I want what I want WHEN I want it….Perhaps it’s different for you, but I can’t tell you how many times this thought has sparked reactions that led to actions with bad outcomes from my hurried and poorly thought out decisions. I get it, the self-willed human in me wants to override my spiritual nature and get that perceived TEMPORARY GAIN. It’s in those moments my self-will blocks me from seeing the long-term outcomes and the effects on my hasty wants and desires. When I quiet those urges through prayer, counsel with others wiser than me, and in trusting my faith, that I wait and let God provide me with the natural choice. More often than not, I am amazed because it turns out way better than I ever expected! Check your experience…. “Patience, tolerance, understanding and love are the watchwords.” Big Book pg. 118. Lord, please let me learn to pray to want what I get instead of getting what I want, AMEN. “Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage;” Psalm 27:14 Have a blessed day y'all! Did you know that your financial gift to Furniture Bank is not only tax deductible but also qualifies you for up to $800 in AZ Tax Credits? Furniture Bank is a 501c3 public charity and every penny donated goes toward helping our families, veterans, and individuals in need. Please help us continue to help others! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html

Leaders Serve…. H Ross Perot once said; “Inventories need to be managed but people need to be led.” 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!! Start your day on a positive note! Daily devotions from the Big Book and Bible combined! Paperback and Kindle versions available!! Every penny goes to support Faith Through Works Fellowship ministries including our beloved Furniture Bank! Please order yours today and help us help others! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

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! Hey friends please check out Servants Hearts! It’s a free site to help connect folks with volunteer and helping opportunities! Furniture Bank, Spiritual Solutions Group, and Advocate Phoenix are pleased to share the newest free helping service from Faith Through Works Fellowship! Its Phoenix based for now. Pray for its growth to provide helping hearts and willing hands to our organizations that need help! http://aservantsheart.us/

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 a 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. The tricky part is that because we are human, sometimes we are let down because we 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! Start your day on a positive note! Daily devotions from the Big Book and Bible combined! Paperback and Kindle versions available!! Every penny goes to support Faith Through Works Fellowship ministries including our beloved Furniture Bank! Please order yours today and help us help others! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

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! Did you know a donation to Furniture Bank gets you an Arizona state tax credit up to $800? Earn yours today. The state of Arizona provides an incredible incentive for taxpayers who donate to certain qualifying charities like Furniture Bank. Thanks to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, you can donate up to $800 and get it right back on your Arizona tax return. Furniture Bank works directly with Phoenix based social services, programs, and faith-based communities to assist families, Veterans, seniors, and other folks with a hand up to regain self-sustainability as they work to escape homelessness and helplessness. Please help us help others! Donate today! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html      

Most of y’all know I am neither a construction guy nor a fix –it repairman. 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! Did you know a donation to Furniture Bank gets you an Arizona state tax credit up to $800? Earn yours today. The state of Arizona provides an incredible incentive for taxpayers who donate to certain qualifying charities like Furniture Bank. Thanks to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, you can donate up to $800 and get it right back on your Arizona tax return. Furniture Bank works directly with Phoenix based social services, programs, and faith-based communities to assist families, Veterans, seniors, and other folks with a hand up to regain self-sustainability as they work to escape homelessness and helplessness. Please help us help others! Donate today! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html      

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: 5-6Have a blessed day y’all! Have a blessed day y’all! Start your day on a positive note! Daily devotions from the Big Book and Bible combined! Paperback and Kindle versions available!! Every penny goes to support Faith Through Works Fellowship ministries including our beloved Furniture Bank! Please order yours today and help us help others! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

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. Prior to moving to Keto and changing the way I use food to fuel my body, whenever fast food was the choice, I was 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. When we gorge on “junk” advice and just hear what we want to hear we are spiritually hungry again very soon. How are you spiritually feeding yourself? Consider your Source and as always… 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. No one coming to me will ever be hungry again. Those believing in me will never thirst.” John 6:35 Have a blessed day y'all! Did you know that your financial gift to Furniture Bank is not only tax deductible but also qualifies you for up to $800 in AZ Tax Credits? Furniture Bank is a 501c3 public charity and every penny donated goes toward helping our families, veterans, and individuals in need. Please help us continue to help others! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html               

