choose life Archives - Page 2 of 6

Posted on October 25, 2023 by TonyOctober 25, 2023

Here’s the cold, hard truth. You have no choice. You MUST believe in the God described in the Bible. No other option is available, viable, or reliable. So, give up. And give in. Resistance is futile.

Oh wait. That’s The Borg.

So sorry. My mistake. And I’m so embarrassed.

Except, I’m not. Because I’m making a point. Something I often (almost always) do here on TonyFunderburk.com And the point is…

You don’t have NO choice.

And I know a double negative is improper grammar. But that, again, is to emphasize the point. When it comes to the God of the Bible, you are NOT forced to choose Him or love Him. And you don’t even have to believe in Him. Because He knows that, in order for love to be real and true, it must be freely given.

So, why would a living, loving God of creation give you no choice but to love Him? Short answer: He wouldn’t. He didn’t. And you are free to even hate Him. As I alway say, I don’t recommend that choice. But you have your own will. Your own mind. And, as a result, you can even freely decide to make the ultimate bad choice.

But for those of us who understand that ideas have consequences, the Truth is unavoidably compelling. To be compelled is to be A: forced or B: obliged. So, the compelling feeling I have falls under the obliged column.

Because God made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure I could live forever, it’s almost like I have no (wise) choice. I…

Have To Believe

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

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

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

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

Chorus

Well, I’m not sure if I deserve it.
I’m lighter than air and soaring like a bird,
And if I can love You any better…just say the Word!

Repeat Chorus to end

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

Stay tuned,

Posted on August 10, 2023 by TonySeptember 1, 2023

Your safe place isn’t.

Because there’s no safe place on Earth. Sure, there ARE places that, on a certain level, are safer than others. That’s just when it comes to the most violent and in-your-face crimes.

But there’s nowhere on this planet that isn’t wicked. You can’t get away from it even in the small towns. And that’s where you used to be able to leave your house and car doors unlocked at night. Ancient history now.

No doubt. It’s bad. Even in (maybe especially in) the country that was once the last place you’d expect to be this bad. Fact is, there was only one time in history our little blue planet was worse. And that’s when it got so bad God was sorry He even made human beings. So, He broke the planet and killed all but 8 people.

And that was really for the sake of only ONE of those people.

And that was because God has a “big picture” perspective for His creation.

Since He has that kind of perspective, it’s mighty important to have a better understanding of that big picture. Here’s how it goes. You WILL exist forever somewhere. You can live in the fullness of life with your Creator in paradise. Or you can exist totally separate from Him, forever.

So, if you’re looking for your safe place, you have two options.

Option 1: God’s Kingdom. The only safe place.

Option 2: your “kingdom.” Not safe. And, in fact, your desire for safety will never end there.

But you get to choose. Because God loves you so much He won’t even force you into paradise if you don’t wanna go there. I hope you consider Option 2.

Some acquaintances of mine, who understood where true safety can be found, chose a song for their wedding that reflected that. The song talks about a couple who go through life as one. And they understand that life is filled with challenges and obstacles. But the key is to keep smiling and keep looking up. Because where God dwells is the only place you’ll be…

Safe And Sound

Down on our luck but not out of the game,
We both go the distance and cover some ground,
And still our love is safe and sound.
We learned to be part of each other’s dreams.
Some time was lost but look what we found,
Knowing our love is safe and sound.

We laugh like there’s no tomorrow.
We’re touched by the hand of God.
So what if there’s no new sunrise.
So what if the world won’t spin around.
We’re safe and sound.

Miles have gone by; we dared to go see
The wide open space and seldom we frowned.
Look how our love is safe and sound.
Deep in our hearts and inside our minds
We capture the words and they keep us bound,
Saying our love is safe and sound.

We laugh like there’s no tomorrow.
We’re touched by the hand of God.
So what if there’s no new sunrise.
So what if the world won’t spin around.
We’re safe and sound.

So many give up when one knee is down.
But we’re down on both and now we’re safe and sound.

This song and a dozen more are in the classic Do Right collection.

Get your downloadable version and enjoy the music just minutes from now: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZX3MBTG37Q9WA If the link doesn’t automatically work for you, copy and paste it into your browser.

Stay tuned,

Posted on July 21, 2023 by TonyJuly 21, 2023

God hates certain reprobates. There go the floodgates.

OK, it’s in the Bible. So I believe it. John said, “God is love.” And he (and other apostles, too) also wrote of the many ways God loves us humans. Plus, all you gotta do, to know that’s true, is take a good look at what Jesus did for us. Yeah, that’s true love. So, why do I have to go and mess all that up by saying something like, “God hates.”

You don’t have to like it when I say/write that. And it might make you uncomfortable to hear/read it. But none of that makes it any less true.

