the Tony Funderburk FunderCast

I enjoy listening to Elon Musk. Especially since he bought Twitter, which he now calls X, and allowed free speech on that platform. And he seems to truly love America. So, he’s got that going for him, too. Obviously he’s a highly intelligent and financially successful guy. But I wish he wasn’t so stupid when it comes to human existence.

Here’s a quote, from him, that shows why I say that.

“The universe appears to be, like, 13.8 billion years old. Earth is about 4.5 billion years old. In another half billion years, or so, the sun will expand. And probably evaporate the oceans. And make life impossible on Earth. Which means that if it had taken consciousness 10% longer to evolve, it would never have evolved at all.”

But why would such a smart guy say things so stupid when he clearly has access to tons of data? Data that clearly shows the contrary evidence all around. Elon even wonders how many “dead one civilization planets there are out there.” He figures there are “probably a few.” Plus, he described Earth as “a mode of dust suspended in a beam of sunlight.”

Yeesh. At least he got the “suspended” part correct. And that’s something the Bible said, thousands of years ago, about our little life-filled orb.

I think it’s so sad to see how all of Mr. Musk’s education and achievements have led him to such conclusions. Because they only increase his separation from the Maker of Heaven, Earth, the sun and its beams. And that’s so stupid.

Elon’s worldview, that most people on the planet share, is ultimately one of hopelessness. Imagine believing that you’re just another creature who lived out your life on a mode of dust. In a beam of sunlight from a sun that’s just gonna expand and burn up that mode of dust.

Consciousness did NOT evolve. And this so-called “mode of dust” is almost three-fourths covered in water. And that sun is at an almost perfectly optimum distance from Earth. It’s burning out one day. But if it had been around billions of years, do you realize how much larger it would have been way back then? Let’s just say our little “mode of dust” would have been burnt to a crisp.

Those are only 3 points of contention and evidence that should lead a thinking person to at least wonder how all of existence could happen accidentally. Design is in the smallest cell. And in the largest system, the universe.

Self-defeating arguments can be found everywhere in this world that does its best to erase God. And they like to do that in the name of so-called intellect and science. But, to shake my spear of intellect a little, therein lies the rub. Because there wouldn’t be any intellect or science without an uncaused First Cause.

In other words, everything did not come from nothing.

Take the Creator of the universe out of the equation and it’s no surprise how dark the future appears.

So, here’s my suggestion.

And examine the overwhelming evidence of His existence in all of creation. There are thousands of ancient manuscripts. And archeological discoveries. There are prophecies realized. And there are almost limitless science and statistical probabilities connected to one man named Jesus.

So, it’s definitely not so stupid to “glory in the Lord.”

Because you live on a planet,

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Your government’s budget (and every other part) is NOT operating on or in a just and wise system. And if you ran your household like politicians run this country, you’d be a dead duck already.

I read, somewhere, that Andrew Jackson first used the expression, dead duck, in the 1840’s to describe a political opponent. And I don’t know if that’s true. But, based on other things I’ve read about that former president, it sounds plausible.

Anyway…

Yeah, your household couldn’t, and wouldn’t survive, the kind of deficits your country has. Here’s something I wrote, years ago, about how reasonable taxation could help you be more creative.

~ If we took enough from every taxpayer (say about 5%) and spent it on only those things that benefit the country, we’d have beautiful bridges, smooth roads, and strong defense against all enemies. And lots more time for creative endeavors and innovations. ~

Can you imagine how much nicer (and budget friendly) it would be to drive on smooth roads all the time? And how much safer you’d be if all our bridges were maintained they way they should be? Not to mention (be here I go mentioning) how much safer we’d all be if our enemies knew they’d be a dead duck to try to stand up to our strength.

A long time ago. It didn’t just happen in the last four years. Sure, the last four years have been some of the most disastrous in American history. But the system that got us here started over 100 years ago.

Years ago I described what we now have like this:

~ Instead we have a tax system that only the trained professionals and lawyers can understand. And it makes for “class” envy, fraud, and political skimming. Not to mention that our tax system has become a Robin Hood money laundering machine. Take from those who work hard and give to those who don’t or can’t or won’t. You can call it whatever you want. But if private citizens did that, it would be called stealing. Just because the government has made laws and given the tax system involved and caring (yeah, right) names doesn’t change the fact that it’s stealing. ~

It’s ironic how many “conservatives” and “republicans” declare how they’ll fight to be sure America never becomes a socialist nation. Ironic because we’ve been a socialist nation for a long time. And those same Americans say how much they despise the people who say “you’ll own nothing and like it.” But that’s where we ARE. You and I effectively own nothing.

