Articles that reference the book of John

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.

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?

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…

…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.

Judge me; I need to be judged.

Show me what I need to see.

And I have to trust that my God is just.

Search me for the deeper things.

Listen to my fervent prayer.

Make me to always understand

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

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.

Wow. It’s America’s 250th birthday. And I bet there’s a good chance you get to enjoy an awesome fireworks display wherever you live. I hope you also get to enjoy the company of family and friends and good food and great fun. After all, on Independence Day, 2026 you can actually sing along to Saturday In The Park by the band Chicago, and the lyrics will actually fit.

I read somewhere that won’t happen again until the year 2037. I haven’t verified that. But it seems plausible. Because I sure don’t remember the last time it happened. And it might only mean something to boomers. But I think it’s cool.

Freedom of expression and creativity, the kind we’ve had in America for my whole life, is a big reason why happy, upbeat songs like that ever get written. But most people don’t know that our freedom didn’t start with a declaration of independence from England or a constitution.

And that’s why I take at least a moment on 4th of July to thank God for the ultimate freedom He gave us through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. Yep, without that, I doubt very seriously there’d even be an America that made it to Independence Day 2026.

Here’s my song, in a video, about how truly fortunate we are to live in a country whose founding fathers recognized a dependency on our Creator for our ultimate freedom.

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Happy and safe Independence Day 2026 to you. I hope and pray there will be more to come.

Faith working through love…

If you enjoy this kind of freedom, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

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.

The form can be filled in the actual website url.

Stay tuned,

The post Independence Day 2026 with a song in the mix appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Is the moon approximately 400 times smaller than the sun? Yes. And that’s not just cool. It’s also on purpose. Because the Son of God made it that way.

It’s also about 400 times closer to the earth than the sun. And again that’s on purpose for the same reason I mentioned before.

Check out what the apostle John had this to say about how everything was made:

“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

Lots of people, for some reason, get stuck on that “nothing was made that was made” part. They “feel” like it’s talking in a circle. But that’s not what’s going on.

It’s a description of what’s made and WHO isn’t.

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, was not made.

And God, The Son, made everything else.

So, the sun, the moon, the stars, Earth, and all the creatures on the earth are all made. And not like some random act of creativity either. Our beautiful solar system, galaxy, and all the universe function more precisely and more dependably than any clock ever created by human beings.

He could have designed the Earth and moon to simply work together efficiently and left it at that. But God loves to throw in the fireworks, add the concert, and raise the spectacle. Why? Well, maybe it’s because He’s the ultimate good and loving father. And maybe it just delights Him to see the looks on our faces.

And which direction do millions of faces point during the eclipse of the sun? Yeah, UP!

Why is the sky blue? Why is the grass green?
Why is the sun gold? What does it all mean?
Why is the air clear? Why is the ground brown?
Why does the earth float and never fall down?

Cause God made skies. He made them blue.

Why is a horse fast? Why is a snail slow?
Why does it get cold when Northern winds blow?
Why is the sea green? Why is the sand white?
Why is the day day? Why is the night night?

Cause God made creatures big and small,

God’s love is always there.

If this landed somewhere good with you, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

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 Is the moon smaller by that much? Yes, thanks to the Master’s touch. appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Let’s say you have a beautiful vision of a loving future where no bad people live and everybody lives forever. If that’s you, I can confidently tell you that your dreams come true. But there is a condition.

About 17 years ago, I wrote a collection of lullabies for kids, even though I never raised any kids myself. But with each song I just thought about what I would have sung to them if I had raised my own kids.

And the songs flowed out of me very easily. I wrote lyrics, from scratch, composed the music to go with the words, recorded all the parts, and produced 10 completed songs in 10 days. And the first song was…

I don’t know if you can see me in your dreams,

I don’t know if you can hear me in your dreams

In your dreams you fly up high

Golden birds and rocket ships are in your dreams

Tell the sandman and the stardust in your dreams

By the Way (pun strongly intended), the way to make your perfect dreams come true, is known as the Way.

If this landed somewhere good with you, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

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

The form can be filled in the actual website url.

Stay tuned,

The post Your dreams come true one day if you know the Way appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

I saw this headline on a social media platform today: Podcast Host Calls White Evangelical Christianity a Cancer – And I could not believe how badly they misspelled the word blessing. I mean, cancer doesn’t even remotely look like blessing. So how could they mix those words up so badly?

