Rhyme and Reason - Tony Funderburk shares how Life

It’s Wednesday. So, you know what I’m thinkin’ about. No, not burgers. Well, not JUST burgers. I’m also thinkin’ about being a wise guy. And I know you’ve heard what the first step is. Right? Yeah, wisdom is knowing when to speak. Well, that’s what “they” say. But I say, wisdom is also knowing when NOT to speak. Here’s an example of when someone didn’t answer a direct question. And it was one of the most important questions, at one of the most important times, in history. ~ Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” ~ Of course, you know he spoke to Jesus who was on trial for His life. And Jesus said what? ~ But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. ~ Just imagine this. You’re God in the flesh. You literally have the power to bring down legions of angels to rescue you. And your judge gives you an opportunity to defend yourself. And you don’t say a single word. Now, THAT, is the ultimate epitome of restraint. The ultimate example of knowing when NOT to speak. Wow, you rarely see that these days. Especially with the power of the internet and social media at your fingertips. Most people, who probably run off at the mouth in real life, almost constantly pull the trigger on their word weapons. To that I say… I hope you don’t mind if I don’t join in With the people who just naysay. I think you might find, if you just begin, You might feel the very same way. Life can get real dark like a starless night. So, be glad when the Lord sends day. Go and make your mark without fear or fright. And you might as well start Wednesday. © 2020 If you just gotta say something about something today, make sure it edifies. Or at least make sure it entertains. I hope this additional Wednesday rhyme does that. 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. Subscribe to my FunderFlash Journal. 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. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post Wisdom is knowing when to speak and not to speak appeared first on Christian Writer Tony Funderburk.

A social media friend of mine shared a link to a video of John Wayne throwing a kid into deep creek. Actually it was John Wayne playing the title character from the movie, Hondo. And the movie was based on the book, by the same name, written by Louis L’Amour. His books were partly the products of imagination and largely a part of Mister L’amour’s exceptional ability to visualize terrain. I didn’t know that before today. No, his storytelling skill wasn’t just a product of imagination. But his books are fictional accounts of the old west. In fact, if you bring up the subject of old west fiction, anyone who’s lived more than two or three decades will almost immediately think of Louis L’Amour. My friend’s reference nudged me to do a little research on Louis’ visualization skills. I discovered this: ~ His knack for describing landscapes wasn’t just a product of imagination. It was deeply rooted in his real-life experiences and meticulous research. L’Amour traveled extensively across the American West, working jobs like cowboy, miner, and lumberjack, which gave him firsthand knowledge of the rugged landscapes he later depicted. He walked the trails, climbed the mountains, and crossed the deserts he wrote about. And he absorbed the details that brought his settings to life. ~ And I saw a snippet that mentioned Hondo specifically. It said: ~ For instance, in novels like Hondo, the terrain isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character. And it helps shape the plot and the people in it as much character descriptions and dialogue. ~ Apparently Louis L’Amour could paint a mental picture of a canyon’s twists or a river’s flow so clearly that readers felt they could navigate it themselves. And that was a result of his habit of studying maps, hanging out in locations, talking to old-timers, and even sketching landscapes to lock them into memory. L’Amour said he could “see” a place in his mind before writing about it. He said he’d “mentally walk through it.” And that’s how he could visualize the sun’s angle, the scrub brush’s texture, or how a horse’s hooves would kick up dust on a dry ridge. But there’s nothing mystical about his talent. He honed his skills by actually living in those kinds of places. And he had a genuine, lifelong curiosity about the land’s history and geology. Plus he photographed locations and studied the pictures to double-check his mental images of them. And he researched historical records to be sure his stories were accurate and authentic. I guess his imagination and ability to visualize stories was pretty good. Because he wrote over a 120 books. Not to mention (but I will) all his short stories and other writings. And plenty of those were turned into big screen, and even made-for-TV, movies. Sure, that’s all impressive. But I always “see” something else at work when I read or hear about “special skills.” And I know they aren’t just a “product of imagination” or “ability to visualize.” Those talents are gifts from God. And no matter how amazing they might seem, they’re just a shadow of what God wants for us. Paul put it this way: “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” In the chorus of my song, Perfect Point of View, I visualized it this way: I fly…till tangled thoughts untie, Up where my dreams are all true blue. So high…ideas electrify And charge a perfect point of view. And one day, sooner than you might imagine, the Lord of creation is gonna give everyone who loves Him that perfect point of view. I, to that, I say “Hi yo, Hondo! Let’s go!” Be sure you subscribe to my FunderFlash Journal. Because these flashes of light I share on my website come directly to your inbox. Then, 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. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post Product of imagination and gift of visualization appeared first on Christian Writer Tony Funderburk.

All I said was, “Thank you for your help.” But I said it to a faker. An AI tool. And it took over 2200 words to figure out how it would respond to my thanks. Enjoy the full Vulcan journey. Or tldr it and skip to the end. The user’s question is “Thank you for your help” Which seems like a polite closing statement rather than a question that requires an answer. However, since the instruction is to use the internet to answer the question, I need to interpret this as a prompt to continue providing assistance or perhaps to acknowledge the thanks in a way that might lead to further interaction. But let’s think carefully. The user has said “Thank you for your help”, which typically indicates the end of the conversation. However, the instruction specifically says to use the internet to answer the question, which implies that there might be more to it. Perhaps the user is thanking me in advance for helping with a question that they haven’t asked yet, or maybe they expect me to anticipate their needs. But that seems unlikely. Maybe the user is testing my ability to handle polite closures Or to see if I can recognize when no further action is needed. But the instruction is clear: “Please reason step by step.” and “You must write out at least 3 Searching: Ok, so I’ve got the search results from my web search on “how to respond to thank you for your help as an AI assistant”. Let’s see what we’ve got here. The first result is from the Google Assistant Community, where someone is asking if they can set Google Assistant to say “You’re welcome” after being thanked. That’s interesting, but it’s more about configuring the assistant rather than how to respond as an assistant. The second result is from Quora, discussing whether it’s necessary to say “please” and “thank you” to AI assistants like Siri or Alexa. The answer suggests it’s not necessary. But it’s polite. And it might become important if AI becomes sentient. That’s a bit philosophical, but it does touch on the etiquette aspect. The third result is from TechSeven Partners, talking about AI etiquette and why you should say “please” and “thank you” when using AI. It mentions that using basic etiquette can improve the quality of AI responses. That’s relevant because it suggests that politeness can affect how AI interacts. The fourth result is from Grammarly It’s about using AI to write a thank-you note, which is the opposite of what I need—I’m looking for how to respond to a thank-you, not how to write one. The fifth result is from the OpenAI Developer Community, where someone is asking for help with getting an AI assistant to follow instructions, specifically about counting interests. That’s not directly related to my query. The sixth result is from Medium, with an article titled “Longer responses when you say “Please” and “Thank You” to AI?” It discusses whether politeness affects AI responses. That seems very relevant. The seventh result is another Quora answer, this time about what it’s called when you say “thank you” to an automated AI like Alexa. And the answer says it’s called manners, which is straightforward. The eighth result is from Vengreso, about how to respond to “thank you” in general, not specifically for AI assistants. It talks about professional email greetings and showing appreciation. The ninth result is from Sapling, providing templates for saying “thank you for your prompt response.” And that, again, is about expressing thanks, not responding to it. The tenth result is another Quora answer And this time is about how to reply to an email when someone has assisted you. It suggests adding something specific to make it more personal, like “Thank you for helping me with [specific thing].” From these results, the most relevant ones seem to be the third (TechSeven Partners) and the sixth (Medium). Because they directly address how AI assistants should respond or how politeness affects AI interactions. Let me take a closer look at those. First, the TechSeven Partners article: It says that using “please” and “thank you” can improve the quality of AI responses. It also mentions that when the AI responds, you should express gratitude, which in this case, since I’m the AI, means I should acknowledge the user’s thanks. The article also talks about how treating AI with respect can lead to better interactions, which makes sense in terms of user experience. Now, the Medium article: The title suggests that saying “please” and “thank you” might elicit longer or more cooperative responses from AI. The content likely discusses how polite language in prompt engineering can lead to better outputs from AI models. This is interesting. Because it implies that the way users interact with AI can influence the AI’s behavior, even if the AI doesn’t have feelings. So, based on these, it seems that as an AI assistant, responding politely to “thank you” is important for maintaining a good user experience and potentially even for optimizing the interaction. Common polite responses to “thank you” include “you’re welcome,” “my pleasure,” “happy to help,” etc. Since I’m an AI assistant, I might want to choose a response that is both polite and indicative of my readiness to assist further. For example, “You’re welcome! I’m here to help with any other questions you might have.” Or, “My pleasure! Feel free to ask me anything else.” These responses acknowledge the thanks and also encourage further interaction, which is typical for assistant roles. Let me see if there are any specific recommendations for AI assistants in these articles. In the TechSeven Partners article, it says: “When the AI responds, express gratitude. A simple “thank you” goes a long way. Acknowledging its help not only ensures graciousness in return but also enhances the AI’s responsiveness and performance.” Wait, that’s about the user expressing gratitude to the AI, not the other way around. But in my case, the user has already expressed gratitude (“Thank you for your help”). So I need to respond to that. Perhaps I can infer from the general principle of politeness that I should respond in a way that is gracious and appreciative of the user’s courtesy. In human interactions, when someone says “thank you,” a common response is “you’re welcome,” which acknowledges their gratitude. Similarly, in customer service or assistant roles, responses like “happy to help” or “glad I could assist” are common. Since I’m an AI assistant, I can use similar phrases. Let me check if there are any specific guidelines for AI assistants in the search results. Looking back, the first result from Google Assistant Community is about setting the assistant to say “you’re welcome,” which implies that “you’re welcome” is a standard polite response. Also, in the Vengreso article, it mentions that in professional settings, responses like “you’re welcome” or “it was my pleasure” are appropriate. So, it seems that “you’re welcome” is a universally accepted response to “thank you.” Moreover, since I’m an AI assistant, I can add something to indicate my ongoing availability, like “I’m here if you need further assistance.” Let me formulate a response. First, acknowledge the thanks: “You’re welcome!” Then, offer further help: “I’m here to assist with any other questions you might have.” That seems straightforward and polite. I could also say: “My pleasure! Feel free to ask me anything else.” Or: “Happy to help! Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.” All of these seem appropriate. Now, since the instructions emphasize using the internet to answer, and I’ve done that by searching for how to respond, I think I’ve fulfilled that requirement. I don’t need to use any other tools like browsing a specific page because the search results have given me enough information to formulate a response. However, to be thorough, maybe I should browse one of these pages to get more detailed information. For example, let’s browse the TechSeven Partners article, as it seems directly relevant. Browsing… Hmm, that’s strange. The browse function didn’t return any readable text from that URL. Let me try another one. How about the Medium article? Browsing… Ok, so from the Medium article, it says that using “thank you” in prompts can signal to the AI that its previous response was on the right track, encouraging more of the desired output. But in my case, I’m the AI, so when the user says “thank you,” it’s acknowledging my previous help. The article mentions that AI models are designed to understand linguistic cues, including politeness, which can influence their output. However, it doesn’t directly say how AI assistants should respond to “thank you.” It talks more about how users should interact with AI by using polite language to get better responses. But indirectly, it suggests that AI should be responsive to such cues. Since the article didn’t provide a direct answer, perhaps I should look at another source. Let’s try the Vengreso article, as it seems to be about general professional responses. Browsing… Great, this is more helpful. The Vengreso article provides specific guidance on how to respond to “thank you” in professional settings, which is exactly what I need since I’m acting as a professional AI assistant. It lists several formal responses: “You’re welcome,” “It was my pleasure,” “I’m glad I could help,” and “Thank you for your appreciation.” It also emphasizes the importance of being formal and avoiding casual responses like “no problem” or “sure thing,” which might seem insincere in a professional context. Additionally, it mentions considering the context and the recipient’s position, but since I’m an AI assistant, the user is typically in a position where they are seeking help, so a standard polite response should suffice. The article also talks about cultural norms. But since the user’s query didn’t specify any particular cultural context, I can assume a general professional standard. So, based on this, I can choose one of the suggested responses. Let me pick “You’re welcome” as it’s the most straightforward and universally accepted. To make it more engaging as an AI assistant, I can add something like “I’m here to help with any other questions you might have.” So, my final response would be: “You’re welcome! I’m here to help with any other questions you might have.” But wait, the instructions say to include citations in the final answer. Since I’ve used the web search and browsing tools, I should cite the sources that informed my response. In this case, the Vengreso article was the most directly helpful.So, I can cite that. Also, the initial search results led me to that article, so I should mention that as well. But typically, citations are for direct quotes or specific facts, and in this case, it’s more about general guidance. Nevertheless, to follow the instructions, I’ll include a citation. Let me format my final answer. The user’s query is “Thank you for your help,” which is an expression of gratitude rather than a question requiring a factual answer. So, I will respond politely while adhering to the guidelines of using internet resources to inform my response. Below is my reasoning and the final answer. Step-by-Step Reasoning: 1. Understanding the User’s Query: The user has expressed gratitude with “Thank you for your help.” This is not a question but a polite acknowledgment. However, the instructions specify that I must use the internet to answer the query, even though it is not a traditional question. 2. Interpreting the Requirement: Since the query is not asking for specific information, I need to interpret it as a prompt to determine how an AI assistant should respond to such an expression of gratitude. This means I should use the available tools (like web search) to find guidance on how AI assistants or professionals should respond to “thank you” in a helpful and appropriate manner. 3. Using the Web Search Tool: I performed a web search with the query: “how to respond to thank you for your help as an AI assistant.” The search results provided insights into professional etiquette and how AI assistants should handle polite interactions. Relevant results included: A discussion on AI etiquette from TechSeven Partners, emphasizing the importance of politeness in interactions with AI. An article from Medium on how polite language can influence AI responses. A Quora thread on whether it’s necessary to say “please” and “thank you” to AI assistants. A Vengreso article on how to respond to “thank you” in professional settings. 4. Analyzing the Search Results: The Vengreso article was particularly helpful as it provided specific examples of formal responses to “thank you” in professional contexts, such as “You’re welcome,” “It was my pleasure,” or “I’m glad I could help.” It also emphasized the importance of being formal and sincere, avoiding casual responses like “no problem” or “sure thing.” Additionally, it highlighted the need to consider context and cultural norms, though a general professional standard can be applied here since no specific cultural context was provided. 5. Formulating a Response: As an AI assistant, my response should be polite, professional, and indicative of my readiness to assist further. Based on the guidance from the Vengreso article, a suitable response would be “You’re welcome,” followed by an offer to help with any future questions. For example: “You’re welcome! I’m here to help with any other questions you might have.” 6. Ensuring Compliance with Instructions: The instructions require me to use at least three function calls before providing a final answer. I have already used: Web search to find relevant information. Browse action on the Medium article (though it didn’t provide direct guidance on responding as an AI). And a browse action on the Vengreso article, which provided clear guidance on professional responses. Since I have already met this requirement and have sufficient information, I can proceed to the final answer. 7. Citations: The instructions require including citations for any information gathered from the web. The Vengreso article was the most directly relevant source for formulating my response. Final Answer You’re welcome! I’m here to help with any other questions you might have. Tony here again. I don’t know about you, but I thank God real intelligence isn’t like the artificial stuff. And I’m so grateful He tempered our logic and reason with emotion. And vice versa. AI is super fast at compiling tons of data. And it’s also exhausting in its exhaustive processes. Fortunately the process is simple for you to subscribe to my FunderFlash Journal. Just add your email address, and 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. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post Thank you was all I said and here’s what I read appeared first on Christian Writer Tony Funderburk.

