Daily Hope and Inspiration from Pastor Mark

Tuesday, August 31, 2021


 

Everybody's good at something…

We all have talents, abilities, and skills. 

Thank goodness they are not all the same. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the cultural norm of our society to compare ourselves to others, but with that comes the human based negative emotions that lead to pride, envy, greed, and so on. 

What if we practiced celebrating our differences instead of belittling them? 

I am lost without my friends who are mechanically inclined as well as my other friends who have the common sense I was not blessed with! 

We each have the unique ability to help others and what a positive feeling that produces. 

Are you willing to look for ways to help and celebrate your differences?.. 

Check your experience… 

 “He was inexplicably different.” Big Book pg 9 

Lord, let us use our differences to help others and learn from one another, AMEN. 

“There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve. And there are different ways that God works through people but the same God. God works in all of us in everything we do.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 

Have a blessed day y’all! 

Please help us help others! 


Donate today! 

How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought? 

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Monday, August 30, 2021



There is no “i” in team…

Many years ago, I borrowed the phrase; “I can’t fix the head I got with the head I got.” from Brian C. from one of the AA meetings here in Phoenix. 

I learn many things from listening to and observing people and this thought has proven to be a strong tool for myself and others. 

Maybe it’s different for you, but when I am in spiritual pain, or struggling with issues of pride and self-will, I have a hard time initially sharing my struggle. 

This thought gives me a quick reality check and motivates me to seek counsel from others and not let my selfish thoughts continue to dominate my mind and actions. 

How comfortable are you in using your own mind to clear up your struggles of your thoughts and spiritual walk?..

Check your experience… 

“Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone.” Big Book pg 84 

Lord, let us not only share the things that are dominating our thoughts and blocking us from Your grace, but also be willing to act on advice received from others, AMEN. 

“One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment. Proverbs 18:1 

 Have a blessed day Y’all! 

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


How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought? 

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Sunday, August 29, 2021



Give a hand up and not a hand out… 

Have you ever noticed that when you give stuff to people for free, they will usually take it? 

It’s a nice thing to give to others and that is what we should do as part of our spiritual growth and walk with Christ, but sometimes helping actually hurts those you are giving to. 

Stop giving them fish and instead teach them to fish! 

Think about it, if we continue to provide for another without teaching them or giving them a chance to provide for themselves, then we are hurting their growth and not really helping. 

It’s good to give, please don’t misunderstand, but it’s not helpful if we continue to give and do for the same people over and over without giving them a chance to learn how to provide for themselves … 

Check your experience… 

“Your job now is to be at the place where you may be of maximum helpfulness to others,” Big Book pg 102 

Lord, let us share our bounty with others as you so generously share with us, but let us share with a motive of helping with hand UP and not a hand OUT, AMEN. 

 “Treat others as you want them to treat you.” Luke 6:31 

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! 


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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Saturday, August 28, 2021


 

“Don’t turn a bad moment into a bad day."

 Back in Sacramento, years ago, ol’ Dick E. of Group 3 used to say this “phrase that pays” the AA meetings. 

I have held onto that thought over the years and found it very useful when I am in times of stress or struggle. 

I simple force my head to remember these words and it stops the bad moment from becoming a bad day. 

While some situations last longer than a moment, I have learned that I am not facing it alone and that when I turn my troubles and fears over to the Lord, not only does my day go better, but also, the situation usually resolves itself and leaves me in a better place as a result. 

Are you allowing bad moments to become bad days? … 

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 pgs. 70-71 

Lord, what times of uncertainty, stress, or struggle come, remind my heat that You are with me and I can turn it over to Your care and not let it run my whole day, AMEN. 

“I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 

Have a blessed day Y'all! 

Please help us help others! 


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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Friday, August 27, 2021


 


Things grow better in fertile soil… 

Have you ever noticed how certain plants grow and thrive in some climates but not in others? 

I live in Arizona and while many forms of cacti and desert plants thrive here, tropical plants don’t. 

It’s kind of the same with our spiritual life. 

When we plant ourselves in the Word and make sure we are receiving the Living Water of the Holy Spirit and our hearts are getting needed soul nutrition from fellowship with Jesus we thrive. 

However, when we try to live in unspiritual conditions, like plants in poor soil and bad climate, we struggle to grow and thrive. 

How is your spiritual soil?..

Check your experience… 

“At the start, this was all we needed to commence spiritual growth, to affect our first conscious relation with God as we understood Him.” Big Book pg 47 

Lord, please help us to find fertile spiritual growing conditions through Your Word and the Holy Spirit residing within us, AMEN. 

