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Tony Funderburk Posted on January 23, 2024 by TonyJanuary 23, 2024
Think zone is all your own

Hey fathead. Yeah, YOU! Don’t get mad. I’m just tellin’ it like it is. Because essentially you’re a fathead. For that matter, so am I. So, were in this together. Of course, I’m talking about that think zone inside your head. Your brain. It’s made up of about 60% fat.

How can you even function with such a sludge-filled think zone?

I mean, how could thoughts move around in all that fat? Yeah, the average adult brain weighs about three pounds. That means about 1.8 pounds are fat. In your head. So, see? I wasn’t fat-shaming you when I called you fathead. I was just stating the scientific fact. And you gotta trust the science, right?

According to those who’ve chopped up brains to find out, the remaining 40% of your brain is “a combination of water, protein, carbohydrates, and salts.” (side note: That quote left out the Oxford comma after carbohydrates, but I added it for your protection. You’re welcome.)

Anyway…

Your brain’s not a muscle (even though it needs a daily workout). But it IS quite an intricate design filled with blood vessels and nerves and neurons and glial cells. And when you dive even deeper into your think zone, way down to the molecular level, you get to the fatty acids. They’re so essential to your brain’s integrity and ability to perform that just about everybody who talks about ‘em calls ‘em essential fatty acids.

Wow! Your head is full of fat and acid. It’s a wonder you can think at all.

But you can.

And you do. And here’s the actual reason I’m even talking about this. Certainly not because I’m a certified nutritionist. I don’t even play one on YouTube.

Nope. It’s because too many people believe everything happens for a reason. And that everything you do and think has already been planned and ordained by God.

He created brains. And He designed all those essential fatty acids that build vessels, nerves, and the rest. Everything you and I need for a functioning think zone. But God did NOT preload it with every thought you’d ever think. And here’s proof He’s the ultimate (infinitely wise) risk taker. He gave you the ability to think for yourself.

GASP!

I know. In most of today’s Christian circles that’s almost anathema (which isn’t a respiratory problem, btw). But consider this, because you CAN consider it. Your infinitely brilliant Creator wouldn’t build a fence He’d have to hold up. Surely that makes sense. So, why in the world would He create human beings that way?

Short answer?

He wouldn’t. He didn’t. And He doesn’t.

That means you and I are free to use our fatheads on our own. We can fill our think zones with whatever we prefer. And that’s why this world is SO messed up. Because most people fill their brains with hogwash (and that’s not even remotely related to bacon) and hate.

Only a fraction of humans chooses the road less traveled that leads to a narrow gate that leads to Heaven. The rest use their heads for a hat rack.

I know that’s not you. But maybe you know somebody who fits that description. If so, tell ‘em pump up their brains with some grass fed beef (and other good sources of essential fatty acids) and clear the crud out of their think zones. Because people love that kind of advice.

Or not.

Your think zone is all your own,
And God lets you decide
If you will use your own will
To choose what He supplied.

I can always use your support to help me keep the nearly 3000 posts I’ve shared on my website available to the world that needs to see and hear about the one, true, living, loving God of creation. So, see if one of my books suits your fancy. Get one for yourself or for someone you love. Here’s a link to check ‘em out:

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

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in creation science, current events, healthy habits, Rhymes For Kids, Tony Funderburk, Truth Bombs | Tagged adult human brain, healthy brain, think zone
Tony Funderburk Posted on January 21, 2024 by TonyApril 15, 2024
These days will be gone. Will you go on?

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I think about what she said, more often, these days.

I’m talkin’ about what my Grandmother said, as I sat on her front porch snapping green beans with her. It was during a couple of years when my brother and I lived with our Dad’s parents while he worked on setting up a new home life.

Dad and Mom divorced when I was about four and my brother was two and a half. Since he was given custody of us, he asked our Grandparents to take care of us, most of the time, so he could find another wife and someone who could be the “mother figure” in our lives. This was, of course, before feminism ruined so many households. But that’s another topic for another time.

Anyway…

Back to what my Grandmother said.

And I don’t think enough old people tell young people this stuff these days.

I remember it like it was yesterday. Despite the fact that it was decades ago. Grandmother sat on her porch chair, the metal clamshell style, with a large enameled metal bowl, full of green beans from their back yard garden, in her lap. I sat in the other chair with a smaller bowl in my lap. And we snapped green beans. And she talked while I listened.

“Enjoy this peaceful, wonderful day, and don’t take it for granted,” she said. “Because, one of these days, you might be my age and most of, or all of, the people you love will be gone for good.”

I remember thinking to myself, “Why do old people talk this way?” Of course, being a pre-schooler, I couldn’t have seen how Grandmother was speaking from experience. I was too young to grasp the depth of her advice. But, even a young age, I had enough respect for my elders to listen and pay attention.

And for some reason, I enjoyed snapping green beans.

Now, let’s fast forward to THESE days.

I’m about 10 years older than Grandmother was when she gave me that advice. And as of 2021, the fullness of her prediction came true. All those people I loved, except for my brother, are gone for good. In February, it’ll be three years ago already that Mom was the last to go.

They’re all gone.

But I’m one of the fortunate ones in this world. Because I have the hope of seeing them again. Because my Grandparents AND my parents believed in and trusted Jesus.

I know. At first you thought I was just gonna share a little of my good ol’ Americana story. But then I had to go and spoil it all by saying something about Jesus. (side note: for some reason Frank and Nancy Sinatra popped into my mind)

But here’s the thing.

I would never have any nostalgic stories to share if it wasn’t for Jesus. And neither would you for that matter. Because He created us. For crying out loud, without a Manufacturer, there are NO manufactured goods. Without a Designer, there’s no design. Without a Creator, there’s no creation. You get the idea. Right?

The image of sitting on the porch with my Grandmother came into my head after I read about a Christian brother whose wife died a couple of days ago. And this has recently happened with a couple of my other friends, too. Fortunately, each of them has the hope of seeing their wives again. And that hope is because of their faith in Jesus.

If you’re reading this without that kind of hope, I hope that changes for you very soon.

Because these days the end of this world is closer than you’ve ever known.

You don’t know, for certain, you’ll even make it to lunch. And without the hope of life after death, that uncertainty will only lead to torment. And even though most people in the world ignore the solution to that problem, it’s so easy to avoid. But the solution requires humility. The kind of humility that selfish people don’t wanna think about.

Humility that says there IS a God of creation, you’re NOT Him, and He IS the source of faith, hope, and love.

Most people who read what I write or listen to what I say already know this. But if you just happened to land on my website, or someone else sent you this message, maybe you need to hear that your problems DO have a solution. And if it makes sense and you want the problems solved, don’t put it off. Remember…

“Enjoy this peaceful, wonderful day, and don’t take it for granted. Because, one of these days, you might be my age and most of, or all of, the people you love will be gone for good.”

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.

(from the song of the same name)

By the way I can always use your support to help me keep the nearly 3000 posts I’ve shared on my website available to the world that needs to see and hear about the one, true, living, loving God of creation. So, see if one of my books suits your fancy. Get one for yourself or for someone you love. Here’s a link to check ‘em out:

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

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in Author, Christian books for kids, current events, Daily Devotional, Faith Hope and Love, Rhymes For Kids, Tony Funderburk, Words and Music | Tagged answer to your problems, gone for good, rhyme and reason podcast, The Bible, these days
Tony Funderburk Posted on January 15, 2024 by TonyNovember 21, 2024
Stupid boy tricks that make me say “Nix”

An adult Christian man was a stupid boy on a social media channel early this morning. Because he wrote something stupid. And he writes a lot of things like this morning’s little jab. And I don’t why he’d say and do the things he does, in public, other than he likes picking fights with other Christians.

That’s why I said he was a stupid boy.

Because stupid boys pick fights. And it’s extra stupid for a Christian to do such things on social media for the whole world to see. And you can bet the whole world loves to see Christians arguing and airing their disagreements.

Just so you know. The guy’s blurb included a slight cut aimed at me and others like me. Here are his words:

”Don’t go with the crowd, even if that crowd is your church.
Go with God.
God isn’t pro family, pro life, political, a dispie.”

OK, the first two sentences are fine.

First one: “Don’t go with the crowd, even if that crowd is your church.” Yes, that’s true. The “crowd” is typically against God. So, don’t go with them. And many churches today follow the trends of the world. So, yeah, don’t go there either.

Second one: “Go with God.” Oh yeah, definitely. He’s your only hope.

And if the guy would’ve stopped there, or at least clarified his words, he could have avoided stupid boy syndrome. But then he followed up good stuff with stupid stuff. So, there you go.

Because God IS pro family. He is FOR family. And He Is pro life. He is FOR life. And God established government. So, He isn’t anti politics. I’m sure God hates what politics become when left in the hands of fools. But He wants you and me to live in a world governed by moral judgment based on real right and wrong. Government provides for that.

And then…

He implied God isn’t “a dispie.”

OK, that’s sort of an inside remark among Christians. Because if you’re a heathen…er…not a Christian, you might never have heard that term. It’s short for dispensationalist. I’m one of those pesky dispies. (side note: that word looks like someone who disses pies, and that would never be me)

A dispensationalist is someone who believes God has dealt with, is dealing with, and will deal with humans in different ways at different times. That’s the overview. And modern Christians didn’t make up the word. The apostle, Paul, even used the word in his letters.

Anyway…

I see so many church people who think of dispensationalists the way that guy does. And they even look at us, cross-eyed when we say we’re also young Earth creationists and open theists. That really drives ‘em over the edge. But, hey, the truth is the truth. Even when it rubs you the wrong way. Right?

Alright, I’m gonna finish out my miniature rant with something political. And I can only guess, of course, but I don’t believe God would be against my political position here. No matter who’s in charge of nations, give me…

God Over Government

Rights don’t come from government.
They only come from God.
Man’s words might acknowledge this,
But they can be outlawed.
No one here is sovereign.
And no one here is good.
And nations will disintegrate
Until that’s understood.
Truth will not prevail upon
The ones who choose to hate
The One who is the Truth, the Life,
The Way, and narrow Gate.
“Freedom isn’t free,” they say.
And you won’t disagree,
When you find out what it took
To bring you liberty.
The man-made “constitution,”
Amended to add rights,
Barely reflects the message
From the Father of lights.
He said perfect life awaits
For “who believes in Me.”
Choose God over government.
His Truth shall make you free.

© 2023

By the way, you might be one of those unlucky people who hasn’t read any of my books. And if that’s because you didn’t know where to find them, look no further than the link below.

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

Stay tuned,

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Posted in Author, Christian Articles, current events, Rhymes For Kids, Tony Funderburk | Tagged God over government, stupid boy, stupid stuff
Tony Funderburk Posted on January 10, 2024 by TonyJanuary 10, 2024
Faith in action where hope and love get traction

So, I found a website about an organization called “Faith in Action.” And I don’t think those words mean what the people in that organization think they mean.

Unless, of course, their faith in action is in themselves.

I haven’t read their entire website. And I probably won’t ever have time to do that. Just as they’ll never have time to read all of mine. Yeesh, who would? There are almost 3000 pages of me talking about stuff most people wouldn’t give a plug nickel to hear.

Anyway…

Just because I haven’t read their whole website doesn’t mean I don’t have a grasp on the flavor and intent of their “mission.” And that appears to be one of group-hug theology. For example, on one page they have a paragraph on something they call “Theology of Resistance Narrative Model.”

Here’s how they define that:

“At the heart of the Prophetic Resistance Project is a dialogue about how our multiple faith practices inform our shared struggle toward Beloved Community and against injustice and dehumanization. This dialogue occurs by way of the Theology of Resistance narrative and praxis model, a multi-faith approach that propels deep reflection on religious and spiritual identity, convictions, and experiences into prophetic action.”

And they finish it off with:

“The four key components of the Theology of Resistance model are: Encounter, Disruption, Reimagining, and Action.”

Wow, sounds like it came straight from one of the letters the Apostle Paul wrote. NOT.

And I didn’t see any information on their website about what they do to stand up for the rights of unborn/preborn babies. And no information about what they do to stand up for Christian liberty in lands where Christianity is increasingly persecuted.

Probably just an oversight.

Or maybe not since they make sure you understand their corporate status. Right on their website they say:

“Faith in Action is a 501c(3). Faith in Action and its affiliates are non-partisan and are not aligned explicitly or implicitly with any candidate or party. We do not endorse or support candidates for office.”

So, that means they’re not likely to ever embroil themselves in something so politically controversial as abortion. And even if they tossed their hats into that ring, I suspect they wouldn’t call for the abolition of abortion.

This post has taken quite a wry twist. Because I didn’t even start out with the intention to write about that knucklehead organization. In fact, I was only gonna share some of my thoughts about how faith, hope, love, and joy help inspire creativity. And through a series of searches, using those words, I stumbled upon that website.

