It’s Saturday as I write this. And I hope you have better things to do today than just go shopping or watch TV. Because it’s important, especially with everything going on in the world, to guard your heart and mind.

In Philippians 4:8-9 Paul shows you that focus is so important.

And I know focus is a buzzword, these days. Because it’s used by motivational speakers, marketing gurus, and so-called influencers. But the focus they talk about almost never helps you to see how the God of peace will be with you.

But first, picture this in your mind’s eye. From the window in your kitchen you see a sunflower in your front yard. Standing there all alone in the middle of rocks and weeds. Bright and beautiful. So you open up your trusty camera app and snap a quick photo you can share with all your social media friends.

But the trouble is they don’t get the full effect. Because they see the rocks and weeds and whatever else shows up in the picture.

Now, imagine you take your camera outside, kneel down, and really focus in on the sunflower. And you capture the bright yellow petals with hues of sunset orange blended into interconnecting spirals.

Focused in like that you can clearly see the fruit and seeds of the flower. And it’ll help you appreciate that you have a camera with enough pixels to do it justice. Now, when you take this snapshot, you’ll have a picture that really shows off the beauty that caught your eyes. And most likely anyone who sees the picture will notice, even if it’s only subconsciously.

And, just like you focused in on the sunflower, you’ll get a much clearer picture of God’s peace when you focus in on better things.

Paul actually used a synonym for “focus” when he wrote a letter to the Philippians. He wrote the word “meditate.” And to meditate on something just means to think deeply and carefully. Then, he shared a focus list. One of the better things you can do today is go over whatever things are:

So, learn to do what you hear and see Paul doing. Because he learned by hearing and seeing what Jesus did. Then, the God of Peace will be with you. That sounds like something I’d like to work on today. How about you?

If you wanna focus more like this, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

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Note: the last podcast episode said it was number 995. But it was actually 994. And this episode is actually 995. OK, back to your regularly scheduled whatever it was you were doing before I interrupted you.

Mindfulness is the cognitive skill, usually developed through meditation, of sustaining metacognitive awareness towards the contents of one’s own mind in the present moment.

Because the information you see about mindfulness and self-awareness, all over the place these days, really focuses on that one word: self.

And from what I’ve been able to determine, through a variety of articles, they lead away from God. Here’s an example of what I mean taken from the ultimate internet authority, wikipedia:

~ The term mindfulness derives from the Pali word sati, a significant element of Buddhist traditions, and is based on Ānāpānasati, Chan, and Tibetan meditation techniques. Though definitions and techniques of mindfulness are wide-ranging, Buddhist traditions describe what constitutes mindfulness, such as how perceptions of the past, present and future arise and cease as momentary sense-impressions and mental phenomena. ~

So, what does all that mean?

Two words. Mumbo TRUTH. OK, I’ll add one more word, Dumbo.

If your “perceptions of the past, present and future arise and cease as momentary sense-impressions” (aka feelings), your life ain’t got no foundation. And if you put any kind of trust in mental phenomena, you’re just liable to be tossed “to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.”

Because meditation, that doesn’t focus on self, can be a very powerful mental and emotional tool.

I recommend that your meditation (or mindfulness) should focus on things that are:

Of course, you already know that, if you’ve been connected with me for even a little while. So this information and recommendation is for the uninitiated, the newbies, and anyone willing to trust truth over feelings and phenomena.

It’s not a rule you have to follow,

This all has even more meaning for me now. Because part of my occupational and physical therapy, for better stroke recovery, includes exercising my brain. It sounds like it would be the easy part, but when parts of your brain are zapped due to a blood clot, you might be surprised how quickly the old think tank can run out of gas.

So, I’m gonna take my own advice right now and trust the Truth to help me.

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What I’m about to share probably isn’t for you. But I can almost guarantee it’s good for someone you know or care about. It’s something I shared with others a few years ago. And I asked them this question: If I told you to leave your troubles behind and move forward, what would you do? Get mad at me and say “NO!” Would you tell me I can’t possibly understand your troubles, so I don’t have the right to tell you such a thing? Well, what if I told you this message is from God? Would you say yes, then?

Yeah, read the New Testament. I promise it won’t hurt. And it’ll show you how no one gets through this life without troubles. In fact, Jesus himself said there WILL be tribulation (which is big trouble) in this life. He didn’t say maybe there will be. He said there WILL be!

So, does that mean you respond with exasperation, frustration, or consternation? Nay. Nay. And again I say nay. On the contrary. It’s much better (in fact, it’s freedom) to leave your troubles behind and keep “reaching forward for those things which are ahead.” Time only moves in one direction. And that’s the direction to focus.

That’s what I shared with those others a few years ago.

