you still have a choice Archives

Posted on October 25, 2023 by TonyOctober 25, 2023

Here’s the cold, hard truth. You have no choice. You MUST believe in the God described in the Bible. No other option is available, viable, or reliable. So, give up. And give in. Resistance is futile.

Oh wait. That’s The Borg.

So sorry. My mistake. And I’m so embarrassed.

Except, I’m not. Because I’m making a point. Something I often (almost always) do here on TonyFunderburk.com And the point is…

You don’t have NO choice.

And I know a double negative is improper grammar. But that, again, is to emphasize the point. When it comes to the God of the Bible, you are NOT forced to choose Him or love Him. And you don’t even have to believe in Him. Because He knows that, in order for love to be real and true, it must be freely given.

So, why would a living, loving God of creation give you no choice but to love Him? Short answer: He wouldn’t. He didn’t. And you are free to even hate Him. As I alway say, I don’t recommend that choice. But you have your own will. Your own mind. And, as a result, you can even freely decide to make the ultimate bad choice.

But for those of us who understand that ideas have consequences, the Truth is unavoidably compelling. To be compelled is to be A: forced or B: obliged. So, the compelling feeling I have falls under the obliged column.

Because God made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure I could live forever, it’s almost like I have no (wise) choice. 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 (repeat)

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.

Chorus

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!

Repeat Chorus to end

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Stay tuned,

Posted on July 13, 2023 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

Ok, all seriousness aside. My brain thinks in rhymes. Not 24 hours a day. But certainly every day. My wife will tell you about (or rather ask you to save her from) my daily rhymes. She’s been with me over 30 years. And somehow she’s managed to stay reasonably sane. Despite all my iambic pentameter parameter

But my daily rhymes aren’t always cuddly and cute.

Yes, I’ve written plenty of those. Because I’ve created tons of music and books for kids. And, for some strange reason, the little rugrats seem to like cute and cuddly and funny stuff. Go figure.

Anyway…

A lot of brand experts will tell you how you need people to either love you or hate you. Because that’s proof you actually stand for something. And then you know the ones who choose to follow you, or hit the like button, or give you thumbs up, truly know what they’re getting.

So, I CHOOSE to do that with daily rhymes and reasons. And I emphasized the word, “choose,” because I’m very pro choice when it comes to actions in life. Uh-oh. That might sound confusing to the uninitiated.

No, I’m NOT pro choice when it comes to aborting unborn children. But I AM pro choice when it comes to the decisions you make in life. Because I know God did not create robots or automatons who can only do His bidding. And He did NOT mandate or preordain everything you and I (and everyone) would do throughout history.

Your Creator knows that in order for love to truly be love it has to be freely given. So, you and I get to choose to love Him or not. And we also get to choose what we do in this life. That’s why I added this next poem to my daily rhymes a few years ago.

(Fair notice…this is pro life stuff)

The Choice You’re Making Now

You’re standing on the edge of a decision.
You’re hiding from the eyes of future dreams.
You think you’re facing cold hearts and derision,
But this life isn’t always what it seems.

You’re drowning in the murky mass opinion.
You’re gasping for a breath of fresher air.
Denial of the truth makes you a minion,
Denial of a life means you don’t care.

Caught in a whirlwind, swimming in flames,
Counting the faces without any names,
And it’s the choice you might make now that blames
You.

You tell yourself it’s sweet emancipation.
But, sadly, you will just become a slave
To nightmares, lies, and selfish adoration
Of ideas reaching far beyond the grave.

Before erasing someone else’s chances
For life and liberty and happiness,
See how you get to choose your circumstances.
Why would you want them having any less?

Caught in a whirlwind, swimming in flames,
Counting the faces without any names,
And it’s the choice you might make now that blames
You.

Jump on the The TRUTH (regular emails with my rather poetic perspective on life and truth) AND I’ll send you some music and other good stuff.

Stay tuned,

Posted on February 9, 2021 by TonyFebruary 20, 2021

Able to change and rearrange isn't strange

I’m able to change my mind. And you read that and probably think something like, “Wow. That’s so deep, Tony.” But it IS deep. Because it means I’m not a robot. There’s no one pushing buttons making me do what I do each day. Good stuff or bad. I can choose to do bad. And then turn right around and choose not to. Whichever way I go, it’s my choice.

And you can, too.

