation in the Bible, you find the focus shifted from self to God. Self-centered meditation is a circular journey. God-centered meditation connects you with your Creator. When you meditate on His Word, you discover absolute Truth. Knowing absolute Truth exists, and can be trusted, is crucial.

And it’s the only way to assure peace will be with you.

For example…you know inside you when something is noble or just, when something or someone is pure and lovely, when something or someone is virtuous and worth of praise. If and when you learn to meditate on these things, you turn your focus from problems to practicality…from anxiety to action…from despair to delight. It’s not magical, and it probably won’t be immediate, but it’s true, and it works. At the very least…and at the very most…you’ll be storing up your treasures in Heaven.

If you’re not currently experiencing peace in your life, meditate on this for a while…

…you’re a spectacular design of God. You’re the only one like you in the universe. Just check your fingerprints and DNA to get a deeper understanding of how unique you are. You may be small compared to other things terrestrial and celestial, but God didn’t give stars and stones the knowledge of their own existence. He reserved that gift for human beings only. And God so loved us that He sent His only Son to us in order to make a way for us to live eternally in paradise with Him.

If the Creator of Heaven, Earth, and everything in the Universe thinks that highly of you, then you have every reason to be thankful and ecstatic for every breath of life. God’s judgment and love is infinitely better than yours. Put your trust in His love, and His peace will be with you forever and ever.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Share this link with everybody you know, so they can jump on the The TRUTH
(My regular emails about the essentials of life, AND some music and other good stuff, for Fa-Ree)

 

Done With Love

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

The Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 16 sound more like a letter to friends than at other parts in 1 Corinthians. You can read of his plans, suggestions, and observations. And he exhorts the Corinthians to “watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love”.

Notice how Paul talks about love and strength together. If you’re letting all that you do be done with love, you’re not giving up one ounce of your strength. In fact, it’s in love for your fellow man that your true strength is displayed.

It’s cool how often things come down to the “golden rule”. The way you would like to be treated is how you should treat others. Don’t you like to be loved? Don’t you like kindness and help when you need it? And don’t you prefer peace? If you answered yes to those questions, you need to first give those things…love, kindness, help, and peace. And think about it…

It’s much easier to do something for someone when it’s done with love.

For example, if a kid is forced to help clean the house, you mostly likely won’t see a happy kid. Yet, that same kid can clean the house for mom’s birthday, and suddenly it wasn’t a dreaded chore. The difference? Love.

My whole website is a project done with love for my fellow human beings. If you can read anything else into it, you’re forcing your anti-Christian bias in between the lines. I don’t seek to or go out of my way to offend. The Truth just has a way of offending. It’s unavoidable because of a gift God gave us from the beginning…our own will. My preference is to grow in my ability to trust in God’s will. However, the vast majority of human beings prefer to trust only in “self”.

And so God’s love seems offensive to them.

If you don’t feel love or loved, ask yourself… “Am I giving love?” If you think you’ll somehow come off looking wimpy and weak, ask yourself…”What’s the strongest emotion in human experience?”

Here’s the only way my thesis can fail…don’t implement it. Don’t try to love first. Don’t reach out to others first. And don’t help someone else first. Just keep waiting for it these things to come to you. Keep waiting for someone to find you lovable. Keep waiting for someone to clean your house, or fix your car, or give you money. It’s your choice…wait for love and be done with love…

Or experience overflowing love from what you did with love.

In Faith, Hope, and Love

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

What If I AM Right

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I know most people disagree with my worldview. They believe it’s wrong of me to ever say their lifestyle choice could lead them to hell. In other words, they think it’s wrong of me to tell them they’re wrong. Do you get how silly that is on even the most elementary level? Well, for one moment, please consider this possibility…what if I AM right?

What If I AM Right...you don't lose...you gain.

What if there’s only one God, the God of the Christian and Jewish Bible? What if He really did all those things the Bible says He did? And what if He really did take on human flesh by being born of a woman? And what if He really did come here to take the punishment for sin that was due each and every one of us?

And what if He really did suffer a tortuous death on cross of wood? And what if He really did rise from the dead to show us the Way to eternal life in Paradise with Him? And what if all He asks in return is your belief and your love?

Why in the world would you…or do you…not want that? Eternal life in Paradise that is.

Let’s say you’re right when you say there is no Heaven or Hell. And let’s say you’re right when you say there’s no God who created the universe and everything in it. OK…assuming those assertions are correct, do they give you hope? Do they inspire love? Do they drive you to want to want to lift up your fellow man?