And, from what I can see, most people seem to like it.

For the record, I hate it.

Sometimes this world brings my bad side out.

(from my song, Never Neverland)

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You might believe what I’m about to share with you from an American food ingredient checker. You might, but I think most Americans won’t believe it.

~ These ingredients are banned in Europe. But legal in the US. Really makes you think twice when it says “FDA approved.” 

POTASSIUM BROMATE

* Can irritate nose, throat and lungs

* Shown to cause thyroid and kidney cancers in animals

TITANIUM DIOXIDE

* Enhances products white color and opacity

* The IARC has listed it as a group 2b Carcinogen

BROMINATED VEGETABLE OIL

‘ * Contains Bromine, which irritates the skin & mucous membranes

* Long term, it can cause neurological symptoms

AZODICARBONAMIDE

* Used as a whitening agent in cereal flour and bread dough

* When broken down, it creates two compounds believed to be carcinogenic

PROPYLPARABEN

* Can affect fertility in mice

* Also can affect or alter the endocrine system 

RED 40, YELLOW 6 & YELLOWS DYES

* European authorities have not banned them. But they require a warning that dyes can affect attention in children.

* May contain with several carcinogens

ANTIBIOTICS IN ANIMALS

* Overuse of antibiotics can contribute to deadly drug resistant bacteria that can be passed onto humans 

RBST

* A hormone injected into cows to increase milk production has tenuous links to breast cancer cells in humans  ~

No, we’re not scientists. And we don’t play researchers on some YouTube channel. But we read ingredients on just about everything we bring into our home. I’m not sure we hit the 100% mark all the time. But we do our best to be sure our food doesn’t contain food enhancers with laboratory sounding names.

‘ Salt, pepper, garlic, and butter.

Those are just about the only enhancers good food ever needs. And food that contains inflammatory ingredients, like the ones listed before, ain’t good for you. Plus, my guess is, most of those ingredients aren’t accidentally bad for you. But what do I know. I’m just a guy who’d rather eat the way my Great-Grandpappy, who lived into his nineties, ate.

You can eat whichever way your little ol’ heart prefers.

After all, we still have a right or two left, here in the land of the fees and home of the slaves.

In the land of the fees,
On the home of the slave,
Where the Savior still sees
And still says to be brave;
‘Cause the time will still come,
And it just might be soon,
When it all ends for some,
The astute and immune,
Who believe in the Truth
That still strengthens and frees,
And will free us, like Ruth,
From this land of the fees.  © 2022

I heard someone say, “Hey Tony, I don’t know you well enough to buy something from you.”

Ok, let’s change that. Get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. And receive daily dashes of salt and flashes of light from the power of God’s love. Be a careful ingredient checker. You can unsubscribe any time.

And you can always break out your credit card for my stuff later on.

Stay tuned…

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Some people, even some Christians, say that what’s going on, in the Southeast, is God getting our attention. Or maybe that He’s sending down some wrath on haters. Have you heard anything like that? I even watched a young woman, in a video, say she was glad that area was hit so hard by Hurricane Helene.

Well, it’s total nonsense. And that kind of thinking doesn’t come from a good (or even somewhat decent) understanding of the Bible.

And it wasn’t even “part of His plan.”

Despite what you might find all over the internet God is not in the business of doling out judgment with weather and other natural disasters. They’re just weather and NATURAL (not supernatural) disasters brought on by a broken and failing planet.

You know what else is broken and failing. Your country. You might agree with that. But you might disagree with me on how long it’s been broken. Because I know it broke over a hundred years ago. Yeah, our great-grandparents messed up, too. Very badly in fact. But don’t be too hard on ’em.

You and I have done (or not done) our fair share.

There are conspiracy theories that Hurricane Helene was manufactured or manipulated into existence. It didn’t just happen totally by random acts in nature. I won’t say that’s not true. And I won’t say it is. But it’s easy to see the aftermath is most definitely being manipulated.

