Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber The best ever carburetor upgrade In 1989 my little Toyota pickup was only 10 years old. Little did I know I’d be driving it another 30 years beyond that. (including up to this very day) And even though the tough little machine was running like a top, I was working ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Here’s a story and a rhyme about an orange bird. Not a real orange bird. But it’s a nice story I shared quite a while ago…just not with my podcast audience. Thank you for tuning in and indulging me as I stroll down memory lane in this episode. Stay tuned, Discover ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Father’s Day 2019 Yeah, it’s already Father’s Day again, and all of you with dads out there…I hope you let ’em know how much they mean to you. There will come a day when you won’t be able to tell them. Both Elgielene and I no longer have fathers around to wish a h ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Life as we know it will never be the same. But who is “we”? And in what way do we know life? Those are important questions because they expose perspectives. If you’re someone old enough to remember back to the 50’s and even 60’s, you might remember life as we know ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Admonish one another Look up admonish in the dictionary, and you might come to the conclusion it’s something harsh. For example, here’s how one dictionary defines it: “warn or reprimand someone firmly…warn (someone) of something to be avoided: he admonished the pe ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Which one do you prefer? I’m gonna share the lyrics to two of my songs. You can also hear them in the podcast. And I’d like your feedback. Which one do you prefer? You can either comment, below, or send me an email tony@tonyfunderburk.com, or let me know in a revi ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Mother’s Day 2019 Each year I share a list of things moms do to earn their adulation on their special day. Mother’s Day 2019 is no different…except you can also hear the audio version of this on my Rhyme and Reason Podcast. Otherwise, thanks again Mom. And thanks ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber 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 I also acknowledged my buddy, Gr ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Did you know the beautiful rings of Saturn are debris? You’ve heard that old expression, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, right? Well, how about one planet’s debris is another planet’s beautiful scenery? That’s exactly what happens when we earthlings g ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Based on the blog post written back in 2011 found HERE Stay tuned, Rhyme and Reason Podcast 294By Tony Funderburk.

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber When in Rome, what do you do? You’ve probably heard that old expression, when in Rome do like the Romans do. It was apparently started by a guy named Ambrose, maker of fine scents…uh…saints. And he apparently thought it was a good idea to adhere to the local custo ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber What’s a day without sunshine? Of course, the comedic answer is…night. Or maybe you remember how the Florida Citrus Commission used to say “a day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine” Either way, can you imagine a day without the actual sun? That wo ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Humans Require Jazzy Love I enjoy jazz. Not all of it. But then again, I don’t enjoy ALL of any kind of music. And there are plenty of kinds of music I don’t enjoy any of. (ended with a preposition on purpose) But one of the reasons I enjoy jazz is because of how ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber What is love? The trillion dollar question I guess Valentine’s Day (tomorrow, as I write this) has a lot of people asking that age old question: What is love? It’s only natural to ask, I suppose, since it’s not something you can see, smell, hear, taste, or hold in ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Love Birds Songs I love birds. Always have. And love birds songs. Love those, too. All the beautiful colors, the rustling of the wings, and certainly their ability to fly. Wow! Birds are amazing, sparkling creatures. God makes cool stuff. Love birds, songs, candy, ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Knowing right from wrong Back in the 80’s, when I was a full-time professional musician in venues all across America, one of my good friends and I would go out to clubs and “check out the ladies”. By the way, my friend was an atheist (or agnostic depending on his ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Current events – a bumpy ride Back in 19(%*#) oops, sorry. My signal dropped out. Anyway, during my college days back then I remember an assignment in one of the classes where we were asked to write an article about a current events “issue”. We were told to “take ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber 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 ha ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Can you “make” new year resolutions? In January of this year (2018) I decided to keep my streak going of not making new year resolutions. I figure if “everybody’s doing it”, then it’s a good idea not to do it. But I did set 3 goals for myself, and this is to let y ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Where are the whole Jesus Christian music artists? I just watched part of a Hillsong “praise music” song included in a video news clip and I just about got a toothache from the sugar-coated message. Before I explain, I’d like to point out the vocals were very good ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Gas giants (not the political ones) What do Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune have in common? Besides being cool to look at through telescopes and space probe pictures, they’re all known as gas giants. (yeah, like most politicians) And that means they’re consid ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Watered down truth I’m gonna share the watered down truth with you…but in a good way. “There’s a good way to share watered down truth?” you ask. Yes. And stick with me ’cause it’s purty interstin’. (misspelled on purpose to give it character) If you’re an adult (o ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber A Christian Christmas song or a hoodie? Get both! It’s the middle of November 2018 as I write this, so you know what that means…right? Yeah, Christmas! At least, if you’re tuned in to retail shopping, advertising, and just about anything else. I remember seeing so ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Womb Baby – huh? What’s a womb baby? I’m gonna go out on a limb and say it’s a baby. Crazy talk, I know. But crazy is one of the least offensive things I’ve been called. Anyway…have you noticed how, in the past few decades (and especially in the past few years), i ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Three is a magic number. Well, not really, but… It’s more than ironic how many people, who don’t even believe in the God of the Christian faith, believe three is a magic number. It’s a wonderful number. But hardly magic. Well, I guess you could say, in a way, it’s ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber 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 ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Can we make America great again? I’m not a Donald Trump fanboy. I didn’t vote for him. Or any of his republican rivals or his democratic opponent in the presidential election. Just want you to know that up front. But I do like the slogan, Make America Great Again. ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Some nice people have had nice things to say Remember this old saying? “If you don’t any nice things to say, don’t say anything at all.” Or maybe you’ve heard this version, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything.” Either way, you get the point. When s ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Hey…Remember America? What A Great Country That Was! Long before I ever had even a notion of writing or singing for a living I remember my brother and me traveling with our grandparents through the backroads of a country called America. And I remember our parents ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber The Simple Truth The Christian faith is based on one thing and one thing only…the simple truth that Jesus is the only way to eternal life in Heaven. And His love wins out over all the sins of every person who ever lived or will live. A loving Christian will want y ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Music and Arts When you put a forward slash between numbers, they can become a fraction. For example: 3/4. But the language I love the most makes different use of that arrangement of numbers. In music and arts composition, 3/4 time means there’s a beat missing…so ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Be fruitful and multiply Even if you’re not a Christian or Jew, you’ve probably heard the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. And you might remember how God told them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Change the world today Have you ever thought you could change the world with some of your ideas? I hope you have. This world could certainly use some changing. If you’re a Christian, I’d love for you to do much more than simply have ideas. It would be great if you ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Recalling thoughts on the sanctity of life A few years ago, on another website I used to own I shared a song about the sanctity of life. And I mentioned how many people say they celebrate tolerance and diversity. But they don’t include Christians in their diversit ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Do you have a positive outlook on life? There are plenty of reasons to be positive about things in this world and in your life. Still…it’s good to face reality and take it head on even if it doesn’t agree with your positive outlook. The “news” is a perfect example ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Crazy mama is so mean. Don’t understand her routine If you live in Florida (or several other states in America), you might be familiar with Bahama Breeze. It’s an island-themed restaurant with live island music. They used to have a couple of their restaurants in t ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber This t shirt design is mine Earlier this year I was approved to upload designs and sell t shirts on Amazon. It was a pretty big deal to me. But why am I sharing that with you? Because, if you think you can come up with a winning t shirt design, you could have your ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber We win when we choose the right team Back in 2009 I was in the middle of my three years as a music leader for a small Denver area church. It was (and is) a church with a strong, abolitionist, pro life foundation. And they were leading the charge to establish the p ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Your light shines bright – Right? Have you ever known someone who just loves to talk about himself (or herself)? Especially somebody who’s achieved celebrity status and wants us all to know how much they sacrificed to get there. Gimme a break. Sacrifice? Are you k ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Toxic masculinity – a cunning, conniving label Some would say…check that…many would say…check that…most would say, if given the opportunity, I suffer from toxic masculinity. That’s a label, until recently, I hadn’t heard before. And it’s a clever (translate: cunni ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber He is not a she and never will be. An article popped up on my radar this morning, and I couldn’t help but believe how farfetched it would have sounded just a few short decades ago. The whole piece centered on “acceptable” pronouns we can or can’t use for others. A ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Grace to me almost unbelievably This is gonna be about me. But…if you’re looking for some answers for your own life, you should keep reading. Because when it comes to needing answers, solutions, and hope, I’m just like you. My life has not been the picture of perf ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber I might be right. Hey, I’ve been right before. Any time you and I disagree on something, there’s the possibility (even if it’s only a tiny one) I might be right. At least from our limited human perspectives that’s true. You might think I’m wrong about something. A ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Backwards and forwards – it’s all so confusing If you’re like most humans…and you are…then you like things to make sense. You don’t like it when life gets all backwards and forwards and discombobulated. (I love that two dollar word) And it makes total sense that y ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Don’t trust your heart Let me be clear. I’m not talking about that dark red muscle, in your chest, pumping blood all day and night. When I say don’t trust your heart, I’m talking about your very core. The inner YOU that only God knows. He says “The heart is deceit ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Once Upon A Time Have you ever thought about those four words together? Once upon a time. They don’t make any sense under close examination. But they make total sense to kids and people who read and write to kids. Or basically to anyone who’s ever been a kid and h ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Drifting sands are rhythm in my hands This morning, like too many mornings this year, I woke up before getting enough sleep. And I’m dealing with some issues that restful, recuperative sleep would help. So, of course, I decided to wallow in my misery and make a li ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber One Day Soon I remember, when I was about five years old, snapping green beans on the porch with my Grandmother in Oklahoma. She would almost always find a way to talk to me about God, Jesus, and time. On this particular day she was making sure I understood how sh ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber 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 just change my life around. I’m in the middle of something That has me helpless ...…

Tony Funderburk - Rhyme and Reason author, singer songwriter, podcaster, youtuber Thinking about thinking Now, there’s a thought for you. Thinking about thinking. That’s what I’ve been doing for the past few minutes because of what I read in a book called “In The Beginning” by Dr. Walt Brown. It’s THE best science book you’ve probably never rea ...…