Category Archives: Contemporary Christian music

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

God is great. And His creation of the universe, galaxies, and all the stars and solar systems is just the tip of the iceberg.

Because when it comes to love, God is great beyond comprehension.

And the love you can see, in His creation of you and me (humans), reveals He is also real, alive, personal, and good.

Imagine, for a second or two, that you’re God and that you can see and hear all those humans you created on Earth. Think about how you created a planet where you provided, abundantly, for everything they need to live.

Now, think about how you can hear how much the vast majority of those people hate you. And you hear the stories they make up for how the world and everything in it came to be. No matter how many times and ways you show them how much you love them their hatred grows.

How would you be able to stay motivated to love them and want to keep them around? Oh yeah, I left out one detail. As God, you’ve been watching all this for about six or seven thousand years.

You and I would’ve given up a long time ago. But God didn’t. He hasn’t. And that’s why I sing…

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.    © 2008 TF

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Jimmy Buffet sang about how changes in latitude could maybe help with this problem. Hank Williams Jr wrote about it from another perspective. “It was an attitude adjustment, I guess it was his first time. An attitude adjustment, now he understands just fine.”

Have you ever dealt with someone who needed an attitude adjustment?

And was it because they seemed to have that kind of condescending attitude that can get on your last nerve? I get it. Been there.

But here’s something I realized. And I hope you do, too.

Nobody else on the planet can actually condescend to you? Or to anyone else for that matter. And no matter what anybody else says, you are equal in value to anyone.

The key word there is “value.” Because, let’s say you work for someone. Then, their position is higher than yours. After all, they hired you. And they pay you. But all you would need, to reverse that, is a change of position. Hire yourself and run your own business.

All of that has nothing to do with your value. And your value can be eternal. Because you were created in the image and likeness of God.

You’ve heard of Him. Right? Yeah, he’s the One who spoke words and the whole universe sprang into existence. And He didn’t create any other living thing on the planet in His image and likeness. Only humans. Then, He even gave us “dominion” over all the other creatures. But He still has dominion over ALL of creation, including you and me.

So, only He has more value.

And you could say God had a condescending attitude when He lowered Himself to become a man and take the punishment for our sins. He had always existed, in eons past, as a spirit. That’s a vastly superior state of existence without the constraints of flesh and bones.

But He made the choice to live as we live. In a flesh and bones body that has to deal with hunger, pain, and temptations. And then He took that step down a lot further. Because He died a horrible death for something He didn’t do. Why?

Just so you and I wouldn’t have to pay the wages for sin.

So, Jesus condescended to our level, and even lower, so you and I could have eternal life. Yeah, He went through unimaginable hell so we can have a Way to avoid it.

Here’s a song I wrote about it. You’ll have to tune into the The Power of God’s Love Podcast if you care to hear it. But be warned. It’s hope-filled. But it’s an attitude adjustment. Not my usual cheery style.

Consequential Servitude

God looked down on me.
He knew I was wrong;
Usurped my position I held for so long.
Yeah, He just took over where my brain left off.
He knew it was risky. He knew they’d all scoff.
Sometimes I’m so stupid, and so often blind,
Trade reason for feelings; mistakes underlined.

And so again; I behold the outer man
Through God’s condescending attitude,
And I defer to the perfect Architect
And this consequential servitude.

He spirals His thoughts through my barricade.
He knows I am feeble, yet hands me His blade.
And He tells me to rise up from my Phoenix blight.
He builds me a fortress of conquering Light.
When my clay is brittle, and crumbles to sand,
I long to be putty in my Master’s hand.

And then I can behold the inner man
Through God’s condescending attitude.
Because He chose me as His dwelling place
I choose this consequential servitude.

There were no incantations, no hallelujah chorus
He succumbed to His detractors; withstood an inquisition…
And then commended His spirit, relinquished His position,
And then He died a death that was for us!

Repeat 1st verse and 2nd chorus…end

© 2001 & 2008-09 Tony Funderburk

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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

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But I know you’re tough. You can handle the truth. And I’m sure you wouldn’t want me to sugarcoat the facts just to save you a little bit of anxiety. So, here goes. You can’t make yourself live forever. There. I said it. And it feels great to lay it all out there on the line.

And see? I knew you could handle the truth.

