Tag Archives: choose life

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Talk about God and watch what happens

A Thanksgiving and Christmas tradition in the Funderbungalow is to watch classic silver screen movies. Elgielene and I love the “old black and whites.”

This Thanksgiving was no different. After our family tradition of steak, sweet potatoes, veggies, and dessert, we pulled up a couple of movies on YouTube and settled in. One thing stood out in both of them. We noticed how, even in the movies, they used to talk about God and not to just make fun.

Old movies often talk about God with actual reverence.

Yeah, one of the movies had an employer interviewing a potential employee (one of the stars of the movie) and he actually asked him whether he had found a local church or not. Elgielene and I looked at each other, and I said, “Wow, you sure don’t hear that in mainstream movies anymore.”

Nowadays, movies make fun of or mock God and Christians…if they mention them at all. Anyone who would dare talk about God is portrayed as the lunatic, or demented one, or the killer. Certainly not as the one who loves his neighbor as himself.

And modern movies reflect “real life”

I’ve experienced that same sort of attempted ridicule as I talk about God here on my website and on my podcast. In fact, a relative of mine, ironically, compared me to Hitler. And then, when I asked if Hitler was wrong, he defended him saying “Hitler was only doing what he thought was right. So, do you get that?

As an attempt to belittle my Christian faith, he compared me to a mass murderer. But then he couldn’t actually say that mass murderer was doing something wrong. Because he knew that would get into an issue of right and wrong.

There’s no bottom to the hole you dig for yourself when you deny the God of all creation. When you say He doesn’t exist, or when you say something silly like “we’re all part of the god force,” you’re only attempting to elevate yourself to the level of God. And that was the original sin, by the way.

So, I’ll go ahead and talk about God and risk the consequences.

If I’m wrong about God (and I’m not) then, the worst that could happen to me when I die is that I’ll just cease to exist. Big deal. But if you, who deny God, are wrong about Him (and you are), the consequences will be an actual “big deal.” The consequences of your choice, in this life, are eternal either way.

And I encourage you to choose life. Eternal life in paradise with the One who made you. Otherwise, you end up being the god in your universe of one. Forever. Think about it. Could you tolerate only yourself forever?

Be sure to jump on the one-of-a-kind The TRUTH today, and I’ll send you some free rhymes and reasons right away. Music, a book, and lots of good faith, hope, and love stuff.

Be sure to share this with everyone you know. And don’t be surprised if they get mad at you for it.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Open your mind to a train of thought

Have you ever been called close-minded? If you’re a Christian who rightly divides the word of truth, I wouldn’t be surprised, at all, if you have. I can’t tell you how many times an unbeliever has said something like, “You need to open your mind to all the scientific evidence out there instead of your Bible stories.” And that’s ironic, to say the least, because I’ve shared tons of scientific evidence for creation (as opposed to evolution) right here on my website. It’s in living color for all the world to see. I’m not close-minded. Narrow-minded, yes. But I’m consistently jumping on a free-thinking train of thought.

Open your mind to truth that will set you free.

I think the truly close-minded people are the ones who dogmatically stick to the atheistic, evolutionary worldview while insisting Christians are dogmatic. (side note: dogmatic sounds like a canine car to me, but I digress) One dictionary defines dogma like this: “a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true: the Christian dogma of the Trinity” – Under that description, I have no problem being dogmatic about the Trinity. After all, it’s “laid down” by THE authority. God.

If the Bible isn’t true, then anything you care to believe…anything you choose to do is right. You can live any way you want, do anything you want, say anything you want, and it’s true. As long as it’s true for YOU. But if you believe the Bible isn’t true…and it IS…one day you’re gonna be in another world of hurt. Eternal hurt.

Open your mind to infinite possibilities

I’d like you to open your mind to a couple of thoughts today. Truly open your mind. Don’t read or listen to what I say with scorn or your mouth ready to blast me for even sharing these thoughts. Just let them enter your mind and simmer and marinate for a day or two. Are you willing to be that open-minded? Good. Here they are.

There IS a God. You’re not Him. And He loves you.

Ok, that’s three, but “a couple of thoughts” was a figure of speech anyway. The point is…if those three things aren’t true, or you don’t believe them, then do, live, and be anything and any way you determine is right for you. Live it up. Eat, drink, and be merry. Because you might die tomorrow…or even today. And you wouldn’t want to go to that infinite black hole without having done everything your little heart desired. Would you?

But keep it mind (you did open your mind didn’t you?) the possibility I’m telling you the actual truth. The Truth can either set you free or send you where you chose to go. To an eternal separation from your Creator…where you’ll exist forever with nothing more than your own train of thought.

Is it really worth the risk?

Be sure to jump on the one-of-a-kind The TRUTH today and get my latest words, music, and voice delivered to your inbox instead of having to come looking for them all the time.

And share with your friends, family, business owners, and…well, everybody. Don’t keep this good stuff all to yourself.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Happy New Year 2016

I can’t believe I’m already saying “Happy New Year 2016”. It seems like only a few days ago I was telling you the same thing for 2015. It’s odd how time seems to speed up as more candles are added to your birthday cake. Do you find that to be true, too? Anyway…I hope your 2016 will be full of faith, hope, and love. Most of all, love. I plan to do all I can to bring you as much eternally valuable words and music as possible.

