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(Dateline: February 12, 2022) OK, I’m gonna share a little circular vs linear logic with you. And to illustrate (sort of) the point, let’s travel back in time, almost 30 years, to the release of “The Lion King.” Stay with me, and I’ll explain why I’m bringing it up.

That movie is clueless about the importance of circular vs linear logic.

And that’s not surprising, when you consider it’s from Disney…a clueless corporation. Not to mention (but I am), the main players involved in the making of that movie.

One of them was a guy I just talked about a few days ago, Elton John.

Elton took the words, written by a guy named Tim Rice, and composed a hit song for the movie. The chorus to the lyrics say…

“In the circle of life
It’s the wheel of fortune
It’s the leap of faith
And it’s the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle, the circle of life”

On the surface, it appears innocent enough. Especially when you hear words like “faith” and “hope.” And the movie uses cute, cuddly, funny, and strong animals to tell the story. So, what’s not to love?

For the record, I don’t have a problem with anybody using cute, cuddly, funny, and strong animals to tell a story.

I just prefer they don’t perpetuate lies.

Especially lies that highlight false “faith” and false “hope.”

The ratio of birth to death, on planet Earth, has always been 1:1. So, if you were born (or hatched, as the case might be), you’ll have to experience death eventually. And here’s where it gets real up in here. You’re not coming back. Not even as a cute, cuddly, funny, or strong animal.

Don’t feel bad. Neither is anybody else.

Why?

Because life is linear. Not circular. And that’s because time is linear. Not circular.

Today…all of past history…will NEVER be repeated. Sure, “Groundhog Day” was a funny movie. But it was a movie! Make believe! Not real! Have I made my point so I can quit yelling?

Every day you live takes you closer to that day when your body will finally run out of energy and fall down for the last time. So, every day leads you somewhere. But it never takes you back where you’ve been. And it never will. And, after you fall down for the last time, time will continue to move in the same direction. You’ll go with it. But…

You won’t be here. You’ll be in the place you chose while you were here. And it will be a permanent choice. So the place you chose will be permanent, too.

Sure, you can disagree with me. But that’s a risk I hope you don’t take.

You won’t be circling back here to planet Earth to get another chance. I know you’ve watched more than one movie where somebody had to save the day and you heard, “We’ve only got once shot at this…” Right? Then, they had to cut the green or red wire. Or they had to make a seemingly impossible jump across a canyon.

Yeah, that’s all symbolic of the very real scenario you and I have to face in life. And that’s why it’s crucial to understand the circular vs linear explanation of life. Because, just like choosing the wrong wire would destroy the hero of the movie, choosing the wrong eternal destination will destroy your chance for eternal happiness.

So, don’t do that.

And the reason I thought about all this today is how February 11th and 12th are connected in a weird way for Elgielene and me. I posted how my mom died on February 11th of last year, 2021. And Elgielene’s mom was born on February 12th, almost a century before that. (She’s gone, too.)

Some might mention the so-called “circle of life” when they hear of things like that. But they’d be wrong. Or, at the very least, confused.

Here’s the linear view, from my song “Carry The Dream”

Someday is comin’ at me like a meteor.
Tomorrow flew by me a few days ago.
I don’t have the time to waste that I used to.
Now I see there may be some things I will never know.

You get once chance. And I encourage you to choose the green wire of life. Make that leap across the deep canyon. And there’s only One Way to be able to do that.

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She was born in the late 1930’s. A time when America was in the worst depression it had ever seen (at least up to that point). And she witnessed a lot of changes in the American life during her lifetime. Not to mention all the technology…which she DID mention fairly often. She told me she didn’t necessarily like where the changes seemed to be leading this country. And the reason I’m thinkin’ about that right now is because she died one year ago today.

It sounds uncanny to even say “one year ago today.”

My brother and I discussed it last night. How we both used to wonder (when we were still young and naive) why “old people” always talked about how time flies. But now we actually SEE it with our own eyes. And it’s a blur.

And it appeared that Mom was fortunate enough to die in her sleep. I think if you ask a thousand people how they’d prefer to die, it would be close to a thousand who’d say “die in my sleep.”

But here’s a harsh fact. Most people, who peacefully die in their sleep, discover it was the final peaceful experience they’ll ever have. Because when that last breath left their body, they ran out of time. For the most important decision any person on Earth could ever make. Life. Or death.

And there’s no doubt about it, despite what a Calvinist might tell you, the decision is yours.

And that decision is: Where do you want to spend eternity?

The choice IS yours. And there are only two options. Live forever, with God, in paradise forever. Or die forever, on your own, separated from God, the source of life.

Fortunately, Mom chose wisely.

Long before her final night in bed here on Earth she decided to accept the gift of Grace freely handed to her by Jesus. And I feel sorry for other people and the lack of peace they must feel not knowing where loved ones go when they die. There’s a verse from an old Christian hymn that says,

Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I, in my Savior, am happy and blessed.
I’m watching and waiting, I’m looking above,
Filled with His goodness and lost in his love.

I hope that Blessed Assurance is yours. If not, don’t wait till it’s too late.

(And Happy First Anniversary in Heaven, Mom!)

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I’m not sure I would have left my love for the drums if he hadn’t existed. Because, I’ve always really loved playing the drums. But then I heard some catchy hit songs on the radio. And then my brother gave me an album as a high school graduation gift. And suddenly my musical desires marched to a different drum.

And that different drum was a piano.

Those catchy hit songs were from an obscure piano player. You’ve probably never heard of him. Reginald Dwight. But wait. Maybe you’ve heard of his stage name. Elton John.

