Tag Archives: choose life

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

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You’ve been a person your whole life. If you’ve lived a few (or several) decades, hopefully you’re getting pretty good at being a person. Yeah, it’s an ongoing struggle. But somebody’s gotta do it. Right? But let’s begin at the beginning and see where it takes us.

Even if you can’t say for sure when your life started, you know without a doubt, the human form you now inhabit, had a beginning. Still with me?

Seems mighty simple to me. I think any person should be able to wrap their brain around it and agree.

But tens of millions of people can’t begin at the beginning.

And those people (I know you’re not one of them. Right?) choose to ignore the evidence that’s a plain as the nose on Adrien Brody’s face. But that willful ignorance is not without terrible consequences. Because tens of millions of other people were killed in the name of that “choice”. Those people were denied the same basic freedoms everyone of us hopes to enjoy. Life, liberty, etc. It’s shameful. And that’s just in America.

Former President, Ronald Reagan, said: “I notice everybody that is for abortion has already been born.” President Reagan didn’t always choose well on the abortion issue. But I think he understood how, for anyone to become a person, you gotta begin at the beginning. If he didn’t fully understand it back then, I know he does now.

But here’s the point he was making. You’ve already been born.

Why not let others enjoy that right to life?

Our country, the world, needs to abolish abortion. Not just make up policies with fluffy sounding words that basically say, “Just do this and this and this and THEN you can kill the baby.”

And people will say, “If we abolish abortion, women will be forced to seek ‘back alley clinics’ and there’ll be no place to receive a safe abortion and the care they deserve.” Of course, that’s a moot point. Because there’s no such thing as a safe abortion. In every procedure a human being is killed. How safe is that?

But, naturally, when you can’t see that your life began in your mother’s womb, you’re liable to fall for any so-called “pro choice” propaganda.

So, here’s a wacky idea. Let’s make “choice” a beautiful word again.

Let’s choose to recognize how even the tiny, single-celled human being, who was just conceived, has a right to fully develop and be the person they were designed to be. And to at least have a chance at this life. Sure, it can be tough. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. (mic drop)

 Choose life

Well you hid your heart in a so-called safe place,
And you locked your love in a big, black box,
And you had no hope,
But you built your brave face,
And you ran your rat race…through the tics and tocs.

Well, the bluebells bloomed in ideal intentions
As you tilled the truth into lifelong lies,
And you dug in deep making many mentions
Of your pretty pensions…always alibis.

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.

When your daydreams die and you feel half-hearted,
And your love is lost in a soulless sky,
Try to train your thoughts when your brain’s bombarded
By the stuff you started…learn to love the lie.

Choose life…choose life…choose life

© 2016

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You bought the lie. You did the same thing millions of others, in your situation, did. And you chose yourself over the life of an unborn baby. And you figured it would all be over once “it” was over. But has that proved to be true? Was it 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 this video.

Sure, you bought the lie. But stop trying to make the payments.

You didn’t commit the unpardonable sin if you chose 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, to 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 after abortion. Not here on Earth. But for the mother and father, there’s the potential for a forgiven, abundant life. You can choose to stand for life and helping others to choose life. Or you can choose the nagging, gnawing internal (and eternal) torment.

The Bible says life and death are set before you. And it says “choose life.” So, choose now, and…

Take A Stand

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.
Angels are gonna rejoice,
And we’re gonna get to see how
The Lord will judge the ones who wait.
So better take a stand right now.

If you take a stand and you stand for the Truth,
You could lose a good friend.
But if you lose the whole wide world
And keep your soul, you win in the end.
All eyes are gonna look up.
All knees are gonna bow,
And when that time comes it’s too late.
You gotta take a stand right now.

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.

© 2008 Tony Funderburk

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In all my years as a singer songwriter I’ve maintained a general sense of optimism. And I believe you could ask anyone who knows me, and they’d say I definitely love life.

But, I wonder why so many singer songwriters nowadays are so full of angst.

I’m not saying they don’t have a good reason. I just wonder why so many of them might have a “good reason” for being so full of darkness and angst. Is it the economy? Or the culture? I mean, c’mon, do we really need another cop show or vampire show with death and mayhem in nearly every frame?

Could it be a case of what’s-good-for-#1 Rockstar-is-good-enough-for-me? In other words…a pack forms behind the lead dog, and they go wherever he (or she) leads. Surely that’s not it.

I know a lot of pop icons would call me lame. Or a sugar-coated-do-gooder. Or another one of those Christians with his head in the sand and no grasp on reality.

But I really don’t care.

Because I prefer to remain an optimist.

