Articles that reference the book of Proverbs

Here’s a short PSA to the world. Looks can be deceiving. And what you see in this world doesn’t last forever. But grace lasts forever. And that’s how humility is a virtue. Because God gives grace to the humble. But being humble isn’t something to brag about. Yeah, that sort of cancels out your humility. It’s OK to be confident. In fact, if you’re a Christian, yo...

Yeah, your life is your own, and it’s unique. No one else who ever lived, is living now, or will ever live will have the same life as you. But your life is no different from anybody else’s either. Confused? I’ll explain. The DNA found in every cell of your body is incredibly complex and singularly yours. The chances of it existing by chance are so small (translate that into nonexistent), you&#8217...

It’s true. Tomorrow is a concept. Not a reality. If someone came to you asking for a ride because their car broke down, would you tell them to come back tomorrow? Probably not. Right? What if they needed to borrow money, and you have plenty you could lend? Would you tell them to wait until tomorrow? Hmm, that’s a little different. Or is it? There’s a place in the Bible where it s...

It was four years ago, to the day, today. And a few minutes ago I ran across something I shared that day. I can see it, in my mind’s eye, almost as clearly as if I were looking right at it right now. And that’s even though my location is about as different, now, as night is from day. I talked about how I was using my iPhone as my computer that morning, in sync with my small, foldable,...

Have you ever made a rock? And how about a stick? Have you ever made one of those? Well, what about a drop of water? Surely you’ve at least made a drop of water in your life. And surely, somewhere, there’s a school science class where that has happened. Naturally, I don’t expect anyone to create a river. But surely at least one, single drop of water shouldn’t be that hard t...

Gonna talk about truth and mercy right now. So, get ready to take some mental notes. Yeah, put away those silly tablets and other writing accoutrement. Because I don’t want your brain distracted by an urgent need to jot notes. The value of truth and mercy is too important to miss. So, before I go any further, I know your brain is already distracted by the grammar in my headline, “Truth...

You’ve probably experienced faith and doubt at the same time. It’s OK to admit it because it’s part of your human flaws. I know. How dare I say you have flaws, right? Easy. Because everybody does. I talk about the Apostle Paul a lot. And that’s because he’s the best example of where you and I are right now. And he expressed his concerns about his own ways when he wrot...

The end of April is fast approaching. So, get read for all those May flowers. Of course, that leads to Mother’s Day and then Memorial Day and backyard barbecues. All that wonderful evidence of Spring can help you forget that God hates you. Anyway… So, last week I had a nice conversation with some people who walked their Yorkie by the bungalow. We got to talkin’ about how they don...

Here in America, we still enjoy a certain amount of “free speech.” During the 20th century this country participated in two world wars. And many men and women fought and died to get rid of evil dictators and despicable governments. The ultimate sacrifice for God-given rights. Thomas Jefferson sort of acknowledged where our rights originate when he composed the Declaration of Independen...

I know you’ve been there done this. Try to sit still and feign interest while the person across from you seems to ramble on and on into the apocalyptic future. And you wonder if you locked the door at home. An image of somebody probably just popped into your mind. Right? Better not be an image of me. I’ll hunt you down and read modernist masterpieces of poetry till your ears bleed. And...

Back in the day a rainbow was a rainbow. And, for a relatively small group of people, it also represented a promise from God; that He would never flood the earth again. I consider His promise to be proof of contemplation and action. Because I believe God contemplates His actions toward us based on ours toward (or away from) Him. So it goes. In that order. Contemplation and action. And I believe th...

“ There are things that we’re not going to understand along the way. You have to trust that God knows what He’ s doing and working out His plan for your life. His plan is bigger. His plan is greater.” OK, that appears to be (I say appears to be because I found it on social media) a quote from the number one authority on God’s plan, Joel Osteen. Let’s compare that with what...

Favor and grace sound favorable and gracious to me. But maybe I’m just being too literal. And maybe those words aren’t conducive to your ability, or willingness, to sharing information about eternity. And maybe I should clarify why I’m bringing this up. First, here’s a quote from a king who lived a long time ago in a land far, far away. “As iron sharpens iron, so a ma...

I had my eyes examined (no, not my head) a couple of weeks ago. And this week I got my new glasses. Plus, this is my 2020th post here on TonyFunderburk.com . So, those two things, and a couple of other unnamed things, got me thinking about that expression, “hindsight is 20 20.” From what I’ve been able to figure out, with only a little research…because I don’t wanna s...

It’s pretty amazing what technology can help you do these days. For example, I’m using my iPhone as my computer to write this. And I’m typing on a small bluetooth keyboard that feels almost as good as the keyboard on my laptop. And my computer…I mean my iPhone…is propped up nicely on a little “drawer” in the dash of my mobile office (aka my little blue Toy...

OK, let’s be positive and assume the worst That sounds like a good plan. Right? “Uh, no, Tony. It sounds negative. Not positive. And why would anybody automatically assume the worst?” Well, I’m glad you asked. Because I’m gonna toss this boomerang and see if it comes back to me.   When you assume the worst in people, first, it’s safer. How many spy movies and su...

Every life is full of ups and downs I’ve mentioned, before, how I worked hard labor during my teenage summers. No, not in prison. How could you even think that? And I’m looking at YOU when I ask that. You know who you are. Anyway…I hauled hay. In the hot, Kansas sun. Up to 18 hours for five, six, and sometimes seven days a week. It kept me slim and made me strong. But what does t...

Since talk is cheap, I’m goin’ back to sleep It’s the wee hours of the morning. So, if I can’t make sense of this, I’m going back to sleep. Unless you’re a recent public school graduate, you probably know what the saying, talk is cheap, means. And it’s always been used, sarcastically, when someone’s skeptical of what someone else said. It sort of ill...

Changes in attitudes changes in platitudes When I used to play music full time, a lot of my copy material was ideal for that “island feel”so many people like when they’re on vacation. As a matter of fact, my wife and I lived in Tampa, Florida for a year, and I had some regular bookings in Clearwater. Literally ON the beach. And, of course the tourists (and locals) loved when I sa...

Hate speech is in the ears of the listener I just read an article on my Apple News app talking about the shooter connected to the Pittsburgh synagogue. And the article called it a hate crime committed by a man who shared hate speech on social media channels. First off, I have to say how stupid the term “hate crime” sounds. It’s just redundant. All crime flows from selfishness, wh...

It isn’t always easy to do the right thing”is it? And it certainly isn’t always easy to know the right way to go. Life is full of choices. And, if you’re like me, there are times you don’t make good choices. But there’s a way you can do better. There’s a place you get help to go the right way? Wanna know what it is? Keep reading” There’s a plac...

I’ve had a number of brand new cars in my life. And I’ve enjoyed the luxury of a large house with plenty of nice furnishings. At times you could see I was not denying myself the pleasures of multiple performance tools like keyboards, computers, sound systems, and various accoutrements. (I always wanted to use that word somewhere) But all the “stuff” pales in comparison to a...

Have you ever been in a situation where you just wished you could get a little understanding from someone and you weren’t getting it? If you’re a human being living on planet earth, I’m guessing you have. You’re certainly not alone in that situation. I know I could use a little understanding more times than I’d like to mention. And many times I didn’t get what I...

Psalm 38 has a line that says “ But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing .” The part about “any good thing” might be a matter of perspective…God’s perspective. From your perspective you might feel there are a number of good things you lack. But what makes up a “good thing”? Throughout the Bible you can see how God wants us all to hav...