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Tony Funderburk

Your Life Has Rhyme And Reason Because God Made You

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Category Archives: Tony Funderburk

Tony Funderburk is THE Rhyme and Reason author, singer-songwriter. He’s written and published 30+ books for kids and adults in addition to scores of articles. And he’s composed hundreds of songs (and a couple of books) for businesses and loyal listeners.

Tens of thousands of families have enjoyed and supported his recorded music and live performances for many years. Tony believes our existence is a beautiful gift from God to each of us, including our gifts and talents.

So, we should use them to create and serve others. When you tune in to Tony Funderburk’s The Power of God’s Love Podcast, you’ll get rhymes, reasons, and songs delivered to your inbox for free. AND click here to get free songs and a book right away. And Click here to learn more about Tony’s story.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on April 30, 2026 by TonyMay 2, 2026
Life and death in the very same breath

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Just imagine if God said something like this: I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live…

Wow, that almost sounds like God says you can choose between life and death.

But there are a lot of people who call themselves Christians, who say that everything that happens is part of God’s plan. And they say that includes who will live forever and who won’t. And they say there’s nothing you can do to change it because it’s all part of God’s will. In other words, you can’t choose because God already chose your destiny for you.

But that statement, I said to imagine that God said, IS something God actually DID say. In the book of Deuteronomy in the Bible. And it shows a much more loving God who wants you and me to be able to freely love him. Because true love must be freely given. Otherwise, everyone is just a robot who can only do what we’re programmed to do.

But I don’t believe that for even a nanosecond. Because I’ve read too many beautiful passages in the Bible that completely contradict that kind of a creator. The power of God’s love is revealed on just about every page in every book of the Bible. Old Testament. And New Testament.

That’s why a few years ago I shared a bullet list of why I love life. Here’s what I said…

I love life and the opportunity to live it.

I love the:

  • smooth sailing,
  • trials and tribulations
  • growing up,
  • gaining knowledge,
  • gaining friends,
  • awards and rewards,
  • challenges and failures,
  • clouds and sunshine,
  • joy and laughter,
  • pain and redemption, and
  • words and music…

Those are all components that help make up this journey through life. It’s not a two part journey. It’s a two place journey. And I’m eager and privileged to participate in both. This place we’re in right now is amazing and difficult. The next place will be unfathomably kinetic, energizing, and joyous. More reasons why I love life.

But the next place won’t be like that for everyone.

That’s a shame because it’s really not difficult to achieve. You just need to believe. But here’s another bullet list of where you should not place your faith:

  • Dreams
  • Yourself.
  • a “force”
  • The “law of attraction”
  • Internal spirits
  • Mohammed
  • Confucious
  • Buddha
  • Allah
  • Oprah
  • Obama
  • and least of all, satan

Put your faith only in Jesus. I’m sure thankful I did that a long time ago. Because that one name is the key to choosing between life and death.

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,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in Bible study, Christian Articles, Deuteronomy, Faith Hope and Love, Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional, Rhyme and Reason Podcast, Thankful Thursday, Tony Funderburk | Tagged a matter of life and death, choose life, choose wisely, the grace of Jesus, The Power of God's Love Podcast, tony funderburk's podcast
Tony Funderburk Posted on April 29, 2026 by TonyApril 29, 2026
Wednesday word art includes only my part

Hey there. I got an idea. How about we all pitch in and make some Wednesday word art? I’ll do my part. I’ll write you a poem just for the occasion. Then, all you have to do is keep your whimsy caps on and share your own thoughts. Easy enough. Right?

One-sided, collaborative, Wednesday word art.

Because you’ll be able to see my side of it. But unless you share a comment, I won’t be able to see your side of it. Oh well, so it goes.

A few years ago, as I looked at some pictures of kids doing silly things kids do, I noticed the caption for the picture mentioned the day of the week. So, of course my mind when into alliteration mode (as it often does) and I came up with the idea to write something silly, for kids, just for the fun of it. No other reason. No need to make sense. And no nothing else. Just using the creative side of my brain that my creative Creator gave me.

Side note: I believe it pleases God when we use the gifts he gave us to do creative and productive things. It’s not a debatable doctrinal issue. But I think it’s important to understand at least a little bit of how He sees us. And I think there’s evidence for this in Genesis where He left the naming of the animals up to Adam.

God could have easily named everything and just told Adam what to call them. But it makes sense that the ultimate Father would take joy in watching His son use the brain He gave him. And it’s extra cool that Adam named all the animals AND even named his mate that God had given him.

We don’t have to agree completely about how it all went down. But this is how I see it and read it.

Feel free to agree or disagree and comment about it below. Or send me an email.

Now, I’m not saying my rhyme compares to Adam naming the animals, but here’s my Wednesday word art…

Whimsical Wednesday

Whimsical Wednesday…wonderful breeze
Leaving us breathless…swaying like trees.
Syllables settle inside our ears
Sounding quite silly…calming our fears
Making us mimic cows in the field…
Funnybones flapping…giggles revealed
Whimsical Wednesday…tickles the tongue
Lilting and loving…keeping us young.
Melodies mingle with bubbles and dots…
Whimsical Wednesday living in thoughts.  © 2013 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,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in Rhyme and Reason, Tony Funderburk, Wisdom Wednesday | Tagged Wednesday blessings, Wednesday word art, whimsical art, wisdom wednesday
Tony Funderburk Posted on April 28, 2026 by TonyApril 28, 2026
Bedtime stories and rhymes that sound like simpler times

Way back in the middle of the 20th century, when I was a kid, they really were simpler times here in America. and I was actually a great example of that. Because I was the kind of kid that, when my parents or grandparents put me to bed and said go to sleep, I would do that pretty quickly. They didn’t even have to read me any bedtime stories.

