Category Archives: II Corinthians

Tony Funderburk shares the rhyme and reason for life found in the book of 2 Corinthians

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Joel Osteen is a fool. He’s not the only fool. Not by a long shot. But he’s one of the biggest. Because he’s in charge of one of the biggest churches in America. And he’s telling (translate that to selling) lies. And one of the biggest lies is found in the title of his “bestselling book,” Your Best Life Now.

Breaking News! You do NOT have your best life now!

Well, maybe I should quantify/qualify that assertion.

If you choose to reject Jesus (and it IS your choice), then you might be having your best life now. Because it’s the best you’re ever gonna experience. Throughout eternity. But the rest of your eternity…the really, really, really, really, really long part…will not even be good. Far from it. As far as the East is from the West.

So, do you insist that a Christian can enjoy their best life here on Earth?

Then, I wonder if you’ve actually read Paul’s letters in the Bible.

Because if anyone should have ever had an awesome life, as a Christian, it was Paul. Read his letters. You’ll discover a man more transformed than maybe any other. And you’ll see how he went from persecuting those who would dare follow Jesus, to being the Lord’s most devoted servant.

That’s why, several years ago, I shared his description of living for the Lord. The subhead in The New King James version of the Bible calls this passage Marks of the Ministry. See if they sound like a best life now:

1. in much patience
2. in tribulations
3. in needs
4. in distresses
5. in stripes
6. in imprisonments
7. in tumults
8. in labors
9. in sleeplessness
10. in fastings
11. by purity
12. by knowledge
13. by longsuffering
14. by kindness
15. by the Holy Spirit
16. by sincere love
17. by the word of truth
18. by the power of God
19. by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left
20. by honor and dishonor
21. by evil report and good report
22. as deceivers, and yet true
23. as unknown, and yet well known
24. as dying, and behold we live
25. as chastened, and yet not killed
26. as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing
27. as poor, yet making many rich
28. as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Paul had all 28. And possibly more.

Yet, he had so much love and assurance for his Savior that he could still sing joyful songs in the midst of it all.

What about you? Are you able to think up a song of joy to sing or whistle or hum when things don’t go well? Do you point your eyes upward, keeping them on the Prize?

Say yes, please.

Or do you let your circumstances dictate your actions? And is your joy based on you and your physical possessions and your bank account?

Say no, please.

You have a Creator who loves you so much He made a way for you to live forever with Him. But He didn’t make “many ways”. Jesus is the all-inclusive One Way to eternal life. He is also the “stumbling block” to anyone who believes they can make their own way to Heaven.

So, if you truly wanna have the best possible life, the one that lasts forever, you’ve got a choice to make.

Choose LIFE.

Stay tuned,
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“For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face”

Wow! Talk about a timely quote. William Shakespeare really knew what he was talking about, didn’t he. I mean, he totally nailed what’s going on in America right now. And it starts with “elected officials.” From presidents, through national senators and representatives, all the way down to the town counsel where you live.

Even heads of tiny households think they’re wise while they put up with fools.

I just saw 77 executive orders that some guy named Joe published in 2021. (side note: if you believe Joe could actually write those executive orders, I’d like to talk to you about some special land for sale)

Anyway…

Joe published 77 (more) ways he’d like to “bring you into bondage.” And because so many of them use words like equity and respect and justice, many (if not most) people assume it’s wise to put up with them.

But it’s foolish to believe in and trust and “put up with fools gladly.” And if you’re unable to see them for the fools they are, you’re not wise. I don’t care how much money you make, the level of your education, or your sphere of influence. One of the easiest examples is that guy named Joe. Surely you can see he’s a fool. If not, c’mon man.

Now wait a sec. Hold on! Did I say that quote, at the top of this article, was by William Shakespeare? Hmm. Yeah, sure ’nuff. I just read it, and that’s what I said. But that’s not true. Because a guy named Paul, who lived about 1500 years before Mr. Shaky, was the actual author.

And HE was inspired by God to write to the people of Corinth and mock their “wisdom.”

Because God wants every one of us to know the difference between lip service and true wisdom.

