Leaders Serve…. H Ross Perot once said; “Inventories need to be managed but people need to be lead.” Leaders lead by serving. The easiest example I can think of is a coach. We don’t see the coach out on the field physically involved in every play. We see them on the sideline constantly encouraging, guiding, and directing. Always watching and paying attention to help the team by helping each individual improve. Leaders serve by paying attention to the needs of others. Through serving, respect is earned and trust is gained. Think about this. All managing does is keep things in order. We manage our house, our laundry, and our schedules. When it comes to those you love in your life are you leading or managing? Check your experience… “Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.” Big Book pg 562 Lord, let us lead by serving and let us serve by helping others, AMEN. “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,” Matthew 20:26 Have a blessed day y’all! THERE IS STILL TIME FOR YOUR 2017 TAX CREDIT! … MAKE A DIFFERENCE! You can donate any amount for a tax deduction and tax receipt, BUT…. a gift of either $400 as an individual or $800 as a couple to Furniture Bank, Inc. a 501c3 public charity, can also reduce your tax bill to the State of Arizona by that amount dollar for dollar! Visit our website www.FurnitureBank.us and click on the PayPal button for a secure transaction and tax receipt that will follow within 48 hours. $400 provides furniture to make a house into a home for our clients and families escaping homelessness and hopelessness. Furniture Bank is a 501c3 public charity and every penny donated goes toward helping our families, veterans, and individuals in need. We are in the hand-UP business and not the HANDOUT GAME! Please help us help others! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html

Don’t drop to their level… Sometimes we encounter people, places, or things that are neither pleasant, nor supportive. Now maybe it’s different for you, but my initial gut reaction (get it?.. REACT-ion) is to give it right back to them the same as they are giving me! Match attitude with attitude and that will show them! Luckily for me, time and bad experiences has taught me that this way does not work and only brings about more misery. Growing up spiritually and emotionally has allowed me to quiet that initial reaction and instead RESPOND in the way that I wish to be treated. That is, no matter what the situation is, I give it grace, tolerance, and open my heart to try to understand instead of “putting them in their place”… What level are you operating on when you encounter conflict or unpleasantness?...Check your experience… “We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions.” Big Book pg 88 Lord, let us match unpleasantness with grace, rudeness with tolerance, and anger with a heart that looks to understand, AMEN. “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.” Romans 12: 17-19 Have a blessed day y’all! There is still time to get your 2017 Tax Credit! Contribute to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit program (ARS 43-1088), you can earn a dollar for dollar tax credit on your tax return while supporting children and families as they escape homelessness and move back into homes and jobs. To donate or get more information please visit http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html

In the grip… We catch colds, come down with the flu, and get hit with allergies. It seems we are a target for many things! Luckily we have remedies and medications that help us to overcome these setbacks. What about life’s twists, turns, trials, and temptations that influence our thoughts, behaviors and actions? What or where do we get the remedies to escape these? Now my 12 Step friends know how we handle our addictions, but what about those other things that we continually let dominate our thoughts and lives? There is a Spiritual solution … BUT… we have to provide the willingness and effort to escape the grip of those things that are holding us down… Check your experience… “…in the grip…” Big Book pg 30 Lord, let us open our hearts and become willing to seek Your will in order to escape the things that are holding us back, AMEN. “It shall not fasten its grip on me.” Psalm 101:3 Have a blessed day y’all!! Furniture Bank is partnering with Backpacks 4 Kids AZ and these amazing organizations; Who I Am Foundation and Zuri's Circle to collect clothes and hygiene products for families in need. We will be collecting new socks and underwear and gently used men, women and children’s clothing, shoes, purses, and belts. Every piece helps! We will also be collecting hygiene products (Shampoo, Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Deodorant, Lotion, etc) If you would like to donate, please contact us at Backpacks 4 Kids Az, Inc - bp4kidsaz@gmail.com Furniture Bank, Inc Mark@FurnitureBank.us Who I am Foundation - halona.pineda@outlook.com Zuri's Circle - zuriscircle.mbc@gmail.com Drop Off Location is Arizona Storage Inn Address: 6750 W Buckeye Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85043 Monday- Friday 9am- 6pmhttps://www.backpacks4kidsaz.com/

