Rhyme and Reason Podcast with Tony Funderburk

Posted on June 20, 2023 by TonyJuly 5, 2023

$Contemplation and action and special light's refraction$

Back in the day a rainbow was a rainbow. And, for a relatively small group of people, it also represented a promise from God; that He would never flood the earth again. I consider His promise to be proof of contemplation and action. Because I believe God contemplates His actions toward us based on ours toward (or away from) Him.

So it goes. In that order. Contemplation and action.

And I believe that because I see so much evidence throughout His bestselling book. Of course, younger, so-called, pastors say we probably shouldn’t use the Bible when we talk to people about God. And their reasoning is because if they don’t believe in God, then they just don’t care about your “good book.”

What a load of Bulgarian whale dung.

Obviously those nicer-than-God pastors prefer self-indulgent action, without contemplation in God’s word, over what has been true for millennia.

Anyway…

Back to the rainbow. An ironic perspective twist popped into my brain this morning. Rainbows occur when light is refracted (bent, deflected) through water. And, yes, I know the same thing happens through a crystal prism. For the sake of my point this is about water rainbows.

Before the worldwide flood (Remember? The one with Noah, his family, and all those animals?) the world had never seen rainbows. Some Christians say there was no rain either. But some others say that’s not necessarily true. Doesn’t matter.

The point is, there weren’t rainbows.

But once God flooded the whole planet, He decided to tell Noah He wouldn’t do that again. So, He said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.”

Now, God didn’t have to invent rainbows. Because He created water. And He created “lights” and placed them above the Earth. Then, the “natural laws” of physics did the rest. Light shined into the water, refracted, and split into the colors you see in each rainbow.

Here’s where the ironic and twisted twist, I mentioned earlier, butts in. A group of people, who prefer to thumb their noses at God and claim their sin as their identities, has also staked a claim to the month of June. They say it has something to do with pride (ironic twist #1 since that’s what happens before destruction). Because they not only claim their sin as their identity, but they also want everyone else to acknowledge and accept their “right” to it.

And they staked a claim to the rainbow (and here’s ironic twist #2) and cast their darkened hearts over the refracted light of God’s promise.

But those darkened hearts don’t (and will never) diminish the Truth of the rainbow. So, the most they can do is sew some different colored fabrics together and make a flag. Sure, they can wave those flags around and stir up their own frenzied hysteria in an attempt to elevate their self-indulgence. But, in the end, it’s just fabric and futility.

They definitely don’t connect wise contemplation and action. And they definitely aren’t well represented by rainbows.

And you should know, I don’t hate them.

But I DO hate them. Uh-oh, it’s another one of those bigoted (and apparently confused), hater Christians. Because, how is it possible to hate and not hate at the same time?

That’s a legitimate question if you’re a new, or baby, Christian. Or if you’re someone who’s easily offended by the Truth. And truth is hate to those who hate the truth.

If you’re someone who’s hell-bent on claiming your despicable and destructive sin as your identity, I love you enough to tell you that leads to eternal torment. And I hate you for doing that to yourself and others. Because you destroy SO much more than you even realize. Especially if you partake in so-called “pride” parades where you flaunt your perversion even in the face of children.

I do NOT enjoy writing or talking about this. I’d much rather spend that time in deep thought about how to connect rhythms, syllables, and words together into beautiful pictures for the mind. Especially if those pictures help show the glory of God and His love. And that reminds me of this snippet in time…

Once upon a magic moment there was a young poet who sat, for a little while, in a meadow filled with spring flowers. The clear, yet slightly opaque blue, spring sky added the finishing touch to the idyllic scene. Putting pen to paper, this poet wrote about what he saw all around him AND what he saw in his mind’s eye. And the result was…

Contemplation

There was nothing but a pretty, blue sky…
But then a redbird joined the high.
Always, there’s nothing that’s alone.
How can there be a heart of stone?
That’s why I contemplate:
Why does anybody hate?
If they would only wait for an answer,
They would find
There are some who are kind.
They’re standing right behind to lend an answer.

