Daily Hope and Inspiration

Monday, February 14, 2022

Love is in the air!...

Lots of love in the air today!

Cards, candy, and flowers helping to seal the deal so to speak!

Remember folks, we each have a personal Valentine that loves unconditionally...

JUST AS WE ARE!

Deep in our heart exists the Holy Spirit that not only looks out for us and protects us when we allow it to, but also loves us unconditionally!

Don’t believe me, just check your experience!...

“He stood in the Presence of Infinite Power and Love.” Big Book pg 56

Lord, as we share this day with our loved ones today, let us remember Your ultimate unconditional love for us, AMEN.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Happy Valentine’s Day and…

Have a blessed day y’all!

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Sunday, February 13, 2022

Perception is a funny thing.

Maybe it’s different for you but my mind likes to try to lead me to believe things that are not actually true or as they appear.

I have learned the hard way that most things advertised as “free” generally have a cost associated somewhere.

Also, experience has taught me that most “easy” and “simple” things are either low in quality or not worth really having.

The good news is that I have learned over the years to trust my heart and not what my mind likes for me to believe.

The verse I am sharing today reminds me of this truth.

Check your experience…

“We trust infinite God rather than our finite selves.” Big Book pg. 68

Lord, let us look in our hearts and seek Your will when we are confused or uncertain, AMEN.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6

Have a blessed day Y'all!

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Saturday, February 12, 2022

No pain...no gain....

Maybe it's different for you, but I can honestly say that I do not enjoy pain of any kind in any form.

I don't intentionally go looking for it but I have learned that when I do find myself in pain, there is either a lesson to be learned or an experience to grow from if I look with a willing heart and open mind.

Staying spiritually fit is hard work but the benefits are immense.

Sobriety is not easy but the pains from gaining and maintaining it have brought me blessings far beyond what I deserve.

The same can be said for my journey to attain physical health and fitness.

God gives us the pain inside of every challenge to encourage us to find the benefit He has for us.

Check your experience...

"If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through." Big Book pg 83

Lord when we are in pain, please remind our hearts to seek the goodness we can gain from seeking Your will, AMEN.

"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5: 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!

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Friday, February 11, 2022

The “inner-net’ connection…

Plugged in, wired, and networked are terms we associate with our communications these days.

I am just glad I no longer need to figure out how to “interface” with folks!

Wi-Fi and internet are the connections we seem to chase the most these days as we rely more and more on social media to get our “message” out there to “build our brand”.

It sure feels like we need to constantly be networking ourselves to others in order to stay connected in today’s world.

How do we stay plugged in to the things that keep us grounded, stable, and secure?

What about our internal connection to God and the Holy Spirit?

I am grateful that I have been shown and taught to seek quiet time daily, and even hourly at times, to connect with God to stabilize my heart and quiet my mind.

When I do this, I become grounded and connected in the right way that makes my day go in the direction it needs to instead of more out of control.

How are you keeping your inner connection solid?..

Check your experience…

“In nearly all cases, their ideals must be grounded in a power greater than themselves,” Big Book pg xxviii

Lord, let us seek Your grace and guidance daily to be grounded securely in your will and not fall victim to the illusions of worldly clamors, AMEN.

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

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, February 10, 2022

Measuring our motives...

Way back when I was in grade school, every time we went to visit my father's Aunt Mabel, she would send me to visit her friend Mrs. Wheatley.

Now this was not fun for a 10 year old boy, but when the visit was over I would walk away with a big candy bar!

So I was always willing to pay a visit to Mrs. Wheatley.

Sadly today, that is the only thing I remember about Mrs. Wheatley.

Now y'all can say it's because I am old and my boyhood memories have faded, but the sad truth is my only motive in going was for the candy bar.

Have you ever participated in something purely for a self-serving gain?

Heck, I am guilty of that at times still to this very day!

My point is that when others are counting on us to be there, we should check ourselves and our motives to make sure we are there for the right reasons...

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 help me clear my mind of self-serving thoughts so that my heart can participate 100% for the right reasons based on Your will and not mine, AMEN

"All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord." Proverbs 16:2

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, February 9, 2022

What's in your heart?...

We all have this autopilot inside of us that handles our daily routine functions.

Breathing and walking are the obvious ones but what about those expected and meaningless interactions?

You know, like the store clerk or that same person you see daily in the hall or gym?

You have no emotional connection to them. They say "How are you doing? " and you say "fine" with no thought or effort.

Now what about when you need to either forgive someone or let go of something emotionally or pride fully?

Do you find yourself mouthing the words of the correct or expected response yet keeping your imagined control of it in your heart?

Perhaps that's why we stay needlessly hurt or angry.

We lock that thing in our heart yet act like it's gone.

God can fix that, but we must open our hearts and let go for real.

Check your experience...

"...he should understand that he must undergo a change of heart." Big Book pg 143.

Lord let us open our hearts to be filled with your Spirit and healed by your grace, AMEN.

"I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts." Isaiah 57:15

Have a blessed day y’all!

Please help us help others!

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Donate today!

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Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Our tricky minds…

Sometimes when I let my mind wander, it tries to take me down the path of doubt.

If I permit this “stinkin’ thinkin’” to continue then the path widens to include worry, fear, and ultimately negativity all fueled from my own self-will.

What helps me during these times is to remember that the answers are not in my head and that I am no longer in charge of me.

When I made the life changing decision to turn my will and my life over to God, HE became not only my “Employer” but also my mentor, guide, and rock.

I have learned to stay out of my own head and not go there by myself because it is filled with fear-based illusions fueled by the worldly clamors around us.

God has us covered.

He not only has us here for a purpose, but also, HE has a plan for us that we can easily understand if we seek His will daily...