The gift that keeps on giving… Have you ever noticed that most folks have a thing or 2 that they are really good at and then some other things they are not so good at? Michael Jordan is probably one of the best, if not the best ever to play basketball, but he was an “OK” baseball player. There are quite a few famous and successful actors and actresses that cannot sing. I am pretty good with people but tools and handyman stuff are like a foreign language to me. The point is that each of us has a God given skill that is a talent and it is a spiritual principal that we should share it with others. Had Michael Jordan decided against playing ball after he was cut from his high school team, the world would have never got to enjoy his immense talent and passion for the game. We need to share our talents in an effort to help others. How’s that working out for you?.. Check your experience… “Giving, rather than getting, will become the guiding principle.” Big Book 128 Lord, let us use the gifts and talent You have given us to help others, AMEN. “There are different kinds of gifts. But it is the same Holy Spirit Who gives them. 5 There are different kinds of work to be done for Him. But the work is for the same Lord. 6 There are different ways of doing His work. But it is the same God who uses all these ways in all people. 7 The Holy Spirit works in each person in one way or another for the good of all.” 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 Have a blessed day y’all! THERE IS STILL TIME FOR YOUR 2017 TAX CREDIT! … MAKE A DIFFERENCE! You can donate any amount for a tax deduction and tax receipt, BUT…. a gift of either $400 as an individual or $800 as a couple to Furniture Bank, Inc. a 501c3 public charity, can also reduce your tax bill to the State of Arizona by that amount dollar for dollar! Visit our website www.FurnitureBank.us and click on the PayPal button for a secure transaction and tax receipt that will follow within 48 hours. $400 provides furniture to make a house into a home for our clients and families escaping homelessness and hopelessness. Furniture Bank is a 501c3 public charity and every penny donated goes toward helping our families, veterans, and individuals in need. We are in the hand-UP business and not the HANDOUT GAME! Please help us help others! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html

If nothing changes then nothing changes…None of us are perfect. We each have things that need our attention and cannot be fixed without our participation and ownership. We need to own our challenges, struggles, and shortcomings. The good news is that God can and will help us if we stay willing and provide the effort! When He can see our efforts fueled by our motivation to change, then He can heal us! Ask yourself if you are participating in your own improvement and as always… check your experience… "..we did because we honestly wanted to, and were willing to make the effort." Big Book pg 22. Lord fill our hearts with the desire to change and the drive to provide the needed efforts, AMEN. "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke14:27 Have a blessed day y'all! Hey AMAZON shoppers!! Please help us help others! Choose Furniture Bank Phoenix and Amazon will donate a portion of the proceeds from your purchase to Furniture Bank! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/46-2771809

Most of y’all know I am neither a construction guy nor a fix –it repair man. So I had to figure out why the Lord put this verse in my heart today as I studied His Word… “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” Luke 20:17 Now according to the “Book of Google”, the cornerstone is that stone which forms the junction between the two most prominent walls of a building. From what I understand that without it, the building will not be very secure. What comes to mind is the question I constantly have to ask myself as I measure my motives and efforts in my daily walk. Is what I am doing, saying, thinking, or wanting helping me to stay in God’s will, or is it guiding me to the illusions of my self- will? Is my foundation based on my cornerstone of faith or am I attempting to construct a free standing wall based on self that will crumble? What foundation are you using to build on for your life? How’s that working out for you?.. 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 anchor our life to our cornerstone of faith in You and Your Word, AMEN. Have a blessed day y’all! Daily Inspiration with the Big Book and the Good Book!! Get your copy here! https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_2609328962?_encoding=UTF8&field-keywords=Pastor%20Mark%20Farley&ie=UTF8&url=search-alias%3Daps

Watching our words…. Maybe it’s different for you, but sometimes the thoughts in my head that need to stay there slip out of my mouth as words and it’s never good. I learned a long time ago that words that come from negative emotions as well as reactions instead of responses can harm and hurt just like any other weapon. Luckily for me I have learned to keep these words inside of my head and let the Holy Spirit hear them and advise me and calm my emotions and allow my heart a chance to survey the situation and form a response instead of allowing the emotions of my initial reaction to come out as words. Allowing God to help me filter my words has saved me from many situations that could have proven hurtful had they gone unchecked. How do you filter your words?... Check your experience… “Our behavior will convince them more than our words.” Big Book pg 83 Lord, let us share our thoughts with you first before we form words that come from our mouths, AMEN. “In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” James 3: 5-6 Have a blessed day y’all! www.FaithThroughWorksFellowship.org

