Tag Archives: good ideas

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I’m sure this doesn’t apply to you because I’m sure your brain is way too sharp. But just in case you know somebody who might be feeling like their thoughts and ideas drift away a little too easily, I have some time-tested advice. Write it down.

Even if you don’t have a specific idea, write it down.

Because you can always turn vague stuff into clear stuff later on. And sometimes you can even turn vague stuff into the main stuff. Here’s a rhyme to show you what I mean:

ByLine

I didn’t have a thing to say when I first started out.
And I believe that sort of thing can fill your mind with doubt.
But then ideas began to form. I quickly wrote them down.
It felt so good to clear the dust from my mental ghost town.

Hey, have you ever felt like that, not sure of what to say?
And if you did, what did you do to make it go away?
Or did you find yourself at odds with even your own brain
And watched, as every thought you had, went swirling down the drain?

Well, may I recommend the treatment I just put me through?
I think you’ll find it might replace what’s missing inside you.
Just write your foggy, fractured thoughts down slowly line by line.
Then share the words and walk away. Don’t worry. You’ll be fine.

© 2020 Tony Funderburk

See what I did there? You could say I wrote about not having anything to write about. And when I started to write it down, I had no idea where the next lines would take me. But I just went with it. And, looky there. Three verses later, I have a new creation.

And if you think this is just a waste of time, write it down and send your complaints to you state or local representative. Certainly not to me.

Then, subscribe to my Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional. Because the flashes of light I share on my website come directly to your inbox. So you can spend your valuable time reading instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to books and music, right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies.

Daily Devotional

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Puns are fun. Yeah, I’m a fan. In fact, you could call me Tony Punderburk, and I wouldn’t be upset. My name has been butchered way worse than that.

Anyway…

But not everybody thinks puns are fun.

But those who don’t are almost always the ones whose sense of humor lives in public bathrooms.

I remember a discussion I had, back in my full-time musician days. A couple of us talked as we set up to play for an evening crowd in Denver. And I made a pun about something. Don’t even remember what it was. But a guy who had come along to help set up the gear said, “Ooh, a pun! Those are the lowest form of humor.”

I immediately replied, “I guess if you leave out dirty words and vulgar jokes about women, different races or ethnic groups, body parts, and bathroom humor…maybe you’ve got a point.”

He didn’t have a comeback. And he just gave me one of those “drop dead” looks.

And I wondered, “Why would a clean play on words ever be considered low humor.”

Most people don’t seem to have a problem being told what foods are good. But they hate being told what words and ideas are good. In fact, it’s difficult to even get a consensus on what “good” is anymore. So, these days, it’s whatever is right in your own mind.

Trouble with that is…a lot of people are clueless about what’s right.

Wholesome words are a good place to start.

If you know a lazy-talkin’-foul-mouth who thinks (or says) “You can’t tell me what to say or think,” ask them (or better yet, tell them) to take it somewhere else. And say something like,

“Your words come off public bathroom walls, and I don’t want that filth around me.”

And here’s a suggestion I had, several years ago, for people like that.

“Consider trying something different today. Look up a word (or two or three), that you don’t understand. And discover what it means and where it originated. Then, see what kind of ideas pop into your head. I promise ideas WILL pop into your head. And when something less wholesome pops in there, focus more on your new ideas. Guess what’ll happen when you do this on a regular basis. You’ll become an idea person. And you’ll be able to rise above the dirty jokes and curse words. You’ll find you no longer need them to feel strong. Because your ideas will strengthen you.”

It works. But only when you work at it.

And, on that note, I meant it when I said I think puns are fun. Maybe this whole thing about ideas has reminded you of some. If so, send me your favorite. If it’s clean (and it better be), I’ll share it.

Here are some words I shared, a few years back, to express the idea about ideas. And if it sounds like it was written for kids, here’s why. Because I wrote it to get kids interested in writing.

Open Your Head

Open your head.
Pour words right in.
Then shake your head
And let ’em spin.
They’ll bubble up
Like polka dots
Into some bright
And bouncing thoughts.
Just let them float,
And let them grow.
When they’re just right,
You’ll let them go
Live on a page
Where they’ll be read
And poured into
Another head.

© 2013 Tony Funderburk

If you know someone interested in writing, get them this journal. Or send the link so they can get it.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

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

Ad-blocking Apps and Your Own Website

An article I just read about ad-blocking apps asked if the “end of the mobile ad industry is already in site“. I don’t think they will. But so what if they completely destroy mobile advertising. Or at least destroy it in its current form. Even if they do, here’s why that shouldn’t worry you. Because they can’t block you from advertising your business on your own website.

Ad-blocking apps can't fight you and your own website.

Do this with your own website.