Or do those assertions of a Godless existence stir up a feeling of futility? Do they fester inside you like a cauldron of boiling anxiety? After all…if these 60, 70, 80, 90, or even 100 years we have on Earth are all we have…we absolutely must live them for all they’re worth. Since there won’t be anything to look forward to after we die, our lives…by necessity…must account for so much more.

On the other hand…what if I AM right? What would you have to lose? Your sense of hopelessness and futility. What would you stand to gain? That which is written on the tablet of your heart…if you’ll just open it up and read…eternity. Please give up your desire to BE a god. And instead give your heart to the one, true God who loves you.

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

Moving On Down The Road

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Well, Christmas 2013 is a memory, and now we’re moving on down the road toward 2014.

Before you know it everyone will be talking about spring, then Memorial Day, then 4th of July, then Labor Day, then Halloween, and then we’ll all be talking about how early the Christmas music seems to be playing this year.

As the poet (or some sort of writer or philosopher) said…”time waits for no man.” The seconds tick in the rhythm of our hearts. And our hearts beat out the minutes and hours of our days. Then the days advance like an inspired army into the open arms of each passing year. There’s nothing we can do about it…or to turn back the days…or to even stop the advance. We’ll just keep moving on down the road.

But what we can do something about is “the road”.

Which road? Will we walk, run, or drive on the road? Where does the road go? These are questions within our powers to answer.

At least they’re in our power to answer as long as we don’t continue to vote ourselves deeper and deeper into tyranny. It’s ironic that America, the ultimate symbol of freedom in the history of the world, should find itself on the brink of suicide. President Abraham Lincoln talked about this in an address to the Young Men’s Lyceum in Springfield, Illinois in 1838.

He said…

“At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”

And as we continue to reduce our own strengths and therefore embolden our enemies, we keep moving on down the road toward self-destruction. The irony is…it’s all so avoidable. It only takes freemen (and women) to stand up and say “enough!”

In Faith, Hope, and Love,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

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

Merry Christmas 2013

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Merry Christmas. I hope you have a blessed day full of the the things you enjoy most. And above all…I hope you truly understand the only reason we have Christmas and the “holiday season” is because God took on human flesh to make a way for us to live with Him forever in Paradise.

Singer songwriter, Tony Funderburk, wishes you a Merry Christmas 2013.

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

Gold Frankincense And Myrrh

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Imagine getting gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh just for being born.

It sounds like an awesome way to get started in life. And for most of us regular run-of-the-mill humans it would be. But if your birth was foretold for hundreds or even thousands of years…and if there were a lot of people who wanted to make sure you never saw the light of day…

Gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh might take on a whole new importance.

Consider the plight of a young, newly-married couple…Joseph and Mary. They’ve just gotten through an explanation of how Mary came to be pregnant before they were married. It literally took visitations from angels to convince Joseph that Mary had remained chaste and to convince Mary that she’d give birth to the Messiah. After that situation is cleared up they find they have to go on a long trip to be registered for the census decreed by Augustus Caesar.

They make the trip to a town named Bethlehem with Mary pregnant, and they find nowhere to stay since so many people are in town for census registration. Next they discover that King Herod devises a plan to kill all the male children 2 years old and younger in Bethlehem in order to get to this possible Messiah. Herod had heard this newborn baby would be King of the Jews, and he’d have none of it.

Well, Joseph receives another visitation.

From an angel telling him of Herod’s plan. And the angel tells Joseph to take his baby and wife to Egypt. Yikes! That’s gonna take a lot of money. Oh wait…they have the gold from the wise men and others who came to worship the newborn King of the Jews.

Wow, a trip to Egypt would be treacherous with a newborn. The family would endure desert dryness and other harsh conditions. Hmm…the oil of Frankincense is an excellent skin moisturizer, and it also helps support the immune system. And the oil of Myrrh is also good for the skin. And it appears to have beneficial effects on the hypothalamus, and pituitary. Oh yeah, also the amygdala…for emotional balance.

In other words, it might not be a mere coincidence that Joseph, Mary, and their baby named Jesus got these gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh. It might have been God’s wisdom and foresight.

But…I’m just a writer who tells stories. What do I know?

In Faith, Hope, and Love,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Play

Podcast Episode 26 is available for listening or downloading. Click the blue button to hear words and music of faith hope love or follow links and read the articles.