And it’s true. God hates certain reprobates.

(side note: In Calvinism, a reprobate, is a sinner who is not of the elect and is predestined to damnation. That’s stupid and NOT true)

Now, I’m gonna borrow from Jeff Foxworthy’s “you might be a redneck” standing joke to illustrate what I mean.

If you strut around with an attitude of arrogance, you might be a reprobate. If it’s easier for you to lie than tell the truth, you might be a reprobate. And if your hands shed innocent blood (and if you support someone who physically does that, you share the guilt), you might be a reprobate.

Am I touching on any nerves, yet?

OK, there are more.

If you devise wicked plans, even if they’re just in your heart, you might be a reprobate. Or if your feet (physical AND metaphorical feet) are swift to run to evil, you might be a reprobate.

No descriptions of you yet?

Well, here are two more. If you tell lies about someone, on purpose, you might be a reprobate. And if you stir up bad feelings, especially among your family and friends, you might be a reprobate.

Because reprobates, by definition, are people who do those seven things. And they don’t tend to feel any guilt or sense of remorse when they do. And God hates that. Yeah, you read that right. God hates that.

The very same God who, through love, willingly took on the responsibility for every bad thing that has ever happened, is happening now, or ever will happen, hates. And it makes total sense, when you allow yourself to step back from the “God is love” perspective. Step back enough to realize His hate and love are sort of symbiotic.

He hates anyone who would dare shed innocent blood. And yet He loves anyone, who shows true humility and remorse, enough to make the Way out of the eternal consequences even of murder.

God hates unrepentant sinners. But He loves sinners who realize their need for Him. So, because of His love/hate relationship with us humans, we all have two options of where we’d prefer to spend eternity. One is place where you never have to hear the name of Jesus again. We call that hell. The other is where Jesus is. We call that Heaven.

As for me, I choose Heaven. And I DO get to choose. Calvin was absolutely wrong about that. My eternal life in Heaven was made possible by Jesus. But it’s up to me to decide whether I’ll go there. And it’s up to you, too.

You can’t run away from real truth.
And every word of truth is a knife.
A captivating voice might pigeonhole your choice,
Cut free…and choose life.

And choose to tell everybody where they can get some Tony music, in a songbook journal.

Stay tuned,

Posted on June 26, 2023 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

Well, you can call me Tony Splendorburk. Because I meet the criteria for that title. And it took me a long time to earn it. So I’m gonna own it. That means this post is gonna contain a lot of me me me talk. But it’s really not about me.

Really.

First, a little back story.

I’ve already lived over six decades. And I’ve got the silver/gray hair and the extra lines in my face to prove it. And that’s the criteria for my “Splendor” title I mentioned.

Wow, six decades. It seems like only last week I learned what a decade was and then mentioned to my grandparents that I was “a decade old” on my tenth birthday. Time flies when you keep getting up and having coffee every morning.

Anyway. Back to me me me.

Over the course of those six decades I’ve experienced some awesome and some awful stuff. I’ve traveled across the United States multiple times. And I’ve sung thousands of songs thousands of times for hundreds of thousands of people. I’ve made lots of friends. And I’ve seen most of them turn away once I decided to follow my Christian faith more boldly.

And I’ve witnessed many family and other loved ones die along the way.

I’ve written books, songs, poems, and articles for fun AND for profit. Yeah, at times I’ve made mucho moolah. And other times I’ve struggled to make ends meet. I’ve met and shaken hands with some famous people. And I’ve had some brushes with fame myself. Thankfully they were only brushes and not hammers.

But no matter how many awesome, or awful, things I’ve done or seen, it’s all gonna be like the flower of the grass one day. Mowed, raked, burned, and forgotten. Unless I go to Heaven.

And I’m going to Heaven.

Because the Creator of all life on Earth made a way I could do that. And He made it possible to live forever. AND He gives every person the freedom to choose whether to go there or not. But only a fool would choose not to go there.

And when I go to Heaven, most of what I did, here on Earth, will be like the flower of the grass, withered and forgotten. Because it didn’t mean anything.

But what won’t be burned up or forgotten will be the things I said and did that pointed to God. The poems and songs I wrote for Him. And the times I talked about Him to anyone who would listen. Yeah, those things will, forever, be part of who I am.

So, see how this post isn’t just about me me me?

It really all led to sharing how the same is true for YOU. And it’s all in your hands to choose. But you have to choose while you’re still here on Earth. One millisecond after your last breath will be too late to choose. So, choose wisely, grasshopper.

You can’t run away from real truth.
And every word of truth is a knife.
So, cut free. And choose life.