Upload a video about your goods and services and information on your home page. Or any page you decide to make into a landing page. It’s not a typical advertisement. It’s just you (or someone you trust) talking about your business. Think of it like sharing a video or pictures of your trip to the islands with your friends and family. Only it’s you talking about your gizmos, gadgets, and golly gee’s. You’re not selling. You’re telling.

And here’s the good news. Your non-ad advertising can’t be blocked. (At least, not yet. But give the wrong people enough power and who knows?) Fact is…your story (ad in disguise) might even get shared. If you make it entertaining, engaging, and/or educational.

Ad-blocking is an excellent tool for those nuisance ads. You know…like lawyers telling you how much they care about you. Or drug companies telling you how they can make your life better. And how about other companies telling you how you can sue drug companies, insurance companies, and lawyers? Yeesh. Spray some of that ad-blocking on me right now.

But there’s potential downside to ad-blocking apps, too. They might also block all the mom and pop businesses. And they just want to get the word out about their restaurant’s special of the day. Or their 50% sale on auto parts. Or a variety of other everyday useful things. And that’s not helping anyone. Small mom and pop businesses are still the backbone of America. In spite of what you might have heard about behemoths like Amazon, etc.

So, my suggestion is to focus more on the story of your business.

Then figure out cool ways to tell it so viewers might even want to share it. You might (and I certainly will) call this “digital-word-of-mouth”marketing. Who knows? Maybe even your whatchamacallit could go viral.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk can help you sign your own website

Discover my ebooks on Amazon.com or Smashwords
Get my Podcast on iTunes – OR Google Play OR Player.fm
Follow me on Twitter
Watch my videos on YouTube
Find me on Facebook

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Have motorcycle ministry – will travel

I’d like to show you a motorcycle ministry. If you watch “America’s Got Talent”, you might have seen them already. But we don’t get TV programs here in the FunderBungalow, so I hadn’t seen these guys before. Check it out…

Real Encounter uses its motorcycle ministry to tell the world about Jesus.

On their website, they describe what they do this way: “Our ministry outreach is made up of professional athletes and ministers in the area of Moto Stunting, Street Bike Stunting and BMX Bike Stunt Team. Our outreach strategy uses action sports and extreme sports to connect with all ages of people. The motorcycle stunt show is our platform, but make no mistake; Jesus Christ has center-stage in our lives as individuals and our message as a ministry.”

This is just another example of how God can use you where you are. Any business you’re in…any sport you enjoy…any hobby you’re good at…any topic you build authority in…God can use you.

You should be a ministry. Yes, YOU!

Don’t worry about what you’ll say. Or how you’ll present it. You don’t need a motorcycle ministry. Simply trust God. Be in His Word. Let that Word live in you, and let it flow from you. Someone, somewhere needs exactly what you have to offer. Your perspective. Your insight. And your experience and willingness to share.

Motorcycle ministry - this is one you gotta see.

I hope the video I shared is an inspiration to you. If four guys, with a motorcycle ministry, can stand in front of Howard Stern and talk about ministry when he mentions pornography…what can’t you do?

So, right now, right where you are…start thinking about what your ministry is. Formulate some ideas inside. Ideas about who could benefit from what you have to share. And how you can share the Truth the world needs. Be sure you’re rightly dividing the Word of Truth…then get out there and share. And be sure to let me know how it went. I love those stories.

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.

And share with everyone you know. Don’t keep this good stuff all to yourself.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Change the world today

Have you ever thought you could change the world with some of your ideas? I hope you have. This world could certainly use some changing. If you’re a Christian, I’d love for you to do much more than simply have ideas. It would be great if you’d share your ideas. Your faith-based ideas are needed. And I know a place where you can discover some cool ways to start and run a business, and afford to do some of that world-changing.

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

Start when you change the world you personally live in every day.

Yeah, you gotta change your own world first. And that means investing in yourself. Investing in yourself gives you more tools and skills to work with, and it requires change. Whether you currently do a lot or a little, if you’re not seeing the results you’d like to see, then you gotta change.

The reason I’m talking about this today is…I know a great resource. Like I said, a place where you can discover some cool ways to start and run a business. And the great news is…you don’t need a Harvard M.B.A. to do it. You don’t even need to live in a big city. You can run a business from the comfort of your own office. And your office can be the desk you keep on one side of your living room or family room. Or even on a table in your favorite coffee shop.

Are you interested yet? Would you like to check out what I’m talking about?

Great. I’ve got a few links I can share with you. This first one is based on using what you already know about the internet to start and run a business as a marketing consultant. Use this link to check out some free training. You’ll need to have a Facebook profile and log in. But there’s probably a good chance you’re on there. Anyway, check out the video at that link. Over 2 hours of marketing consultant tips and strategies.