Because you’ve got a brain. Yeah, you don’t wanna use your head for, as my Dad used to say, just a hat rack.

So, while you’re in the mood to handle the truth, I’ll expound (a word that sounds pretentious but isn’t).

There’s no magic herb, organic plant, or hallucinogen that will ever help you live forever. Despite the fact that countless human beings have wasted their lives trying to prove otherwise.

The body you’re living in, now, just isn’t gonna last forever. The more decades you’re alive, the more you understand how true that is. So, why waste time worrying about your mortality? Sure, take good care of yourself. Eat sensibly, and that should include the best foods you can afford.

Drink plenty of water. Move around more and get fresh air and exercise.

But remember, only fools believe immortality can be found anywhere apart from your Creator.

And that’s great news. Because it takes the burden and responsibility for eternal life off your weak and dying body. So,  give up the quest for the fountain of youth, Ponce. Acknowledge your finite shortcomings. And trust in the one One who knows even the number of hairs on your head.

Put your faith (or continue to put it) in the One who will restore your soul. The One who’ll always be there to help you handle the Truth. And I mean the One who’s in this song:

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
So, Your grace is there if I draw near it.

And in that open Book is the one True God.
All 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.

© 2010

Do you like to journal?

If so, download this song and a bunch of others with a link you’ll find in the Raise The Praise songbook journal.
(https://www.amazon.com/Raise-Praise-Songbook-Journal-Funderburk/dp/B095WRJBF1) And if you search through The Power of God’s Love Podcast episodes, you can hear this whole song.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

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They’re not scary when you use even a little of the wisdom and discernment your Creator is willing to give you. I’m talking about health headlines. But if you read them without wisdom and discernment, as if they’re actually full-blown facts, you might start feeling like calling up the suicide hotline.

Because the vast majority of news sources would prefer you to stay locked down, inside your house, and in front of your computer or TV with fear in your heart. Of course, I could just be a conspiracy nut. And, in that case, skip the rest of this raving rant. Save yourself some more time for the fear news.

But check out these health headlines from today 1/4/2024 before you go:

  • FDA probes side effects of weight-loss drugs
  • Possible Ozempic side effects including hair loss and suicidal thoughts probed by FDA
  • FDA examining side effect reports with Lilly, Novo obesity drugs
  • Highly contagious measles exposures in Philadelphia announced in unvaccinated residents
  • Flu misery, COVID on the rise due to lack of vaccination
  • ‘Take prevention seriously’: SC urges caution as respiratory illness remain high
  • SC flu cases, COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise following holiday season
  • As flu cases spike, local hospital adjusts visiting policies

For 50 years I’ve been writing and talking about how this kind of world could and would happen. At first it was innocuous “laws” and policies to simply “provide protection” from accidents. You know. Helmets for motorcycles. And seatbelts for cars. I’m not against those, by the way. But the “laws?” Not so much.

I’m not gonna bore you with some decades long timetable. Because all that data probably wouldn’t change 1 mind out of 10. Probably wouldn’t turn 1 person’s heart, out of 10, toward their Maker.

I CAN tell you the news isn’t likely to get better any time soon.

And that includes health headlines, business headlines, and political headlines. So, I just recommend that you at least scan the headlines and bullet points on major news sites. And don’t be surprised when you see how similar, almost eerily similar, they are to each other. It all reminds me of the lyrics I wrote over 25 years ago. It was a song called Cliché. Here’s a verse…

We want to live in a fat-free environment, and
We want to make sure the ozone is intact.
And so we watch all those service commercials, and
It’s just so easy to sit back and react.
Is it just melodrama…for me to feel this way?
I wonder…is it just me?
Or does it all sound so cliché?
Does it sound that way? So cliché?

Cliché, and 12 other songs are included in my Do Right songbook journal. Get yourself a copy on Amazon today. It won’t build your immune system. But it might help you connect with the One who designed that system.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I’ve never enjoyed writing pro life songs. And I wish none existed. OK, I said it. And I’m not taking it back.

But I’ll explain why I’m so anti pro life songs.

Because I’d much rather write songs about all the glorious things of God’s creation. You know; love, flowers, whimsy, and everything else that delights your senses and sensibilities.

