Tag Archives: I believe in God

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Darn it. I just broke my handheld a mirror. But it’s my own fault. Because I should’ve laid it down before I ran out the front door, under the painter’s ladder, just to chase away that pesky black cat keeps scrounging around here. Wow, if today was Friday the 13th, that would be a trifecta’s trifecta. But, as I open up my my calendar, I see it’s only…

Yikes! Friday the 13th!

Oh no! The jig is up. The ship has sailed. My goose is cooked.

Or not.

Because today could be just another day. According to Encyclopedia Britannica (That’s an academic book, for all your public school teachers) Friday the 13th, which occurs when the 13th day of a month in the Gregorian calendar falls on a Friday, happens at least once a year and sometimes up to three times a year. On average, one occurs every 212.35 days.

So it’s just plain ol’ superstition to think today is some sort of especially unlucky day. Of course, you might have a phobia. In this case, there’s a little word that describe you:

paraskevidekatriaphobia

Say that three times fast.

And as you attempt to do that, I’ll share this interesting little factoid with you that’s also from the Encyclopedia Britannica: Friday the 13th and its association with bad luck was first written about in 19th-century France. An article published in 1834 in the French literary magazine Revue de Paris by Italian author Marquis de Salvo refers to a Sicilian count who killed his daughter on Friday the 13th. The article, titled “Le Chateau de Carini,” states, “It is always Fridays and the number 13 that bring bad luck!”

Yeah, the moral of that story is never kill your daughter on an unlucky day. Yeesh.

Actually, all seriousness in front, there are other ways to look at this silly superstition.For example…

You could choose another option, simpler and true.
You could opt out of superstition…couldn’t you?

As for me, I just go on with my day as though it were just another day. And, for me, that means rhymes and reasons. Like this one…

Iridescent Lights Disappearing In Flights

There were effervescent circles,
Shining iridescent lights,
On the svelte, magenta cosmos.
Almost no one saw the sights.
But then someone with a camera,
And creative appetites,
Captured just a hint of Heaven
In those iridescent lights.   © 2022 TF

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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.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

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Habitual liars just make up stuff as they go along. I think we can all agree on that. Right?

But what we might not agree on are the lies. Most everyone who subscribes to my blog, emails, The Power of God’s Love Podcast, YouTube channel, or social media profiles has similar worldviews. But maybe you’re different. Maybe you’ll be the one who disagrees with what I’m about to mention. Here’s a headline…

Disproportionate impact on women by the Covid-19 pandemic

And the article said that more women experienced sickness and death from Covid-19 than men. And there are two reasons why that’s a ridiculous thing to say.

One: It implies that sickness and death from a pandemic should be fair and equitable.

Two: It isn’t true.

I did some checking. And I didn’t find one site, with stats on Covid related deaths, that said more women got sick and/or died from it. In fact, I didn’t find one site that didn’t say the opposite. More men than women have gotten sick and/or died from it.

But it the headline was on social media. So it’s gotta be true. So, what’s goin’ on here?

Could it be that people truly do make stuff up?

The better question is, why do people so easily fall for all that stuff?

If we could travel back in time, we could ask Herr Hitler. Adolph understood how you simply tell a lie boldly enough, loudly enough, and often enough and it “becomes the truth” to the illogical masses.

And as Yogi Berra said, “it’s deja vu all over again.”

But here’s the incredibly sad part to it all. That made up stuff makes slaves out of the majority of people. And they believe they’ve made their own choices and created their own destinies. But they’ve simply allowed themselves to be manipulated into voting for their own party’s socialism over the opposing party’s socialism. And they’ve opted for soundbite truth over real Truth.

So, most people, sadly, will never know the Truth that can set them free. As for me, I wouldn’t wanna live without knowing that Truth. Because I…

Have To Believe

I can hear my heart, but I just can’t feel my life.
I can feel You cut, but I just can’t see the knife.
You slip Yourself inside of me
To show me what I’m meant to be;
Unlock me with Your golden key;
Protect me from the wizardry
Of this world far below.

I can feel Your love; though I never see Your face,
And whenever I’m alone,
You still fill the empty space.
I never have to reach for You.
You always seem to pull me through.
You do the things that I can’t do;
Not even if I wanted to…not even if I tried.

And I have to believe…You did everything for me.
‘Cause what I have to believe
Is the truth that sets me free

You must know my dreams
Because you’re making them all come true.
I know that You’re the One
Because no one could but You.
Your steady hand is always near.
With perfect love You conquer fear.
You brush away the dark veneer,
And suddenly it’s all so clear which way I should go.

