Doubting Minds

Mark Farley February 8, 2024 0 Likes 43 Views

Our tricky minds…

Sometimes when I let my mind wander, it tries to take me down the path of doubt.

If I permit this “stinkin’ thinkin’” to continue then the path widens to include worry, fear, and ultimately negativity all fueled from my own self-will.

What helps me during these times is to remember that the answers are not in my head and that I am no longer in charge of me.

When I made the life changing decision to turn my will and my life over to God, HE became not only my “Employer” but also my mentor, guide, and rock.

I have learned to stay out of my own head and not go there by myself because it is filled with fear-based illusions fueled by the worldly clamors around us.

God has us covered.

He not only has us here for a purpose, but also, HE has a plan for us that we can easily understand if we seek His will daily.

Check your experience…

“We had a new Employer. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans, and designs.” Big Book pg. 63

Lord, let us know in our hearts that You have a purpose and a plan for us that will keep us secure, successful, serene, and covered by Your grace, AMEN.

“God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.” Ephesians 2:10

Have a blessed day Y’all!

Join us in prayer and with your financial support as we tackle the challenge of helping and mentoring young adults aging out of the Foster Care System.

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Faith and Light Switches

Mark Farley February 7, 2024 0 Likes 43 Views

Have you ever thought about whether the light would come on before you turned the light switch on?

Because I have the familiar experience of having successfully done it countless times before, I don’t even think about it, I just know it will work.

Even when that 1 in a thousand times happens when the bulb is burnt out, I replace the bulb without thinking and the light comes on.

That is faith.

When I am staying in a new or unfamiliar place like a hotel or a friend’s home, I instinctively know that if I just find that light switch, the light will come on.

That is faith.

I cannot see the mechanics involved and I certainly have no electrical training or background in engineering,

but because I have experience with the process, I trust it works and neither debate it, nor give it a second thought.

That is faith.

OK, so this next part may not apply to you Spiritual giants…

Now why then do I want to debate with God over trivial things?

Why do I expect the answer before I even begin the task that is new or unfamiliar?

Where is my trust being placed?

Where oh where is my faith?

Has He not brought me this far in life successfully through things I have had no control over?

Why do I even think I need to discuss the new thing with Him?

Where is my faith?

Check your experience……

“The great fact is just this, and nothing less: That we life, toward our fellows and toward God’s universe.” Big Book pg. 25

Lord, like the light switch, let us place our trust in You based on our experience with You, AMEN.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

Have a blessed day y’all!

Join us in prayer and with your financial support as we tackle the challenge of helping and mentoring young adults aging out of the Foster Care System.

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Different Yet the Same

Mark Farley February 6, 2024 0 Likes 49 Views

Different yet the same…

Observing people is a hobby of mine.

I enjoy learning from others and behavior is usually indicative of a person’s habits.

Over the years I have seen a blessed pattern emerge when I learn from observing a fellow believer.

No matter what the action or activity is, the believer is doing it selflessly to help another without expectation of attention or recognition.

This has taught me to remain humble and to keep my focus on others as I continue to grow my relationship with Christ and build my ministry.

I constantly remind myself that this (whatever the “this” is) is not about me…

Check your experience…

“Helping others is the foundation stone” Big Book pg. 97

Lord let our helping actions and activities be focused on helping others and not ourselves, AMEN.

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” 1 Corinthians 4:12-14

Have a blessed day Y’all!

What if you had a person who coached and mentored you in building a better life?

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https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365-life-coaching

Want a one-on-one coach to get you out of where you are?

Email today and let’s chat to see if we can make up a plan for you to get you to where you want to be!

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What Goes Around Comes Around

Mark Farley February 5, 2024 0 Likes 46 Views

What goes around COMES around…

Have you ever played with a bouncing ball?

Did you notice that it always comes back to you with the same force you give it?

Now I am not trying to teach physics, but the ball example contains today’s spiritual thought.

I have learned over the years that my relationships with people, places, and things have the same effect.

We GET what we GIVE.

It’s a spiritual principle.

When I treat others with grace, I get grace and when I throw out grief and negativity, I get it right back.