But every day it’s easy to look around and see:

  • Christians who don’t even know some of the simplest things God said in His word about the blood of the innocent
  • politicians who waffle on the sanctity of human life
  • celebrities who use the same ol’ worn out clichéd reasons like “life of the mother” or “woman’s right to choose”
  • bloggers and other writers who simply don’t do the research

It all motivates me to think of another way to sing about it. My current circumstances prevent me from doing a lot of other things about personhood for preborn babies. But I can write songs about their plight. Then, I can post them here on TonyFunderburk.com AND on iTunes, YouTube, LinkedIn, Gab, Twitter, and even on YuckBook.

And I know that ne’er-do-wells, who don’t judge, despise me for it.

Even though they scream about, and virtue signal their tolerance celebration of diversity.

And to them I say, “Put it in your pipe, with your glaucoma medication, and smoke it.”

But if you don’t disagree with me, please support me. And other musicians, pastors, bloggers, politicians, and anyone else who recognizes the God-given right to life and personhood of everyone from biological beginning to natural end.

Help us to not write any more pro life songs. Or create “pro life legislation.” Or write pro life stories.

It’s a shame any of those things ever needed to exist. Because it’s a worldwide shame abortion exists.

Show the world you’re pro-life. It’s one of the glorious things anyone can do. Even you. Will you give it a try today? I’d love it if I could focus on happy blog posts, songs, stories, and podcast episodes.

Until that time, here’s one I wrote to showcase the personhood of unborn babies.

Personhood

You should thank your Mom cause she thought of you as a person.
From the very start she was calling you her daughter or her son.
And though life isn’t easy; our Moms still believed we would make it.
Now some call life a choice, but it’s still a precious life.
We can’t take it.
We can’t forsake it!

Give an unborn baby personhood
There’s nothing more important we can do!
Give an unborn baby personhood.
50 Million persons beg us to…they beg us to! (much more now)

We can read all the judgements, and continue to build our big plans.
But there are lives in the balance, and the choice is right in our hands.
So do we sit idle? Or is there a way we can stand tall?
Can’t we stand for life? Or do we really stand for nothing at all?
And let the innocent fall?

If human life is just sown by chance, then
Nothing we know could be bad or be good.
If we’re just embryonic particulate matter,
Then we could know there is no personhood…
But we hope and we pray
And we live for the day,
When our love becomes broad
In the image of God…

~ Chorus ~

© Copyright Tony Funderburk 2007

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

A friend of mine died two years ago, today, September 12, 2021. But he wasn’t just a friend. He was the pastor of the church I attended (and led praise and worship) for a long time. And he was blessed with the ability to dive deep into the information in the Bible. And rightly divide the word of Truth. It’s so weird to talk about him in the past tense. Because he had a powerful presence.

And today makes me remember another day in the past, too.

It was Pastor Appreciation Day back in 2010. And I certainly appreciated his Bible teaching skills. So, I didn’t look for a special song to acknowledge him that Sunday. I wrote one. It was a song that showed appreciation for who he was AND Who he represented.

Because my friend, the pastor, was controversial. To say the least. And if I shared his name, and if you did a search online, you’d find a long list of despicable so-called “news sources” mocking him. Even in death. But, as another friend of mine said, “If the world still hates you when you die, you must’ve done well.”

I have no doubt that, sometime on September 12, 2021, my friend heard, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Because he dedicated much of his life to sharing God’s word with anyone who’d listen. I updated the lyrics of appreciation to account for his earthly life that’s now in the past.

We Appreciate You Doing That

When you chose to serve the Lord,
You didn’t know everything you were in for.
You couldn’t know how long it would last,
Or what your journey through life had in store.

But you didn’t let it stop you.
You found The Way to keep going.
Truth and Life and Persistence…
They’re the seeds you kept sowing.

And we appreciate you doing that.

You didn’t choose the dark, wide path.
You never ran with the “popular people”
Or raise a fortune to build up a church
Made of lies with a high, golden steeple.

But you work to spread the Gospel
And tell the world about Jesus,
And how He’s all that really matters,
And how the world cannot please us.

And we appreciate you doing that.

We know you didn’t prefer the battle.
There must have been times when it got old.
But your life, here, sure made a difference.
You shared His Story as it should be told.

And we appreciate you doing that.

© 2010-2021

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