Now. Today is the first day of a brand new year (2025). So, it’s an ideal (because nothing’s perfect) day to say yes to moving forward with your feet and mind planted firmly in the here and now. Because the here and now are the only place and time you can actually DO anything. The past is gone. And the future doesn’t exist.

So, Happy New Year, and leave your troubles behind. Because it’s the right thing to do. And it’s healthful for you.

Keep your eyes on the prize. And, just to reaffirm, that prize is your Creator. I wrote (and then rewrote) a song about moving forward with action and confidence. In a way it’s the most selfish sounding song I’ve ever written. Because Every. Single. Line. starts with I’m. But it’s actually filled with the exhilaration you can get when you trust God.

I’m gonna dance through this life.

I’m gonna climb to the top.

I’m gonna leave my cares and troubles far behind.

I’m gonna get to the passion.

I’m gonna sing through this life.

I’m gonna leave my cares and troubles far behind

© 2018 Tony Funderburk

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Kris and Themum woke up to a thunderstorm filled with bright flashes of lightning. Thank goodness they had taken extra time to secure their tents and position them for protection. Because the thunderstorm turned into what Uncle Paulo would describe as “a real frog drowner.” But they weren’t gonna let a little rain put a damper on reaching the goal for the day.

The summit. The peak. A couple more vertical miles, and they’d see the tip-top of the goal they’d talked about for a long time. And they both thought about that as they fired up the little backpack grill to make breakfast and coffee.

Neither one said anything. Kris had pointed out, before they even started their climb, that he wasn’t a morning talker. And Themum said he just wasn’t a morning person, period. So, that worked out. Even though it sounds funny to say it, they could just enjoy the mountain sounds in silence.

After breakfast, and a jolt of adrenaline thanks to their Italian roast coffee, the guys gathered up their gear to get ready to press on.

And as most climbers (the honest ones at least) might tell you, they didn’t even fully understand WHY they pressed on. Because the thin air increased the challenge with each step up in elevation. So, it wasn’t like it was just a walk in the park.

Otherwise your mind, and aching muscles, can conjure up all kinds of reasons to turn back. And Kris and Themum certainly faced those distractions way up there above the tree line. But the awesome beauty of the summit, bathed in the orange-red-yellow glow of the morning sun, urged them forward.

After a few more switchbacks, the trail turned considerably narrower. And rockier.

As they approached a sharp turn, next to a wind-worn tree trunk, Themum felt a pebble in his hiking boot. So, he stopped to lean on the tree trunk for support and remove it. But just as he started to lift his foot to unlace the boot his other foot twisted slightly on another rock. And his hand slipped off the tree trunk. And he tumbled off the edge of the trail.

Kris had just made the sharp turn when he looked back to see Themum disappear over the edge. And, as you can well imagine, he dashed back down the trail to where his friend had fallen out of sight. He was afraid of what he might find. Or not find. But he quickly calmed that fear with faith.

“Themum!” he called out.

And thankfully Themum replied, “I’m right down here. Good thing there was a shrub to break my fall. But it’s pretty small. And I don’t know if it can hold me for long.”

So, Kris answered back, “OK, don’t worry. I’ll help you get back up here.”

And with that promise, Kris quickly looked around for something to hand down to his friend. There wasn’t much to choose from. But he DID find one solid limb, about 4 feet long, that looked like it had fallen off that wind-worn tree.

“Ok, buddy. I’m gonna hand you a branch to grab on to. Can you do that without falling?” he asked.

Themum answered, “Yeah, I think so. But I think we’d better hurry. The roots of this shrub seem to be shifting around a little bit.”

So, Kris grabbed on to another shrub with his left hand and lowered the branch down to his friend. And it was a good thing the branch was about 4 feet long. Because they needed every inch of it.

“Now, we’ve gotta sync up just right, buddy,” Kris told Themum. “When I pull, you gotta get the best footing you can and push at the same time. Are you ready?”

Themum dug his right hiking boot into the ground and answered, “Ready!”

“OK,” said Kris. We’re one unit. One force. Keep your eyes up here. On three. One! Two!”

Kris pulled the limb. Themum pushed into the ground and reached up to grab another root. And they repeated those moves a few more times till Themum was safely back on the trail. They both laid there in the warm sunlight, breathing deeply, and saying silent prayers of thanks. Because they had combined their efforts into one force, they got the job done right.

In case you’re wondering, yes, they DID go on to the summit. And they enjoyed reaching the goal they had weeks before. There were selfies. And pats on each other’s backs. Plus, they had a nail-biting adventure story they could share with their kids and grandkids.

Aren’t you glad you don’t have to rescue anybody off a mountainside today? And aren’t you glad you can just share stories with kids and grandkids the easy way? Just by going to the Rhyme and Reason Bookshop.