Well it a’int no fast food... Have you ever noticed that there are certain foods and meals that “stick with you”, so to speak? In my world, homemade meals with real and healthy ingredients tend to do the most good for me. We have a few favorite restaurants and that offer entrees like this as well. It just seems to me that whenever fast food is the choice, I am either hungry again in a short time or sleepy from the carb coma I just gorged on. It’s the same with our spiritual nutrition. When we digest the Word and apply it to our lives, it sticks with us and does our body good. How are you spiritually feeding yourself?... Check your experience… “Assuming we are spiritually fit, we can do all sorts of things” Big Book pg 100 Lord, let us nourish ourselves from Your Spirit and Your Word, AMEN. “Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty….I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life” John 6:35, 47 Have a blessed day y’all! We will be collecting new socks and underwear and gently used men, women and children’s clothing, shoes, purses, and belts. Every piece helps! We will also be collecting hygiene products (Shampoo, Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Deodorant, Lotion, etc) If you would like to donate, please contact us at Backpacks 4 Kids Az, Inc. bp4kidsaz@gmail.com Furniture Bank, Inc. Mark@FurnitureBank.us Who I am Foundation - halona.pineda@outlook.com Zuri's Circle - zuriscircle.mbc@gmail.com Drop Off Location is Arizona Storage Inn Address: 6750 W Buckeye Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85043 Monday- Friday 9am- 6pmhttps://www.backpacks4kidsaz.com/

Be transformed..... Those pesky expectations I sometimes allow to sneak in and dominate my thinking always cause me confusion when real everyday life fails to match up to the picture in my head of what it's SUPPOSED to be like. I do my best to neither set expectations nor try to live by expectations of others. Everyone is human, and like me, prone to faults, fears, and forgetfulness. I have found through years of trial and error, that when I try to be present in the moment and work with what I have instead of what I think or feel I should have, my day and my life goes better. When those pesky expectations try to grab my attention and sway my thinking, I turn them over to God and stay in the moment trying to be of maximum service to those around me. Maybe you can relate… Check your experience… "Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives." Big Book pg 86. Lord let us renew our minds and refresh our hearts with Your Spirit replacing our expectations, AMEN. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind," Romans 12:2 Have a blessed day y'all! We will be collecting new socks and underwear and gently used men, women and children’s clothing, shoes, purses, and belts. Every piece helps! We will also be collecting hygiene products (Shampoo, Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Deodorant, Lotion, etc) If you would like to donate, please contact us at Backpacks 4 Kids Az, Inc - bp4kidsaz@gmail.com Furniture Bank , Inc Mark@FurnitureBank.us Who I am Foundation - halona.pineda@outlook.com Zuri's Circle - zuriscircle.mbc@gmail.com Drop Off Location is Arizona Storage Inn Address: 6750 W Buckeye Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85043 Monday- Friday 9am- 6pm https://www.backpacks4kidsaz.com/

Staying out of our own way…It’s not that we CAN’T, it’s that we THINK we can’t! Have you ever failed at something that you knew you could accomplish or have you ever received a lot of encouragement from others, yet deep inside you doubted yourself? This is the thing that blocks our faith and keeps us from being successful. It’s not the person, place, or thing involved, it’s our self-doubt that opens the door for fear to set in and as we have learned, when there is fear, it overshadows faith. The Story of Peter and walking on the water is a great example of how we get in our own way when it comes to our faith and how we believe. Jesus invited Peter to walk on the water with Him. In this story we see that it wasn’t the wind that made Peter start to sink, it was the FACT that he took his eyes off of Jesus to notice the wind and that opened his mind to doubt. This doubt created fear and that blocked his faith in Jesus. What doubts and fears are holding you back?.. Check your experience… “We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be.” Big Book pg 68 Lord, let us replace doubt and fear with our faith by keeping our eyes on Jesus and not being distracted by worldly clamors, AMEN. “So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14: 29-31 Have a blessed day y’all! www.FaithThroughWorksFellowship.org

