Category: Guys With God

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Root and Branch

   June 13, 2023 0 Likes 251 Views
Roots and all
… 


Weeds have the amazing ability to grow anywhere. 


Even here in Arizona, weeds find places to take root and thrive. I particularly enjoyed watching a root grow on an overpass I use many times weekly. 


Over the year the city crews would come and do the landscaping and gardening but even though the weed was cut, it continued to grow back taller and thicker. 


I am sure I will be cut back again and unless the root is removed, it will continue to grow and thrive. 


We also have weeds that take root in our hearts and like other weeds; they will continue to grow as character defects until we remove the root. 


Think about it, bitterness, jealousy, and fear take root in us and from them, weeds of anger, pride, greed, lust, and all kinds of negativity grow from them. 


 If these are left to grow then they influence not only our attitudes but then spread to our behaviors and characters. 


When this happens the weed grows stronger and is harder to remove. 


However, we do have a great weed killer that is environmentally friendly! 


When we ask the Holy Spirit to help us look at our character defects and then ask Him to remove them root and all, we become free from these weeds!.. 


Check your experience…


“I ruthlessly faced my sins and became willing to have my new-found Friend take them away, root and branch.” Big Book pg. 13


Lord, let us turn our hearts over to You and allow Your grace and mercy to clear the weeds of fear, bitterness, and self-will from us roots and all, AMEN. 


“Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” Hebrews 12:1


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? 

Personal Power Source

   June 12, 2023 0 Likes 212 Views
What is your power source?.


Red Bull, coffee, Protein shakes, Power Bars, and all sorts of other products promise us energy. 


Many other products promise to enhance our power. 


Bodybuilders and folks into fitness and exercise routines gain physical strength and stamina, but, ….


WHERE do we really get our POWER from? 


We see stories from time to time in the mainstream media of folks doing superhuman feats to save another or help someone in danger. 


I bet if you take a look at the events in your lifetime there have been a few times when you have had to “dig deep” to find that extra needed effort to complete a task or endure an unpleasant situation. 


Where did that power come from? 


Honestly, I know I am lying to myself if I try to claim it came only from me. 


I know for a fact that through my faith in God and my walk with Jesus, that God equips me with the power I need. 


 How about you?..


Where does your power come from?..


Check your experience…


“We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves.” Big Book pg. 45 


Lord thank you for giving us the power we need to not only accomplish the task or endure the situation but also to allow You to work through us to help others, AMEN. 


“With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20 


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 a one-on-one coach to get you to where you want to be? 


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]

Reality vs Expectations

   June 11, 2023 0 Likes 232 Views
Why can’t reality match the picture in my head? … 


Perhaps it’s different for you, but every now and then I get a picture of the way the world is supposed to be in my head and it does not match up with reality. 


These expectations come from my own self-centered wants, fears, and pride. 


 During my walk with Jesus and sobriety, 
I have learned that expectations can spring from a person’s thought process based on emotional wants. 


I have learned that expectations based on my human assumptions can cause me trouble. 


These days I try to catch myself when I am trying to set an expectation. 


Time, grace, and serenity have taught me that I need to make sure I examine all of the evidence and not just what I want to see or hear. 


I ask the Lord to help me let it go and allow my heart to accept people, places, and things as they are and for what they are right now. 

It saves me a lot of anger, grief, and wasted energy! 


How’s this working out for you?.. 


Check your experience… 


“And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation — some fact of my life — unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.” Big Book pg. 420


Lord, lets us trade our expectations in for acceptance and knowledge that You are in control, AMEN. 


 “The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.” Proverbs 10:28 


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? 

Encouragement and Good News

   June 10, 2023 0 Likes 225 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! 


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 a one-on-one coach 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]

Helping For the Right Reasons

   June 9, 2023 0 Likes 216 Views
Helping others ain’t a chance for a selfie or a photo op….


Years ago when I was working at the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter on 12th and B in Sacramento, it used to make me angry on those few occasions where a few people merely came to volunteer just so they could be seen helping a homeless person. 


While I was glad to have groups of volunteers come to help us to feed the homeless, I guess what made me so angry, and still does to this day, is that their heart was not in it, and their motive in being there was purely selfish. 


That is why to this very day I qualify ALL of my volunteers, to make sure they are there to help others and are not just there for a “photo op” to be seen helping another. 


I am not judging them, but I am dedicated to making sure that those I organize to volunteer are doing so because they want to help another. 


I get it, not all of us are comfortable with this type of volunteering. 


 Heck, I have no mechanical skills and I am honest enough with myself and others not to try to help fix a car or anything requiring tools. 


Experience has shown me and others that I am merely in the way and not being of service to anyone.


We all have gifts of service, but not in every category. 


What are / where are your gifts of service best used?.. 


Check your experience… 


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


Lord let us use our gifts and talents in areas that can benefit others and not for gaining attention, AMEN. 


“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Mathew 6:1 


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? 

Looking at My Own Flaws

   June 8, 2023 0 Likes 206 Views
Let’s clean our side of the street first…. 