Another way to see things….. We use our eyes to see all that this world has to offer. That’s part of being human. We are also equipped with another way to see. Our Spiritual nature inside of helps us to see in a different way. We cannot see the air we breathe, yet we take it for granted that it’s here. We naturally take it for granted that when we flip a light switch the light will come on and when we put the key into the ignition the car will start. This comes from FAITH. We learn by doing and by feeling. This is how we develop our spiritual eyes. Now it’s a fact that we all crawl before we walk. So we cannot develop spiritual eyes overnight. Like the air we breathe, light switch, and the key in the ignition, we build up a continued and familiar experience over time that allows us to believe it will work. It’s the same with our faith. We have to build on it and grow it so that we can rely on it in times of uncertainty. 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 open the eyes of our hearts through building and growing our faith in You and Your Word, AMEN. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” 2 Corinthians 5:7 Have a blessed day y'all!! Start your day on a positive note! Daily devotions from the Big Book and Bible combined! Paperback and Kindle versions available!! Every penny goes to support Faith Through Works Fellowship ministries including our beloved Furniture Bank! Please order yours today and help us help others! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

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! Hey friends please check out Servants Hearts! It’s a free site to help connect folks with volunteer and helping opportunities! Furniture Bank, Spiritual Solutions Group, and Advocate Phoenix are pleased to share the newest free helping service from Faith Through Works Fellowship! Its Phoenix based for now. Pray for its growth to provide helping hearts and willing hands to our organizations that need help! http://aservantsheart.us/

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! Start your day on a positive note! Daily devotions from the Big Book and Bible combined! Paperback and Kindle versions available!! Every penny goes to support Faith Through Works Fellowship ministries including our beloved Furniture Bank! Please order yours today and help us help others! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

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 it 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! Did you know a donation to Furniture Bank gets you an Arizona state tax credit up to $800? Earn yours today. The state of Arizona provides an incredible incentive for taxpayers who donate to certain qualifying charities like Furniture Bank. Thanks to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, you can donate up to $800 and get it right back on your Arizona tax return. Furniture Bank works directly with Phoenix based social services, programs, and faith-based communities to assist families, Veterans, seniors, and other folks with a hand up to regain self-sustainability as they work to escape homelessness and helplessness. Please help us help others! Donate today! 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! Did you know a donation to Furniture Bank gets you an Arizona state tax credit up to $800? Earn yours today. The state of Arizona provides an incredible incentive for taxpayers who donate to certain qualifying charities like Furniture Bank. Thanks to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, you can donate up to $800 and get it right back on your Arizona tax return. Furniture Bank works directly with Phoenix based social services, programs, and faith-based communities to assist families, Veterans, seniors, and other folks with a hand up to regain self-sustainability as they work to escape homelessness and helplessness. Please help us help others! Donate today! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html     

Happiness comes from…. Now I know this is not your experience, but my self-will is greedy for worldly things that my delusional head likes for me to think that I need. It likes me to think that in order to be happy I need a Harley, a Corvette, a bigger house, and on and on it goes. While these things are nice, my happiness does NOT depend on them. The minute it does, then I have a major problem. Luckily, I was blessed with the opportunity to find my life in AA through the Big Book and the 12 Steps, and they led me back to the Bible and the Lord, who has given me a life better than my wildest dreams filled with a marriage, a family, ministry, friends, and more blessings and happiness than I ever deserved. I find that I need to check my motives and efforts to measure my happiness. When I am able to do this I see that my happiness does not come from things, rather it comes from my relationship with God and those wonderful folks in my life. What do you measure your happiness with?.. Check your experience. ... "Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity,..." Big Book pg 62. Lord, please remove the selfish thoughts driven by our self-centered fear, pride, and greed that block our hearts from Your will and Spirit, AMEN. "Then He said to them, Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." Luke 12:15 Have a blessed day y’all! Have a blessed day y’all! Start your day on a positive note! Daily devotions from the Big Book and Bible combined! Paperback and Kindle versions available!! Every penny goes to support Faith Through Works Fellowship ministries including our beloved Furniture Bank! Please order yours today and help us help others! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

