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Adam Dooley

Jan 07
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The Beauty of Brokenness

By Brokenness, Christian Living, Grief, Trials No Comments

It was not my best sermon.

After being away from my congregation for six weeks, the induction phase of my son’s chemotherapy ended, and we returned home from the Memphis Ronald McDonald House. Though he was now in remission, 128 consecutive weeks of treatment remained in order to prevent him from relapsing with leukemia. We were tired, emotionally spent, and fearful of what lay ahead of us.

With my pastoral duties resuming, I decided to preach through the Old Testament book of Job. What I did not anticipate, however, was the uncontrollable emotion I felt when I opened my Bible and began to speak. As an active participant in the story, the passage I read was neither theoretical nor flat. Each verse struck a different emotive cord as I shared about the inevitability of trials in a fallen world. And with every insight I explained, it seemed as though God was speaking directly to me through His Word.

That’s when the tears began to flow. At first, I was embarrassed. The vulnerability of the moment left me exposed like never before, and frankly, I did not like it. The more I tried to pull it together the less composure I seemed to have. Yet, as God carried me through the message, His strength was perfected through my weakness in an obvious way. I realized, perhaps for the first time, that God usually breaks us before He uses us.

Then, in a moment of spiritual clarity, I felt unexplainable joy. Joy because the Holy Spirit was so obviously present and active. Joy because others were benefitting from my hardship. Joy because of the manifest power of God’s Word. And joy because, unlike anything before or since, I needed the realities that I dared to proclaim. Don’t get me wrong, I never really doubted any of the doctrines in Scripture, but my son’s cancer forced me to lean on the Lord’s promises like I had not previously. When we move from merely explaining Scripture for the benefit of others to experiencing the same truth for ourselves, life change occurs.

Such is the beauty of brokenness.

Earthly pain is often God’s chosen method to help us live out the eternal truths we claim to believe (James 1:2-4). He sometimes uses unexpected affliction to add the depth of experience to the width of our knowledge (Psalm 147:3). Pastors in particular face the constant danger of being educated beyond their obedience level.

Without discipline, we will arrogantly project outward images of ourselves that contradict the inward realities of who we are. Even if unintentionally, we may prop up the professional holy man persona in an effort to meet the expectations of the people we serve. Hypocrisies like these will not only render us ineffective, but also jeopardize the health and vitality of our souls. Adversity usually represents a divine invitation toward greater authenticity. Tears, as unwelcome as they might be, are a powerful instrument to help us glory more in our Savior than ourselves (Psalm 6:8). The destination of obedience is often at the end of affliction’s road (Psalm 119:67).

So, I no longer run from the tears. And neither should you.

Today’s heartache may become a future pillow with which you can comfort others who are hurting (2 Cor. 1:3-4). In His goodness, God is thoroughly more strategic with our trials than we are, often allowing His children to share with others the strength and consolation they received directly from Him. One reason every believer needs to live in Christian community is the collaborative strength we find through the shared experiences of the body (Heb. 10:23-25).

God’s preachers are not immune from the burdens this requires or the blessings it produces. The Lord instructs us to love one another (Rom. 13:8), bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32), comfort one another (1 Thess. 4:18), pray for one another (James 5:16), teach and admonish one another (Col. 3:16), and serve one another (1 Peter 4:10).

Additionally, every trial is a potential platform for your declaring the gospel and demonstrating genuine faith (Phil. 1:12-14). Though it seems counterintuitive, our most powerful opportunities to be witnesses for Jesus will often come when our lives are falling apart. Because unbelievers frequently dismiss Christianity as unnecessary at best or a crutch at worst, observing faithful saints who suffer well is a powerful jolt of reality that opens wayward hearts to the claims of Christ. When non-Christians encounter the sustaining faith of a weary saint, the result is powerfully inspirational.

Better still is the hope that our troubles are often doorways that lead to deeper intimacy with Christ as our faith is proven and stretched (1 Peter 1:6-9). Perhaps one of the greater pitfalls of ministry is losing our passion for Christ in exchange for our pursuit of ministerial success and recognition. Hardships often serve as a needed wakeup call to remind us that the great reward of our faith is Christ Himself. As he recounted all that he lost to pursue Jesus, the Apostle Paul joyfully boasted that it was all . . .

  • . . . for the sake of Christ (Phil. 3:7).
  • . . . that he might gain Christ (Phil. 3:8).
  • . . . to be found Him (Phil. 3:9).
  • . . . that he might know Him (Phil. 3:10).

Apart from suffering, we simply cannot learn about God or relate to Him on an intimate level.  Believing God is real and present is one thing. Trusting that He is enough no matter what you face is another matter entirely. Though we are quite capable of cognitively grasping these ideas, we cannot embrace them fully until we experience their reality for ourselves. Trials force us to move beyond superficial knowledge about Jesus into a meaningful, daily walk with Him. Much to our chagrin, the power of Christ’s resurrection is always preceded by the fellowship in His sufferings (Phil. 3:10).

No matter how God chooses to enter your pain and regardless of how many tears you shed, remember that He promises to wipe each one of them away (Rev. 21:4) and collects them in a bottle (Psa. 56:8). Against the backdrop of eternity, all trials are temporary. Isaiah prophesied of a day when “they will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9).”

No wonder “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom. 8:18).”  The Lord has the final say about all our adversities. When we worship through our deepest valleys our present struggles wilt under the magnificent shadow of the future.

Behind every tear that falls and every heartache we carry, God is actively working all things together for good for those who know Him and love Him (Rom. 8:28). Even on our darkest days, we can trust that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5-6). Though life is sometimes too short to heal all our hurts, the hindsight of eternity will make all things clear. Ironically, trials that make us doubt God’s purposes on this earth will lead us to praise His plans in heaven. Tears have a way of keeping our hope anchored to a world to which we’ve never been.

Maybe that sermon wasn’t so bad after all.

Adam B. Dooley
January 7, 2026

Dec 30
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Eyes on the Future

By Christian Living, Future, Priorities, