Tag Archives: words and music of faith hope and love podcast

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

There’s a book that says “faith comes by hearing.” But here’s the thing. You gotta be willing to listen. Let me share a short snippet about a guy who was.

So, this guy’s name was Saul. He lived about 2000 years ago. And he was zealously dedicated to his Jewish faith. In fact, he was so dedicated that he persecuted anyone who would dare say Jesus was their Messiah. When I say “persecuted,” I mean he even killed them. He believed what they were doing was blasphemy. And that was a crime and sin punishable by death. Yikes!

Then, Saul met Jesus.

AFTER Jesus had been killed! Can you imagine meeting someone, after you had witnessed that person’s death? That might shake your foundation a little. Don’t you think? Well, it certainly shook Saul’s. Figuratively and literally. He was on a journey, near the city of Damascus, when something amazing happened. Saul described it like this:

“Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.”

Saul had to be led into Damascus because the light he saw blinded him.

But Jesus changed him forever. Even changed his name to Paul. And when he first started to share his new message about the Christian faith, people remembered him as that guy who had persecuted them.

How dare he try to preach to them?!

Who did he think he was, anyway?

But once people listened to Paul’s messages, they saw the glory of God in him. That’s one example of how God’s grace changes everything. Paul was changed forever. And he wanted everyone to know how they could be, too. And that’s why I write, sing, and talk about all this. I want you to know how grace can change you forever, too. But you gotta be willing to listen. And you gotta wanna be changed forever.

Here are the lyrics to a song I wrote a few years ago about how the grace and love of Jesus changes you. If you’re willing to listen, and look for it, I included this song in one of my podcast episodes. Or you can get it from a link inside one of my books. But that’s another story for another time. Right now, here are those lyrics:

Drawn To You

Maybe it’s Your grace. I don’t know.
It could be Your Word. I’m not sure.
But You have a way of refining my thoughts.
Your Will is my strength.
Your Will is my cure.

Anytime it’s me making it up
Show me I’m wrong to just forget You.
You barely lift a finger, and You change my whole direction.
What else can I say? What more can I do?

I’m drawn to You
Like a June-bug to the light.
I’m drawn to You
Like a boxer to the fight.
I’m drawn to You
Like a sweet tooth and ice cream,
And it may all sound extreme,
But I’m drawn to You.

Maybe I’ll wake up, maybe soon
And find You take me home…
Who can say?
‘Til then I’ll live it out. ‘Til then I’ll follow through
And see how many more might feel the same way.

Chorus

Jesus, help me, won’t You take me to my heart’s desire?
Nothing could mean more than having You to be my fire!
Take me higher. Draw me near.

Chorus…instrumental…repeat chorus to end

© Copyright 2000

Enjoying my radically rational Rhymes and Reasons? Then jump on the The TRUTH and I’ll send them directly to your inbox. Do it now, and I’ll send you 6 gifts that include a couple of my books (one for adults and one for kids), some songs, and even some pro life ringtones: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

A few years back I put together a collection of praise and worship songs. And I called the collection, “Raise The Praise.” Great title, right? Anyway, I’ve hardly ever mentioned that group of 12 songs since then. Maybe a couple of times. But, c’mon man. You hear ads for total junk about a million more times than that every month. Who needs to listen to or see another ad for Mountain Dew. Don’t do the Dew no mo.

So, yeah, I’m gonna mention my collection of praise and worship songs now.

Matter of fact, here’s a demo of the 12 songs you’ll get…

So, most of the time, here on my website, I talk, sing, and write about the things I think you’ll find helpful. And yes…I share from an unabashedly Christian perspective. And I don’t mention my books and music for sale all that often. But, like anybody working to pay the bills, I have to talk shop once in a while.

And today is one of those lucky days for you.

Plus, there’s no Christmas deadline or anything like that. You can buy this collection of praise and worship songs any day of the year and I guarantee they’ll lift your spirit. No commercial Christmas cheer required.

Get the 12 songs on CD for only $12.00 and the downloadable version for only $7.97.

Just pick your favorite way to get songs and click or tap to get ’em.

