Author: Mark Farley

Faith It

   February 16, 2023 0 Likes 285 Views
Faith it till ya make it…


Have you heard the term “blind faith” or maybe even the expression of “taking something on faith”?  


It seems this faith thing has some powerful pull to it.

Most of us take many things daily by faith without even thinking about it.  


When we put the key into the car ignition, we assume it will start, or when we flip a light switch or use the remote to our TV, we naturally expect it to turn on.


Why is it then that we seem to demand proof of other things before they happen?


Now maybe it’s different for you, but I seldom get into a debate over my car starting, or feel the need to have an engineer come to our home to tell me that our light switch will work before I try.


So why is it then do we at times, myself included, DEMAND that God  show us proof of success before we attempt something new or uncomfortable.


Just look at the sun, the sky and feel the air we breathe!


We use faith daily, isn’t it time we give God more credit with our faith in Him?…

Check your experience…


“In one form or another we had been living by faith and little else.” Big Book pg 54

Lord, let us have the same faith in You as we have in our car keys and light switches because You never fail us, AMEN.


“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1


Have a blessed day y’all!  


Looking to volunteer or plug into an existing helping opportunity in the Greater Phoenix AZ area? 


Visit Servants Hearts!


It’s a free site to help connect folks with volunteer and helping opportunities!


http://aservantsheart.us  

Faith in a Light Switch?

   February 15, 2023 0 Likes 134 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!  


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Love is in the Air

   February 14, 2023 0 Likes 228 Views
Love is in the air!…


Lots of love in the air today!


Cards, candy, and flowers helping and hoping  to seal the deal so to speak!


Remember folks, we each have a personal Valentine that loves unconditionally JUST AS WE ARE!  


Deep in our heart exists the Holy Spirit that not only looks out for us and protects us when we allow it to, but also loves us unconditionally!  


Don’t believe me, just check your experience!…


“He stood in the Presence of Infinite Power and Love.” Big Book pg 56

Lord, as we share this day with our loved ones today, let us remember Your ultimate unconditional love for us, AMEN.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

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?

Perceptions and Trust

   February 13, 2023 0 Likes 253 Views
Perception is a funny thing. 


Maybe it’s different for you but my mind likes to try to lead me to believe things that are not actually true or as they appear.


I have learned the hard way that most things advertised as “free” generally have a cost associated somewhere. Also, experience has taught me that most “easy” and “simple” things are either low in quality or not worth really having.  


The good news is that I have learned over the years to trust my heart and not what my mind likes for me to believe.


The verse I am sharing today reminds me of this truth. Check your experience… “We trust infinite God rather than our finite selves.” Big Book pg. 68  

Lord, let us look in our hearts and seek Your will when we are confused or uncertain, AMEN.  

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all “your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6

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]

No Pain No Gain

   February 12, 2023 0 Likes 251 Views
No pain…no gain….


Maybe it’s different for you, but I can honestly say that I do not enjoy pain of any kind in any form. 


I don’t intentionally go looking for it but I have learned that when I do find myself in pain, there is either a lesson to be learned or an experience to grow from if I look with a willing heart and open mind. 


Staying spiritually fit is hard work but the benefits are immense.  


Sobriety is not easy but the pains from gaining and maintaining it have brought me blessings far beyond what I deserve. 


The same can be said for my journey to attain physical health and fitness. 


God gives us the pain inside of every challenge to encourage us to find the benefit He has for us. 


Check your experience… 


“If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through.” Big Book pg 83. 


 Lord, when we are in pain, please remind our hearts to seek the goodness we can gain from seeking Your will, AMEN.


“And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5: 2-4 


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? 

Our ‘Inner Net’ Connection

   February 11, 2023 0 Likes 215 Views
The “inner-net’ connection…

Plugged in, wired, and networked are terms we associate with our communications these days.

I am just glad I no longer need to figure out how to “interface” with folks!  

Wi-Fi and internet are the connections we seem to chase the most these days as we rely more and more on social media to get our “message” out there to “build our brand”.  

It sure feels like we need to constantly network ourselves to others in order to stay connected in today’s world.  

How do we stay plugged in to the things that keep us grounded, stable, and secure?

