Daily Hope and Inspiration: May 2021

Monday, May 31, 2021

We get what we give...

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

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

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

This holds true for us mentally as well.

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

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

Check your experience…

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

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

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

Have a blessed day Y’all!

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

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Sunday, May 30, 2021

‘Some gave all, and all gave some’…

Please remember those who died protecting and serving us so that we may continue to live in freedom and grace.

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

Lord we pause to day to remember and honor those who laid down their lives in order to protect us and our freedom as a nation under God, AMEN.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13

Have a blessed Memorial Day Y’all!

Looking to volunteer or plug into an existing helping opportunity in the Greater Phoenix AZ area?

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Saturday, May 29, 2021

Freedom comes from helping others…

Just a thought to share as we remember our fallen and those who have gone before us this weekend, freedom is not free.

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

Check your experience. …

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

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

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

Have a blessed day y'all!!

Please help us help others!

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Donate today! How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought?

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Friday, May 28, 2021

Remember...

It’s a 3-day weekend with lots of BBQs, sales, travel, and even a traditional race in the Hoosier Heartland.

Just a suggestion, but take a moment, when you can, to remember and say a prayer of thanks to those who willingly and bravely gave their lives in order for us to remain free and safe.

Last I checked we are still ‘One nation under God'...

“There had been a humble willingness to have Him with me -- and He came.” Big Book pg 12

Lord thank you for our freedom and bless those who have fallen while they served our country to protect us, AMEN.

“The memory of the righteous is blessed,” Proverbs 10:7

Have a blessed day Y’all!!

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

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Thursday, May 27, 2021

He sees everything…

I love watching people. I learn so much from others.

It’s interesting to me to watch folks as they interact with others.

My experience has been that different situations bring different actions and behaviors.

For instance, at the drive through the focus is on the order, as both the attendant and the customer are trying to purchase a pre-established menu item, pretty much a no brainer.

Then there is the grocery store and the need to be in the shortest line. The type A personality verses the passive is fun to watch. The Type A will go all out directly to the short line and heck with whomever has the misfortune of being in their way, while the passive personality will be aware of others and see the type A and clear out of the way letting them go first.

My favorite is the unexpected assist.

Recently I observed a mom with a toddler attempting to fit all her bagged purchases into one hand while deftly grabbing car keys and freeing the other arm to hold the baby because the cart would not go outside of the store, all the while shoppers moved around her as they exited the store.

She almost went into shock when I asked her if I could help. After the shock wore off, she saw my smiling wife near me and figured out quickly I was not a psycho stalker, but she politely refused and gave us a heartfelt thank you for caring enough to ask.

Remember folks, keep the eyes of your hearts open to see who the Lord puts in your path.

It’s always good to offer assistance for the right reasons…

Check your experience…

“It depends on us and on our motives.” Big Book pg 70

Lord, let us perform good deeds with the only motive of being of service to others and not for personal gain, AMEN.

“In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.” 1 Timothy 5: 24-25

Have a blessed day y’all!

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

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Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Give encouragement, catch someone doing something right....

It's all around us, no matter where we look or what the subject is, the fault finders, negativity breeders, and armchair "experts" are there to quickly point out our faults, wrongs, and why we won't succeed.

Sheesh, why even bother trying?

We must keep trying because we can.

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

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

We can CATCH someone doing something RIGHT and.... get ready...

Compliment and ENCOURAGE them!

Try looking for the good today.

It will change your outlook especially if you encourage another...

Check your experience...

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

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

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

Have a blessed day y’all!

Looking to volunteer or plug into an existing helping opportunity in the Greater Phoenix AZ area?

Visit Servants Hearts!

It’s a free site to help connect folks with volunteer and helping opportunities!

http://aservantsheart.us

How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought?

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

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Finish what you started...

It's human nature (self-will) to want to ease up near the end and let our efforts slide.

Most folks are aware of this and combat this feeling by reaching down deep (God's will) to muster the needed energy and focus to finish strong.

How are you finding the needed energy sand effort in finishing your tasks, duties, and commitments?..

Check your experience...

"Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon." Big Book pg 59

Lord give us the drive and presence of mind to seek Your will in our efforts to finish strong, AMEN.

"Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have." 2 Corinthians 8:11

Have a blessed day y’all!