Yeah, Mr. John…or should it be Mr. Dwight? Come to think of it, neither one sounds right. Those are both first names. Oh, whatever. Who cares? That’s not the point I’m trying to make anyway.

It was on this date (as I write this), February 10, that Elton had his first No. 1 album in England (aka the UK). The album was “Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player.” And it was No.1 for six weeks. And maybe you’ve heard a couple of his catchy hit songs from that collection. “Daniel” and “Crocodile Rock.”

I read an article that said the title for the album happened as a result of something Elton said when he met Groucho Marx. Groucho called him John Elton, as he pointed his first two fingers (in the shape of a gun), at “Mr. John.” And Elton held up his hands and said (you guessed it) “Don’t shoot me. I’m only the piano player.”

And I like those kinds of stories. Because they give you a glimpse of the historical connections each generation has. But something occurred to me when I read that article.

Elton sure marched to a different drum from Groucho.

If you watch Mr. Marx’s movies, or his old TV show that ran from 1950-1961, you see his fondness for the opposite sex. And he made it blatantly obvious on many occasions.

Contrast that with Elton John’s fondness for “being” the opposite sex.

Both guys focused their lives and careers on that base level. And they were/are both wrong for doing that. But, at least Groucho clearly understood his natural role as a man. Elton is clueless about the damage he does to himself.

And in spite of my strong, negative opinion of Elton John’s real life and lifestyle I still give him credit for influencing me to play the piano instead of the drums. I’m mighty glad he composed the kinds of songs he did. And I’m mighty glad he was successful in a time when guitar bands were all the rage. Because he showed me the power of piano.

No one ever asked me to play a new drumbeat. Or a new song I covered on the drums. Yeah, I know it’s crazy. But on one ever stuck around for long during my drum solos. Not because they were bad. Because they were drums.

Drums aren’t melodic.

And I can’t think of one example where a singer songwriter had a hit with just his voice and a set of drums. Maybe there’s somebody who did it. But I’ve never heard of it.

Anyway…

I always liked Elton John’s songs. Well, not the ones where he went disco or sugary pop. But the ones from albums like “Don’t Shoot Me…” and “Madman Across The Water.” And “Honky Chateau.” And “Tumbleweed Connection.” I appreciate Elton’s ability to put a melody to catchy, clever, and concentrated lyrics.

But I wish he would realize the damage he’s done, and is still doing, to his soul. It’s permanent damage. In fact, it’s potentially eternal damage. And it would be such a waste for him to spend eternity in torment. Thinking about what he did to himself and others. Because I know how miserably sad he’s gonna be if and when that time comes.

I’m grateful for his influence, though. Because the hundreds of songs I’ve written might never have seen the light of day if it weren’t for him. And there’s an odd sort of connection between my lyrics and those of Elton’s songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin. We both talk about God. And Jesus.

But to Bernie and Elton, those seem to be just regular names to use.

And to me, they’re the names above ALL names.

So, while I love their music, I despise their nonchalant disregard for the One who made them. And I despise how much damage they’ve done in the world as they’ve attempted to glorify perversion.

You might think I’m wrong because of my contempt for their lifestyle.

But, hey…don’t shoot me, I’m only the piano player.

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Dangerous times are bad enough. But dangerous times with no moral compass are exponentially worse.

Even though my wife and I never had kids we’ve always loved them. And we always get a kick out of their imaginative outlook on life. In fact, that’s why I’ve created music and books and pictures and videos for kids. I want them to enjoy all that and be safe and loved.

But we live in mighty dangerous times.

Because this world is filled with dangerous men (and even some women).

And there’s an excellent book that talks about this. It describes men who only love themselves. Men (and women) who only love money or pleasure. And it says how they become boastful, full of false pride, unthankful, unloving, unforgiving, brutal, and despising anything good.

“Grownups,” like that, end up raising disrespectful and disobedient kids.

No surprise. And nowadays when anybody uses the term “disobedient kids,” they’re ridiculed.

But those who ridicule don’t realize that an obedient, respectful kid is almost always the one raised in a happy home. Where discipline happens fairly and with love.

This beautiful world is gonna get even more dangerous if parents continue to raise kids with no moral compass. And I mean a moral compass based on trustworthy truth that won’t change with the election of a new class of politicians. Truth that won’t change with the passing of another million laws. And truth that won’t change just because it isn’t cool anymore.

Actual Truth.

I want all kids, from the moment they’re conceived, to be loved. And I mean loved way beyond simple human understanding. A love that doesn’t hand ’em a coke and a smile and a hug and leaves out morality. And a love that encompasses their spirit forever.

Sure, I know even saying this is a risk these days. Because a large majority of people don’t wanna hear this kind of message. But I also know not saying it risks so much more.

In these (and the coming) dangerous times look up.

Like the old Boy Scout motto said: Be Prepared.

Look up, past the clouds, where your Hope is real.
Be glad, every day. Let your life reveal
Your heart, filled with love, by the One who knew
The life He’d give you, if you want Him to.

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They say if you wanna make meaningful connections, understanding is the key. And I agree. But then again, I disagree. Understanding is a word that can have an almost identical meaning as either a noun or an adjective. Most people probably wouldn’t give that a second thought, but I think it’s a very cool and interesting fact.

Mull this over for a minute or two. Think about just how small you are compared to God. It should make you very thankful of how much time He’s spent on understanding your needs, wants, and desires. You might be small, compared to Him, but you’re definitely not insignificant to Him.

In fact, He thought you were worth sacrificing His life.

