Three Bridges Concert

This is the awesome, versatile, talented trio, Three Bridges, from Nashville Tn. They will be in concert at the First Baptist Church, 2800 University Drive, in Charleston IL. on December 1st. The concert starts at 7:00 pm, but doors open at 6. It is a FREE concert, but we will take an offering for the group. Come early to get a good seat! Click on the videos above for a free preview. THEY ARE AWESOME! I can hardly wait!

We will also have local artists, Brad Brown & The Deep Water Band - who are also very versatile & talented. It will be a great night of music & ministry, so mark your calendars & come & join us!

MY SISTER - A POEM

When you think about my sister

I have one small request

Don't think of her as weak and troubled

But remember her at her best.

Remember the girl with a heart so big

That worked in the nursing home

And spent hours there on her day off

So they wouldn't feel alone.

Remember that contagious laugh

We'd laugh so hard, we'd cry

But, by the time the laughter ended

We couldn't remember why.

There were times it got her in trouble

Like the family vacation one year

We threatened to leave her at Dairy Queen

But they said 'You can't leave her here!"

Don't forget about her talents

She loved to paint and write

The roses she fondly painted

Are filled with color and light.

Remember her flair for fasion

Not a hair was out of place

From shoes to matching nail polish

A picture of style and grace.

Remember who she was inside

The person she longed to be

Sometimes hidden by years of pain

But in her eyes you could see;

Her deep desire and struggle to live

And be stronger than her trials

So many times I saw her fighting

Through her tears, to smile.

Most of all, remember the love

She had so much to give

But wounded hearts sometimes hold back

Making it hard to forgive.

She cherished her kids and grandkids

With a love so big it hurt

No matter what else they question

I pray they know it's worth.

Rosa, I don't want to live without you

But it's so comforting to know

Charlie's holding his angel again

And Jesus is holding you both.

~ Marci Jo Ferguson ~

August 6, 2011

(In memory of my sister,

Rosa Leah Ferguson Miller,

March 13, 1957 - August 3, 2011)

My sister.....

I don't know how to put into words how much I miss my sister, who passed away 2 weeks ago today. I have a poem I may post later, but for now this is a photo tribute to my beautiful sister.

(Rosa & her dog, Teddy)

Love & miss you bunches, sis. Give Charlie a big hug from me & tell him I miss him too. But, my heart finds joy in knowing you're together again, & safe at home with Jesus.

~ Marci ~

Finally!

Well, it's been a long time, but I'm finally here to update this thing! Had some trouble with Google & Blogspot not accepting my e-mail & password....somehow it got switched to another e-mail address, but okay, I'm on now.

I'm working!!! Thank God, I now have a real job, since March 1st, & I absolutely LOVE it!! I think they really like me too. :) At least I've had several nice comments from my boss & a couple of others 'in the know'. I'm working as secretary at Old State Road Christian Church, in Charleston. It's only 24 hours a week, but after being out of work for so long, I'll take it. It is SOOOOOOO great to get up in the morning & look forward to going to work & feel like you can actually accomplish something. I remember the awful feeling of going to jobs I hated & being so miserable all the time. Praise the Lord for this awesome blessing! Thanks to Pastor Sharon for her belief in me & to others who gave me good references. Also to my Pastor, Pat Murphy, cause if he hadn't believed in me & given me a chance to fill in as secretary at my church, & to be the clerk for our local Angel Food Ministries group, Pastor Sharon probably wouldn't have known who I was when she saw my application & might not have even interviewed me - & I most likely wouldn't have had the confidence to even apply for the job - cause I would have thought I couldn't do it. I am just so blessed in so many ways.

More good news.....I can't say too much yet, but another of my poems might soon be a song & recorded by a full-time, well known southern gospel quartet!!!!!!!! Hopefully - PRAYERFULLY, it will all work out & end up on their new CD in a few more weeks. I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO excited & can hardly wait to hear it. I only heard a few lines so far, but it was AMAZING! PLEASE pray it all goes well.

I am at work, but it's Friday afternoon & the Sunday bulletins are folded & printed & I have nothing more (work related) to do, so Pastor Sharon told me to read a book or play on the computer or whatever I want til time to go home. I can always find something to do if there's a working computer & Internet. Actually, even without Internet I can do lots of things if I have a computer. So, the music is turned up nice & loud, I have my bottle of water & my lunch & I'm by myself til 3:00. I kinda like it like this. :)

Hope everyone has a great Palm Sunday & Easter & remembers what it means. JESUS IS ALIVE!