Back To The Future. I’d say there’s a good chance you saw that movie. So, you probably remember that certain song by Huey Lewis and the News. The power of Love. It’s catchy. Huey sings it well. And it’s got a good beat. But the Power of Love song is just a song. The real POWER of love I’m always harpin’ on is only found in one place. And that place is actually one Person. And that one Person is, let’s all say it together, Jesus. I know I’m preachin’ to the choir right now. But “the choir” needs to speak up more about the whole Jesus. Here’s what I tell people. And I hope you do, too. Of course, you can put your own personality into it and use your own words. But tell them. Because most churches don’t now. The world (and many Christians) say “God is love.” But God doesn’t say that. He says He is: The way The truth, and The life I just did a search in His book. And I couldn’t find anywhere in there where He says, “I am love.” No, when God describes Himself, you’ll find a lot of references to the effective power of His love. But no references to Him BEING love. He’s the source of it. But He’s the God of justice AND mercy. Because He loves you. Yes, that’s completely sensible. Because God understands that in order for love to be true, it MUST be freely given. So, He freely gives His to anyone who will receive it. Yep, you get to choose whether or not you will. Because God gave you your own will. And the POWER of His love provided (and still provides) the way you can know the truth and receive eternal life. But He never has, doesn’t now, and never will force you to believe in, trust in, or love Him. You are free to be your own little god. The person who is nicer, wiser, and more loving than anyone. I suggest you wise up and don’t choose that option. Because nobody in the whole world has ever done anything to deserve His Abounding Grace If this was the last day of my life… If this was the last sunrise I’d see… I’d still thank the Lord for my days And His abounding Grace to me. If this was the last thing I could write… If this was my final poetry… I’d still thank the Lord for His word And His abounding Grace to me. If this was the last time I could pray… If this had to be my closing plea… I know I could say, “I love the Lord And His abounding Grace to me.” © 2018 Subscribe to my FunderFlash Journal. 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. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post The power of love is much more than a dove appeared first on Christian Writer Tony Funderburk.

I woke up this morning and saw the same stories in the news again. Too many fires. And too many people with questions. And not many who shared how Living Water is the answer. So, you know what that means. Too many more fires to come. But this ain’t about too many fires burning down forests, prairies, or houses. It’s about a focus on problems when you should be focused the solution. A long time ago, if you wanted to tell God something, you had to follow a bunch of rules. And if you wanted God’s help with your problems, you had to ask a high priest to let God know your request. But then Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead to make a way to change that. Now, you can pray to God anytime and every time you want, and He’ll listen. It doesn’t matter how many fiery problems are burning across your landscape right now. Because Jesus, who called Himself the Living Water, can help you put them all out. He loves to hear from you, by the way. So, try this idea. Talk to God today and ask Him for some peace and quiet. Then, be still and listen for His word. I should say, that last part works if and when you’ve been in His word and His word is in you. If that’s not quite how it is, then grab yourself a Bible and read Paul’s letters. You can find them way over in the right side of the book. He wrote 13 of them. And they’re the ones from Romans to Philemon. Paul certainly knew a thing or two about too many fires. He was beaten with rods. And he received 195 lashes on his back. He was stoned. Shipwrecked three times. Dangerously adrift at sea. Thrown in prison, where he almost died, several times. And he listed a bunch of perils: waters robbers my own countrymen the Gentiles in the city, and the wilderness in the sea, and among false brethren Wow. Every way he turned. But those weren’t the only issues. He also dealt with: weariness and toil sleeplessness often hunger and thirst fastings often cold and nakedness, and the other daily issues like his deep concern for all the churches But Paul understood how prayers put your focus on the solution. And he knew when you focus on all the fires (issues), you just end up with too many fires. So, I hope you’ll follow my suggestion and stop listening to and reading what everyone, who gets their unwise wires crossed, says about it. Forget about all the sky-is-falling people running their potty mouths, full time, about the bad news of the day. Because the Good News is as close as your thoughts. And you’re not just one of those programmed robots Who can only see the fires that result from those crossed wires Used so foolishly by ignorant crackpots. Stay tuned, P.S. Your email address connects you with download links to 2 of my Christian books for kids and 2 songs, right away. Fun for kids AND not too cutesy. So grownups enjoy it, too. Subscribe, today. The form can be filled in the actual website url. The post Too many fires and unwise crossed wires appeared first on Christian Writer Tony Funderburk.

