Tag Archives: serve one another

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

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Healthy life. Peaceful life. Wealthy life. Joyful life. Do any (or all) of those describe you in your life? If not, my first question is: Do you love your neighbor after you love yourself first?

Yeah, I said after you love yourself first.

I started thinking about something I wrote somewhere around 10 years ago after I read the second half of Paul’s letter to the Philippians this morning. It ties in very neatly to the letter he wrote to the Galatians, too. And it’s an ongoing thread through his writings. So, how did you answer the question?

If you answered “yes”, then the next question is…do you serve one another? After all, it’s only when you serve others that you can achieve a healthy or peaceful or wealthy or joyful life.

Sure, you can choose to serve yourself. And you can choose to expect others to serve you. But that kind of expectation won’t take you down the primrose path, to say the least. You probably don’t need my help on the subject. but, just in case, here are three things to focus on to help you serve others…particularly if you’re a Christian…

  1. Whatever things are true – it doesn’t matter that more and more people in the world wanna say truth is relative and experiential. There are some things that are absolutely true. For example, the morning sun never “rises” in the west. And it never “sets” in the east. Right? Some things are absolutely true, and dependable. Focus on them.
  2. Whatever things are pure – I know this can be a difficult area to focus on with so much grit and grime and despicable behavior in the world. But there are pure things. A newborn baby. A blue sky from a mountain top. A genuine love between a husband and his wife. I’m sure you can find other pure things if you look. Focus on them.
  3. Whatever things are praiseworthy – Look for some way to compliment someone. It could be as simple as telling your barista how delightful your cuppa java is today. Or tell your mom how nice she looks in her new coat. How about telling your co-worker or employee what a great job they did yesterday? It’s actually difficult not to see praiseworthy things.

Focus on them.

There are several other areas of life you can focus on to improve your circle of influence. I’ve shared them here on my website. But I want you to know how your focus can change how well you serve one another. If you’re only focused on the mistakes other people make, you’ll never run out of them. And you’ll never be satisfied. Neither will they. That focus helps no one…serves no one. There’s a time for healthy critique. But never waste an opportunity to build someone up. Your soul will thank you for it. Because that’s how you love others.

But you can only do that when you love God and then love yourself first.

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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.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

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He showed up with a servitude heart. And that was no small detail. Because he was actually a king. No, that’s not quite accurate. He was THE king. Of the whole universe, in fact. But He showed up here in our dirty, little world with a mission to make things right. And His actions, over and over, proved He came here to serve, not BE served.

The ultimate model of a servitude heart.

And it makes perfect sense to say He’s the ultimate model. Because He even says that you and I were made in His image and likeness. It’s kinda like He’s the mold (defined: a distinctive and typical style, form, or character AND form or shape, especially the features or physique of a person). And you and I were copies made from that mold.

So, here’s what I think (and you can take what I think PLUS a smartphone and make a call to just about anywhere in the world). God knew, when He made us, and even more now, that us copies would never live up to the original. And He planned out actions He could and/or would take to compensate for, and even wipe out, our stupid decisions AND the consequences for them.

That information about His character inspired me to write a song about how a servitude heart should be our response to His love. You have the freedom to disagree. But I bet you don’t.

Consequential Servitude

God looked down on me. He knew I was wrong;
Usurped my position I’d held for so long.
Yeah, He just took over where my brain left off.
He knew it was risky. He knew they’d all scoff.
Sometimes I’m so stupid, and so often blind;
Trade reason for feelings; mistakes underlined.

And so again; I behold the outer man
Through God’s condescending attitude.
And I defer to the perfect Architect
And this consequential servitude.

He spirals His thoughts through my barricade.
He knows I am feeble, yet hands me His blade.
And He tells me to rise up from my Phoenix blight
He builds me a fortress of conquering Light.
When my clay is brittle and crumbles to sand,
I long to be putty in my Master’s hand.

And then I can behold the inner man
Through God’s condescending attitude.
Because He chose me as His dwelling place
I choose this consequential servitude.

There were no incantations, no hallelujah chorus.
He succumbed to His detractors; withstood an inquisition.
And then commended His spirit, relinquished His position,
And then He died a death that was for us!