There was nothing but a pretty, clear brook…
But then someone wrote about it in a book.
Always, alone shall gather friends
With joy that lasts and never ends.
That’s why I contemplate:
Why does anybody hate?
If they would only wait for an answer,
They would find
There are some who are kind.
They’re standing right behind to lend an answer.

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Posted on June 17, 2023 by TonyJuly 4, 2023

19000 days. Yes, that’s nineteen thousand days. And that’s a lotta days. But I didn’t just pick a number off the top of my head. No, it’s the approximate number of days I’ve written poetry.

Some might say that’s a huge waste of a large number of days.

To those I say, “Ouch. You hurt both my feelings.”

So, the number of days also closely represents the number of poems and songs and short stories. Yes, I’ve written something nearly every one of those days. And there were many times I wrote multiple rhymes in a day.

But I didn’t bring that big number up to brag. I’d like to emphasize how inexhaustible information is. Because it’s non-material. No matter how many words are written. by every writer who ever lived, lives now, or ever will live, we will never be able to use up all the words.

And I’m not a proponent of miracles, when it comes to faith. I don’t look for signs and wonders to point me to the Creator of Heaven and Earth. So, when I talk about the miraculous wonder of our information based existence, I mean it’s a miracle that God allows us this life we willingly destroy.

Or, at the very least, it’s a wonder He still has any patience for any of us. But I believe He does have patience and tender mercy because at least some of us love this gift of Life He gave us.

I pity the fools who place their trust in materialism.

Theirs is a hopeless existence. Because they believe it to be temporary and nihilistic. And in only what their senses tell them.

But that’s just not sensible.

Three years ago, I woke up in the wee hours, and worked on some “rewrites” of some of my writings. And, as I wrote, a few other thoughts popped in. Here’s what I said:

“A materialistic worldview says everything that exists is made up of nothing but matter and energy. But it’s a self-refuting position. Because the thoughts behind that statement are non-material and non-physical.

And that’s good news.

Unless your whole philosophy in life relies on the absence of a Creator God.

Then, non-physical information becomes a thorn in your side. A stumbling block you can’t move out of the way with more anti God rhetoric. And the sad news is, the opponents of God don’t care about evidence. So, their agenda is clear.

Mock and ridicule Christians for believing in “someone or something invisible in the sky.”

Which, of course, we don’t do.

But they don’t care about our intellectualism and scientific knowledge. Only that we believe in the God who is the ultimate standard of right and wrong.

And it’s only 4 a.m. I can only imagine what this new day will bring.”

Then, of course, I finished my morning journal entry with a poem…

This day, I know, will be awesome and so lyrical
‘Cause this life we all live is a such a miracle.
If you choose to be doubtful and satirical,
One sad day you’ll find my faith is quite empirical.

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Posted on June 16, 2023 by TonyJuly 2, 2023

I’ve talked about it before. But something popped up, online, this morning, that brought back a good and sad memory. And it’s about sticks. But not just any kind. I’m talkin’ about Pick Up Sticks. A game that used to be popular with kids before technology took the soul out of games.

Anyway…

Back to the memory.

My brother and I used to ride the Santa Fe Big Chief twice a year. And we didn’t live in Santa Fe. And there was no Indian giving us piggyback rides either. No, it was a train ride. From Houston, Texas to Kansas City, Missouri in the first week of June. And from Kansas City back to Houston at the end of August.

But what does that have to do with Pick Up Sticks?

Well, aren’t you the impatient one. I was just getting to that.

We took those train rides, twice a year, because my parents divorced when my brother and I were young. And they moved far apart. Mom went to Missouri and then Kansas. Dad went to Texas. But they worked out terms for us to see both of them for long periods of time. Not just every other weekend.