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 and the AA Big Book are my best sources for learning how to live and handle the daily challenges that 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! Did you know that your financial gift to Furniture Bank is not only tax deductible but also qualifies you for up to $800 in AZ Tax Credits? Furniture Bank is a 501c3 public charity and every penny donated goes toward helping our families, veterans, and individuals in need. Please help us continue to help others! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html

If the shoe doesn’t fit... try another size and style!.. Have you ever found yourself feeling like the square peg trying to fit into the round hole? Perhaps it’s different for you, but there are times where I need to get along with a person, or fit into a particular place, situation, or thing and it is just not working out smoothly. I have learned that when I adjust my attitude, approach, outlook, expectation, and or behavior, I can find the tools that work for me that allow me to fit in. Kind of like a different shoe size and style. We can have the same challenges internally with our spiritual life. Sometimes what looks good on the outside doesn’t quite fit with our feelings inside. When I experience this, I park my self-will and seek God’s will and I find that things just go better…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 look to use the spiritual tools and gifts you have given us to handle our daily walk, AMEN. “Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off.” 1 Samuel 17: 38-39 Have a blessed day y'all!! Start your day on a positive note! Daily devotions from the Big Book and Bible combined! Paperback and Kindle versions available!! Every penny goes to support Faith Through Works Fellowship ministries including our beloved Furniture Bank! Please order yours today and help us help others! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

Where is Your Heart?

For where your treasure is… We are what we do, say, and show. It’s hard for us to see this in ourselves, but our actions, behaviors, habits, and thoughts define us. Think about our friends and loved ones and how we remember them. For most of us, the memories of our friends and loved ones come from our experiences with them. How are we seen? What is first and foremost on our hearts generally dictates our manners, actions, and habits… Check your experience… “His change of heart was dramatic, convincing, and moving.” Big Book pg 55 Lord, please fill our hearts with the gifts You have given us so that we may reflect Your love and grace on others, AMEN. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34 Have a blessed day y’all! Hey friends please check out Servants Hearts! It’s a free site to help connect folks with volunteer and helping opportunities! Furniture Bank, Spiritual Solutions Group, and Advocate Phoenix are pleased to share the newest free helping service from Faith Through Works Fellowship! Its Phoenix based for now. Pray for its growth to provide helping hearts and willing hands to our organizations that need help! http://aservantsheart.us/

Armchair quarterback... I am a fan of football and other sports. Just because I watch a lot of sports does not qualify me to be an expert or a paid professional. I am neither skilled nor talented because I do not practice daily, and I don’t work to improve my performance to the highest possible level. Because of this, I am not known as an athlete. If you think about it, there are some other things in our lives where we are armchair quarterbacks. For instance, I enjoy watching Miss Tami build her amazing creations, yet I have no clue as to what tool she is using to saw, hammer, weld, cut, or shape! It can be the same with our faith if we are not intentional about it. God asks us to participate daily and to practice faith in all our affairs. Are you an armchair quarterback with your faith?.. Check your experience… “Faith without works is dead.” Big Book pg 88. Lord let us majestic faith an actionable habit and behavior in our daily walk, AMEN. "...faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless." James 2:17 Have a blessed Day y’all! Start your day on a positive note! Daily devotions from the Big Book and Bible combined! Paperback and Kindle versions available!! Every penny goes to support Faith Through Works Fellowship ministries including our beloved Furniture Bank! Please order yours today and help us help others! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

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!  Did you know a donation to Furniture Bank gets you an Arizona state tax credit up to $800? Earn yours today. The state of Arizona provides an incredible incentive for taxpayers who donate to certain qualifying charities like Furniture Bank. Thanks to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, you can donate up to $800 and get it right back on your Arizona tax return. Furniture Bank works directly with Phoenix based social services, programs, and faith-based communities to assist families, Veterans, seniors, and other folks with a hand up to regain self-sustainability as they work to escape homelessness and helplessness. Please help us help others! Donate today! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html         