My heartfelt hope is that there are enough Americans, who trust God, that will stand up to the increasingly tyrannical government. Especially when it denies help to its own citizens suffering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. And the steals from those citizens to give to illegal aliens and foreign countries.

And I hope, as the “big games” come on this weekend, they’ll start to hear the…

Gotta go make some noise

‘Cause I hear a voice all day, and it just won’t go away.

Cheerin’ for my football team on the high def satellite stream

‘Cause I hear a voice all day, and it just won’t go away.

Still small voice inside me sayin’…

© Tony Funderburk 2009

Now, maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, let’s change that. Get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. And bask in daily, delightful flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

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Twenty-six years ago I remember hearing somebody say how corrupt our government has become. And they said it felt like people who want to stand up for truth, justice, and the American way (to quote from the old Superman TV show) just face impossible odds. Of course, it can feel like that. These days it can feel like that way more than back then. But I mentioned, then, and I’ll say it again. There’s an easy cure. But it appears to be WAY too difficult for most people on the planet.

Now just because it’s an easy cure doesn’t mean there won’t be any problems for anyone who does that. In fact, as you probably well know, people who dare call themselves Christians are seeing persecution all around the world.

If you know someone who’s facing a steep uphill battle right now, be sure to encourage them with more than just saying the words, “I’ll pray for you.” Tell them you’ll be glad to do whatever you can to help them. And follow up the words with action. Because you might be their answer from God. You might be how He helps them face…

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

You say you don’t believe me and you couldn’t be that sure.

You can’t begin the day; it’s impossible.

So you drink from human water and you taste the bitterness.

Chorus…inst…repeat chorus and end

© 1999 Tony Funderburk

Now, maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, let’s change that. Get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. And bask in daily, delightful flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

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Now and then, with a keyboard or pen, I go back where I’ve been.

I find it difficult to write anything without trying to make it rhyme in my head. Or without pondering the rhythm of the words. It isn’t obsessive. But it IS almost constant. And dare I make a mention of the need for this attention to words? Oops. I did it again. Well, it’s no sin.

Drat! There I go without even trying. You gotta believe I’m not lying when I tell you I don’t mean to. It’s just something that I do. And there’s no lasting purpose to it. I don’t know what makes me do it.

When I asked my good friend, Emma to help me with this dilemma, she let out a snicker. Then I wondered “why’d I pick her?” I could solve this on my own and then leave the rhymes alone. But if you have a solution to my rhyming execution, would you send me a note and tell me?

A little help, please.

Maybe your problem isn’t as serious as mine. But when you lay it on the line, it’s important. We’re all here for each other. Every sister, brother, and mother. And father. But so much of the time we’re so disconnected, misdirected, and unaffected. What’s wrong? Where did we shift? What caused this rift?

It’s not a matter of some mystical, magical hocus pocus. It’s a simple shift in our focus. We follow our own hearts. And that’s where the trouble starts. Your heart is not a good leader. In fact, it’s often a bottom feeder going for the lowest common denominator. In doing so, it becomes a terminator of wisdom. And wisdom is the key. For you. And for me. For anyone who’d rather benefit from lessons learned instead of getting burned over and over.

Is wisdom discovered? Uncovered?

Or is it something you’re born with and have to practice? Please, please. It’s none of these. It’s knowing the difference between wrong and right. And seeing the light of truth. OK. Where does truth originate. I don’t mean to agitate. But the answer is God. Without Him, it’s a matter of opinion, and every little minion has one of those.

So, in my rhyming way, today, as I do most every day, I’d like to offer a little help. It would be more than nice if you took my advice, but I’ll leave it up to you.

Look into God’s word. Don’t just go on what you’ve heard. Discover what He actually says. I believe you’ll find truth you never knew that can completely change you and your eternal destination. And to show my dedication, I promise to help you when I can because God says to help my fellow man.

Now and then, if you have any questions, share them with me. And I’ll do my best to help you see…

God’s love.

Now, maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, let’s change that. Get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

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If you even think evil thoughts, you’ve sinned. How’s that for a cheerful start to your week? I had one main reason why it came up in me to say that. Because of the kinds of things that transpired over the weekend as millions of Americans enjoyed beer and football. Their thoughts and deeds were mostly benign.