Those dang emotional flaws and mental hang ups… How are we supposed to know the difference between self-will and God's will? Experience and others have taught me that if I am giving my best effort without regard to fear, pride, envy, gluttony, greed, anger, or sloth then I am doing God's will and not mine. IF I am focusing on my pride, anger, greed, lust, envy, greed, or sloth (PAGLEGS) then I am in self-will. AA’s Joe and Charlie said best with their explanation of Steps 6 and 7; "I.. don't do what I want to do. (Self-will) I just do what I ought to do.(God's will)" I find I can keep my self-will in check by checking my motives and efforts… Check your experience… “Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate.” Big Book pg 62 Lord help us to recognize our emotional flaws and park our mental hang-ups in those times when our self-will seeks to overturn Your will for us, AMEN. "The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other." Galatians 5:17 Have a blessed day y'all! Furniture Bank helps those with a hand UP and not a hand OUT as they participate in their programs to regain their independence. MAKE A DIFFERENCE! You can donate any amount for a tax deduction and tax receipt, BUT…. a gift of either $400 as an individual or $800 as a couple to Furniture Bank, Inc. a 501c3 public charity, can also reduce your tax bill to the State of Arizona by that amount dollar for dollar! Visit our website www.FurnitureBank.us and click on the PayPal button for a secure transaction and tax receipt that will follow within 48 hours. $400 provides furniture to make a house into a home for our clients and families escaping homelessness and hopelessness. Furniture Bank is a 501c3 public charity and every penny donated goes toward helping our families, veterans, and individuals in need. We are in the hand-UP business and not the HANDOUT GAME! Please help us help others! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html​

Now where is THAT key?.. “So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains and we never even know we have the key”… verse from Already Gone by The Eagles. We tend to do many things out of love. There are many types of love. There is the love we have for our spouses, children, and family. We also have love for our friends, pets, community, and materials things. We may even have a love for a hobby, sport, or job. All of these are love, but different types of love. There is one more kind of love that we spend our lives seeking and it’s the unconditional love that God has for us. That tricky part is that because we are human, sometimes we are let down because tend to expect unconditional love from our jobs, family, and other earthly things. The blessing is that we have the unconditional love living inside of us through the Holy Spirit. It’s ours for the asking if we can only quiet our minds and turn off our expectations and demands to receive it... Check your experience…“Patience, tolerance, understanding and love are the watchwords.” Big Book pg 118 Lord, let us receive your unconditional love and know it’s the key to our relationships with self and others, AMEN “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:7. Have a blessed day y’all! If you are looking for opportunities to serve others Faith Through Works Fellowship can help you find what fits for you! www.FaithThroughWorksFellowship.org

Helping others helps yourself… Ol Zig Ziglar said it best; "You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want." It’s simple and a spiritual principle but sometimes our human nature that is based on self gets in the way. Now maybe it’s different for you, but I have this crazy self-centered selfish ego that tries to get me to believe the illusion that everything is about me. Luckily, I have the ability to turn my will and my life over daily to the trust and care of God and this quiets my self-centered thinking. This allows me to go about my day and sure enough, that spiritual principle is true. When I look to see how I can help others first, I usually wind up getting blessed beyond what I can imagine. How’s that working out for you?.. Check your experience… “Helping others is the foundation stone” Big Book pg 97 Lord, let us turn our will and our lives over to You daily and look first to see how we can help others, AMEN. “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! Daily Inspiration with the Big Book and the Good Book!! https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_2609328962?_encoding=UTF8&field-keywords=Pastor%20Mark%20Farley&ie=UTF8&url=search-alias%3Daps

