Bad Moment not Day

Mark Farley December 19, 2024 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 3 Views

If you are going through hell…keep on going…

Back in Sacramento, years ago, ol’ Dick E. used to say in the AA meetings,
“Don’t turn a bad moment into a bad day.”

I have held onto that thought over the years and found that when I am in times of stress or struggle, this thought gets me through it.

While some situations last longer than a moment, I have learned that I am not facing it alone and that when I turn my troubles and fears over to the Lord, not only does my day
go better, but also, the situation usually resolves itself and leaves me in a better place as a result.

Are you allowing bad moments to become bad days?..

Check your experience….

“In this book, you read again and again that faith did for us what we could not do for ourselves.” Big Book pgs. 70-71

Lord, what times of uncertainty, stress, or struggle come, remind my heart that You are with me and I can turn it over to Your care and not let it ruin my whole day, AMEN.

“I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

Have a blessed day Y’all!

Join us in prayer and with your financial support as we tackle the challenges of assisting individuals and families escaping homelessness into productive jobs and healthy lives along with our other program in helping and mentoring young adults aging out of the Foster Care System.

https://homesfromheaven.org/ https://furniturebank.us/

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Real Joy

Mark Farley December 18, 2024 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 4 Views

The Source of True Joy

Our world offers many temporary sources of joy. From toys for kiddos, wonderful meals, lovely jewelry, to many other material treasures .
Perhaps its different for you, but these temporary pleasures often leave me and my selfish heart wanting more.
The Bible taught me and life with Jesus has now shown me through experience hat true joy comes from a deeper source: my relationship with Jesus.
Joy is not something we can make happen or force. It’s a gift from God, freely given to those who trust in Him.
As we draw closer to God through building a closer relationship with Jesus, our hearts are filled with a joy that surpasses understanding.
When I choose to seek God’s will over the trials, tests, twists, turns, and temptations in my daily life He replaces these fears with a wonderful sense of joy within me.
Looking at all the blessing in my life of family, faith, and friends brings me endless joy.
“The joy of living we really have, even under pressure and difficulty” Big Book pg 15
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May the joy of His birth fill our hearts and homes this Christmas season. Help us to experience Your joy in all circumstances. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22
Have a blessed day Y’all!
Join us in prayer and with your financial support as we tackle the challenges of assisting individuals and families escaping homelessness into productive jobs and healthy lives along with our other program in helping and mentoring young adults aging out of the Foster Care System.

https://homesfromheaven.org/ https://furniturebank.us/

AZ Charitable TAX CREDIT!

33 Years Ago

Mark Farley December 17, 2024 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 4 Views

33 years ago I was a broken man, hopelessly alcoholic and addicted to methamphetamine. In jail.. again… for my 10th DUI I was to be sent to prison. I was 30 years old and had estranged everyone from me in my life.

As I stared into the piece of tin that serves as a jailhouse mirror, I suddenly realized that I no longer knew this person staring back at me. I got on my knees and said the only prayer I could at the time, “God help me.”

Things began to change almost immediately.

My cellmate kept inviting me to the AA meetings and until that day I never wanted to attend. The H & I sponsored AA meeting started with a very short man who was not in jail jumping up on a table and shouting, “If you guys keep on doing what you are doing, you will keep getting what you are getting!” It was the shortest AA meeting I have ever attended because that was all I heard. He offered a Big Book to those of us “man enough to ask”, so I asked. I began reading the AA Big Book and attending the meetings.

After a few weeks, I went for my prison sentencing, but my Public Defender did not show up. 2 weeks later I went again to be sentenced and the Prosecutor did not show up.

It would be 6 more weeks in jail before I would be sentenced to prison.

I stayed active in AA and in the Christian fellowship Overcomers Outreach. My heart began to change. I finally owned my alcoholism; took responsibility for the wreckage it had caused me and others and became willing to accept the consequences of the prison time I had coming.

When I finally went to court to be sentenced, there was a different judge on the bench, and he shared a letter that was written on my behalf by an anonymous member of AA telling him I was changing and asking him to give me a chance at a rehab program instead of prison. The judge stopped the sentencing and asked me if I would like to spend 6 months at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Sacramento.

I knew that God had heard my cry for help and that I needed to keep following Him!

I willingly went to the Salvation Army. They loved me until I could learn to love myself. I threw myself into learning about God and became active in AA and in serving the homeless and addicted which has become my life mission. I entered their Adjutant Program and earned my Pastoral certificate. I was awarded a scholarship to go back to college and got my Human Services as well as my CADC counseling certificates for drugs and alcohol. I began running the Phase 1 recovery programs for Salvation Army ARC and helped to manage the homeless shelter.