As you start your week…

You’re most likely aware that Christmas is this week…Wednesday in fact. As I’ve gotten older I’ve begun to realize how that old expression “slower than Christmas” is based on a kid’s perspective. For me, it feels like just a few weeks ago it was Christmas 2012. And now we’re already looking at Christmas 2013 and the year 2014 is on the near horizon.

Whew. This year flew by. There were trials and tribulations, and yet it zoomed past the window of this supertrain I’ve been riding. How was 2013 for you? Fast? Slow?

Please take some time on the last days leading up to Christmas to really ponder why our country (and lots of other places around the world) seems to enter a whole new zone this time of year. I believe it’s still the residue of the presence of Jesus when He was here on earth. The Bible says “peace on earth, goodwill toward men”. That was a description of Jesus. He was peace on earth showing His goodwill toward men.

We don’t have that level of peace and goodwill without Him here. We can look ahead, in hopeful and faithful anticipation, for when we’ll be with Him again. And Christmas helps us to remember all this messy world is only for a little while longer.

May you have a blessed, joyous, and Merry Christmas this year and every year we’re still here. When you’re finished celebrating, feel free to drop me a line and tell me how it went. Or send me some pecan pie. I’m open to both.  🙂

Now”here’s what you’ll find in this week’s podcast. (including some songs)
I talked about:

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

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Wow…when you look at the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 there is a long list of begetting.

The list starts with “Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers”. Those are names most everyone has heard at one time or another. But the list continues with about 34 other names from father to son to son to son, etc…and a few mothers are listed as well.

This seems like an awful lot of detailed accounting for one little baby. For my birth there was an account of my mother and father, and that was it. I guarantee you there aren’t more than about 10 people in the whole world who could tell you their names. And that information probably wouldn’t pour easily out of their mouths if asked.

So…that baby named Jesus must have been pretty special. I’m talking one-of-a-kind special. There were no Emperors or Kings or Pharaohs or dictators or presidents who ever had such a humble birth with such magnificent announcements.

No other person was ever born of a virgin mother. No other person was ever sung over by angelic choirs. No other person ever stirred up such extreme emotions and turmoil by simply being born.

And no other person will ever reach that level of significance.

Many have tried. And more, thinking themselves wise, will also try…and fail.

The genealogy of Jesus shows why we even have a “holiday season.” His birth is a holy day. Because God became flesh and dwelt among us for a little while. He will dwell among us again, and when He returns, it won’t be as a little baby in a manger.

He will be King of all and over all, and eventually everyday will be like Christmas.

In Faith, Hope, and Love,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Speech is unique to humans, and this is true for three main reasons.

Your larynx is low in your neck with a long air column above your vocal cords. Because of this physical design you can make clear vowel sounds. And the back of your tongue extends deep down into your neck and modulates air flow to make clear consonant sounds. Contrast that with apes that have a flat, horizontal tongues leaving them unable to make consonant sounds.

As cool as those two facts are they pale in comparison to this…you have a prewired brain that can learn and convey abstract ideas. Now, don’t stop and say anything at all right now. Just mull that over in your prewired brain for a moment.

OK…did you mull? Good. Now, think about your favorite color. Mine’s blue (as if you couldn’t tell by the design of my website). There are so many things your mind can conjure up just by thinking of a color. But even better than that…you can describe the word pictures your mind is conjuring up in words that other humans can understand. Then, they can actually understand your meaning even if it doesn’t coincide with the mere scientific facts of why our eyes can see the color blue.

Do you get what I’m telling you? See the significance of this trio of design traits? Scientists admit they can find no evolutionary development to explain our speech center in our brains. Of course, a Christian who believes the word of God when it says He created us with every capability isn’t stumped. We know that we’re prewired for making and understanding speech by the most intelligent being in the universe.

Yes, speech is unique to humans.

But if you disagree…I’m willing to talk about it.

It does my heart good to know I’m not some inconsequential little animated pile of carbon. I’m confident I’ll leave more than a footprint here on earth. I’m going to live forever with the One who gave me awareness of my own existence. And I’m going to love every minute.

In Faith, Hope, and Love,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

Keeping Watch Over Their Flock

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I remember a few years ago my wife and I and a couple of our friends were enjoying some exploration time on the Western slope near Rifle. (for those of you not from Colorado, that’s here in my home state) We were driving up a dirt road canyon and happened upon a couple of men (and their dog) keeping watch over their flock of sheep.