At least if they really wanted to share the truth. But I know that’s a rare commodity in journalism these days. So, now that I think about it a little bit more, maybe they actually meant to write the word cancer.

No. Could that possibly be it?!

But could someone actually study the overwhelmingly positive influence of white, evangelical Christianity and actually come up with this illogical, incorrect conclusion? Absolutely they could. Because people who hate God, the one true, living, loving creator of the universe God, will say anything against Him and His followers.

Jesus said that would happen, by the way.

So, if you’re a Christian, and the color of your skin is what the world call white (even though it isn’t), and you share the truth of God’s word and the power of God’s love, you might as well face it. You, my friend, are a cancer in this world.

But never worry, never fear. Your buddy Tony is here. And here are some white evangelical Christianity lyrics to help you deal with it:

I’m in this world but not of it.

This world can beat me up.

So…Chorus

This world has lots of love,

This world has moans and groans.

Chorus…inst…chorus 3 times    © TF 2008

I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

The form can be filled in the actual website url.

Stay tuned,

The post White Evangelical Christianity a blessing to humanity appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

A train can’t make turns at the next intersection the way your car or pickup can. They have to follow the tracks. But even trains can go just about anywhere. Because there isn’t just one set of tracks.

Not only is it impossible, it’s a misguided idea to even try.

So, what does this have to do with anything in your life? Maybe nothing. In fact, I know most of the people who read what I write or listen to what I say on my podcast don’t have an issue with trying to follow multiple tracks in life. But you might not be one of them. And you might be someone who, like Mary MacGregor sang back in 1976, is torn between two lovers. One of them is YOU. And the other is the “higher power” you sense is “somewhere out there.”

All this fuzzy philosophical stuff came up in my brain when I looked at a picture someone shared on social media. It’s an account filled with amazing photography and art. Beautiful colors. Amazing settings. Just plain fun to see.

One of the pictures was of what appeared to be lighting on some railroad tracks. And, in my fat-headed poet brain, the image represented the journey you and I take in this life. So many people want to know the meaning of life. But way too many of them believe it can be discovered if you just “follow your heart.”

If you’re still young, that won’t have nearly the impact it does on people who’ve lived several decades. But it’s SO true anyway. And when you consider how long eternity will be, your time on earth will eventually seem faster than the time it takes lightning to strike.

So, my recommendation is to pick a “lover.” But I highly recommend you check into the “higher power” option. Because there most definitely IS a higher power. And He created you. He has the most famous name ever. And, sadly, way too many people are uncomfortable with the mention of it.

But you’re only here because Jesus made it possible for you to be alive. And He made it possible for you to have the option of eternal life. There IS a sort of catch. He is the ONLY way to that eternal life. You might say He laid the tracks and it’s up to you to choose to follow those tracks. In fact, I just said it.

So, will you do that? Or will you just be another flash of…

Lightnin’ on the tracks

Parallel begins

© 2023

Stay tuned,

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The post Follow the tracks as the light that refracts appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

I can hardly believe it’s already been almost 4 years. But the calendar doesn’t lie. And the metadata in the documents I saved doesn’t either. Yeah, almost 4 years since I produced rough cuts to several new songs. And I have a couple of main reasons why I call them “rough cuts.” One of those songs is called “I Can Do.” And, yes, it’s one of the many songs I’ve written where I swim upstream against current trends. But so be it.

And, no, I don’t get some sort of surreptitious pleasure from going against the grain. In fact, I wish my worldview and songwriting style were more the norm. But that ain’t gonna happen. So I know those opportunities I passed up on, back in the day, for recording deals, are the only ones I’ll ever have.

But I know the One who created me, AND made sure I can live forever, is much more pleased with my choice. And He said the world hated Him before it ever hated me. So, I’m in the best of company.

Anyway…

Back to those songs. There are seven of them. So far. And I have a deep and abiding desire to produce them from rough cuts to smooth. But, to my constant consternation, for six years, respiratory issues have kept me from accomplishing that goal. And my wife and I have moved to two entirely different parts of the country to hopefully help alleviate those issues.

Right now I’m gaining some cautious optimism that maybe I’m making some progress (Your prayers are desired and appreciated). And I hope I can do some recording, soon, and make some tracks. Sadly I’ve had that hope dashed against the rocks a few times in the past six years. But the thing about real hope is, it springs eternal.

