Wisdom Wednesday Archives - Tony Funderburk

Doubt and unbelief put you in a constant state of stress and worry.

I mean, I know you have flaws. Because everybody does. But flaws don’t define you. Unless you let them cause doubt and unbelief to grind into your mind and affect your daily life.

There’s a very reliable way to positively affect your decisions so you can effectively pursue your dreams. But it’s so simple that most people’s doubt and unbelief makes them run the other way. Are you ready for this? Stop putting all your faith in YOU. And put it in the One who made you.

I want you to know it’s not an unforgivable sin to have anxiety and worry in your life. But I think it’s important to know that God says “be anxious for nothing” and “do not worry.” Those are imperatives. Not wishy-washy suggestions. So, He must know they’re do-able.

Doubt is often referred to as fear, or a lack of courage, or unbelief. And whatever way it’s presented, the solution is always presented as faith. God wants you to have courage. He wants you to be powerful and loving. And He gives you the tool to get the job done. His word. His word is also called “the sword of the Spirit.” It’s not a visible sword made of brass, iron, or steel. It’s invisible. But it’s sharp enough to be used for the “division of soul and spirit.”

Here’s the thing.

I just want you to know that if you’re filled with doubt and unbelief instead of faith, you’re doing something wrong. Not evil, but wrong. You’re trusting in yourself. And leaning on your own limited understanding. And you’re not trusting in the Lord with all your heart.

There ARE successful people, in this life, who don’t trust in the Lord. But most of them will discover how their profits might’ve helped them gain the whole world. But the cost will be that they lose their soul?

Yeah, here’s an awful thing to think about.

Most millionaires and billionaires go to hell.

That’s not to pick on wealthy people. Because most poor people are going to hell, too. The point is…most PEOPLE are not going to Heaven. For one stupid reason. They choose not to go. If you have any doubt about where you’ll go if you die today, here’s what I suggest. Find a way to crush your unbelief and put your faith in Jesus. Without Him, the most you’ll ever be able to do is make a series of…

I seem to make so many false moves.

False moves, like shadows, fall behind.

I always seem to see the empty spots

I sit and dream of traveling so far,

Since I referenced Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, I’m gonna share a link to my own lyrical perspective on that book of the Bible. It’s called “Rhyme and Reason in Ephesians.” Get your copy today:

https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/retail

Stay tuned,

The post Doubt and unbelief will give you no relief appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

It grows from ignorance and selfishness. It spreads, like kudzu, in the minds of fools who claim that hate only exists in others. I’m talking about hypocrisy. Unfortunately hypocrisy tends to be invisible to the hypocrite. And that’s partly why hate grows, like a weed, in this world. OK, now that I’ve rained on the parade, I’ll share some positive news.

His love overcomes and endures forever. His love made a way for you and me to live forever, too. Now that’s awesome news!

Need some proof He loves you like that? OK, He made you a person with your own will. You’re not His robot who can do nothing except His bidding. That’s important to keep in mind. Because it means you get to choose whether or not you want to live with God forever. He loves you and wants to show you eternal paradise. But He won’t force you there if you don’t want to go. And that’s just a tiny fraction His love.

But maybe you doubt God even exists. So, you develop a worldview bias based on what only your five senses can tell you. Or maybe you know someone like that. If so, I have a couple of questions. Which of your five senses contain love or hate? Which of your five senses contain your thoughts?

I encourage you to re-think your decision to turn your back on God if you have. As long as you have breath in you (and your brainpower) it’s not too late to change your mind and accept His love. He’s made it easily available. All you gotta do is ask. Because He already made the Way to receive it. And in the entire history of the world, that’s the most positive news EVER.

But, do it before the dark and dreary hate in the world chews you up and spits you into hell.

Oh give me love…give me justice…

Yes, Give me words…give me courage…

Give me the whole Jesus;

Then give me dreams…give me wisdom…

Chorus

© 2010 Tony Funderburk

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.

Stay tuned,

The post Positive news because of my views appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

I’ve shared the story before how my younger brother and I lived with my grandparents, my dad’s parents, for a little while. This was way back closer to the middle of the last century. In Norman, Oklahoma. And my parents were getting divorced. So my dad made sure my brother and I had a stable home to stay in while they went through the process. And that’s where I first learned about peach preserves, as well as other kinds of fruit preserves.

Because I’m a peachy kinda guy. OK, that’s not the real reason. True, but not the real reason. The real reason I remember, peach preserves, even more than the rest is because of my Grandmother’s peach cobbler and a little story she and I share.

One time, as she was making one of her peach cobblers from scratch, she gave me one of the peach pits. And she told me to open it up and find the seed. Being the highly curious five year-old boy I was, I did that. I remember thinking how the pit felt like wood. And it even had sort of a crisscross lattice look. So, I was certainly surprised to find a somewhat soft seed inside the “wooden” pit.

“Grandmother,” I blurted out. “Look! I found it!”

“Do you know what that seed can turn into?” she asked.

“No. What?” I replied.

She said, “Take this old spoon outside and dig a small hole and plant that seed inside it and then cover it up with the dirt.”