Looking to volunteer or plug into an existing helping opportunity in the Greater Phoenix AZ area?

Visit Servants Hearts!

It’s a free site to help connect folks with volunteer and helping opportunities!

http://aservantsheart.us

How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought?

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

Free daily message in your Inbox!

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Tuesday, May 25, 2021

I want what I want when I want it!..

Now maybe it’s different for you, but the addict that still resides in my head after all these years still tries to convince me that the self-centered feeling of ‘I want what I want and I want it now’ is an OK and actionable thought!

I am sure the committee of ego, pride, and the other self-will characters in my head agree!

This is Stinking Thinking!

I am so glad I have the Holy Sprit in my heart, a daily relationship with Jesus, and my picket fence of friends in my SCAA and AA 12 Step Fellowships to help keep me on the right path and accountable to continue to seek God’s will and not fall victim to this illusion.

Now here is the hard part….. well at least it was and still is for me!.

This is not an overnight matter!

This means I just can’t wish myself to become patient and tolerant right away!

I have had to work on this for many years.

Heck, I still have to work on these defects of character!

The good news is that when I make myself take the time to respond rather than instantly react based on the emotion of the moment, my day goes much better!

I am a work in progress.

How about you?

Are you working daily to grow a stronger foundation that allows you to respond instead of react? …

Check your experience…

“Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” Colossians 3:10

Holy Spirit Come, fill me with your patience, guidance, grace, and tolerance to allow me to respond instead of reacting to life’s challenges, AMEN.

“It will take time to clear away the wreck. Though the old buildings will eventually be replaced by finer ones, the new structures will take years to complete.” Big Book pg 123

Have a blessed day y’all

Please help us help others!

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

Furniture Bank continues to help those not as blessed as we are right now!

Donate today!

How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought?

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

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Monday, May 24, 2021

I can't... HE can... I think I will let Him...

The pressures of everyday life can become overwhelming.

Especially when we fall under the worldly illusion that we must do it all alone, by ourselves and perfectly.

Friends, please know that you are never, ever, alone!

The Holy Spirit lives in our hearts and will see us through times of stress and uncertainty. Have you tried allowing God to carry those heavy burdens?..

Check your experience...

Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Lord remind our hearts in times of stress and heaviness that You are with us and ready to shoulder the load, AMEN.

"I can't. ... HE CAN. ... I think I will let HIM." Big Book Steps 1, 2,& 3

Have a blessed day Y’all!

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought?

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Sunday, May 23, 2021

Actions bring results...

Perhaps you are free of this, or have no issues with it, but it’s an age-old twist on our thinking that causes a lot of us to become resentful, jealous, envious, or even bitter.

We want people to judge us by our INTENTIONS while we choose to judge others by their ACTIONS.

It’s another condition of being human.

The solution is pretty simple.

We must own this twist of thinking and correct it through our own actions and efforts and not our intentions.

Think about it, are we able to see the results of others or our own intentions?

I INTENDED to lose weight… I INTENDED to get my college degree… I INTENDED to be a better husband and father…

It carries no lasting effects.

Only actions on our part brings the desired and needed results. …

Check your experience. …

“It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels.” Big Book pg 85

Lord let us put actions behind our efforts to be better people, seeking Your will and not our own, AMEN.

"Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:18

Have a blessed day Y’all!

Looking to volunteer or plug into an existing helping opportunity in the Greater Phoenix AZ area?

Visit Servants Hearts!

It’s a free site to help connect folks with volunteer and helping opportunities!

http://aservantsheart.us

How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought?

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

Free daily message in your Inbox!

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Saturday, May 22, 2021

If we just only had our own “Easy” button…

Remember those Staples commercials with the “Easy” button?

Wouldn’t it be great if we all had one of those? It seems life would be so much more manageable if whatever we needed changed, fixed, or done could be handled by just pressing the Easy button.

Unfortunately, that is not how it works, unless you are a toddler!

We have to put in effort, willingness, and old-fashioned work in order to survive and grow.

This is a spiritual principle and sometimes we forget this. The Bible has a few examples where Jesus asks impaired and sick folks if they want to be well. He immediately heals them when they say yes, but like Paul Harvey used to share, there is always the “rest of the story” that we need to know in order to be able to understand the healings.