Through my quest for lasting sobriety in AA, I met my beautiful angel Tami, who allowed this strange man with a ponytail who worked at the homeless shelter and rode a bicycle to fall in love with her and eventually marry her. 3 Years into our marriage, God loaned us His angel Kai to raise as our daughter!

For the past 33 years I have lived one day at a time looking to serve and help.

7 years ago I began to look at the damage that my excess weight was causing me and those who relied on me. I found help and learned that sugar was my new addiction along with my cravings for all the bad carbs in the junk food I surrounded myself with.

I met Bitten Jonsson who taught me about sugar and carb addiction. I have applied the 12 Steps from AA into my food addiction and now, 7 years later, not only have I lost over 120 pounds, but also have gained my life back and am the founder of a 12 Step Sugar and Carb addiction group called Sugar and Carb Addicts Anonymous. www.SCAA.club

God saved me from alcoholism and addiction and taught me how to be free through serving others.

I believe in and truly try to live what the Bible promises that it is through giving to others that we receive.

God has given me more than I ever deserved. The Big Book has taught me that Faith without works is dead. The least I can do is to try daily to pay Him back through serving others.

Because of AA and God, today I am a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a family member, and a friend to many. I have a home, a job, a ministry, and a founding partner of a nonprofit that helps others. AA taught me to be of humble service to others. From this suggestion I have become an ordained Pastor and a college graduate with an MBA in Business and Marketing.

Thank you, Jesus, for saving me!

Thank God for the Salvation Army, SCAA, and Alcoholics Anonymous!

Got Hope, need HOPE?

www.FaithThroughWorksFellowship.org

Peace on Earth

Mark Farley December 16, 2024 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 5 Views

“Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All”
As Christmas and the birth of Jesus draws near we are reminded of the profound message of peace and goodwill that His coming brought to the world.
This message, though simple, is incredibly powerful and relevant to our lives today.
Peace on Earth:
In our world that is full of conflict, division, hurt, heartache, and violence, the promise of peace is a beacon of hope.
Jesus came to bring peace, not only between God and humanity but also among people. He taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to forgive our enemies, and to seek reconciliation.
Goodwill Toward Men:
Goodwill is more than just a polite gesture; it’s a genuine desire for the well-being of others.
It’s about treating everyone with kindness, compassion, and respect, regardless of their background or beliefs.
As we reflect on these words, let us look in our our own hearts and ask ourselves: Are we living out the message of peace and goodwill?
Are we seeking to build bridges of understanding and love with those around us?
May this Christmas season inspire us to be agents of peace and goodwill in the world.
Let us strive to live in harmony with others, to forgive freely, and to spread joy and kindness wherever we go.
“….peace on earth and good will to men.” Big Book pg 16
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. May His message of peace and goodwill fill our hearts and inspire our actions. Help us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to live in harmony with all people. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Luke 2:14
May the peace of Christ be with you this Christmas season and always.
Have a blessed day Y’all!
Did you know that Mentorship can help you grow and achieve your goals and dreams?

Inspired 365 Mentorship!!

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Last is First

Mark Farley December 14, 2024 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 6 Views

Last is first…

This is a fun time of year to watch people if you are a people watcher!

It’s so inspiring to see the love folks have for others displayed as they shop and search for the gifts that they want to get for their loved ones.

They forgo lunch to shop, they multi-task in order to have extra time to pick up the items that they want to give loved ones, and they even cover for one another other tasks to allow the time needed to pick up the treasures to put under the tree.

What is so inspiring to me about seeing these activities is that it shows me that the Holy Spirit is alive and working in the hearts of others.

It’s a spiritual principle to put others before ourselves and this is a great time of year to see folks naturally doing this motivated by the love fueled by the Holy Spirit in their hearts.

It’s hard to see this in ourselves but easy to see in others.

Do you find yourself putting others before you…

Check 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, let us put others first in order to learn Your will for us, AMEN.

“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

Have a blessed day Y’all!

Did you know that Mentorship can help you grow and achieve your goals and dreams?

Inspired 365 Mentorship, Coaching, & Inspiration!!

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!

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What’s Your Understanding?

Mark Farley December 13, 2024 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 6 Views

What is YOUR understanding?…

On the surface, it’s a simple question, however the answer can become complex.

It is a hard question because there are so many different answers that come from so many people, places, and things.

The confusion sets in when we try to analyze, compare, and contrast all of the perceptions, opinions, and so called “facts” that others are willing to provide.

I can’t answer this question for you or anyone else for that matter.