So, every year, at the end of nine months in school, my brother and I were put on the Big Chief and sent off to Union Station in K.C. And then we’d spend the summer with Mom.

Toward the end of summer, she’d take us to get some new school clothes. And most of the time she’d also get us something to occupy our minds and time during the 19 hour train trip. Usually it was some sort of road trip game. And one year she bought us a tube of Pick Up Sticks.

They looked like large, multi-colored toothpicks. And here’s how you play. You sorta just empty the sticks out the tube and let them fall into a pile. Then, the object is to pick up a stick without making any other sticks fall out of place. Once you get your first stick, you can also use it to be more precise in the movements. And the winner is the one with the highest points based on the color of the sticks.

Keep in mind, we played that game on a moving train.

So, picking up the sticks without them rolling out of place wasn’t as easy as you might think. We had fun. And the game DID help to pass the time. But on a sad note (well, for my brother), he was never able to beat me. At least, that’s how I recall it. He might remember it differently. But he was the younger brother, so…nope.

As you can see, it’s a fond memory for me. But it’s also sad. Because it shows some of the tough stuff kids have to go through when husbands and wives ignore God’s recommendations for marriage. And, even though I’ve always managed to put a positive spin on it, my parents’ divorce showed the consequences of selfishness.

But enough of the downer stuff. Ten years ago, I shared a poem, for kids, about the wonder of old-fashioned games. Here it is again.

Tiddlywinks and Pick Up Sticks

Tiddlywinks and pick up sticks
And rainbows and balloons…
Maybe add some marbles, too,
And silly, happy tunes.
Funtime in the bright sunshine
To while the hours away…
Oh, and what I wouldn’t give
To be a kid today.
I’d set up the checkerboard
And play a game or two…
Then go grab my bag of jacks
And see how well I’d do.
Maybe I’d go find my friends,
And we could fly a kite
Tied onto our fishing pole…
We’d send it out of sight.
Then we’d reel it in again
And go and get our bikes…
And we’d ride to secret lands
‘Cross levees and ‘cross dikes.
After that I’d say goodbye
And we’d all go our ways.
Yes, I guess that’s just how my
Imagination plays.

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Posted on June 15, 2023 by TonyJuly 2, 2023

Tucson, Arizona. Central New Mexico. Music. Moonlight. Dan Fogelberg. Storytelling. All parts of “the road” from a long time ago. And, early this morning, I thought about an incredible, singular experience I had during a full moon drive. Strangely enough, it was a motion-sensor light that triggered that full moon memory.

Huh? A motion-sensor light and a full moon drive?

Yeah, I got out of bed and started to get dressed in the dark. Just as I always do. Because a beautiful wife should have all the beauty sleep she can get. So, flipping on the overhead light would just be rude and uncalled for. And I’m nothing if not considerate and called for.

Anyway…

As I dressed, the motion-sensor light in back of the house suddenly lit up and seeped through the window blinds. It wasn’t as bright as the overhead bedroom light would have been. But it definitely gave the room a sort of moonlit glow. And I peeked out the window to be sure there were no prowlers or ferocious animals I’d have to slay. No intruders in sight. Probably just a bird flying by that triggered the light.

So, I finished dressing and went to the kitchen to brew some wake up elixir, as I always do. And as I measured out the dark-roasted coffee beans, and drew the pure water from our gravity filter, I kept thinking of how that fluorescent light reminded me of that full moon drive, years ago.

The memory of the wavy road, in the wee winter hours, reminded me of when I first learned about metaphors and similes in school. My English composition book shared examples of each. And one of the examples of a metaphor was “the road was a ribbon of light.” I remember thinking, “Hey, I’m on that road all these years later.”

Back to the drive.

Dan Fogelberg released his eighth album, Windows and Walls, in 1984 (the year of my full moon drive). And one song was called “Tucson Arizona (Gazette). He said he wrote the song based on a story he read in that paper. And the song is a little over eight and half minutes long. But if you like Spanish-sounding guitar riffs and percussion (I DO), the song certainly doesn’t feel long.

