Category Archives: current events

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

The irony of the so-called social media connection idea is how much more disconnected we are these days. And don’t try to defend your dozens of daily posts as how connected you are. Because that’s a fading facade.

Social media connection is mostly a digital soliloquy.

Sure, you can “reach out” and get in touch with someone, in a hurry, if you need or want to. And you can “friend” people you haven’t seen in decades. But the actual human connection just ain’t there.

My childhood came at a time, in America, when social connection was literally palpable. Here are some synonyms for palpable, right out of the dictionary, that illustrate what I mean:

  • visible,
  • observable,
  • recognizable,
  • unmistakable,
  • obvious

When I was a kid, you know what you’d see in every neighborhood in town? Kids! Playing in the yard, in the neighbor’s yard, in the street. Or doing their “chores.” Like mowing the lawn. Feeding the dog. Cleaning the garage. And it wasn’t just the kids out there “in the ‘hood.”

Adults were out there, walking around the block, and having conversations with friends and other neighbors. Yeah! I saw it with my own eyes. So, I know it’s true.

And I remember being told we had to “come inside when it gets dark.” And kids would debate parents on the definition of darkness in order to stay outside “just a few more minutes.”

But now, you can walk for blocks, in most neighborhoods, and not see a single kid outside. Or adults either, for that matter. And you can literally pass someone on a sidewalk without as much as a simple “Hello.” And a lot of times that’s because their eyes are looking down at their device.

Texts and social media posts are now preferred over actual human connections.

And “self” is the focus. I don’t know this for a fact. But it wouldn’t surprise me to find out how more selfies are taken on smartphone cameras than anything else. Well, except for food maybe. But that’s another disconnect I can talk about some other time.

The social media connection, disconnect, reminded me of a song I wrote during my songwriter year in Nashville. It’s about how people get so busy and focused on “getting somewhere” that they disconnect from others who care about them. And it recommends not putting off time with those you care about. Because, in case you don’t already know, humans die. And then it’s too late to build, mend, or maintain relationships.

Then, your only hope of ever having that connection again is when you meet in the metaphorical…

Angel Café

I watched as your world got so busy.
I felt all the edges get rough.
And I know you just want a secure life.
But, I ask, is it ever enough?
Is it worth just what it may cost you?
Are you willing to pay off the fine?
Just be wary of what you neglect here.
That’s my own bottom line.

Well time flies away.
Don’t put off who you should get to today.
Time flies away.
Don’t you wait till we meet in the angel café.
Don’t you wait till we meet in the angel café.

(one verse and chorus from the song)

© 1992

Tons more of my words and music are available on Amazon. And there’s still time before Christmas…

(https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tony-Funderburk/author/B008R08LUG/allbooks)

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Were is past tense. It’s a seemingly innocent, little verb. But it can contain implications SO intense that eternity is required in order to even begin to understand how intense.

As an example, I’m gonna share some words written by a guy named Ezekiel. He’s a famous Biblical prophet. In fact, he’s considered one of the major prophets. But I’m not sharing his words to talk about prophecy. No, I think this goes straight to the importance of relationships over selfishness.

As you read the word “were,” in this clip from four verses in Ezekiel’s 28th chapter, you’ll hear the sound of a heavy hammer slamming against metal in an echo chamber.

Ready? Go…

You were the seal of perfection,
Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
You were in Eden, the garden of God;
Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond,
Beryl, onyx, and jasper,
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.
The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes
Was prepared for you on the day you were created.
You were the anointed cherub who covers;
I established you;
You were on the holy mountain of God;
You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
And you were perfect in your ways from the day you were created.

OK. That’s the section. Take a few seconds to clear your head of that hammer sound.

Now. Did you notice how “were” is past tense, twice, in that last line.

Well, that’s because the hammer’s about to come down in the next line. It’s followed by a gigantic BUT.

(side note: I know gigantic “buts” are all the rage now, BUT this ain’t that kinda but.)

Anyway…

The person Ezekiel‘s message points to gets a massive blow to his ego in the next lines. And he finds out that he ain’t all that and/or a bag of chips. In fact, his chips are down. And he’s out! No amount of sardius, topaz, diamond, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold will buy his way out.