After all, if the Christian message is true (translation: “since the Christian message is true”), then I’m on the winning team. My Head Coach will lead my team to victory over all other opposing teams. The leader of my pack is the only True Alpha male (psst…He’s also the Omega Man!). And that makes me sing with hope and joy.

Because I love life and the opportunity to live it.

I love the:

  • smooth sailing,
  • trials and tribulations
  • growing up,
  • gaining knowledge,
  • gaining friends,
  • awards and rewards,
  • challenges and failures,
  • clouds and sunshine,
  • joy and laughter,
  • pain and redemption, and
  • words and music…

…that altogether make up this journey. It’s not a two part journey…it’s a two place journey. And I’m an eager participant in both. This place we’re in right now is amazing and difficult. The next place will be unfathomably kinetic, energizing, and joyous.

But not for everyone.

That’s a shame because it’s really not difficult to achieve. You just need to believe.

Not in dreams…not in yourself…not in a “force”…not in the “law of attraction”…not in internal spirits…not in Mohammed, Confucious, Buddha, Allah, or even Oprah, Billy, or Barak…

Only in Jesus. If that’s the only name you find offensive or problematic, try to find out why.

The second place of your life depends on that One name. And…

What if I’m right? What if it’s true
All of these things I’ve been sayin’ to you?
What if you die and it’s not the end?
What if your life is nothing you can defend?
You think I’m wrong…that I don’t walk in the light,
But what if I’m right?

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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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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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You’re a person. Yes YOU! And you’ve always been, and always will be, a person. From your biological beginning to your natural death. And beyond if you choose well.

So, get wise. And choose well.

Because, if you’re reading this, you have the luxury of choice.

But millions of other persons never got that choice. And do you know why?

Because of something that unwise people, ironically, call “choice.” In fact, they think it’s a “pro choice” position. But there’s nothing pro about it. Because it’s a decision that removes another person’s ability to choose.

Here’s the thing. Even if you can’t say for sure when your beginning was, you know you started some time and somehow. And you know the human form, you now inhabit, had a beginning.

Seems like the simplest and easiest logic in the world to follow.

Matter of fact, it seems like anyone could wrap their brain around it and agree. But, amazingly, tens of millions of people can’t bring themselves to say they began at the beginning.

So…tens of millions of other people have been murdered in the name of “choice”. They were denied the same basic freedoms you enjoy, or hope to enjoy. Life, liberty, and the ability to choose.

It’s a cryin’ shame.

Former President, Ronald Reagan, is quoted as saying something like: “I notice everybody that is for abortion has already been born.”  Yeah, somebody else gave you your right to life (can you say “mom?”). So, why not let others enjoy that right to life, too?

If you support abortion, I encourage you to stop being so blasted selfish. You’re not more special than those other people who are being murdered every day because of you.

Here’s an idea. Let’s make “choice” a beautiful word again. Choice for every person to enjoy the benefits of personhood. And to live and at least have a chance at this life. Sure, it can be tough, but it can be immensely and eternally rewarding.

Abolish abortion. Choose life. Now that’s what I call a PRO CHOICE.

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.

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I remember, learning about Halloween for the first time, as a little kid. And that’s back when we went “trick or treating” for fun and candy. My first few Halloween costumes were your basic innocent kid types. Casper the friendly ghost. Cowboy. Pirate. You get the picture.

And I think there’s still a lot of the innocent kid stuff out there.

But the vast majority of Halloween has gone over to the dark side. And adults are targeting innocent kids from just about every imaginable angle.

Check out these headlines:

“Disney/Hulu Halloween Short Film Alludes to Nanny of “˜Non-Binary Child’ Killing Boy”

“Beware of Pot Products That Look Like Halloween Treats”

“If your white daughter dresses up as Disney princess Moana for Halloween, then you’re racist”

And those are probably some of the tamer problems.

But it’s no surprise (although it IS or should be alarming) since America, and the world, has dived head-first into a culture of death.

I can’t tell you how many bumper stickers and window stickers I see on cars with skulls and other death symbols. And they almost always attempt to position the images in a position of power. Like, “Yeah, I’ve thrown off all that constricting skin stuff. Now, I’m immortal! Let’s Party!”

It’s crazy how that’s become a “thing.”

And it’s sad how Halloween has become such a boon (and boom) to people who love “the darkness rather than the light.”

I don’t mind the darkness, but I do prefer the light.
I don’t want to stand still while the day turns into night.
But what can I do? (from the song “What Can I Do?)

That was a question I asked way back in the twentieth century. But I’ve equipped myself much better since then. And one thing I can do is continue to write and talk about the dark forces in this world. And another thing I’ll continue to do learn to lean more on the only source of Light.

Like an innocent child.

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