Would you believe there were even some people with murder in their hearts? (*gasp!*) I know. It’s unthinkable. No, wait. It’s totally thinkable. Because people have been thinking it almost as long as there have been people.

But these days, you and I live in a diluted system and a deluded society. Where cheating, stealing, and murdering are slap-on-the-wrist incidents. So, it’s no wonder the thoughts and deeds of so many turn to whatever devious plans their selfish minds and wicked hearts can devise.

Yeah, if you think the owner of a store has too much, and you have too little, then you should be able to go grab a thousand dollars worth of his products and walk out. No questions asked. Because, no harm no foul. So foul.

And if you disagree with a political candidate’s views, kill him. Because YOUR view is superior and supreme.

Of course, it’s not surprising (to anyone who’s been paying attention for decades) that our world has gotten to this point. Because, for decades, governments (through schools and politics) have taught kids it’s OK to do whatever YOU think is right.

And that even includes destroying anyone who inconveniences you. Regardless of age or stage of life.

As I read some articles and blurbs about another assassination attempt against Donald Trump, I thought about a news story I read in the Atlanta Journal way back in 1981-82. It was so sad. A young boy had been missing for days. And someone finally found his beaten body next to the Chattahoochee River.

Imagine the immeasurable anguish a mom or dad would have to deal with in that situation. But, on the flip side, millions of moms and dads are responsible for a crime even worse. They destroyed their own unborn children. And only because those children were inconvenient.

Every person on Earth (and that includes YOU) is guilty enough to receive the death penalty. And every person on Earth will receive it, even if no government carries it out. But, never fear. You know (or should know by now) that I’m a silver lining kind of guy. And the silver lining is that your death sentence CAN be temporary. In fact, you might even be fortunate enough to experience it in the twinkling of an eye.

But there’s only one Way to make sure. If you don’t know what that is, find out. If you do, share it today.

Because this world is hellbent for destruction. That’s why we’ve had generations of this…

Way down along the river,

Been forty years in this killin’ spree…

Inside a broken promise

Where we gonna go?

Who becomes a cheating wife.

© Tony Funderburk 2002

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

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It’s not impossible. Although sometimes it can certainly feel that way. And you definitely don’t have to accept it if you don’t want it. So, think it over before you accept or reject your secret mission. Because the fate of the world is in your hands.

But it DOES have some immeasurable consequences for YOU.

So, what do you say, Ethan? Does this sound like a secret mission you’re willing to accept? Keep in mind, the “Secretary” will disavow any knowledge of you if you’re caught. But that’s no big deal compared to when your Creator disavows you. “I never knew you” are words you never wanna hear.

OK, enough with the Mission Impossible references. But one last comment on that subject. I think Tom Cruise, and his team, did an excellent job of serializing the last two installments of those movies. I’m very interested to see “Dead Reckoning: Part 2.” How ’bout you?

Anyway…

None of that truly has anything to do with why or what I’m sharing with you this time. The following four verses, in a rhyme/poem called “Secret Mission” was started sometime last year. And as I spent some time clearing my computer’s desktop this week, I found the first two verses in an unfinished Pages document.

So, I made it my mission, this morning, to finish it. And my motivation for sharing it with you, today, is that I hope it helps motivate you to share God’s love with someone else as soon as you get a chance. If so, here’s your…

In the first ray of light there was a message

There were no dots or dashes or impulses.

Then a voice, filled with thunder, in a whirlwind,

I appeal, with an urgency of purpose,

© 2024 Tony Funderburk

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Well, let’s fix that.

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Another painful day of anxiety. And the effects, of it, range from silent crying to freaked-out scenes in public places to even assaults.

Oh, maybe I should clarify. I’m not talkin’ about me. Good heavens, no! I trust that Jesus Christ loves me and that He’ll never leave me nor forsake me. So, I’m covered by the Creator and source of Life. No anxiety here in Funderland. Well, I might get a little anxious if the power goes out while I’m writing this. But even then, I have a backup.

The anxiety I described is posted thousands, maybe even millions, of times a day on social media. For example, I’m gonna copy and paste 6 posts off X (formerly Twitter). And there are so many more I couldn’t go through them all if I spent my whole day scrolling.