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18 

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! 


How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought? 

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Thursday, August 26, 2021



Going with the flow… 

It’s easy to know how to act, dress, and what to do these days. 

Just watch TV or pay attention to any form of advertising and it will tell you how to think, act, and feel.

Is that healthy for us? 

While it’s nice to “fit in” what mold are we trying to actually fit in to? 

Because we have a God who loves us unconditionally and give us free will, we can become disillusioned by some of the trappings of this world. Most of us know that money and things do not buy real happiness. Having a real relationship with a real and living God does!..

Check your experience… 

"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" Big Book pg 84. 

Lord, let us not fall into the illusions of the material trappings of this world and distort our relationship with You, AMEN. 

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

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! 


How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought? 

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Wednesday, August 25, 2021


 

Encouragement and strength…

We all have those in our lives who seem to always point out our faults, wrongs, and failures. 

We can either let their comments weigh us down and keep us from growing or we can take great pleasure in knowing that we don’t have to worry about not being perfect because they are there to remind us that we are not! 

The good news is we have the power of choice in what we allow to invade our ears and cover our hearts. 

We receive encouragement daily when we look in our hearts and know that God's grace and hope live in His spirit in us. 

I am glad I have those in my life who have taken on the job of pointing out my wrongs and failures, it frees me up to focus on what I am doing right and gain strength as I grow closer to God. 

Are you finding hope and encouragement daily?.. 

Check your experience… 

“…whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience,” Big Book pg 66 

Lord, let us seek hope and comfort through our daily relationship with you through Jesus, AMEN. 

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do or say.” 2Thessalonians 2: 16-17 

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! 


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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Tuesday, August 24, 2021




The grass is NOT always greener on the other side of the fence. 

It’s easy these days to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others. 

Unfortunately, instead of celebrating the gifts and talents of others, our culture tends to highlight the differences. 

If we believe all the marketing, commercials, advertisements, and now sadly even some of the media comments, then we need to be younger, smarter, stronger, driving only new cars and using only the latest and greatest products. 

Maybe it’s different for you, but I do not have the ability to keep up with all of that! 

In my walk in faith and sobriety I have been given the gift to appreciate what I have and to celebrate what others have instead of comparing myself to see where I come up short. 

As a result, I get to enjoy better relationships and a peaceful heart. 

How’s this working out for you?.. 

Check your experience… 

“The greatest enemies of us alcoholics are resentment, jealousy, envy, frustration, and fear.” Big Book pg 145 

Lord let us trade our envy in return for grace and peace that comes from Your Holy Spirit living in our hearts, AMEN. 

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30 

Have a blessed day y’all! 

Please help us help others! 


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, August 23, 2021




Navigating through traffic…

It seems we encounter traffic in just about everything we do these days. 

The freeways are full of commuters, the Starbucks and Dutch Bros lines are long at times, there is usually a wait time for scheduled doctor appointments. 

Most of us become aware of these patterns and we adjust our schedules to either accommodate or avoid these situations as best we can so we can continue on with our day. 

What about the things that can clog our hearts at times? 

The “rush hour traffic” of fear and worry or being taken hostage by worldly clamors of self will perceived wants and materialistic desires can derail a good day if we let it. 

There is a plan and a solution to avoid this clutter and traffic in our hearts. 

Turning our will and our lives over to the care of God clears this traffic of our heart and allows us to focus on the important things and enjoy peace and grace...

Check your experience… 

“But soon the sense of His presence had been blotted out by worldly clamors, mostly those within myself. And so it had been ever since.” Big Book pgs. 12-13 

Lord, let us give You the things in our heart that block us off from the your grace and Spirit, AMEN. 

“Let us put everything out of our lives that keeps us from doing what we should. Let us keep running in the race that God has planned for us.” Hebrews 12:1 

Have a blessed day Y’all! 

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


How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought? 

Free daily blog emailed to you in the morning! 


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Sunday, August 22, 2021


 

I can’t…HE can….I need to let HIM…

Sometimes, when we look at things from the point of view that we have to do it all and it can be overwhelming. 

It’s human nature to feel this way, especially during these times when most of us wear many hats and are doing many things. 

The good news is that we do not have to do it all alone. 

When we accepted Christ into our hearts, we turned our will and our lives over to Him. We are no longer alone. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can and do accomplish amazing things that honestly if we were left to our own devices would not happen...

