Do Right Archives - 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?

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!

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.

Take a second and join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional. 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.

Sure, you could say Tino loves music. If you’re trying to win the “understatement of the year” contest, you could say that.

“He’s no quitter.”

Boy oh boy, is THAT putting it mildly.

Because Tino’s efforts in the cutthroat music world were almost legendary. First, he got fed up with traditional gatekeepers who rejected his work. Next, he got sick of “all the fairness” as he called it. And, finally, he took matters into his own hands.

He thought to himself, “Hey, why not use the power of the internet? It seems to be workin’ pretty well for some of those YouTubers and Instagramers.”

So, he set up an independent music publishing label entirely online. He found an affordable hosting company, DreamHost, where he could serve up a user-friendly website. But he didn’t make it all about him and his music.

Tino decided to make his platform a place where hard-working artists could upload their music and communicate directly with their fans. Plus, for a little extra, they could even manage their merchandise sales without the enormous fees that come with traditional labels.

He understood you gotta make money or else it’s just a hobby. So, Tino set up a subscription-based model. For a small monthly fee, fans could subscribe to get exclusive access to new releases, behind-the-scenes content, and live-streamed studio sessions.

And that move helped to provid a steady income for the artists. Plus, it helped them build a loyal fanbase willing to support their favorite musicians directly. Without label gatekeepers.

Here’s another understatement of the year contender.

Tino was an idea guy.

Because he used social media channels and digital marketing strategies to promote his artists. He knew how to create compelling content to showcase their unique stories. And built an even stronger connection with their fans and potential fans. And he made sure email marketing was a BIG part of the whole fan connection process.

Should I share more of Tino’s world-beating story?

How about I just tell you that he made great use of:

Tino (and the other artists) loved how it didn’t feel like their pockets were being picked by promoters, publishers, and recording studios and labels anymore.

And fans loved the much more direct connection they could make with their favorite singers and bands. In just a few years, Tino carved what looked like a permanent niche for himself in the music world.

He found that, with the right tools and strategies, artists could indeed beat the music world at its own game.

Wow, his story reminds me of the 8th song on my Do Right collection. Beat The World. In fact, check out these lyrics (that Tino didn’t write).

~ Every time you turn your back

And then, there’s this verse:

~ Yeah…every time you make your mark

Get the rest of the lyrics, and all the lyrics to ALL the songs when you get your own Do Right Songbook Journal.

You’ll also get lots of pages where you can journal, take notes in church, or just doodle if you prefer. AND you can download ALL the songs (at no extra charge) from a secret (not secret) link in the book.

Just go to the Rhyme and Reason Bookshop and get yours today.

https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/rhyme-and-reason-bookshop

Let me know if you have any problems getting the book. I’ll make sure you get it!

Stay tuned,

The post Understatement of the year is maybe right here appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

You’ve heard how there was no joy in Mudville when Mighty Casey struck out. Well, I assume you’ve heard that or read it. And I know what happens when you assume. So, maybe I should have given a spoiler alert. But the poem first appeared back in 1888. So, for cryin’ out loud, if you haven’t read it or heard it by now, then shame on you.

Anyway…

I know you’ve never heard of Wyler James. And I’ll explain how I know that, shortly. Just know for now, that when it comes to someone who knows what it feels like to be struck out, you don’t have to look any further than Wyler.

He started out on a what looked like a fast track to stardom. Because his first 3 songs were covered by some Nashville names big enough to make him a fair sum of money as it made them a lot more. So, that was mighty cool.

And Wyler gained a considerable amount of recognition from his appearances in the Nashville venues that featured songwriters “in the round.” People just plain liked him. And they liked those first 3 hits, a trio of soulful love songs.

But one gray day Wyler hit two metaphorical, but solid, stone walls that stalled out his career.

First, the music industry moved into a time where his style of soulful love songs just were “not what the public wants to hear,” according to publishers, promoters, and radio execs. So, that was a pretty big slap. Because Wyler wasn’t a “viral hits” and “dance tracks” kind of songwriter they said they needed.

But the other stone wall was where he really got the rug pulled out from under him.

Yeah, it’s safe to say he didn’t tow the creative community’s party line. Because Wyler not only considered himself a Christian AND a conservative. He actually voiced his opinion. A lot.

GASP!

Can you imagine? (Yeah, you probably can, right?)

So…

Former so-called “friends” faded into the background. Or should I say into the woodwork? And publishers, and other songwriters, treated him as persona non grata (that’s Italian for persona non grata). And I can tell you, from experience, a persona with non grata has a much harder time paying the bills.

So, Wyler’s desk filled up with past-due bills. And he headed toward total bankruptcy. Because the memories of the days of radio hits, sold-out shows, and awards motivated him to stick with his true love. Music.

And, in a world that increasingly doesn’t appreciate the Christian worldview, Wyler seemed to face impossible odds.

And night after night he’d go to his guitar, strum and hum, and look for “that song.” The one his heart wanted to sing to (and FOR) everyone who faced seemingly impossible odds because they dared to speak their Christian faith.

Finally, one night he found some chords and strums that fit just right with 4 lines of lyrics that kept popping into his brain. And he wrote…

You say you’re feeling empty and it doesn’t go away.

And it was as if his soul filled up with renewed hope, love, and determination. Then, he set up his computer studio, positioned his mic, and recorded the whole song in only a couple of takes.

He listened to the finished song about 10 times. And every time he heard it, he liked it more. Then, he got this crazy idea that he’d just skip the Nashville publishing, promoting scene. He’d just put his song directly in front of the fans he still had on his social media pages.

