Seems like nobody can keep a secret. And when just one person lets the cat out of the bag, so to speak, it’s not long before everybody knows about it. Then, Katie, bar the door.

About 2000 years ago, a man named Paul traveled all around telling the very same secret I’m about to share with you. The big difference was that he shared a secret nobody had ever heard before. In fact, he called it a mystery.

It was a mystery because God CAN keep a secret.

But Paul wanted everybody to know the answer to the mystery. You might wonder how Paul found out about it. Well…Jesus told him.

Yep, Paul heard all about this special secret directly from the Creator of the universe.

So, of course, what he discovered was true? Jesus never lies. And He wanted Paul to go tell everyone the news. At first Paul wasn’t sure if he could believe his eyes and ears. But Jesus proved He was real and that Paul could trust Him. Once that happened Paul was filled with joy and courage. He began to tell anybody who would listen about Jesus.

But Paul didn’t just tell everybody what kind of a person Jesus was. He told everybody why Jesus came to earth. And why He had to be killed and rise from the dead. And the secret was that Jesus did all that so we could all know Him like a personal friend.

God had kept that secret for thousands of years. Before anybody knew about Jesus, the only way to get to Heaven was to keep ALL the rules that God gave Moses to present to His people.

But nobody was ever able to keep all those rules. The Jews tried. But they just couldn’t do it. They were just like you and me. We want to be good all the time, but somehow we just can’t do it.

I know I can’t. I’m sure you can’t either.

Well, thanks to God choosing not to keep a secret hidden, you don’t have to be good all the time. And you don’t have to follow all those rules from the Jewish people from thousands of years ago.

No, the good news, the secret, is this: believe in Jesus. He lived here on earth in the same world as the rest of us. And He never did anything wrong. And He kept all the rules. He lived a perfect life. And He showed us perfect love by paying the price for sin so you and I wouldn’t have to.

Here’s a rhyme so simple even kids can remember…

The best secret ever told was just for you
And everybody on the planet, too.
Share the secret, let it out. Jump into the air and shout…
Trust in Jesus and there’s nothing else to do.

If you can keep a secret, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get Rhyme and Reason delivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Stay tuned,

The post Keep a secret or not? Is this what you thought/ appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Because those traits are important, Paul wrote to Christians in Corinth and said: “For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.”

And that’s how I like it, too. Simplicity and sincerity.

I know those aren’t the buzzwords these days. Most people like to share the words “genuine” and “authenticity.” But I’ve noticed how often, even when they say you should keep it simple, it takes them anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to describe that. But, then again, that’s just there idea of authenticity.

Seth Godin, a well-known marketing “guru” answered an interviewer’s question about authenticity in a way I really appreciated. He said something like, “Forget about authenticity. Instead, focus on consistency.” And then he explained how showing up consistently, by default, reveals your so-called authenticity.

I don’t recall if he ever addressed sincerity. But my guess is, if he did, that would also be included in showing up consistently. Because think of it this way, if you were there for your friends consistently, don’t you think they will take it for granted that you’re doing it with sincerity?

The apostle Paul was able to prove his sincerity with his letters to the different churches in his day. And his message, when you boil it down, was simple. Love your neighbor.

And that comes directly from Jesus.

He certainly knew the cause and effect of simplicity and sincerity. That’s why, in His new message of grace, he said all the commandments could be boiled down to two. Love the Lord your God. And love your neighbor as yourself.

I dare you to find anyone, in all of history, who’s even remotely as sincere as Jesus. But don’t accept my dare. Because I’m sure your life is too busy to go chasing futility. Especially when you can keep it this simple…

Would you like to live forever
Under Heavenly skies?
Then go get some understanding
In God’s word and be wise. © 2016 TF

If you like it simple and sincere, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get Rhyme and Reason delivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Stay tuned,

The post Simplicity and sincerity should never be a rarity appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Many times, in sports, you’ll hear an announcer say something like, “Man, he really gave his all.” Or you might hear “Wow, she gave all she had to get to this event.” Well, have you ever said “I give you all” to anyone?