The flock took over the road, and we didn’t mind.

We found it so interesting we just pulled over and watched them herd on by. As the first shepherd walked by I asked him where they were heading, and it was another town quite a few miles away. We were surprised that sheep would still be herded that old-fashioned way in this day and age.

But the guy told us it was more common than we might think. We just thought it was cool to watch the cute, little sheep walking down the gravel road making their baa baa sheep noises. Somewhere in the crowd we could hear the metal clanging of what I would normally call cowbells…but since these were sheep I guess they were sheep bells.

It was a real treat.

And I’ll have to go through my old digital videotape files and see if I have any footage of that day. If so, I’ll share it with you.

Today, when I recalled that experience, I began to imagine what it would be like if those same guys were keeping watch over their flock and were suddenly faced with a glowing angel who said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good tidings of great joy.”

They might start thinking “what in the world…”, but before they can even finish the question a whole host of angels appears singing and saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Whoa! What would you do? Fall down on your knees? Run? Shout and jump for joy? It’s hard to imagine what I might do if it happened to me. But I believe I’d be real curious to discover what they were talking about and how and why this happened.

Well, about 2,000 years ago some other shepherds were keeping watch over their flock of sheep when that very scenario occurred. And after the host of angels left them and went back into Heaven they decided to follow a guiding star to Bethlehem to find out more.

They discovered a man and his wife spending the night in a livestock pen with their newborn Baby in a manger. And for some strange reason, the shepherds believed what they were told about this Child.

He was God in the flesh.

All these years later, we’re still talking about that Person born in a manger. And the history of the world revolves around His life.

Can you imagine how awesome it would have been to be there that night? Well, something that will be even more awesome and glorious will be to live in Paradise forever getting to know that Person we Christians call Jesus. He came to earth as a real human baby…grew into a real human man…suffered a real human death and resurrected after 3 days…all because He loves us.

Since I don’t see myself as all that lovable, it does my heart good to re-read the story from time to time. And at this Christmas time of year, it’s particularly good to share it with others. I hope you will too.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

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

 

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

You and I exist on this planet at the same time. We’re both humans, and we both have the exact same needs…food, water, shelter, clothes, emotional stability.

Does one of those needs seem out of place compared to the others?

If you said yes to “emotional stability”, you may already be ahead of me.

But please allow me to make my point and then I’d like to share some lyrics with you.

When something goes wrong, what’s your first reaction? Panic? Anger? Or do you immediately start looking for the solution? Let me share a little secret with you…solutions are easier to find when you smile. I know from personal experience how detrimental it can be to your health to start mentally abusing yourself during negative circumstances.

When life deals you some trials and tribulations, you’ve always got a choice to make…look for solutions with joy in your heart…or lament the problems with a thundercloud around your head.

Instead of wearing a dark face to match a dark mood, how about whistling while you work.  You don’t need to be Snow White or any of the Seven Dwarfs to benefit from music. If you’re not a good whistler, hum. And if you don’t hum well, keep the rhythm. If you’re not very rhythmic, at least shine a spotlight because then…

There Ain’t No Dark

Pessimistic inclinations; oh statistical emotions.
Don’t try it, don’t buy it
It won’t look good anyhow.
Problematic imperfections…oh they’re fishes in the oceans.
Just face it and erase it;
You could change the whole world now.

There ain’t no dark when you can see the light,
And there ain’t no black hole in your heart.
Prepare your eyes for the never-ending sunrise.
There ain’t no…there ain’t no…there ain’t no dark

Artificial revelation; oh perpetual solutions.
Don’t make ’em don’t take ’em; they won’t get you anywhere.
Symbolism over substance; wise up to that old pollution.
Take it higher; chase the liar; show the world you really care.

Chorus

No matter what they do or say
You and I can win today.
Just live like there ain’t no…
‘Cause there really ain’t no dark.

© 1993 Tony Funderburk

In Faith, Hope, and Love,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Many, many people don’t believe in the God of Christmas. And I can only imagine the inner sense of hopelessness and futility that helps to cultivate.

The God of Christmas is THE one and only God.

If there is no God who created the heavens and the earth…if there is no God who created us and every living creature and thing on the earth…if there is no God who knows every detail of what is best for us…then there is no Truth. There is nothing we can depend on except ourselves. And that’s a recipe for chaos and confusion.