And that was that. At least that’s all there was to it for almost another 20 years. But it was about that many years that I was back at their house as an adult, with a lot of extended family, celebrating my grandparents 50th anniversary. And you know how it goes. The three sons, one of which was my dad, brought the families, and each family brought some goodies. So, plenty of good food, relative, seeing each other for the first time in a while, and one particularly delightful treat for me.

Right there on the kitchen counter was a cobbler made with homemade peach preserves.

As I was serving up a slice for myself, Grandmother came in and asked me how I liked it. Of course, I said I loved it. And she said, “Would you believe I got the peaches from that tree right out there in the yard where you planted a seed when you were a little boy?”

I thought that was so cool. Still do. And I doubt that I’ll ever forget that story. What brought it to mind for me today was a line from the second letter. Paul wrote to his protégé, Timothy. It made me think about what God does that. Nobody deserves. He sort of makes us into some peachy preserves. Here’s the line from Paul’s letter:

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.

That’s what I wish for you and me today. And here’s some more of…

There are people of the past

We don’t wanna hear it.

Oh, I wish our world was better.
I wish our world was fair.
I wish we’d get together

There are innocent children

We don’t want to hear it.

Oh, I wish our world was better.
>I wish our world was fair.
>I wish we’d get together

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 Peach preserves and what no one deserves appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

It’s Wednesday. So, you know what I’m thinkin’ about. No, not burgers. Well, not JUST burgers. I’m also thinkin’ about being a wise guy. And I know you’ve heard what the first step is. Right? Yeah, wisdom is knowing when to speak. Well, that’s what “they” say.

Here’s an example of when someone didn’t answer a direct question. And it was one of the most important questions, at one of the most important times, in history.

~ Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” ~

Of course, you know he spoke to Jesus who was on trial for His life. And Jesus said what?

~ But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. ~

Just imagine this. You’re God in the flesh. You literally have the power to bring down legions of angels to rescue you. And your judge gives you an opportunity to defend yourself. And you don’t say a single word.

Now, THAT, is the ultimate epitome of restraint. The ultimate example of knowing when NOT to speak.

Wow, you rarely see that these days. Especially with the power of the internet and social media at your fingertips. Most people, who probably run off at the mouth in real life, almost constantly pull the trigger on their word weapons.

I hope you don’t mind if I don’t join in

© 2020

If you just gotta say something about something today, make sure it edifies. Or at least make sure it entertains. I hope this additional Wednesday rhyme does that.

Whimsical Wednesday…wonderful breeze

Get my Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional. Because the flashes of light I share on my website come directly to your inbox. So you can spend your valuable time reading instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to books and music, right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies.

The form can be filled in the actual website url.

Stay tuned,

The post Wisdom is knowing when to speak and not to speak appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

A while back I shared some hillbilly ideology I found online. And it got some funny additional comments and feedback. Recently somebody asked if I would share it again. So, yeah, I’m glad to oblige.

And the picture that went along with the text is a big part of what made me read through. Because it was an old guy with long and gray hair. He sat on a tree stump and held a large, single-shot rifle. So, I figured if there was anyone who fit the bill, it was this guy.

He just said it was plain ol’ hillbilly Wisdom:

There you go. Which one(s) float(s) your boat? Or are you like me and you’re just gonna go for ALL the hillbilly ideology?

And, by the way, once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional. I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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It’s so cool how fast little kids learn to talk. You’re so young when you start talking that your parents have to tell you about your first words. My mom told me I spoke way before I was a year old. But you know how moms are. And I’m more the strong, silent type. So, I tend to believe I waited till I had valuable information to share before I started spouting anything out.

And even though that sounds like bragging, it’s true. Because it’s true of all newborns. Kids get all goo-goo gah-gah over letters and sounds because they see and hear adults.

Yeah, you and I learned to talk mostly by watching adults.

It’s amazing when you get right down to it. You’re born with the ability to make sounds. But those sounds don’t mean anything. At least not to the adults who listen to your gibberish. But what if that gibberish is somehow connected to your Designer? Yeah, what if God is still wirelessly connected to you when you’re a newborn. And what if He sends you the code and decode “software” to decode your parents’ language?

And what if you’re then able to re-code that language into your own unique voice?

I’m not saying that’s how it happens. Just that it’s cool to consider.

Now, think about how the English language is basically only twenty-six letters. And think about how we’ve managed to put together thousands and thousands of words from those twenty-six letters.

I love the simplicity in the design. The extra cool thing is, you don’t have to do anything special to an infant to get them to understand us.

They’re already “hard-wired” for language. Of course, that’s no surprise to anyone with a Christian worldview. The Designer knows what He’s doing. And so all you gotta do is act naturally.

Ever since I found my I’ve manipulated and formulated letters into words. And words into music. And I still find the whole process fascinating. I’ll never get tired of it or bored with it. What about you? Does language fascinate you? Do you pass that awe and wonder on to the little ones who watch you to learn to talk?

Letters and sounds go together…

With a voice we can talk to each other,

We only need twenty-six letters

Join the growing body of believers who signed up for the Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional. And receive daily, delightful dashes of salt and flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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