Helping For the Right Reasons

Mark Farley June 9, 2023 0 Likes 257 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!

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How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought?

Looking at My Own Flaws

Mark Farley June 8, 2023 0 Likes 252 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

Mark Farley June 7, 2023 0 Likes 257 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!

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Expectations and Rights

Mark Farley June 6, 2023 0 Likes 283 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

Mark Farley June 5, 2023 0 Likes 276 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

Mark Farley June 4, 2023 0 Likes 250 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?

Encourage Folks!

Mark Farley June 3, 2023 0 Likes 270 Views

Give encouragement, catch someone doing something right….

It’s all around us, no matter where we look or what the subject is,..

the fault finders, negativity breeders, and armchair “experts” are there to quickly point out our faults, wrongs, and why we won’t succeed.

Sheesh, why even bother trying?

We must keep trying because we can.

Negativity can only affect us if we allow it to get a grip on us.

We can change this by doing something rarely seen these days.

We can CATCH someone doing something RIGHT and…. get ready… compliment and ENCOURAGE them!

Try looking for the good today.

It will change your outlook especially if you encourage another…

Check your experience…

“…walk day by day in the path of spiritual progress. If you persist, remarkable things will happen.” Big Book pg. 100

Lord let us look for the good in people, places, and things today, AMEN

“Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

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 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]

Cleaning the Insides

Mark Farley June 2, 2023 0 Likes 269 Views

Wash the dirt away….

Most of us shower and or bathe daily, some more than others!

On top of that we have hand sanitizers and other personal products stashed everywhere so we can use them at our leisure to rid ourselves of dirt, germs, and grime we encounter all day long.

How about our minds?

There are books, videos, and seminars always available to help us get a fresh perspective but…..

HOW do we get Spiritually clean?

I’m sure y’all have a thought or method…

How’s that working out for you?..

I have found through my walk with Jesus along the 12 Step path that the only way for me to cleanse my spirit is to daily wash my soul and heart in the Word, along with accountability to others, and finally serving those He puts in my path…

Check your experience…

“What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.” Big Book pg. 85

Lord, please help us to cleanse our hearts and minds daily through seeking Your will and being in Your Word, AMEN.

“First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” Matthew 23:26

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?

We Get What We Give

Mark Farley June 1, 2023 0 Likes 269 Views

We get what we give….

This is a spiritual axiom that holds true no matter what the situation.

We get out of “it” exactly what we put into “it”.

Whether it be our gym routine, work, or other lifestyle actions, our results come directly from our efforts.

This holds true for us mentally as well.

Our thoughts, attitudes, and ultimately our behaviors are the product of what we put in our minds.

Spiritual growth can only come for us when we open our hearts and minds to seek His truth and Will for us...

Check your experience…

“What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.” Big Book pg. 85

Lord, let us give you our will and our lives daily in order to grow and thrive, AMEN.

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38

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/

Freedom Is Not Free

Mark Farley May 30, 2023 0 Likes 267 Views

Freedom comes from helping others…

Just a thought to share as we remember our fallen and those who have gone before us.

Freedom is not free.

We all need to give it away in order to keep it. …

Check your experience. …

“For you have been called to live in freedom-not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love for the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Galatians 5:13-14

Lord thank you for showing us over and over again that we are truly free when we are serving others from our hearts with love, AMEN.

“We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free.” Big Book pg. 133

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?

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