Happy New Year 2016

I’ll end this post with a short poem I shared last year at this time. It’s still relevant, and I believe it always will be…at least until God decides to end this dispensation of Grace and make a new Heaven and new Earth. Until that time, each person has a decision to make that will have everlasting consequences. So, if you’re gonna make any resolution at all this year, I recommend you resolve to be sure where you’ll spend eternity. You gotta spend it somewhere. Make it Heaven. Then you’ll not only have a happy new year 2016…you’ll have a happy new year forever. The choice is yours.

New day new year…
Old thoughts still here.
When does time change?
Not yet…so strange.
Where will we be
Eternally?
You get to say.
Don’t wait…today.
Choose life, then live.
Receive, then give.
Throw out your fear…
New day new year.

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  Your support for my Words and Music means the world to me. For other awesome ways you can help me get
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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Would you like to know how to spot hypocritical love?

Hypocritical love is all around you, so it’s a good idea to be able to discern it. Why? So, you won’t buy into lies and silly, childish euphemisms. If you’re not hiding your Christianity under a basket…if you’re actually being “salt and light” in this increasingly, tasteless, dark world…you’re gonna experience actual hate trying to pass itself off as love. That’s hypocrisy. And that’s what you can expect from anyone who hates the truth when it disagrees with or challenges their emotional disposition.

Hypocritical Love - Do you know how to spot it?

In Colorado Springs, Colorado…the day after Thanksgiving this year…a terrible crime of multiple murders occurred. A man decided to shoot people. Yes, he decided. He wasn’t driven by the devil to do it. He wasn’t goaded by God. He did it of his own free will. It was a cowardly, evil thing to do, and he alone is to blame. What does this have to do with hypocritical love?

If you follow some of the news organizations, publications, media, and blogs of those who profess to celebrate diversity and tolerance, you can already see the vitriolic hate toward Christians. So far there’s no indication of this murderer’s philosophy on life, but I’ve already read multiple articles taking negative aim at Christians. Incredible! One article, on the Huffington Post website (by Sam Levine), related to the shooting at a Planned Parenthood facility, was about how Colorado Springs is a “hub for conservative Christians“. Why would an “associate politics editor” want to bring up that point? To ask his readers to reach out to conservative Christians, in love, for a showing of support? Hardly. Maybe he was pointing out what a tragedy it was that this happened in such a God-fearing and loving community? Nonsense! Mr. Levine’s writing had one purpose…

…to show his contempt for conservative Christians. Otherwise, there was no need to even mention them (us). True conservative Christians had absolutely…let me repeat that…absolutely nothing to do with the shootings. Nothing! In fact, almost immediately after the crime was contained, and the perpetrator was in custody, Christians from all over the country (especially the pro lifers) began condemning his actions as evil and despicable. I include myself in that group.

What that man did had nothing to do with what God says. In this age of grace, paid for by Jesus, a true Christian will choose to love his fellow man. And true love doesn’t pick up a weapon and go shoot innocent people. So, even if this shooter makes some pro life claim or links himself to Jesus, any Christian with a decent level of wisdom and discernment will question whether it’s true. I, for one, say there’s no way the man’s a Christian. And I also say he’s done a crime worthy of death. And I also say…I hope he pays for those innocent lives with his own life. And I also say, I hope he repents of that sin before he dies…because he can be forgiven of even murder, if he truly asks God for forgiveness.

But there is a vast majority, in the United States and around the world, who will see this as an opportunity to seize with all the seething they can muster against Christians. In the name of love and tolerance they will lash out at anyone who would dare say unborn babies are real, live people. They’ll write opinions and “editorials” on how Christianity is “just like all the other religions in the world”. And, in doing so, they’ll highlight their hypocritical love…because they’re clueless about what True Love is. Sadly clueless.

If you’re looking for ways to link conservative Christians to evil men, like this latest shooter, my prayer for you, today, is this: God grant that the eyes of their understanding be opened to Truth…to You. Help them to “let love be without hypocrisy” and to hate evil and cling to what is good. And Lord help them to grow in wisdom and see the difference. Help them to understand how their hypocritical love destroys lives…especially their own.

Are you pointing out the flaws of others that you yourself display? Do you even know? Do you even care? Is it important? Yes, write to me, and I’ll do my best to show you why.

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  I really appreciate your support here on my website. Here are some other awesome ways you can help me spread the Truth in words and music to others.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

God is not planning your day or
the other 7 billion people in the world either.

You probably have enough trouble planning your day…never mind 7 billion others…right? Well, here’s a revelation (it shouldn’t be, but it is). God isn’t planning your day either…or all the other people on the planet. He did something much better and more complex than plotting out the lives of all the people who have ever lived or ever will live. Yeah, that would be complex, but He’s bigger than that. And more willing to take risks. Wanna know what He did? Keep reading…

God designed something you can use to plan your own day. He gave one to everybody who has ever been born. You’re using it right now as you read this. If you guessed “brain”, you may be way ahead of me. Yep, God designed brains for each of us, and then He took a HUGE risk…He gave us full use of it. In other words, we don’t have to ask His permission to make decisions. Of course, we should always consult Him and ask for His help. But we can make decisions based on our own choices. Then we can reap the rewards or deal with consequences based on what we chose.