So, that being said, here’s a snippet of lyrics from a little song in B flat called…

Outside the lines the grass is greener.

I know the morning sun will shine,

I can do…what I need to. I know it’s so, so I can do!

The rest is reserved for when I fully produce this song and the others. Until then, you can dive into lots of my other songs, AND all kinds of books, when you click or tap this link:

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

Stay tuned,

The post I Can Do. And in B flat, too appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

I don’t know why it is. But fat, old guys seem to be the typical Harley riders. And before you look for the page turn or delete button, I’m not gonna ramble on about fat, old guys on motorcycles. I’m sure you’ve seen your share. And you’d probably like to talk about almost anything else.

And even worse than that, they’re walkin’ down the street naked. Now, that’s not your typical scene. Except, it IS starting to get a whole lot more typical. And it’s happening with the approval of large crowds of men, women, AND children (although I doubt the kids had any choice in the matter).

This past weekend (6/23-6/25) a Bud Light sponsored, so-called “Pride Parade” in Toronto (that’s in Canada, for the geographically challenged) included nudists. It wasn’t the first parade to include them. And I’m sure it won’t be the last. In fact, I suspect they’ll be included in more and more parades as the tolerance and diversity wing of the so-called “justice system” sees nothing and knows nothing.

I’m deeply saddened for my country and continent. Because America was the last ray of hope for morality and respect for God. But that ray is flickering out. It used to be that morally bankrupt people preferred the dark of night because of their despicable behavior. But now, they proudly parade around in the daylight.

I read a report that said, “Another video emerged showing another act that occurred happened in the parade: participants in drag danced with their breasts exposed to the audience.” And the report continued with, “Other videos show a group of naked men playing and rinsing themselves off alongside a fountain surrounded by kids. Meanwhile, a stage, clearly adorned with Bud Light branding, featured scantily clad dancers wearing fishnets, nipple stickers, and strange sock-like masks.”

After all, if I don’t wanna watch, I can just not go. Or change the channel. Yeah, I could just move on with a “nothing to see here” attitude. But there’s one catch. Jesus said to “love your neighbor as yourself.” And I love myself enough to take eternal life where I can find it. So, I want my “neighbors” to experience it, too.

Of course, I won’t even try to force anyone to believe in eternal life AND that it can only be found in Jesus. I couldn’t make them do that even if I DID try. But I’ll never give up recommending it to them. And I’ll never give in and simply tolerate their despicable behavior. They certainly don’t tolerate my Christian faith. And that’s the height, width, and depth of their hypocrisy.

Naturally (and I use that word because it fits perfectly) the tolerance that’s “preached” in “pride parades” has no actual boundaries. So, as more and more sin is accepted, it gets more and more depraved.

Fat old guys (and women, and young ones, too), parading around naked in front of children is bad. But, if that behavior is left unchecked and unpunished, to quote BTO, “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

The web page, with the report of this awful news, included some ironically humorous bullet point ads. I copied them and pasted them, verbatim, here:

“Urologist: Enlarged Prostate? Do This Immediately (Genius!)”

“Big Belly? Take This Before Bed And Lose Up To 52 lbs In 10 Days”

So, I guess even naked, fat, old guys (and/or those who cheer them on) have health and vanity issues. One day, if they don’t turn to God for help with their hardened hearts, they’ll wish for the days when they only had belly fat and prostate problems.

I long for the day when I won’t feel compelled to speak out against men and women who prey on, and even murder, little children. And I look forward to an eternal future when none of those people who hate God will ever trouble me, or anyone who loves Him, again.

AND I know that day is coming. Because, even right here in the middle of an overflowing ocean of darkness, the Light of God’s love, shines with inextinguishable power. For anyone who cares to see it.

Worldliness; don’t let your joy turn into heaviness!

Stay tuned,

Be sure to get the Amen Songbook and Journal. The paperback version is on Amazon, so free delivery to Prime members. There’s a link in the book where you can download all the songs in the Amen collection.

https://app.box.com/s/iu1v6wq04ail8ays371zouebsnnanew3

The post Fat old guys out in front of your eyes appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Just so you know, right up front, I don’t believe humans turn into angels when they die. Because angels are not the same kind of creation. And they’re already created. And they’ll always BE angels. You and I are already created as human beings, to be that way forever.