But I won’t spoil the rest. Go check it out for yourself. And I hope, if similar descriptions fit you, that were is past tense for you very soon, too. Because, then, you’ll be able to embrace and appreciate what WILL be.

Emerald Embrace

I sat upon an emerald.
The green glow glazed my eyes.
And I beheld the art of God,
His brushstrokes in the skies.
The neon shone through bright chartreuse,
And pine and malachite,
And all the way into my heart
That still and liquid night.
I know, for God, the painting was
A glimpse of what will be,
In Heaven’s emerald embrace,
With Him eternally.

© 2022

By the way, I’ve written a bunch of books. For adults AND kids. As long as you’re already in the “Christmas buying mood,” get a little something for you and/or them:

(https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tony-Funderburk/author/B008R08LUG)

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Well, it’s already the day after Thanksgiving. And you’re gonna see tons of commercials for so-called “Black Friday” deals. But I’m here to tell you the Black Friday notion starting dying out when the e-commerce was born on the good ol’ world wide web.

So, now, every day can be as black as the day after Thanksgiving.

And, that’s why a few years ago I wrote about how the Funderburk household doesn’t fall for or buy into the “biggest savings of the year” or “huge holiday savings” silliness. What I wrote then is probably even more appropriate now. Here’s what I said…

OK, say it with me:

Today is the day I will not…

  • Go into the red to help someone else get in the black
  • Pay lots more in the future for what I take home now
  • Stand in line for something that will be there next week at the same price
  • Become part of a frenzied crowd or mob
  • Change my mind about what’s a truly good deal
  • Allow any hype to change my mood or my attitude
  • Buy into the retail message of Christmas while forfeiting the real message”

Today is the day after Thanksgiving here in America.

For my money, that’s the only sensible way of looking at it. I’ve seen lots of advertising and marketing for Black Friday. And listen to me now. Because it’s so unnecessary.

Retailers would have you believe that continuing to visit with your friends, family, and relatives is such an awful strain. And oh, so boring. Malls, department stores, and online marketers want you to buy like no other day of the year can possibly match the “bargains” of today.

Poppycock. Balderdash. Gobbledygook. And codswallop.

Today is the day for traditional retailers to kick off their “season” of selling to make up for the rest of the year. This is the day they hope to begin to climb out of the red and into the black. You want to know the most ironic part of it? Many of those retailers (by no means all) are not Christians. They don’t believe or trust in God. And they even think we Christians are small-minded fools. But they’re more than willing to take the fool’s money.

I’m not at all for taking the gift-giving out of Christmas. I love getting and giving gifts. But I just don’t want anyone to be able to profit from my faith in God, in one hand, while they thumb their nose at Him with the other. And I certainly don’t want to buy into the hype that today is the day the year’s best bargains appear.

Feel free to totally disregard my heartfelt tips.

Because I know it’s fun to go out and shop right now since the Christmas music is playing. And the decorations are popping out everywhere. But as for me and my household (on this day after Thanksgiving), I think we’ll skip the hype.

This minute is your minute.
Go ahead and jump in it.
One sparkle and one twinkle,
One snowflake and one sprinkle.
Be sunny and be cheerful.
Skip worried and skip fearful.
Keep smiling and keep living.
This minute is for giving.

© 2013

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Here’s a quick, short list of blessings I’m thankful for right now. (in spite of socialist politicians)

  1. God gave me life and made a way for me to live forever.
  2. My beautiful wife loves me and encourages my artistic endeavors.
  3. I’m healthy enough to wake up and work every day.
  4. God gave me the gift of words and music, the best personal gifts I could ever desire.
  5. I have a cozy, nicely furnished home where I can enjoy holidays and every day.
  6. I’m a techie with cool gear that allows me to easily share my thoughts and publish them to the world.
  7. America is still (currently) free enough for me to voice an opinion that differs from the masses.
  8. Thousands of people have bought and shared my books, songs, and merch through the years.
  9. There are still opportunities to continue to grow, be inspired, and connect.

And that’s just the short list.

There aren’t enough pages on the internet for the long list. And that’s simply because my blessings will continue throughout eternity. And THAT’S because I believe in and trust the one, true, living, loving God of creation.