Have you noticed chaos and confusion in this world? If you follow even the tiny 140 character tweets on Twitter, you must have noticed. Most people are looking for an answer to their hopelessness…but most refuse to believe their hope could lie in the person of Jesus. Some Jewish carpenter who “possibly” lived 2,000 years ago couldn’t possibly be the God of Christmas and therefore the hope of the world.

But He is.

You don’t have to believe that.

But one day you will. And if that day isn’t during your current time here on Earth, then it will be too late. You will have already chosen to be your own god. You will rule and reign in a universe of one for eternity.

But it’s so avoidable.

What do you need to do? Believe. So easy…yet so excruciatingly impossible for most. I pray that you will begin to dig deeper than the physical…deeper than even your perceived metaphysical…and peer down into your own soul today. Listen closely…very closely…and I pray that you’ll hear that “still, small voice” and begin to understand what I mean when I say…

I Believe In The God of Christmas

Some believe there’s just today.
And then we die and fade away…
Such a sad and hopeless life to lead.

Others say we never die.
We all live on above the sky…
Disregard the theft and hate and greed.

But I believe in the God of Christmas,
And I believe in His Gift to us all,
And I believe that He died to save us
And that He rose to recover our fall.
Yes I believe in the God who loves us,
And I believe in the God who lives,
Yes I believe in the God of Christmas.
He gave His love, and He still freely gives.

One day soon we just may find
So many millions left behind
In a world where truth is torn apart.

Then no lights, no Christmas trees,
No arts and no humanities,
Will bring peace to any broken heart.

(choruses)

© 2011 Tony Funderburk
(December 18…exactly 2 years ago today)

In Faith, Hope, and Love,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Imagine one second you’re here on Earth going about your business. And then, in the twinkling of an eye you’re in the heavenly places with God.

Would that be the coolest thing or what?!

Sound silly? Sound far-fetched? Or ridiculous? Well, I’ll take that kind of silly, far-fetched, ridiculous notion any day of the week. Because…there is a God in heaven, and He does love me. And He will be coming back one day to stop all this chaos and confusion. And when He does, I want to be on His team.

In the twinkling of an eye.

This is the Truth. You were created. You didn’t just magically materialize. And neither did anyone else who ever lived. Because every person on Earth is a creation of God. But there’s a problem with people. They’ve been given a will of their own. And the vast majority of them choose to be their own god. They choose to fall for the lies that say we can only really “know” what we can apprehend with our five senses.

And that just isn’t sensible.

The Bible includes a description for that moment when Jesus returns for his followers. Paul says “for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” So, in other words, that’s when we’ll receive that glorious body I mentioned before. And we’ll know the full meaning of the passage “Oh death, where is your sting? Oh Hades, where is your victory?” We’ll be alive to God and alive forevermore from that point.

And it’s not a silly thing to believe all this…unless it’s not the truth.

But I’ve seen an insurmountable and irrefragable body of evidence in my lifetime. From manuscripts of ancient Jewish and Christian documents to archaeological evidence to prophetic evidence to statistical and scientific evidence…the creation reaches out to the Creator.

My goal is now to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” knowing that I’ll fail here and there. But also knowing that it won’t be in vain.

Jesus is coming back.

In Faith, Hope, and Love,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

Words And Music of Faith Hope Love Podcast Episode 25

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Play

Podcast Episode 25 is available for listening or downloading. Click the blue button to hear words and music of faith hope love or follow links and read the articles.

As you start your week”

I know you’re probably really starting to spin as the Christmas parties and shopping and planning is all beginning to blur together. But I hope you’ll pause now and then to take a few deep breaths and remember what it’s all about.

It’s not the parties…even though they’re fun. It’s not the shopping…although who doesn’t like to get and give presents? It’s not about the planning…even though that’s necessary. And it’s not even about family getting together. Yep, you read that right. It’s not even about the warm and fuzzies so many seem to crave this time of year.

This so-called “holiday season” only came about for one reason. To celebrate the birth of Jesus…the One called “Emmanuel”…God with us. God took on human flesh and dwelt among us for a little while. And we, like spoiled brats beat Him, ridiculed Him, and crucified Him…so we wouldn’t have to face our own ugly selves.

Yet, the ironic thing is…when the world beheld Him on the cross, beaten, shredded, and bleeding…we saw how ugly our sinful souls truly are. Jesus was willing to endure that torturous death for us. And that’s the only gift I ever need on Christmas.

How about you?

Now”here’s what you’ll find in this week’s podcast. (including some songs)
I talked about:

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.