Rhyme and Reason

Did you ever watch The Waltons? Either when it was a new show or in reruns? Either way, do you remember how the kids would run out the front door and the screen door would smack shut? That’s because those old screen doors were lightweight and had long snakey springs. And I remember both sets of my grandparents had screen doors like that. And I also remember how, when the summer months rolled...

As I reached the end of 5th grade, and was about to leave elementary school to attend junior high, I was told I’d be put into “accelerated classes.” My teacher sent me home with a note to my parents that said I was “gifted” in addition and subtraction, grammar, and learning skills in general. That addition and subtraction part was ironic, though. Because if you go bac...

Yeah, it’s an uncomfortable conversation to have. The one about what’s happening behind closed doors and tall walls. Doors and walls that close behind foolish people going in…and behind damaged people coming out. Some people have spent much of their lives having that uncomfortable conversation. And it’s mostly a one-sided conversation. Because hard hearts lead to closed ear...

Paramecia don’t become parakeets. And an amoeba will never be an ambulance driver. Not in a million, trillion years. Because changes like that don’t happen. Not by accident. Not on purpose. And certainly not accidentally on purpose. Accidentally on purpose used to be a joke, when I was a kid. But we didn’t imagine how serious that whole “accidental” thing would be. We...

Three years ago, around this time of year, I sent a sad and happy song out into the internet. It was in response to a request for me to write a song for a young man battling cancer. A friend of mine, on social media, told me about Jeremiah. And I’m glad. Because before that I’d never heard of him or his battle or even his make a wish request. So, I told my friend I’d look into th...

I think Huey Lewis and the News sang it best, back in the 80’s, when they sang “I say cool is a rule, but sometimes, bad is bad.” What? You don’t remember that song? Then, move along. Because you’re probably not old enough to be reading this. So, you surely won’t understand how sometimes bad is bad. And Huey said it was “sometimes” because back then,...

I’m reminded of a sound bite from a presidential debate between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. Carter presented what he thought was a good case against then Governor Reagan’s position on Medicare. And when Carter finished, Reagan started his counterpoint by saying, “There you go again.” And then he pointed out the flaws in Carter’s statements. But what did “the...

What if you reached your prime, let’s say around 33, and someone told you that you look old? It wouldn’t exactly make you feel great. Even if you’re totally confident in who you are, and in your appearance, you don’t wanna look old before your time. And I bet mother Earth doesn’t like all this talk about her ancient age either. I mean, c’mon man…show a lit...

God? Or environmentalists? Where is your trust? Let’s say God told you something like, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.”Would you believe Him? Or do you put your faith in those who’ve been incorrectly predicting “the end” of humanity for decades? Um…I’ll take “t...

Ah, yes. Diversity, equity, and unabashed tolerance. That’s what you get when you mix a whole lotta different kinds of people together in one place. Right? And you just better brace yourself for gobs of group hugs, too. Because peace, love, and joy overflow where masses of people go. (cue the record scratch and bubble pop sound effects) Uh, get real. Because this is about murder, mayhem, and...

Apparently a lot of people go online to find out what can cause stress. And that makes sense. Because a lot of people (if not most) are stressed out. But I seriously don’t think you need to ask Google or some social media crowd what can cause it. Well, not if you’ve got at least a little wisdom. Because wisdom will show you life without God is what can cause stress. And, yeah, that eve...

Music and mercy aren’t synonyms. Except that, they kind of are. Well, at least in one way they are. And I have that one example for you. But first, let me share a little story. During my freshman year in high school, I was an introvert’s introvert. Didn’t want attention. I had just gotten my first pair of glasses during the preceding summer, and I was still in accelerated classes...

If you were a “climate change” advocate, or some sort of “global warming” proponent, what would be the best way to express your beliefs? Show of hands? OK, Susie. What do you think the answer is? “Um, buy a half a billion dollar yacht?” That’s right, Susie. Of course, that’s only for the super-smart, super-rich people. But you’ve got the right...

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...

I watched a well-made movie, starring Robert Duvall, the other night. And he’s a very good actor who can keep you engaged. I wish he’d learn how stupid he sounds as he takes God’s name in vain in just about every character he plays. But I’m not sure Mr. Duvall understands how that relationship is key. In the movie Mr. Duvall’s character, Felix Bush, is a hermit who&#8...

You and I should cling to what is good. Not because it’s some kind of law. But because there’s much benefit to it. Sometimes eternal benefits. But you can’t do it. And I can’t either. We just can’t do it. Because it doesn’t jive with our human nature to cling to what is good. And that sounds bad. Right? (tongue only slightly in cheek) And it sounds bad because i...

In 2008, I was part of a pro life group in Colorado that actively advocated for the abolition of abortion. And, believe it or not, that’s not the general consensus in the “pro life movement.” Typical pro life organizations have become compromising cash cows. And their policies have created complicated schematics for how to kill unborn children. Because they forget that unborn chi...

Empty the ocean with a spoon? Yeah, that was a thought that rushed into my head one day back in the 1970’s. Because I was thinking about all the people in the world who give up too easily. And, at the same time, I thought about all the people in the world who would never give up. And I wanted to make sure I’d always be in that second group. At the time, I wasn’t as aware of what...

I just saw three weak references to time by Christians. And all three of them talked about when time shall be no more. Sadly, those Christians are perpetuating an impossibility. Because there will never be a time when there is no time. See, how it even sounds silly when you put it that way? To say time shall be no more is the same as saying God shall be no more. But this notion of timelessness doe...

Something is either right or wrong. And, it goes without saying (but I’m saying it anyway) some of those right or wrong things are more important than others. And some are of great importance. But the foundation of the statement remains the same. Because right or wrong can mean the difference between joy and torment. For example, I’ll share a snippet of conversation I had with someone...

It’s fascinating how little snippets of memories can flash into the front of your mind. Sometimes the flash comes out of nowhere. And sometimes it’s because you simply stopped and thought about it. And I recommend an occasional pause to ponder the past. Don’t live in it. And certainly don’t rehash the bad stuff. But remember. Consider. Be thankful. When you ponder the past,...

I remember singing what we called “old spiritual songs” way, way back when I was in choir in high school. One, that always comes to mind, said “soon ah will be done uh wit da troubles of da world. Goin’ home to see my Lord.” And my high school was composed of 99.99% latte toned people. I can only recall one or two chocolate toned people in the whole four years of high...

A fairly impressive milestone slipped by me this past week. And that’s even though I told myself to not let it slip past me. What was the milestone, you ask? Well, thanks for asking. Right here, on my humble little website…my humble little blog…there are over 2000 posts now. And I was gonna make some sort of a special deal. But it’s too late now. So, I’ll just share 2...

Even if you’re not a Christian believer, you should read about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Because it’s the kind of story Hollywood movies attempt to tell. But they almost always fail miserably for the same reason King Nebuchadnezzar failed. They stand on feet of clay. Here’s a sneak preview of the story about ol’ King Nebby’s dream… “And the king said t...

If you’ve been following along with me here at TonyFunderburk.com for a while, you might recall that I spent a year in Nashville. Yeah, the one in Tennessee. Elgielene and I went there, after a couple of years on the road, because I wanted to make the songwriter rounds. And, as it turned out, Nashville had (and probably still has) a lot of what they call “songwriters in the round.&#822...