The source of sovereign intelligence and eternal life took it upon Himself to pay the debt for all sin. That’s after  4,000 years talking to, meeting the needs of, and having patience with stubborn, rebellious humans.

So, you might think God’s power of understanding is the key to salvation.

But you’d be wrong, if you thought that.

No one has ever been saved by God’s understanding. And no one ever will be.

You and I have hope of eternal life for one reason. And one reason only. Because God loves us.

And because God showed us how to love…we should. But what does love require so much of the time? If you wanna be willing and able to give it, love needs understanding. You don’t have to buy anything, make anything, or even always actively DO anything to show and give love.

Here’s an awesome example of what I mean.

Use your ears to show love.

Valentine’s Day is coming up in a few days. And it’s a day most people probably show love with flowers and flowery words. And maybe a big dose of chocolate.

But many times (if not most) all it takes is a pair of caring, listening ears. When you give your full attention to someone who’s hurting, you can reach a level of understanding that can turn their day or even a life around.

On this Valentine’s Day I’m sending out love and understanding to you.

Especially if you disagree with my worldview.

You can let it fly right past you and land in someone else’s heart if you want. But my hope is that you’ll pay attention to my words. And then, be glad there’s someone “out there” who truly cares what happens to you.

I do care. And I can guarantee this, too. I’m not the only one.

Love and Understanding

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I didn’t decide to call my blog and podcast Rhyme and Reason just because I thought it sounded cool. It’s because those words represent what I call the poetic style of God.

And God’s poetic style can be found all around you.

There have been plenty of times when I wrote or talked about how poetic the Bible is. But if you think I’m wrong, take a stroll through the Psalms and Proverbs for starters.

Psalms are songs. And the Proverbs are short tidbits of poetic wisdom. You can see the love of God pouring out of those books and the rest of the Bible.

Poetry and science reveal God’s love.

After all…that’s really what the story of the whole Bible is about…God’s love.

His love was and is so great that He created you with your own will. So, you can choose to love Him…or not.

And whether you do or not, you still have a universe that’s far more immense than you’d ever need to survive. So, He must have made it that big so we’d have something to stare into and ponder.

And countless poems, stories, and songs have been written by doing that. Tons of them are just about the sun, moon, and stars. And I bet there are plenty of others about the galaxies, supernovas, and comets.

OK, that’s the poetic part. But what about the science part of God’s love?

Well, start with this. Did you know our sun is approximately 400 times farther away from us than the moon? And did you also know the sun is approximately 400 times larger than the moon? And did you know that is precisely what makes it so easy to see a total eclipse of the sun every once in a while?

I believe God did it that way just because it pleased Him to share the brilliant spectacle with us?

Have you ever considered how dead our planet would be if the moon was just a little farther away? Or how our oceans would probably kill us all if it was closer? You might say it’s a random accident. But you’d be wrong. Because it’s by God’s design. And He did it so the seas would be filled with life and give us limitless fish dinners.

I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words about how beautiful the design of life truly is.

But I hope you’ll look into it for yourself.

Don’t take my word for it that you’re here because God created you.

Check out the evidence. See if you can come to that awesome conclusion on your own.

I’ll be glad to talk with you about it, if you like. One great resource for the science part I highly recommend is a book called “In The Beginning” by Dr. Walt Brown. And try out this poetry inspired by God’s word: “The Ballad of the White Horse” by G.K. Chesterton.

Till next time, I pray you find the rhyme and reason for your life in God’s word.

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If you’ve followed my articles and/or listened to my podcast episodes for a while, you might be surprised at some of the songs you’d find on my like list. And a great example of this would be “Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boingo. Here’s an excerpt of the lyrics…

“I was struck by lighting, walkin’ down the street.
I was hit by somethin’ last night in my sleep.
It’s a dead man’s party, who could ask for more?
Everybody’s comin’, leave your body at the door.
Leave your body and soul at the door.”

And I know what you’re thinkin’…

Well, I don’t actually know what you’re thinkin’ (thank goodness), but here’s the thing.

That song’s on my like list because it’s so darn catchy.

Plus…there are no despicable, dirty lyrics. The beat is great. And the instrumentation has a ton of what I like. If you wanna give it a listen (and risk having it stuck in your head) it’s easy to find on Pandora, Amazon Music, or similar services. I don’t recommend YouTube versions of the song. Because those show scenes from a movie with the song. And that’s actually not helpful.

A side note: Danny Elfman is the main singer/songwriter for Oingo Boingo. And if you’ve watched movies like Batman, Spiderman, Men in Black, or about a hundred more, you’ve heard his (often Oscar nominated) music.

But I didn’t share all this to get you to become an Elfman fan. Far from it.

I just happened to think of his “Dead Man’s Party” song when I read some info (and watched a video) about an embalmer’s experience with rubbery veins.

Richard Hirschman, a board-certified embalmer and funeral director, shared some info with Dr. Jane Ruby that should give you cause for pause.

Imagine weird blood clots and mysterious fibrous materials in the veins and arteries of people who died of heart attacks and strokes. But then, imagine a discovery that these people were jabbed with covid vaccinations.

Now, you don’t have to imagine.

Watch this video. And you can see and hear the discussion about this weirdness.

Yuck. Did you catch that? Mr. Hirschman found the strange materials and then had to pull them out of the large vessels of the bodies.

Plus, he said veins blockage cases like this have risen from 50% to almost 80%.

I’ll tell you this…that broken record of “Get the Jab” ain’t never goin’ on my like list.

