Articles that reference the book of Matthew: Recent Episodes
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.
But I say, wisdom is also knowing when NOT to speak.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.
To that I say…I hope you don’t mind if I don’t join in
With the people who just naysay.
I think you might find, if you just begin,
You might feel the very same way.
Life can get real dark like a starless night.
So, be glad when the Lord sends day.
Go and make your mark without fear or fright.
And you might as well start Wednesday.
© 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 WednesdayWhimsical Wednesday…wonderful breeze
Leaving us breathless…swaying like trees.
Syllables settle inside our ears
Sounding quite silly…calming our fears
Making us mimic cows in the field…
Funnybones flapping…giggles revealed
Whimsical Wednesday…tickles the tongue
Lilting and loving…keeping us young.
Melodies mingle with bubbles and dots…
Whimsical Wednesday living in thoughts.
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You have enough to think about today. So, don’t add tomorrow’s worries to today. And that’s not just some anecdotal thing I came up with. It’s advice that can also be found in red letters in the Bible. (for those of you unfamiliar with the Bible, red letters are used when it’s Jesus talking)
Yeah, your Creator actually said you have enough to think about today.But think about tomorrow for a second or two. It never really gets here. Right? It’s always “out there.” Somewhere beyond the next sunrise. Somewhere in the future. The future is coming. Always getting here. But it never actually gets here either. Because that slippery tomorrow always manages to fade away from your grasp the second the clock strikes midnight.
So, today is the only day you can actually do anything about. Tomorrow isn’t here yet, and yesterday is over and done with. And, since today is the only time you actually live in, shouldn’t your focus be on what you can do today? Of course, that should be a rhetorical question. But sadly too many people are so fearful of what the future holds they let today slip away.
And when today slips away, what does it become? Tomorrow? Nope. It immediately becomes yesterday. A saying I coined many years ago is this: “Today is yesterday’s tomorrow and tomorrow’s yesterday.” I’ve seen a lot of people use some version of it. But I never see any royalties.
Life ain’t fair I tell ya.Anyway…
Time is really a weird thing, isn’t it? When Jesus said “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things“, it was to illustrate how futile it is to worry about tomorrow. So futile, in fact, that we should let tomorrow worry about itself. Hmm…can a tomorrow do that? Well, I’ve certainly got enough to think about today. So, I’m not gonna worry about it. How about you?
The things you want to do
Are plans that just fall through.
The pieces just don’t fit.
You lose them bit by bit.
Oh, and it’s just so hard to see
Why tomorrow never ever came to me.
(from a mournful song I wrote in 1978: Tomorrow Never Came To Me)
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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.
Well, actually, your secret mission doesn’t determine the fate of the world.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…
Secret MissionIn the first ray of light there was a message
That no one else, but me, could even see.
And I had to squint my eyes to decipher
A secret mission plotted just for me.
There were no dots or dashes or impulses.
No man-made codes and no neurology
Could infiltrate and then translate the mission,
The expedition meant for only me.
Then a voice, filled with thunder, in a whirlwind,
Spoke to me about peace and sanctity.
And my soul realized the secret mission
Is for everyone and not just for me.
I appeal, with an urgency of purpose,
To your heart where you’ll find eternity
Written down, as a not so secret mission,
To share God’s love for all with eyes to see.
© 2024 Tony Funderburk
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“The State of Colorado Will Compensate Local Residents To Go Solar as Part of a Statewide Program (RPS).”
That was the headline to a short advertorial I recently read online. And I have a long history with Colorado, starting at birth, so it piqued my curiosity, of course.
But when “they” say “Go Solar,” it’s not a suggestion.No, they’re not looking to get you to consider solar. Uh-uh. It’s a mandate (which is not two guys going to dinner). Here’s what “they” (the state of Colorado) said about it.
The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is a regulatory mandate to increase the production of energy from renewable sources like solar throughout the state of Colorado. This new, statewide renewable electricity standard is given to every state as a goal to have a percentage of its power come from renewable energies like wind and solar.”
Funny (odd, not ha-ha) how they never include oil when they talk about renewable energies. But, as I’ve shared right here on the Rhyme and Reason Bandwagon, oil IS, and always has been, a renewable energy. And as bad as the mandate sounds, there’s something even more sinister at work in this so-called “initiative.”
For example, here’s more about their “goal” from that advertorial:
“With the goal of being 30% solar dependent by 2030, the state of Colorado has introduced big incentives and is pushing all local utility companies to compensate their customers to switch to solar through Energy Buy Back programs like Net Metering.
These new, state-wide solar incentives help Colorado homeowners take advantage of all federal, state, and local solar programs and rebates, and can completely eliminate their power bills with $0 upfront costs.”
When a state “has introduced big incentives,” that should be a red flag for you.Your first thought should be, “Hmm, where did the state get the money to introduce “big incentives?” And, your lightning-fast reply to yourself should be, “TAXES!” Because “free” is only a concept. Nothing is EVER free.
And any government that increases taxes on hard-working people in order to give “big incentives” to other people, is a tyrannical government.
Jesus wasn’t particularly fond of tax collectors. And He said a tax rate of 10% is tyrannical. I hope you don’t believe, even for a second, that your tax rate is 10%. Because it’s at least five times that much.
If you believe the government has your best interest at heart when they say “go solar,” then you’ve accepted their matrix. And I fear for your eternal soul. It might be in jeopardy of everlasting confusion and torment.
Because unjust taxation is stealing.
Those who implement it are revealing
Their contempt for what’s right. Pay attention, you might
Find an answer that’s much more appealing.
That’s all I’ll say on it for now. While you wait for my next sound-off, jump on the Rhyme and Reason Bandwagon. And be part of the growing band of believers who know life has Rhyme and Reason because God is Real.
Stay tuned,
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“We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” That’s a good line. Even though it does come from a former U.S. president who was so wrong on so many things. But back in that time in American history, even FDR … Read the rest
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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 … Read the rest
The post There you go again, not putting the if with then. appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
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 … Read the rest
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Which is more important? More essential? And more vital to human endeavors? Peace or liberty? If you chose peace, go sit down in the back of the class and think about what you just did Mr. Man. Or Missy Miss. … Read the rest
The post Peace or liberty, if I can choose just one for me. appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
Resurrection Day 2019 This episode of Rhyme and Reason is based on something I wrote back in 2017. And subscribers to the podcast will hear my Resurrection Day song called “The Way”. I’m including the lyrics below. In the recording … Read the rest
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I’ve Got Things To Do I wouldn’t mind stopping all of the wars. I’d be a diplomat, If I could know for sure in my heart That it was simple as that. But peace will have to wait. I can’t … Read the rest
The post Things to do – are they helping you? appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
There is no greater love than this…. …that a man be willing to lay down his life for his friends. Do you have a love like that living in your heart? It doesn’t mean that you have to be killed in … Read the rest
The post Greater Love comes from above appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
Are you on the winning team? Or are you hanging with losers? This is bigger than your weekend softball team. Or school sports or even pro sports. If you’ve ever played sports of any kind, I know you remember how … Read the rest
The post The winning team never runs out of steam appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
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 … Read the rest
The post Give Me Wisdom appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
A red letter edition of the Bible is a version where the words in red are the ones spoken by Jesus after He became a man. As far as I know you’ll only find those words in the New Testament. … Read the rest
The post Tomorrow Will Worry About Its Own Things appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
Over the course of your life you’ll speak, read, and hear possibly millions of words. The words flowing from the mouths and minds of men and women will last for a time and then fade further away with each passing … Read the rest
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