Trouble is, not too many people care.

But I do.

It’s why I write, virtually every day, about wisdom and truth. But, even more importantly, I write for the core reason God shared His word through the inspired writings of many different authors.

Do you know what that core reason is? I hope so. Because it’s a matter of life and death.

Stay tuned,
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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Let’s say, for the sake of argument (<< figure of speech), that you feel like the whole world is closing in on you. And let’s say that you listen to and watch “news,” but the more you see and hear, the more confusing it is. And, finally, let’s say it all makes you feel generally cast down in this world.

Here’s how a couple of dictionaries describe “cast down.”

One simply says it means “depressed.” Another says 1. to throw something to the ground…and 2. to lower something. OK, those all make sense, depending on what you’re talking about. And when you feel confused and like the whole world is closing in on you, it can probably feel like you’re cast down to the ground. Right?

But here’s the thing…

Those feelings can either crush you or help you to look for powerful help. The kind of help that can remove despair and hopelessness. And the kind of help with the promise of perfection. That sure beats getting crushed.

In 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 the apostle Paul talks about how “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us”. The earthen vessels he’s talking about are our bodies. But what’s the treasure? Well, he mentioned it a little earlier in his letter.

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Yeah, that’s right.

The knowledge of the glory of God is a huge treasure. Because it means you and I can live forever, if we choose.

And Paul points out how we’re “hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed, we are perplexed, but not in despair…persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down (aka cast down), but not destroyed”. That describes what mentioned in the “for the sake of argument” section, before.

Did you get that last part? It means just because you’re down doesn’t mean you’re out. Because Jesus provided Grace. So, you’re in control of your own life. And you have freedom to choose life or death.

When you put your faith in the love and life of Jesus, your body might still be pounded down to the ground. But your actual life will not be destroyed.

Because you will live forever.

But it’s crucial to realize that you might not have years left to find out if the Christian claims of eternal life are true. And you might not have months left to determine whether or not the Christian God is real. You might not have days left to decide to trust in the Creator of the universe. And you might not even have hours left to ponder whether true love exists and where it came from.

But while there is still breath in you, you DO have time to choose where you’ll be forever.

You can’t run away from real truth.
And every word of truth is a knife.
A captivating voice might pigeonhole your choice.
Cut free…and choose life.

Stay tuned,
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There are plenty of reasons to be positive in 2022. And that’s despite the fact that you live in a broken world. Because you have tons of blessings in your life. Still, it’s good to face reality. And take it head on even if it doesn’t agree with your positive outlook.

The ruler of this world wants you afraid. So, be positive. And fear not.

Here’s something I wrote 8 years ago. And it’s interesting (and sad) how much more it applies now…

“As a writer, I observe emotions, outlooks on life, major (and even minor) events in life. And I’ve observed how they’re all components of actions, reactions, and habits. Don’t fall victim to these tactics.

For instance, there are three (active) positions you can take on just about any issue:

  1. Pessimism
  2. Optimism
  3. Realism

Numbers 1 and 3 can mix together. Numbers 2 and 3 can blend, too. But numbers 1 and 2 are total opposites. Now any good marketing writer can take an issue like unemployment and report it from either of the first two positions. First, pessimism can say unemployment is up to 6% . But optimism could say 94% of people who want to work are working.

The numbers represent the same thing, but they sure don’t sound the same, do they?

The only reason I’m bringing this up is because it’s a new year. 2013 is brand new. And you’re gonna hear a lot of spin where the “fiscal cliff” is concerned. Watch carefully how the different parties on both sides of the issue portray the problems. And so-called solutions.

Don’t let your guard down.

Keep working diligently on your personal economy, and don’t be swayed by good news or dismayed by bad news. Keep your eyes on the prize. Even if giant corporations crumble around you, it doesn’t mean the money vaporizes. It just means it changes hands. And that means it’s still available to you, too.

Focus is the watchword for me this year. I hope you’ll join me.”

Notice how much of what I said in 2013 is even truer now, in 2022? And when I read that part that said money just “changes hands” and that it’s “still available to you,” it made me wonder. Available for how much longer.