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If you love butterflies (and you should), you’ve probably heard of the amazing annual Monarch butterfly migration. 3000 miles those tiny, fragile wings have to flutter. And how and why do they do it?

Is that Monarch butterfly migration just a mysterious coincidence?

Yeah, right.

As I write this, it’s February 5, 2022. And I discovered that, on several calendars, February 5 is Western Monarch Day. That’s pretty cool. A day marked to acknowledge the feat of those beautiful, ultralight flying creatures.

Those amazing butterflies travel almost 3000 miles to get back to California from all over the western parts of America. And I read an article that said once “they” figured out what was going on with all those butterflies, their migration became quite a tourist attraction.

Back in 2017, I shared some information about the Monarch butterflies. And I also shared a little about how caterpillars liquefy themselves and morph into butterflies. Read the article, or even listen to it, in a podcast episode if you’d prefer not to read it. And that episode includes a very good song called “Shine In Your Glory.”

Anyway…

Monarch butterflies travel from western parts of the U.S. and Canada to California every winter. Some sources will tell you it’s just because they figured out it’s better for their survival rates. But that falls way short of a satisfactory explanation. And the real reason they can do that is so much more interesting.

But I’m not sure how interested you’ll be if and when you discover the complexity of design in each and every one of those beautiful creatures. Because that design implies a designer. And that might lead to a metamorphosis of your heart. And we can’t let that happen…now, can we?

Just think about it for a minute.

The flight path for those Monarch butterflies annual migration is so predictable people can plan a vacation stop to see them. And yet, so-called scientists would like you to believe they only exist because of random mutational changes. If that’s true, how do you explain caterpillar metamorphosis? And precise migration patterns? And all of that from the tiny brains of insects?

This year, as you set up your Western Monarch Day tree and light up your Monarch Day lights and put your butterfly presents under the tree, remember what they’ve gone through for you. And if that doesn’t make your heart flutter, then I’m not sure you even have one.

Soliloquy

Butterfly,
How can you fly when your smiles gone?
Dipping and diving and looking so splendid,
But your smile gone.
What is wrong?

Butterfly,
You’re gathering nectar
From flowers that have long since died.
Your thirst for their sweetness and long for completeness,
But the flowers have died.
Still you have tried.

While you fly above, I am living in love
Enjoying the peaceful tranquility…
Utopia, it’s that kind of a world
That you’ve brought to me, willingly.

Butterfly,
Sometimes when I watch you, I simply sigh.
Free as a child, and yet all the while, never saying a word.
Butterfly,
I want to see you laugh again,
And I want to see you smile again.

© 1975 Tony Funderburk

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As I write this, today’s date is February 4, 2022. So, that means it has been exactly 39 years since Karen Carpenter died. And that might not mean anything to younger readers and listeners. But she was considered one of the best female vocalists around, in her day.

The news reports said Karen Carpenter died of a heart attack.

They also called it “cardiac arrest.” But the coroner’s report listed the cause of death as “imbalances associated with anorexia nervosa.” I found some info on a Johns-Hopkins website that said this about anorexia nervosa.

“This disorder makes you obsess about your weight and food. If you have this problem, you may have a warped body image. You may see yourself as fat even though you have a very low body weight. With anorexia, you may use unusual eating habits to cope with stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Limiting food may give you a sense of control over your life.”

It’s sadly ironic how Karen Carpenter died of something like that. Because she secretly dealt with it as she sang…

“I’m on the top of the world lookin’ down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I’ve found ever since you’ve been around.
Your love’s put me at the top of the world.”

I never bought any of The Carpenters records.

But I thoroughly enjoyed Karen’s voice. Because it was smooth. Yeah, that’s not hip or cool, by pop music standards. But it’s what sets a true vocalist apart from mere stylists.

And all that being said, I have to also mention that I couldn’t find any info about Karen’s faith. So, my guess is, she placed her faith in, well…her. At least that’s where the evidence points. Because an obsession over your looks and your weight that leads to a “disorder” like anorexia nervosa is, by definition, selfish.

I hope I’m wrong. Because it would be cool if Karen has a chance to sing with me in Heaven one day. So, I hope February 4, 1983 wasn’t the day she said “Goodbye to Love” for the last time.

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I don’t know how many times I’ve heard this. But it’s a lot. Someone gives a presentation and says there’ll be time for Q&A at the end. Then they say something like, “And remember…there are no stupid questions.”

But there ARE stupid questions. Plenty of them.

And it’s uncanny (but not surprising) how so many of them start with “why.” Sad, too. Because a lot of the “why’s” lead to lies.

And I know that sounds harsh. But it’s so easy to get a lying response when you ask “why.”

When you seek answers to astronomy, or geography, or biology, or any other ology, it’s OK (recommended) to ask why…and why not. But in relationships, why tends to be the most counter-productive question.

Most of the time the response is just something the other person thinks you want to hear. Or they get defensive and simply answer with another why question.

“Why” doesn’t look like what you find in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Because why doesn’t suffer long and isn’t kind. Why IS envious. And it DOES parade itself around demanding to be answered. Why IS puffed up and behaves rudely. Because it assumes it’s the only worthy question. And why IS provoked easily and seeks its own.

Also…”why” generally assumes the worst.

Why isn’t patient. So it strays far from the peace found in other questions. Where? Who? What? And When? And why makes you forget there’s a day after today. In fact, why says that even if there is a day after today, it will still need to be answered.