Check your experience…

“Just to the extent that we do as we think He would have us, and humbly rely on Him, does He enable us to match calamity with serenity.” Big Book pg. 68

Lord, let us give others the same grace and joy that you freely give us, AMEN.

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,” Matthew 7:12

Have a blessed day Y’all!

What if you had a person who coached and mentored you in building a better life?

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https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365-life-coaching

Want a one-on-one coach to get you out of where you are?

Email today and let’s chat to see if we can make up a plan for you to get you to where you want to be!

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Faith Over Fear

Mark Farley February 4, 2024 0 Likes 38 Views

So why is it that sometimes we think we are walking in faith yet we still have that feeling of doom, failure, and or fear in our heads?

Change brings this on more than anything for me.

Now maybe it’s different for you, but I have this crazy head and it sometimes doesn’t like to connect with my heart.

What I have learned, and mostly the hard way over the years, is that my self-will lives in my head and it loves to tell my heart what a loser and failure it thinks I am.

Thanks to God, AA, SCAA,
and a picket fence of friends, I have learned to tune that noise in my head out and focus on my heart where the Holy Spirit resides and directs me if I let Him.

So when I get that feeling that perhaps I am going to fail or things are not going to go right, I politely thank my head and then shut the door on those thoughts and focus on what my faith and my heart are saying to me.

How do you quiet your head so your heart can lead you?..

Check your experience…

“Here was something at work in a human heart which had done the impossible.” Big Book pg 11

Lord, let us turn out will and our lives over to Your care and direction daily, AMEN.

“And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” Luke 24:38

Have a blessed day y’all!

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

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Bad Moment

Mark Farley February 3, 2024 0 Likes 44 Views

Don’t turn a bad moment into a bad day….

Have you ever noticed that what you focus on influences how you feel and act?

For instance, playing with children can make some older folks feel young and more alive.

How about the feeling of accomplishment after completing a workout at the gym?

What about the uncomfortable and unpleasant parts of our day that we all have?

Have you ever noticed what happens when we focus on that?

It tends to drag us into the negative mindset and bring us down.

Now maybe it’s different for you, but I have found that when I enter into the unpleasant moments of my day, instead of focusing on the anticipation of the impending doom or negativity, I remind myself of all the good in my life and that this is just a moment in my day that will eventually pass.

I find that when I greet negative times with cheerfulness, the negativity has a hard time taking me hostage.

How’s that working out for you?..

Check your experience…

What if you had a person who coached and mentored you in building a better life?

Inspired 365 Life Coaching with Mark Farley!!

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Email today and let’s chat to see if we can make up a plan for you to get you to where you want to be!

[email protected]Don’t turn a bad moment into a bad day….

Have you ever noticed that what you focus on influences how you feel and act?

For instance playing with children can make some older folks feel young and more alive.

How about the feeling of accomplishment after completing a workout at the gym?

What about the uncomfortable and unpleasant parts of our day that we all have?

Have you ever noticed what happens when we focus on that?

It tends to drag us into the negative mindset and bring us down.

Now maybe it’s different for you, but I have found that when I enter into the unpleasant moments of my day, …

instead of focusing on the anticipation of the impending doom or negativity,..

I remind myself of all the good in my life and that this is just a moment in my day that will eventually pass.

I find that when I greet negative times with cheerfulness, the negativity has a hard time taking me hostage.

How’s that working out for you?..

Check your experience…

“We were prepared to look at it from an entirely different angle.” Big Book pg 66

Lord, let us walk through the negative times knowing this is but a moment but You are in our heart forever and that we have blessings awaiting us, AMEN.

“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Philippians 2:14-15

Have a blessed day y’all!

What if you had a person who coached and mentored you in building a better life?

Inspired 365 Life Coaching with Mark Farley!!

https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365-life-coaching

Want a one-on-one coach to get you out of where you are?

Email today and let’s chat to see if we can make up a plan for you to get you to where you want to be!

[email protected]

Dropping the Doubt

Mark Farley February 2, 2024 0 Likes 39 Views

Drop the doubt…

Facing the Giants is a movie close to my heart.

