Slim and None. Those are the probable answers to the question. But, naturally, that begs the question. And at least one version of the question would be, “What are the odds that everything happens for a reason?” And I’d say chances are also slim and none that people who believe everything happens for a reason would agree with Jesus on that.

Uh-oh. I done went and done it that time. So, before I move on, I’d like to know if you agree with this:

My option, on that statement, is NONE. But I’ll play the Lord’s advocate (because I prefer never to advocate for the devil) and assume not everyone agrees with me.

If that’s you, bear with me as I blast out some info that maybe you haven’t considered before. And this doesn’t come from some marketer. It’s not from a metaphysicalized so-called “pastor” or “minister.” This word, that affirms accidental circumstances, comes right out of the Bible in at least three different places. Actually four places. And maybe even five. But I don’t want you to start with the first place it’s found in case you’re the type who’s easily confused.

So. Are you ready for the affirmation word? Are you sure? Because this gets kinda complicated and it triggers people.

OK, if you’re still reading, it means your mind is fortified and you’re ready to hear some truth.

So, here’s the word. Chance.

Bam! Oh yeah, that word IS in the Bible. Four times when you do a search in the New King James version. And are you ready for the high octane Spirit chaser? One of the times the word “chance” is used, it’s in RED. Bam again! (for the initiated, red letters mean those words were spoken by Jesus)

Anyway…

The reason I brought it up is because I see, literally every day, Christians debating whether or not everything happens because God ordained everything. And anyone who says He does has NOT yet comprehended the book He wrote. Because He’s infinitely creative (meaning His creative abilities have no end). And He’s infinitely brilliant (meaning He knows how to create worlds and beings that don’t require Him for day-to-day operations.

So, that means God designed you to be able to think for yourself. And decide for yourself.

Because there seems to be no depth of depravity that human beings aren’t willing to go. People have done things to each other so horribly wicked that it never entered God’s mind they would do them.

Sure, God knows everything knowable. And everything He wants to know. But do you think for a moment, that God, for eternity past, had any thoughts of burning children on altars to sacrifice them to Baal? No, that’s not His nature. It’s ours.

OK, I just had to get that out there for your consideration. And I know chances are slim that everyone will agree with me. But I also know there’s a chance somebody’s mind could be changed. And that notion motivates me to share the info. Here’s a little outro rhyme of chance…

Will the sun rise in the morning?

Will the songbirds all be singing?

Will some words of wisdom visit?

Will the world go on forever?

© 2022

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“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” You’ve heard that more than once I bet. And it sure applies to Christian doctrinal differences. Because I see it more and more, with each passing year, how Christians put words and actions into God’s mouth and hands that He didn’t (and doesn’t) do and say. In other words…

Like the messed up idea that God predestined everything that happens or has happened or ever will happened. And how that means everything happens for a reason. And that we just need to remember it’s all “part of God’s plan.” Like I said, that’s messed up. So, to that I say, no.

And then how about this whole messed up idea of Christians forgiving everybody? Yeah. You even see people interviewed on TV after a loved one was murdered. And they’ll say things like, “I know God wants me to forgive him (the murderer), but it’s not easy.” Or they just go ahead and forgive the murderer and feel good about themselves for doing so.

That’s messed up, too. And to that, I also say, no.

Of course, the most ubiquitous case of what you know that just ain’t so is “Judge not.” Also known as “don’t judge” or “I’m not judging you” or some other form you’ve probably seen and heard.

And the irony is…the Christians who say we’re not supposed to judge will get very judgmental toward any other Christian who’d dare to judge someone. I’m sure they mean well (don’t touch that sarcasm dial), but they truly either haven’t read Paul’s writings, or they just forgot.

It’s really important to get these things right. I wrote a song about ’em. Here are the lyrics.

Everything is for a reason

No, no…a thousand times no.

Should you freely give forgiveness?

No, no…a thousand times no.

And who are you to judge?

No, no…a thousand times no.

© 2010 Tony Funderburk

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“Hey! Shut up! Don’t lie to me. You think I’m blind. But I’ve got eyes to see.” Yeah, a lot of what’s going on in America reminds me of those first couple of lines from Bonnie Raitt’s song “Have a Heart.” And I know it’s not a direct correlation, but it’s how my Rhyme and Reason brain works. It connects that rhyme and those lyrics with how ne’er-do-wells who practice to deceive would actually prefer to silence the opposition.

But given time you can expect them to escalate their strategy to include physical harm…and even death.

And to most people (sadly) my assertions will sound like paranoia or a conspiracy theory. However, most people aren’t aware of how human nature is basically deceitful and wicked. So, the most despicable deeds throughout human history tend to repeat. With the acceptance of the majority who don’t learn from history. And don’t care to learn.

