Category Archives: Rhyme and Reason

Enjoy & understand the rhyme and reason for your life with author, voice expert, and multimedia guy, Tony Funderburk.

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Well, I’m not gonna really talk about links and kings, per se, but what I am gonna talk about kind of relates to that. And I’m basically just gonna share a couple of poems that I wrote for kids and other human beings years ago.

The first one is about missing links. And kings aren’t involved.

If your chain is missing links
And your cup is missing drinks,
Then I have to say methinks there is a snag…
‘Cause we need all of the parts
Before drawing up the charts…
Or we’ll feel it in our hearts, it’s just a gag.

Yeah, I wrote that because kids can get all the way through high school and into college and still believe the lies about so-called missing links in the evolutionary chain.

But here’s something to consider. There’s a  a wealth of “new” information readily available to anyone who’s willing to do more than cruise the internet for social media pop news. And it’s easy to find irrefutable information by even PhD professors and scientists that completely contradicts most of what you learned in school about so-called evolution. Oh sure, you can attempt to refute it. But I don’t recommend that. Especially if you don’t like to lose.

OK, let’s move onto a lighter, more pleasant subject, shall we.

I lived in a small town in Kansas at the time I wrote this next poem. But you’d be hard-pressed to find any indication of that in the words. I guess I just wanted do carry myself away, on the summer breezes, for a mental vacation. Anyway…enjoy this…

Pleasant Breeze

The island’s gentle zephyr
Ran its fingers through the sand.
The epitome of friendly winds
Must have held onto its hand.
Did you know the Lord supplies it
From a corner of the sky
So the people of the world
Can it enjoy it by and by?
Tie your hair up with some velvet…
Stroll a year or maybe ten
In the shadow of a zephyr…
You’ll stroll back and forth again.
And nevermore will you be blue.
Evermore be merriment.
Make no mention of the money
Or the time you must have spent.
And try not to be an island
In an air of all alone,
Because even with a zephyr
You’d be no more than a stone.
Gentle wind please come again…
Blow and flow just as you please.
Every island, every person
Needs your lovely, pleasant breeze.    © 1973 TF

See, I told you it wouldn’t be about links and kings. But I did share some insight about missing links. And I’m always inspired by the words I’ve read in the best selling book of all time. The book that was written by the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, and the creation of the universe in every living thing. Jesus. So, there’s that.

If you got a kick out of these little rhymes, I’d love for you to connect with me. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

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I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

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A classical homeschool hub could be called a trivium. That’s Latin for “the place where three roads meet.” And it happens to be what they call the three stages of classical homeschooling. The Grammar Stage. The Dialectic Stage. And the Rhetoric Stage.

It’s not likely you’d ever even hear the words trivium, dialectic, and rhetoric in a government indoctrination camp (aka: public school). Because those words just ain’t cool. And when I say “cool,” I mean, how you gonna sound cool if you cain’t be you?

You probably would never learn this in a typical homeschool hub.

And I don’t recommend you lose any sleep over it. But here’s an example of how you be you:

“Yo dawg, whats crack-a-lackin’?”

That means, “What happened while I was away?”

And here’s another example that’s maybe a little easier to figure out:

“Kick it off to me one time.”

Roughly translated that means, “Could you explain it to me once more?”

That kind of language tends to thrive in the urban ‘hood. Or in the “camp” I mentioned earlier. Notice how it definitely doesn’t focus on absorbing information. Or memorizing the rules of phonics, spelling, grammar, foreign language, history, science, and math. Yeah, those are so 20th century. Or maybe even 19th century. Whatever, just plain old-fashioned.

And keep in mind those areas are just the Grammar stage of classical homeschooling.

After that students learn logical discussion, debate, drawing correct conclusions, algebra, and thesis writing. And they learn to figure out “the why” behind the information in the Dialectic Stage.