Why is not the question for so many reasons. I’m gonna share some of my lyrics from 27 years ago. Notice how the words focused on “why”. The guy who wrote those words, back then, could not see the guy writing these words, today. And he couldn’t see the answers that have now replaced those stupid questions. And he couldn’t see because he stood firmly behind a big, fat, giant…

Why?

I pause; I wonder…
And I see myself through a magnifying glass.
And I ask a question…
I give myself a test that I might never pass.

I yearn for freedom;
And I don’t belong in a complicated life
My needs are simple;
A mountain home and perhaps a loving wife.

So why can’t I make this happen?
Why don’t my dreams come true?
And why is the picture always fading?
Why can’t I change my view?
Why don’t things change no matter how I try?
And why do I constantly ask myself why?

I sit…I listen
And try to hear all the music in my head.
A song; a feeling
I need someone to understand what I’ve said.
When I’m being optimistic
I know I’ll be fine.
Asking why is realistic;
Knowing why…divine.

© 1987 Tony Funderburk

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When I lived in Pasadena, Texas, there was a levee my friends and I would drive to and throw frisbees and listen to music. And one of the songs we listened to was about how Buddy Holly died and music did, too.

And Buddy Holly died after a concert on this date in 1959.

On February 2, 1959 Buddy, and Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper played a concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. (side note: “Surf Ballroom” in Clear Lake, Iowa?! Huh?)

Anyway…

They were all scheduled to appear in Fargo, North Dakota after that. But none of them wanted to ride in the regular tour bus. Because it was winter. And the heater in the bus wasn’t working very well. So they chartered a private plane to fly them to the next stop instead.

But, shortly after the plane took off, it crashed. And it killed all three of them and the pilot.

And according to Don McLean, the songwriter who wrote “American Pie,” that’s “the day the music died.”

Of course, the music didn’t die. And, in fact, way more rock-n-roll music has been made after Buddy Holly died than before. That’s not a particularly good thing. But it’s reality.

And another reality is that Buddy Holly didn’t cease to exist on February 2, 1959. Because God creates eternal humans. So, Buddy is going to exist eternally. Not figuratively, like some songwriter might imagine. Literally.

I read a short blurb that said Buddy was a “devout Christian.” And I hope that’s true. I haven’t found much evidence for it. But I DO hope that’s true. Because he found out, in almost an instant, how quickly you can leave this life on Earth. And he found out, instantaneously, what happens when you leave your body.

So, I hope he was a Christian.

Because that meant he won’t Rave On in hell forever. And I hope you’re a Christian. If not, I hope you’ll consider changing that today. Because you never know how unexpectedly you could leave your body. And That’ll Be The Day when you discover the consequences of your choice.

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“One of these days, pow! To the moon, Alice!” That’s a famous line from Jackie Gleason’s character, Ralph Cramden, in the old TV show, The Honeymooners. And thank goodness that show only lasted one season. But I didn’t bring it up to talk about Ralph or old TV shows.

I found some lyrics about goin’ to the moon.

And you won’t believe (or maybe you will) where I found ’em.

I did an online search and found some curious words to a “song” under the heading of contemporary Christian music lyrics. Of course, my idea of lyrics is much different than most pop stars these days. But I’ll set that aside, for now, and share just a couple of lines from the chorus of that “song.”

“I wanna go to the moon
Don’t leave so soon (don’t leave so soon)
How could I get through? (How could I get through?)”

I don’t have to share the next six lines to the chorus. Because they’re just a repeat of those three I just shared. But if you’re familiar with rapper, Kanye West, maybe you’ve heard him sing/say those words. I never have.

And here’s the thing.

What is it about those lyrics that would make anyone think they should go under the heading of contemporary Christian music? Because Christians don’t aspire to go to the moon. That’s incredibly short-sighted when compared to going to Heaven.

But maybe you think I’m being harsh and judgmental. Maybe you think, “Gosh, Tony. That’s just the chorus. The verses probably explain why the chorus says that.”

Yeah, you’d think so. Or hope so. But check out this verse. And see if it helps you understand why Kanye wants to make a lunar landing.

“Hmm, hmm, here we go strappin’, we up
Never forget all the memories
Sittin’, I sip out my cup
Thinkin’ I should be a better me
Truly I’m blessed from the start
So much to say in these melodies, oh
Stare at the sky, the moon singin’ sweet
Oh my God, such a sweet moment
Angels, they say I’m not ever weak, such a lonely moment
Heaven knows I might never sleep, trouble in my soul
Hey, I’ve been prayin’, life can be drainin’, oh
Hey, we were late, tryna keep haulin’ on
I’m ashamed, hated what I will see
And nobody knows, so I go”

OK, I know rappers aren’t bound by meter and diction. And they prefer unrhymed iambic pentameter. But isn’t the point of lyrics to convey a message that somebody besides the singer/sayer can understand?

But let’s say that’s not the point.

If Mr. West is “tryna” make a Christian point, shouldn’t there be actual Christian truth in there somewhere?

But there’s basically NO Christian truth in those words. “Thinkin’ I should be a better me.” But Jesus said no one is good but God. “Truly, I’m blessed from the start.” Well, yeah. Each person is blessed at birth. But every person sins and blots out that blessing. So, each person should find the humility to ask for God’s forgiveness.

“Angels, they say I’m not ever weak” is a weird one. Because, first, angels don’t converse with you. And, second, you ARE weak. You ARE dying. And there’s nothing you can do to keep that from happening. So, you need answers. You can’t just “Stare at the sky” or a sweet singin’ moon. You need the maker of the moon.

And that’s why it’s harmful to call lyrics, like Kanye wrote, Christian. They’re not.