But doggone it, I’m not gonna let that less desirable content rob me of my faith, hope, love, and joy. And I’m gonna go ahead and share a short poem I shared, in a wonderful picture, on a social media site. The person, who shared the picture, shares tons of amazing photographs. Most of them she adds her own title. And this one she called…

Sugar Coated Serenity

The road led to a magic place
With icy clouds of marmalade
In skies of azure butter mints
And honey-sweetened lemonade.
I found a house of chocolate
And nougat-filled divinity.
Faith, Hope, and Love are keys to this
Sugar coated serenity.

© 2024

Before you go, share this link with everybody you know. Tell ‘em to jump on the The TRUTH AND get some music and other fun stuff, for Fa-Ree.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in Author, current events, Photopoetography, Rhymes For Kids, Tony Funderburk, Truth Bombs | Tagged Faith Hope and Love, faith in action
Tony Funderburk Posted on December 27, 2023 by TonyJanuary 26, 2024
Pain in this world when love gets swirled

OK, brace yourself. It’s gonna get serious mighty quick here. Starting with this question. How can you reconcile a loving God with all the pain in the world? People who want nothing to do with God ask questions like that so they can point out the so-called “flaws” in Christian faith. But I have another question for them. Do you actually believe that love and pain are mutually exclusive?

Because love and pain, in this world, are definitely not mutually exclusive.

And it only takes a good combination of love and logic to see that. And it’s easy to see the error in that assertion. I love how C.S. Lewis stated it:

“The problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a God who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word love, and look on things as if man were the centre of them. Man is not the centre. God does not exist for the sake of man. Man does not exist for his own sake. Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. We were made not primarily that we may love God (though we were made for that too) but that God may love us, that we may become objects in which the divine love may rest well pleased.”

But most people think love from God just ain’t the cool thing.

Ironically, the ones who have the most contempt for Christianity don’t even use their own doctrine or worldview to try and ridicule or debunk it. They know their own worldview of total tolerance means they’d have to accept whatever a Christian says or does as simply “doing what he feels is right.”

But they’re hypocrites.

And that whole coexist thing? Just a superficial word for superficial feelings. Because what they’d really like to see is the obliteration and annihilation of a worldview that includes THE living, loving Creator God.

So, what should you, a Christian, do in this world that’s starting to hate the very sight of you? Well, I recommend  standing up for the One who stood up for you 2000 years ago. Shoulder to shoulder with other Christians who work to expose and negate thoughtless, careless, and loveless doctrines like humanism and self-worship.

That kind of stand will require love AND pain, in this world, these days. So choose wisely. Because if they hated the One who made them enough to nail Him to a cross, who do you think YOU are?

A word to the confounded,
Pour light into your eyes.
If you expect more than neglect,
Get wisdom; yeah get wise.

Get wise to the deceiver.
Don’t harken to his lies.
Keep commanding understanding.
Get wisdom; yeah get wise.

© 1995

Before you go, share this link with everybody you know. Tell ’em to jump on the The TRUTH AND get some music and other fun stuff, for Fa-Ree.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in choose life, current events, Faith Hope and Love, life is beautiful, Rhymes For Kids, Tony Funderburk | Tagged choose wisely, God created, pain in this world
Tony Funderburk Posted on December 26, 2023 by TonyDecember 26, 2023
What you CAN do. But you gotta want to.

So, you’re sitting there trying to figure out what you can do for the 364 more days till Christmas. Right? Yeah, it’s all over but the leftovers now. Christmas came and went, as it has for years. Fast. And. Furious. And I won’t be surprised if I go into places of business today and hear NO Christmas music. Funny how it can start up months in advance. But stop the day after.

As the poet (or some sort of writer or philosopher) said, “time waits for no man.” The seconds tick in the rhythm of your heart. And your heart beats out the minutes and hours of your days. Then the days advance like an inspired army into the open arms of each passing year.

There’s nothing you can do about it. You can’t turn back the days. Or even stop the progression. You’ll just keep moving on down the road.

But what you can do something about is “the road.”

And, of course, I assumed you want to know what you can do as you move through time.

You can figure out where roads go, and which road you’ll travel. And you can decide whether you’ll walk, run, or drive.

