Author: Mark Farley

Looking Away or Looking to Help?

   March 3, 2023 0 Likes 286 Views
Looking away or looking to help…. 


Sometimes when we see uncomfortable or unpleasant things, we divert our eyes away so our mind won’t focus and our hearts won’t feel the situation. 


I used to do this every time I walked by my teenager’s room. 


I am sure it’s a well-organized myriad of clothing, books, and life pertinent items to her, but it looked like remnants of a hurricane to her mother and me. 

It’s easier to just look away and move on. 


What about those times when we are at work or out and about with a group of friends and we see someone noticeably upset or hurting. 


Hopefully it’s our natural reaction to seek to learn the situation, offer comfort, and help if possible. 


Now what about when we see that out of place person trying to deal with something that is obviously unfamiliar for them? 


I know that it’s easier to look away and pretend we don’t see that older person in the store trying to figure out how to lift that case of water. 


Or its “better to ignore” the dirty looking person on the street with the shopping cart full of weird stuff. 


I am not suggesting we stop and try to change their whole life, but what about looking them in the eye and saying hello? 


What would Jesus do? 


Check your experience…


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


Lord, let us open the eyes of our heart to see where You would have us offer compassion and help, AMEN. 


“Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 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? 

Thoughts in Our Hearts

   March 2, 2023 0 Likes 279 Views
Check the thoughts that reside in your heart…


Have you ever considered the differences between the thoughts in your head and your heart? 


In my head my thoughts tend to be focused on myself. 


They race wildly about jumping from emotional wants to materialistic and other self-centered actions. 


If these were left unchecked by my heart, they would cause me all kinds of grief like they used to before I gained sobriety and began walking with Jesus. 


For instance, my head will say “go ahead and tell them what you really think right now!” 


Where my heart says, “Wait until your anger goes away and pray on this before you respond with words you will regret.” 


I find when I listen to the thoughts in my heart my day goes much better!.. 


 Check your experience… 


“His change of heart was dramatic, convincing, and moving.” Big Book pg. 55 


 Lord let us first give our thoughts to our heart to let Your Holy Spirit guide our responses and quiet our emotional need to react, AMEN. 


“And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?” Matthew 9:4 


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 

Find the Good

   March 1, 2023 0 Likes 290 Views
Find the good and the blessings will follow…


Have you ever noticed both in yourself and in others that when love is added to the task, effort, or deed it not only goes well, but also brings a smile to those involved? 


Now it’s pretty apparent that we can’t do what we love all the time, every time, but we can bring our best efforts and attitudes. 


Some of the daily tasks I have are not the most enjoyable, but because they are required, I make the best of it. 


Over the years I have learned to look for the good in every situation and to see what I can bring to it, instead of seeing what I can take from it. 


This mindset has not only got me through the moment but also given me a new outlook and attitude on things. 


It works when you work it!.. 


Check your experience… 


“Do not think of what you will get out of the occasion. Think of what you can bring to it.” Big Book pg. 102


Lord, let us use love and grace to not only be a part of the things we enjoy, but also to help us through the rougher waters of our lives, AMEN. 


“In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” Proverbs 3:6 


Have a blessed day Y’all! 


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Encourage Instead of Discourage

   February 28, 2023 0 Likes 310 Views
You catch more flies with honey… 


Have you ever noticed that the people or things that initially get and hold your attention best use an approach that is tailored to saying or showing good stuff about you? 


It’s human nature to like to see and hear things positive about us. 


Life lessons school teach us to make a sandwich with our words when dealing with others. 


Start with a slice of positive bread, layer the meat of correction or opportunity in the middle, and then finish with the final slice of encouragement bread on top. 


This is a biblically based principle that works far better than intimidating others with negativity and harsh words… 


Check you experience… 


“A new life has been given us or, if you prefer, a design for living that really works” Big Book pg. 28 


Lord, let us use the eyes of our heart to look for and see the good in all people, places, and things today, AMEN. 


“So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault.” Romans 14: 19-21 


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? 

Judge and Jury?

   February 27, 2023 0 Likes 336 Views
But I just wanna be judged by my INTENTIONS while I judge you by your ACTIONS. ...


Well that’s just dandy isn’t it?!?


Maybe it’s just me, and perhaps you cannot relate, but the “committee” in my head that tries to run my life, otherwise known as my selfish self-will, tries to make this a policy for me all the time.


Thank goodness I have tools to veto their vote and the key to lock them back up deep in my mind.


Why is it that I have this fear-fueled, pride-based notion that I have the right to judge others only by how I view their actions and at the same time expect them to overlook my actions and judge me by my intentions?


Over the years and through many painful lessons I have learned that I must first walk in another person’s shoes before I even attempt to understand them.


I have no right to judge another person.


That is for God to do.


My job is to try to love, tolerate, and accept others as best I can and allow them to have their own opinions of me.


How is your relationship with the committee in your head?..


Check your experience…


“Love and tolerance of others is our code.” Big Book pg. 84


Lord, let us set aside our preconceived notions and give our best efforts to love and tolerate others, AMEN.


“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2


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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Are You Teachable?