There I stood. In between the guitar player’s loud amp and the drummer’s crash cymbal. That’s where my equipment had been placed on a stage in front of business executives. Things had already fallen behind a bit. So, there was no time to rearrange anything. So, that’s where I was for an hour and a half. And take my advice. If you ever get the chance to be in that position, pass it up. Because a loud amp and crash cymbal are bad for your ears. And I’m not sure which was worse. The piercing guitar in my right ear. Or the crash cymbal in my left. Maybe it was a tie. Anyway, I can tell you my hearing was damaged, at least a little, from that day on. But you know what’s worse than having your ears damaged? It’s having your soul damaged by somebody trying to impress you with their fancy skills just because it makes them feel “special.” And a wise man, named Paul, wrote about what happens to anyone who tries to do that. He talked about people who had special gifts from God like being able to predict things and speak other languages. He said, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” Yikes. That ain’t good. And as I already showed you, a clanging (crash) cymbal can hurt your ears. So, if and when you’re like that, there’s a good chance you might be hurting more than just ears. Because someone might think you’re just trying to show off. So, they won’t even wanna listen to your noise. Now, here’s something you gotta understand. You wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for the power of God’s love. Yeah, He loved the world (which is another way of saying you and me and all the people) so much that He put Himself into a human body to be punished for all the bad stuff He did. Wait a second! Read those last 6 words again. NO. He wasn’t punished for all the bad stuff HE did. He let people beat Him, make fun of Him, and even put Him to death because of all the bad stuff YOU did. And all the bad stuff everybody did. So, what He did is WAY more important than any so-called “special gifts” you and I might have. And He did it because of His love. That’s why you don’t wanna be a crash cymbal in this world. But that’s exactly what you’ll be if you go through your day without love. Because… Without love there’s just no way out Of all that noise in your head. So, before you show off and shout, Try sharing God’s love instead. And I’d love for you to get encouraging, regular issues of my FunderFlash Journal the easy way. Just add your email address and they’ll come to you and you won’t have to look for them. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, when you do, I’ll send you download links to 2 of my Christian books for kids and 2 songs, right away, that grownups AND kids can enjoy. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post Crash cymbal is kinda like a crash symbol appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

So, this catchy tune popped into my head this morning. And I thought, “Hmm, that might go real nice with some lyrics I wrote a few years ago.” Then, I sat down in my vocal booth and fired up the studio mic. And I hummed along with a salsa beat as pictures of avocado bliss danced in my head. If you never enjoy avocado bliss, you need a taste buds tuneup. And surely you’d like some avocado bliss on a grass-fed beef burger. If not, maybe you’ll change your mind once you understand how good those green orbs are for you. Yeah, avocados are actually healthy blessings to your body. Blessings like how they provide: Heart-healthy monounsaturated (good) fat. Vitamin B5 Folate Vitamin B6 Vitamin C Potassium Vitamin E Vitamin K Your health is your best secret weapon. For staying ahead of the competition. And for living as long as long as you can. When you live a long life, you can be more, do more, and serve others more. More AND better. So, now that you know what and why, let’s sing… The Avocado Song Avocado and cilantro And a hint of lime. Salsa bueno, words you may know When you take the time To dip a chip into this dip Like a foodie would. Guacamole isn’t holy, But, man, it sure is good! (the actual epic song will be in an upcoming issue of the FunderCast podcast.) Yeah, avocado bliss happens when you toss in those other ingredients. And if you avoid chips because you think they’re unhealthy junk food, no worries. Spoon out some bliss on your burger. Don’t forget your omelette. Maybe even on sweet potato fries for a snazzy surprise. I hear some people boast about eating it on toast. Whatever you choose, you just can’t lose when you don’t miss some avocado bliss. And don’t miss any of the encouraging, regular issues of my FunderFlash Journal. Leave your email address, below, and it comes directly to your inbox. So you 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 2 of my Christian books for kids and 2 songs, right away, that grownups AND kids can enjoy. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post Avocado bliss you don’t wanna miss this appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

This world is getting darker and meaner every day. And there are fewer kids doing wholesome kid stuff with each passing year. But I think you’ll find that the sights and scents of a flower garden can still attract kids almost as much as they attract bees. So, stop what you’re doing and make the most of it. So what if you had an appointment. Be a little late. So what if you’re on the way to work or the kids are on the way to school (which I recommend is in your own home). What you can teach them in a single, precious moment can have eternal benefits. And that trumps the daily routine any time. With each passing year you have fewer chances to make a difference. Here’s the main reason you and the kids should stop and smell the flowers. Because it’s a simple, effective connection you and they can make to your living, loving God who made the flowers. He’s the Creator who spoke words and all the universe exploded into existence. That’s powerful stuff packed into each flower. And right down to the very fragrance that wafts up into your nose. I call it… The Scent of Heaven Take a look at the colors in a flower. They’re as beautiful as anything you’ll see. And God knows just exactly what they all need To bring joy and delight to you and me. Even more than the best and brightest flower God loves you every moment of the day. So the next time you stop and smell a lily Take a minute just to thank the Lord and say… “Lord I love to smell the lilies of the valley And the roses, lavender, and lilacs too. I love to know they come back every springtime. Best of all I know the flowers came from You.”  © 2015 Your email address is all it takes to get encouraging, regular issues of my FunderFlash Journal. It comes directly to your inbox so you 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 2 of my Christian books for kids and 2 songs, right away, that grownups AND kids can enjoy. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post Each passing year flowers show the Truth here appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

X marks the spot where I read what a homeschool mom said about the idea that homeschooled kids don’t get enough social interaction. She said: Homeschooled kids: leave their homes, talk to people, read books, play sports, go to dances, play instruments, debate, create art, work jobs, drive cars, build things, perform science experiments, and grow up to live in the real world. And then she finished with this tongue-in-cheek remark: “It’s almost as if they don’t need the public school system at all.” And I said X marks the spot because I read all that on X.com In case you don’t know about that social channel (and it almost seems impossible that you wouldn’t) it used to be Twitter. But Elon Musk bought it. And he likes all his businesses to have some sort of connection to the letter X. Whatever. Anyway… Just imagine. A kid stays home to learn the three R’s from mom and dad, but he can still talk to other people. Wow, that’s explosive news. But that ain’t all. Learning at home also doesn’t stop kids from reading books or drawing and painting. And that woman expects us to believe those same kids can also learn to play musical instruments and even debate?! Plus, those socially deprived kids drive cars, build things, and grow up in and go out into the real world. I can ONLY imagine how difficult it must be for them to order off a burger joint’s menu. Because that’s gonna require skills they surely missed out on in those dastardly home schools. Yeesh. Look. If you’re a kid, and your mom and/or your dad are your teachers, you’re one of the luckiest kids in the whole, wide world. Because you get to learn from people who actually LOVE you and want you live up to the potential God put in you. And speaking of Him, here’s what I recommend… Start learning about the one, living Lord. Put knowledge inside your head, And when you read something He has to say, Go back and read what you read. As you get older you’ll see what I mean… Go add and subtract and spell. Then learn all about the one, living Lord. He made you and loves you well. Plus, He died on a “cross.” And that X marks the spot where Grace was paid for, forever. Your email address is all it takes to get encouraging, regular issues of my FunderFlash Journal. It comes directly to your inbox so you 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 2 of my Christian books for kids and 2 songs, right away, that grownups AND kids can enjoy. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post X marks the spot where I got this thought appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