Repeat Ist verse and 2nd chorus…end

© 2001

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

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Do you feel like you live in a mighty strange world. If you believe this world, and all living things, were created instead of manipulated by chance, you probably do. At least I hope so. I do.

This is a strange world that’s only getting stranger right now.

If you’re a Christian, you might have heard some say we believers are like strangers in a strange world or strange land. And that’s because we shine too much light in dark places. Or we should. Because people don’t wanna be reminded of where that light originates.

Right now I’d like to encourage you to be bold in your faith. Your faith-based ideas and dreams and plans are essential. So, regardless of your vocation or expertise, use your skills to shine God’s love and light into this strange, dark world.

Start a business. Or at least run a business that’s plugged into a blueprint. A system. I know of a couple of places where you can get some great help. And they’re places run by people who will also encourage you to take that basket off your light.

Yeah, you gotta fortify your own world first.

And that means investing in yourself. Get more tools and skills. And don’t put limits on yourself like age or geography or lack of education. With more age comes more experience (and maybe even wisdom). Geographical boundaries tumble down when you log on to the web. And you can educate yourself for free when you use the web as a learning tool.

You don’t need a Harvard M.B.A. to do it. You don’t even need to rent a big city (or even little town) office. Because 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 on a table in your favorite coffee shop. Or even on your lap in your car.

While the the scorn from this strange world isn’t the most enjoyable thing in the world, it means you’re doing something right. And you’re serving others. Whether or not they choose to eat and drink from the bread and water you offer isn’t your responsibility.

Just offer it.

And that’s what your Creator wants you to do. So, what are you waiting for? If you’re already a Christian who owns or runs a business, let me know. I prefer to support you instead of all those other dark options in this strange place. I’ll even feature you on my The Power of God’s Love Podcast.

C’mon and beat the world, and try to leave a dent,
But don’t regret the time that you’ve spent.
C’mon and beat the world, and try to leave a bruise.
You need to love the life that you choose
C’mon and beat the world.

Stay tuned,

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OK, here’s my one step plan to a longer, richer life. Ready? Got a pen and paper or computer handy? Here goes. Love God and live longer.

Whew! Are you tuckered out? Yeah, I know…it’s a pretty grueling regimen. But you know what they say…no pain, no gain. So, if you truly wanna live a longer life, you’re gonna need to open your heart and let your love flow to God. That might be more painful for some than others.

But here’s the payoff, when you follow this one step plan…

…eternal life.

And here’s a key point I wanna make.

As I always say, you get to choose.

Exercising your body keeps you healthier, but you have to decide to do it. You choose. And, in fact, until you choose, you won’t see any positive results. It’s completely up to you. And eternal life with God in His Heavenly paradise is completely up to you, too.

But maybe you don’t think the God I’m talking about even exists. Or maybe you think He doesn’t love you. And maybe you think you couldn’t love a god who would allow you to have the unfulfilled life you’re living. Or maybe you have some other stubborn reason for choosing yourself over God.

I recommend you get over yourself and give up those reasons.

Give up the need to BE a god. And give up the desire to be served and start looking for ways to serve.

Maybe you could start by simply serving your family or friends. You might be surprised at how much better you’ll feel when you take the focus off you. And I wouldn’t be at all surprised to hear that you decided to take your love to the next level. In fact, I’ll rejoice with the angels when I hear you decided to follow this one step plan and live forever.

When you do, let me know. I mean it.

Stay tuned,
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Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional
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Years ago I wrote about what an amazing place America is. And that’s still true. From the fruited plains all the way up to, and past, the purple mountain majesty (which is the mountain shadow where I live). It’s just an awesome place to live.

Except for one thing.

The purple mountain majesty and fruited plains are filled with people.

And that’s not a bad thing in and of itself. I don’t have anything against a large population of people. In fact, if you didn’t have lots of people, you wouldn’t have lots of your favorite stuff.

But with people comes what I call “stupid people stuff.”

And America is overflowing with stupid people stuff.

I’m not talking about mistakes people make. Because everybody makes a lot of stupid mistakes. But stupid people stuff comes from people who’d rather stew in their own selfish desires than serve others with love.

