Motives & Efforts Mark Farley November 9, 2024 0 Likes 37 Views Motives and efforts…. Ever heard the saying you get OUT of it what you PUT IN to it? Great examples of this are folks that run their first Triathlons, lose massive amounts or weight, win their first bodybuilding contest, or achieve some other life altering change for the good. The secret to success in each of these examples is that while they were training and working to achieve their goal, they constantly made sure their efforts matched their motives daily. We can use this “secret” in our everyday lives for ordinary things as well. This is a biblical principle that never changes! From being a better person, to overcoming an uncomfortable situation, if we measure our motives and match them to our efforts we will see change.. How well are your efforts matching your motives?… Check your experience…“Keep on the firing line of life with these motives and God will keep you unharmed.” Big Book pg 102Lord, let us provide the efforts needed along with the right motives to bring healthy changes into our lives and strengthen our walk with you, AMEN. “People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16: 2-3 Have a blessed day y’all!Did you know that Mentorship can help you grow and achieve your goals and dreams? Inspired 365 Mentorship with Mark Farley!!https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365-life-coaching 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]
Bad Moment Mark Farley November 8, 2024 0 Likes 51 Views Don’t turn a bad moment into a bad day...It was in hearing and learning the St. Francis prayer in AA that I first learned that in order to be forgiven, I must first forgive others. Back then, and even sometimes today, it was a tall order and I had a very hard time finding the willingness to open my heart and mind to become forgiving. Over the years I have learned from my own experiences as well as from watching and working with others that we tend to hang on to negative feelings and experiences longer than we should and if not addressed, these feeling and experiences can take on a life of their own and begin influencing our thoughts, actions and over time behaviors over other people, places, and things. With Thanksgiving coming next week, all sorts of resentments, anger, hurts, and ill feelings will come rushing to the front of folk’s minds as family and friends gather together. Jesus forgave us for our sins and continues to forgive me daily because of His unconditional love. It is a spiritual principle that HE can’t forgive us until we are able to forgive others… Check your experience… “We go to him in a helpful and forgiving spirit, “Big Book pg. 77 Lord let us open our hearts to become forgiving of others so that we can be forgiven ourselves, AMEN. “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 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
Traffic Jam Mark Farley November 7, 2024 0 Likes 43 Views Navigating through traffic….. It seems we encounter traffic in just about everything we do these days. The freeways are full of commuters, the Starbucks and Dutch Bros lines are long at times, there is usually a wait time for scheduled doctor appointments. Most of us become aware of these patterns and we adjust our schedules to either accommodate or avoid these situations as best we can so we can continue with our day. What about the things that can clog our hearts at times? The “rush hour traffic” of fear and worry, or being taken hostage by worldly clamors of self-willed perceived wants and materialistic desires can derail a good day if we let it. There is a plan and a solution to avoid this clutter and traffic in our hearts. Turning our will and our lives over to the care of God clears this traffic of our heart and allows us to focus on the important things and enjoy peace and grace…Check your experience… “But soon the sense of His presence had been blotted out by worldly clamors, mostly those within myself. And so, it has been ever since.” Big Book pgs. 12-13 Lord, let us give You the things in our heart that block us off from your grace and Spirit, AMEN “Let us put everything out of our lives that keeps us from doing what we should. Let us keep running in the race that God has planned for us.” Hebrews 12:1 Have a blessed day y’all! Did you know that Mentorship can help you grow and achieve your goals and dreams? Inspired 365 Mentorship with Mark Farley!!https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365-life-coaching 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].
Look for the Helpers Mark Farley November 6, 2024 0 Likes 45 Views Look for the helpers… Tragic events have hopefully shown us that we are capable of caring for, praying for, and helping others in need. It’s sad that it takes enormous tragedy to spotlight this, but this is our culture and socially acceptable. The good news is that there are many of us who don’t wait for a tragedy to strike but set out daily to look for the good and ways to plug in to be helpful and supportive. A few have shared a timely quote from Mr. Rogers; “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”It’s easy to focus on the bad in times of trouble, but spiritually speaking, the Lord through His Holy Spirit can help us see the good when we look for the helpers… Check your experience…. “Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.” Big Book pg. 63 Lord, let us look past the hurt and pain and find the helpers and the hope that You bring to every situation, AMEN. “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude.” 1 Peter 3:8 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 as well as those escaping homelessness and helplessness through the Furniture Bank https://homesfromheaven.org AZ Charitable TAX CREDIT!