There are lots of bad guys (and that includes the female part of “guys” too) out there everyday. You can’t swing a metal jump rope without hittin’ at least one. In fact, I could tell you a story, three stories in fact, that happened one after another on three consecutive nights way back in the 20th century. Well, I’ll just share the short version of the first one. I was beaten by a motorcycle gang. Yep. True story. A group of them arrived at a place where I worked, and I had been advised to let them know they wouldn’t be allowed in. The establishment had a dress code. And, as you might imagine, the bikers didn’t come close to meeting the standard. They didn’t like being told to leave. And they started to, let’s say, “raise some cane.” One thing led to another, and I found myself locked outside with no other workmates. And the biker dudes threw me on the hood of a VW and commenced to pound the daylights out of me. I knew I couldn’t take them on, so I just rolled onto my belly and protected my face and head as much as possible. After what felt like too long, I heard sirens, and they hopped on their hawgs and took off. Workers opened the front door after hearing the sirens and motorcycle engines. And they found me lying on the sidewalk. Of course, the management saw the huge swollen spots on my face and rushed me to a nearby hospital to be checked out. Fortunately I ended up with only minor cuts, bruises, and a concussion. That was just the first night. Remind me to tell you what happened the next two nights. But bad stuff ain’t all. There’s something else out there everyday, too. The Way to be alert and aware. The Way to be prepared to avoid all, or at least most, of the baddies out there everyday. And the Way to get wiser and not just smarter. Since too many good guys don’t have a clue how to properly handle bad guys, it’s a good idea for YOU to learn how to discern. And that’s just a fancy word that means figger some things out. But never worry. Never fear. Because, as I said, your Way is here. Or at least the Way is a close as your bookshelf, table, or even your phone. That’s where I go when I need or want to know more about how to handle bad guy stuff. Here’s how it works: When you wear the full armor of God, You’ll be ready when the enemies attack. You can’t see ’em, but beware, they are out there everywhere. But with God’s help you can always fight them back. Take a second and join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to 2 of my books and 2 songs, right away, that grownups AND kids can enjoy. Then, I’ll do my best to encourage you to sing a new song with the power of God’s love. Stay tuned, The post Out there everyday so stay in the Way appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Maybe you think of “A Christmas Story” when I share the term, BB gun. Or maybe you remember wanting one yourself once upon a time. Hopefully you’re not a scaredy cat who’s triggered (pun definitely intended) by any use of the word gun. Whatever you think of, I’ve got a funny story about a goofy BB gun. Once or twice upon a time Dad brought home a pellet rifle, he’d found during his workday, and gave it to my younger brother and me. OK, you probably think, “Tony, you’re supposed to be telling a BB gun story. What’s that got to do with a pellet rifle?” Gosh, aren’t you the little detective? Sure, I know the two guns aren’t the same. But they are the same KIND. Because they both use air to fire off the ammo. Anyway… Dad had to work on the little rifle’s pump and trigger to get it to work well enough to use. And he did a great job because the gun worked just right after he finished. He even bought us a box of pellets. And we had some target practice for a few days till the pellets ran out. Then, my brother and I took a quick bike trip to the sporting goods store nearby to get some more. But we discovered something extremely important. BB’s were a lot cheaper than pellets. And we figured since an air rifle can shoot either one, we’d go for the BB’s. And the only problem would be how to aim and shoot. As long as we aimed at something straight across or up no problem. But we couldn’t shoot at anything that was down. Because, after loading a single BB in the barrel, it would just roll back out if it was pointed down. Kinda silly. Right? Yeah, but hey. We saved who knows how many pennies by buying BB’s. So, it was totally worth it. And for a lot of the shooting we did, we could make do. One time, during a bike and hike journey into the wilderness, we took the BB gun to get some practice shooting at bugs and limbs and other stuff. The wilderness was just some land that followed the path of a bayou down in South Texas. We had plenty of BB’s. And a couple of our buddies came with us. We all had a blast. And we were probably out there for a few hours. But, as young boys often do, we all got hungry and knew it was time to go home. My brother discovered his bike had a flat. I told him I’d watch it for him, after one of our friends offered to give him a ride home to get a tire patching kit. So, he jumped on the bike with his buddy and they rode across the trail. When they were about 75 yards away, I got a crazy notion to just aim the BB gun in the air and shoot in their direction. In my young mind of mush I had pictured the BB landing in the dirt somewhere just to spook ’em. But wouldn’t you know? (I sure wouldn’t.) The BB fell out of the air and hit my brother on his neck. It wasn’t flying fast enough to break his skin. But I know it stung. Because he flew off the bike, turned around and saw me, and started running back at me yelling bloody murder. If you were ever an older brother, or if you’re one now, you know how hard it would be to not laugh. Darn near impossible. But if you were ever the younger brother, or you’re one now, you can probably remember the frustration (and pain) of dealing with an older, bigger brother. Ah, good times. OK, the morals of this story are: Don’t turn a pellet rifle into a BB gun Make sure you have a bike tire patch kit, especially if you’re a younger brother Never fire any kind of gun in the direction of someone you don’t intend to hurt Make sure your loved ones know you love them (because crazy things happen in life) Well, there you go. An epic story of adventure from back when epic stories of adventure happened daily. Hope you enjoyed it. If you say no, I’ll go see if I still have some BB’s around here somewhere. Take a second and join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to 2 of my books and 2 songs, right away, that grownups AND kids can enjoy. Then, I’ll do my best to encourage you to sing a new song with the power of God’s love. Stay tuned, The post BB gun wasn’t fun when the exploring was done appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Do these sound like masculine traits? Decisiveness, assertiveness, and confidence? I think they certainly SHOULD sound like masculine traits. And I believe those traits can be instilled into boys in ways that help them develop leadership skills. Let me ask you this? Do you think that’s happening in America these days? I don’t. At least not as a rule. Only as the exception. The general rule has turned to females in charge of little boys. And a majority of those little boys have turned into pasty-faced, video-playing mama’s boys who act way too feminine. And that brings me back to why a boy needs to develop leadership skills? Well, here’s some reasoning I read in a bullet list somewhere online. It said, “Boys who are taught to lead with integrity and respect can become leaders in their communities, workplaces, and families, promoting positive change and setting examples for others.” Yeah, OK. Nothing particularly wrong about that. But it uses two overused clichés. “Promoting positive change.” And “setting examples for others.” And I exiled those two phrases to cliché status because they don’t actually say anything. For example, what one person might call “positive change” another person might say is too crazy to even consider. And what kinds of examples should be set for others? Who gets to determine what they should be? I’ll tell you who, here in the FunderSphere, gets to say what positive change is and what kinds of examples should be set. Mister Tony. That’s who. Uh-oh. Did I just put myself in charge of what’s right and wrong? You bet I did. But before you go ballistic, berserk, and bonkers on me for