At least you still get to make those choices for now. But we Americans (and other people around the world) continue to vote ourselves deeper and deeper into tyranny. So, sadly, America finds itself on the brink of suicide.

President Abraham Lincoln talked about this in an address to the Young Men’s Lyceum in Springfield, Illinois in 1838.

He said…

“At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”

But now, America is willingly giving up its power and strength. And that emboldens enemies to invade. Because they have no fear of consequences or punishment. In fact, you and I live in a time when the government actually hands money and services over to the invaders.

And it was money they stole from you and me. To buy votes, influence, and power.

Yeah, America is on the fast and furious road to suicide.

Ol’ Abe told you what you can do about it. But he lived in a time when the majority of the citizens would take his advice. Unfortunately you and I live in a time when his words are considered toxic masculinity.

But freedom, rugged individuality, and masculinity aren’t toxic. Willful ignorance is.

But what can I do?
I’m only one man.
I’d love to see peace in this life
But I don’t have a plan.
Tell me what can I do?
I’m only one guy.
I’d love to see love conquer all and hatred run dry.
But what can I do?
Tell me what can I possibly do?

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

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Posted in current events, Rhymes For Kids, Tony Funderburk | Tagged freedom, toxic masculinity, what you can do, willful ignorance
Tony Funderburk Posted on December 11, 2023 by TonyDecember 11, 2023
God over government is the wisest sentiment

I see it almost every day in so-called “conservative social media.” And I cringe every time I see it. Talk about the so-called “Second Amendment Rights” of every American citizen. I obviously don’t disagree with the right to life and liberty. But your right to defend your life and freedom doesn’t come from a document some well-intentioned men wrote almost 250 years ago. Even if they sort of acknowledged the hierarchy of God over government. Because their words were too vague.

They were brilliant guys. And definitely bold. Don’t think for a minute that I don’t realize that.

But they didn’t stand boldly enough on the Truth that can make you free. And Thomas Jefferson’s watered down religious beliefs probably had much to do with that. (side note: He actually re-wrote his own version of the Bible. And he left out parts he said were “so much absurdity, so much untruth, and charlatanism.” Plus, he said the Gospels were full of “vulgar ignorance.”

Early this morning, I wrote a rhyme based on that and SO much more evidence for the scarcity of wisdom in this world. It’s for anyone who understands something’s not quite right. And that the world is lost and needs…

God Over Government

Rights don’t come from government.
They only come from God.
Man’s words might acknowledge this,
But they can be outlawed.
No one here is sovereign.
And no one here is good.
And nations will disintegrate
Until that’s understood.
Truth will not prevail upon
The ones who choose to hate
The One who is the Truth, the Life,
The Way, and narrow Gate.
“Freedom isn’t free,” they say.
And you won’t disagree,
When you find out what it took
To bring you liberty.
The man-made “constitution,”
Amended to add rights,
Barely reflects the message
From the Father of lights.
He said perfect life awaits
For “who believes in Me.”
Choose God over government.
His Truth shall make you free.

© 2023

If you enjoy my Rhymes and Reasons, here are some ways you can show your support…

Get Tony Funderburk’s Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered right to your device.

Get digital Bible stuff from the same company I do.

Tony’s books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for believers, dreamers, and thinkers

Stay tuned,

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Posted in Author, Bible study, current events, John, Rhymes For Kids, Tony Funderburk | Tagged God over government, government crimes, wisdom and knowledge
Tony Funderburk Posted on December 7, 2023 by TonyDecember 7, 2023
Social media connection took another direction

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,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in Author, current events, Tony Funderburk, Words and Music | Tagged disconnect, love your neighbor, social media connection, social media noise
Tony Funderburk Posted on November 27, 2023 by TonyNovember 27, 2023
Were is past tense. And that's so INtense.

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)

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in Author, Bible study, Christian books for kids, current events, Ezekiel, Rhymes For Kids, Tony Funderburk | Tagged Amazon Author, Ezekiel, selfishness, were is past tense
Tony Funderburk Posted on November 24, 2023 by TonyNovember 24, 2023
Day after Thanksgiving is kinda like cranksgiving

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

Before you go, share this link with everybody you know. Tell ’em to jump on the The TRUTH AND get some music and other fun stuff, for Fa-Ree.

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Posted in current events, Rhymes For Kids, Tony Funderburk | Tagged day after Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day 2023

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