And I have to believe…You did everything for me.
‘Cause what I have to believe
Is the truth that sets me free

Well, I’m not sure if I deserve it.
I’m lighter than air and soaring like a bird,
And if I can love You any better…just say the Word!

© 1996

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

When it comes to living a full life, you gotta believe in something. And you gotta begin to live it. And keep going. Of course, you can also simply give up. That’s always an option, too. When you keep going after life, you WILL get knocked down. But you get up and go again. That’s not failure. But giving up…yes…that’s failure.

I’m not talking about leaving one idea for another as giving up. Sometimes that’s the best way to keep going. I’m talking about simply giving up. Saying, “that’s it…I just can’t go on.” That’s failure.

So believe in something. Truly believe.

And, of course, I always recommend you believe and trust in God. But, even here on Earth, you can still believe in, and work on, something that’s a large representation of God. Relationships.

A successful relationship requires you to keep going even when it strains you to the breaking point. You don’t give up on it because it’s difficult. You don’t quit because it’s uncomfortable. And you don’t abandon it even if it seems hopeless. It might abandon you, but you can’t control that. You can only control you. And that’s why you must…

Believe And Begin

Summer in those eyes; I know they hide no lies
That gaze behind the lace
Takes me to a faraway place
Where day is never done;
We chase the midnight sun
And raise the golden chalice
To toast the Aurora Borealis

Oh I know that it’s not quite so
But we have to believe and begin
Yes it’s true; it’s just me and you
But we have to believe and begin

Those Paris green delights
That warm me through the nights
That down vanilla voice
Talks me out of a foolhardy choice
Let’s ride the western wind
To just beyond the bend
It could be an illusion
But that’s not such a foregone conclusion

So let’s go…make the small plans grow
‘Cause we have to believe and begin
Me and you and the Spirit too
But we have to believe and begin

© 1992 Tony Funderburk

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Most of the people of the world don’t believe in the one and only God of Christmas. And that’s a hopeless and futile existence. Whether they realize their hopelessness and futility or not.

And the God of Christmas is THE one and only God.

I know most of the people of the world find that to be an offensive and arrogant statement. And maybe it would be, if not for one thing. It’s absolutely true.

Because the evidence is all around you. God created the heavens and the earth. And God created you and me and every living creature and thing on the earth. So, God who knows every detail of what is best for us. If those things aren’t true, then there is no Truth. There’s nothing you can depend on except yourself.

And 7 billion opinions of what’s true is a recipe for chaos and confusion.

Have you noticed how much chaos and confusion there is in this world right now?

If you follow social media channels, you must have noticed. Because most people are looking for an answer to their hopelessness. But most refuse to believe their hope could lie in the person of Jesus. The most they’ll allow for is that He was just some Jewish carpenter who “possibly” lived 2,000 years ago. Be He couldn’t possibly be the one and only God of Christmas. And He certainly couldn’t be the hope of the world.

But He is.

You don’t have to believe that.

But one day you will. And if that day isn’t during your current time here on Earth, then it will be too late. You will have already chosen to be your own god. And you’ll rule and reign in a universe of one for eternity.

But it’s so avoidable.

This Christmas, get the gift that keeps on giving forever. And only one person can give it. That’s why…

I Believe In The God of Christmas

Some believe there’s just today.
And then we die and fade away…
Such a sad and hopeless life to lead.

Others say we never die.
We all live on above the sky…
Disregard the theft and hate and greed.

But I believe in the God of Christmas,
And I believe in His Gift to us all,
Yes, I believe that He died to save us
And that He rose to recover our fall.
Yes I believe in the God who loves us,
And I believe in the God who lives,
Yes I believe in the God of Christmas.
He gave His love, and He still freely gives.

One day soon we just may find
So many millions left behind
In a world where truth is torn apart.

And then no lights, no Christmas trees,
No arts and no humanities,
Will bring peace to any broken heart.

(choruses)

© 2011 Tony Funderburk

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Are you ready to sing a song of confidence?

Have you heard this quote? “The truth is still true even if no one believes it. And a lie is still a lie even if everyone believes it.” It makes total sense to someone who’s willing to use logic and reason, instead of feelings, when it comes to decision making. And it’s that kind of thinking that helps me sing a song of confidence in the face of doubt and fear.  

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Song of confidence because it just makes sense

Singing a song of confidence isn’t about shoving my head in the sand.

Far from it. I’m keenly aware of all the doubt and fear going on in America, and the world, right now. People want answers to this pandemic thing. And rightfully so. But you know where you shouldn’t look for answers right now? In speculative social media and news channels.