No telling how many times I’ve heard Christians say, when traumatic or tragic 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…

Stop Saying That!

God didn’t wreck your car, or burn down your house, or make your kid steal, or crash that plane, or make anybody shoot anybody else. God isn’t arbitrary. He isn’t fickle. He isn’t playing games with your emotions, your family, or your life. God isn’t planning your day. He’ll never leave you nor forsake you as you plan your own day. But He has the big picture view of our world. And that means allowing you to live your life with the freedom to love Him or not. The freedom to choose Him or not. Here’s what I suggest…

As you begin planning your day today…

…put choosing God at the top of your to-do list. Either choose Him because you never have, and you know you should…or choose Him to continue to be the guiding force in your life. Choose to love God. You have nothing to lose but nothingness. Will you do it? Here’s a rhyme to remember…

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,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

How do you direct your hearts?

Look at this line a guy named Paul wrote to some people living in Thessalonica, Greece…sometime in about the 1st century A.D. He said, “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” Notice two key words: love and patience. These two attributes of God are found in just about every passage in the Bible. And considering how we humans seem to have a natural tendency to wander away from both attributes, it’s a wonderful, beautiful thing to know our Creator doesn’t. Isn’t it?

Or maybe you disagree that God exists…let alone this love I’m talking about.

If you’ve never read any quotes from Blaise Pascal, let me encourage you to do so. Of course, if reading quotes by a mathematician from a few hundred years ago ain’t your cup of tea, then you might yawn and move on. But if you did, you’d be missing out on some valuable insights. One, in particular, I like is where he likens your choice to believe or not believe in God to a wager. He says wagering on the matter isn’t an option. In other words, you WILL make a choice. Either you will believe in God…or you won’t. And Pascal says that it’s a pretty lousy bet to wager against God’s existence. I couldn’t agree more.

I believe in God.

To be completely clear…I believe in the one true, living, loving God of the Bible. I’ve staked (or wagered or bet) my whole life on the truth of His existence. And if I end up being wrong, I will have lost nothing…after all…what would there have been to lose…in the bigger picture?

However, if you say there is no God. And you’re willing to stake (or wager or bet) your whole life on it…if you’re wrong, you have everything to lose…in the bigger picture. See, the bigger picture is eternity. Of course, eternity only exists if God exists. If we’re all simply “carbon-based matter”, then nothing really matters because it’s all gonna burn out and die eventually. No fire can burn forever.

Your earthly heart will only beat a finite number of times, and then you’ll die. And if it’s only electricity or gamma rays or some sort of “feeling” that holds your life together, those will also wind down. Perpetuation of the species would only lead to an increased number of non-beneficial mutations until the species (us) would die out. And what was it all for? Who cares?

But you are not merely the sum total of the atoms, molecules, and cells that make up your body. There is incredible information coded into every cell in your body. That code needed (and has) a coder. That coder is your creator. That creator is God. I’m staking my life and my eternity on it. I believe I’ve made the wisest bet…a sure thing you might say. And I’m doing what I can to direct your hearts into the love of God. And I’m trusting in the “patience of Christ” to keep me going. Here’s how you can do the same…

  • Discover that Jesus was/is God in the flesh, and…
  • that He came to earth to make a way for you to live forever, and…
  • all you need to do is believe and trust in Him and His love

 

Stay tuned,

Tony

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Ransom: a sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a prisoner – That’s a pretty good description of the ransom that was paid for your release. And mine. And everyone else’s. Your life is held prisoner in this fallen world. Your body is held prisoner to sin, and sin demands a ransom. And if the ransom isn’t paid, you’ll be killed and delivered into an eternal torment. Sounds just awful, doesn’t it? Well, you don’t need to despair.

Because the King of all creation already paid a ransom for many.

In fact, it’s been paid for all who want to be saved from that torment.

God has given every one of us the complete freedom to choose life with Him…or an eternal existence apart from Him. Here’s the kicker…you have to choose before your last breath here on earth. After that it’s too late. And don’t think you can remain neutral. Not choosing IS choosing…it means a choice that doesn’t include God.

Please don’t let that happen. If you feel like my Christian perspective is the fairy tale of simpletons, I implore you to dig deeper…deeper beneath your presuppositions about what the story of Jesus is all about. Go deeper and find faith, hope, and love you might never have known existed. Go deeper and discover The Love so great that the King of all creation was willing to take on human flesh, suffer indescribable torture, and die to pay a ransom for many who would love, believe, and trust in Him.

Find yourself in Jesus.

Excerpt from “The Way”

(listen to the song here)

And it came to pass one day on a mountain far away
That a soul was taken and a life forsaken
Because someone had to pay
For the heart of all mankind.
There was no untarnished mind.
So one life was spent Who was innocent,
But He left His Word behind…

Stay tuned,

Tony