God Bless

~ Marci ~

Remember me?

(just a pretty pic of where I'd like to be - ANYwhere by a large body of water will do!)

It's been awhile, but I'm still here. I'm trying to get on Facebook, but it's having problems today, so I decided it's a good time to update here.

There was no trial this week, so I didn't have to do jury duty, but might still have to next week. I'll find out Monday. It might be kind of interesting, but I'd rather not do it. We'll see.

Now I'm getting ready for Angel Food Distribution Day on Sat. we didn't have as many orders this time, but hopefully it will pick up now that summer is officially over - EVEN THOUGH IT'S 96 DEGREES OUT TODAY!! - and people are through with vacations etc. At least I HOPE we start getting more orders. It really is a great way to save money on good AND good quality food.

I hope to have another song recorded soon. Bucky Thomas, who wrote the music for and recorded "Sticks & Stones" has been working on another one of mine called "Sorry Went Unspoken" - and the little bit I've heard of it is awesome. I can hardly wait to hear the finished product all the way through. Be listening to your country gospel or southern gospel stations for it okay? I'll try to keep you posted here and tell you when it's out. Soon, I hope. Then you can call your stations and request it! :)

Okay - that's all I've got for now - not much, I know - but I have no life.

God Bless,
~ Marci ~

Wow. It's been ages since I posted. Sorry. But I don't guess anyone noticed anyway. :)
Been busy with Angel Food ministries & filling in as secretary at my church, then I'll be babysitting the rest of the summer. Then I think I have jury duty...at least I have to show up & see if they take me...in September. So, if I'm not updating this for awhile, you'll know why.

Enjoy your summer (YUK! TOO HOT for me!!) & God Bless!
~ Marci ~

Hunger is a very real problem in this nation — each year over thirty five million
Americans face life without adequate food. With today’s economic challenges,
many ordinary families have fallen on hard times and just need a little
help to make ends meet while they get back on their feet.
That’s where Angel Food Ministries can make the difference.
Angel Food is a nationwide program offering low cost food relief to anyone in need. There are no income requirements or special circumstances - if you eat, you qualify!
If you or someone you know needs help — Angel Food is here for you.

Go to http://angelfoodministries.com to learn more - monthly menus are posted, and you can also find participating sites in your area. Feed your family for around $30 a week - & the food is good!!

Where I'd Rather BE

Happy Hearts, Flowers, Candy Etc.Day

I AM A SONGWRITER!!

I've always wanted to say that!! Now I can. My first song has been recorded & released!! Christian/Country artist, Bucky Thomas, has recorded "STICKS & STONES" on Oasis records & it's being played on the radio - so call your Christian/Country (Country/Gospel, or whatever you call it) stations & request it - PLEASE!! Bucky says it might even get played on regular country stations too. This is so exciting & what I have dreamed of. Bucky is also getting ready to record another song of mine, & has expressed interest in a couple more. Oh, & he is shooting a video for "STICKS & STONES" too. You can listen to that song & others by Bucky on his Myspace page - http://myspace.com/buckythomas - & you can also find him on Facebook. I don't know the link, but if you go to http://facebook.com & type his name in the search, you'll find him.

Thanks for listening.

~ Marci ~

To Laugh Again

(In honor of Charlie - & Rosa too - I tried to write this from her perspective.

Please keep her in your prayers. Thanks.)

　
Life goes on, they tell me
So I will do my best
But living life without him
Willl be my greatest test.
They say that it's a blessing
That his pain is finally gone
They tell me to be thankful
That he didn't suffer long.
They say that he's with Jesus
The happiest he's ever been
And when my life is over
I'll be with him again.
There's truth in what they're saying
And I find some comfort there
But facing a future without him
Is still so hard to bear.

They tell me I'll get through this
Deep down I know they're right
But for now, I need to grieve
On this, my darkest night.
So when you see me start to cry
Don't tell me that I'm wrong
Just cry with me and hold me
Until my tears are gone.
I promise I will be okay
God will see me through
Along with friends and family
Who are praying for me too.
They tell me I will laugh again
Though it may take awhile
But as I picture his sweet face
Through the tears - I smile.

~ Marci Jo Ferguson ~
12 - 29 - 2009

Saying Goodbye

(Charlie & my sister, Rosa, doing one of their favorite things.)