Then, they advance into the Rhetoric Stage. And that’s a deeper dive to help develop their ability to use clear and persuasive language and logic. What?! Haven’t they heard of AI?! For crying out loud, kids don’t have to think and speak for themselves anymore. As the doctor/scientist on the TV show, The Six Million Dollar Man said, talking about putting Steve Austin back together again,

“We can make him better than before. We have the technology.”

It seems to me like every homeschool hub should be equipped with AI. Get those kids out there faster than ever. Bam!

‘Scuse me while I get my eyes to roll back into place…

Anyway…

I saw a more basic description of the three stages. Essentially it said students learn to input, process, and output data confidently.

Compare that with the touchy feely “public schools” methods and the winner is crystal clear.

But people (who were indoctrinated in those aforementioned camps) enjoy making fun of homeschoolers. Because they think it’s mommies teaching daughters to bake cupcakes. Or daddies teaching sons to start a fire.

*Slightly side note: good moms and dads DO teach their kids those skills. But that’s in addition to the three stages of The Trivium.

OK, here’s why homeschooling is attacked by nincompoops.

Because it produces critical thinkers. People who aren’t so easily manipulated with misleading messages.

I’ve known a lot of homeschooled kids. And almost without exception they’ve been the brightest, most articulate kids I’ve ever known. Can you guess why? Well, no need to guess. I’ll tell you.

It’s because they’ve been educated by the people who LOVE them.

Your government does NOT love kids. Quite the opposite, in fact. I mean, c’mon. Your government shows you how much it hates you. Every. Single. Day. In just about Every. Single. Way. And if it hates you enough to do what it does to you, why would it be any different with kids they can control even more easily? Eight hours a day for 13 years.

Imagine an entirely different outcome when kids get their education in a homeschool hub. Not only are they learning from people who love them, but they even get to eat better grub. Well, I can’t guarantee that. Because too many American families eat highly processed foods filled with weird chemicals, so-called natural flavorings, and even bio engineered gunk. But my guess is parents who homeschool their kids are more likely to care more about the food, going into their kids, too.

And parents who homeschool, on average, are more likely to care about the spiritual growth of their children.

Government isn’t a living entity.

It’s made up of human beings. And it isn’t, in and of itself, a being to serve. Certainly not when it declines into rebellion against God.

How ’bout that? I went from a homeschool trivium to The Trinity. Makes sense though. Because ALL roads eventually go there.

I’ll leave you with this idea from the book of Proverbs in the Bible: Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. That goes for girls, too. Because they don’t stay kids for very long. Be sure they start thinking things like…

I got songs married to my mind,
And I got art no one else can see.
I got roads just waiting to be driven down.
And I got the Truth that sets me free.

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Daily Devotional

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So many so-called pro athletes, movie stars, musicians and other artsy fartsy freakazoids are full of angst and aggression these days.

And I’m not saying they don’t have a good reason.

But I DO say their angst and aggression sure sounds stupid most of the time.

And I’m talking about the ones who make millions of dollars for just playing with a ball, or memorizing lines, or looking good on a screen, or for recording some lunatic lyrics with a catchy beat. Yeah, ironically, those who make the most money seem to do the loudest complaining about the free enterprise system we have here in America.

Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. Sheesh.

Sorry, but they just don’t have a good reason for being so full of dark angst and aggression. And don’t try to tell me they’re just looking out for the little guy, you and me. Puhleez.

I know a lot of those pop icons would call me lame. Or a Bible-thumping-do-gooder. And I know a lot of them like to poke fun at Christians and say they have no grasp on reality. They love to attempt to condescend with statements, like, “Go ahead and pray to your little friend in the sky.“ But I really don’t care.

I prefer to remain a hope-filled optimist.

Because the Christian message is true (an overwhelming amount of evidence says it is). So, I’m already on the winning team. My so-called “little friend” just happens to be the Head Coach of all creation. And He will lead my team to victory over ALL other opposing teams.

