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Tony Funderburk

Your Life Has Rhyme And Reason Because God Made You

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Tag Archives: word pictures

Tony Funderburk Posted on January 20, 2024 by TonyJanuary 20, 2024
Night skies, grateful sighs, and the Prize

They say (whoever “they” are) that a picture is worth a thousand words. But, on the other hand, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So, I guess it’s up to me to connect the words to the picture. And that’s what I do on a fairly regular basis. Just like the time (many seconds ago) when I saw a beautiful picture of night skies outlined by the northern lights somewhere up in Norway.

Those night skies were filled with light.

You could see countless stars from the top, darker edge of the picture, all the way down to the outline of the aurora borealis. And the lights, in the night skies, illuminated a quiet, basically uninhabited landscape of sparse trees and mostly virgin snow. A great photograph of beauty most people never see, in person, anymore.

I found the picture online where a woman shares many photographs like that. And most of the time she adds her own titles. Sometimes the combination of her title and the beauty of the picture inspires me to make the words and picture connection. That’s what happened early this morning with the picture you see in my glasses at the top of this article.

Here’s the result.

When Heaven Whispers

When Heaven whispers through night skies,
God’s children listen to the sighs
That freely flow up to the source
Of love Who keeps us on the course
Toward eternal love and light
Where there will never more be night
Or need for whispers through night skies
For those who ran to win the prize.

© 2024

Yeah, I connected that picture to MY words. But, I also connected it AND my words to THE Word. That’s the prize link.

By the way I can always use your support to help me keep the nearly 3000 posts I’ve shared on my website available to the world that needs to see and hear about the one, true, living, loving God of creation. So, when you get a second, see if one of my books suits your fancy. Get one for yourself or for someone you love. Here’s a link to check ‘em out:

(https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B008R08LUG/allbooks)

Stay tuned,

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Posted in Author, Christian Articles, I Corinthians, life is beautiful, Photopoetography, poets and poetry, Rhymes For Kids, Tony Funderburk | Tagged night skies, photopoetography, songbook journal, word pictures
Tony Funderburk Posted on December 22, 2023 by TonyDecember 22, 2023
Word pictures and whimsy so their brains aren’t flimsy

Over the years I’ve observed kids and their love for whimsy. So, I write whimsical rhymes. Fun, funny rhymes. Full of imagination. And filled with color, action, and rhythm. I want word pictures to leap into those growing little minds. And I firmly believe the words I write for kids should help them build faith, hope, and love. With a smile.

Lots of writers, these days, prefer to go the route of realism.

Yeah, they think even books for kids should “reflect the culture.” I couldn’t disagree more.

And I disagree because of those word pictures I mentioned.

Kids already get enough reality in the real world. They can watch just five minutes of a news program and see how unsafe this world is. And the so-called “news” and “entertainment” they hear and see can put some awful word pictures in their brains. So, they certainly don’t need to dive into a poem, or story, or book and find those words and images there, too.

That’s why I provide “an escape.” It’s always my goal to share optimism with kids. To write whimsical words about faith, hope, and love. All the media they consume should nurture those feelings. And it should show them dark days don’t last forever and the good guy wins. Sadly, most of what they hear and watch is like junk food for their brains.

So, I take my cue from Paul, the amazing writer you can find in the New Testament section of The Bible.

Paul’s letters show you how your dark days won’t last forever. And how the good guy wins. Plus, he talks about the awesome love that provides a happy ending for anyone who wants it. Come on, you gotta admit. That powers up some mighty nice word pictures. Right?

Of course, Paul’s writings were serious. And theological. But I believe he would appreciate my whimsical way with words. Because he would see how my goal is the same as his.

And, on that note, here are some word pictures for the kiddos to show them how unique they are.

No Other Person

Once upon a time you were one little cell
Living in your mom where you formed so well.
Then you were born and everyone knew
There was no other person who was quite like you.
You got bigger and you wondered why
A fish could swim and a bird could fly.
Every little thing was a fun, little game.
A dog was a friend, and you gave it a name.
A little more time, and you learned to read.
Each word was a friend that planted a seed
That formed an idea in your curious mind.
Then your need for knowledge left the kid behind.
That was well and good, and it had to be.
There was so much more in the world to see.
But please remember and don’t forget…
There are things in life that you might regret.
Don’t let love ever take a back seat.
Be willing to share it with whomever you meet.
Then, people might say, when you’re life is through…
There was no other person who was quite like you.

© 2013

Speaking of the The Power of God’s Love Podcast. I suggest you go subscribe right now and tune in to everything I have to say about everything. Yeah, I think that about covers it. Actually, you should probably skip it. Because I’ll probably just say something that makes you mad. And nobody wants that.

But if you insist, choose your favorite source to deliver directly to your favorite device:

https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/fundercast

Stay tuned,

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Posted in Faith Hope and Love, Luke, Rhyme and Reason, Rhymes For Kids, Tony Funderburk | Tagged rhymes for kids, whimsical, word pictures

Reading Is So Delicious

Tony Funderburk Posted on July 12, 2013 by TonyAugust 1, 2024
Reading is delicious. Children's writer, Tony Funderburk, says take a big bite each day.

I heard this expression today: “reading is so delicious“. And being a lover of words and the word pictures they can stir up…well I just had to bake some of my thoughts about it. It’s only natural…and delicious.  🙂

When you think about what reading can do for you, it makes sense to say it’s delicious. At least when you’re using it as a metaphor. After all, I don’t think you would find the average book to be all that tasty. At least no books I’ve ever run across were. Most of the books I’ve ever read smelled like a library. And I wouldn’t want to bite into one of those.

Still, reading is SO delicious.

But just imagine what might go on inside your brain…even as you’re reading this. I can write the word “cantaloupe” and your mind might conjure up an image of a juicy, deep orange slice of melon. Or I can write the word “chocolate” and your mind probably conjures up a deep, dark cake…or your favorite candy bar…or even a steaming cup of hot chocolate on a blustery winter day.

Yum…I’m getting hungry just writing about it. See…reading IS so delicious.

Start with nature’s natural nouns…
And stir with vigorous verbs…
Then add a dash of adjectives…
They’ll be poetic herbs…
Some adverbs might go nicely…
A dash might be nutritious…
Now, let this story simmer…
See, reading is delicious.

Before you go, jump on the The TRUTH. And join the growing band of believers who enjoy my books, daily rhymes, songs, and videos about the Rhyme and Reason and power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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Posted in healthy habits, Rhymes For Kids | Tagged conjure up, getting hungry, word pictures

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