And I pray that he’s not one of those to whom God will say, “I never knew you. Depart from me…”

Your email address is the key to my TRUTH Journal. It’s how you get lots of fun stuff delivered right to your inbox. 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. Fun for kids AND not too cutesy. So grownups enjoy it, too.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I don’t listen to a lot of “contemporary Christian music.” And that might sound strange, coming from a guy who made a living playing music. Yes, I’ve listened to (and I sang) a lot of songs over the years. Just not so much now. Because there’s something I look for in music that I just don’t often find.

So much contemporary Christian music is feelings. Not facts.

I’ll share one example. And I don’t mean to pick on him, because he’s probably a real nice guy. But I just discovered a song, by Matthew Sweet, called “Unplanned.” I couldn’t tell you another song by Mr. Sweet. But I’ve heard his breathy style before, and…oops…I’ll stay away from that rabbit hole.

Anyway…

Matthew’s song says…

“I’m looking at a masterpiece.
And I’m staring at a work of art.
I’m listening to a symphony
In every beat of your tiny heart.
You used to be a choice to make.
But now I think you’ve chosen me
‘Cause I see ten fingers, ten toes,
Two eyes and I know this is meant to be.”

And it’s fairly apparent he’s singin’ about his baby.

Matter of fact, in the video for the song, there’s a clip of a pregnant woman’s ultrasound. So, Matthew’s showing how obvious it is that pregnancy means there’s a human baby inside that woman. And that’s a great thing. Because that tiny baby, forming in the womb, IS a masterpiece. A work of art.

But then he sings, “…I know this is meant to be.”

And that’s a feeling. Not a fact.

Because it implies that what’s happening was planned. And you might think I’m being too picky. Maybe it’s just a figure of speech he’s using to illustrate how his mind has been changed.

OK. But then Matthew continues that idea in the chorus…

“Oh I don’t believe in accidents.
Miracles, they don’t just happen by chance.
As long as my God holds the world in His hands
I know that there’s no such thing as unplanned.”

I’d like to address those lyrics line by line.

If you’re a Christian, how could you not believe in accidents? Especially when Jesus, Himself, says 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.

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. And the evidence should be as clear as the daily news.

And the last line, in the chorus of Mr. Sweet’s song, once again implies that everything is/was planned. But that’s absolutely not true.

Your righteous, loving Creator did NOT plan the course of history.

Yes, he does have A PLAN. 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…”

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It’s so cool how we have the tools to peek into the microscopic world of chromosomes and DNA. Just think about that for a second. Because some of the most brilliant minds who ever lived on planet Earth were only able to imagine those things. But now you and I can just type a few words into a browser and almost instantaneously find tons of colorful images.

Chromosomes and DNA are so tiny they almost seem imaginary.

And yet, we have pictures.

And that reminds me of something my Dad used to say, occasionally, if I failed to do something he had told me to do: “Do I have to draw you a picture?”

Yeah, he was unspeakably cruel. How could he say such things to an adorable dude like me? Because I didn’t do nuttin’ bad.

Sorry. Let me climb back out of that rabbit hole.

Anyway…

Here’s the thing. And, if you’ve followed anything I’ve written here on my website, you know I stand on the firm foundation of overwhelming evidence for a Designer God. That’s because of all the design evidence found in, well, basically everything.

And your chromosomes and DNA are picture perfect examples of that.

In fact, I’ve heard it said that DNA is like the “fingerprint of God” inside us.

But I disagree.

Because DNA is information. And it’s way too complicated to have ever just randomly evolved over millions, billions, or even trillions of years.

I’ll never forget how an atheist once told me that evolution must obviously be true because “well, here we are.” Of course, that’s circular reasoning (aka tautology). Because you don’t get to make a logical argument that says we’re here because evolution is true and evolution is true because we’re here.

Well, I won’t keep you any longer. I just wanted to share some tidbits with anyone who might be interested in the incredible evidence for your Creator found right inside you. And I hope your DNA is functioning at its most optimum level possible in this broken world.

23 + 23 = 1

I got a little bit from my mom
I got a little bit from my dad
I got my DNA from the great Yahweh
And it’s the only life I’ve had

Twenty-three plus twenty-three is one
Chromosomes were a mystery
But that mystery is gone.
Twenty-three plus twenty-three is one.
Until we learn to add it up…
The lesson must go on.

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

We are the world. But that’s not a good thing. We can do good things. But we’re not solutions for change. We are not the answer to life’s challenges and problems.

That’s why I don’t like that famous song, “We Are The World,” that was recorded on this day back in 1985. Sure, it’s catchy, I admit. But it’s wrong.

It describes humans as being solutions for change.

And we’re not.

But we CAN be ambassadors for The Solution. And, when you’re a Christian, that’s part of your job description. Tell the world about Jesus. And let them know how much they need Him. Because most people are clueless or willfully ignorant (in America, it’s mostly willfully ignorant).

Most people of the world prefer symbolism over substance. And they prefer themselves over their Creator. Because self is someone they can see. Or at least that’s the way they see it. (see what I did there?) And that’s ironic. Because there’s more evidence for God, in the world, than there is for anybody else.

In fact, the whole world is evidence for a living, loving Creator.

But most of the whole world refuses to see that. So, they’re delusional about what’s true and what isn’t. As you can see in these lyrics from “We Are The World.”

We can’t go on pretending day by day
That someone somewhere will soon make a change
We’re all a part of God’s great big family
And the truth, you know
Love is all we need

You might be thinking, “But Tony, that sounds like someone who cares.”