And that’s the song I played several times over as I drove my little Toyota pickup through the cold, New Mexico night. On a secondary highway heading north toward I-40. The full moon reflected on the road. And there were basically no other cars. So, I turned off my headlights and skimmed across that ribbon of light.

I could see almost as easily without the headlights. Because the reflection from the road seemed to amplify and magnify the moonlight. It was exhilarating. And obviously a sensory experience I’ll never forget.

And all these years later, something else comes to mind.

None of that experience, nor any others like it, could ever happen without the love of God. Because, without Him, there would only be darkness and void. In fact, he inspired Moses to describe the light He made for us. So, Moses wrote this:

“Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness.”

Think about that. Those lights RULE. You and I have zero control over whether the sun and moon will shine or not. So, in a sense, they rule their light over us. Day WILL be lit up by the sun. And the moon lights the nights. Well, the stars, too. But the main light is the moon.

And those lights in the sky are indicators of how important light is to God. Then, when you go to the other end of the Bible, you discover that, in Heaven, there won’t be a sun and moon. What? If light is so important to Him, why would Heaven have no sun or moon? Simple. Yet almost impossible to imagine. God will BE the light.

And that Ribbon of Light will wrap around anyone who chooses to be there. That includes you. Right?

If not, consider taking a full moon drive, out West, the next chance you get. Turn off your headlights. And think about what could happen if you accidentally ended up in a ditch because you missed something on the road. And think about if you ended up like Tony and Mary, in Dan Fogelberg‘s song. Where would you go or be?

I hope you’d ride the ribbon of Light to Heaven.

But that could only happen if you had already chosen wisely. Otherwise, you could just be another side story in a small newspaper. And Dan won’t write a song about you. Because he left this planet years ago. And even I might not be around to write a song about you.

So, don’t put it off. Choose your Creator and you’ll feel (and be) more alive than you can imagine.

You’ll thank me later.

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Posted on June 14, 2023 by TonyJune 30, 2023

Benefits of Christian music and hope for my forever land

Love, peace, and music. I wish those for you. And now, let’s get down to business. No, I’m not smokin’ any halo tobacco. It doesn’t take a dope-smokin’, long-haired, hippy freak to talk about the finer parts of life. And, while we’re on the subject, that leads me into some of the benefits of Christian music.

First, there’s no cursing.

Second, there’s no sex.

Third, there’s no cursing.

And did I mention there’s no sex?

Oh yeah, those are the big 4 benefits of Christian music.

But then, another HUGE benefit of Christian music is that it’s an indicator of your NEW character. What’s that you say? You’re curious about the NEW character stuff? Good. Because I was just getting to that.

Paul (that guy who claimed his own Gospel) wrote a letter to the Colossians. And he described what you can see when a man (or woman) has a new character. No, not a part in a movie. An actual compilation of who they/you/he/she are/is. (Sorry, I got too inclusive for a second there.)

Anyway…

Paul said the “new man” should and would follow this outline:

“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

See? Love and peace. Yes, thankfulness is in there, too. But then Paul went and spinned the tables when it came to music. Because he had the audacity to say you should use music to instruct others and even get on to them. What? With music? Uh-huh.

He actually said it more like this:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

That’s not exactly what you’ll find in churches these days. So, I don’t think churches truly receive the true benefits of true Christian music. And, yes, that’s a lotta true-based stuff. But for a reason. Because what’s trying to pass for praise and worship music these days are actually repetitious, cotton candy choruses.

But when you try to give churches, and the “pewple” inside, more meaty music, they turn a deaf ear. Mostly.

I speak from experience.

I’m not bitter about it. I AM sad about it. But I also won’t be spinning any cotton candy. So, I pray the music I’ve composed and compiled over the years will be an indication of the treasures I’ve stored up in Heaven. And if that IS how it turns out, then I’ll rejoice at the eternal benefits of my Christian music. And I’ll do my best not to admonish anyone who turned a deaf ear.