What about our internal connection to God and the Holy Spirit?

I am grateful that I have been shown and taught to seek quiet time daily, and even hourly at times, to connect with God to stabilize my heart and quiet my mind.  

When I do this, I become grounded and connected in the right way that makes my day go in the direction it needs to instead of more out of control.

How are you keeping your inner connection solid?..

Check your experience…  

“In nearly all cases, their ideals must be grounded in a power greater than themselves,” Big Book pg. xxviii  

Lord, let us seek Your grace and guidance daily to be grounded securely in your will and not fall victim to the illusions of worldly clamors, AMEN.  

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

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 in?

[email protected]
.

Measuring Our Motives

   February 10, 2023 0 Likes 249 Views
Measuring our motives…


Way back when I was in grade school, every time we went to visit my father’s Aunt Mabel, she would send me to visit her friend Mrs. Wheatley.


Now this was not fun for a 10-year-old boy, but when the visit was over I would walk away with a big candy bar!


So, I was always willing to pay a visit to Mrs. Wheatley.


Sadly today, that is the only thing I remember about Mrs. Wheatley.


Now Y’all can say it’s because I am old and my boyhood memories have faded, but the sad truth is my only motive in going was for the candy bar.

Ever participated in something purely for a self-serving gain?


Heck, I am guilty of that at times still to this very day!


My point is that when others are counting on us to be there, we should check ourselves and our motives to make sure we are there for the right reasons.


Check your experience…


“Our thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives.” Big Book pg. 86


Lord please help me clear my mind of self-serving thoughts so that my heart can participate 100% for the right reasons based on Your will and not mine, AMEN


“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” Proverbs 16:2


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?

What’s in Your Heart?

   February 9, 2023 0 Likes 210 Views
What’s in your heart?…


We all have this autopilot inside of us that handles our daily routine functions.


Breathing and walking are the obvious ones but what about those expected and meaningless interactions?


You know, like the store clerk or that same person you see daily in the hall or gym?


You have no emotional connection to them.


They say “How are you doing? ” And you say “fine” with no thought or effort.


Now what about when you need to either forgive someone or let go of something emotionally or pride fully?


Do you find yourself mouthing the words of the correct or expected response yet keeping your imagined control of it in your heart?


Perhaps that’s why we stay needlessly hurt or angry.


We lock that thing in our heart yet act like it’s gone.


God can fix that, but we must open our hearts and let go for real.


Check your experience…


“…he should understand that he must undergo a change of heart.” Big Book pg. 143


Lord let us open our hearts to be filled with your Spirit and healed by your grace, AMEN.


“I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.” Isaiah 57:15


Have a blessed day Y’all!


Looking to volunteer or plug into an existing helping opportunity in the Greater Phoenix AZ area?


Visit Servants Hearts!


It’s a free site to help connect folks with volunteer and helping opportunities!
http://aservantsheart.us

Our Tricky Minds

   February 8, 2023 0 Likes 246 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! 


Please help us help others! 


http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html 


Donate today! 

Walking Toward the Light

   February 7, 2023 0 Likes 243 Views
Keep walking toward the light… 


Have you ever stayed overnight in a hotel or even a friend’s home for the first time and had to find the light switch in the middle of the night? 


Strange rooms and unfamiliar surroundings bring us confusion and we find ourselves moving slowly with caution. 


We know there is a light switch there somewhere, so we proceed forward, but ever so slowly because we don’t quite trust our new surroundings and environment. 


Now think about this with me. 


Isn’t our reaction the same when we encounter new or unforeseen pressures and circumstances in our lives? 


How do we handle the new, uncomfortable, and unforeseen?


Now maybe it’s different for you, but over time I have learned to seek and trust God’s will in these unfamiliar situations, mainly because, even though I may be uncomfortable and lack experience with handling the situation, I trust in my faith and that God has me covered and will guide me through. 


How about you?… 


Check your experience… 


“I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all.” Big Book pg. 14 


Lord, let us put our faith and trust in You and Your will for us when times get hard and we find ourselves in new or unfamiliar circumstances, AMEN. 


 “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing.” 2 Corinthians 4:8 


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?