Tony Funderburk

10 years ago I wrote some Christmas songs. And one of them became one of my favorites. Yeah, I know. How unabashedly arrogant of me. Right? No, it’s OK to favor your own creative work. And it’s OK to have enough ego to admit it. Anyway…I’ve been sharing that song for just about every Christmas since then. This year is no different. May the Prince of Peace and God of Christmas rule in your heart today and always. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Please enjoy this song as my gift to you. If the video player doesn’t appear for you, click or tap HERE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdcDUknj9NM] And here are the words… I BELIEVE IN THE GOD OF CHRISTMAS Some believe there’s just today, And then we die and fade away… Such a sad and hopeless life to lead. Others say we never die, We all live on above the sky… Disregard the theft and hate and greed. But I believe in the God of Christmas, And I believe in His Gift to us all, Yes, I believe that He died to save us And that He rose to recover our fall. Yes I believe in the God who loves us, And I believe in the God who lives, Yes I believe in the God of Christmas. He gave His love, and He still freely gives. One day soon we just may find So many millions left behind In a world where truth is torn apart. Then no lights, no Christmas trees, No arts and no humanities Will bring peace to any broken heart. But I believe in the God of Christmas… (choruses) © Tony Funderburk 2011 Stay tuned, Tony Funderburk signature logo [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/wp-content/uploads/TonyBlueSigLogo1-150x73.png] [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/merch/] Jump On the Rhyme and Reason Bandwagon [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/bandwagon/]. (emails with good stuff for Fa-Ree) Get myRhyme & Reason Podcast [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/rhyme-and-reason-podcast/]delivered right to your device. (also Fa-Ree) My books are also onAmazon.com [https://www.amazon.com/Tony-Funderburk/e/B008R08LUG] or Apple Books [https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/tony-funderburk/id386714015] Grab yourselfan un-cool T-shirt [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/merch] Or how about some music for kids [https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/music-for-kids] The post God of Christmas rules and deniers are just fools [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/god-of-christmas/] appeared first on Tony Funderburk [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com].

What if joy were against the law? Sounds crazy, I know. But play along for just a bit. And let’s pretend that somehow that kind of law was pushed through congress. What would you do? IF JOY WERE AGAINST THE LAW, WOULD YOU BREAK IT? The law that is. Would you break it? Could you break it? I believe, and I hope I’m not alone in this belief, that there are plenty of people, right here in “the land of the free and the home of the brave” who’d obey that law. And mostly because they wouldn’t be able to not obey that law. Because you can’t remove the only source of true joy from your daily life without dire consequences. At best, your ability to press on is compromised. And, at worst, you can’t even find a good reason to press on. And that’s because your spirit is practically null and void. There are lots of sad examples in the world of music. Stories of pain and heartache. Reports of too much drinking, drugs, and a total disregard for what’s good, healthy, and productive. And it doesn’t matter what music you prefer. Rock-n-roll, country, classical, jazz, hip-hop, blues, etc. etc. etc. They all have their (un)fair share of despair. Because they turned their backs on, and souls away from, the comforting Spirit of God. IT’S FAIRLY EASY TO SPOT SOMEONE WHO’S DONE THAT. Just look at the evidence Paul shared for the fruit of the Spirit. He wrote this to the people of Galatia… “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” And when you have that Spirit in you, that fruit can be unstoppable. In fact, it’s the only way you’ll be able to cope with, and overcome, the world that wants to rob you of your joy. And when they outlaw everything good (and they will), you’ll be able to righteously break those sordid, stupid “laws.” Love leads into joy… Law leads back into slavery… God gave us The Way. Just believe, and we’re truly free. Stay tuned, Tony Funderburk signature logo [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/wp-content/uploads/TonyBlueSigLogo1-150x73.png] [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/merch/] Get myÂRhyme & Reason Podcast [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/rhyme-and-reason-podcast/] delivered (free) right to your device. My books are also onÂAmazon.com [https://www.amazon.com/Tony-Funderburk/e/B008R08LUG] or Apple Books [https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/tony-funderburk/id386714015] Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/merch] Or how about some music for kids [https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/music-for-kids] The post Against the law. Did you see what I saw? [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/against-the-law/] appeared first on Tony Funderburk [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com].

