Category Archives: Words and Music

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Unless you’ve got your hands over your eyes and ears you know there’s a lotta trouble in this world. It’s worse than I’ve ever seen it. But there’s been massive trouble on this planet my whole life. And it was here for all of my parents’ lives. And my grandparents’ lives, too. Et cetera (that’s Latin for “you better believe it, buster).

So, even though a lotta people are posting “startling revelations” about how bad things are in this country or that one or even that other one, it’s the same ol’ story.

Mankind is kinda messed up.

And when I say “kinda messed up,” I mean evil incarnate. Well, for the most part. Darkness rules the day in the entertainment world. And the sad irony of that should be obvious. But it’s not.

So, you know what you gotta do in the face of all that despicable adversity, right? Yep. Throw your hands up, in frustration, and fuggetaboudit.

Not really.

My recommendation is to look up. Remember where your hope originates. And never, ever give that up. Because you’re a child of the one, true, living, loving God of creation. And you know His love has overcome this world. No matter how bad it gets.

So, your hope of what’s to come (eternal life in paradise with Jesus) should propel you forward with daily, renewed optimism. No matter what happens. Because you and I are…

In This World (but not of it)

I’m in this world but not of it.
I like this life but don’t love it.
My Savior rises above it.
I’m in this world but not of it.

This world can beat me up.
But this world is not my home.
I have a finer place where I will forever roam.
This world’s no easy street.
This world is not so nice.
It costs a lot to leave, but my Father paid the price.

So…(Chorus)

This world has lots of love,
But this world is filled with hate.
One day it won’t be so, and so I can hardly wait.
This world has moans and groans.
This world has aches and pain,
But soon even this shall pass,
Jesus the King will reign.

Chorus…inst…chorus 3 times

© 2008

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I’m gonna offer a bundle of books for kids at an amazingly low price. For a short time. Just long enough to get them in time for Christmas. And whether you have kids, you ARE a kid, or you know someone with kids, this is an offer you can’t refuse. Get TonyFunderburk.com or my emails or podcasts for future updates.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Back in the Bible days kids walked to school. And some of us had morning prayer, over the loudspeaker, before we headed out from homeroom into the different classes. We also said the “pledge of allegiance.” And it was the version that included the words “under God.” GASP!

Yeah, those Bible days were way different from now.

I also remember how, back in those days, I traveled the country in my little blue pickup to play music for a living. And I used actual paper maps. Yes, paper! The kind of maps you had to turn on the overhead light, in the pickup, to read. Digital schmigital. Apps schmapps. And the worst part was, you had to fold ’em back together so they’d fit in the glove compartment. Not a task for the geometrically challenged.

Plus, back in those days there were times I’d have to stop to make a phone call from a “booth.” Or, at the very least, a sort of kiosk I could reach from inside my little blue truck. And the call was a quarter. Well, calls started out at a dime. Then went to a quarter. And then they went to fifty cents. Highway robbery.

Oh yeah, none of that included long distance. That’s a whole ‘nother ball of was. Don’t get me started.

Anyway…

Back in the days of yore (no, not your or you’re, and certainly not ur), text messages were handwritten on note paper. And mail didn’t have an E in front of it. Just a postman (yes, man) who delivered to your mailbox, in a uniform that matched his fellow workers. Weird, right?

But then, in other Bible days, computers exploded onto the scene. And they changed pretty much everything. Being “Technical Tony,” I was thrilled. Because I knew they’d somehow lead me to where I am now. Typing out (sometimes even talking out) messages that can go around the world in the blink of an eye.

And other digital recording gear soon followed. So, I could work with people from around the world. And get paid without leaving my fortress of solitude.

Yes, God’s resources have amazing capabilities and potential.

What’s that? You thought I was gonna talk about Jesus? And how God created the heavens and the Earth. Adam and Eve. Or Noah? Maybe Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Or King David and Joseph and Mary.

Well, sure those ARE the best parts of the overall story.