Check your experience… 

“He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves.” Big Book pg 25 

Lord, let us look to You when our tasks seem overwhelming and we begin to feel alone, AMEN. 

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

Have a blessed day y’all! 

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! 


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, August 21, 2021




What style of clothing do you wear?.. 

We have gear for all types of weather, events, sports, hobbies, and seasons. 

I just learned, and pardon my fashion backwardness, that there are even special shoes just for driving your car! 

While it’s nice to have all of these choices to clothe ourselves properly according to weather, activity, and such … 

How are we covering, preparing, and protecting our Spirit for all situations we encounter? 

Our Bible teaches us to clothe ourselves in love which covers all things. 

While I’ll admit that sometimes that this is really hard to put on for certain situations, it generally goes much better when I do...

Check your experience… 

“...asking each morning in meditation that our Creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love.” Big Book pg 83 

Lord. Let us clothe ourselves in love to handle all people, places, and things that we encounter, AMEN. 

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14

Have a blessed day Y'all! 

Please help us help others! 


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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Friday, August 20, 2021



No pain – No gain… 

Maybe it’s different for you, but I cannot recall ever enjoying going through a needed change when I was not willing to participate initially. 

I think the pain we feel is not so much from the different action or change, but in realizing that our old way is not working and we have to grasp onto a new way. 

When I finally had the willingness to change my eating habits and my physical routines to bring about the lifestyle changes necessary to give me the needed permanent weight loss and healthier (can I say fried taters and gravy-less) life. 

It was embarrassing and humbling but needed.

I was and still am overwhelmed with gratitude by the support and encouragement I have received almost 4 years into this life changing journey. 

So, my suggestion for today is to check your willingness if you are in a season of change. 

The pain reduces when the willingness increases… 

Check your experience… 

“We grow by our willingness to face and rectify errors and convert them into assets.” Big Book pg 124 

Lord, let us willingly participate when change is needed in our lives, AMEN. 

“We do not enjoy being disciplined. It is painful at the time, but later, after we have learned from it, we have peace, because we start living in the right way.” Hebrews 12:11 

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! 


How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought? 

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Thursday, August 19, 2021


 

What’s “on” your mind?... 

Simple thought today folks. 

There is so much competing for our attention these days. 

All forms of electronic media as well as print and physical displays compete for our attention. 

Our minds can be taken hostage before we even know it. 

Have you ever found yourself humming a jingle from a TV commercial, or maybe your eyes are drawn to that cool billboard on the highway as you drive? 

Now maybe it’s different for you, but I have finally learned how to at least become aware of this behavior in myself and get a hand up on it. 

I have learned that whatever occupies my heart will be “on” my mind. 

My daily goal is to fill my mind with good thoughts of family, friends, and blessings. 

This helps me to combat the visual and audio chaos trying to take my mind hostage. 

 Please take a look at what is occupying your heart to see how it affects your mind. 

As always….Check your experience… 

“Our thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives” Big Book pg 86 

Lord, please let our hearts be filled with the goodness of our family, friends, faith, and Your grace, AMEN. 

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” Philippians 4: 8-9 

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! 


How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought? 

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Wednesday, August 18, 2021




Standing the test of fire...

There are many things available to us today that make our lives easier. 

For instance, our lovely and brilliant daughter has never used a TV without a remote or a record player. Her world has always been filled with remotes and electronic assistance. 

Those things do make our world better, but what about those things that cause us to miss out on necessary spiritual and mental growth? 

If our mental and spiritual growth is stopped, then our work inside us and around us suffers. 

We are challenged daily with things and situations that tempt our human will and fleshly desires.

Having a strong spiritual foundation and Godly armor gives us the tools to combat worldly clamors and stand the test of fire...

Check your experience… 

“It meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all.” Big Book pg 14 

Lord, let us build ourselves up spiritually and cover ourselves in Your armor so that we can walk through the daily temptations and slippery spots, AMEN. 

 "...their work will be shown for what it is because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work." 1 Corinthians 3:13 

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! 


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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#SCAA #SugarAddiction #CarbAddiction #501c3 #Recovery #Sobriety #AA #12Step #DailyDevotion #BigBook #AZCharity #FoodAddiction #PrayerWarriors #Pastors #Leadership #Faith #DailyScripture #FaithOverFear #FaithThroughWorksFellowship #Prayer #taxwriteoff #FurnitureBank #TaxReceipt #BibleVerse #GodIsFaithful #Jesus #Bible #LoveGodLovePeople #nonprofit #Abstinence