Why would I write a poem about soldier angels? Well, actually I didn’t. But 10 years ago, I DID write a poem, in honor of Memorial Day and soldiers who died for our country, that sounded that way. But it’s metaphorical. Not to be mistaken as a belief that soldiers turn into angels.

Back then, I thought about how this world is another year closer to the end of this age. And I wanted to say how I’m thankful for the soldiers who give and gave so much to hopefully keep our country safe. So, I said “they’re like guardian angels for us in the here and now.”

And for those who gave their lives in that service I said, “They’re no longer guardian angels, but many of them live in the realm of angels.”

Then, I mentioned how “ironically many of those angels will be soldiers here on earth one day.” And I said they’ll be “fighting for the causes of freedom.” Because they’ll be fighting for the Truth that makes you free.

So, I used a rhythm I don’t typically use to write a rhyme about soldiers and angels. Even though human beings will never be angels, and angels will never be human beings, the soldier connection is a sad, yet glorious, reality. Here’s that rhyme I already created 10 years ago.

Soldiers, angels, walkin’ through the green grass

Soldiers, angels, hikin’ up the high road

Soldiers, angels, have left us a tutorial

Soldiers, angels…one becomes the other

Soldiers, angels…we can’t live without them

Stay tuned,

No-cost, low-cost, and premium ways you can help me spread the Word…

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered right to your device. (also Fa-Ree)

Get digital Bible stuff from the same company I do.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

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

The post Already created and I am elated appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Nine years ago I wrote that we live in “particularly dangerous times.” And I’m happy to report that the worst has blown over and you’re safe once again. Go back to your daily routine without worry. And without fear. But remember to thank your government for keeping you covered. Because, without its benign benevolence and actuated authority, I hesitate to think where we’d be.

Because there are lots of really mad people all around the world. What do you suppose gets so many people so riled up? People aren’t born dangerous. You might say they have to grow into it (in fact, I just did say it). And selfish decisions are the easiest path to danger. Thank goodness you and I don’t have to concern ourselves with all that nonsense. Right?

Yeah, as long as we mind our own business, we can enjoy the daily routine without a care in the world. Just the way God intended. Aah, cue the lilting music and springy, sunshiny video.

(*sudden sound of a turntable needle scratching across a record)

I just read an article that mentioned how a couple of mocha-shaded guys decided they wanted to see what it would be like to “kill a white person.” So, they shot a 66 year old guy in the back, with a hollow point bullet, as he repaired somebody’s mailbox. And the victim was reported to have a mom, in her 90’s, who depended on him.

So, right in the middle of his daily routine, a guy was murdered.

But what makes one person stoop to the lowest level? What has to happen to drive someone to murder? Here’s my answer.

Someone who can murder a fellow human being is someone who’d rather BE a god than acknowledge the true God. Murderers and rapists and child molesters are the lowest, rebellious scumbags in the world. They’re in such rebellion against God that if He says black, they say white. And if He calls something evil, they call it good.

And true love, the Love of God, is not in them.

Because this world is full of B.S.O.’s, Bright, Shiny Objects. They can be things, possessions, and even other people. And whatever they are, they can demand your complete love and attention. That, to coin the lyrics in a Kim Carnes song, is “where the trouble lies.”

And I believe that tendency is inside you and me, too. But it’s not your own kindness or live-and-let-live attitude that sets you apart from the murderer. It’s either that you’ve acknowledged there IS a Creator God, or that you’ve at least acknowledged that you are NOT God.

One place in the Bible describes that as the beginning of wisdom. And the Bible says “wisdom is the principal thing”. It’s more precious than jewels or gold. Wisdom places a high value on people. Because only people are created in the image and likeness of God. But wisdom is a far removed from wicked people as Heaven is from hell.

Grab the Grace of God and never let go. You’re so valuable to God, the Creator of the universe, Maker of Heaven and Earth and all things, that He took a terrible punishment and died for you. And me. And everyone else.

I may sound old-fashioned and out-of-touch…but if so, let me never be modernized to the point of forgetting that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

That’s the only news that will take you through the dangerous times of your life.

Stay tuned,

No-cost, low-cost, and premium ways you can show your support…

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered right to your device. (also Fa-Ree)

Get digital Bible stuff from the same company I do.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

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

The post Daily Routine in this man-made machine appeared first on Tony Funderburk.