As it turned out, there were still plenty of fans and followers who loved his music. And many of them shared his new song. Before he would have ever dreamed it could happen, the song became one of those viral hits. Yeah. And that’s in spite of it not being a dance track.

I won’t bore you with the rest of the details of what happened after that. Because here’s the part of the story where I share with you how I know you never heard of Wyler James.

You never heard of him because he didn’t exist before I wrote this story. But the lines to his song existed. Because I wrote them way back in the 90’s. And the song, Impossible Odds, was included on my Do Right CD. Yes, CD.

Now, you can get a digital download of the Do Right Songbook Journal in the Rhyme and Reason Bookshop. We just added it to the digital bookshelves today. You’ll get the lyrics to all the songs, lots of pages to journal or doodle on, and a link to download all the songs to your favorite device, included at zero dinero. Don’t be struck out watching that offer pass you by.

But if you don’t know me well enough to spend money on a book, then jump on the The TRUTH. Get to know me better. Just so you know, Wyler’s worldview is mine, too.

Join the growing band of believers who enjoy my books, daily rhymes, songs, and videos about the Rhyme and Reason and power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

The post Struck out, struck down, and washed up in this town appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

They’re not scary when you use even a little of the wisdom and discernment your Creator is willing to give you. I’m talking about health headlines. But if you read them without wisdom and discernment, as if they’re actually full-blown facts, you might start feeling like calling up the suicide hotline.

Because the vast majority of news sources would prefer you to stay locked down, inside your house, and in front of your computer or TV with fear in your heart. Of course, I could just be a conspiracy nut. And, in that case, skip the rest of this raving rant. Save yourself some more time for the fear news.

For 50 years I’ve been writing and talking about how this kind of world could and would happen. At first it was innocuous “laws” and policies to simply “provide protection” from accidents. You know. Helmets for motorcycles. And seatbelts for cars. I’m not against those, by the way. But the “laws?” Not so much.

I’m not gonna bore you with some decades long timetable. Because all that data probably wouldn’t change 1 mind out of 10. Probably wouldn’t turn 1 person’s heart, out of 10, toward their Maker.

And that includes health headlines, business headlines, and political headlines. So, I just recommend that you at least scan the headlines and bullet points on major news sites. And don’t be surprised when you see how similar, almost eerily similar, they are to each other. It all reminds me of the lyrics I wrote over 25 years ago. It was a song called Cliché. Here’s a verse…

We want to live in a fat-free environment, and

Cliché, and 12 other songs are included in my Do Right songbook journal. Get yourself a copy on Amazon today. It won’t build your immune system. But it might help you connect with the One who designed that system.

Stay tuned,

The post Health headlines today keep common sense away appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Update: The CD version of Do Right is currently unavailable. But you can still get the digital download at this link:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZX3MBTG37Q9WA

Do you know a kid with a vivid imagination? That’s kind of a loaded question. Because basically ALL kids have a vivid imagination. I know I sure did when I was a kid. Yeah, my world of make believe had the traditional stuff. You know, castles in the air, bicycle is actually a horse, tree house is a rocket ship stuff.

Of course, that doesn’t make me unique at all. I’m sure just about every kid conjures up worlds of wonder. And a healthy imagination is an indication of a healthy brain.

But it’s also great (and necessary) to build a foundation under them. Because you don’t want your “impossible dreams” to turn you into another Don Quixote. Even though, these days, people might not find it so crazy if you’re out in a field battling a windmill. Crazier things have happened.

But as an adult, flying ponies start to fade away. And tree houses are replaced with house payments. And it’s actually a good idea to “put away childish things” when you grow up. That’s in the Bible. So, that means it’s true AND right. Because it’s important to know how to deal with reality in this world.

But that doesn’t mean you have to toss your imagination out the window. Far from it. It’s just a bad idea to surround yourself with make-believe. Which is easier than ever to do, now, with the internet and AI. And that makes it more important than ever to get out and enjoy the great, big, beautiful, outdoors.

This incredible blue planet we call home (for now) has everything your body needs to survive and thrive. And that’s absolutely not by accident.

And He created human beings with feelings and intellect. And most importantly, awareness and the potential for eternal life. And, from what I’ve gleaned from the Bible, it seems to give Him great pleasure to watch us explore the wonders of the world. I think He loves to see us use the resources He gave us to build stuff and grow food and advance our knowledge of His design. But it also grieves Him to see us destroy and pervert His creation.

Back in 1996 I composed, produced, and recorded a collection of songs and put them on a CD titled: Do Right. Those songs talk about how this world didn’t happen by chance. And they admonish others to be bold and take a stand for God’s Way.

They also show how it’s foolish to turn your back on the only One who gives any meaning to your life. Because, in a way, He’s already built those castles in the air that you and I imagined when we were kids.

So, Do Right and risk the consequences because Heaven is real. And so is hell.

Now, whatever you do with all your might,

Click or tap on any of the links to get your own Do Right CD. Yes, CD. There aren’t many of these original, unopened ones left. But “warning, warning!” If you prefer the sugar-coated songs you can find in just about any church these days, DON’T click any of these links. This music isn’t for you.

But if you’re looking for meatier music, and you’re OK with a 90’s sound, get one delivered to your doorstep soon. And from one of the most trusted e-commerce sites on the planet. Ebay.

Now, whatever you do with all of your might,

Stay tuned,

The post Castles in the air and who can take you there appeared first on Tony Funderburk.