If the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t wear it… Most of us are familiar with the story of David and Goliath. Part of the story involves David being outfitted for this epic battle. Not only did the battle gear not properly fit David, but also it was new to him because he had never been in a battle before. He chose not to wear the gear and instead he used what made him feel comfortable, confident, and secure. We know how the story ends, but the point is David chose to battle his giant using tools and gear that he had trust and confidence in. We have the same opportunities with our own giants. Hopefully we have learned what tools and gear works and what does not. The Holy Spirit that resides in each of us is probably the best weapon we could ever have. Look what He did with David! How are you arming yourself with the Holy Spirit to face your giants?.. Check your experience… “We had to have God's help.” Big Book pg 62 Lord, let us put on Your armor daily as we battle the day filled not only with facing our giants, but also with challenges to our spirit and our walk with You, AMEN. “I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again.” 1 Samuel 17:39 Have a blessed day y’all! www.FaithThroughWorksFellowship.org

What book you are you reading from?!?... In today’s world we can get books in many forms. From the standard printed book form to kindle, books are available to us in whatever media we choose. On top of that, we have books available on every subject and just about every situation that will tell us many different ways to try to accomplish the thing we are working toward or trying to learn. Now maybe it’s different for you, but for me, my experience has taught me and continues to teach me that the Bible is the best source for learning how to live and handle the daily challenges we all face. What book are you reading from?... Check your experience… “Well, that's exactly what this book is about.” Big Book pg 45 Lord, let us look to Your Word for guidance and when we need to learn how to handle people, places, and things, AMEN. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,..” 1 Corinthians 14:33 Have a blessed day y’all! Daily Inspiration with the Big Book and the Good Book!! Get your copy here! https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_2609328962?_encoding=UTF8&field-keywords=Pastor%20Mark%20Farley&ie=UTF8&url=search-alias%3Daps

Don’t give up!.. It’s the middle of January and this is the time that the reality of the resolutions we made sets in. Those of us striving to better ourselves through personal changes are realizing that we have to keep providing the effort in order to see and feel this change. Take heart friends, most things of value are never easily attained! Think about where you were last year that inspired you to want to change and know that as long as you continue to provide the willingness and the effort, the change will come. If your desired change comes from your heart, the Holy Spirit knows how to help you, just trust Him and keep on going!....Check your experience… . “I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes.” Big Book pg 417 or 449. Lord, let us continue on the path of change for the better and seek Your will for us daily, AMEN. “Do not let yourselves get tired of doing good. If we do not give up, we will get what is coming to us at the right time.” Galatians 6:9 Have a blessed day y’all! You can still get a 2017 tax credit for your donation TODAY and …MAKE A DIFFERENCE! You can donate any amount for a tax deduction and tax receipt, BUT…. a gift of either $400 as an individual or $800 as a couple to Furniture Bank, Inc. a 501c3 public charity, can also reduce your tax bill to the State of Arizona by that amount dollar for dollar! Visit our website www.FurnitureBank.us and click on the PayPal button for a secure transaction and tax receipt that will follow within 48 hours. $400 provides furniture to make a house into a home for our clients and families escaping homelessness and hopelessness. Furniture Bank is a 501c3 public charity and every penny donated goes toward helping our families, veterans, and individuals in need. We are in the hand-UP business and not the HANDOUT GAME! Please help us help others! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html

He had a dream. Dr. King brought needed change through inspired social justice. He never called for violence. He inspired others to follow his lead and mirror his heartfelt belief that men and women everywhere, regardless of color or creed, are equal members of the human family. This man did more for the human race in 13 years than anyone did in the 300 plus years prior. Martin Luther King Jr. wanted us to treat each other and see each other as God see us. His legacy lives on and he has always been an inspiration to me in my walk and in my leadership. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Please look in your hearts today and then look in the mirror. Are we treating others as we wish to be treated? Have a blessed day y’all! http://www.thekingcenter.org/about-dr-king

I can't....HE CAN... I think I will let HIM. Over the years I have learned that alone, I am powerless over people, places, and things. It's when I turn the situations involving people, places, things, and situations over to God and seek His will that it turns out better than I expected. This is why I rely on the first three STEPS daily… Check your experience… “When we saw others solve their problems by a simple reliance upon the Spirit of the Universe, we had to stop doubting the power of God. Our ideas did not work. But the God idea did.” Big Book pg 52 " Lord I am powerless and only through You is my life manageable, AMEN." I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 Have a blessed day y'all! You can still get a 2017 tax credit for your donation TODAY and …MAKE A DIFFERENCE! You can donate any amount for a tax deduction and tax receipt, BUT…. a gift of either $400 as an individual or $800 as a couple to Furniture Bank, Inc. a 501c3 public charity, can also reduce your tax bill to the State of Arizona by that amount dollar for dollar! Visit our website www.FurnitureBank.us and click on the PayPal button for a secure transaction and tax receipt that will follow within 48 hours. $400 provides furniture to make a house into a home for our clients and families escaping homelessness and hopelessness. Furniture Bank is a 501c3 public charity and every penny donated goes toward helping our families, veterans, and individuals in need. We are in the hand-UP business and not the HANDOUT GAME! Please help us help others! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html