Yeah, it sort of does. But the truth is, we’re not all a part of God’s great big family. Because most people in the world want no part of it. They couldn’t care less about God or who’s in His family. In fact, they believe nothing created everything there is. And their loving Creator doesn’t force them to think another way.

Here’s another reason I don’t like the message in the song.

The verse repeats, over and over, “We are the world. We are the children.” But, as you watch the famous video of all the well-known singers lending their voices to the song, it’s clear there are no children.

They’re all adults. And here’s a shocker. Adults are not children. One major caveat, though. You CAN be an adult AND be a child of God. Because anyone who loves the Lord is still like a child when compared to Him. But once you grow up, it’s time to put away childish things.

It’s true. We humans can be such strange and amazing creatures. But look back through all of history, and you’ll discover we are NOT solutions for change. But that doesn’t prevent us from being instruments of change for God.

Sounds good to me. How ’bout you?

Mental pollution subdues the solution.
Seek wisdom. Get clarity.
Only one answer can be your enhancer,
The True love from G. O. D.

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I remember talking with my Grandmother, after my Granddaddy’s funeral, about my “singing career.” And I think it was after she heard my brother and me sing a couple of songs. She asked me what I planned to do with my singing abilities. And I told her I wanted to be a professional singer. And she said I should use my voice for “the Lord.”

But how can you be a professional singer and use your voice for the Lord?

That was my first thought. Because, back then, I didn’t know of anyone who made a living singing Christian or Gospel music. (Keep in mind, just because I didn’t know of any didn’t mean there weren’t any.)

So, I basically disregarded Grandmother’s advice. And I spent the next 25 years or so as a professional singer. I’d sort of use my voice “for the Lord.” But certainly not the way she meant it.

I had several near-misses with so-called “fame and fortune.” But I could never find the motivation to follow through on possible “recording deals.” Mostly because I thought the music industry was so weird. Why do creative types almost always have to be so weird?

Anyway…

As the years passed, the venues became less and less enjoyable. Until finally, one day, I decided not to pursue the typical music work anymore. And I decided to use my voice “for the Lord.” And I was right about one thing. It’s mostly difficult to impossible to do that AND make a living.

But that doesn’t mean you don’t do it. Because all the money you make, a lot or a little, stays here when you die anyway. What’s that saying…

There are no hearses pulling U-haul trailers?

One of the ways I have used my voice in recent years is to speak up or sing out about every little baby’s right to life. And I discovered that, when you do that, you quickly become persona non grata. So, the “beautiful people” of the world, the so-called “celebrity influencers” tend to keep their mouths shut about abortion.

But one of the “beautiful people” who has actually been paid to BE beautiful spoke up.

Here’s something Kathy Ireland, a former supermodel said.

“I was once pro-choice and the thing that changed my mind was, I read my husband’s biology books, medical books, and what I learned… At the moment of conception, a life starts. And this life has its own unique set of DNA, which contains a blueprint for the whole genetic make-up. The sex is determined. We know there is a life because it is growing and changing.”

Here’s a video where she used her voice to speak up for the tiniest human beings.

So, there’s proof that even some of the “beautiful people” can understand that even the tiniest person is a person. And that’s why I use my voice to talk and “sing for the Lord” and His little ones. And I encourage you to do the same.

Because He already spoke up for you.

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Choices count. Regardless if they’re good or bad. Just about everybody makes good and bad decisions. American freedom has always included huge boundaries to make your own decisions. Sop, life, here, has been full of choices. And since we’re human beings in a world full of sin and temptation, we sometimes choose the stupid things. Have you noticed this in your life. I know I have in mine.

But, as I said, choices count.

Some bad choices you make might have little or no consequences. For example, let’s say you wear plaid shirts with striped pants. Now, that’s a bad choice. But, besides a little embarrassment, nobody gets hurt.

Or let’s say you have a third cup of coffee on an empty stomach. You know your stomach is gonna give you some backtalk. Right? But again, you didn’t hurt anybody else. So what.

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

Advocates of the so-called “pro-choice” movement understand that means a mother chooses to have her unborn baby murdered. Of course, they would never, in a billion years, say it that way. But, in the vast majority of cases where a pregnant woman goes into an abortion clinic, at least one death occurs.

But it’s almost never the mother.

It’s almost always an unborn baby. A baby denied of all opportunities for choice. What’s “pro-choice” about that? And don’t even start to say “it’s a women’s health issue”. Since when did it become necessary to kill an unborn baby to assure a woman’s health?

But what about the woman’s emotional and mental health? Right? Yeah, there’s no doubt about it. Most women will never achieve a level of optimum health with an abortion. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Sure, life is full of choices. But don’t you wish they were just choices about which job you take? Or what kind of car to buy? Or whether or not you’ll wear plaid with stripes?

If you’ve made a bad choice and decided to have an abortion, would you get in touch with me before you go do something you can’t undo?

I’d like to help you make your choices count.

Don’t add to that huge number of innocent lives destroyed. And I can connect you with people who can show you a wide variety of beautiful, wonderful choices you can make instead. And if you’ve already gone through with your decision, I’d still like you to get in touch with me so I can pray for you.

God knows what you’re going through. He said if you’ll only seek Him, He’s easy to find. And He’s waiting for your call. Do that today. It’s a choice you’ll never ever ever regret.

We can see design upon His land…
Even in an unborn baby’s hand,
And when life is not the way we planned,
Only a living God helps us understand. (from the song “Our Father’s Day“)

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Almost seven years ago, to the day, I wrote about a disease that popped up in the “happiest place on Earth.” And I shared how important tender loving care is when something like that happens. Then, wouldn’t you know it, another disease popped up, and people still freaked out.