My brother-in-law, Charlie, passed away early Christmas morning, after a courageous battle with cancer. We miss him so, but find comfort in knowing he is safe in the arms of Jesus, pain-free, and we will be with him again one day.

Saying Goodbye

Our hearts are burdened down with grief
As we gather to say goodbye
To one who meant so much to us
And touched so many lives.
Letting go is never easy
When a life comes to an end
But we have peace in knowing
We'll be with him again.
His pain is gone, he has no worries
And nothing more to fear
The loving hand of our Lord
Has dried his every tear.
Don't think of death as the end
When it takes a child of Christ
Just picture him in Jesus' arms
Rejoicing in paradise.

~ Marci Jo Ferguson ~
5- 30 - 08
　
　
　

Gratitude

I’m thankful for the hard times
Because I’ve come to realize
That trials and tribulations
Can be blessings in disguise.

If I never felt the bitter cold
Warmth would not be treasured
If I’d never experienced failure
Success could not be measured.
If I hadn’t known the pain of loss
Or clung to the end of my rope
I wouldn’t know the sweet relief
When despair gives way to hope.
If I had never known betrayal
By someone I called friend
Forgiving wouldn’t have given me
The strength to love again.
If I hadn't caused disappointments
And hurt those dear to me
I wouldn't know the kind of love
That's unconditional & free.
If it wasn’t for my weakness
Or the struggles that I have faced
I wouldn’t have felt God’s awesome power
Or known His perfect grace.

So I’ll thank Him for my suffering
And be grateful for each test
Even when I hurt the most
He's working for my best.

~ Marci Jo Ferguson ~
11-13-2009

Thank A Veteran

In honor of Veteran's Day & all of our Armed Forces, I'm posting 2 poems today that I have posted before - but it's been awhile & no one reads this anyway...

God Bless The Soldiers

God please bless the soldiers
So they don't feel alone
So far away from those they love
And the peace and comfort of home.

While their nation groans in protest
They struggle to survive
Sacrificing everything
To keep our freedom alive.

God please bless the soldiers
Daily in harm's way
Surround them with Your angels
Until they're home to stay.

~ Marci Jo Ferguson ~

Soldier

Today I heard about a soldier
Who fought his final war
While many seem to have forgotten
What he was fighting for.

He fought so we would have the right
To choose the lives we lead
The soldier's courage gave us the chance
To prosper and succeed.
Yet here at home we squander
The lives he fought to save
We teach intolerance to our children
And take whatever we crave.
We're slaves to our addictions
And controlled by our own greed
Selfishly forgetting
That freedom isn't free.

Today I heard about a soldier
Who fought his final war
While many seem to have forgotten
Who he was fighting for.

~ Marci Jo Ferguson ~

Behind The Wheel

I thought that I was in control
When I got behind the wheel
Now I'm stuck here in this nightmare
Praying it isn't real.
I only had a drink or two
Maybe three, but nothing more
And no one tried to stop me
When I headed out the door.
There are sirens blaring and flashing lights
There's blood and broken glass
I swear I never saw that car
Everything happened so fast.
Amid the chaos and the wreckage
I hear screams and I hear crying
I just heard a policeman say
That a little girl is dying.
I didn't mean to cause such pain
Oh God, take me instead
I'm the only one to blame
I'm the one who should be dead.
I thought that I was in control
When I got behind the wheel
Too late I know that I was wrong
The nightmare's all too real.

~ Marci Jo Ferguson ~
9 - 12 - 2009
　

After The Fire

After the fire you steady yourself
To sift through charred remains
For bits and pieces of your life
That may have survived the flames.
Photographs of special times
Heirlooms and souvenirs
Lie scattered among the ashes
Now that the smoke has cleared.
After the fire the questions come
You're plagued with what if's and why's
But you can't see the answers
Through the tears that fill your eyes.
All that's left are memories
Of the life you used to know
Reduced to ruin and rubble
In the house you once called home.

After the fire you stop and think
About the people who were there
Neighbors, friends and strangers
Who came because they care.
They offered hugs, they offered prayers
Or anything you might need
And the firefighters did their job
With efficiency and speed.
After the fire, you look around
And see your precious son
Laughing at daddy, chasing the cat
Unharmed and having fun.
In the ashes of your despair
You didn't find what matters most
Because through it all, God was there
Holding your loved ones close.