   February 26, 2023 0 Likes 272 Views
Becoming teachable…


Remember the last time you were able to lay aside your preconceived notions, expectations, assumptions, and self-made opinions in order to truly learn something new?  


Yeah, it’s been a while for me too!


Part of having free will and becoming an adult is this magic magnifying mind that we have that likes to unconsciously grow and feed from our perceptions and experiences.


It tries to predict situations for us as well as attempts to harden our hearts through our own self-made assessments and judgements.  


Until we stop this process and set aside the ability and power it has over us, we cease to truly grow spiritually.  

Kids don’t have this.


They look 
at us with wide eyes and open minds thirsty to learn.

It’s only when we can open our minds willingly in this manner can God truly teach us and fill our hearts with His Spirit and wisdom. ...


Check your experience…  


“But after a while we had to face the fact that we must find a spiritual basis of life-or else.” Big Book pg. 44

Lord let us set aside our own thoughts and become teachable like a child for Your Word, AMEN.    

“He said:  I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3  

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?

Real Leaders Serve

   February 25, 2023 0 Likes 308 Views
The difference between a leader and a boss…


At various points in our lives we find that we have different authority figures who we either report to or are held accountable.  


In my walk I have had some great ones and some… well… “interesting ” ones!


The interesting ones have been bosses.


They dictate, spout negativity, and attempt to rule by fear and intimidation.


These “bosses” seem to never get much good done and those under them tend to move on to other jobs, tasks, or assignments under others to escape this toxic environment.  


I learned to NEVER attempt to lead that way…


I have tried to model my own leadership style from the great ones I have served under.


I have found a common trait that is biblical in nature.


The greatest leaders I have had have taught me by example to do what they do.  


They SERVE the ones they are responsible for and LEAD BY EXAMPLE.


They gain loyal followers and happy, productive workers with positive results and create healthy long-term relationships…

What is your style AND…what is your experience?..


“Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us.” Big Book pg. 77

Lord please continue to guide my heart and show me how to lead through serving others, AMEN. 

“The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11

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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Weeds Around Our Heart

   February 24, 2023 0 Likes 301 Views
Pull the weeds trying to grow near your heart…


Static noise and visual distractions are everywhere these days.


Our tablets and electronic devices are bombarded with visual ads trying to distract us.


I just learned that highway billboards are now electronic and change ads in front of our eyes as we drive!


The ads on “free versions” of Internet radio interrupt our music filling our heads with “offers and specials”.


Peyton Manning humming the Nationwide jingle is still stuck in my head!


We experience the same type of distractions with our Spiritual walk with Jesus.


Worldly clamors distract us trying to allow fear, worry, and pride to fuel our self-centered minds away from seeking and doing God’s will.

How many times daily are your good thoughts challenged with earthly interruptions? 


Check your experience…


“His presence had been blotted out by worldly clamors, mostly those within myself.” Big Book pg 12-13

Lord please let us focus on your love and will for us despite all of the earthly distractions around us, AMEN.  

“The seed that fell among the thorny weeds is like those who hear God’s teaching, but they let the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life keep them from growing and producing good fruit.” Luke 8:14  

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?

Fire Starter

   February 23, 2023 0 Likes 323 Views
I got my tongue in front of my eye tooth and couldn’t see what I was saying…


Ever experienced delayed remorse as the words based on the emotion of the moment go flying out of your mouth, only to immediately be followed by the heart driven words of “I didn’t mean that!” ??…


Emotions fuel our words and actions and when left unchecked by our heart and Spirit can cause pain and hurt to others as well as amends work for us.


I have spent the past few years in my walk with Christ learning to RESPOND with grace and kindness rather than my old way of REACTING with the emotion of the moment.  


Now most of y’all know how much I despise numbers but counting to 10 during an emotional moment has become a tool that I use to disconnect from the emotion of the moment and reconnect with my heart and the Holy Spirit.  


I find when I do this I am no longer held hostage by my emotions and my words do not cause harm…


Check your experience…


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

Lord let us guard our words by responding in grace instead of reacting with emotions, AMEN. 

“So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!” James 3:5

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!

Unlimited Energy Source!

   February 22, 2023 0 Likes 291 Views
What is your energy source?…  


Every day, about mid-afternoon, I get that rundown and tired feeling.


It’s usually during the middle of whatever I am working at or trying to focus on.


I generally stop my work and grab a legal source of liquid amphetamines like coffee or the healthiest version of energy drink I can find.


This refreshes me and gets me through the rest of my day as my alertness returns.


What about those times when our soul is weary?

Do you experience times when it seems like you are all alone and 
feel like you are facing a Goliath of a challenge?


I have found the solution that works for me and it is not in a can.


I remember that I am not alone and that I have the Holy Spirit of our almighty God living inside of me!


I remind myself that HE will never give me anything that He does not think I can handle and with that assurance, I face the challenge and keep walking through it…

Check your experience…


“Our ideas did not work. 
But the God idea did” Big Book pg. 52

Lord, remind our hearts during those trying times when doubt tries to enter our minds that you are in us and with us and that we can overcome whatever obstacle seems to be in our path, AMEN.  

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31  

Have a blessed day y’all!  


Please help us help others!

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


Donate today!