My friend Tony Greene

To be honest I have no idea if anybody even reads this page but for me this post will be therapeutic.

Today my friend Tony Greene passed away at 4:25 pm. Honestly I'm not sure of all the details, but one thing I do know is that he suffered greatly during the last few years of his life. He suffered yet he served!!! Knowing "Buck" like I did, his pain never overshadowed his passion. This was a hilariously funny guy that loved his GOD, his family, and his career very much.

I traveled with him the entire year of 2003 while his brother Tim Greene was dealing with a very serious health battle of his own. To me it was the opportunity of a lifetime! I know it sounds self-centered, but Tony took a chance on a newly-wedded kid that just wanted to sing and serve God. During that year, I myself faced many hard times while being away from my family; however, being able to serve God alongside Tony and Taranda, made life do-able.

Singing every night of my life the songs of the Father was a dream come true. Songs like Miracle In Me, Marching to Glorious City of God, Hold On, Take Me Up The Hill and He's Alive rejuvenated my spirit and helped me serve and love God more. After a year of traveling, Tony and Taranda were no longer my friends, but my family. Did we fight? Yes. Did we disagree? Yes Did we love even harder? YES!!

Sitting on the bus, cracking jokes, rehearsing songs, and of course eating was standard. Leaving venues talking about what God just did were the most memorable. I remember Tony saying more times than not..."Son, it got in Glory didn't it? My answer was always "yes sir it did!"

He sure taught me a lot about how to do ministry and sometimes how NOT to do ministry but the one thing I will take away from my time was this. Preach, sing, and never hold back!!

You see friends, I believe Jesus is coming back soon!!! Gone are the times for simply great voices singing great songs!! We have to Preach, Sing, and never hold back. Tony taught me how to do all three at the same time!!!

I'm thankful tonight for his friendship, his mentorship, and his brotherhood to me. I love you Tony Greene! Through my tears, I write this one truth, I WILL see you again and we WILL march together in that "Glorious City Of God!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3Nr6RbM8ks

Marc's New Cd

We are pleased to announce Marc has a new CD "So Loved" the CD includes the following songs:

Good To Be Free
Fill This Place
Redeemer
Shout To The Lord
I Am 
How Great
River In The Rain
The Light of That City
Midnight Cry
To Know You More

You can purchase So Loved by clicking on the Buy Now button on the right of the page.

You can also listen to Marc singing "I Am" with Thomas Road Baptist Church Choir by clicking the following link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rjH0ZmGMnM

We pray you all have a blessed week and remember Jesus Loves You!

Good Morning from Alaina!

Well good morning! I know this may be a little different but I wanted to take the time and share what the Lord has been doing in our life and the life of our family. Marc and I continue to be amazed at how the Lord is blessing us and how He has His hand on this ministry. There is not a night that goes by that we are not talking about the goodness of God and how none of us deserve the free gift that He so freely gives and none of the blessings that we receive. However through all our faults if we'll just keep our eyes on Jesus everything will be just fine. When Marc and I started praying about this new ministry we were nervous but if there is one thing that I can say about Marc, he has the Faith to step out and do what the Lord has called him to do, and that is just another reason why I love him so much.

Marc and I are about to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary. I know I'm amazed as well. But as I think back over the past five years I'm honestly amazed that we have been able to make it through some of the test that we have had to face, but God is so sovereign that the blessings we received have far out weighed the trials that we faced.

It is funny for me to think back because when we got married we said we wanted to wait 5 years before we started a family...Well the Lord had other plans in mind and in just a few short weeks we will be having #2. Children are such a joy and make you really understand the love of God. We could of had a rough day and nothing could've gone right and we'll sit down for dinner and Reed will say, "I want to pray!" Everything that has gone wrong that day just fades away. That's when you realize just what it means to "come as little children."

I only write this to you today to encourage you and remind you that in all our failures and struggles if we just keep our head up and keep our eyes on Jesus, He will guide us through each and every day! Thank you so much for all your prayers and encouragement that each of you send to us. I just want you to know that they are felt and much appreciated!

We Love you all!
Alaina

Tell It All Recording

I know, I know, its been a while since my last entry and for that I am deeply sorry. I wish I could say I've been so incredibly busy, but that is really not the truth. If the truth be told, I've been lazy. Now that I am over that, I have to let you know a little bit about this new recording that I have titled Tell It All. About two years ago, I started a trio right here in Lynchburg VA called True Vine. From everything that I have heard since leaving, we have been sorely missed. I have to let you know that this makes me blush. To think that I used to be apart of a group that was a vessel to change so many lives, well its really humbling. With all that in mind I approached my good friend Jim Sanders. Jim was the co-founder of True Vine, as well as the financial backer, or as I like to call him...the big daddy OWNER. I asked Jim if I could make a record using the songs off of the cd we had made. Without any hesitation he said yes!
So many of these songs have made an eternal impact on my life. This never became more clear than when I had put the True Vine cd in the player shortly after my father had passed away. The song on the album called Just Keep Your Eyes On Jesus, is worth the 15 bucks. When I heard this I was moved beyond belief. This is weird for me because I have been singing this song non stop for two years now. But when I heard the song this time, it was like the first time. Isn't that how we are? You know how you never really think about a scripture until you are going through something in your life that makes that scripture pop. Well that is exatly what happened in this case.
I'm excited for you to hear the cd, so please go to www.marcivey.com and click on the "store" icon. There you will be able to support our ministry by purchasing your copy of the cd. I hope this blesses you as well as meets you right where you are. I promise to write more later.
In Him
Marc