The leader of my pack is not only the True Alpha male. He’s also the Omega Man! And that helps me sing and write angst and aggression free. I gotta tell ya, that’s a huge boost to my endorphins and a significant reduction to any potential cortisol issues. In other words, Jesus is the ultimate stress reducer. He’s the cure. And I’m just a supplement. But I’m blessed to even be that.

And here’s what I recommend for your health. Don’t watch the TV or cable news. Filter out the mainstream from all your social media and internet connections. Stick with me, of course. And, by all means, skip, the namby-pamby, ne’er-do-well, yada-yada rants made by privileged celebrities who think they’re all that plus the bag of chips.

Your body, soul, and spirit will thank you. And don’t be surprised if you start smiling more.

When I’m being optimistic
I know I’ll be fine.
Asking why is realistic;
Knowing why, divine.     © 1987 TF

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

For as long as I can remember, there’s always been this expression that boys will be boys. And of course, that got extended into men will be men. And it’s always meant that boys are gonna do boy stuff. So, naturally, men will do men stuff. And boy, how discombobulated everything is now. Right? Because nowadays the media would have you believe men will be whatever they feel like being.

And that proves what the Bible says men will be eventually.

Just in case you’d like a quick reminder of what it says, the apostle Paul wrote to his spiritual son, Timothy, that men will be:

  • lovers of themselves,
  • lovers of money,
  • boasters,
  • proud,
  • blasphemers,
  • disobedient to parents,
  • unthankful,
  • unholy,
  • unloving,
  • unforgiving,
  • slanderers,
  • without self-control,
  • brutal,
  • despisers of good,
  • traitors,
  • headstrong,
  • haughty,
  • lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God

Yikes! That’s a terrible sounding list that I never wanna be on. But in just the past week alone, I’ve seen video examples, on social media, of just about every one of those descriptions. The most recent example, a few minutes ago, was a young woman, who was proud of her abortion, talking with a woman who was on a campus trying to show young women they had alternatives to abortion. You could see the defiance in the young woman’s face as she said, “Yeah, I’m ending my bloodline. And I’m proud of that.” Then she and a friend high-fived each other.

Just that one person alone fit several of the descriptions from Paul’s letter.

Another sad point to that is how, in these latter days, men will be very anti-God, but so will women. That’s right here in America…

In the land of the fees,
And the home of the slave,
Where the Savior still sees
And still says to be brave;
‘Cause the time will still come,
And it just might be soon,
When it all ends for some,
The astute and immune,
Who believe in the Truth
That still strengthens and frees,
And will free us, like Ruth,
From this land of the fees.  © 2022

Till next time…

Did I hear someone say, “Hey Tony, I don’t know you well enough to buy something from you.”

Ok, let’s change that. Get to know more about me and my worldview.

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Daily Devotional

Stay tuned,

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I’ve been encouraging anybody who would read what I write and listen to what I say to remain optimistic in tough times. But I don’t just say the words. I also share why it’s not just good advice. It’s important to your health down to the marrow of your bones.

Remain optimistic in tough times because the alternative should be unthinkable.

The subject came up in my thoughts this morning for a particularly personal reason. Today, April 17, 2026 marks the one year “anniversary” of a stroke that challenged me to follow my own advice. But I believe I can honestly say that, despite challenges, I never dreamed I would face, I have remained optimistic in the tough times of the past year.

I won’t tell you what all the challenges were/are. But they include a left arm and hand that won’t hold things very well without wavering in the air. And a left leg that refuses to take normal steps during a walk. Plus most things on my left side operate with much less efficiency than they did a year ago. That includes my left lung and blood circulation on that side. And probably the weirdest thing that happened was the development of a neurogenic bladder.

Most of the information you’ll find on a neurogenic bladder deals with incontinence, urgency, etc. But what happened to me is something they call an under active bladder. And that means the nerves that alert you to the need to go and allow you to start a stream and go don’t work now. So, I have to insert a catheter four or five times a day, to empty out. Not my idea of a fun time.