Another type of Lotto….It’s fun for me to listen to the plans folks have already made for money if they ever win the lotto. I am impressed at the thoughts, details, and planning that goes into this. It makes me ponder on how much thought and planning we should be making and sharing about our sure bet in heaven that most of us have already won. Is our eye on the prize? Are we making sure our actions, behaviors, and efforts are worthy of the eternal prize?… Check your experience… “Had we not variously worshipped people, sentiment, things, money, and ourselves?” Big Book pg 54 Lord, even though winning large sums of money would be wonderful, it gain us nothing in our eternal life with You, AMEN. “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17 Have a blessed day y’all! If y’all hit the lotto tonight, please remember that 100% of all donations to Furniture Bank www.FurnitureBank.us go directly toward helping folks in need and its completely tax deductible…Just sayin’!... https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=0aK-5Lb6jPSUhO3m65LHG3vRHDXjHZoQEiIcqM8eZSYR9hZrImDHI2MYQfVO7W3j43Q-Pm&country.x=US&locale.x=US

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…. Have you ever noticed the fruit produced tends to depend on the health of the tree? Trees that are given ample water and in well maintained soil produce the best fruit. Trees that get little water and are located in not so fertile soil don’t produce much fruit and the fruit that is produces usually does not compare in quality to a healthier tree. If you think about it, our lives are the same way. When we are connected to a healthy, positive, and nurturing spiritual, emotional, and physical environment, we tend to be healthy for ourselves and others. When our surroundings are full of negativity and all kinds of chaos, we struggle to receive the spiritual food needed to be healthy… The apple does not fall far from the tree! How fertile is your environment?.. Check your experience… “His roots grasped a new soil.” Big Book pg 12 Lord, let us surround ourselves with a fertile environment filled with love, grace, and growth, AMEN. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.” John 15:5 Have a blessed day y’all! Start your day on a positive and inspiring note! Daily Meditations from the Big Book and Good Book combined!https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_2609328962?_encoding=UTF8&field-keywords=Pastor%20Mark%20Farley&ie=UTF8&url=search-alias%3Daps

Don't drink the Kool-Aid, just drink water... When an unknown person, place, thing, or situation comes wrapped in a pretty package, it can be misleading. Perhaps it’s different for you, but I have learned this life lesson the hard way. It seems our accepted cultural norm these days is to look for the quick fix and instant gratification. However, do we get the desired long term and permanent results? It's what's inside that counts. In my walk, this only happens from first gaining experience from that person, place, thing, or situation. It’s the same with my spiritual growth. The more I take the time to learn the spiritual principles needed to keep me in God’s will, the less I find myself lost in my own selfish self-centered will. Instant gratification a’int all that good for the long run!.. Check your experience…"Our ideas did not work. But the God idea did." Big Book pg 52. Lord thank you for quenching the thirst in our souls through Your Word and Spirit, AMEN. "Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst — not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.” John 4:14 Have a blessed day y'all! www.FaithThroughWorksFellowship.org

Going all in… Maybe you play poker, or you have you watched the pros play poker on TV. When they place their entire pile of chips, everything, as a bet. They go “all in”. They are totally committed with no chance to change their minds. It makes me wonder what I am doing in my life to that effect of “all in”. I know I need improvement here in all aspects of my life including my relationship with the Lord. Jesus went “all in” for us when He went on that cross…Check your experience… “We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him.” Big Book pg 46 Lord, let us give you all of our heart and soul, just like You have for us, AMEN. “But from there you will look for the Lord your God. And you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29 Have a blessed day y’all! https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_2609328962?_encoding=UTF8&field-keywords=Pastor%20Mark%20Farley&ie=UTF8&url=search-alias%3Daps