Where are your thoughts coming from?.. Ever have those thoughts that just won’t go away? Some are good, some can be not so good, and then there are the pesky / funny thoughts like Peyton Manning humming the Nationwide jingle that is still floating around in my head! Luckily for me ant those around me I have not allowed this thought, as well as a few others to control my actions and attitudes. We eventually become what we think. It’s part of our human condition as well as a spiritual principle. Constant thoughts create constant habits and behaviors. Constant habits and behaviors lead to constant actions. Therefore our actions are driven by our thoughts. What thoughts are you allowing to drive your actions? Check your experience… "…praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out." Big Book pg. 59 Lord, let us pray to want what we get instead of to get what we want, AMEN. "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened." Luke 11:10 Have a blessed day y’all! ! Did you know a donation to Furniture Bank gets you an Arizona state tax credit up to $800? Earn yours today. The state of Arizona provides an incredible incentive for taxpayers who donate to certain qualifying charities like Furniture Bank. Thanks to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, you can donate up to $800 and get it right back on your Arizona tax return. Furniture Bank works directly with Phoenix based social services, programs, and faith-based communities to assist families, Veterans, seniors, and other folks with a hand up to regain self-sustainability as they work to escape homelessness and helplessness. Please help us help others! Donate today! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html

Hang on help is on the way….. One of the most freeing experiences for me is to help another person. It frees me from the burden of self and puts perspective onto my self-centered perceptions of my challenges and problems. Now maybe it’s different for you, but when I can place my focus on helping another, my heart gets filled with not only a refreshing humility from the service, but also, I gain a fresh perspective when I re-visit my issue or challenge and it no longer appears to be such a problem, but a manageable challenge. This is how the Holy Spirit works in us and among us. Give it a try next time you feel your chips are down. Reach out and help someone and see how your day changes! …Check your experience... “Help each other in troubles and problems. This is the kind of law Christ asks us to obey.” Galatians 6:2 Lord, let us look to help others and be of service, in order to gain perspective on our issues and challenges, AMEN. “Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help.” Big Book pg 84 Have a blessed day y’all! Have a blessed day y’all! Start your day on a positive note! Daily devotions from the Big Book and Bible combined! Paperback and Kindle versions available!! Every penny goes to support Faith Through Works Fellowship ministries including our beloved Furniture Bank! Please order yours today and help us help others! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

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 ain’t 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! Did you know that your financial gift to Furniture Bank is not only tax deductible but also qualifies you for up to $800 in AZ Tax Credits? Furniture Bank is a 501c3 public charity and every penny donated goes toward helping our families, veterans, and individuals in need. Please help us continue to help others! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html       

Actions over words… Did you ever notice how others TALK about doing things to get something or somewhere, yet they seem to never move or grow? What about us? How many times have I said that I WANT to ….or I am GOING to….. BUT YET I remain the same. If NOTHING changes then NOTHING CHANGES. Check your experience… “They will always materialize if we work for them.” Big Book pg 84. Lord, let us work on our inner selves to grow and improve our physical, mental, and spiritual condition, AMEN. "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; Luke 10:2 Have a blessed day y'all!! Start your day on a positive note! Daily devotions from the Big Book and Bible combined! Paperback and Kindle versions available!! Every penny goes to support Faith Through Works Fellowship ministries including our beloved Furniture Bank! Please order yours today and help us help others! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

We 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! Hey friends please check out Servants Hearts! It’s a free site to help connect folks with volunteer and helping opportunities! Furniture Bank, Spiritual Solutions Group, and Advocate Phoenix are pleased to share the newest free helping service from Faith Through Works Fellowship! Its Phoenix based for now. Pray for its growth to provide helping hearts and willing hands to our organizations that need help! http://aservantsheart.us/