~ I wonder if I’m the same. I had a kind of psychotic breakdown from anxiety and have been on drugs for eight years and feel worse not better

~ Some members of this generation will film themselves crying in the car over social anxiety. It’s all in their heads. Reopen the asylums.

~ Are we too soft on our kids? What’s happening with teen anxiety? Why are so many boys taking medication for ADHD?

~ I don’t like this. I feel like I’m overwhelming her with my anxiety, my unexplainable fear of her doing indecent things behind my back. And I’m fighting my own thoughts. She’s truly a good girl. And I’m the crazy one. I’m afraid that i might push her away with my neediness.

~ A man in the video posted a flag on a facebook post and the UK police showed up to arrest him for causing “gross offense with a menacing character which caused someone anxiety.”

~ Intelligence without courage leads to anxiety because you will spend your time overthinking instead of acting, taking risks, improving your life.

There were also lots of people who showed their concern that most anxiety happens because people are self-focused instead of nurturing a relationship with God. Yeah, I’ve mentioned that right here on my humble, little website, too.

And I found another hashtag post that simply stated a cure: Action Alleviates Anxiety

I like that one. A lot. In fact, it reminds me of a time, back in 1990, when a particularly tough migraine hit me. I can take a lot of pain. But that painful day was more challenging than usual. So, I wrote a song about it. And I used some indignantly angry personification. Your results might vary…

He’ll come and jump into your arms.

He’s tough. he turns you inside out.

For Mister Pain…he can be seen through.

He’ll smile and stab you in the back.

Repeat chorus

(bridge) You’ve got a reason to live,

Instrumental…repeat chorus to end

© 1990 Tony Funderburk

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the FunderFlash Journal and get my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

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The post Painful day: Fading away? Or ready to slay? appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Nations and empires fall because of it. Governments become tyrannical and then crumble because of it. And families are torn to shreds because of it. And it’s something you can’t detect with your five senses.

And the “IT” I’m talking about is selfishness. The cruel selfishness that leads some people to want to steal, lie, cheat, and even murder other people. The bitter selfishness that fuels harsh words between members of a family. And even the fearful, hopeless selfishness that leads to suicide.

You can’t control everyone, thank God. So, you can’t do anything about those first two kinds of selfishness. And you and I WILL suffer (in fact, we already suffer) from the side effects of what those people do. But you CAN do something about the fearful, hopeless selfishness.

About 10 years ago I share three reasons to be drawn to life. I’ll share them again, here and now.

And it’s the only one you’re ever gonna get. You’re not living in a dream world. When you hear Christians talk about being reborn, they’re talking about your spirit. And your spirit is the only place where true and everlasting life can reside. Have you ever felt a pulling on you from within? It’s a sort of longing to know there’s more to life than what your five senses can tell you. Well, that’s your spirit’s sense of connection to your Creator. He put eternity in your heart. He IS life, and He wants you to be drawn to life. And it’s the kind that lasts forever.

Without it, you can easily become another sad statistic like the countless, nameless others. The living, loving God of the Bible wants you to know that you’re valuable to Him. And He also wants you to know that life in this current space/time continuum won’t last. Torment, torture, and tyrants will be done away with by the Prince of Peace. So, knowing that He’ll do this AND give you eternal life should provide you Hope.

As I’ve mentioned many times, forever is forever. It isn’t the absence of time. That’s an impossible paradigm. It’s time without end. Time will go on and never, ever end. So, it’s important to give some thought and consideration to where you’ll be during that time. My Christian worldview says you can live forever in paradise with the one, true, living, loving God who created you. Sure, you can exist apart from Him (and therefore apart from life) forever somewhere else. Just know, it won’t be paradise. And it won’t be enjoyable. But the choice is yours.

And I mean the Life of God. You can live forever because of it.

In case you’re on the fence about it, here are some lyrics to nudge you along. (hint: subscribe to the FunderCast and you can hear the song, too.)

Maybe it’s Your grace.  I don’t know.

Anytime it’s me making it up

I’m drawn to You

Maybe I’ll wake up…maybe soon

Chorus

Jesus, help me, won’t You take me to my heart’s desire?

Chorus…instrumental…repeat chorus to end

© 1998 Tony Funderburk

Maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, then get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. And enjoy my daily flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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