You should love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.

And there’s a place in the New Testament where it says that. But do you do it?

I don’t.

It brings me no pleasure, in fact, it pains me to say it. But I don’t give my all to God. And that’s in spite of the fact that I love my Creator. I’m blessed and thrilled to know that I have a Risen Savior. Jesus was totally innocent of all crimes. But He was still put to death in a horrible way. For me. And for you. But I know I don’t put all my heart, soul, strength, and mind into loving Him on a full-time basis. I bet you don’t either.

He made the ultimate sacrifice for us. And all He asks for in return is love. But all of us puny humans focus more on ourselves and the things of this world. Wouldn’t it be great to know why that is?

Well, Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (that’s you unless you’re a Jew), gave us clear insight into this problem. He used himself as an example. He talked about how the right things he wanted to do, he didn’t do. And the wrong things he didn’t want to do…those he did. Then he explained that “…in my flesh, nothing good dwells“.

If something is truly good…not merely good according to the low standards of this world…then it should lead to eternal life. Your flesh doesn’t do that. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there’s a 1:1 ratio of births to deaths in the world. No one escapes the “wages of sin“. But you can escape having to pay for them forever. That’s gonna require some humility. But if you want eternal life you can look forward to with complete assurance, just tell Him…

I Give You All

You gave my heart
A way to touch you, Lord.
You gave my eyes
A gift to see and recall.
And You gave me stars…
To guide me through my lonely fear.
I give you all…I give you all.

You gave me words,
And they can reach the sky.
And You gave my soul
Salvation out of the fall.

You gave me dawn,
To savor all you gave me, Lord.
I give you all…I give you all. (chorus)

I give you all…my worries and my fear.
I give you all…and I can feel you near.
And I give you all…you dry up every tear.
I give you all…I give you all.

You gave me nights…
That shine your silver stars.
You gave me time,
To change my ways and stand tall…
You gave me hope,
That in my weakness I am strong.
I give you all…I give you all. (Lyrics © 2009 Cristina Miller)

That song is one of eleven original songs I recorded and produced when I was the praise and worship leader at a small Denver church. Download the whole collection with a link in the handy, useful songbook journal you’ll find here: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/rtpsongbook (paperback available, too)

Stay tuned,

The post I give you all in these lyrics ya’ll appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Why is there so much violence, destruction, and death in the world? And relatively so little peace and quiet time? Here’s the short answer. People.

And I could tell you that peace and quiet time is the solution to that other stuff.

But you probably wouldn’t believe the answer could be so simple. Maybe you’d rather have a highly complicated solution to this complex mess we earthlings find ourselves having to endure. And maybe you wouldn’t even like my answer.

Did you know that most of life’s seemingly unanswerable problems had simple solutions? Take the electric light for example. Maybe you’ve heard how many times Edison failed before he succeeded in getting a light bulb to work. Did you know the solution came down to finding what sort of tiny filament could last? Once he solved that problem, bingo! EMF’s everywhere. Uh, I mean, electric light everywhere.

Anyway…

So, what’s this simple solution to finding peace and quiet time in a world full of war and chaos?

Jesus = Peace and Quiet Time.

Hey, don’t roll your eyes at me. I’ll roll ’em right back. Because I told you it might not be the answer you’d like. And I told you it might not be one you’d believe. And you can refuse to believe the truth. But that doesn’t make it wrong. And you can refuse to acknowledge a Creator God who came to earth to be one of us and take the punishment for our sins. But that doesn’t mean the story isn’t true.

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” and He also said “the Truth shall make you free”. Why do so many prefer darkness, despair, and going it alone? If you…

• lack peace and joy in your life today…
• feel all alone in the world…
• believe there’s no way out of your despair…
• think your time on earth is the only time you’ll have…
• would like to know that you can know happiness…

…then test the Word of the Bible. It’s the #1 bestselling book of all time for a very good reason. It makes you FREE.