If you’d prefer to change the world without consulting…

You can make money by shopping for things that cost less in one place and you sell for more on Amazon. Here’s the link to the top level system for how to do that. It’s called the Proven Amazon Course, or PAC for short. When you dive into PAC, you can immerse yourself in streams of income ideas and methods. And you can be a part of a huge community of mostly like-minded people who want to do better work for themselves and their families.

The Proven Amazon Course isn’t free like the consulting video link I shared. But when you follow the system, using the tools they share, it can end up costing you nothing.

OK. There’s a couple of links to help you change the world. Starting with you…and moving on to serving others. And that’s what your Creator wants you to do. So, what are you waiting for. Click a link. And tell me what you think.

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)

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 Posted on by

Where Do Good Ideas Come From?

Yeah, I know. “Where do good ideas come from” ends with a preposition. So who made up that rule anyway? And let me ask you something. Have you ever stared at a blank white screen or page, and it seems to stare back at you? Taunting you? Daring you? You could almost hear a voice saying “Na, na, na, na, na.”

And it doesn’t matter that your project deadline is tomorrow at noon. You just don’t have that idea you thought you would. Has this ever happened to you?

If it hasn’t, great. If it has, stop working and start reading the Bible. An online version or Bible app would be a great idea. Using those you could access all the great stories, chapters, and verses, AND you’d discover a wide variety of resources that could get your brainstorm started. Besides the concordance, you’ll find a handy search tool, commentaries, glossaries, language tools, historical reference guides, and even audio and video.

But using all those great tools in the greatest book ever written still doesn’t answer the question:

Where do good ideas come from?

Ideas aren’t some random results of random processing of random information. Ideas are thoughts formulated into an intelligent mental picture as a result of processing logical, reasonable information. But how did all that information get from one source…say your Bible app…into your brain? The answer is simple, but it befuddles (and even angers) most of the so-called “thinkers” of the world.

Your ideas get into your brain by processing and pondering the information you discover using a system designed by…

God.

That system is called logic and reason. Your brain is the user interface. You might call it the the most powerful UI ever designed. And make no mistake…it IS design…not random chance.

It’s uncanny and ironic, to me, how many times I hear the same information bandied around saying the world, and everything in it, came from nothing. At best, that’s a scientific theory. An idea. Yet, that idea can’t explain how ideas are stored. That idea can’t explain logic and reason. That so-called “scientific theory” leads to mankind believing mankind is either the pinnacle of evolution or just another insignificant segment of it.

So, the next time you hear somebody ask, “Where do good ideas come from?”…I hope you’ll smile and answer…

“Good ideas are gifts from God.”

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, 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

Before my wife and I were married we experienced one of those “long distance relationships.” She was living in Florida (where I met her), and I was living in Colorado. I had written to her, from different places while I was “on the road” full time, for about 3 years before she even gave me the time of day. Once she responded, we started talking on the phone. A lot. And this was before smartphones and unlimited long distance. On one phone call she told me how things were hitting her from all sides. As she put it “life is screaming at me.” And I thought to myself, “Hmm…now, there’s a song.”

Oftentimes in the life of a writer or songwriter the “good ideas” pop up in front of you even without spending any time thinking about them. But I try to make it a purpose of mine. In other words, I try to keep a keen ear open to things people say. Internet marketers and copywriting coaches call this “getting in tune with your target market.”

I just call it listening.

Just as “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word,” ideas come by listening. Listen to the following song and see if it describes you in any way. If you find yourself also saying “life is screaming at me”, maybe you need to tune out a few things and tune in to that “still small voice.” The voice you can only hear when you trust God.

Or you could just keep plodding along wishing your life away. The choice is yours, and as I always say “choose life.”

Life Is Screaming At Me

Life is screaming at me, “Give me your best shot!
Don’t dream it all away;
You gotta give back what you got!
It’s no big deal to gain the world
‘Cause you can’t take it with you.
But work to keep your soul, and give it your best shot.”

Oh, life is screaming at me, “Listen to your heart.
It can guide you through the dark, abysmal part.
Don’t let somebody else decide
Or tell you what you’re feeling.
Just keep your mind at work,
And listen to your heart!”

Now, open the window…the morning sun is gleaming
Now, turn up the volume
Listen, listen to life screaming at me!

Life is screaming at me, “Do it while you can!
Try to bridge the gap between a woman and a man.
Remember how it was the day
You first became attracted,
And strive to keep the love,
And do it while you can.”

Now, open the window
The noise can stop the dreaming
Hear the voice of angels
Listen; listen to life screaming at me!

repeat 1st chorus…

© 1996 Tony Funderburk

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional. And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

Tony Funderburk signature logo