~ Marci Jo Ferguson ~
9 - 5 - 2009
　

Say It Now

Say it now
Before it's too late
Tommorrow's not promised
You better not wait.
Tell your family
Tell your friends
How much they mean
Before it all ends.
Say "I forgive you" or "I was wrong"
or "I just want you to know,
I'll be here if you need me
And you are not alone."
Say "I love you" "I need you"
"You brighten my day"
The time is now
If you have something to say.

If your life should end today
Is there someone that you fear
Will doubt how much you loved them
All the days that you were here?
If you wake up tommorrow
With the ringing of the phone
And news that a precious loved one
Has suddenly gone home,
Then will you wonder
Amid your grief and your despair
"Did they know how I felt?
"Did they know how much I care?"

Say it now
Regrets come too late
Tommorrow's not promised
Why would you wait?

~ Marci Jo Ferguson ~
8 - 28 - 2009

It's Too Late

It's too late for my regrets

But I wish that you had known

How many times you brought a smile

When I was feeling low.

I guess I should have told you

I just assumed you knew

How very much you mattered

To all of us who knew you.

It's too late for my regrets

But I know I'm not alone

When I say how much I'll miss you

How I wish that you had known.

~ Marci Jo Ferguson ~

8-24-09

(in memory of Steve Rutan)

To Be Like Him

A little boy wears his daddy's hat

And tries to walk in his big shoes

And riding high on daddy's shoulders

Is his favorite thing to do.

He dreams of growing up to be

A man just like his dad

Cause his daddy is the best

That any kid ever had.

To be like him - that's all he wants

To be like him in every way

To be like him - his loving dad

Is the prayer he prays each day.

His daddy's heart belongs to Jesus

And he daily strives to be

As much like Christ as possible

So his little boy can see.

He wants to be the best example

Any daddy has ever been

He wants to be like Jesus

Because his son wants to be like him.

To be like Him - that's all he wants

To be like Him in every way

To be like Him - his Heavenly Father

Is the prayer he prays each day.

~ Marci Jo Ferguson ~

June 2009

Happy Birthday Mom!!

As a little girl playing dress up

In pearls and high heeled shoes

I dreamed of being all grown up

I wanted to be like you.

Childhood dreams fade with time

And new ones take their place

But my desire to be like you

Is a dream time can't erase.

~ Marci ~

(5-17-09)

(I hope you have a great birthday! I love you!)

Happy Mother's Day

I know it's a little early, but never too early to tell my wonderful mom how much she means to me!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

I love you!

~ Marci ~

God Save The Children

The children are cying out for help
But it seems no one can hear
And their parents are too selfish to notice
Their actions cause sadness and fear.
Nobody wants to get involved
"Let people take care of their own"
Ignoring the cries of the children
Who aren't even safe in their homes.

Daddy gets drunk, mommy gets mad
Then he threatens to leave once again
But mommy breaks down and begs him to stay
So once more the cycle begins.
It's happening in houses all over town
In neighborhoods both run-down and nice
Abuse, neglect, addiction and rage
And the children are paying the price.

The children are crying out for help
And my heart is crying too
God, please save the children
Their only hope is You.

~ Marci Jo Ferguson ~
4 - 16 - 2009

The Boy Next Door

The boy next door has big brown eyes
And shiny golden hair
A charming smile that can melt your heart
So guard it and beware.
He'll wrap you around his finger
Make you laugh and make you cry
You'll give in to anything
If you look into his eyes.
Yeah, the boy next door stole my heart
Like no other boy has done
But now he's tired and needs a nap
After all, he's only one.

~ Marci Jo Ferguson ~
(for Jayce)
4 - 7 - 2009

Happy Easter!!

Michael English Concert

Once again I had the pleasure of seeing Michael in concert, and once again, he managed to amaze me. I could go on and on, but I won't (this time). Suffice it to say, his voice is still among the best in ALL of the music business, and he seems to be happier and stronger everytime I see him. His re-joining the Gaither Vocal Band has been a real blessing for him - and I'd imagine for them and anyone who gets the opportunity to see and hear them. I hope I get to one of these days. David Phelps is another favorite of mine, and I'd cherish every moment of seeing, and hearing him and Michael together! Maybe someday...

Heres's a couple of pics - he was goofing off in the 2nd one and had just messed up his hair. It doesn't usually stick up like that. :) (click on them to zoom in)

God Bless;

~ MARCI ~