Bob Dylan said it. So, it must be true right? He talked about how you gotta serve somebody. In fact, in one of his songs, he sang “you’re gonna have to serve somebody” quite a few times. So, he must be pretty darn sure it’s true. And, in a way, it is. SURE, YOU COULD SAY YOU GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY, OR… You could say you GET to serve somebody. First, and foremost, you GET to serve your Creator. But you ain’t gotta. God doesn’t force you to serve Him. Because He knows that forced servitude doesn’t produce love. And He knows true love produces a servitude attitude. So, He gives you the option to serve Him. But you can also serve yourself. And most people do. And those are the people who don’t grasp the concept of servitude that flows from love. But, I know my Christian brothers and sisters understand. Because I know that they know it was Paul who talked about liberty and love. He said… “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty [https://biblia.com/books/nkjv/Ga5.13]; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Notice how the freedom to not serve one another is implied? That’s embedded in the love part. And the “opportunity for the flesh” part. No! We GET to serve. We ain’t GOTTA serve. BUT THE SUBTLE IRONY IS HOW FREEDOM PRODUCES LOVE. And love produces the desire to serve someone else. Because, with love (and through love), you “feel” the other person’s needs. And that’s because they’re a human being with the same, basic needs as you. So, it’s not a silly, worldly, touchy-feely kind of “feel.” It’s an empathetic, sympathetic connection. In spite of what the governments of the world would have you believe, God wants us to connect that way. And it’s a sure bet if God wants something for us, it’s good for us. But you’re free to pay no attention to what your Creator says, suggests, or commands. Just know, that if you do, just like the great prophet (not) Bob Dylan said… You’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed, You’re gonna have to serve somebody. Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, But you’re gonna have to serve somebody Stay tuned, Tony Funderburk signature logo [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/wp-content/uploads/TonyBlueSigLogo1-150x73.png] [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/merch/] Get myÂRhyme & Reason Podcast [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/rhyme-and-reason-podcast/] delivered (free) right to your device. My books are also onÂAmazon.com [https://www.amazon.com/Tony-Funderburk/e/B008R08LUG] or Apple Books [https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/tony-funderburk/id386714015] Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/merch] Or how about some music for kids [https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/music-for-kids] The post Gotta serve somebody. Oh the nerve of somebody [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/gotta-serve-somebody/] appeared first on Tony Funderburk [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com].

I read a post, from a friend in social media (thanks Allen) about famous last words from some famous atheists. And the despair in their words struck me in such a way I wanted to share some of them with you. It’s chilling. BUT FIRST…WHY DO I SAY FAMOUS LAST WORDS OF FOOLISH JAYBIRDS? Well, back in medieval days, when I was growing up, the term “jaybird” was Southern slang for a scoundrel or rascal. There were other uses for the word. But for the sake of what I’m talkin’ about right now, that’ll do. Anyway… In the post I read, there were 14 examples. I’m just gonna share three of the (hopefully) better known ones. First there’s Thomas Payne (or Paine, depending on where you get the info). According to multiple sources his last words went something like this… “Stay with me, for God’s sake; I cannot bear to be left alone , O Lord, help me! O God, what have I done to suffer so much? What will become of me hereafter? I would give worlds if I had them, that The Age of Reason had never been published. O Lord, help me! Christ, help me! No, don’t leave; stay with me! Send even a child to stay with me; for I am on the edge of hell here alone. If ever the Devil had an agent, I have been that one.” WOW. That sounds like a mortal soul filled with the fear of full, oncoming realization. And the knowledge that ideas and choices can have eternal consequences. Then there was Josef Stalin. Maybe you recall, from history lessons, that he was responsible for somewhere between 20 and 60 million deaths. And those were people from his own country. Yikes. You don’t get much worse than that. Here’s what his daughter, Svetlana, said about Stalin’s death… “My father died a difficult and terrible death…God grants an easy death only to the just. At what seemed the very last moment, he suddenly opened his eyes and cast a glance over everyone in the room. It was a terrible glance, insane or perhaps angry. His left hand was raised, as though he were pointing to something above and bringing down a curse on us all. The gesture was full of menace. . .the next moment he was dead.” NO WORDS. BUT THE DESCRIPTION SPEAKS VOLUMES. Svetlana understood her father was tormented in his last moments of life. And his torment will go on forever. Because he made choices that put him in direct opposition to the perfect Judge of all souls. But fools will not learn a thing from Stalin’s evil mistakes. Finally, how about mister peacenik himself, Gandhi? You know, the skinny runt who threw temper tantrums, like a child, when he didn’t get his way. Yeah, that guy. When he died, he said… “For the first time in 50 years, I find myself in the slough of despond. All about me is darkness…I am praying for light.” His prayer was unfruitful, unproductive. Because, unless he knew Jesus, Gandhi was most likely praying to a false god. To unhearing ears. And, so, to no one and nothing. And “praying for light” is an exercise in futility when you don’t understand Jesus is the only one who can provide that light. I love the way the article I read finished with comparisons from the Apostle Paul and Jesus and their perspective on death. And if you wanna know (and understand) their perspective, there’s a great book I can recommend with unending enthusiasm. If you’d like to read that book, I can tell you where to look. You might love the words inside, If you let them be your guide. Or you can join those dead jaybirds And speak your own famous last words. Stay tuned, Tony Funderburk signature logo [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/wp-content/uploads/TonyBlueSigLogo1-150x73.png] [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/merch/] Get myÂRhyme & Reason Podcast [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/rhyme-and-reason-podcast/] delivered (free) right to your device. My books are also onÂAmazon.com [https://www.amazon.com/Tony-Funderburk/e/B008R08LUG] or Apple Books [https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/tony-funderburk/id386714015] Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/merch] Or how about some music for kids [https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/music-for-kids] The post Famous last words of foolish jaybirds [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/famous-last-words/] appeared first on Tony Funderburk [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com].