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

(from my song Consequential Servitude)

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Posted on June 13, 2023 by TonyJune 30, 2023

Why is Christian music so bad? This doesn't make me glad.

Neil Patel, a marketing guy who shares a lot of how-to videos, has a website to help you with keywords and keyphrases for your content. Those are important if you want your website to be found and pull in traffic. So, with his keyword tool, you can type in a couple of words and get a bunch of questions being asked online. I typed in “Christian music,” and many of the questions asked “Why is Christian music so bad?”

Have you typed why is Christian music so bad into your browser?

If you do, let me know what you come up with.

This Christian music rabbit hole led me to a song I think is called Why. Or maybe it’s Why Why Why. Not sure. But I DO have to wonder why it’s considered a Christian song. And I wonder why so many songs can only find approximate rhymes and almost no phrasing rhythm. But that’s probably just me being out of touch with the times. So be it.

Anyway…

I found the lyrics to Why. And the songwriting credits are listed as Amy Moody Corbett and Christopher Joel Brown and Steven Furtick. It doesn’t say who wrote what. So, I don’t know if one wrote the music and the other two wrote the lyrics. Or if it’s vice versa. Or if they just all contributed words AND music.

But the sad point is, this could be a “love song” (full of confusion) to anyone. And about anyone. I realize they capitalized the word “You.” But when you listen, your brain doesn’t pick up on spelling and capitalizations.

Then, they pass off the words “said” and “breath” as rhyming words. Approximate. And the words sung, enough, and one as rhyming words. Barely approximate. Then, the chorus drifts into neverland as it says “I’ll never know why You love me like you love me.”

A Christian should know why.

Because a Christian should know that the answer to that question is found in the Bible. From more than one perspective. And from more than one of the contributors to its content.

I’m not gonna pick apart every jot and tittle. But there’s one section I particularly don’t like. Where the words drone into how no matter what you do, God loves you. Certainly there’s no sin that is not covered by the death and resurrection of Jesus. But that doesn’t mean you can “make my bed in hell” and it’s all good. Or that when you “don’t even love myself” it’s all good. Or that you can curse God and it’s all good.

Especially when you read how Jesus condensed all the commandments down into just two. Love the Lord your God. And love your neighbor as yourself. So, you’re commanded to love God and love yourself.

God won’t force you to obey those commandments. Because that would take away your freedom to choose. And He wants love to be freely given. But if you don’t follow those commandments, freely, your freedom to choose will come to an end. And that end will torment you forever.

I’ll leave you with the words to “Why.” And see if you’re left asking why is Christian music so bad?

Why

What can I say of Your loveThat has not already been said?Were I to tell all the things You have doneI would run out of breathSo many songs have been sungBut how can I praise You enough?So here’s another one

WhyYou love me like You love meI’ll never know
(repeat)Your love isBetter than silverAnd better than goldBetter than anything I’ve ever knownI’ll never knowWhyYou love me like You love meI’ll never know

Real joy doesn’t always feel like laughter, noBlessings don’t always come from the places I thought they wouldYour love doesn’t look anything like it does in HollywoodYou don’t walk out when it’s overThat’s when I need You the most

I’ll never know

WhyYou love me like You love meI’ll never know
(repeat)Your love isBetter than silverAnd better than goldBetter than anything I’ve ever knownI’ll never knowWhyYou love me like You love meI’ll never knowWhy, Why, WhyYou love me like You love me (repeat)I’ll never know

Even when I turn my backYou love meEven when I curse Your nameYou love meAnd even when I broke Your heartYou love me (repeat twice)And when I make my bed in hellYou love meWhen I don’t even love myselfYou love meYou’re not the kind to cut and runYou love meYou love meYeah You love me

WhyYou love me like You love meI’ll never knowWhyYou love me like You love meYour love isBetter than silverAnd better than goldBetter than anything I’ve ever knownI’ll never knowWhyYou love me like You love meI’ll never know

Songwriters: Amy Moody Corbett / Christopher Joel Brown / Steven Furtick

Posted on June 12, 2023 by TonyJune 29, 2023

Defensive positions and weak suppositions

“We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” That’s a good line. Even though it does come from a former U.S. president who was so wrong on so many things. But back in that time in American history, even FDR understood that fear creates the wrong kind of defensive positions.