Stay tuned,

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

Posted on May 25, 2023 by TonyJune 12, 2023

His plan for man has left the frying pan

“There are things that we’re not going to understand along the way. You have to trust that God knows what He’s doing and working out His plan for your life. His plan is bigger. His plan is greater.”

OK, that appears to be (I say appears to be because I found it on social media) a quote from the number one authority on God’s plan, Joel Osteen.

Let’s compare that with what the Bible (which is God’s Word) says about understanding and who’s in charge of your life. Now, keep in mind, I’m quoting from the New King James version of the Bible. So, it might be chock full of human bias. Come to think of it, maybe all versions are. Uh-oh.

Anyway…Bear with me. Let’s say, for the sake of time and effort, that there’s the slightest chance our English translations of the Bible are reasonably reliable. That being said, what does it say about understanding?

Oh my goodness. Just looked at Proverbs. Could this be His plan?

With barely a few strokes on my computer keyboard, I found six very interesting results when I searched for the term “get understanding.” I’m no rocket scientist (thank God), but it appears the writer of those Proverbs believed that being able to understand is a do-able thing. I mean, c’mon man. The implication is there. Because would God tell us to do something that’s not do-able? (My guess is No)

Over and over, in the Bible, you’ll discover (if you look) that God gives human beings the ability to think and decide for themselves. And then, He lets them. It would appear that God’s “plan” for your life is for you to use what He gave you to plan your own day.

You’re using it right now as you read this. Yep, God designed and gave you a brain. And then He took a HUGE risk. Because He let you think for yourself.

In other words, you don’t have to ask His permission to make decisions. Of course, you should always consult Him and ask for His help. But you can make decisions based on your own choices. Then you can enjoy the rewards or deal with consequences based on what you chose.

In “Biblical terms” that’s called sowing and reaping. A totally understandable concept.

Even for humans.

But I’m sure you’ve heard this, when bad things happen. “Well, we trust God even though we don’t understand why He’s doing this or what His plan is”. If you’re a Christian, please don’t say that.

You should understand we currently live in “the age of Grace.” So, this isn’t a dispensation where God wrecks cars, burns down houses, makes your kids steal, crashes planes, or makes anybody shoot anybody else. God isn’t arbitrary. He isn’t fickle. And He doesn’t play games with your life.

God doesn’t (and never did) plan your day. He doesn’t make you rich. And He doesn’t make you poor.

You can be sure He’ll never leave you nor forsake you as you plan your own day. But He has the big picture view of your world and your life. Your view is more myopic and selfish (mine too). And that means allowing you to live your life with the freedom to love Him or not. The freedom to choose Him or not. So, here’s what I suggest as you plan your day today:

Choose to get more understanding of God’s word. Put that at the top of your to-do list.

And don’t buy into that whole “It’s just part of God’s plan” mantra. That takes His truth out of the frying pan and into the fire, so to speak. And that fire is the world’s increased hatred toward the kind of God who’d orchestrate all the chaos and evil in this world. And then say it all somehow follows a righteous plan.

If you never have, then choose to trust Him and His actual word. If you’ve already done that, then choose Him to continue to be the guiding force in your life. Choose to love God. Because His ultimate, overarching plan for you is eternal life in His Heavenly paradise. But He didn’t already preordain you to be there. And He won’t force you to be there. You’re in charge of that choice. Choose wisely.

Planning your day is part of your life…
Choosing the things you will do.
Make sure you choose the giver of life.
He’ll always be there for you.

Stay tuned,

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

Posted on February 8, 2023 by TonyFebruary 8, 2023

A straight line is the shortest route between two points. One of the most difficult lessons I ever learned in Geometry. You know what I’m talkin’ about. Right? Yeah, the struggle is real. And so many people struggle to stay on that line from point A to point B.

But, c’mon man. What’s difficult to understand about a straight line?

Back in the “olden days,” there used to be these things called malls. And they were places where you could browse through shop after shop, safe inside a giant building, without a single care about the weather.

And when you first got there, if you didn’t know where everything was, you could just check the “mall maps.” You’d stand in front of a plexiglass case and look for the “you are here” spot. And then you’d know how to get where you were going. Because you knew the starting point.

Ok, where you are, in your life, right now is your “you are here” starting point. Your point A.

And your point B is where you want to go. Or where you’d rather be. Do you know where that is?

On the mall maps, you could locate the store you wanted, point yourself in that direction, and walk straight to it. Successful end result, in a fraction of the time. Easy peasy. No problemo. Sí?

But hold on there, Mister (or Missy). Not so fast.

That straight line from Point A to Point B ain’t quite that easy because of a little thing called distraction.

After all; you’re in a mall.