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 © 1998 TF

If you enjoy God’s joy and peace, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get Rhyme and Reason delivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Stay tuned,

The post Peace and quiet time puts reason in the rhyme appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

The fullness of joy most people seek (whether they know it or not) can only be found in a relationship with your Creator. And God IS your Creator even if you don’t believe in Him.

By the Way…you WILL see your Creator later.

But back to the reason I’m sharing this with you today.

First, a little backstory.

David, who was King of Israel, was a songwriter. Many of his lyrics, known as Psalms, are found in the Bible. And he talked and sang, a lot, about his relationship with God. He wrote, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.“

You won’t find a world of peace, tranquility, and wealth simply because you place your faith in Jesus. You won’t see the troubles of the world fade away when you look to God for answers. In fact, you might even see troubles increase. Well, at least from time to time.

Gosh, Tony, your “fullness of joy” doesn’t sound very enjoyable.

Yeah, but the joy I’m talking about springs from Living Water. And it flows through your spirit. In other words, your joy won’t be based on the things and people of this world. Your joy will be focused on the only One who can (and will) give you eternal life. Your “three score and ten” here on planet earth is a tiny fraction of eternity. And that puts it in perspective.

I’m urging you, today, to consider your eternal potential. As a Christian, I know, without a doubt, there will be an eternity of existence for every human being. Where you’ll spend it depends on the choice you make in the here and now. Choose the Life your Creator wants to give you.

Because you can exist as a bodiless, spiritless, soul forever tormented by the knowledge of “what could have been.” Or you can live in the fullness God has prepared. In a body that won’t grow old and die since you’ll be tapped directly into life.

Please, choose Life and experience the eternal fullness of joy.

Swallowed Up By Life

I’ll be swallowed up by life
That will never fade away
When I leave my body here
On an ordinary day.
I won’t mourn the things I lose
‘Cause there’s so much more to gain
And my spirit will rejoice
When I leave this earthly plane.
I’ll be swallowed up by life
And I’ll never more know death.
I will just begin to breathe
When I breathe my final breath. © 2014 TF

If you prefer that kind of Life, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get Rhyme and Reason delivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Stay tuned,

The post Your Creator that you will see later appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Have you noticed how sometimes it seems impossible to be by yourself in this noisy world? And that’s not good. Because it’s important to occasionally find a place where you can be all alone?

And you really shouldn’t be alone all the time. But there are times when it’s a very good thing for you. It can help you sort out your thoughts. Solitude is where you can understand yourself better. And you need to be able to understand yourself before you can understand anyone else.

Even Jesus made time to be all alone.

Well, in the physical sense anyway. He wanted private conversations with the Father. He said He could do nothing apart from the Father. I believe that’s because as one place in the Bible says…God IS life.” I mean, think about it. If there was no God, there would be no you. No me. No anyone.

God is the source of Life. And even though you might find yourself alone, you’re never really all alone. Unless you prefer a universe of one. I don’t care who you are, that wouldn’t be much of a place to be.

Back in 2011 I wrote a lullaby for kids that showed how you never have to be all alone, even when you’re by yourself. And I used metaphorical sleepwear that I call…

Music Pajamas

It’s time…to let the daylight fly
Away, but we don’t have to cry
Because…another day will dawn real soon.

So smile…and say a sweet goodnight.
Sleep well. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.
They won’t, if you’ll just slip into this tune.

And wear your music pajamas.
And sing the songs of your mamas
Because they gave you a life of your own.

Through all the cartoons and dramas…
Through all the triumphs and traumas…
Slip on your music pajamas,
And know that God is on His throne.
And you’re never all alone.

Night winds…float down from falling stars.
Lights blink…from Jupiter and Mars.
They bounce…across the water on the grass.