But when you read the entire book, you discover something very interesting. All the way over there, in the right side of the book, there’s something called “The Revelation.” And it does a lot of predicting. About times that haven’t happened yet. Times that are part of the whole story. A story that’s in motion now. And that’s why…

THESE Are The Bible Days

I’m no prophet, but God can work through me.
Willing servants are all He wants to see.
We can learn from the past,
The apostles, and all of their ways,
But we live in the here and now,
And these….are the Bible days. 

Lord, our small hearts are full of love from You.
Help us know what You’d rather have us do.
Help the sheep hear Your call
In this world that’s so full of strays.
As it was when Your Son arose;
Still these…are the Bible days.

When darkness falls…These are the Bible days.
Temptation calls…These are the Bible days.
When right is wrong…These are the Bible days.
The weak get strong…These are the Bible days.
Till every mountain sways, till every debtor pays,
Till every helpless, hopeless, sinner prays…
These…are the Bible days.

There’s no difference when going first to last.
Lord we need you like generations passed.
Give us strength for this life
And help us always focus our gaze,
With our eyes on the Prize,
Because these…are the Bible days.

Chorus
These…are the Bible days.
These…are the Bible days.

© 2010

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Too bad Neil Young is such a fool when it comes to what’s truly important. Because, over the years, I’ve enjoyed a lot of his music. I remember listening to “Harvest” on my drive back to Texas, after my summer vacation in Kansas and before my senior year in high school. And his song, “Harvest Moon,” really strikes a chord (pun intended) in the ol’ nervous system spectrum.

Speakin’ of a Harvest Moon…

How about the one that just soared overhead a few nights ago? According to sources I’ve read, the first full moon after the Autumnal Equinox can also be called the Hunter’s Moon. But I prefer Harvest Moon. Because that sounds more Americana to me. And it doesn’t conjure up any images of a crackhead and his laptop.

Anyway…

I read that back in olden days of cowboys and indians (aka: “native American tribes and European settlers), they used the full moon’s bright light to hunt. Because they knew they’d need to store up for the winter. And the extra bright light at night meant they had more hours to gather up the goods.

That’s sort of how they came up with “Hunter’s Moon.” Because the bright light helped hunters store up food, too.

But I’m not here to teach a history class on the different moon phases and how they were named. Because I’d rather talk about how perfectly placed the moon is. And how well it helps keep our little, blue planet in balance. But I’m not even here to do that right now.

I just shared all this Harvest Moon info as an excuse to also share the lyrics to one of my songs. And I know you’d rather read those than read my ramblings about Neil Young, road trips, or high school. So, here you go:

Catch The Moon

See the ball of light
In the deep blue night;
Shines like a big white whole note,
On a musical flight,
Floating through space and through time
Like a hot air balloon.

Feel the cool night air
Dancing through your hair.
Laugh right out loud and then watch
Stars light up everywhere.
Look up with your arms open wide,
And you will Catch The Moon.

Catch The Moon, catch The Moon, catch The Moon.

Music fills the skies
As you harmonize.
Lyrics line up and fall down,
And they land in your eyes.
Look up with your arms open wide,
And you will Catch The Moon.

© 2021

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Before I share this next thought, I’ll let you know that I realize it’s a perspective I have about me. So, I fully realize it could be completely different from the one you have about me. And it’s most likely different from the perspective God has about me. So, I could be mistaken. But I believe I’ve always been a voice for positive Christianity. At least for as long as I could use my voice to express myself.

But I don’t mean the hippified peace, love, joy kind of positive Christianity.

Side note: I’m fully aware there are some ignorant and deprived among us who won’t even know what “hippified” means. But let’s move on, shall we?

Anyway…

I wrote a song, years ago, about what I wanted to do as I travel through my time on earth. And some years after that I re-wrote another version about what I would do as I travel through my time on earth. The first version is called “I Wanna.” And the second version is called “I’m Gonna.”

