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Tony Funderburk

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Tag Archives: gut-wrenching pains

Tony Funderburk Posted on May 13, 2021 by TonyMay 13, 2021
Wrestling matches of yore and what I mention them for

Wahoo McDaniel. Fritz von Erich. The Funk Brothers. These might not be household names to you. But back in the late 60’s, into the first couple years of the 70’s, they were known at my Dad’s house. Because they were wrestlers, and he enjoyed the comedy and drama of televised wrestling matches. But before I go any further, I want you to know…

Dad never thought those wrestling matches were real.

Far from it. And I think that’s why he enjoyed ’em. Because they put on a show. And the audiences, at the arena, seemed to think it was real. Or at least they acted like that’s what they thought. People would pick their favorites and cheer for them. And they booed for the “bad guys.”

It was cheap, Saturday night entertainment. And I can still remember Dad laughing at all those antics.

Fast forward to recent years, and I bet wrestling matches haven’t changed all that much. From what I’ve read, they’re still full of scripted antics. But nowadays, some of the famous wrestlers can become big-screen movie stars. Like Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock) for example.

And it seems like at least some of the modern day wrestlers take better care of themselves. It’s uncanny how many of the wrestlers from “back in the day” died in their 40’s.

Which brings me to my real reason for sharing this wrestling news with you. Yeah, you didn’t really think I was gonna tell you about my new WWF swag, did you?

No. But I AM thinking about another wrestling match.

That one going on inside you.

And me. And, as it turns out, the Apostle Paul. He talked about it in his letter to the Romans. And it’s yet another way the Bible is full of believable realism. Because the men who stood out and were chosen and were named…were also flawed.

So flawed, sometimes, that innocent people were hurt, or suffered great loss, or even murdered.

But Paul pointed out, in Romans, how each and every human being has to deal with his or her own flesh. From the time you’re aware of your own identity to the very end of your life. And, on your own, you will fail.

Because even if you use some magnificent meditational magic and control yourself, you might still spend eternity in a place where it will have all been for nothing.

No amount of good living, good thoughts, or good deeds can save you from your wrestling match.

Only Grace can do it. But here’s the thing. That Grace is free.

And that’s amazing.
Ask me how I know.
And I will tell you
That it’s WHO I know.

Stay tuned,

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Posted in Bible study, Romans | Tagged a special memory, gut-wrenching pains

Blessed Are You Who Hunger Now

Tony Funderburk Posted on January 11, 2015 by TonyJanuary 6, 2025
Blessed Are You Who Hunger Now, for you shall be filled.

The Creator of the universe and everything in it said this: “blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled.” Imagine how good that must sound to someone who truly knows the gut-wrenching pains of hunger.

Blessed are you who hunger now. And later.

A couple of days ago I shared another beatitude with you. And I mentioned there are four “positive” and four not-so-positive. Well, that’s if you’re reading from the book of Luke. There are more of these beatitudes found in Matthew’s writings. But for the sake of simplicity I wanted to share from Luke’s. There’s a method to my madness…so bear with me.

Anyway…if you’ve ever known hunger, the kind of hunger that comes from days without food…not hours, then you can probably see much more clearly the fullness of the blessing of being filled. I can’t say I’ve ever been that hungry. But I have gone all day without food before. And I know how challenging that can be. Plus, I remember how wonderful a home-cooked meal tasted after that day.

When Jesus said “blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled“, I think He implied a bit of a double meaning, too. Especially when you consider how He talked to “the woman at the well” and the kinds of things He said to His own disciples. (that’s another story for another article)

It isn’t a stretch to imagine He could have referred to “hunger” and “be filled” from a spiritual perspective. Your soul/spirit hungers for life. And when you ask Jesus into your heart, that’s when you’ll be filled with His eternal life through His Holy Spirit.

If you haven’t already done this, can I ask you a couple of questions?

Why don’t you want it? What is it about eternal life in Heaven with your Creator that repels you? I mean it. I truly don’t understand anyone actively rejecting the love of God. But if that’s you, I hope you’ll “fill me in”.

Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional. And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and love.

Stay tuned…

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Posted in Christian Articles, Matthew | Tagged gut-wrenching pains

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