And I don’t mean that stupid, heart-shaped, pink balloon kind of love. That’s not serving others. It’s destroying others. By the millions. And stupid people enjoy doing that. Because anything they can do to thumb their noses at God is A-OK with them.

So, that’s why I prefer the “heavenly country” I’m gonna live in when I leave America.

Yeah, I’m leaving America.

For good.

And I’m never coming back. And it’s not an idle threat like stupid people who make stupid idle threats make. It’s not even a threat. It’s just a pure and simple fact.

And it’s because I believe in more than what you can detect with your five senses. I believe in love. And I believe love (like us) did not evolve. Love came directly from the one, true, living, loving God of creation.

Nothing would exist if it weren’t for Him. And wherever He is, there is life.

And in the God of creation is where you’ll find the heavenly country. I found it. And that’s where I’m gonna move to sooner than you can say the Lord’s prayer. Backwards. Standing on your head, stacking BB’s with boxing gloves on.

In other words, I hope it’s a while before I leave America to go live in that Heavenly country. Because I’d like to annoy atheists, liberals, and other God haters for as long as I can. But, I’ll definitely be moving.

And I hope you’ll be one of the people I see there. One of the people I’ll enjoy eternity with. But if you wanna be sure that happens, you gotta decide now. You don’t need to climb up to the purple mountain majesty or cross the fruited plains to talk to God. Talk to Him from where you are. Right now.

Tomorrow might be too late.
Don’t be stranded at the pearly gate.

Stay tuned,

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Perks that works and this island is my land

That’s an improper use of the word, “works”, just so I could make it rhyme better. So, sue me. And this episode of the Rhyme and Reason Podcastis a bit of a double rant. These are two subjects I shared in previous blog posts. And the subjects have both come up again in recent days. So, I thought I’d share my thoughts about them on the podcast. As always…feel free to disagree…as long as you’re comfortable being wrong. I’m OK with that.

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Rhyme and Reason Podcastepisode 310

Why is customer service important?

It doesn’t improve your hourly wage, right? You won’t get ahead at your place of work just because you smiled at a customer, right? And it certainly won’t make you any smarter, right?

Actually the answer to all three of those questions is “wrong!”The rest of this rant is HERE

No one lives on Disappointment Island…

And yet, at one time or another everyone has lived on disappointment island. Let me explain. One is an actual island near New Zealand. The other is a metaphor I’m gonna use to describe a place where even your friends will ship you. Sometimes when you least expect it. The rest of this rant is HERE

Of course, you don’t have to read any of my ranting. You can just tune in to the podcast and here me say it all out loud. That way you can get all worked up with me even while you’re doing something else. Like driving fast. Or cutting wood to build something. You could even be grillin’ and chillin’. So tune in to Rhyme and Reason and make it easy on yourself.

Stay tuned,

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No need to go off the grid to enjoy some analog fun

Have you seen, heard, or read about people who think they have to go off the grid to get away from “the man?” With satellites everywhere in the skies, billions of mobile devices with built-in cameras, and transportation that can go anywhere…do you think that’s possible? I don’t. I’m gonna share a song video with you, but first…

Sure, you can take yourself out of the system and live under a blanket next to a creek somewhere. But it’s nearly impossible to get away from everyone and everything. And here’s the kicker…you shouldn’t want to do that.

Relationships are essential to your happiness. If you’re not truly involved in any healthy relationships, you’re not truly healthy. You can’t be. Because you’re designed by the one, true, living, loving God of life. And He created you from love and to love. He won’t force you to, but that’s still why you’re here. Love. Instead of thinking of ways to go off the grid and get away from everybody, why not figure out ways to help someone else.

Take the focus off yourself.

Put it back where it belongs…on helping others. The Bible says “through love serve one another.” Focusing only on yourself is pure, unadulterated selfishness. And you won’t find happiness there.

A few years ago I wrote a song about a guy who doesn’t like this modern, digital world. He prefers old-school things and ways. I’m gonna share the lyrics video with you now. And I want to notice something important about the “Analog Man.” Notice how he never talks about going off the grid. He’s still locked into the real world. It’s just that he prefers the “soulful bliss” of the analog world. What do you think? Ready to serve others today? Well, get off your grid and go!

(video no longer available)

Stay tuned,

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