What do people say?

Sometimes I suffer from the old paranoia….I’m sure you’re the same- what do people think or say about me? There are certain people whose opinion we worry about more- the popular guy/girl at school, the boss at work, the wife, the husband….God. Well, at least that’s what I’d like to think. How much of my time is spent wondering what my master and rescuer will think of what I do or say?

There’s a great wee verse in the story of Zacchaeus- one of those verses you just read and think nothing more about…it’s just part of the story…Jesus has stopped at the tree, Zacchaeus has come down and they’re heading off for Zacchaeus’ house. Luke 19 v 7 says the people saw all of this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner’. What an amazing thing- I’m so glad that Jesus did not worry about what other people thought or said- it did not affect his mission.

Could what the people said on that day in Jericho be said of all of us when Jesus humbles himself to be involved in our daily lives? -’He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’ What an AMAZING for people to say about me! Jesus surprised people by doing the opposite of what their human standards or expectations demanded.

Let’s thank God for not leaving us ‘up the tree’ or in our sin. Let’s thank him for not allowing what people say to ‘put a spanner in the works.’ Let’s try to do likewise as we serve him and do our best to continue on the journey towards an eternity with him.

Final thought!!: Zacchaeus’ life was completely changed- giving money back and turning from old ways- he had a new master. As we pray ‘Your kingdom come’- sometimes we wonder how? How can God change the world through us- one life at a time. Like Zacchaeus before us, allow your life to be transformed- join the revolution….

Wow- what a summer!

The band enjoyed a wee break due to the fact that we were all busy with our projects/things during July and August. I know I speak for the other guys when I say we missed the community and playing together but it was great to just relax a bit and focus individually on our own lives and what God is saying to each of us. Only with this 'step back' were we able to come together again in mid-august with a real freshness and perhaps an even greater desire than before to play together and do what we love doing- leading people in worship.

XPRESSION 2008 was SPECIAL!! We had 400 plus people in the morning worship times and we saw God move in a real and almost tangible way- through loud passages as well as more quiet and intimate times. What a privilege it was (as always!) to create an opportunity for young and old alike to encounter and meet with God, hear from him and perhaps glimpse something of his glory through.


The highlight of the week (for the band at least) has to be the Friday night concert- right in the centre of Portadown (outside st marks church, on the square). With the smoke, lights and huge sound I had to pinch myself at least once as I looked around and thought, 'this is portadown..this is where I do my groceries, drink coffee and go about my daily life!' Yet we claimed that place...that part of the town at least, for the praise and glory of Jesus that night!! (Hope to put up some photos of that gig asap...as well as some others that are long overdue...megalife for one!!)


Anyway- we look forward to another year of RESONATE and encourage you to join us SEP 28th (www.resonatelive.co.uk) and everything else God has for the band in this new season...pray for us as often as you think of us (if at all!)
Yours in Christ,


Mark, Matt, Tim, Jimbo.
www.markfergusonband.com

Hey everyone!!

Wow- at last there’s a definite pivotal moment in our journey to produce an EP….that is, the Ep is ready for sale, ready for whatever God has in store! After months of recording, listening…more recording, more listening, it’s ready. We are so pleased with it as we remember it is something we have done on little or no budget-we recorded, produced and mixed everything in our own homes and in our own time! It has been a long yet rewarding process and we would ask that you please encourage anyone interested NOT to copy our EP but to buy it and recommend it for others- we want to continue with the vision God has given us and need support in this, both pray fully and financially! We would also ask you to pray for God’s will to be one in us as we seek him in this ministry- please pray for us.
We will put details on the website as to how the EP can be bought. As for now remember us as you pray and look for those pivotal moments God wants to produce in your own lives..things you may not have thought possible, made possible by The Creator- he gives us the reason and the song to sing!!

Mark and the guys.