We Get What We Give Mark Farley November 5, 2024 0 Likes 42 Views We get what we give…It seems to be a common line of thought and an acceptable practice these days to look for the bad and find fault in others as part of the attempt to build ourselves up.Perhaps you have learned the hard way, like I have, that all this brings us misery, chaos, and trouble.When I took an honest look at my part in these behaviors years ago, I knew I had to make a change.Just like the spiritual principle says,we GET what we GIVE.I find that when I spend my time building others up and looking for the good in others, the same is returned to me, even more than I deserve!..Check your experience…“We cannot be helpful to all people, but at least God will show us how to take a kindly and tolerant view of each and every one.” Big Book pg. 67Lord, let us look for the good in others and not give into fault finding, AMEN.“Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13Have a blessed day Y’all!Did you know that Mentorship can help you grow and achieve your goals and dreams? Inspired 365 Mentorship with Mark Farley!!https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365-life-coaching 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]
Spiritual Food Mark Farley November 4, 2024 0 Likes 45 Views What is the total cost?.. Anyone who knows me understands my preference to avoid numbers in just about every situation that I can. What I have learned in life and in school is that everything has a cost. Not only a numerical valued cost, but also the cost of time, effort, relationships, and growth. It’s pretty easy to count the numerical cost in most things. My wallet and my bank account are a constant reminder that I am not made of money. Now maybe it’s different for you, but it’s those other costs that are the most expensive to me. I have learned to ask myself what is the cost; to the relationship, time, as well as what value is to be gained. Needless to say, whenever Miss Tami or my daughter needs me, that automatically wins, …but what about the time I spend on other matters that may or may not be healthy for me or my relationships with my family, friends, and Jesus?… Check your experience… “Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid.” Big Book pg. 14 Lord, let us include our loves, our priorities, and our relationship with You when we count the cost of our efforts, AMEN. “But don’t begin until you count the cost.” Luke 14:28 Have a blessed day Y’all!! Inspired 365 Mentorship with Mark Farley!!https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365-life-coaching Want Mentorship 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]
Trading the Truth for a Lie Mark Farley November 3, 2024 0 Likes 43 Views Truth or consequences… Perhaps you have a better handle on this, but it can get confusing for me at times to know when I am getting the truth or a lie with respect to information. Looking at information for just about anything these days takes a measure or patience mixed with persistence to sort through the word vomit and visual imagery to learn the truth needed to make a decision. Trying to help Miss Tami find sunscreen for her face became a hunting expedition as we read ingredients and learned about all kinds of scary stuff that is part of the ingredients in some brands. I am neither a scientist nor an expert, but it seems to me that putting various concoctions and mixtures of alcohol and mineral oils on one one’s face cannot be good in the long run, let alone make a good sunscreen for sensitive skin! Experience, trust, and faith are the anchors I depend on to get me through. We found the brand she likes and lo and behold, no alcohol or mineral based petroleum products are used! This experience leads me to my thought for today,.. How are we reading the ingredients that we are putting into our spiritual lives? Are we getting the good soul food from God’s Word or….Are we getting “junk food” and chemical substitutes that make us feel good for the moment but have no lasting spiritual nutritional value?…Check your experience…“We have seen the truth demonstrated again and again:” Big Book pg. 33 Lord, let us look for Your Truth in seeking Your will and learning from Your Word, AMEN. “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie,” Romans 1:25 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
Good News! Mark Farley November 2, 2024 0 Likes 42 Views Where is all the good news?.. We hear stories about road rage and other examples of incidents that are fueled by emotional reactions all the time. While it grabs our attention for a moment, much like fights in a hockey match, it really is not newsworthy. Our media loves to show the negative side of life. YouTube is full of fight and conflict-video clips. Why? Because it grabs our attention and gives us that momentary human feeling of entitlement based on the thinking; “well at least I am not THAT bad.” It’s hard to find stories about good works and good deeds, especially anonymous good deeds. For whatever reason it doesn’t get ratings, viewers, or website clicks. However, when we do something good or helpful for someone else without expecting to be seen, caught, or recognized, our hearts gain this feeling of joy and happiness. Come on, you know you feel this! That is the Holy Spirit inside your heart jumping for joy! We don’t need it to be broadcast on the news or to be in the limelight for it because we are receiving our unasked-for reward for helping others…Check your experience. … “…asking each morning in meditation that our Creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness, and love.” Big Book pg. 83 Lord, let us share encouragement and blessings with others in the same way You so freely share with us, AMEN. “May the patience and encouragement that come from God allow you to live in harmony with each other” Romans 15:5 Have a blessed day Y’all! Did you know that Mentorship can help you grow and achieve your goals and dreams? Inspired 365 Mentorship with Mark Farley!!https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365-life-coaching 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]
From the Heart Mark Farley November 1, 2024 0 Likes 44 Views It’s a matter of your heart… Have you ever had a situation where even though you are there, your heart’s not in it? Perhaps it’s out of your immediate control and for the greater good you need to be there, but given your preferences, you would choose to be elsewhere. I am sure we all have these times, and we manage to get through them just fine. What about your faith? While it’s good to go to church and participate in worship, it’s not so good if our hearts are not in it. God doesn’t care where we are physically at, but He does want our hearts to be open and full of faith. Believing is a heart matter and our actions show our faith… Check your experience… “It was only a matter of being willing to believe in a Power greater than myself. Nothing more was required of me to make my beginning.” Big Book pg. 12Lord, let us keep our hearts open and filled with our belief in You and Your promises, AMEN. “For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” Romans 10:10 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
Daily Dose Mark Farley October 31, 2024 0 Likes 44 Views Just a daily dose…We have pills to fix our headaches, ointments to relieve sore muscles, and all kinds of over-the-counter instant fixes for most of our other aches and pains.There is even a pill to help our liver!Didn’t know my liver even needed a pill!.. NO my AA, SCAA, and other 12 Step friends, there IS NOT a pill to replace the Steps and meetings! What about our spiritual weaknesses and flaws?Anyone know of a pill for that?What I have learned from those who showed me is that I have a relationship with a living God that I need to maintain and grow through my daily pursuit of His will and Word for me.This way of living has brought me a life even better than my dreams.Even though I am not perfect and I screw up daily, as long as I seek His will over mine, it always works out…Check your experience… “What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.” Big Book pg. 83.Lord let us fix our frailties and heal our spiritual wounds through our daily relationship with You, AMEN. “Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.” Hebrews 12: 12-13Have a blessed day y’all!Did you know that Mentorship can help you grow and achieve your goals and dreams? Inspired 365 Mentorship with Mark Farley!!https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365-life-coaching 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]