Check your experience…

“We had a new Employer. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs.” Big Book pg 63

Lord, let us know in our hearts that You have a purpose and a plan for us that will keep us secure, successful, serene, and covered by Your grace, AMEN.

“God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.” Ephesians 2:10

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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Monday, February 7, 2022

Keep walking toward the light…

Have you ever stayed overnight in a hotel or even a friend’s home for the first time and had to find the light switch in the middle of the night?

Strange rooms and unfamiliar surroundings bring us confusion and we find ourselves moving slowly with caution. We know there is a light switch there somewhere, so we proceed forward, but ever so slowly because we don’t quite trust our new surroundings and environment.

Now think about this with me.

Isn’t our reaction the same when we encounter new or unforeseen pressures and circumstances in our lives?

How do we handle the new, uncomfortable, and unforeseen?

Now maybe it’s different for you, but over time I have learned to seek and trust God’s will in these unfamiliar situations, mainly because, even though I may be uncomfortable and lack experience with handling the situation,..

I trust in my faith and that God has me covered and will guide me through.

How about you?...

Check your experience…

“I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all.” Big Book pg 14

Lord, let us put our faith and trust in You and Your will for us when times get hard and we find ourselves in new or unfamiliar circumstances, AMEN.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing.” 2 Corinthians 4:8

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

Sunday, February 6, 2022

Different yet the same...

Observing people is a hobby of mine.

I enjoy learning from others and behavior is usually indicative of a person's habits.

Over the years I have seen a blessed pattern emerge when I learn from observing a fellow believer.

No matter what the action or activity is, the believer is doing it selflessly to help another without expectation of attention or recognition.

This has taught me to remain humble and to keep my focus on others as I continue to grow my relationship with Christ and build my ministry.

I constantly remind myself that this (whatever the "this" is) is not about me…

Check your experience…

"Helping others is the foundation stone" Big Book pg 97

Lord let our helping actions and activities be focused on helping others and not ourselves, AMEN.

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all." 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11

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!

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Saturday, February 5, 2022

What goes around COMES around…

Have you ever played with a bouncing ball?

Did you notice that it always comes back to you with the same force you give it?

Now I am not trying to teach physics, but the ball example contains today's spiritual thought.

I have learned over the years that my relationships with people, places, and things have the same effect.

We GET what we GIVE.

It's a spiritual principle.

When I treat others with grace, I get grace and when I throw out grief and negativity I get it right back.

Check your experience…

"Just to the extent that we do as we think He would have us, and humbly rely on Him, does He enable us to match calamity with serenity." Big Book pg 68

Lord, let us give others the same grace and joy that you freely give us, AMEN.

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you," Matthew 7:12

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

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Friday, February 4, 2022

Faith Over Fear...

So why is it that sometimes we think we are walking in faith yet we still have that feeling of doom, failure, and or fear in our heads?

Change brings this on more than anything for me.

Now maybe it’s different for you, but I have this crazy head and it sometimes doesn’t like to connect with my heart.

What I have learned, and mostly the hard way over the years, is that my self-will lives in my head and it loves to tell my heart what a loser and failure it thinks I am.

Thanks to God, AA, SCAA, CR, my Church, and a picket fence of friends, I have learned to tune that noise in my head out and focus on my heart where the Holy Spirit resides and directs me if I let Him.

So when I get that feeling that perhaps I am going to fail or things are not going to go right, I politely thank my head and then shut the door on those thoughts and focus on what my faith and my heart are saying to me.

How do you quiet your head so your heart can lead you?..

Check your experience…

“Here was something at work in a human heart which had done the impossible.” Big Book pg 11

Lord, let us turn out will and our lives over to Your care and direction daily, AMEN.

“And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” Luke 24:38

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!

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, February 3, 2022

Don’t turn a bad moment into a bad day…

Have you ever noticed that what you focus on influences how you feel and act?

For instance, playing with children can make some older folks feel young and more alive.

How about the feeling of accomplishment after completing a work out at the gym?

What about the uncomfortable and unpleasant parts of our day that we all have?

Have you ever noticed what happens when we focus on that?

It tends to drag us into the negative mindset and brings us down.

Now maybe it’s different for you, but I have found that when I enter into the unpleasant moments of my day, instead of focusing on the anticipation of the impending doom or negativity, I remind myself of all the good in my life and that this is just a moment in my day that will eventually pass.

I find that when I greet negative times with cheerfulness, the negativity has a hard time taking me hostage.

How’s that working out for you?..

Check your experience…

“We were prepared to look at it from an entirely different angle.” Big Book pg 66

Lord, let us walk through the negative times knowing this is but a moment but You are in our heart forever and that we have blessings awaiting us, AMEN.

“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Philippians 2:14-15

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

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Drop the doubt…

Facing the Giants is a movie close to my heart.

One of the scenes in the movie involves a young man that basically has been crippled by doubt in his abilities and it has spread to his faith.

Luckily, he has a few men in his life that see this and help him to work through his doubts and embrace faith not only in his abilities but also grow his faith in God.

This reminds me look at myself and examine the areas in my life where doubt has invaded to limit my belief in myself and the power of Jesus.

My experience has taught me that when I drop the doubt and replace it with faith in myself and the Lord, amazing things happen.

What areas of your life are controlled by doubt and holding you back?..

Check your experience…

“I was to sit quietly when in doubt, asking only for direction and strength to meet my problems as He would have me.” Big Book pg 13

Lord, let us drop our doubts and replace them with faith in ourselves and You, AMEN.

“Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more… You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Matthew 21-21:22

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!

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Tuesday, February 1, 2022

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!

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!

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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