in living color Archives - Tony Funderburk

Posted on March 20, 2021 by TonyMarch 31, 2021

Wear your heart on your sleeve and hate what I believe

This comes from back in the days of knights and lords and ladies. Apparently it was customary for a knight to wear the name of a certain lady during a tournament. And it was typically the lady he loved…or would compete to impress. In other words, he was laying it all out in the open. These days, when you wear your heart on your sleeve, you’re probably revealing your innermost thoughts.

So, you don’t have to literally wear your heart on your sleeve like knights did.

In fact, you have lots of options for revealing your thoughts and laying it all out there. You’re reading an example right now. Yeah, each time I write an article here on TonyFunderburk.com I wear my heart on my sleeve. At least a little.

Not to impress the lords and ladies. But to hopefully shed and share a little light of truth, some music, and logic and reason.

But to borrow a line from a Kim Carnes song, “That’s where the trouble starts.”

Because one man’s truth, logic, and reason is another man’s hate speech. And that happens so often because truth is hate to those who hate the truth.

I’m not a fan of labeling humans according to paint colors. In fact, even though it’s probably a losing battle, I’m against the human color codes. I’ve written about it before. Red, yellow, black, and white are not skin colors. They’re paints. Or crayons. But most certainly not skin colors.

And I get it. Those colors are so ingrained in our minds now, it’s difficult to think of describing other people without using the RYBW scale. But it’s worth the effort to re-train your brain.

Otherwise you’ll end up saying silly stuff like “black lives matter.” And that could become such a thorn in somebody’s side that they’ll end up feeling the need to say “It’s OK to be white.”

And claws and fangs will pop out everywhere.

Of course “black” lives matter. And of course it’s OK to be “white.” But that’s because all human lives matter. And there are many shades of skin colors. One is not better or worse than the next.

But evidently humans just can’t go five minutes without picking a fight. Actually, that’s probably being generous. Humans can’t seem to go five seconds without picking a fight. Or having to deal with somebody else who’s picking one.

And so we end up with this kind of world: “unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful…”

If you’re paying attention, you see this in living color. All around the world. And especially right here in the good ol’ U. S. of A.

There IS a cure.

But it requires people of all skin shades to do something most of them seem completely unwilling to do.

Love.

But not hypocritical love. You see that kind everywhere in people who claim to love, accept, and tolerate everyone. But their love turns to vitriolic hate when someone dares to claim there is only one God. And one absolute Truth. And one Way to Heaven. Those claims will NOT be loved, accepted, or tolerated.

But just because people will hate you for standing firm on God’s word doesn’t mean you don’t do it. Remember, Jesus said “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before it hated you.”

So, you’re in the best company even in the worst of times. And, as for me…

I plan to wear my heart on my sleeve
And share the reasons for what I believe.
And I’ll be sharing as long as I live
Because God’s love is the best gift to give.

Stay tuned,

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

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for kids

Posted on September 5, 2020 by TonySeptember 27, 2020

Fifty shades of earth tones in all human flesh and bones

Before I dive in, let me assure you, I’m no expert on the subject of makeup. And I’ve never played a makeup artist on TV. So, please understand what I’m about to share with you includes observations and conclusions. That being said, have you ever seen a cosmetic counter, in a ritzy store. And have you ever noticed the different colors of makeup? But I’ve never seen a display with fifty shades of makeup. Most have much less.

Look closely at the picture I just shared. And notice the names of the colors. You might have to zoom in to see them. But they’re names like espresso, mocha, toffee, cinnamon, caramel, honey, ivory, and creme.

I don’t know about you, but those all sound yummy to me. And they sound like natural products from good ol’ planet Earth. And that makes total sense. Because humans are also from good ol’ planet Earth. Have you noticed that?

There are probably more than fifty shades of skin in the world.

But colors you won’t find on skin or in makeup displays are red, yellow, black, and white. And do you know why you won’t find those colors on makeup counters? Because they’re not skin colors.

“Uh-oh, Ethel. He done went all political on us with this makeup thing. I knew it was a trick.”

Yeah, it’s weird (and stupid). But skin color is a YUGE political issue. And people seem to literally lose their minds over it. Well, that is, if they ever had a mind to lose in the first place. But so many people, all over the world, go berserk over non-existent skin colors.

And I’ve always wondered why anybody wants to claim red, yellow, black, or white as their skin color. Because all the rich, dark chocolates and velvety, smooth honeys are way more interesting. Just like the many cultures.