One of the best ways to move forward is to understand our past. Experience has taught me and those I trust and learn from that while we can learn from our past and benefit from these life lessons, it’s neither healthy, nor beneficial to allow the unprocessed pain and hurt from the past to control our thoughts, actions, and motives. It’s great to learn from both mistakes and successes, but when fear, anger, and even pride fuel the way we look at our past, it freezes our hearts and influences our minds negatively from the benefit of the life lesson to move forward. The 12 Steps help us to look at our past objectively. When we become willing to uncover the pains, shames, and hurts from our past we can discover how it still has a negative hold on us. This part of the 12 Step process allows us to then look at the event or experience and discard it from our heart. When we can Uncover, Discover, and Discard we are set free and can move forward. “We have been trying to get a new attitude, a new relationship with our Creator, and to discover the obstacles in our path.” Big Book pg 72 Lord, we ask Your guidance as we look to grow from our past and no longer be a prisoner of it, AMEN. “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19 Have a blessed Day y’all! Start your day on a positive note! Daily devotions from the Big Book and Bible combined! Paperback and Kindle versions available!! Every penny goes to support Faith Through Works Fellowship ministries including our beloved Furniture Bank! Please order yours today and help us help others! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

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! TIPSY TOW is offering to get you and your car home for FREE tonight - 1-800-222-4357 Did you know a donation to Furniture Bank gets you an Arizona state tax credit up to $800? Earn yours today. The state of Arizona provides an incredible incentive for taxpayers who donate to certain qualifying charities like Furniture Bank. Thanks to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, you can donate up to $800 and get it right back on your Arizona tax return. Furniture Bank works directly with Phoenix based social services, programs, and faith-based communities to assist families, Veterans, seniors, and other folks with a hand up to regain self-sustainability as they work to escape homelessness and helplessness. Please help us help others! Donate today! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html  

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 a donation to Furniture Bank gets you an Arizona state tax credit up to $800? Earn yours today. The state of Arizona provides an incredible incentive for taxpayers who donate to certain qualifying charities like Furniture Bank. Thanks to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, you can donate up to $800 and get it right back on your Arizona tax return. Furniture Bank works directly with Phoenix based social services, programs, and faith-based communities to assist families, Veterans, seniors, and other folks with a hand up to regain self-sustainability as they work to escape homelessness and helplessness. Please help us help others! Donate today! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html

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! Start your day on a positive note! Daily devotions from the Big Book and Bible combined! Paperback and Kindle versions available!! Every penny goes to support Faith Through Works Fellowship ministries including our beloved Furniture Bank! Please order yours today and help us help others! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

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! Did you know that your financial gift to Furniture Bank is not only tax deductible but also qualifies you for up to $800 in AZ Tax Credits? Furniture Bank is a 501c3 public charity and every penny donated goes toward helping our families, veterans, and individuals in need. Please help us continue to help others! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html     

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 58 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!! Start your day on a positive note! Daily devotions from the Big Book and Bible combined! Paperback and Kindle versions available!! Every penny goes to support Faith Through Works Fellowship ministries including our beloved Furniture Bank! Please order yours today and help us help others! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss        

Didja make a New Years Resolution or a DECISION?.. These 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 Have a blessed day y'all! Did you know a donation to Furniture Bank gets you an Arizona state tax credit up to $800? Earn yours today. The state of Arizona provides an incredible incentive for taxpayers who donate to certain qualifying charities like Furniture Bank. Thanks to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, you can donate up to $800 and get it right back on your Arizona tax return. Furniture Bank works directly with Phoenix based social services, programs, and faith-based communities to assist families, Veterans, seniors, and other folks with a hand up to regain self-sustainability as they work to escape homelessness and helplessness. Please help us help others! Donate today! http://www.furniturebank.us/arizona-tax-credit.html   

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! Hey friends please check out Servants Hearts! It’s a free site to help connect folks with volunteer and helping opportunities! Furniture Bank, Spiritual Solutions Group, and Advocate Phoenix are pleased to share the newest free helping service from Faith Through Works Fellowship! Its Phoenix based for now. Pray for its growth to provide helping hearts and willing hands to our organizations that need help! http://aservantsheart.us/