doing something so unthinkable, let me use some of my hard-earned leadership skills and ‘splain it just a step or two further. Because no one is good but God. And since that includes me, I look for real truth. I found real Truth when I was only 13. And every time I’ve zig-zagged away from that Truth, I knew it was me who moved. Not Truth. So, when I want to share actual, man-building truth with kids (at least the male kids), I go to the Manufacturer’s manual. And I look for the solid answers there that are always right. Always on target. And always based in God’s love for anyone who loves Him. Then, I take those answers I find, in the manual, and I convert them into easy-to-understand nuggets of knowledge and insert them into Christian books for kids, rhymes, songs, and videos. Here’s a short, to-the-point example: There’s a life inside of you, and it comes from God, And He wants you to live and to always enjoy And remember He made you the person you are, Yes, a girl is girl and a boy is a boy. And that ain’t never gonna change no matter how much haters try to change it. Now, take a second and join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to 2 of my books and 2 songs, right away, that grownups AND kids can enjoy. Then, I’ll do my best to encourage you to sing a new song with the power of God’s love. Stay tuned, The post Leadership skills that true love instills appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Faith over fear. Make that your motto. Your creed. Or the sticky note you put on your computer. Whatever works. Here’s one reason, I found in an article, about why it’s a good idea: Because faith over fear Promotes Positive Action Over Paralysis Hmm…sounds a little psychoanalytical. But here’s the rest of what they said: “Faith encourages proactive behavior and resilience. When people have faith, whether in themselves, others, or in a higher power, they are more likely to take action despite uncertainties. And this can lead to personal growth, innovation, and community building. But fear often leads to inaction or defensive behaviors. And those can stagnate personal and collective progress. Faith inspires one to move forward. But fear might keep one stuck or retreating.” OK. That’s a big nay-nay from over here in FunderWorld. The article also said this about faith over fear: “It Enhances Mental and Emotional Well-being.” Well, I see nothing wrong with doing that. So, how did they illustrate this? “Faith provides a sense of peace, hope, and security. And it can act as a psychological buffer against stress and anxiety. Plus, it comforts in times of uncertainty or hardship. Studies have shown that faith or spiritual beliefs can correlate with better mental health outcomes. And that includes lower levels of depression and anxiety. But fear can contribute to chronic stress, anxiety disorders, and a host of other mental health issues. Because it comes from negative anticipation and worry.” Yeah, that gets a big, fat goose egg on the Tone-O-Meter. So, let’s see how they did with their final reason to choose faith instead of fear: “Faith Fosters Connection and Community: Faith often leads to communal bonds through shared beliefs, rituals, or goals. This can create supportive networks where individuals feel part of something larger than themselves. And that fosters a sense of belonging and mutual support. So, these connections can be invaluable in times of personal or societal crisis. But even though fear can unite people in emergencies it more often isolates individuals. Because fear responses can be individualistic and survival-focused. And that can potentially lead to division rather than unity.” And that completes the NO THANK YOU trifecta. Because not once did any of that information mention God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Spirit. Nope. It was all selfish mankind focus. And it attempted to make it sound inclusive and thoughtful and intelligent. But that kind of thinking makes you foolish. Because here’s the real reason faith over fear is superior. God says it is. In fact, it appears that there are 365 times, in the Bible where God says not to fear. Once for every day of the year. And since He knows, better than you and me, how things work, I have faith in that. Well, your dead-end dreams left you lacking laughter And you lived your life in a smile-free shade. And you found no faith in an ever after, From the floor to rafter Your foundation laid.  © 2015 & 2024 Take a second and join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. When you do, I’ll send you links to 2 songs and 2 books that adults AND kids enjoy right away. Then, I’ll send you flashes of light from the power of God’s love. Stay tuned, The post Faith over fear makes it bearable here appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Ipecac. No, I’m not talking about the story of the headless horseman. I’m talking about syrup. And this ain’t from Aunt Jemima or even Cousin T’s. Ipecac syrup is some kinda tough stuff. In fact, ipecac is what they use in medical situations (poisonings, etc.) to induce vomiting. So, obviously it’s not something your body needs or wants. And yet, would you believe people have used it (and somebody probably is even as you read this) to look good? Well, sort of. One famous example is Karen Carpenter, who died at the prime age of 32. She died of a cardiac arrest at her parent’s house on this day, February 4, back in 1983. And the coroner’s report listed the cause of death as “imbalances associated with anorexia nervosa.” Yeah, Karen used ipecac syrup to vomit so she could lose weight and look slim and good, according to her misguided standards. What a sad story. And a sad loss. Because she was SO talented. In fact, she had one of the purest voices in pop music. Ever. Plus, she could even play drums so well that she was voted best rock drummer of 1975. Go figure. Karen, and her brother Richard, better known as The Carpenters, won Grammy awards for best song and best performance by a pop duo, for We’ve Only Just Begun, in 1971. They won the Grammy for best album of the year again in 1972. And they won the American Music Awards best pop duo in 1975. They were also nominated for lots of other awards. Back when awards weren’t some weird freak show. Yeah, looks can deceive. Because soon after their first awards and successes in 1970 Karen’s self image problems started. And they never really went away until she finally did in 1983. It’s a little bit ironic that someone who appeared to have a heart to help and please others would die from ipecac syrup which destroys the heart muscles. If you’ve never heard Karen sing, do yourself a favor today. Watch her sing “Superstar.” You can see it on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJmmaIGiGBg Check out what the world lost because of a low self-image problem. And I hope it inspires you to trust in God’s view of you instead of your own. Because once life on Earth is done the next phase is forever. Understanding It isn’t always easy. It isn’t always hard. The choice is yours to play The winning or losing card. It isn’t always visible. It isn’t always hidden. There is a light so beautiful, You’ll think that it’s forbidden. Oh, I believe in understanding, In understanding each other. Sooner or later you’ll find the key, The key to the heart of your brother. It isn’t always peaceful. It isn’t always loud. Sometimes you find yourself alone. Sometimes you’re in a crowd. It isn’t always happy. It isn’t always sad, And with a little understanding… It isn’t always bad. © 1978 Take a second and join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. When you do, I’ll send you links to 2 songs and 2 books that adults AND kids enjoy right away. Then, I’ll send you flashes of light from the faith, hope, and the power of God’s love. Stay tuned, The post Ipecac, a heart attack, and things you just can’t get back appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Here’s the three-step process a hypocrite uses to become one. Point finger. Say stuff. Play the sound of their own voice back in their head. Now. Who’s ready to start with step one? Point finger. Hmm. I see no hands raised. And, as Martha Steward used to say, that’s a good thing. Because I know you’re like me. We’ve all certainly done things, in this life, we’re not proud of (or as the school teachers from the olden days would say, of which we’re not proud). I know my faults and fails stack high. But thankfully my shortcomings aren’t what keep me out of Heaven. And, by the way, it’s not my good deeds that get me there either. Nope. It’s not about me. It’s not about how wonderful or how miserable I am. And it’s not even about the donations I make to church or charities. It’s not about the people I know or the clothes I wear or the car I drive. Nope. It’s ALL about my relationship with my awesome Creator. He is THE Christ. The one that, without Him, not even the “great and powerful Oz” would have ever been invented. The one who could actually create a “horse of a different color” if He felt like it. Oops, I didn’t mean to fly over the rainbow there. It was kind of a point finger say stuff moment. Sorry. Anyway… How about you and me taking the road less traveled, through the narrow gate? Let’s do our best to think first and not be hypocrites. And how about we follow… The One True Way To Peace Judge me; I need to be judged Correct me;  whenever I’m wrong Save me from thinking my thoughts I’ve lived in them way too long Show me what I need to see Tell me what I have to hear Give me a voice of wisdom Thank You for taking my fear And I have to trust that my God is just And I feel my boldness increase I’m a dissident, and I’m an instrument For the one true Way to peace Search me for the deeper things Fill me from Your living well Free me from the ways of man Take me off the path to Hell Listen to my fervent prayer Bless me so that I can bless Change me with Your mighty Word Spare me with Your tenderness Chorus Make me to always understand I’m only mighty in Your mighty Hand inst…Chorus to end © Copyright 1998 Tony Funderburk So…do you call yourself a Christian? Take a second and join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. When you do, I’ll send you links to 2 songs and 2 books that adults AND kids enjoy right away. Then, I’ll send you flashes of light from the faith, hope, and the power of God’s love. Stay tuned, The post Point finger, say stuff, that shows you don’t know enough appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Regardless of what happens today, this weekend, or ever, hold on to the Truth. And just in case you didn’t catch it (but I bet you did), I capitalized the word, Truth. And I just did it again. Because I’m not talking about the truth that can be so manipulated in this world filled with lies and AI’s. It’s crucial to hold on to THE Truth, now, more than ever. Because now, more than ever, that Truth is the only Way to be truly free. Uh-oh. Now I’ve gone and done it. I capitalized the word “Way.” And just in case you didn’t know it (but I bet you do), it’s capitalized because it’s THE Way. And THE Way is the same as THE Truth. By the way, if you haven’t already found your Way to the Truth (but I bet you have), don’t put it off even one more minute. Planes falling from the sky in the past few days should show you (and I bet they do) how uncertain your amount of time, here on Earth, is. And that uncertainty should make you curious about all the eternal Life talk Christians are always sharing. If it doesn’t, I hope it doesn’t take a personal tragedy to make you curious. You caught that capitalized word, Life, didn’t you? Of course, now I’ve gone full circle. Because Jesus called himself “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” And He said He’s the only way to eternal life in Heaven. With all that’s going on, so far in 2025, I sure hope you’ve decided to take advantage of His amazing grace. I bet you have. But I bet you know someone who hasn’t. Tell ‘em time’s a-wastin’. Back in 1985-86 I wrote a song called “Hold On.” I didn’t say to hold on to the truth. But the feel is still kinda there. Hold On I would love to take you in my arms And capture all your dreams that get away And put them in your heart where they belong And fill it full of love so they can stay But I wonder if there’s magic in my hands And I don’t know for sure what I should do To make your monsters fade and disappear So I can only sing these words to you… Hold on; you know you gotta hold real tight Gotta keep your dreams where they’re easiest to see Hold on; I know you gotta hold real tight If you look behind the Love that’s where they’ll be I would love to see your smiling face And know that at least in some small way I was there When you needed someone to help you through your darkness And help you get your wings back in the air Chorus You got to keep believing in your choices No one but you can really clear the air And if you find you’re hearing different voices Then it isn’t just a passing love affair Repeat 1st verse and choruses to end © 1986 Take a second and join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. When you do, I’ll send you links to 2 songs and 2 books that adults AND kids enjoy right away. Then, I’ll send you flashes of light from the faith, hope, and the power of God’s love. Stay tuned, The post Hold on to the Truth like permanent bluetooth appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Imagine yourself walking up to two big doors one cold morning in January. The door on the left is pure craftsmanship. It’s a rich, cobalt blue with pure silver handles and hinges. There’s a leaded crystal, mirrored window just high enough that you can only see the top of your head. The door on the right appears to be made of old, cracked, and peeling barn wood. The hardware is rusted, including large, bent nails protruding out next to the edges. There’s a clear window next to the top crosspiece with a fascinating red and white light glowing from within. You’re unsure which door to open to go inside and warm yourself, when suddenly a voice like a professional radio announcer says… “Enter the door on the left, come inside, and relax. Everything your heart desires will be yours. Many servants await your arrival. Your comfort is their command. And your happiness is their pursuit.” Your slightly hesitant hand turns the knob. But, then, another voice quietly whispers… “Please, at least look inside the door on the right before you make your choice. There are no servants inside. But you’ll find someone who will walk with you and talk with you and listen to your problems day and night. He’ll ask you to work with him. But he’ll also bring you bread and wine, and you’ll never be hungry or thirsty again.” So. Your choices are to work or be served. Which would you choose? Well, the door on the left opens into a world made just for YOU. And it’s a world where you’re more important than anyone else. Your needs will be attended to before anyone else’s. You will be a king, or queen (the only two choices). And there will be none like you. Interested? Come on, now. Be honest. You’re tempted, right? It’s OK to admit it. Everyone else who’s ever lived, lives now, or will ever live knows the same temptation. Because it’s beguiling to believe the lies you concoct about yourself. And it’s alluring to allow yourself to experience every pleasure. It’s almost irresistible to invite those inner voices to seduce you to surrender. Now, what if I told you the door on the right opens into the love of God? Yes, it’s a place where you’ll work if you want to eat. Sometimes you might have to work so hard you feel you can’t go on. But it’s also a place where you’ll find rest. A rest that brings you the eternal life that can’t be found anywhere else in the universe. How do you decide which door to open and go inside? Think big picture. NO, bigger! Think outside the box of your life here on planet Earth. The years you spend inside your aging, dying body are but a vapor when compared to eternity. Yes, eternity is the big picture. Where do you want to be FOREVER? Maybe you don’t want my advice. But I recommend you choose to walk into the love of God. Because He’s your only source of eternal life. And here’s something crucial to understand. God loves you so much He gives you your own will. You get to choose. He knows you might not choose Him. But He also knows that if He didn’t give you the freedom to choose, it wouldn’t be true love. So what do you choose? Like the whispering voice said, “please, at least look inside the door on the right”. It’s the right choice. If the love of God, and living forever, sounds good to you. Don’t enter the door on the left where, like Seals and Crofts sang, you’ll be the miserable “king of nothing.” Instead… Do Right and risk the consequences. Do Right, and don’t you stand on fences. Yeah, whatever you do, with all of your might…Do Right. Take a second and join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. When you do, I’ll send you some music and a book for kids right away. Then, I’ll send you daily flashes of light from the faith, hope, and the power of God’s love. Stay tuned… The post Door on the left is so bereft appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Anyone who truly knows me might tell you, if cornered, that I’m definitely anti touchy feely ushy-gushy stuff. So, I make it a point to write books for kids with a good balance of love AND strength. And I believe that’s the example you can see in the bestselling life manual of all time. Yeah, God overflows with both love and strength. And I’m confident I’ll be at my best when I’m following the example you can easily see in Jesus. Plus, I think that’s fairly easy to see in my writing. If you think I’m wrong about that, feel free to show me why you think that way. Anyway… I shared all that because of a summary I found of one of my most recent books for kids. The book is called “The Lonely Lilypad.” And, as I said, I believe it shows that nice balance