Yeah, do that today. And 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.

I can see a dip in the mountainside

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Remind me to tell you my thoughts on human sovereignty one of these days. I’ve got an interesting perspective on it. But that’s not what I’m sharing with you today. Something else occurred to me, today, as I saw the morning sun start to glow on the tops of the trees.

And the next day. And the next. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Those et ceteras always sound best in groups of three.

But here’s the thing. The world, and by the world I mean everyone who believes life on planet Earth is all there is, says the sun might not shine tomorrow. Yeah, the world (those hopeless souls who want you just as hopeless as they are) is FILLED with darkness. Because it reflects the darkness in their hearts.

But anyone who tells you the sun isn’t gonna shine tomorrow (or someday soon) is either a liar or an ignorant fool. And I don’t care how many dystopian movies and TV shows there are. The people (and I use that description loosely) who produce them are totally clueless.

Of course, they’d tell you it’s ME who’s clueless. And they DO say it all the time. Not specifically about me. Just anyone who’d dare to trust God and remain optimistic in these dark times.

Any day of the week. And twice on Sunday. Because I prefer to move forward through life with the knowledge that it goes on forever. Not in the same body. No, I DO have to trade in this used, broken-down body on a brand new one. But it’s with the knowledge that the new one is paid for.

And I know the whole world, even if every nation bundled into some sort of “new” orderly fashion, couldn’t keep the sun from shining. Not even if it employed billions of robots with artificial intelligence. And not even if it could focus all the planet’s energy into a giant ray gun aimed at the sun itself.

Nope. The world does not have, nor will it ever have, that kind of power. Thankfully, there is One who does. And He has given me access to eternal life, if I want it. And I DO. So, I know I’m tapped into the source of Life where all the power in the universe originates.

And I know I can do all things through Him. Two key points to that last statement. Just because I CAN doesn’t mean I DO. And “all things” means those things doable by me, with the gifts and talents God gave me.

So, that’s why I use words and music to send out these messages to the world. I know, full well, that most of the world will never see or hear me. But there might be some, even one or two, who will see and hear and be turned back to their living, loving Creator.

I know the morning sun will shine,

(from my song “I Can Do”)

© 2020

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Ever wonder why God made everything the way He did? If you don’t believe in God, you might as well skip past me and my writing. Because I’m gonna be wondering around creation for just a bit. And you might find my words of adoration and love too syrupy.

Here’s the Tony take. And I think it IS (or should be) clear that none of us, still on Earth, can know exactly why God made things the way He did. But I think the Bible clearly shows His desire to stay connected to us. Even as He does not force that connection.

I remember a pastor’s message, several years ago, when he illustrated how it seems to please God to do so much for us. And when you consider His ultimate sacrifice, it’s difficult to imagine He’d do that for us humans who’ve betrayed Him in every generation.

Yes, that includes Every. Single. Person.

You and I need God’s love. Maybe more than any other generation who ever lived. But this world would have you wondering around in a daze. And wandering around in a perpetual wilderness.

So, the key is a focus perspective. Marketers, these days, like to use the phrase “eyes on the prize.” And they think it’s some modern mantra. But a guy named Paul wrote about that perspective a couple of thousand years ago.

I’m a poet. A wordsmith. So, I use words to point to God. I love to ponder the wonders of creation. But I love the answer to those questions even more.

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

Cause God made skies. He made them blue.
He made the world for me and you
And all because it pleased Him to.
God loves us through and through.

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

Cause God made creatures big and small,
And sand and seas; He made them all.
And even if we trip and fall
God helps us to stand tall.

God’s love is always there.
His love will never die.
And so you can trust in Him
For all your questions why…

© Tony Funderburk 2008

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The good ol’ American can do attitude. Remember that? If you’re only a couple of decades old (or less), you might not. But it’s what truly made America a force to be reckoned with. Because when you have a nation of people who believe most anything, do-able, is possible, watch out.

That’s why it’s so sad, to me, to look around and see so many people so scared of life.

And depending on where you choose to gather your information, there are either “serious” health reports or funny memes. I take ’em both with more than a dash of sea salt. But I prefer the humor. Because at least those memes don’t come from a position of fear.

(Yes, hearken is a word.)

But the reason I bring this up isn’t to stir up the patriotic pot (iron…not plant). It’s because the get-things-done attitude I grew up in, here in America, has its roots in faith. Christian faith to be more precise.

What helps build confidence better than just about anything else in this life? Freedom. And what makes a person free? Is it a document signed by a group of men who were tired of tyranny? No. Is it a certain amount of so-called “laws” legislated, adjudicated, and executed by branches of government? No.