You can’t thank a “universe.” It has no soul, no spirit, no personality. And it’s OK to thank other people for temporary stuff. But how did they get here? And it’s silly to thank yourself for your blessings. But there are people who actually sit around a dinner table and do that.

On this Thanksgiving Day 2023, make your short list, and take at least a few minutes to think about your own mortality.

Maybe somewhere deep down inside your heart you sense or feel or detect a connection to immortality. God put that feeling in your heart. Because He wants you to know you’re an eternal being. Not your body. But the actual YOU that you were intended to be. And you’re free to choose where YOU will spend eternity. So, choose wisely. It matters.

Thank God I’m not alone on any day.
Thank God He gave His Son to be The Way
For me to live a life that never ends.
Thank God that He and I are best of friends.

Thank God for every moment you’re alive.
Thank God because, in Him, you can survive
The trials and tribulations when you say…
“Thank God for love,” on this Thanksgiving Day.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Sustainable aviation fuel. I just read a couple of short articles, from Forbes and the Wall Street Journal, about the “new” approach to help “reduce the carbon footprints” of airline companies. And, as I read, I thought, “How nice. Big corporations are starting to invest in something that’s been available all along.

Matter of fact, you’ve enjoyed sustainable aviation fuel your whole life.

Yep, you’ve enjoyed it. And you’ve thrown it into the trash without even thinking about it. And just because nobody apparently thought to use it before doesn’t change that.

Here’s a quote, from me, that ties in nicely with the sustainable aviation fuel topic:

“Evolutionary ‘science’ claims it took millions of years to form from algae, plants, and other buried organic material. And that supposedly was the time required for the earth’s heat and pressure to turn it into crude oil.

But according to non-evolutionary science, the right heat and pressure can ‘form oil in ultrashort time periods.’ Naturally, that science also backs up the Biblical account of a worldwide flood. And we certainly can’t have that. Because when you start spreading that news, people might believe God is real. And we certainly can’t have that.

But, back to the crude oil advantages.

Doesn’t it make sense to take advantage of a process that could ensure our efficient crude oil based technology and machinery runs on renewable energy? And since we can grow algae and turn it into crude oil in ‘ultrashort time periods’ that makes it easily and efficiently renewable. AND affordable.

But, there’s the rub. Affordable and efficient and renewable crude oil. Well, that would mean government couldn’t control individual liberties with the flip of a switch. And the control freaks in ‘high places’ certainly can’t have that.”

So, next time you carry out your trash think about this.

You could be throwing away sustainable aviation fuel. Yeah, your cooking oils, animal byproducts, and the rest of your trash, could help save the planet. And some major players, like United Airlines, believe that enough to invest a lot of money and research into it. 

Even if and when they find a way to make affordable fuel out of your trash, I won’t be flying in one of their cool-looking petri dishes. Because that sort of sardine travel doesn’t appeal to my germaphobia. But I think there’s a much better solution to the energy “crisis,” where the world is so sickeningly focused. And that’s the almost endless supply of renewable “green” resources that can power our time-tested technologies.

Of course, no solution will sustain you more than about 75-80 years, on average. Oh wait. There IS one solution that can keep you fueled and running perfectly forever. And that solution is your eternal Creator. Ironically His word is a renewable resource tailor-made for YOU. He says your insides can be renewed daily. Even though your outside isn’t.

It’s powered by 100% sustainable Love.

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?

(From the song, Cliché, which is included in my book, the Do Right Collection)

Listen to the whole song here: (https://youtu.be/IuTNFMXIbfw)

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Here’s a short farming quiz. And anyone who misses even one question fails miserably. Not just the quiz. But also at life in general. So, are you ready? Here you go.

  1. Farming is necessary:  Yes___No___
  2. Farmers help keep you alive: Yes___No___
  3. Farms are the biggest contributors to global warming/climate change Yes___No___

OK, only 3 questions in the farming quiz.

And, as I said, you get one wrong and you’re a miserable failure.

But you might think, “Duh, Tony. No one is his (or her) right mind could possibly get a wrong answer on such an easy quiz.” And normally I’d say you’d be right. But these are not “normal” times. Because generations of government indoctrination (aka: public schools) have generated countless foolish feelers. People who are incapable of stringing two intelligent thoughts together.

