Tag Archives: foundation of love

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

It doesn’t help you evolve. And I don’t mean metaphorically. And it doesn’t build up your muscles. So you don’t become one of the strong who survive. And many say it doesn’t actually provide any tangible benefits. So, why love anything at all?

That’s the glaring question. Why love anything at all?

Especially when you can’t even put your finger on what love is. And I don’t think most people can anymore. But have you ever thought about the source of love? I sure have.

Since it isn’t anything you can detect with any of your five senses, it’s hard to think about how it starts or where it is inside of you.

As a little kid, your first experiences with love begin with your parents or grandparents. Of course, you don’t have a clue why you love them, you just know you do. But how that happen? How do those feelings come up inside you when you’re not even old enough to understand them?

Well, I’ve got kind of a silly one word answer for that. Because.

Did you ever get into stupid kid arguments when you were a kid? Well, when I was kid, arguing with a brother or sister like most kids do, I was as good as anybody with those goofy kid answers to stupid kid questions. Most of the questions started with “why?” So, of course, most of the answers started with “Because.” I can think of one instance where the question was something like, “Why do you get to use those? Mom said we couldn’t.” And the answer was just, “Because I can.”

OK, back to love.

Because you can love from the earliest age means you’re born with love.

And if you’re born with love, or the ability to love, how did it get there? Through your mother’s umbilical cord? That doesn’t seem likely since love isn’t made of flesh and bones. Maybe it was through the sound of your mother’s voice and the nurturing you received in the womb. Hmm…closer. But, again, I don’t think love, the deepest emotion a human being can express, can simply be transferred through coziness.

Here’s what I’ve found to be true. Love has a starting place. And it’s transferred and transmitted through your soul and spirit. The only way that can happen is through and from the starting place. That place is the person of God.

Your creator made you with a soul/spirit full of His unending and boundless love. It’s because God loves that we can love. So, the next time you’re thinking, why love anything at all, come back to these lyrics. You can hear the song when you listen to the Rhyme and Reason Podcast .

Because I Can Love

What made You think
That I was worth the risk You took?
What made You take the time
To write Your Holy Book?
I don’t believe I’d give myself a second look,
But You did because You love.

You made a world
That was as perfect as could be,
But then I broke it
When You gave it all to me…
By going through the gate
You made to set me free.
This You did because You love…me.

Because You love me so…in spite of all You know…
Because You did the most that You could ever do…
Because I clearly see…evidence of You in me…
Because I can love…I do love…You!

You put a life
And a will inside my soul.
You knew true love
Would be to give me full control.
But knowing You is all that ever makes me whole.
I trust You because You love…me.

I can live because You live!
I can love because You love!    © 2010 TF

If you believe God is why you CAN love, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get my Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Daily Devotional

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Calculus, geometry, and trigonometry are almost impossible if you don’t first get some foundational training in basic math. And the same is true in just about every aspect of life. Because if you ain’t got the basics, you’re gonna struggle with the complex.

A house is a good example of foundational training.

Because any builder worth his nail apron will tell you the foundation is the first step to quality construction.

But, it’s only one of several steps in the whole process. If you stopped there, you wouldn’t have much of a house. Right? So, what comes after the first step?

Well, let’s say Builder Ben has a home-building company. So, he hires…

  • a concrete company to pour the foundation
  • some framers to build the main structure
  • electricians and plumbers
  • sheetrockers
  • trim carpenters and painters
  • and a final cleaning crew

OK, each one of those companies or service providers plays a key role in the completion of the house. And if they all do their parts, with attention to quality craftsmanship, they can create a solid structure that could last for decades. Maybe longer.

But not forever.

But you know what does last forever? Well, let’s look at another example I shared several years ago.

God created everything there is. He is the builder. When you choose to work for Him, you’re able to use the gifts and talents He gave you to lay the foundation for salvation in someone’s life. Or you might get to help at some other stage in the process.

The apostle Paul wrote it like this in 1 Corinthians 3:6…”I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase”. Paul acknowledged the fact that he was the first step, the planting of God’s love in the hearts and minds of the Corinthians. But he also gave credit to Apollos for building on that information. And the full credit he gave to God for any good that came of it.

Here’s another cool part to this. Paul also said “he who plants and he who waters are one…” They’re equal in value and importance. And together they accomplish the one goal. And sometimes you might think you’re laying a foundation or planting when, in fact, the foundation you’re laying is also helping someone grow up in their knowledge of God’s love for them.

Either way, be sure you have good foundational training based on love for your neighbor. Because, they say “into every life a little rain must fall.” So, be sure you have your Umbrella.