You and I are free (or should be) because we’re made in the image and likeness of God. Our Creator.

And true freedom was paid for, in a way we can’t fully comprehend, by that same Creator.

That same Creator who inspired the Apostle Paul to write “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And that’s where the latitude (scope for freedom of action or thought) for freedom originates.

Read the story about how the One who made you paid for your freedom. And you’ll discover the Truth that truly does set you free. I don’t know about you. But it makes me wanna sing a new song.

I know the morning sun will shine,

I can do”what I need to.

(excerpt from “I Can Do”)

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There’s a fast-growing cancer just under the surface of this world. It used to be held in check by a country known as the land of the free and the home of the brave. But the cancer is spreading like the western wildfires even in America. And there seems to be no cure. But I’d like to suggest that maybe God is the answer.  

And when I say “maybe,”I mean…wake up people! He IS the answer. The only lasting solution. None of our puny human efforts can hold a candle to what God can, and will, do.

But that doesn’t mean we don’t need to do anything.

Of course, people who love God, who love Jesus, should be salt and light in this tasteless, dark world. Because there will come a time when even our small amounts of salt and light will be removed from the planet.

And then…it’s gonna get bad for anyone still here. And when I say “bad,”I mean bad on a level that makes everything currently going in the world seem like a Sunday picnic.

So, let’s say you’re a Christian. And you’re looking at the world and starting to get a feeling of despair. If so, I encourage you to take a moment to meditate on God’s word. And think about what it means when He says “Be anxious for nothing.” When Paul wrote that to the Philippians, it was to give them the

If you’re not feeling that peace, even as this dark cancer spreads across the world, I’d suggest that maybe you’re leaning on your own understanding. And you’ll do much better to trust God’s word as it “surpasses all understanding.”

Maybe God can give you peace inside your mind.

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During my “dating days” (way back in the 20th century) I probably dated two or three girls who were “into meditation.” And I’m talking about the actual sit-down, pose with palms on the knees and pointed upwards kind of meditating. I also knew a couple of guys who were into it. But I never knew what their preferences were. Because 1: it wasn’t a subject we talked about. And 2: I didn’t find it interesting or compelling enough to discuss. But if you were to tell me you like to “meditate on the word,” you might get my attention.

“Uh, OK Tony. What words?”

Well, I know how so many people love lists. Right? Are you one of those? I get it. Lists can help you remember stuff. And they’re easy to share. Plus, it’s cool when you can go down your list and check off the ones you’ve done. Because it gives you a feeling of forward motion. Accomplishment. And accountability.

So, I’m gonna give you a list of words to meditate on. And they’re connected to things you should have in your life already. Ready?

Good. Your list includes whatever things are…

And here are a couple of bonus words for you: virtue and praiseworthy. If you can find anything with those, meditate on them, too.

Maybe no good at all. Because maybe you’ll get bored. And you won’t get the point. And I don’t know…maybe you don’t have anything in your life that connect to any of these words. If that’s the case, I recommend shifting some priorities. Because I don’t see how you couldn’t have anything connected to any of them. That’s too sad to imagine.

But this might the best reason to focus and think about these words you’re gonna find.

Because when you’re focused on and thinking about things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, it’s almost impossible to focus on the dark side of life.

And no one on God’s green Earth is immune to dark side thoughts. Not on your own anyway.

So, here’s one more recommendation. Ask God to help you with this little exercise. That’s right. Let Him know you’d like some help. He loves that. And when you do, don’t be surprised as “the God of peace will be with you.”

It’s not a rule you have to follow,

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Have you noticed how many rhymes without reason there are in church songs these day? And I say church songs because so many of them aren’t worship songs. And they don’t even rhyme all that well. Am I biased about this? Of course. But I’m also right.

Not treason against “the state.” But treason against God. Because so many of the songs, played in church these days, are “me”centered. Not focused on the actual message found in God’s word. But repetitiously focused on feelings. And they drone on and on and on and on.

If you’re a praise and worship leader or music director in your church, I urge you to re-evaluate your music. And consider whether it focuses on feelings or actually moves the message of grace forward the way, let’s say, Paul would.

Paul repeated his message from group to group. But he certainly wasn’t repetitious. And his message to the Body of Christ was often filled with admonishment and exhortation. With eyes focused on the prize. And not simply how he felt about it.

Of course, I’m not saying you can’t sing about your joy, love, and peace.

And I believe those should come with the job of serving the Savior. Even when you don’t always feel those feelings.

But I AM saying the almost mantra like music in church these days as almost exclusively about feelings. Not much diving into God’s word at all. And those melodic rhymes without reason help to eventually conform a church to the world. Totally opposite of what they should be doing.

Give your rhyme a reason to go out

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