I hope it’s different for you, but I sure had to do a lot of work before I could escape this type of automatic thinking.


I am talking about the type of thinking that naturally looks to find the bad or faults in others and then find another person or 2 to share it with. 


I remember that false sense of superiority I seemed to get when I took another person’s inventory and automatically found myself to be in a better condition. 


But wait, I forgot to look at my own shortcomings, faults, and character defects. 


I wish I could say I am completely free of this type of thinking, but I can’t. 


What I can share is that when I do find myself entertaining thoughts of comparing myself to another only looking for the negative, 


I can now stop this thinking with a simple prayer and ask God to direct my thinking to find the good in others… 


Check your experience… 


“The only condition is that he trust in God and clean house.” Big Book pg. 98 


Lord let us look to improve ourselves and work on our own faults and shortcomings before we begin finding the faults and shortcomings in others, AMEN. 


“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3 


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.


https://homesfromheaven.org/ 

Being a People Person

   June 7, 2023 0 Likes 206 Views
Treat others like you want to be treated….. 


We all hear this and know this but are we able to naturally do this or does it take some work on our part? 


We want to be recognized for who we are and like to be known for what we do. 


That is natural pride and ownership of our actions. 


We come to expect others to know what or “who” we are. 


Now….Think about this for a moment… 

When was the last time you looked a service worker, like a cleaning person, yard person, or fast food clerk directly in the eye and said a heartfelt, honest thank you? 


Did you know that Kurt Warner worked overnights in a grocery store stocking shelves to feed his family? 


Or that basketball legend Larry Bird worked on the trash truck with his dad to help his family make ends meet? 


We never know whom we are encountering, or truly why they seem to be in a “dead end” job, so it’s a good idea to treat others with the same kindness and recognition that we want… 


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.” Big Book pg. 164 


Lord, let us look to be a friend to those around us, giving them the same grace that you so readily give to us, AMEN.


 “Agree with one another. Don’t be proud. Be willing to be a friend of people who aren’t considered important. Don’t think that you are better than others.” Romans 12:16 


Have a blessed day Y’all! 


Please help us help others! 


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

Donate today! 

Expectations and Rights

   June 6, 2023 0 Likes 233 Views
I have these “rights”…


Have you ever had one of those days where nothing seems to go right? 


Maybe even a week or longer where things just are not working out? 


I have a few friends right now that are in the hospital longer than expected and it’s no picnic for them.

It’s frustrating when we are going through these times. 


Now maybe it’s different for you but, when things don’t go my way or the way I expect them to, my “rights” move in and try to convince me that my way is the only way and the best way. 


This crowds out not only the reality but also the ability for God to work in me and through me to show me what is meant to be. 


I have learned through these times and over the years to look for the good and hold fast to my knowledge and experience that my faith will see me through and my hopes will keep me looking for the positive… 


Check your experience… 


“I can watch my serenity level rise when I discard my expectations.  But then my “rights” try to move in, and they too can force my serenity level down.  I have to discard my “rights,” as well as my expectations,” Big Book pg. 420.


Lord, remind our hearts in times of struggle and discomfort that this will pass and to look for the good and not focus on the bad, AMEN. 


“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

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 Mind’s Eye

   June 5, 2023 0 Likes 232 Views
In your mind’s eye… 


Have you ever noticed what your mind remembers in minute detail compared to other things that are foggy to the memory? 


Now maybe it’s different for you, but my magic magnifying mind likes to recall in exact detail the perceived wrongs it thinks I have experienced along with focusing on the faults in people, places, and things! 


Then on the other side, it has trouble seeing my part in these matters as well as my part in the wrongs I have caused! 


Luckily, my daily walk with Jesus, living the 12 Steps, and having a picket fence of friends who can keep me honest helps me to not let my warped mind fall into these illusions. 


I am free of the shackles of self-will and can now focus on the more important things in life – helping others, being of service, and seeking God’s will. 

How’s that working out for you? 

Is your mind constantly reminding you of the perceived wrongs you have incurred?.. 


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 pg. 70 


Lord, let us break free from the shackles of our self-centered will to free our minds and hearts from the illusions fueled by our fears, pride, and insecurities, AMEN. 


“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 


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 a one-on-one coach 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! 


I
[email protected]

Hard Knocks and Wisdom

   June 4, 2023 0 Likes 209 Views
There are book smarts, street smarts, and then there is wisdom… 


Most of us can claim to be graduates of the School of Hard Knocks. 


Experience teaches us much and we learn from our mistakes and even from our victories. 


Some of us can even claim advanced degrees from our School of Hard Knocks, but the ones I have learned the most from are the students of God’s Word. 


Some have their undergraduate degrees from our Alma Mater, but ultimately their trust in the Lord and thirst for His Word gives them the wisdom we all naturally seek. 


Who and where are you gaining your wisdom?..


Check your experience…


“Our ideas did not work. But the God idea did.” Big Book pg. 50 

Lord fill us with Your wisdom that comes from Your Spirit and Word, AMEN. 

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously” James 1:5 


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?