The unique thing (well, unique to songs I’ve written) is that every line begins with the same positive approach. And the rest of each line describes an action like in the bullet points below. So, each lines goes: I’m gonna…

  • dance through this life.
  • sing myself out of the blues.
  • feel this whole world.
  • walk through the air without any shoes.
  • climb to the top.
  • see what it’s like on the other side.
  • glide to the moon.
  • jump on a cloud and go for a ride.

So, those are the actions for the first two verses.

Then, the lines of the chorus do the same thing. I’m gonna…

  • leave my cares and troubles far behind.
  • live this brand new life that I’ve designed.
  • love discovering which way to go.
  • laugh and then say yes instead of no.

None of those lines, in and of themselves, express any blatant positive Christianity messages. But I believe they point to the joy-filled message the Apostle Paul illustrated in his letters. And his joy-filled message was based on the Grace anyone on Earth can receive. And it’s available because of God’s love for us.

My positive Christianity approach doesn’t mean my head is in the sand when it comes to all the trouble in the world. Far from it. In fact, I believe when troubles are the worst, that’s when it’s most important to be positive. And I’m not alone in that perspective.

Yeah, I found some words in the Bible, in red, that said “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Notice the “you WILL have tribulation.”

Not might. Not could. But WILL. And then the person who said those words added “but be of good cheer.” I guarantee that’s positive Christianity.

Because it came from the one and only true, loving Christian who ever lived.

So, don’t expect me to be anything but positive in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. Because no matter how bad it gets (and I believe it’s gonna get much worse) I stand with, because, and for Jesus. And the world will never separate me from Him.

There’s more to the song, by the way. And you can hear it soon, on the The Power of God’s Love Podcast. I suggest you go subscribe right now and join me on this positive quest through a negative world. Choose your favorite source to deliver directly to your favorite device:

https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/fundercast

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Prepare yourself. Because you’re about to have your soul shaken. At least if you’ve bought into the notion that everything that happens is part of God’s plan. I wish that rumor would’ve never been started. But here’s some other shocking info that’s gonna sound like a rumor. In a sense, you’re in control of the destiny of your soul.

Oh no! I can hear the weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Please, calm down. Get your feelings back in control.

I fully realize and acknowledge God’s sovereignty. Ultimately, it will be His big picture plan(s) that come(s) to pass. But He gave you and me the freedom to choose. And the choice is clear. Life. Or death. And both choices come with eternal consequences.

But why do I, a poet and former professional singer, talk about this kind of stuff so much? What would compel me, a guy who played music in “questionable venues” for years, to write about Jesus and Biblical teaching?

Yeah, why should anybody listen to what I say?

Short answer? You shouldn’t. Not without checking my words against The Word. Because, on my own, I’m just another average, run-of-the-mill broken human being. And when I rely on me and my own knowledge, I can’t guarantee I’ll be right. But when I reference Truth, I can’t be wrong.

So, I’m not wrong when I say God is NOT in control of this world.

Because I’m just repeating what He said. So, if you have a problem with my statement, my guess is you don’t know what God said about the ruler of this world.

But even if you don’t know what He said about the ruler of this world, the worldwide evidence should speak for itself. Because the whole world is in turmoil. Filled with chaos and confusion. Abortion, mass shootings, war. Surely you can’t tell me you believe those sound like concepts the one true, living, loving Creator would author.

If you believe that He does (and I know most people, who listen to and read what I share, don’t), let me know how you came to that conclusion. Because I believe you’re right where the ruler of this world wants you to be. And I bet that’s not what you’d prefer. Even if you believe…

Everything is for a reason.
God is in control.
Everything He turns to good
For His higher goal.
So do you want to thank Him for
Destruction and despair?
Is He the author of confusion?
You see it everywhere…
No, no…a thousand times no.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

A sign of status. And a sign of upper echelon social standing. They’re incredibly strong and agile. And they’ve been a great source of transportation for almost as long as there has been any need to travel. Because their endurance is legendary. They can literally run for miles.