Jesus First

Where are our priorities? Where are you in your walk with the Lord and your business? I ask this question because of an interesting conversation that I had with a friend of mine the other day. I was home all alone about to leave my house to go see a concert that was coming to a venue in my town. Before I left, my phone rang and on the other line was a person who called me to ask a very personal question. "Why isn't God blessing my ministry?" I had no idea as to how to answer this question. I mean, I'm not the Lord. I can't decide, nor is it my place, on whether ones ministry is blessed. But I can tell you what it did do to my spirit. This one question started me on a journey that I never expected. The journey consisted of some real self evaluation. It is for this reason, that I write this blog. I came to a perception that really scares me. Not only for my friends, but as well for those who are doing the same work that I do. Why is God not blessing my ministry has a few answers but the one that I feel is the strongest is you have never been called. I don't believe for a second that God calls everyone to vocational service. As a matter of fact, I think the Lord limits His calling in this area. Now it must be said that I believe God calls everyone to live for Him, and serve Him in a Christ like lifestyle, but this is completely different from a vocational calling. The Bible states in the book of Ephesians ( if you don't mind the paraphrase) He has called some as preachers, teachers, and evangelist for the work of service, to building up of the body of Christ. The problem that I see is that we have too many preachers, teachers and in this case singers doing God's work that have never been called. I'm not saying these individuals aren't talented, or better yet capable, but I am saying those are the ones that seem to always be complaining as to why they don't feel blessed, or are searching for that perfect church or singing job. In my case, I have been disobedient to the call of God in my life. He called me to sing and to serve through song, and along this journey that I am speaking of, allowed me to make my own decisions without consulting Him. Well that got me nowhere, except out of fellowship with Him. Once I surrendered to His true calling, that peace that surpasses all understanding fell on my spirit.
The Christian music industry is filled with so many artist that have never been called. I will not name names for I am not their judge. What I am is (if you allow me a little liberty from a pastor friend of mine) is a fruit inspector. The Bible also indicates that if a life bears no fruit, then it is a dead life. Although I was singing doing what I felt was right, even though God wanted more, he still chose to bless the ministry that he called me to by allowing me to see fruit. So many others can say Amen to that because they have been right there. I hated the fact that I was not in the center of His will. I may have been in the vicinity but honestly, that's not good enough. Let me finish by asking you a very personal question. Those of us who are in the Gospel ministry have to be asked this question. What will you say when you stand before God and he asked you why you claimed His name, when He had nothing to do with your business decision? Will you say I did my best? He already knows the answer to that. Will you say you called me into it? He really knows the answer to that! All I am asking you is to be honest with God. Quit worrying with what everybody else is doing. Get serious about God and quit playing silly games at the foot of the Cross. Be about the Father's business, not your own. A fantastic singer, as well as man of true integrity told me once, and it still holds true today, "God doesn't always call the equipped, but He always equips the called!" You're dreams are not as important as the awesome will of God. I love you all and look forward to seeing you on the road!

Marc Ivey

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

I needed to write a blog telling you how encouraged I am with this new ministry. God has really been tearing down the walls of doubt and unbelief in my own heart. It's so easy to make bad decisions. Sometimes, you make them out of wants, selfish desires or because you have no other option. Whatever decision you make, you reap the consequences. The only time a decision is easy, is when the Lord makes it for you.
I have to be completely honest and tell you that I love to sing. I'd rather sing than eat!! I really mean that, but I do not want to be up on stage by myself. I have no desire to be on any platform without a bunch a guys there to sing with me or play off of. That is why I am so amazed that God chose to use me in this compacity. It is even more amazing to see how God is blessing this journey, although I had my own reservations.
I felt a lot like Jonah did when God told him to go to Ninevah. I said "Lord thanks for the offer but I am happy right here in my groups." Yet His desire was something totally different. Being in the center of God's will, doing what He desires is so much better than what you think you want!
I know great things are in store! So many doors are being opened. I tell you what I mean. The other day I sang in church, and just like any other time, things went fine. But as I was heading out to my car to take Alaina and Reed to Cracker Barrel, I was stopped by a man who wanted to talk to me. He told me who he was and invited me to his church in September to sing for a bible conference. The special deal abut this conference is that there should be around 1000 pastors in attendance. Wow, what a way to get started. I had nothing to do with invitation. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would receive one like that. But when you decide to follow His plan, the blessings come in ways you never imagined.
I did not write this to brag about what is going great with my decisions on my ministry. I wrote this to encourage all of you that may find your way to this blog, to follow after Christ. Not what sounds good, or what you have always dreamed for, but follow after the one whos dreams are bigger than you can even comprehend. The journey will be all the more sweeter when you do. Matthew 7:8-9, Proverbs 3:4-5

Love you all
Marc