You’re bound to see something you just “gotta have.” Something you didn’t realize, till now, you couldn’t live without. Like that awesome surround sound digital high-rez giant screen TV. Or maybe, just maybe, you smelled it, and your nose won’t let you forget that scrumptious cinnamon roll you’ve “earned” for all your hard work this week.

Suddenly, without fair warning, distractions destroy your straight line mission.

And your “best efforts” to stay the course are obliterated for all eternity.

Hang on there, Bandwagon Buckaroo. Remember, you’re not in a mall anymore. And your past meanderings don’t have to define your so-called destiny.

Today is a new day. And you can start over. You can find your A and B Points and get back on a straight line. And this isn’t mystical, magical, or mind over matter stuff. It’s just what marketers call persistence. Or consistency. And, as ranchers will tell you, a matter of “git back on that horse that threw you and ride.”

Forget that “work harder, not smarter” mantra.

Do what your competition won’t do. Work harder AND smarter. Get better at what you do. And learn new stuff, too. Figure out how to do more in less time. Dive into more software programs that help you be the one others need. And streamline your efficiency.

And then, grind it out. Practice, practice, practice! “Being smarter” isn’t enough. Here’s a line I came up with, years ago, that shows what I mean:

Education without Application leads to a Continuation of Frustration. (You may quote me on that. Just make sure my name is in the credits.)

One more point.

All your best efforts and successes won’t amount to a mountain of deer droppings if you don’t also have a straight line perspective on eternity.

I’m always harping on about how this life ain’t all there is. And I’m 100% confident I’m right about that. And if I AM right, it means there are two places where you could end up after this life. Each one is a place where you could be forever. And if I’m right (and I am), one of those places will be unimaginably awful. But it’s also undeniably easy to avoid.

And right now, your Point A is here on Earth.

My suggestion is to make sure Point B is Heaven. And there’s only one Way to make sure.

Do you know the Way?

If you take a stand and you stand for the Way,
You might never be rich.
But no gold here beats the treasure in Heaven,
And you’ll know which is which.

(from the song, Take A Stand)

Stay tuned,

No-cost, low-cost, and premium ways you can help me spread the Word…

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional
(emails with good stuff for Fa-Ree)

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered right to your device. (also Fa-Ree)

Get digital Bible stuff from the same company I do.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for believers, dreamers, and thinkers

Posted on December 12, 2022 by TonyMarch 5, 2023

You fell for it. And you did what had to be done. “They” said it’s YOUR choice. And you certainly made it. So, after you fall for a choice, like this, what’s left? Well, a glorious life filled with endless choices that can lead to your fulfillment and happiness. Right? Hmm. Let’s go to the video replay. And let’s see what others say.

Yep, the women in the video chose themselves over the life of an unborn baby. And they figured it would all be over once “it” was over. But that didn’t prove to be true. It wasn’t all “they” pumped it up to be?

How is your life after abortion? I’m guessing that, if you’re genuinely honest about it, your answer is similar to the people in the video.

But here’s the truth, even after you fall.

You have not committed the unpardonable sin if you’ve chosen the abortion option. The unpardonable sin would be to deny that Jesus is your Creator and the only one who can save you from yourself. Imagine living the torment those people in the video described. And then imagine that you eventually die and “exist” in a one-person universe for all eternity. That would be infinitely worse.

It’s easy to escape. Simply acknowledge what all of creation clearly illustrates.

There IS a God. You’re not Him. And He has the power and life of eternity in Him.

Clearly, there are at least 3 victims for every abortion. The baby. The mother. And the father. For the unborn baby there is no life, here on Earth, after abortion.

But for the mother and father, there’s the potential for a forgiven, abundant life. A life where you can help others to choose life. Or there’s the potential for nagging, gnawing internal torment.

Let me recommend the first of those two options.

You can’t run away from real truth.
And every word of truth is a knife.
A captivating voice might pigeonhole your choice,
Cut free…and choose life.

Stay tuned,

No-cost, low-cost, and premium ways you can help me spread the Word…

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional
(emails with good stuff for Fa-Ree)

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered right to your device. (also Fa-Ree)

Get digital Bible stuff from the same company I do.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for believers, dreamers, and thinkers

Tony Funderburk

Your Life Has Rhyme And Reason Because God Made You

Tag Archives: choose life

You don’t have NO choice.

Have To Believe

So, if you’re looking for your safe place, you have two options.

Safe And Sound

And it’s true. God hates certain reprobates.

No descriptions of you yet?

Anyway. Back to me me me.

And I’m going to Heaven.

Oh my goodness. Just looked at Proverbs. Could this be His plan?

Even for humans.

But, c’mon man. What’s difficult to understand about a straight line?

After all; you’re in a mall.

Forget that “work harder, not smarter” mantra.

And right now, your Point A is here on Earth.

But here’s the truth, even after you fall.