Think about that as you enjoy this poem about an old house I saw on the Western slope of Colorado…

The Old House

The old house talks to no one,
And no one pays attention.
It tells the story of its life…
The sad parts get no mention.
It once had shining windows
And cedar, wooden shingles.
And folks who lived inside its walls
Would sing their Christmas jingles.
Well, now the wind and sunshine
Have withered all the siding.
The floors, inside, have fallen through.
The yard has started sliding.
But still the house is standing.
The fireplace is still sturdy.
Who knows how many years it has?
It might be one or thirty.
No need to think about it.
A lifespan doesn’t matter.
Unless you’re glad for every day,
Then moments only scatter.
We all will be the old house,
If time and tide keep turning.
But keep the faith and hope and love,
And keep the embers burning.
Then you won’t talk to “no one.”
There’s One who always hears you.
And your foundation will withstand,
If you go where He steers you.

© 2014 Tony Funderburk

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

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)

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 Posted on by

Who you are, what you do, and what you know, all of it, means nothing without love. Absolutely nothing. Because if it isn’t in you, then neither is life.

So, that means you and I are nothing without love from God.

Because love didn’t evolve. It came from an eternal source. And that source is your Creator. Whether you believe in Him or not doesn’t matter. He exists, always existed, and always will exist. Because He is the one true, living, loving Spirit of Life.

I hope this stirs up something inside you if you haven’t let love live abundantly in your heart. But if, for some reason, what I say makes you uncomfortable, then examine yourself. Find out why. Why would talk about love and its source make you feel that way?

Of course, there’s no shortage of celebrities, politicians, and fake preachers out there touting their “message of love.” But their messages focus on things like “follow your heart” and “trust yourself.” When you hear that, run away as fast as your feet can fly.

You and your heart are not to be trusted.

Because you and your heart tend to be selfish. And self-serving. And you need help to not do that. Me too. Don’t think I exclude myself from selfish temptations. But it’s that selfishness that can make you prefer the sound of your own voice. Or it can make you wanna show what you know. Or boast about who you’ve helped. And so on.

But all that means nothing without love.

A couple of thousand years ago a guy named Paul put it like this…

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”

So, my wish for you today, is that you learn why this is important. Not because I made a good case to do it. But because your Creator says it’s one of two “laws” that lead to eternal life.

And if that’s not good enough reason to practice love, then good luck with your “profits.”

Because You love me so.
In spite of all You know.
Because You did the most that You could ever do.
Because I clearly see
Evidence of You in me.
Because I can love…I do love…You!

Stay tuned,
Tony Funderburk signature logo

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

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

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for kids

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

He’s THE good Father. The only good Father. And He’s the foundational reason I can hear music in the morning. So, if He says “the purpose of the commandment is Love,” then so it is.

And love is new in the morning.

So, every morning is an opportunity to show love to your family, friends, and (Dare I say it? Yes, I dare.) even your neighbors.

But that’s where the trouble starts. That whole love your neighbor stuff. I see a whole lot of hate your neighbor stuff going on in the world. And the evidence backs me up. Because if and when you love your neighbor, you don’t force him to do things that are bad, or at least questionable, for his health.

(Yes, that goes for the hers out there, too.)

You don’t have to look too far before you find someone spewing hate on social media. Hatred toward anyone who’d dare have a different opinion about current health challenges…and solutions. Their hatred personifies the meaning of the word vitriolic.

But I refuse to let their hatred steal my love and my joy. Because love and joy are as beneficial to your health and your life as food and water. Even more beneficial from an eternal perspective.

So, that’s why God commands love. Not like a boot-on-your-neck command. But a here’s-what’s-best-for-you command. And I love that I was made by the one, true, living, loving God of all creation. He’s why I can get up and hear a…

Morning Symphony

Listen to the music in the morning.
Open up your windows, let it in.
No violins or brass,
Just flowers, trees, and grass
To greet you as enchanting notes begin.

Listen to the music in the morning
Carried on the wings of bustling birds.
The squirrels that scamper by,
And airplanes in the sky,
Add to this composition with no words.

Listen to the music in the morning.
Let not your hearts be troubled any way.
Just listen and applaud
The awesome love of God
In every morning and through every day.

© 2013 Tony Funderburk

Tony Funderburk signature logo

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

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

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for kids

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

“Why do you write so much about love, Tony? It’s not exactly a manly topic.” Yeah, I’ve been asked that. And when I hear a question like that, I immediately think, “Hmm…sounds like somebody who hasn’t read the Bible.” Because the manliest man who ever lived talked about love. And I mean, talked about it a lot.  

Play

Get The Rhyme and Reason PodcastDelivered to Your Device Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS | More

Manliest man with a Love Plan

And before I go any further, the manliest man who ever lived never made an action movie.

Or a superhero movie. And he never got any TV series offers. And he never entered any of those ironman competitions or long-distance running marathons.