Eight years ago, today, I shared Episode 15 of my Podcast. Wow, 15. I’m now up to 739 episodes. (Side note: I’m way behind on recording episodes because my voice has been, shall we say, less than smooth. But the plan is to get going again shortly.) Anyway…Episode 15 focused on your understanding. And when I say “your,” I mean mine too. In fact, I mean everybody. YOUR UNDERSTANDING IS SMALL. Again…that means mine and everybody else’s, too. But I don’t want that to discourage you from moving forward in life. Unless you’re someone who hates God and hates anyone who loves God. Then, I want you to realize how small you are. And I want the only forward movement in your life to be movement that takes you toward your Creator. But for those who love God, here’s what I shared eight years ago. It still applies. There’s no need to let discouragement rule the day. If you find that happening, you may be leaning on your own understanding. Remember…your understanding is limited to what your senses and intuition can tell you. And those are based on the limitations of this space/time continuum and your personal location. GOD DOESN’T SUFFER FROM THOSE LIMITATIONS. He can see the whole world. In fact, He can see the whole universe. He created it and everything in it. So…learn to lean on His understanding. He’ll direct your paths, and you’ll walk in stronger faith hope and love. In Episode 15 of the podcast (which wasn’t called the Rhyme and Reason Podcast back then) I shared the previous week’s articles about: * how to shine as lights in the world [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/shine-as-lights-in-the-world/] * seeking your own [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/all-seek-their-own/] * supplying what is lacking [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/supply-what-is-lacking/] * the excellence of the knowledge of Christ [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/the-excellence-of-the-knowledge-of-christ/] * the full-court press [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/press-toward-the-goal/] * how we’re in this world but not of it [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/in-this-world-but-not-of-it/] * focus focus focus [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/focus-in-on-better-things/] * how to be happy where you are right now [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/how-to-be-happy-where-you-are-right-now/] Stay tuned, Tony Funderburk signature logo [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/wp-content/uploads/TonyBlueSigLogo1-150x73.png] [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/merch/] Get myÂRhyme & Reason Podcast [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/rhyme-and-reason-podcast/] delivered (free) right to your device. My books are also onÂAmazon.com [https://www.amazon.com/Tony-Funderburk/e/B008R08LUG] or Apple Books [https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/tony-funderburk/id386714015] Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/merch] Or how about some music for kids [https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/music-for-kids] The post Your understanding doesn’t make a good landing [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/your-understanding/] appeared first on Tony Funderburk [https://www.tonyfunderburk.com].