Daily Hope and Inspiration: May 2022

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

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!

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 30, 2022

‘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 day Y’all!

What if you had a person who coached and mentored you in building a better life?

Inspired 365 Life Coaching with Mark Farley!!

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Sunday, May 29, 2022

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!

Please help us help others!

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Saturday, May 28, 2022

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 versus 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…

“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

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

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

Have a blessed day y’all!

What if you had a person who coached and mentored you in building a better life?

Inspired 365 Life Coaching with Mark Farley!!

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Friday, May 27, 2022

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 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!

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 26, 2022

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 all 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 band of Accountability Partners, picket fence of friends in my SCAA and AA 12 Step communities 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…

“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

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.

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

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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Wednesday, May 25, 2022

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...

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

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

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

Have a blessed day Y'all!

Please help us help others!

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

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!

Free daily message in your Inbox!

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Tuesday, May 24, 2022

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!

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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Monday, May 23, 2022

If we just 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!

What if you had a person who coached and mentored you in building a better life?

Inspired 365 Life Coaching with Mark Farley!!

https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365...

Want in?

Inspired365LifeCoaching@gmail.com

Saturday, May 21, 2022

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!

What would it be like for you to have someone focused on your growth and improvement?

What if you had a person who coached and mentored you in building a better life?

Inspired 365 Life Coaching with Mark Farley!!

https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365

Want in?

Inspired365LifeCoaching@gmail.com

Friday, May 20, 2022

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!

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 19, 2022

"Soul food"...

Our information age provides us with instant and on demand information and access to just about anything we can think of.

With just a few clicks we can learn what products to buy, where to go for fun, and even the right food to eat.

Now I am sure we all have learned that just because it’s on the internet doesn't necessarily mean that it's true...

We must consider the source....

We can even find arguments pro and con on the benefits of low carb, fat free, and diet foods these days.

It's very confusing, especially at times when all we have to rely on is ourselves…

What about the food for our souls?..

There is one thing that has not changed over time.

It's the Word and Truth in the Bible.

Sure, "religious fads" come and go but the Word and its source remain the same.

Consider the source.

How are you getting spiritually fed?..

Check your experience…

"Assuming we are spiritually fit, we can do all sorts of things" Big Book pg 100

Lord thank you for constantly and consistently offering Your Word as the Spiritual food and nourishment for our souls, AMEN.

"Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." John 6:27

Have a blessed day y’all What if you had a person who coached and mentored you in building a better life?

Inspired 365 Life Coaching with Mark Farley!!

https://www.faiththroughworksfellowship.org/inspired-365

Want in?

Inspired365LifeCoaching@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Filling food…

Most folks I know are doing a better job these days of choosing better foods and meals.

Just like having the proper fuel for our cars, it’s important to have the proper fuel in the form of nutritious healthy food for our bodies.

Slowly the fast food chains are getting this message and it’s possible to get a sort of healthy meal from them if there are no other healthier options, but for the most part, fast food, like sugary snacks, are full of empty calories that fool our bodies and leave us more hungry as well as tired.

It’s the same in our spiritual nutrition as well.

We can fool ourselves and load up on man-made words and spiritual “junk food” that require no action on our part and make us feel momentarily good about ourselves.

Unfortunately, like fast food, this leaves us hungry and thirsty in our souls.

We can get true spiritual nutrition daily by turning our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him and feast on His Word daily…

Check your experience…

“A new life has been given us or, if you prefer, "a design for living" that really works.” Big Book pg 28

Lord, let us feed spiritually on Your Word and the Holy Spirit, AMEN.

“Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

Have a blessed day Y'all!

Please help us help others!

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

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!

Free daily message in your Inbox!

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Tuesday, May 17, 2022

It seems we have seasons for everything in our lives.

We have clothes for the changing seasons.

Heck, even Arizonans have a jacket in the closet somewhere!

We have football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and other sports seasons.

We even have seasons that we can put on our food to spice it up or change the flavor.

What about our lives?

It's common to hear that folks are “going through a season” when there is change or challenge in their lives.

Change is inevitable for all of us.

It’s part of being human.

However, it’s how we deal with the change and the seasons in our lives that helps us grow spiritually.

Maybe it’s different for you, but I have learned to embrace change over the years.

I may still bristle when it comes unexpectedly, but I clear my mind and remind myself that I turned my will and life over the Lord when I got sober, and that frees me from pride and fear taking control of my thoughts and actions.

What about you?

Does change bring resistance and lock you in a battle with your self-centered feelings and pride preventing you from growing?

Perhaps change ignites fear inside of you, shutting off the Holy Spirit and trapping you within your closed mindset.

Or maybe you embrace change knowing there is a lesson to be learned and the outcome will make you a better person...

Check your experience...

“Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.” Big Book pg 84

Lord, thank you for the seasons in our lives that help us to grow in spirit and understanding.Please give our hearts comfort and our minds relief in times of change, reminding us that You know what is best for us and will NOT give us anything we cannot handle, AMEN.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

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!

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

How about a daily dose of hope and inspired thought?

Free daily blog emailed to you in the morning!

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

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Monday, May 30, 2022

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Saturday, May 28, 2022

Friday, May 27, 2022

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Monday, May 23, 2022

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Friday, May 20, 2022

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

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