One of the scenes in the movie involves a young man that basically has been crippled by doubt in his abilities and it has spread to his faith.

Luckily, he has a few men in his life that see this and help him to work through his doubts and embrace faith not only in his abilities but also grow his faith in God.

This reminds me look at myself and examine the areas in my life where doubt has invaded to limit my belief in myself and the power of Jesus.

My experience has taught me that when I drop the doubt and replace it with faith in myself and the Lord, amazing things happen.

What areas of your life are controlled by doubt and holding you back?…

Check your experience…

“Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more… You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Matthew 21-21:22

Lord, let us drop our doubts and replace them with faith in ourselves and You, AMEN.

“I was to sit quietly when in doubt, asking only for direction and strength to meet my problems as He would have me.”
Big Book pg. 13

Have a blessed day Y’all!

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought?

Wants or Needs?

Mark Farley February 1, 2024 0 Likes 45 Views

I want what I want WHEN I want it….

Perhaps it’s different for you, but I can’t tell you how many times this thought has sparked reactions that led to actions with bad outcomes from my hurried and poorly thought out decisions.

I get it, the self-willed human in me wants to override my spiritual nature and get that perceived TEMPORARY GAIN.

It’s in those moments my self-will blocks me from seeing the long-term outcomes and the effects on my hasty wants and desires.

When I quiet those urges through prayer, counsel with others wiser than me, and in trusting my faith, that I wait and let God provide me with the natural choice.

More often than not, I am amazed because it turns out way better than I ever expected!

Check your experience….

“Patience, tolerance, understanding and love are the watchwords.” Big Book pg. 118

Lord, please let me learn to pray to want what I get instead of getting what I want, AMEN.

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage;” Psalm 27:14

Have a blessed day Y’all!

Join us in prayer and with your financial support as we tackle the challenge of helping and mentoring young adults aging out of the Foster Care System.

https://homesfromheaven.org/

AZ Charitable TAX CREDIT!

Leaders Serve

Mark Farley January 31, 2024 0 Likes 43 Views

Leaders Serve….

H Ross Perot once said; “Inventories need to be managed but people need to be led.”

Leaders lead by serving.

The easiest example I can think of is a coach.

We don’t see the coach out on the field physically involved in every play.

We see them on the sideline constantly encouraging, guiding, and directing.

Always watching and paying attention to help the team by helping each individual improve.

Leaders serve by paying attention to the needs of others.

Through serving, respect is earned, and trust is gained.

Think about this.

All “managing” does is keep things in order.

We manage our house, our laundry, and our schedules.

When it comes to those you love in your life are you leading or managing?

Check your experience…

“Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.” Big Book pg 562

Lord, let us lead by serving and let us serve by helping others, AMEN.

“Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,” Matthew 20:26

Have a blessed day Y’all!

Join us in prayer and with your financial support as we tackle the challenge of helping and mentoring young adults aging out of the Foster Care System.

https://homesfromheaven.org/

AZ Charitable TAX CREDIT!

Don’t Drop to Their Level

Mark Farley January 30, 2024 0 Likes 43 Views

Don’t drop to their level…

Sometimes we encounter people, places, or things that are neither pleasant, nor supportive.

Now maybe it’s different for you, but my initial gut reaction (get it?.. REACT-ion) is to give it right back to them the same as they are giving me!

Match attitude with attitude and that will show them!

Luckily for me, time and bad experiences have taught me that this way does not work and only brings about more misery.

Growing up spiritually and emotionally has allowed me to quiet that initial reaction and instead RESPOND in the way that I wish to be treated.

That is, no matter what the situation is, I give it grace, tolerance, and open my heart to try to understand instead of “putting them in their place”…

What level are you operating on when you encounter conflict or unpleasantness?…

Check your experience…

“We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions.” Big Book pg 88

Lord, let us match unpleasantness with grace, rudeness with tolerance, and anger with a heart that looks to understand, AMEN.

“Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.” Romans 12: 17-19

Have a blessed day Y’all!

What if you had a person who coached and mentored you in building a better life?

Inspired 365 Life Coaching with Mark Farley!!

https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365-life-coaching

Want in?

[email protected]

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