Inside…you’re in a soft cocoon
Of down…the color of the moon.
Dreams come…when you just let the sandman pass…Chorus © 2011 TF

Get Music Pajamas and a bunch of other western-themed lullabies for your kids and grandkids. It’s the Bedtime Buckaroos collection. Digital and/or paperback:

(https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/bedtime-buckaroos)

Stay tuned,

The post All alone but never lonely when you know the one and only appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

If you’re a human being, I urge you (and challenge you) to use your gifts and talents, and say a prayer for protection, for unborn babies. These days it’s far more dangerous to be an unborn baby in America than it is to be just about anyone else anywhere else. That’s incredibly sad and despicable.

And if you’re a creatively gifted person you have an advantage. Yeah, writers, singers, and artists can do more to change hearts and minds of people than anyone else. I strongly believe that. Pastors and other speakers can do a great job. And many do. But there’s nothing like words and music and pictures to create effective, lasting messages.

America has lost its soul to the god of selfishness. Because we turned away from the God of Creation. So, it’s no surprise that abortion, murder, child abuse, racism, and so many other sins spin out of control. In fact, it’s inevitable.

Christians in America definitely need a prayer for protection.

My hope is that I can write, sing, draw, and produce some effective messages to change hearts. I pray that God will direct my path and bless my efforts. Because I know…

Everyone has a right to life,
A gift from God before it even starts.
Everyone has a right to life.
Your right is wrong when it stops innocent hearts.

(chorus from my song, Right To Life)

If you support the God-given right to life, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get Rhyme and Reason delivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Stay tuned,

The post Prayer for protection from a gifted direction appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

If you care about your kids and grandkids, pay attention to this. Way, way back in the twentieth century, I was able to go to college in the rural countryside of Kansas. Have you ever watched the episode of The Waltons about John boy’s first day in college? Well, watching him is practically like watching me show up for my first day. Because the halls of higher learning held that same mystique of hopeful anticipation for me, too.

But I soon discovered how getting to go to college ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Unfortunately for me, by the time I was in college, it was nothing like John boy’s experience. Universities had already become institutions for thought control. But thankfully it was happening slower at my college in the rural countryside of Kansas. Because that’s a part of the country where generations had grown up with a Christian conservative worldview.

However…

I noticed classes, like “Western Civilization” and “Sociology I & II, shared one-sided political views. Maybe I was surprised because I was raised with a Christian conservative worldview. And even my public high school had leaned heavily in that direction. No kidding.

But it didn’t take me years of college to figure out the so-called “enlightenment” in the halls of higher learning sounded like George Orwell wrote the script. And it wasn’t even 1984 yet.

And that became glaringly apparent on one of my homework assignments.

The year I first attended college a crucial bill was put to the voters, in Kansas. It was about whether or not motorcyclists would be required to wear helmets. Gasp! Imagine the carnage and chaos of no motorcycle helmets.

My journalism professor gave us an assignment to present a pro or con view on a controversial topic. So, I chose the motorcycle helmet issue on the ballot.

I took the somewhat controversial “no helmets” side of the debate. And I wrote about how it would end up being another small step toward total government control of every corner of our lives. Boy, howdy, was I wrong! NOT!

Thankfully there were still plenty of others, back then, who agreed with my position on the topic. But I was surprised at how “passionate” others could be in their opposing opinions. They actually got mad about it.

Fast forward to now. Thank goodness you can go to college without a motorcycle helmet or big brother watching and/or listening to your every move. Right? Hello?

Uh…

Nowadays people don’t just present “passionate” opinions. Yeah, large groups of people have determined it’s perfectly fine to riot and loot and burn down businesses to “express their views.”

But here’s a key point.

We have voted our way into this mess.

And I predict we won’t vote our way out of it.

So I’ll leave this here for you to ponder…

Passion doesn’t make you right.
Learning doesn’t shed more light,
When it’s learning based on lies
And rebellious alibis.

If you trust God more than college, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get Rhyme and Reason delivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Stay tuned,

The post Go to college unless you care about knowledge appeared first on Tony Funderburk.