Fearful defensive positions lead to lights under baskets.

Yes, that’s a thinly-veiled reference to a Bible verse. And it’s one of those verses written in red. So, you know what that means. Right? As a friend of mine used to say, “Truth is about to be uttered.”

Fear can drive you so far into defensive positions that you won’t speak up when humans enslave other humans. Or you won’t speak up when adults traffic little kids for sex. Or you won’t speak up when men use underage girls, and then take them to abortion clinics. In fact, maybe you’ll even close your eyes and ears so you don’t have to see or hear.

How many times have I read some full-grown male talk about “crying in the fetal position?” And about what? What in the world could drive a full-grown male to that point? The answer is in the question.

The world.

And right now the world wants to erase, nullify, subjugate, and annihilate real men. Because the world (which is controlled by a tyrannical, will-bending, unrelenting ruler) fears real men. Especially those who love Jesus. But that ruler is cunning. He uses that fear as his greatest strength. If you allow it.

And if you’re a Christian, you won’t allow it. For one simple reason.

God didn’t give you a spirit of fear. He gave you a spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Now, what can you do with all that?

Well, how about “all things” for starters?

That just about covers everything. Right? So, why haven’t you done ALL things through the One who made you? Same reason I haven’t And the same reason no one else has. Because you lean on your own understanding, not God’s. Yeah, we’ve all been there. And that can lead to a constant or consistent state of fear which stems from a weak supposition. That is, you don’t believe God will help.

Let’s look at it from His perspective for a moment…

God knows He created you. He gives you power, love, and a sound mind. He gives you freedom to choose your own path. And He offers His wisdom and understanding of how the world and everything in it works.

So, all you gotta do, to tap into that wisdom and understanding, is read His Word and enjoy the renewing of your mind which comes from it. You might be surprised at how fast you could leave defensive positions behind.

In 1998, I wrote a song, which was a form of a prayer, about leaving fear behind. It’s called, “The One True Way To Peace.” Here’s the first verse…

Judge me; I need to be judged.
Correct me; whenever I’m wrong.
Save me from thinking my thoughts.
I’ve lived in them way too long.
Show me what I need to see.
Tell me what I have to hear.
Give me a voice of wisdom.
Thank You for taking my fear.

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Posted on June 9, 2023 by TonyJune 28, 2023

Today, I found out, once again, how fragile the hearts and minds of most people are. And it happened with some censored words. And, just in case you think Elon Musk is one of the good guys because he allowed people on Twitter to speak a little more friendly, he’s not. Or at the very least, his algorithms on Twitter would make it seem that way. But I hold people responsible.

Algorithms only block censored words they’re programmed to block

And I got a slap on the social media wrist, today, when I posted a simple statement. It said, “Tyranny and Tranny are SO similar. Y is that? Just a little play on words and letters. And did I say something that isn’t true?

But I got a message that said, people wouldn’t be able to see my tweet because “this Tweet may violate Twitter’s rules against Hateful Conduct.”

What did I say that’s hateful? And see why I say it’s people? Because an algorithm wouldn’t know what I meant by the word, “tranny.” And, I’m smart enough to know that’s brought on my censored words.

Many years ago, I talked about how these days would come. And not so long ago I reiterated the message and shared lyrics from 1996. Here’s what I said:

I’m not a pessimist. In fact, most people who have ever known me would probably tell you I’m a very “up” person. And I’m proud to be an American. This is not the country it once was, but it’s still the best place to be on the planet. Consider that I’m able to sit here in my studio/office and type these words into a laptop computer and hit “publish” and watch my words go out to the world. Not just words approved by the state. Or words censored by a totally depraved and tyrannical government.