Fair warning, though. These are the typical or traditional kinds of songs you might be used to listening to in your church. Because I don’t find a catchphrase and sing it like a mantra. And I don’t focus on just the peace, love, and joy side of your relationship with God.

So, if that’s what you’re looking for, skip these songs. But if you’re into praise and worship music with a deeper message still highlights God’s love, these songs can be a great addition to your music collection.

As always…I’d love to hear your feedback. I hope they bless you as much as they did me when I wrote ’em. And I hope they encourage you to “Raise The Praise” to your living, loving Creator.









Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

After talking about my former pastor, yesterday, I thought about how that story ties in nicely with what I’d like to share with you now. And it’s about what happens when things get dark.

Because when things get dark is when THE Light shines bright.

Or at least that Light CAN shine bright. But it’s still your choice. When things get their darkest, you can either choose to dig in deeper. Crawl deeper into that dark crevasse. And try to blend in to the black void.

But that ain’t gonna get you nowhere (as my good buddies down in Texas used to say).

Because your joy should shine in spite of the world. It shouldn’t be dowsed because of the world and circumstances in life. When life tosses you into a dark place, climb out and get back at it. I know it’s easy to say and sometimes so darn difficult to do. But that doesn’t mean you don’t do it. It just means you need help.

A friend of mine wrote a poem a few years ago. And she asked me if I thought I could use the words as lyrics for a praise and worship song. That’s back when I was the praise and worship guy for a church in Denver.

I told her to email them to me. And she did. And I read them and almost immediately heard some music in my head to put with them. It’s so cool when that happens. So, I told her I’d let her know when the song was done.

The song made its debut in the following Sunday praise and worship time. And I could tell she was happy about how it turned out. So was I. The music and the words go together very well, if I do say so myself. It’s upbeat, infectious, and downright nice on the ears.

Hey, like Babe Ruth said, “It ain’t braggin’ if it’s true.”

The song is called “Shine In Your Glory.” And you can read all the words to it in my Raise The Praise book (which is also a songbook and journal). Oh, and by the way, you can get all the songs, too. They’re all in a single download you get when you buy the book. The link is below. Here are some of the lyrics to this song.

My joy is flowing out
Into your ocean.
Your grace rains down”in my open heart.
You take my hand
When the road is narrow,
And you’re my Light when things get dark.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Get the Raise The Praise book (songbook and journal) here

 

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Play

Get The Rhyme and Reason PodcastDelivered to Your Device Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS | More

Which is more important? More essential? And more vital to human endeavors? Peace or liberty? If you chose peace, go sit down in the back of the class and think about what you just did Mr. Man. Or Missy Miss. Because when, in the course of all human events, did peace throw off the shackles of tyranny?

Now, it would certainly be primo if we didn’t have to choose between peace and liberty.

But, just in case you hadn’t noticed, we don’t live in a perfect world. And there has, so far, been no rapture. So, there’s a whole lot of non-peace stuff going on. Even right here in the good ol’ so-called U S of A.

And I say “so-called” because America is anything but united. But guess what? In a Way, that’s a mighty good thing.

“What?! Division is a good thing?! What kind of crazy talk is this?!”

It’s the kind of “crazy talk” your Creator talked about. Yeah, He backs me up on this whole peace or liberty thing. And you don’t have to take my word for it. Because it’s in His word. He actually said He didn’t come to Earth to bring peace. In fact, He said He came to bring a sword.

But not because God doesn’t want you and me to have peace. But because He requires us to choose. And the Truth of His word (aka His sword) can divide fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, friends from friends. The Truth does that.

I wrote a song about it, which is included on my Amen collection of songs, and gave His sword another name. Not because I think it’s better. But because it fit the rest of the lyrics to…

The Master’s Knife

Don’t be thirsty;
drink from the Living Water
Don’t be hungry;
eat from the Bread Of Life
Don’t be weary;
you’re stronger when you serve
Don’t be defenseless;
carry the Master’s Knife
(repeat)

Even when days last forever
And when the nights bring no comfort
Know that the One who created
Lived and then died for your hurt

repeat chorus twice

Anguish won’t end,
if you trust your own hearts
What matters most
is who’s living within
Turning your backs on the facts is a farce
Give up your life
to the One who became your sin!Ӭ* Jesus *

© 2000 Tony Funderburk

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

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

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Face to face in a forever place

Almost two years ago somebody sent me some information about a teenage guy fighting cancer. Of course, a teenager fighting cancer, unfortunately, isn’t rare news. But this particular young guy was an abolitionist in the battle against abortion. So, I checked out his story online. And I discovered he’d written and published a prayer on a website. One line stood out: “And I just can’t wait to see you face to face.”