Plus, there are no records of him ever starting any core workout classes. And he didn’t have any nutritional or health and wellness endorsements. But there’s not a shred of doubt that no man before or since was or is manlier. Because no man, before or since, endured or ever will endure the incredible torture this man had to endure.

“Uh-oh, honey. I think I see where Tony’s going with this.”

Yeah, this manliest of men I’m talking about…who talked a lot about love…just so happened to be your Creator.

And even if you don’t believe in Him, or trust Him, or love Him, He laid down His life for you. The only eternal, sinless, perfect life that’s worthy enough to pay off your mountain of debt. And mine, too.

He even said it like this, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

In this time in history, when so many would rather murder than lay down their life for a friend, that’s quite a contrast.

So, before you lose the love that saves your life,
And before you turn your back on your Creator,
Look into the evidence that’s all around you.
Do it now because it might be too late, later.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered (free) right to your player.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself a cool tee

Or how about some music for kids

 

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Who do you think of when clouds drop down the dew?

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.

Do you ever wonder why clouds drop down the dew? You’ve probably gone out to your front or back yard in the early morning and noticed how wet the grass is. But have you ever wondered why? Here’s an idea. It might be partly because of God’s frustration with us. Does that seem odd? Well, let me show you what I mean”

Clouds Drop Down The Dew

The writer of Proverbs 3:19-20 tells us that God founded the earth “by wisdom”. When something is founded that’s not exactly the same thing as created. When you read how God founded the earth, picture Him putting all the things together to make it work just like it should.

Then, as you keep reading, you see how God’s understanding “established the Heavens”. He understood all the rules for chemistry and science, and He knew how to place things in the right place. But then you read that by God’s knowledge the “depths were broken up”. Guess what that knowledge was”His knowledge of how wicked we humans had become. It made Him so angry and frustrated with us that He broke the planet. Yikes!

When God broke the planet, lots of hot water from inside earth went spewing into the heavens. And the hot water crashed into the cooler atmosphere and formed clouds. And you know what clouds do”right? Yep, the drop down rain, or dew. You can almost think of the dewdrops as tears from God. It upset Him to know how mean we all can be to one another. And it made Him so mad He almost destroyed our planet and everything on it. But something kept Him from doing that. Can you guess what?

If you guessed “love”, you’re right.

When God broke the earth, He saved one family”Noah’s family. And He let Noah and his family start everything over. And He made a promise to Noah that He would never again flood the earth. Then He put a rainbow in the sky and said that rainbows would be a sign of how God loves us and wants us love Him. When we don’t, it hurts Him deeply.

So, the next time you notice how clouds drop down the dew, or the next time you see a rainbow in the sky, think of how much God loves you. Then, bow your head and close your eyes and tell Him thank you”and that you love Him, too. Here’s a rhyme to help you remember”

When clouds drop down the dew,
Think of how God loves you.
Then bow your head and pray
And thank Him every day.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

P.S.  Your support for my Words and Music means the world to me. Please share them with others. Here’s how”

Discover my ebooks on Amazon.com or Smashwords
Get my Podcast
Circle me on Google +
Follow me on Twitter
Watch my videos on YouTube
Find me on Facebook
Or use the social media links below

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Hope Is Not A Strategy

There’s a book called “Hope Is Not A Strategy” by an author named Rick Page. (I made that a link since I’m mentioning his name, but I don’t receive any compensation for sales…just so you know) He’s apparently an authority on sales strategies, and so salespeople or potential salespeople could probably glean some good stuff. But…

Hope is not a strategy, unless we're talking about eternity.Hope certainly IS a part of the strategy of a Christian believer…or it certainly should be. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 1 Corinthians 13:13 where the Apostle Paul talks about the perfect trio…faith, hope, and love. The whole chapter there is actually talking about love (“the greatest of these”), but Paul is talking about how faith, leads to hope. And hope is in being with the One who loves us enough to give us eternal life.

And really, you can’t take the three things apart. We hope for the One we can’t see. Our faith in Him and His Word gives us that hope, and that hope builds our faith. And of course, it’s all built on the foundation of love because without love, none of the rest of it amounts to much.

What do you hope for?

Are you hoping you’ll be able to make it through another day of office grind? Or cooking, cleaning, and kids? Hope you’ll make it to the end or beginning of the month bills and expenses? Or rising prices?

Are you hoping for world peace and a better tomorrow? Do you hope someone will stop all the violence in America? Is there anything you believe your hope will help? Or does it all seem hopeless?

Well, maybe hope is not a strategy for making a lot of money in sales…but it’s an essential part of the strategy you should implement when it comes to making a lot of sense in the world.

Stay tuned”

Tony Funderburk - Words Music and Pictures of Faith Hope and Love