And that’s how we arrive at this increasingly divisive point in America’s history. Through a system that actually encourages divisiveness. Yeah, you read that right. Democracy encourages a divided nation. Or, at the very least, provides means for division.

Because, like I’ve said many times, it’s crucial to remember how all the self-serving politicians were voted into their positions. Voted. And if you’re a Christian, you should make it a point to examine the Bible to see if voting is God’s preferred method for establishing governments and authorities. (spoiler alert…it’s not)

Even though I’ve mentioned how I’m not a Trump fan, I know what Congress is doing to him is evil and self-serving. And, like all deceitful and wicked people who ever lived, they do it in the name of protecting you and me from bad stuff.

Because they’d rather gain the whole world, as they lose their souls, than trust God and risk losing their temporary authority.

I read this quote from Harry Truman (a Democrat president, believe it or not). It’s from a message he delivered to Congress, August 8, 1950, on the “Internal Security of the United States.” And it shows how far America has fallen in essentially one generation.

“Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.”

And if you haven’t gotten the sense that America’s citizens are currently living in fear of the government, you should pay attention to what that government is doing to the current president. Then, ask yourself, “If they can do it to him, am I truly safe?”

The answer is “no” by the way.

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So, everybody else just go about your business. Nothing to see or hear here. (Are they gone, yet?) OK, I’ve got some encouragement, admonition, and even merch for Christian songwriters. Especially the ones living in America. Since that’s where I live, I’m more connected. But if you live somewhere else in the world, can speak and/or read good ol’ American English, stay with me.

The Bible.

It contains all the key ingredients for you to write and compose songs to help a hurting world. And since the Bible is the Word of God, it’s vitally important to have at least a fairly good understanding of it. And guess what? It’s not just about peace, love, and joy. Gasp! I know. Most people, these days, probably don’t have a clue how much masculine testosterone courses through the verses in the Bible. And even if they do, they’d probably prefer not to emphasize that. But here’s the reason why it’s important…

Jesus is a man. A “he”.

Not a woman. Not a “she”. And certainly not an “it”. God is a triune God in the most masculine form imaginable. Even unimaginable. When you consider what Jesus went through, for the world, it’s impossible to believe a female would have or could have endured. But that’s all beside the point.

Point is…God is masculine. Yes He created man AND woman. But He created man first. So, here’s what Christian songwriters should consider before writing even the first line of lyrics. Do they reflect the one, true, living, loving God of creation? Or are they just coming from an emotional section of your own heart? Something you “feel”. But not something that truly reflects God’s strength, love, mercy, and justice.

I encourage you to get back to the Bible message in your music. And I admonish any songwriters who call themselves Christians who are secularizing the songs. Don’t go there. It won’t end well.

That’s all I’ll say on it for now. But I have some cool things for all my fellow words and music mates. Show the world you’re a songwriter. Wear it proudly.

And remember…life has Rhyme and Reason because…God made you.

Stay tuned,

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If you do an online search for the attributes of God, you’re liable to find what one pastor calls the “omni’s and the im’s”. You’ve probably heard of them…omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent…immutable and impassible. Those are some impressive (pun slightly intended) attributes. But they don’t truly represent the God of the Bible.

So would God. He shows us, throughout His word, how much He wants us to be with Him. And He says those who reject His Son won’t be with Him. They’ll be somewhere, forever, where God will not be present. Hmm, that sort of rejects the omnipresent thing.

And here’s something God said to and through a prophet named Jeremiah: “…they have also built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or speak, nor did it come into My mind.” Don’t take my word for it. Click the link and go read it for yourself. And it definitely shoots down the old omniscient notion.

As for omnipotence…Jesus did not possess that attribute as he hanged from the cross for you and me? So, the idea of unlimited power,    able to do literally anything doesn’t fairly represent our Creator. And Jesus hanging on the cross leads me to the first “im”.

Don’t you think Jesus dying on the cross was a HUGE change from anything God had ever done? And let’s not forget the fact that He became a little baby in a human mother’s womb…and then a man. He’d never done that throughout all of His past existence. Those are massive changes. And since He’s a man forever, now, still another gigantic change. Sorry, that’s not immutability.

And guess what? God is full and overflowing with passion. He’s a real person. Not a stone god or idol. Literally, all through the Bible, you can see His passion for and toward us, His creations. And the crucifixion…have you noticed how, through the decades, it’s called The Passion? I mean, c’mon, Jesus was so distraught over the idea of His upcoming separation from God the Father, He sweat blood as He prayed. An impassible god would not…and could not…do that. So much for the “im’s”.

And to know He’s alive, and that He became a man in order to intimately relate to our suffering and connect with us personally. Most of all…to know He’s so good and righteous and He loves us enough to give us eternal life. Just for believing and trusting. It’s such a humbling feeling to know the greatest Person in existence wants me to be with Him forever. And that’s why I wrote this song…

The world is obsessed with death and dying.