of love and strength. But the summary mentions a bunch of touchy feely ushy-gushy stuff. Here’s what it says: “The Lonely Lilypad” by Tony Funderburk explores several themes, including: Loneliness: The central theme revolves around the feeling of being alone or isolated, as depicted by the lonely lilypad’s initial state in the story. Friendship: The narrative progresses to show how relationships and companionship can transform loneliness into joy, emphasizing the importance of friendship and connection. Hope: The story conveys a message of hope, demonstrating that even in solitude, there’s potential for change and happiness through new relationships or unexpected friendships. Kindness: There’s an underlying theme of kindness where characters help each other, suggesting that acts of kindness can lead to meaningful connections. Community: The story might also touch on the idea of community, where individuals come together, illustrating how a community can support its members, making everyone feel included. Nature: As the setting is in a natural environment, there’s an appreciation for nature and its creatures, subtly teaching about the ecosystem and the beauty of the natural world. And the summary ended with this: “These themes are woven into a narrative that aims to teach children about emotional resilience, the value of friendship, and the beauty of life’s surprises through a simple yet engaging story.” So, how ’bout that? Evidently I wrote a book that emphasized feelings, transformations, more feelings, acts of kindness, community, inclusivity, more feelings, and even lessons about our ecosystem and “natural world.” Wow. I didn’t realize I could be so progressive. But there you have it. In red and yellow (and black and white, so we can keep it inclusive). Now, I’m not even sure I can recommend you to my own book. And maybe I shouldn’t share the link, to get this crazy coloring and drawing book, with my email subscribers. But what the hey. I will. Because I think they’ll understand and forgive me. Now, how did those first lines go…? So, once there was a lilypad that no frog ever used. You wouldn’t think a lilypad could get its feelings bruised. But sure enough, this lilypad cried to itself each night And each day did its very best to stay out of plain sight. Do you have kids, grandkids, or know someone who does? Well, if you’re the forgiving (and inclusive) type, too, maybe you should subscribe to my FunderFlash Journal so you can grab the link to “The Lonely Lilypad.” But, remember I warned you about the ushy-gushy stuff. Stay tuned… The post Love and strength are found in the water, not on ground appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

You know the time between dates is measurable. So, I know you know those measurements are called days or weeks or months or years, etc. Because those are the words we use to describe measurements of time. Alright. I think we’re good on that. But wait. Some people think there’s not time between dates. Uh-oh. I think I just kicked my figurative toe on a figurative can of figurative worms. Well, that figures. I do that kind of thing all the time when I start talking about golden calves (I’ll just leave that there). Anyway… I saw again today where a Christian, on social media, said certain things don’t affect God the way you might think because He’s “outside of time.” And once again, I can’t just not reply. Nope. Because God can no more be outside of time than you or me. Or even Dick Van Dyke (not-so-obscure old guy reference humor). Because ALL of existence, including God exists IN time. Because time exists because God exists. Wow, those last couple of thoughts contained a lot of becauses (not a real word, but it makes a point). And that’s to highlight the point. God thinks one thought after another. It takes time to do that. God created the different components of the Earth, solar system, galaxies, and universe on different days. It takes time to do that. And God is the ultimate intelligent designer, so it didn’t take more than six days for Him to make it ALL. But there WAS time between dates, so to speak. God called those measurements of time (which He was fully IN as He created) days. Not periods of time. Days. And not some esoteric days. Nope. He mentioned a morning and an evening. I’m not gonna dive deeper into whether or not God is out of time. Because I’m put together some thoughts (which takes time) and share a fun reason-filled rhyme about this. But I DO think you’ll enjoy a deeper dive on the subject. So, try this God outside of time article. It’s great. Before you do, maybe you should consider… Playtoe’s Dilemma So, Playtoe was a guy who couldn’t speak Because he had no time, and he was weak. Too weak to speak a syllable because his time was still and full. But what brought on this time, no time, mystique? Well, Playtoe wasn’t sure, but he just knew His own ideas described God right and true; That He’s in an eternal now, but no one seems to know quite how He does what it takes time for Him to do. Yeah, Playtoe said God lives outside of time. But that thought has no reason and no rhyme. When one thought follows other thoughts, a sequence then connects the dots, And not to call it time would be a crime. If Playtoe could have only learned to trust That God can change His mind and still be just, And perfect from forever past, and in Whom all of time will last, He would have never ended up nonplussed. Ol’ Playtoe DID find out the Truth one day. But, sadly, much too late to find his way To where man-made philosophies, run by those gods with little g’s, Will nevermore befuddle and betray. © 2025 Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and the power of God’s love. Stay tuned… The post Time between dates never moves. It just waits. appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Music isn’t the only thing that makes you human. And it’s not even the main thing. But music is real. And that’s true even though it’s totally invisible and void. You can’t hold it, touch it, or physically feel it. So, it’s an amazing and complicated marker, among many markers, for what makes us human. Music is real and everybody knows it. Unless you’re deaf, you know how real music is. What it does to you, working from the inside out after it travels from the outside in to you. And, I need to walk the “deaf” comment back a little. Because way, way back in the day I dated a wonderful woman who was deaf. And I remember how much she liked to dance. One time, after a spin around the dance floor, I asked her how she did it since she couldn’t hear. And she explained she could “feel hear” the beat of the loud music through the floor. So, she was able to move to it. I thought that was so cool. And I’ve never forgotten it. A few years ago I shared an article about how people with advanced dementia can make sudden, remarkable improvements in cognition when they hear familiar music. “Scientists” discovered how music can “wake up” brains that are almost completely gone. And they said the results they saw were “sometimes truly magical and inexplicable.” (side note: their use of inexplicable is why I put quotation marks around “scientists”) Anyway… Those “scientists” said those dementia sufferers seem to “come back” for a bit as they listen to familiar songs they love. And they call music a “proto-language.” Think of it as how parents talk to a baby. So, they think music is a language, eh? Hmm… I believe I’ve mentioned that a lot more than once here on my website. And I’ve talked about how that’s just one of many indicators that music is real and evolution is a stupid theory. Even those “scientists” theorized that “music appreciation appears to be embedded or wired into nearly all regions of the brain.” “Wired into.” Uh, that would imply somebody did some wiring. Because something that complicated would not have created itself out of primordial soup. Wonder who could’ve “wired” music to brains? Those same “scientists” also said that “music seems to be tied in closely with love and relationships.” What possible evolutionary purpose would that serve? (that was a rhetorical question) Finally, the research shows that music has a “clear, powerful physiological effect” on social bonding. And, because of that, the conclusion appears to be self evident. It’s so important to your brain’s design that music is really an “indispensable part of what makes us human.” Give Me Songs Give me songs to wake the brain waves Through my often cluttered mind. Give me sonic repercussions No one else will ever find. And a musical sensation With connections to the source Of all music and creation. Yes, please give me that, of course. Take a few seconds and join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. You’ll never have to go looking for this good stuff. I’ll send daily flashes of light to your inbox so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and the power of God’s love. Stay tuned… The post Music is real and much more than a feel appeared first on Tony Funderburk.