Face to face with the King of Grace

And I wrote the song, “Jeremiah’s Prayer“, once I learned more about him.

He was a good fighter who still lost his battle with cancer. But it’s important to note, he didn’t lose his faith in and love for his Creator. And that’s an example any believer should follow…or lead with. Because God is not the author, creator, or perpetrator of disease. In fact, He’s quite the opposite.

But you and I live in, and contribute to, a broken, fallen world. Full of doubt, fear, and sin.

So, you and I are still gonna die one day. And that’s bad news.

But the good news is…you don’t have to fear it. At least if you know you’re going to live forever. It’s your choice. Live forever. Or exist, in death, forever. Either way, there’s only one who can make that decision for you.

You.

And also either way…either choice you make will get you a meeting with God…

Face to Face

When we’re born into this world,
We’re empty-handed.
We can’t speak, and we can barely even see.
As we grow we see this life,
In which we landed”
Is a thread of well-designed complexity.

Each and every one of us
Had a beginning…
And so very small a spark of life sufficed.
Then we turned away from God
And started sinning…
And that put us face to face with Jesus Christ.

Face to face with Truth…face to face with Life.
Yeah, the Way to paradise is face to face
With the One who died and who lives inside.
Jesus Christ even loves us face to face.

When we leave this world, we’re
Leaving empty-handed.
We can go to that eternal, perfect place.
When we make the choice of Life,
We won’t be stranded.
And we’ll get to see our Savior’s loving face.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab some Merch

Or how about some music for kids

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Hey Christians…Look up!
Our God is THE God.

Have you chosen to follow Jesus? If so, have you noticed how America isn’t quite the place it used to be for Christians? Do you see how many more people want to make fun of us and ridicule our faith? And have you picked up on the trend where people thank the universe rather than the Creator of the universe? It’s sad, but we can still be glad because we know our God is the one, true, living, loving God. And I’d like to share this song to encourage you to remember where your hope is…

Our God Is LPRGL

The world is…obsessed with death and dying.
They’re drowning…in bitterness and crying.
It’s such an awful shame.
They could call upon the name of Jesus.
As followers we say
We know He’s the only Way that frees us
From the sins we hide deep inside. They…can’t please us.

Our bodies…become the dust that scatters.
If that’s it…then nothing really matters.
We may as well give in
When we feel the world begin to seize us.
Who needs all that guilt and blame
You get calling on the name of Jesus?
But it’s not like that. It’s a fact…Jesus sees us.

He’s living and He’s life…He’s personal to talk to…
Relational with every son and daughter.
He’s good and so much more….He’s loving to the core…
Jesus is the Living Water.
And each time a soul is saved all the angels above sing…
Our God is living, personal, relational, good…and loving.

Our souls know…infinity is calling.
But temptation…can keep our spirits falling.
So we need to fix our eyes
On the true eternal prize of Jesus.
When we stand before the throne,
He knows our lives, alone, won’t appease us.
No, we need the blood of the lamb…we need Jesus.

© 2009 Tony Funderburk

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional
(emails with good stuff for Fa-Ree)

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered right to your device. (also Fa-Ree)

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for believers, dreamers, and thinkers

Words And Music of Faith Hope And Love Podcast Episode 16

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

The Tony Funderburk Podcast Episode 16 is available for listening or downloading. Click the blue button to hear words and music of faith hope and love or follow links and read the articles.

In this podcast episode Tony shared his previous week’s articles about:

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

P.S.  I really appreciate your support here on my website. Here are some other awesome ways you can keep my words and music flowing.

Get my ebooks for kids on Amazon.com or Smashwords
Get my Podcast
Circle me on Google +
Like my fan page on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Watch my videos on YouTube
Get this blog