Yeah, many shades and cultures. But only one race.

The human race.

So, to have a bias against any particular skin tone is to be a racist against yourself. Let that sink in.

I guarantee if darkest skin woman marries a lightest skin man…or if a darkest skin man marries a lightest skin woman, they’ll never have black or white children. No, their kid’s skin will always end up somewhere in the fifty (or more) shades of earth tones. And their race will always be human.

And their gender will always be either boy or girl. So, please, let’s have no confusion over that either.

It would be great if humans could just see other humans as…well…human. Not better. And not worse. Because the only way to BE better is to trust in the One who IS better.

Do I have to say who that is?
Or don’t you see it clear as day?
We should all be true shades of Him,
‘Cause we’re created by The Way.

Stay tuned,

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

Posted on June 9, 2020 by TonyJune 17, 2020

Music and color wires crossed for something gained and something lost

The music and color connection

No, it’s not the same thing as the rainbow connection, Kermit. Imagine your brain seeing music and color. Sounds a little odd, but very interesting to me. For the longest time I’ve connected music and other sounds to colors. And I always thought it was just my imagination. But, as it turns out, I might have my wires crossed.

Connecting music and colors is a disease.

Not really. But it apparently IS a brain condition. And, of course, researchers have come up with a name for it. Synesthesia. And they say there’s a part of your brain that recognizes letters and words. Then, there’s another part of your brain that perceives colors. And those two parts are right next to each other.

So, some of those researchers believe those two areas can activate each other. Or at least they do in about 4% of the population.

What that means is someone with synesthesia can see a letter or a number, and other neurons in their brain activate color cells. And so it’s almost as if they can’t help but see the letters and numbers as colors.

Some people who are affected by synesthesia believe it helps them remember numbers and math. Others say it’s not so simple. Because certain colors that represent numbers don’t add up. (pun slightly intended)

But I don’t take the whole scientific approach to it. And I don’t worry about whether or not it’s genetic. Or learned. Or both. Because I don’t think much of that matters to me. And I don’t suffer in any way as I connect colors to music. Far from it. In fact, it adds to the beauty I’m able to see and hear in songs.

And I can’t prove this, but I wouldn’t be completely surprised if maybe the whole music and color connection is gloriously reconnected when we get to Heaven. Of course, that would be just a minor added bonus to being with the Creator of the universe forever.

I hear the color blue in my head,
And it blends like a cloud into red.
Then the cloud turns to droplets of green
Splashing into an aquamarine
Ocean of cool morning dew.
And it transports me right back to blue.

Stay tuned,

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab some Merch

Or how about some music for kids

Forever Gone Lyrics

Posted on February 20, 2014 by TonySeptember 1, 2019

As I sit here this morning, looking at the yellowing paper in my old spiral notebook, it’s hard to believe it’s been almost 40 years since I wrote these “Forever Gone” lyrics. Yet, there it is in my very own handwritten print and cursive letters: 5/9/74.

No biggie…well, sort of a biggie…but having over 40 years of poems, stories, lyrics, and songs is kinda cool. I can look back every once in a while and see where I’ve been as a writer. When I read something from so long ago, the circumstances (and even many of the surroundings) leap into my brain in living color.

As I mentioned in another article, back then I’d often write something based on an experience, or movie, or something I read. Then I’d leave it somewhat vague so it could be interpreted by readers in their own ways.

Sometimes I’d insert a name I liked…not because it was any real person I knew…but just because I thought it sounded cool, or mysterious, or rhythmic. That’s the case in the following “Forever Gone” lyrics. They sound a bit morbid. Or is it melancholy? Maybe it’s just a report. You decide. As you read the words, you’re the interpreter. You determine what it’s all about. You tell me.

I’m inserting a picture of the actual original lyrics. So you’ll notice the paper isn’t bright white anymore. And you might also notice the words to the song are printed while my signature is cursive. I’m not sure why I did that, but I printed a lot of words back then. Maybe it was so the chords could be written next to the lyrics and not look messy. No matter…here are the words to…

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk

Your Life Has Rhyme And Reason Because God Made You

Tag Archives: in living color

So, you don’t have to literally wear your heart on your sleeve like knights did.

And claws and fangs will pop out everywhere.

There IS a cure.

There are probably more than fifty shades of skin in the world.

Yeah, many shades and cultures. But only one race.

The music and color connection

Connecting music and colors is a disease.

Forever Gone Lyrics