And so can everybody else on the planet. Of course, there are limitations of choice due to different levels of freedom in the different countries of the world. But the general principle applies. And speaking of different levels…guess who else has the freedom to choose.

God.

Yeah, you’d think that would be as obvious as the face on your nose. But guess what? Millions of people (including people who say they trust Jesus) don’t believe God is free to choose or change His mind.

But He can.

And He has changed His mind on plenty of occasions. He’s done that to give us every opportunity at eternal life. Plus, He’s a person. And He feels. Not only His own emotions, but ours, too. So, there have plenty of times when He changed His mind about what he’d do to (and for) mankind.

And because He’s able to change His mind, I can change my mind. You can change yours.

Because He loves you and me so much, He gives us our freedom to choose. And that even includes whether we choose to love and trust Him or not.

But He must not have thought that through, though. Right? Because have you noticed how most of the world wants nothing to do with God. In fact, the world is moving away from Him faster than I’ve ever seen before in my life.

If you know someone who’s included in that exodus from God, pray for them (or keep praying for them) to stop running away. Because, as long as there’s life, there’s hope. And another reason is…

Because I Can Love

What made You think”¨ that I was worth the risk You took?
What made You take the time”¨ to write Your Holy Book?
I don’t believe I’d give myself a second look,
But You did because You love.
You made a world”¨ that was as perfect as could be,
But then I broke it”¨ when You gave it all to me…
By going through the gate You made to set me free.
This You did because You love…me.

Because You love me so…in spite of all You know…
Because You did the most that You could ever do…
And because I clearly see…evidence of You in me…
Because I can love…I do love, You!

You put a life”¨ and a will inside my soul.
You knew true love”¨ would be to give me full control.
But knowing You is all that ever makes me whole.
I trust You because You love…me.

I can live because You live!
And I can love because You love!

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Love Restored My Soul

Posted on November 23, 2013 by TonyNovember 26, 2013

Since I was 13 I’ve never really felt alone. That was the age I was when my Grandmother told me for the umpteenth time that Jesus was waiting to come into my heart if I’d just let Him. This time I let Him. And I know now what I didn’t fully realize then. His love restored my soul…and spirit…and gave me eternal life.

I guess it’s really hard for most people to accept that it truly is that easy. Just ask God to come into your heart and heal your spirit and He does. Yeah, that couldn’t be the answer. I must have to do something else. After all…I’ve lived a pretty hard life. You don’t know some of the things I’ve done.

Doesn’t matter.

“But Tony,” you say…”I’ve really done lots of awful things…even to people I care about…and I haven’t done many good things…maybe not any.”

Doesn’t matter.

“Yeah, but Tony…I’ve always been the kind of person who gets and does whatever I want. And I’ve always wanted what wasn’t good for me. I knew it wasn’t good for me, but it was just so darn fun.”

Doesn’t matter.

What does matter is that you’re still here. You’re still breathing. And you still have a choice to make. It’s simple…not difficult. God loves you and He’s made a way for you to have a completely clean slate. And not just for now…for all of eternity.

You just have to choose. Do you want to go on playing god? Or do you want to let the one, true God…the one who created you…restore your soul, spirit, and life?

His love restored my soul. And it can do the same for you. Today!

Your Love Restored My Soul

From my mother’s womb You have been my God…
Even if I didn’t always know it.
And I’ve loved You since my salvation day…
Even if…I didn’t always show it.

I believe Your Son is the only Way
To the life I know is never-ending…
So I cast my lot with the King of Kings
And His Truth I trust is never bending.

Jesus…Your love restored my soul.
You gave Your life to make me whole.
I’d be a lifeless lump of coal…oh
But Jesus…Your love restored my soul.

On my darkest days I am not alone.
You indwell me with Your Holy Spirit.
And Your “still small voice”is an open book
And Your grace is there if I draw near it…

And in that open Book is the one True God…
And the words revolve around His story.
And the words are turned into flesh and bone,
And He shares, with each of us, His glory.

Chorus twice

Your love restored my soul”.your love restored my soul
Your love restored…your love restored my soul.

Here’s a clip of the song…

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk

Your Life Has Rhyme And Reason Because God Made You

Tag Archives: you still have a choice

You don’t have NO choice.

Have To Believe

But my daily rhymes aren’t always cuddly and cute.

The Choice You’re Making Now

But He can.

Because I Can Love

Love Restored My Soul