But that’s not to say that I never heard any bedtime stories.

For example, I’ve mentioned here on my website how much I enjoyed one of the most classic bedtime stories, from back then, called Wynken, Blynken, and Nod. I can still remember my mom reading me that one out of a large book of stories and poems. And it really stirred my imagination as I listened to the words. If you have kids or grandkids, I highly recommend reading that one to them.

Of course I’m biased, when it comes to my own bedtime stories for kids, but I happily recommend you check out the ones I currently have here on my website. Just look for the Books link at the top of the page. That’s where you find them right now. Soon they’ll be even more easily available in the Ton-o-Fun Shop.

I shared a rhyme, a few years ago, that talks about kids who think they’re too old for nap time or stories to get them to go to sleep at night. And it goes a little something like this…

Bedtime stories aren’t for me.
I’m just too old to sleep.
I’ve got better things to do.
I just don’t need bopeep.
There are planets I’ll go find
After you leave the room.
And I must protect the house
From aliens of doom.
Bedtime stories are for kids
Who only want to sleep…
Silly kids whose eyes will close
Because they counted sheep.
But I’ll be in my rocket ship
And back home before dawn.
So, read to all those other kids.
I need to leave and…  “yawn”

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,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in books for kids, ebooks for kids, for dreamers, imagination station, Rhymes For Kids, short bedtime stories, Tony Funderburk | Tagged Bedtime stories and rhymes, rhymes for kids, Short bedtime stories
Tony Funderburk Posted on April 27, 2026 by TonyApril 29, 2026
A million times over in this clever clover

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“Everything has already been said a million times over!”

“Not exactly the way you can say it,” he calmly replies.

“Oh shut up,” I think to myself.

I’ve never had that conversation while sitting alone at my desk.

Well, not more than a million times over.

When I finish one of those conversations,  I get my hands back on my Macbook keyboard and start typing. And, actually, these days, if I want to write faster, I just use my voice and dictate to my computer. It does a very good job even though I do have to edit and make sure it isn’t autocorrecting incorrectly.

Anyway…

Even I sometimes need a nudge in the creative direction. Because sometimes the ol’ left-brain logical writer, you know and luv, comes out and makes an incorrect deduction about the wants, needs, and desires of the audience. This causes him to pause for too long and stifle his “flow.” Then the so-called logic becomes more and more inflexible and cautious. And the flow becomes a trickle and the trickle fades away.

Then the reliable right-brain writer reminds me…

“Use the trick I showed you to jump-start that flow again.”

Of course, I can’t just freely share what that trick is. Because, in the wrong hands, it could be used for evil, villainous purposes. And I don’t want that on my conscience. So that secret stays with me. The point is, it works like a charm every time.

And that’s how I’ve been able to be so prolific for all these decades. Just so you know, I give all the glory of it to God. Because without him, I’d just be wretched, poor, naked, and blind.

In The House of the Lord

Father God,
You never leave me You never forsake me.
And Your Word…
Gives me courage to go where you take me.

You are with me through each dire upheaval.
With You in me I will fear no evil.
As I walk through the shadow of death…
I will sing till my very last breath…

Green pastures, still waters…
Goodness and mercy for your sons and daughters…
True love dwells in the House of the LORD.
Each person, each nation…
Can be renewed through Your sweet restoration…
True love dwells in the House of the LORD.

Father God,
You made a Way for my total redemption.
I believe…
Jesus died to provide that exemption.

He’s my shepherd through thorns and thru clover.
He’s my new wine, and my cup runs over.
As I walk through the shadow of death…
I will sing till my very last breath…Chorus   © 2010 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,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in Motivation Monday, Rhyme and Reason, Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional, Rhyme and Reason Podcast, Tony Funderburk, Words and Music | Tagged a million times over, rhyme and reason, The Power of God's Love Podcast, tony funderburk's podcast, words and music
Tony Funderburk Posted on April 26, 2026 by TonyApril 27, 2026
Links and kings and pleasant things

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:

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,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in poets and poetry, Rhyme and Reason, Tony Funderburk | Tagged king of Kings, links and kings, missing link, something is missing
Tony Funderburk Posted on April 25, 2026 by TonyApril 25, 2026
Homeschool hub has much better grub

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

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in homeschool, Rhyme and Reason, Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional, Tony Funderburk | Tagged homeschool, Homeschool hub, Homeschool inspiration, homeschooling is better
Tony Funderburk Posted on April 24, 2026 by TonyApril 27, 2026
Angst and aggression from a privileged profession

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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,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in current events, Faith Hope and Love, Friday vibes, Funderbolts, healthy habits, Rhyme and Reason, Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional, Rhyme and Reason Podcast, Tony Funderburk | Tagged Angst and aggression, Athlete, exploding stars, rant and rave, The Power of God's Love Podcast, tony funderburk's podcast

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