Walk your talk…Plan your work then work your plan….Stay in the now….Keep your feet on the ground but keep reaching for the stars…. These are just a few of the takeaways and good reminders I have gathered over the years in the 12 Step rooms. What all of these encouraging words mean to me is that I must walk daily on the path of humble spiritual growth. I have found the best way for me to do this is by keeping a picket fence of friends around me who not only share a strong faith but also practice spiritual principles in their daily lives that allows us to live transparently as we grow in our walk with Christ… Check your experience!.. “We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny.” Big Book pg 164 Lord, thank you for filling my heart with a humble willingness to know You better daily and surrounding me with others who also seek to know and do Your will, AMEN. “Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established.” Proverbs 4:26 Have a blessed day y’all! www.FaithThroughWorksFellowship.org

You ARE enough… I don’t know about you, but sometimes this magic magnifying mind of mine tries to tell me things that just are not true. It especially likes to try to convince me that I am not worthy and not “good enough” for this or that. It loves to try to get me to believe the illusion that I am nothing and have nothing to offer others! Thank goodness for AA, the 12 Steps, and God’s Word. Through the fellowship of AA, CONSTANTLY working the 12 Steps, and being in God’s Word daily I know that what my mind wants me to believe is false and that I need not let it run my thoughts and actions. I am nowhere near perfect, but I can help others! We all matter and each of us has the ability to share and help another! Give what you got. Go with what you have and make your best effort. If you are truly seeking God's will and your motives are of His spirit you will be amazed... Check your experience… "we did because we honestly wanted to, and were willing to make the effort" Big Book pg 26. Lord let us look to seek Your will and give our best efforts with what we have instead of allowing our self-will to delude us to thinking we can't, AMEN. "Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people. And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full." Luke 9: 16-17 Have a blessed day y'all! https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_2609328962?_encoding=UTF8&field-keywords=Pastor%20Mark%20Farley&ie=UTF8&url=search-alias%3Daps

When WANTS overpower NEEDS…. There are few rules of life that I try to go by to keep my wants from overpowering my needs. For instance, I don’t go to the grocery store hungry, and I try not to make big decisions until I have had a chance to think it through, pray about it, and get advice from those I trust. I also try to respond instead of react. Now perhaps it’s different for you, but I have learned that my WANTS seem to be fueled by my pride, fear, resentment, and or greed. That puts me deep in self-will and away from God's will for sure. Check your experience… "The greatest enemies of us are resentment, jealousy, envy, frustration, and fear." Big Book pg 145 Lord help us to check our motives and efforts so that our self-will does not lead us to fear, resentment, or greedy actions, AMEN. "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it." James 4:1-2 Have a blessed day y'all! www.FaithThroughWorksFellowship.org

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! https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Pastor+Mark+Farley&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3APastor+Mark+Farley

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 is 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 time 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! https://dailyhopeandinspiration.blogspot.com/

What do your eyes focus on?... Have you ever considered that our eyes have the ability to not only help us see, but also to direct our actions based on our vision? We also make adjustments based on what our eyes see. When something is hard to see we increase our focus. We either put on sunglasses to shield our eyes from intense light or we turn on a light to see through darkness just to name a few. The point is, we naturally react to what our eyes see. We even look away when we see something unpleasant or uncomfortable. When we constantly see negativity with our eyes and do nothing to adjust our focus, this in turn, affects our thoughts, behaviors, and actions. Ultimately, repeated negativity can influence the spiritual eyes of our heart causing it to harden and block out the Holy Spirit. How are you adjusting your focus away from negativity and chaos?.. Check your experience…“The outlines and the promise of the New Land had brought luster to tired eyes and fresh courage to flagging spirits.” Big Book pg 53 Lord, let us direct our eyes away from negativity and chaos to allow the spiritual eyes of our heart to show us Your grace and love in each situation we face, AMEN. “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:2 Have a blessed day y’all! www.FaithThroughWorksFellowship.org

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 56 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 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! https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Pastor+Mark+Farley&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3APastor+Mark+Farley