So, again, Focus is the key. And I’m talking about focus on eternal things. Because everything you can see, and that means EVERYTHING, is temporary. And if you focus on what you can see, it’s so much easier for the ruler of this world (and his billions of minions) to make you afraid.

That’s why my Happy New Year wish for you, here in 2022, is simple. Fear Not. Be Positive.

Your Creator can help you through it all, if you’re willing.

Stay tuned,

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I remember driving across Kansas on I-70, headed to college in Manhattan (the little Apple, not the big one). And every so often I’d pass a sign that said something like, “One Kansas farmer feeds 27 people.” I can’t say, for sure, the number was 27. But it somewhere in that range. But nowadays those signs say something like 257 people. Regardless of the number, it’s nothing short of awesome how a farmer can exponentially multiply the seed he gets.

And it’s awesome so many farmers are still willing to multiply the seed they get.

Because, unfortunately, American farmers have more and more “powers” working against them.

But I think a lot, maybe even most, of those farmers understand the value of life much more clearly than the rest of the population. Because they tend to so much life on a daily basis. And not merely their own. I’m talking about the lives of their animals and crops. Yeah, there’s life in every cell of every living thing. From humans to cows to corn.

And farmers have to be much more keenly aware of the needs of those different lives. Like how much feed to give the animals. How to store enough to get through the winter. And how much water and soil additives for the crops. Because those farmers know that if they don’t do a good job, some people might not have enough to eat.

But enough about farmers, for now. Because as I recalled those signs next to the highway in Kansas, I thought about something even more important than how well those guys can multiply the seed they get.

Where do they get those seeds they multiply?

Sure, your first thought might be the local feed and seed store in the town where they live. And you’d be a little bit right. But that doesn’t explain where those feed and seed stores get their supplies.

And that could get us started in a vicious circle. Because some might say, “Well, the feed and seed stores get their seeds from farmers who grow them.” But then we’re right back to “Where did the farmers get ’em?”

So, how do you get out of that tautological conundrum? (my two dollar words for the day)

The solution is, as always, go to the source. Go to the one “who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food.”

There are tons of figurative and literal references to seed and seeds in the Bible. And that’s because life is found in the seed. But the life in a seed that can turn into wheat which can turn into bread which can sustain your life is no accident.

That life in an indescribable gift from God.

The moment you were conceived, you were given the indescribable gift of life.

Do you still ponder the age-old question, “What’s the meaning of life?” Well, ponder no more. Because without an uncaused first cause (aka: original source of life), the meaning would be whatever you decide. But that’s problematic because there are billions of other individuals who’d probably disagree with you.

And I probably don’t have to tell you where ideological disagreements lead. Right?

So, of course, the solution to that problem is to have an absolute standard.

Uh-oh. There’s that offensive word.

Absolute.

You’ve probably heard that old (stupid) quote: “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Or you’ve heard some version of that. But I called it a stupid quote because it’s not true.

And people who hate God love to use that quote. Because they believe it shows the danger in putting your faith in a God who has absolute power.

But power does NOT corrupt you. Your heart does. Or, at least, it can. And most often does. But God’s heart is holy, pure, and righteous. And He doesn’t wield His absolute power over life arbitrarily and capriciously. (oops, a couple more two dollar words slipped out) In fact, He gives us a choice to multiply the seed of life…or not.

So, what makes God trustworthy? One word.

Love.

His undying love for His creation. You. And me.

It’s that love that supplies the information needed to establish life in even the smallest of seeds. Because the eternal life of, and from, God can’t be contained. And He wants you and me to share that amazing fact with everybody.

So, grab yourself a piece of toast. Slap some grass-fed butter on it. Or sizzle up a sea salt and pepper, savory ribeye. Take a few seconds to be grateful to the farmers who grew the grains and cattle. And thank God for life and love.

Because without them nothing else would matter or even exist.

If you believe an afterlife,
Where someplace better is
Waiting for us all some day,
Then you might fail the quiz.
A test of faith and evidence
With questions for your soul.
I urge you to look into it.
False ideas take their toll.