Case in point: I just saw a short video where a young guy said (on camera) that farming needs to stop. And he said it’s because farming is the single biggest contributor to climate change.

There was a funny reply where a guy said something like, “Uh…no. Because, without farming, you’d be hungry, naked, and sober.” Hilarious. And true.

Ludicrous as the anti farming comment was, it isn’t a singular incident. A young woman was recorded as saying something similar. Her comment was something about how we don’t need “all those farms anymore.” Because we have grocery stores in just about every neighborhood there is.

So, it should be obvious that a lot of people would fail my farming quiz.

This makes me think of a drive I made across part of Kansas on I-70.

It was way back in the 20th century, as I 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.”

But nowadays those signs share how a single farmer feeds 257 people.

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’re in charge of so much life on a daily basis. Their own, and their family’s, of course. But also 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 have you ever thought about where they get those seeds they multiply?

OK, that’s sort of another question for the farming quiz. And you might be inclined to say they get their seed from local feed and seed stores. And I couldn’t give you a red X for that. But where do 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 in 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

I’m writing to you from the heart of the nation, now. Our respiratory experiment, on the Gulf coast, is finished. And I know the high level of humidity, there, was not the solution. So, after leaving the arid climate of Colorado (which was very difficult because it’s my favorite place) and the humid southeast, we hope the “baby bear porridge” of Kansas will be “just right.” I’ll let you know as time goes by.

But there’s one great thing I can say about the heart of the nation, so far.

It sure reminds me of something I wrote a few years ago. It was a recollection of a country where I used to live, play, work, and dream. I’m gonna share that full article with you now. See if you can relate.

“Long before I ever had even a notion of writing or singing for a living I remember my brother and me traveling with our grandparents through the backroads of a country called America. And I remember our parents taking us for excursions through sections of it called Kansas, and Oklahoma, and Texas. Here are a few more things I think of when I remember America and the good times I had there.

I remember America being a lot like my family.

The local people spoke English like us. They had different accents, but we could understand every word. In fact, when we’d stop for something to eat, the waitress (yeah, that’s what they called servers back then) sounded American. Our whole family marveled at the coincidence. And when Dad would stop at a gas station, a friendly guy would come out, pump gas into the car and ask if we needed the oil checked or windshield cleaned. Most times with a smile on his face.

I always wondered what made those guys so happy.

When we’d drive down the interstates (which were nice roads), Grandmother would challenge us to read the road signs. It wasn’t all that difficult, though, because they were in English. But they zipped by pretty fast…that was the challenge. The roads were smooth, and trash was almost non-existent. And we never saw graffiti…not even on train cars. I know. Hard to imagine. But it’s true.

I remember America had a lot of friendly people.

So many people would smile and say hello when I’d walk with my Grandmother to the grocery store. The local natives would punch in the totals on clunky cash registers, and some guy would put all the groceries in brown paper bags. It was like they didn’t have a clue how inefficient and wasteful that was. They’d just smile and talk and ask about the family, and it took much longer than a kid could stand.

And I remember America seemed to settle down quite a bit each evening.

They had the oddest forms of evening entertainment, too. Sometimes the grownups would sit around in lawn chairs telling stories while someone churned out something called homemade ice cream. Or they’d split open a large, red fruit…I think they called it a watermelon. And everyone would eat and talk until well after dark.

There were no special TV shows or channels of music for kids so guess what they did while the grownups talked. Chase fireflies and put them in a jar. Can you imagine? No one seemed to realize or care how every life (even a bug) is equally valuable.

And those poor folks back then didn’t have all the great ways to make a quick buck. Like:

  • Legalized abortion,
  • legalized pornography,
  • powerball,
  • lotto,
  • ubiquitous pharmaceuticals,
  • marijuana dispensaries,
  • divorce lawyers,
  • serial killers and terrorists selling their stories to movie producers, or
  • should I continue?

All in all America was a nice country to visit.

Even though it was a dorky family-friendly environment filled with bumpkins and simpletons (especially those in the heart of the nation) I’d certainly go back for an extended visit.

If I could just find the way. I guess it’s like the yellow brick road. Just start out. And head across…

The Flats

Drive the flats and see the billboard message
Showing you the way is always clear.
Pay attention to the heartfelt message
Because your last day could soon be here.

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