No. These are…my words.

I’m still free enough to write words of chastisement toward my country without fear of the gallows, or dungeons, or banishment to some frozen wasteland.

At least for now.

But I’m concerned that the day is coming when my words will not be allowed to go out to the world. The day is coming when my Christian belief will immediately label me a “hater”. Think not? Think again. That day is essentially already here. I’m not surprised about it. Jesus said it would happen. He even said “whoever kills you will think he does God a service“.

Don’t you see that happening in other parts of the world? Is there any reason to think it can’t happen here? Or where you are? I say, no. But if you’d like to make sure it happens to as few people as possible…

Say Yeah!

Would you like to reach the top
And never have the journey stop? Say Yeah! Say Yeah!
Could you try to hold a hand
Just to help somebody stand? Say Yeah!

Would you give a word or two
To win a soul or win a few? Say Yeah! Say Yeah!
Do you want to change the way
Public servants act today? Say Yeah!

How many laws have to be passed
Before we’re obscured in the shadows they cast?
And how many plans must we invent
Before we can step beyond mere intent?

Do you see the pattern form
How the wrong becomes the norm? Say Yeah! Say Yeah!
Would you like to stop the ride;
Could you dare to take a side? Say Yeah! Say Yeah!

How many cuts are we to take
Before we can see just whose blood is at stake?
We can’t leave the job to the land of the free
Cause when it boils down…that’s just you…you and me.

If we don’t watch, someone’ll be watching for us.
If we don’t care then how can we complain.
We don’t have to give it up and say it’s over.
We can change it here, we don’t have to live in fear.
And we don’t have to cry in vain.

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Posted on June 8, 2023 by TonyJune 27, 2023

Chlorophyll benefits more than just a few tidbits

How much grass have you eaten lately. NO, I didn’t ask how much you smoked, you knucklehead. And I’m not an advocate of grazing out in your yard. But I bring it up because there are apparently some chlorophyll benefits to eating grass. Well, to eating greens, that is.

And when I mention chlorophyll, I mean that green pigment, present in all green plants and in cyanobacteria. The stuff that’s responsible for the absorption of light to provide energy for photosynthesis. And its molecule “contains a magnesium atom held in a porphyrin ring.”

Yeah. You know what I’m talkin’ ’bout.

So, here are a few chlorophyll benefits found in greens:

“They” say it…

Increases energy
Is anti-aging
Promotes red blood cell growth
Supports healthier skin
Makes it easier for wounds to heal
Is a free radical scavenger, and
Is a natural deodorant

Naturally, it depends on who you check with. Because there are people on both sides of the health fence when it comes to chlorophyll benefits. According to one article I read, “research to support these claims is both lacking and conflicting.”

I’m not so sure about that. But I know that since foods contain chlorophyll, they were designed to be that way. And the Designer (aka: Jesus) originally created a world where “every green herb” would be food for us. Thankfully, the Designer is so much smarter than us.

But you know us humans (or I hope you do).

We always find a way to mess things up. And that includes the food supply. But, to reiterate, the Designer is so much smarter than us.

He knew there would be problems with “every green herb” for a while after the worldwide flood (which was our fault, by the way). So, he told Noah (the guy who built the ark, not Russell Crowe) that “every moving thing that lives shall be food for you.”

Because God knew the animals could turn bad greens into good meat. And guess what’s found in beef that comes from cattle that eat grass. Yep, chlorophyll benefits. Well, chlorophyll, to be more precise. And to be even more precise, allow me to quote from a government website:

“Because grass-finishing alters the biochemistry of the beef, aroma and flavor will also be affected. These attributes are directly linked to the chemical makeup of the final product. In a study comparing the flavor compounds between cooked grass-fed and grain-fed beef, the grass-fed beef contained higher concentrations of diterpenoids, derivatives of chlorophyll call phyt-1-ene and phyt-2-ene, that changed both the flavor and aroma of the cooked product.”