© 2020 Tony Funderburk

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

As recent as the second half of last year (2020) I talked with my Mom about Heaven. And I recall, in one of our Sunday phone conversations, saying how she wouldn’t be my Mom in Heaven. I told her, “Just think…in Heaven, you’ll be my sister forever.” And she said something like, “Now, wait a minute. I’m always gonna be your mom.” That’s a particularly poignant memory on this first motherless Mother’s Day.”

Yeah, for the first time in my life I’m motherless on Mother’s Day.

And it’s sad for me. But it’s glorious for my Mom…my sister.

I can only imagine the wonders she’s experienced in the last 90 days. And she, no doubt, has a much clearer and vivid understanding of what Paul said to the Corinthians about Heaven. Mom has been “caught up into Heaven.” And she’s heard “inexpressible words.” But she’s able to fully understand them now.

So, on this first motherless Mother’s Day in my life, I know my Mom would like all you moms to know there are plenty of us who appreciate how you…

  • Withstood the months of pregnancy
  • Withstood the pains of childbirth
  • Fed your babies when they cried at 3 a.m.
  • Fixed “boo boos”
  • Kissed away pain
  • Hugged away frowns
  • Cooked breakfasts, made lunches, and prepared dinners
  • Washed clothes even after laundry was all done
  • Taught truth, hope, and love…and readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmetic
  • Fought tangled hair, torn pants, and missing shoestrings
  • Remembered birthdays with just the right proportion of chocolate icing to vanilla ice cream
  • Listened to stories of triumph, tragedy, and utter despair (mostly from teenage girls)
  • Made or bought costumes for every goofy event imaginable
  • Went to plays, sporting events, and music presentations…cheering for that one child who was obviously the natural born talent
  • Brought the “something borrowed” or “something blue” to the bride-to-be just at the right time
  • Danced the mother/son dance with the groom who had been her dragonslayer only “weeks ago”
  • Made special homemade desserts for the kids and grandkids when they came over for Thanksgiving
  • Brought an elegant grace to the process of aging
  • Made us believe there’s a forever, a God who loves us, and a knowledge that we’ll have eternity in paradise

 

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Quite a few years ago, Elgielene got into essential oils. And when I say “got into,” I mean learning about them, using them, and even reselling them. She bought them for the aromas, the topical benefits, and even for taking internally. So, we had (and still have) bottles of essential oils, droppers, and diffusers.

If you’ve never used essential oils for anything, you don’t know what you’re missing.

Yeah, I know some people are allergic to certain plants. And even the scent of them. So, if that’s you, you’re probably ready to stop reading this and click away. But I have a good reason for bringing it up, so don’t go away just yet.

Now, back to the diffusers again.

I really enjoy dripping a few drops of peppermint, or peppermint and lemon, into our diffuser (with filtered water). And I love how those scents open up my sinuses and clear my head. Of course, I might have an extra bias because of the respiratory issues I’ve dealt with the past 3 years. But I loved the scents of essential oils in the house long before all that.

Anyway…

It’s so cool, how diffusers vaporize the oils and water. And they do it so quietly. But the end result is so pleasantly powerful. The feeling of a whole room can change as you breathe in those aromas. It’s one of life’s little pleasures.

I guess those are some of the reasons why Paul (in the Bible) metaphorically described Christians as diffusers. It’s true. He put it this way…

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”

That’s so cool. And it makes me feel like my two thousand articles, well most of them, are like essential oils. And I’ve diffused “the fragrance of His knowledge” in my own way. Through Rhyme and Reason.

Hmm…maybe I should start my own brand of diffusers. What do you think?

But there’s a catch to letting God use you to diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge. Just like some people are allergic to certain plants and their oils, most people find the fragrance of God’s knowledge offensive, too. Paul talked about that this way…

“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.”

So, here’s what I think about that…

The fragrance of knowledge is essential.
Diffuse it. Don’t keep it confidential.
To some, it’s like roses. Some turn up their noses.
Your results will be quite consequential.

Stay tuned,

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