Our Environment

Mark Farley January 6, 2025 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 4 Views

We become a product of the environment around us.

Some of the things that influence our thoughts, actions, behaviors, and lives are good for us.

Some are social, cultural, and even spiritual.

Fashion, clothing, fit eating, and living are a few of many good influences we experience.

I am still waiting for Leisure suits and mullets to come back into style!

Then there is the environments of peer pressure, self-serving desires of the ego, pride, and negativity.

These environments can lead to bad choices, poor decisions, and hurtful habits.

What actions, attitudes, and behaviors are we tolerating and allowing to influence us?

What are we feeding our hearts, minds, and spirit?

Check your own experience folks…

To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worthwhile.” Big Book pg. 66

Lord open the eyes of our hearts to show us the things we need and the illusions we don’t, AMEN.

“But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.” Luke 8:15

Have a blessed day Y’all!

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

Inspired 365 Mentorship!!

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Bad Moments

Mark Farley January 5, 2025 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 3 Views

While we CANNOT control what others say and do…

WE CAN control how we choose to let it affect us.

Have you ever watched a toddler throw a temper tantrum? It’s a crisis for the moment until the parent catches their attention and changes their focus to something else.

We don’t have to let a bad moment become a bad day!

Just because some person, place, thing, or situation is neither kind, nor going the way we expect, we don’t have to let it take us hostage for the rest of our day and control our attitudes and actions towards ourselves and others.

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

Lord please bind this thought into our hearts so that in times of stress, pain, or emotional imbalance we don’t let the words and actions or others take us hostage with fear or anger, AMEN.

“Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” James 1:19

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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Renewal Notices

Mark Farley January 3, 2025 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 3 Views

Renewal notices…

In the midst of all the posts, communications, and statements concerning New Year’s resolutions, there is another movement taking place.

Folks are renewing stuff too!

In our home we have car tags up for renewal along with a few memberships.

Heck at 63 I can now RENEW my AARP membership and get discounts!

Aside from all this fiscal and physical activity, we can also take this time to renew …

get it…RE – NEW…our spiritual life and relationship.

New Small Groups, Bible studies, and devotions are a great way to start just to name a few.

What are you doing to RE-NEW your spiritual life?…

Check your experience…

“Renewing my resolve, I tried again” Big Book pg 5

Lord, let us renew our relationship with you as this New Year begins. Help us to open our hearts and minds to seek and do Your will, AMEN.

“Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” Ephesians 4:23

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

Foundation

Mark Farley January 2, 2025 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 3 Views

Remember the story about the 3 little pigs and the big bad wolf?

If you don’t then Google it, but if you do then you will know the moral of the story.

We are only as safe and firm as our foundation and the materials we choose to use to build with.

I have seen this throughout my life.

From the choices I have made to the habits, rewards, and even consequences that have come from them,

I have learned that I have to make sure I am building onto my foundation with solid spiritual principle materials to protect me from the challenges that can and will come my way.

What is your foundation built upon?

What spiritual materials are you using? …

Check your experience….

“It has been repeatedly proven among us that upon this simple cornerstone a wonderfully effective spiritual structure can be built.” Big Book pg 47.

Lord let us build our foundation of faith with the materials of Your Word, AMEN.

“I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” Luke 6: 47-49

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]

Didja?!?

Mark Farley January 1, 2025 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 3 Views

Didja make a New Years Resolution or a DECISION?..

There is a huge difference between a resolution and a decision.

Resolutions allow us to claim a change and support a thought while requiring little or no action.

DECISIONS are based on actions that come from thoughts that motivate us to apply changes to our thinking, behaviors, and actions.

Resolutions sound good but DECISIONS bring about the needed action required for change.

We have a fresh slate of 365 days folks, what’s it gonna be for you?…

Check your experience…

“To be vital, faith must be accompanied by self-sacrifice and unselfish, constructive action.” Big Book pg 93

Lord, let us apply the actions to bring about the needed changes in our lives, AMEN.

“See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness.” Isaiah 43:19
Y’all!

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

Inspired 365 Life MENTORING!!
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Email today and let’s chat to see if we can make up a plan for you that will work for you!

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Turn the Page

Mark Farley December 31, 2024 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 3 Views

Turn the page….

Many resolutions will be posted tomorrow and while it’s encouraging to see so many intent on change, we need to remember that change begins inside of us.

Without our change of heart, mind, and soul, nothing really changes.

The great news is that we are each capable of change and that there is a plan for success waiting for us if we would only allow ourselves to commit to Christ…

Check your experience..

“We had to ask ourselves why we shouldn’t apply to our human problems this same readiness to change our point of view.” Big Book pg 52

Lord let us look inside our hearts to see the changes we need and to turn our will and our lives over to You in order to see the plan You have for us, AMEN.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Have a Safe New Year’s Eve 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]

Benefits From Helping Others

Mark Farley December 29, 2024 Leave a Comment 0 Likes 1 Views

Charity begins at home…
This is one of the best thought tools I have come to rely on over the years.
The version I learned was phrased like this;
“You can’t keep it unless you give it away.”
It’s an action thought that has never failed me since I began my walk with Christ and in sobriety.
Unless I am willing to help another, I am not in a position to spiritually receive the gifts the Lord blesses me with.
Now this doesn’t mean we should give away everything we have, or start a crusade to end world homelessness,..
but it does mean that each day we should open the eyes of our hearts to see how we can best be of service to someone around us…
Check your experience. …
“Helping others is the foundation stone” Big Book pg. 97.
Lord, please open the eyes of our heart daily to see how we can best serve another, AMEN.
“that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
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

Bad Moment not Day

Mark Farley December 19, 2024 0 Likes 36 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.

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Real Joy

Mark Farley December 18, 2024 0 Likes 32 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/

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33 Years Ago

Mark Farley December 17, 2024 0 Likes 29 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?

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