Our bodies become the dust that scatters.

He’s living and He’s life…He’s personal to talk to,

Our souls know infinity is calling.

© 2009 Tony Funderburk

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Let me be clear. I’m not talking about that dark red muscle, in your chest, pumping blood all day and night. When I say don’t trust your heart, I’m talking about your very core. The inner YOU that only God knows. He says “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Does that sound like something you should trust?

I can tell you, from personal experience, how trusting your heart to lead you in the right direction can mess you up. My heart got me in trouble more than once in my life. And no, I’m not gonna share the dirty details. If you can’t take my word for it, you might as well go listen to some more candy-coated Christian messages somewhere else. This isn’t a narcissistic rant to try and form a deeper connection with my readers and listeners.

Your eternal fate is important to me. Even if it isn’t to you. And that’s because God’s love and Word are in me. If it wasn’t for Him, I’d probably just tell you to go jump in a lake. Or take a long walk off a short pier.

But God loves me. He made a way for me to live forever. And He says all I have to do is trust and believe in that Way. But He also wants me not to keep this exciting news all to myself. I need to share it…just like He shared His enduring love and mercy with little ol’ me.

So…that’s why I’m here day after day. Year after year. To share the message that there’s a living, loving God who wants us to experience glorious love we can only imagine. And to let you know that, just like the love you share with your fellow human beings, God’s love is not unconditional. He has one condition, and one condition only. Trust Jesus.

Read the Bible and get the facts. Let your brain do the talking and let your heart be changed. Why would you not want eternal life in paradise?

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And share with your friends, family, and other business owners. Don’t keep this good stuff all to yourself.

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It’s all part of God’s plan. How many times have I heard that…from Christians? And it makes me cringe. Every. Single. Time. They’ve fallen for the Platonic view of God rather than what God actually says about Himself in the Bible. He reveals His nature over and over, throughout the Bible, and it’s nothing like Plato described. The mind of God contains everything any of us will ever need for life, love, and happiness. But talking about what God does or doesn’t do…or what God knows or doesn’t know…divides Christians faster than lightning divides the night sky. (If you prefer to listen rather than read, here’s the Rhyme & Reason Podcast episode 229)

Before I go any further I’d like to ask you a question. You know Plato wasn’t a Christian…right? Quite the opposite in fact. He was a pagan Greek philosopher. Yet, he influenced one of the biggest Christian influencers, Augustine. And that influence was so strong that Augustine interpreted the Bible based on what Plato said about God…instead of what God said about Himself. That’s a YUGE problem.

It’s important to know that your one, true, living, loving Creator (aka God) designed you to be an awesome reflection of Him and His nature. But (and this is a big BUT) He didn’t decide, before the foundation of the world, every thought you’d think, every word you’d say, or every action you’d take.

God took a gigantic risk and let you have your own will.

Some would say that didn’t turn out so well. Of course, I’d disagree. Because having your own will means you get to make your own choices. And making your own choices means TRUE love is a distinct possibility. Sadly, it also means true hate is a distinct possibility. But that’s a necessary and possible consequence of free will.

The Greek philosophers, like Plato, said if God is perfect, then He can’t change in any way. According to them, that would take away from His perfection. Their silly claims say God is:

If God, Himself, told you He loves, or that He changes, or that He resisted all sin, would you believe Him? Or would you prefer to believe what pagans say about His character? I hope you choose God’s word on the subject instead of Plato’s. When you do, you’ll discover love beyond comprehension. Mercy and care beyond understanding. You’ll discover the Creator who CAN be moved and affected by your cries for help and your prayers of thanksgiving.

The horrible things that happen in this world are absolutely NOT part of God’s plan. He’s not working evil things together toward some “greater good”. In fact, He says don’t do evil that good may come of it. And He’s a good Father. So, He wouldn’t tell us to do as He says and not as He does. Some of the most despicable and vile things we humans have done never even entered God’s mind. That means He certainly didn’t plan them.

The good news is…because God DOES change and love and feel emotions, you can have an awesome relationship with Him. A real relationship. Not make-believe. One that can last forever. He wants that for you. But He won’t force it on you, if you don’t want it. My hope for anyone who doesn’t already trust Jesus to be The Way, The Truth, and The Life is that they’ll change their minds while they’re still breathing here on planet Earth.

If that’s you, I promise you’ll love discovering how you’re here because you came from the mind of God.

Here are the lyrics to the song included in the Rhyme and Reason Podcast229

God looked down on me…

And so again; I behold the outer man

He spirals His thoughts…

And then I can behold the inner man

There were no incantations, no hallelujah chorus

Repeat 1st verse and 2nd chorus…end

© 2001-2018 Tony Funderburk  1/21/2001

Stay tuned,

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