OK, I’m not a phyt-1-ene or phyt-2-ene expert.

And I don’t know about that flavor altering. But I know how yummy a grass fed burger or steak is. Because I eat that stuff every day. Sure, it increases my toxic masculinity. But that’s a side effect I’m willing to live with. Or is it “with which I’m willing to live?” Doesn’t matter. I’m willing.

Over the years I’ve tried a wide variety of “healthy” foods and supplements. We even had a wheatgrass juicer in the FunderHaus for a while. So, I can tell you, from experience, that chlorophyll benefits are much tastier in grass fed beef than they are in “every green herb.”

But as tasty as a juicy steak is, and as tasty as a burger with real butter and sea salt is, I’ll be glad to never eat any more of them one fine day. And that day IS coming. Maybe soon.

Whether it’s soon or a thousand years, the truth is, one day no animals will ever have to die again in order for me to eat a healthy meal. And that will be Heavenly. Speaking of greens…

Avocado and cilantro
And a hint of lime.
Salsa bueno, words you may know
When you take the time
To dip a chip into this dip
Like a foodie would.
Guacamole isn’t holy,
But, man! It’s sooo good!

Stay tuned,

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Posted on June 7, 2023 by TonyJune 24, 2023

Beautiful people can also see we should live eternally

It’s an event where business owners and entrepreneurs go to “spot trends, build partnerships, or secure brand rights for your products.” It’s the Licensing Expo. And it was held in Las Vegas this year. A 60 year old woman, you might have heard of, was there. For a long time she’s been one of those so-called “beautiful people.”

But it turns out, she’s quite a bit more than one of the beautiful people.

She was also the youngest woman to enter Licensing Hall of Fame. And she was the “youngest Icon in the Furniture Industry,” an award from the IHFRA (International Home Furnishings Representatives Association).

So, one of the beautiful people and yet connected to the home furnishings industry, eh?

Sounds kinda quirky to me. But it doesn’t stop there. She’s also on the board of “the James Madison Committee at Princeton University, NFL PI, WNBPA, International Youth Chair, and National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.” Plus she’s apparently an “Ambassador (and major donor) to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.”

Well, who is the person already? Right?

Would you believe she’s a former famous swimsuit model? I hope you’d believe it. Because she was. But now she’s considered a mogul. Yeah, her company, Kathy Ireland ® Worldwide is huge. And she’s got her entrepreneurial fingers in a lot of pies.

Oh, did I mention she’s Kathy Ireland? Uh-huh. Remember her from those Sports Illustrated covers and features?

Yeah, me neither.

But one subject most people wouldn’t associate Kathy with is abortion. And yet, in the video I’m sharing, you’ll see she uses scientific logic and reason to show why she became pro life.

Just in case you don’t see the video, automatically, here’s the link: (https://youtu.be/oMjeddIJCqU)

You and I might not be considered one of the “beautiful people” in this world. But you and I have a voice. That’s one of the few benefits of this social media world we inhabit now.

So, even if you can’t talk, write down your thoughts and use your voice. Tell people about the eternal value of human life. And it DOES have eternal value because it comes from the one true, eternal, living, loving Creator of Heaven and Earth. And your life, fashioned after God Himself, makes you one of the beautiful people after all. Yeah, me too.

So, anytime somebody tells you only weirdo Christians are pro life, share this video. It’s proof that even swimsuit models can understand that every person is a person, no matter how small.

If you take a stand and you stand for Life,
People might laugh and make fun.
And Jesus didn’t say it was gonna be easy,
But you’ll be with Him when this life is done.
No more livin’ like this;
By the sweat of your brow,
And if you want God’s paradise,
You better take a stand right now.

Stay tuned,

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