Tender loving care flew out the window.

Back when I wrote about that other article, I mentioned how over 70 people, who visited Disneyland, were infected with measles. And I said, since cases of measles were showing up in other places besides California, it proved that “it’s a small world after all.”

Yeah, I’m a heartless and mean guy. But the spread of a disease does show how we humans are more connected than we’d often care to admit.

When people get sick, those are opportunities to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

But maybe you think it’s better to steer clear of your sick neighbor. Maybe you believe you should put on a face diaper (aka “mask”) and pretend you care about your neighbor.

Hmm…let’s turn that around a sec.

If you were immobilized by a disease, would you prefer your “neighbor” to steer clear? Or do you think you might prefer that someone, anyone, would care enough about a neighbor to nurture you back to health? If you answer “no,” you might be sicker than you realize.

I know when I’m sick, it gives me great joy to have someone bring me soup and juice and a blanket. My wife brings me smoothies, hot tea or coffee, and essential oils for easier breathing and pain relief. What a blessing it is to receive that tender loving care.

When diseases and illnesses break out, people should rise to the occasion. You and I have skills and talents to comfort others. But skills and talents without love mean absolutely nothing.

So, if you truly “love your neighbor as yourself,” or you’re ready to start doing that, take a closer look at what’s going on in the world. Look for Truth. Because Truth is the Way to Life. Focus on that.

I don’t believe
In magic…hocus pocus.
I do believe
My treasure’s where I focus.

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He said this. “The universe appears to be, like, 13.8 billion years old. Earth is about 4.5 billion years old. In another half billion years, or so, the sun will expand. And probably evaporate the oceans. And make life impossible on Earth. Which means that if it had taken consciousness 10% longer to evolve, it would never have evolved at all.” Wow, that Elon Musk is stupid smart.

And by “stupid smart,” I mean stupid. And smart.

Because there’s no denying he’s a smart guy. But those evolutionary statements are so amazingly stupid on multiple levels. Elon also wonders how many “dead one civilization planets there are out there.” He figures there are “probably a few.”

Mr. Musk also waxed poetically as he described Earth as “a mode of dust suspended in a beam of sunlight.”

But all his education and achievements have led him to conclusions that increase his separation from the Maker of Heaven, Earth, the sun and its beams. And that’s stupid. Not smart.

Because Elon’s worldview is ultimately one of hopelessness. Imagine believing (if you don’t already) that you’re just another creature who lived out your life on a mode of dust. In a beam of sunlight from a sun that’s just gonna expand and burn up that mode of dust.

Sounds great. Sign me up!

Consciousness did NOT evolve. And this so-called “mode of dust” is three-fourths covered in water. And that sun is at an almost perfectly optimum distance from Earth. Those are only 3 points of contention and evidence that should lead a thinking person to at least wonder how all of existence could happen accidentally. Design is in the smallest cell. And in the largest system, the universe.

Self-defeating arguments can be found everywhere in this world that does its best to erase God. And they endeavor to do it in the name of so-called intellect and science. But the irony is…there wouldn’t be any intellect or science without an uncaused First Cause.

Take the Creator of the universe out of the equation and it’s no surprise how dark the future appears.

So, my suggestion is to take a closer look at THE God of the Bible.

And examine the overwhelming evidence of His existence in all of creation. There are thousands of ancient manuscripts. And archeological discoveries. There are prophecies realized. And there are almost limitless science and statistical probabilities connected to the one called Jesus.

So, you’d be stupid smart (not stupid AND smart) to “glory in the Lord.”

Because you live on a planet,
And in a day, He has made.
And the planet is not dying,
So you can live unafraid
Unless you live on a planet,
And in a day, you designed.
‘Cause then you’ll have to pay, yourself,
For what was wrong in your mind.

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A friend of mine is a business coach. And she shows her clients the value of a to do list. Plus, she helps them implement it into their business. And then, she even helps them build a system to automate much of it.

It’s pretty cool. And I’ve seen her help a lot of business owners with her system.

But there are many more people who only think they create to do lists.

But they make busy work instead. And that can lead to a meaningless life when left unchecked. Way back when, I wrote lyrics to a song I never recorded. And the words talk about the damage that busy work can do to your life. Because that kind of work can distract you from what’s truly important.

I hope this isn’t you.

I’ve Got Things To Do

I wouldn’t mind stopping all of the wars.
I’d be a diplomat,
If I could know for sure in my heart
That it was simple as that.

But peace will have to wait.
I can’t just change my life around.
I’m in the middle of something
That has me helplessly bound.

I’ve got things to do.
I’ve got places to go.
And I’ve got people to see
And savings to grow.
So, though I don’t know how to see this through,
I know for sure I’ve got things to do.

I wouldn’t mind spreading love in the world.
I’d work it every day.
I know that someone’s life can be changed.
When you give love away,

But love will have to wait;
We’re gonna have to hold that thought.
I’m on a merciless mission.
And though it hurts a lot…

I’ve got things to do.

I’ve got places to go.
And I’ve got people to see
And futures to grow.
So, though I don’t know how to see this through,
I know for sure I’ve got things to do.

I’m sure someone will come along
Who could easily fit the bill.
And when they do, I’ll lend my support,
If I can ever get over this hill.

I’ve got things to do.
I’ve got places to go.
And I’ve got people to see
And dreams to grow.

So, though I don’t know how to see this through,
I know for sure I’ve got things to do.

© Tony Funderburk 1987

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