Speculation almost always goes in negative direction. At least when it comes to things like this public health scare. Conspiracy theories pop up everywhere. And sometimes from sources you thought would know better.

“So, who in the world are we supposed to trust, then, Tony?!”

Well, when all else fails…and even when nothing fails, trust God.

“But how am I supposed to trust God when He let this happen in the first place?”

Yeah, people actually ask hypocritical questions like that. Do you see the hypocrisy? Someone says they don’t believe or trust in God. Then, they lay blame at God’s feet. So, which is it? God doesn’t exist? Or if He does, He’s to blame for everything?

My confidence is in the mountains of evidence for God’s existence and love.

I know the one, true, living, loving Creator of all heaven and Earth will “do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.”

And if you’re reading this (or listening to it) with doubt, I recommend you don’t take my word for any of it. Especially if we’ve never met and you don’t know me from Adam. Because you’ll get much further along, in your quest for truth and trust, when you go to the source. Yeah, check out the Bible.

And if and when you can prove it’s wrong, then you can tell me where to get off.

But until then, I’m confidently in the hands of the most able Engineer. And this train is bound for glory.

I sing a song of confidence in what my God can do
And how His love can conquer all the fear in me and you,
But only if we choose His love and life and ask Him to.
I trust in God, and in His word, because I know it’s true.

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Tony Funderburk talks about singing a song of confidence

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Imagine being able to say words and a planet appears. Then you say more words and the sun and moon appear. Then you say more words and all the birds, dinosaurs, fishes, horses, dogs, lions, and every other creature appear. And imagine being able to stretch out your hands and all the stars in the universe start shining. You can’t do it, can you? It’s hard to even imagine. But God can do it. In fact, He DID do it. After all nothing is too hard for God.

Yeah, God was able to take dirt from the earth and breathe life into it and create a man. And He took a rib from the man and created a woman. Can you do that? I sure can’t. But like I said…

Nothing is too hard for God.

There’s only one problem He can’t help you with. And that’s if you don’t want to love and trust Him. Because He wants you to. But He won’t make you. He leaves it up to you.

So, if you haven’t already told God you trust Him and love Him, don’t let another day pass without doing it. If you think it’s hard to believe in someone you can’t see, ask someone who already loves Him how they do it. I bet they’ll share some great ways you can know that God’s word is true.

Or you can read a lot more of what I’ve said about it here on my website. But the main thing is, there are lots of good reasons to know that you can know and trust God.

But life flies by. Don’t wait.

If you’re unsure, let me know.

You might win a few things in this life,
And you might even win a whole lot.
But you’ll lose everything if you don’t trust the King
Who has given you all that He’s got.

Know that nothing is too hard for God.
He can help you through all of your fears.
If your gold turns to rust, or your diamonds to dust,
Only God can dry all of your tears.

Make the most of the moments you have.
They fly by in the blink of an eye.
Don’t waste time in the dark, jump inside of the ark
Of God’s love. Kiss the old life goodbye.

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My Story Is A Simple One To Tell

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I could make this more complicated, but my story is a simple one to tell.

My Story Is A Simple One To Tell...I'm writing for kids.

I’ve always been a dreamer and and an optimist. This world can beat down dreams and optimism, but I don’t depend on this world for my inspiration. And I don’t depend on this world for esteem. It probably sounds old-fashioned and out-of-touch…but I believe in God. He’s the ultimate source for optimism and dreams. Without Him, I wouldn’t even be here to write.

So, even though admitting my faith in God may lose me the potential of many millions of readers, I still commit my admission to posterity here on the world wide web. Feel free to tell me “what for” below. And for now, I’ll share a brief overview of a certain children’s writer I know…

My story is a simple one to tell.
I hope it touches nerves. I hope it rings a bell.
I tried to do the very best I could.
I loved my fellow man…not always like I should.
There were some words and deeds I should have skipped.
Sometimes I stood up proud, and after that I tripped.
As I grew up, I loved to laugh and smile.
When others joined right in, it made it all worthwhile.
So I began to write, compose, and sing.
My music and my words were there through everything.
I found that children loved my silly rhymes.
Their grace reminded me of bygone simpler times.
Then I began to write some picture books
And drew some characters with loony, loopy looks.
I wrote about imaginary dreams
With universal truth and happy ending themes.
The writer’s life was mine for many years.
With consonants and vowels I wrote of smiles and tears.
I think I touched some lives for just a bit.
I tried to kindle hope and keep it brightly lit,
But then I passed away with no farewell…
My story is a simple one to tell.

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