These folks demonstrated faith, hope, and willingness long before Jesus came to heal them. This is why He healed them because He knew that they had put in the hard work and the HEART work ahead of time to prepare them to receive His healing.

How’s that working out for you?

Are you just sitting on the sideline wishing and waiting for Jesus to fix you or your situation or are you doing something daily to demonstrate your faith by providing the needed willingness and effort to show you are doing your part?..

Check your experience…

“Yet they got well.” Big Book pg 110

Lord, let us provide action daily to show our willingness to change and grow closer to You and Your will for us, AMEN.

“Would you like to get well?” John 5:6

Have a blessed day y'all!!

Furniture Bank continues to help those not as blessed as we are right now.

Your financial is tax deductible and 100% goes toward the needs of our clients.

Please help us help others!

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

Donate today!

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Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

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Friday, May 21, 2021

Keep pressing on…

Have you noticed how much more automated our lives have become?

From the GPS systems in our devices and cars to the “smart” appliances that can alert us to when they need attention or restocking, we now have more things than ever that can do our thinking and work for us.

While automation is a nice convenience that allows us to focus our time and attention on other matters, how do we keep our focus on our spiritual growth?

I enjoy my daily Bible study and Big Book readings along with the spiritual tools and devotions that are delivered to me daily via email, but I remain grateful that I still have to apply the humble willingness to study and learn daily.

Applying what I learn in the Word to my life daily helps me to keep walking with Jesus and pressing on toward His will for me.

Thank goodness I have not automated this part of my life!

This would block me off from the sunlight of His Spirit and I could become lost in the illusions of this material world.

How about you?

What parts of your life have become automated that perhaps are removing you from growing spiritually?..

Check your experience…

“The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines.” Big Book pg 60

Lord, let us not automate our daily time with You in the Word, AMEN.

“But I press on” Philippians 3:12

Have a blessed day Y’all!!

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought?

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Thursday, May 20, 2021

Try a little kindness. ….

This is probably not seen too much these days and certainly not reported very often in the news media, but kindness covers a multitude of anger, hurtful, and just plain lonely feelings.

Perhaps you have already been the receiver of an act of anonymous kindness.

Just last week a friend shared how they were pleasantly surprised to learn as they picked up their daily Starbucks order at the drive through window that the unknown person in front of them had paid for their coffee.

I dare you to give it a try!

Do something anonymously for a random stranger or for a loved one.

See how you feel afterwards.

Remember, it’s not about being seen doing this, it’s about serving others with no expectation of a return.

I promise you that the indirect return you get from this is better than you can imagine!

Go on…You can do this! Then…

Check your experience. ….

“Were we kind and loving toward all?” Big Book pg 86.

Lord, let us show our love today through kindness to those around us, AMEN.

”Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

Have a blessed day y’all!

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pastor+mark+farley&ref=nb_sb_noss

How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought?

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Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Good looking out...

Have you ever noticed that the best things come from ideas and actions focused on helping others?

The internet came from 2 guys trying to have a quick and simple communication system for their company. 2 brothers wanted an easier way for folks to get from point A to point B and air flight came about.

A few folks wanted to worship Jesus without persecution and America came to be!..

It's the same in our lives.

We (hopefully) are walking a path of good that our children wish to follow. We volunteer with others to help those who are not as blessed as we are right now.

Good things come from looking out for others.

How are you intentionally looking out for others?..

Check your experience...

"...do not think of what you will get out of the occasion. Think of what you can bring to it." Big Book pg 102

Lord open the eyes of our hearts to let us see those You would have us help, AMEN.

"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:4

Have a blessed day y’all!

Looking to volunteer or plug into an existing helping opportunity in the Greater Phoenix AZ area?

Visit Servants Hearts!

It’s a free site to help connect folks with volunteer and helping opportunities!

http://aservantsheart.us

How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought?

Join me in looking at the things we face daily with passages from both the Big Book and Bible!

Free daily message in your Inbox!

https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/blog

BIG BOOK QUOTE OF THE DAY

THE A.A. PROMISES
If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and selfpity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.
Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, The Promises pgs 83 and 84

Daily Hope and Inspiration from Pastor Mark

Monday, May 31, 2021

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Friday, May 28, 2021

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Monday, May 24, 2021

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Saturday, May 22, 2021

Friday, May 21, 2021

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

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