It’s not because I don’t care because those that know me, know that I do care very deeply about this.

I cannot give you a God of your understanding, and I hope you are not allowing others to force theirs upon you.

I will lovingly and unselfishly share my experience, strength, hope, and God with you but…

in order to know God you MUST create your own relationship with him, based upon YOUR OWN experience and understanding…

I love you all but please check your experience and know that for me, to coin a phrase that has meaning to me…

” Jesus IS the Reason for the Season”…

“Perhaps there is a better way-we think so. For we are now on a different basis of trusting and relying upon God. We trust infinite God rather than our finite selves.” Big Book pg. 68

Lord, let us open our hearts and invite You into our lives so that we may know You as well as You know and love each and every one of us, AMEN.

“Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15

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?

Best Gift Ever

Mark Farley December 11, 2024 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 6 Views

The best gift ever…

Almost everyone has an example of the best present they have ever received.

Usually, folks associate this pleasant thought with a Christmas present, a significant life change, or an important event like a marriage or the birth of a child.

Just like most of the things I share here, it depends on your experience, I totally agree and understand that. I have 4 significant things in my life that I consider as the best…

Miss Tami, Miss Kai, and my blessed sobriety are 3,

but they are all predicated by my relationship with Jesus.

I am far from perfect and do not deserve any of these gifts, but through my constant work on a daily relationship with Jesus, …

I get to enjoy not only Miss Tami, Miss Kai, and my sobriety, but also so many other things that make this life worthwhile.

So, what is your best present ever?…

Check your experience…

“See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us. Abandon yourself to God as you understand God.” Big Book pg. 164

Lord, let us investigate our hearts and see how Your love and grace has delivered us a life far beyond what we deserve, AMEN.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

Have a blessed day Y’all!

Join us in prayer and with your financial support as we tackle the challenges of assisting individuals and families escaping homelessness into productive jobs and healthy lives along with our other program in helping and mentoring young adults aging out of the Foster Care System.

https://homesfromheaven.org/ https://furniturebank.us/

AZ Charitable TAX CREDIT!

Giving not Getting

Mark Farley December 10, 2024 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 10 Views

It’s in the giving and not the getting…

Last minute shopping, trying to balance work, budgets, and the never-ending list of what must be done for the perfect Christmas seems to be the main things I am observing in others with a few days left before Christmas.

It’s very hard to get the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

It seems there are all kinds of things still left in the stores but the one in Teal is out of stock or the XS size is no longer available.

It’s so easy to get lost in the task of “getting in order to give” and forget why we have this season in the first place.

He came to give His life for us so that we may have everlasting life through Him.

Please take a minute today and remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

Perhaps the gray sweater won’t be so bad because Teal is no longer available.

Perhaps it might be better to give of your heart and not just stuff….

Check your experience…

“Giving, rather than getting, will become the guiding principle.” Big Book pg. 128

Lord, let us give from our hearts with a motive to help instead of giving to get, AMEN.

“Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.” Deuteronomy 15:10

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]

Peace and Goodwill

Mark Farley December 9, 2024 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 9 Views

Peace on Earth and goodwill toward all…

Our Faith Through Works Fellowship and Furniture Bank, Inc bell ringers shared that they were impressed by the generosity of folks filling the buckets for Salvation Army and enjoyed the kindness and cheerfulness of the givers!

It’s good to see and hear that the Spirit of Christmas is alive!

Hopefully you have had or will have the opportunity to bless someone with cheerfulness and kindness today …

Check your experience…

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

Lord, especially this time of year let us bless others as we would like to be blessed and as You so freely bless us daily, AMEN.

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,” Colossians 3: 12-15

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]

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Wacky Time of Year

Mark Farley December 8, 2024 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 12 Views

It’s the most wacky, wonderful, time of the year….

What’s with all the overworked clerks, tired employees, chaotic stores, hectic parking lots, snarled traffic, and frayed nerves all around.

Oh, wait…Its Christmas!!

I am SO THANKFUL for the internet and AMAZON!

The folks working in the stores have families too.

They are feeling the same stress and strain that we are trying to balance all the good of this season with needing to be 12 places at once.

Take a breath folks, try to treat others like you want to be treated and be the best example of Jesus that you can be.

Let them have that parking spot.

Remember it’s not the store clerk’s fault that the red sweater is no longer available in extra small because they sold out.

Eyes on the road while driving and not on the phone to see what the text message says.. …

Check your experience…

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

Lord, let us control our tongues and tempers and look in our hearts to see the others are feeling the same pressures that we are, AMEN.

“So, I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” Galatians 5:16

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

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