And, of course, this source of transportation is the mighty horse.

Horses are referenced in many places in the Bible. And the references always point to their power in one way or another. Probably the most famous references are in The Revelation where you can find the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Their horses represent conquest, war, famine, and death.

And in the book of Job, you can read a passage where God uses horse symbolism to sort of mock Job. Because He shows Job how, as powerful and majestic a horse is, it’s still a creature made by God. It’s kind of like God asks, “OK, Job, my boy. Can you create something that?! No, I don’t think so.”

You can also see how horses are connected to kingship and royalty in the Bible. Most kings would ride (or be pulled by) the best horses into ceremonies and events. And that’s more than a little interesting when you consider the King of kings’ source of transportation was a donkey. Hmm, seems like humility plays a part. But that’s a horse of a different color.

Anyway…

Several years ago, a pro life pastor, who also ran a sort of Christian-based dude ranch, spoke at a church I attended. And he mentioned his own personal love for his own horses. And that inspired me to write…

My Horse

Heaven holds a place for my horse,
Standin’ straight and strong and tall.
All the trails we’ve taken; even when her legs were achin’
She never lets me down at all.

God was great when He made my horse…
Perfect since she was a foal.
Ranchin’ skills to master; no horse learned ’em faster.
There’s a bonfire in her soul.

So, Lord don’t take my horse too early.
We’ve got lots of work to do.
Chasin’ cattle, lots of ropin’, and it’s silly but I’m hopin’
I can ride her all the way to You.

I’m at home when I’m on my horse.
Across the prairies we will fly.
With her nostrils farin’ and the people starin’
We could race into the sky.

© 2008

Lots of my musings, songs, and writings are available, in paperback, on Amazon. Here’s the link:

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

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Here’s the cold, hard truth. You have no choice. You MUST believe in the God described in the Bible. No other option is available, viable, or reliable. So, give up. And give in. Resistance is futile.

Oh wait. That’s The Borg.

So sorry. My mistake. And I’m so embarrassed.

Except, I’m not. Because I’m making a point. Something I often (almost always) do here on TonyFunderburk.com And the point is…

You don’t have NO choice.

And I know a double negative is improper grammar. But that, again, is to emphasize the point. When it comes to the God of the Bible, you are NOT forced to choose Him or love Him. And you don’t even have to believe in Him. Because He knows that, in order for love to be real and true, it must be freely given.

So, why would a living, loving God of creation give you no choice but to love Him? Short answer: He wouldn’t. He didn’t. And you are free to even hate Him. As I alway say, I don’t recommend that choice. But you have your own will. Your own mind. And, as a result, you can even freely decide to make the ultimate bad choice.

But for those of us who understand that ideas have consequences, the Truth is unavoidably compelling. To be compelled is to be A: forced or B: obliged. So, the compelling feeling I have falls under the obliged column.

Because God made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure I could live forever, it’s almost like I have no (wise) choice. I…

Have To Believe

I can hear my heart, but I just can’t feel my life.
I can feel You cut, but I just can’t see the knife.
You slip Yourself inside of me
To show me what I’m meant to be;
Unlock me with Your golden key;
Protect me from the wizardry
Of this world far below.

I can feel Your love; though I never see Your face,
And whenever I’m alone,
You still fill the empty space.
I never have to reach for You.
You always seem to pull me through.
You do the things that I can’t do;
Not even if I wanted to…not even if I tried.

And I have to believe…You did everything for me.
‘Cause what I have to believe
Is the truth that sets me free (repeat)

You must know my dreams
Because you’re making them all come true.
I know that You’re the One
Because no one could but You.
Your steady hand is always near.
With perfect love You conquer fear.
You brush away the dark veneer,
And suddenly it’s all so clear which way I should go.

Chorus

Well, I’m not sure if I deserve it.
I’m lighter than air and soaring like a bird,
And if I can love You any better…just say the Word!

Repeat Chorus to end

© 1996

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