And I’ve only shared this personal information with you because I hope it helps somebody understand how crucial it is to remain optimistic, even during rough times like what I described. I know it isn’t always easy. But it’s always necessary. And it’s always doable when you remember that, if you believe and trust in Jesus, one day, sooner than you might imagine, you will see Him…

Face To Face

When we’re born into this world,
We’re empty-handed.
We can’t speak, and we can barely even see.
As we grow we see this life,
In which we landed…
Is a thread of well-designed complexity.

Each and every one of us
Had a beginning…
And, so very small, a spark of life sufficed.
Then we turned away from God
And started sinning…
And that put us face to face with Jesus Christ.

Face to face with Truth…face to face with Life.
Yeah, the Way to paradise is face to face
With the One who died and who lives inside.
Jesus Christ even loves us face to face.

When we leave this world, we’re
Leaving empty-handed.
We can go to that eternal, perfect place.
When we make the choice of Life,
We won’t be stranded.
And we’ll get to see our Savior’s loving face.   © 2020 TF

Get my Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional. Because the flashes of light I share on my website come directly to your inbox. So you can spend your valuable time reading instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to books and music, right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies.

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The meaningful things in life don’t come easy. I hope that doesn’t burst any bubbles for you. Because it’s the cold, hard truth. Even if it seems like someone else has it easy in life, I promise you they don’t. It might look like they do. And they might have some parts easier than you, but the things that matter most won’t come easy to anyone.

And because of this truth you need to find a source of strength you can always depend on. A source you know you can turn to again and again and again. That source is Grace. No, not some lady named Grace. I’m talking about the Grace your Creator provided for you…namely in the person of Jesus.

He provided the most meaningful things you’ll ever need.

If you’re struggling with where your life is taking you today, I have a suggestion. Make a conscious decision to trust God. Trust Jesus. And lean on His Grace. I can guarantee you’ll never regret it. Here’s a rhyme to help you remember…

You can be strong in Grace.
And be sure your life is worthwhile.
You can be glad for every moment you’re alive.
And when you’re strong in Grace,
You can face the day with a sure smile
Knowing one day soon the Savior will arrive.

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

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I make bold, public statements about how Jesus is the only way to eternal life in paradise with God. And I never make apologies for saying it as though it’s the absolute truth. Because it’s the absolute truth. Whether I believe it or not. Of course I do believe it. But nothing I, or anyone else in the world, can do will ever change that truth. But what if I’m wrong about it. I’ve certainly been asked that kind of question more than once.

So, what if I’m wrong?

Well, if I’m wrong, when I say Jesus is the only way, that implies that somebody else’s worldview is right.

If the secular humanists are right, then when you die, it’s just like the lights are turned off. End of story. Eternal blackness and nothingness. So, no biggie.

If the Hindus are right, when you die, you could just return as something else, or on another higher plane to continue your journey through however, many lives it takes you to reach nirvana. So, no biggie.

If the universalists are right, then everybody goes to a better place (wherever that is) after dying. So, again, no biggie.

I could go on. But I think you get the point. Yeah, what if I’m wrong? Then, no biggie. Because it’s all gonna be just fine or totally over and done. Koom-bah-yah, group hug, pass the potato salad. But, to all those other beliefs, I wrote these words…

What If I’m Right?

You think it’s wrong to talk of only one Way.
Live and let live is something you always say.
How could there be a God who no one can see?
When bad things happen, you say “Where can He be?”

You want some proof; maybe a word or a sign
That our existence could be all by design.
I say the proof is in the feel of a song.
But it’s invisible so you say I’m wrong.

But what if I’m right? What if it’s true
All of these things I’ve been sayin’ to you?
What if you die and it’s not the end?
What if your life is nothing you can defend?
You think I’m wrong…that I don’t walk in the light,
But what if I’m right?

So many people living inside a dream
Making a choice that even God won’t redeem.
I say choose Jesus because this life’s not long.
You say it’s nonsense, and you tell me I’m wrong.

But what if I’m right?    © 2008 TF

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Daily Devotional

Stay tuned,

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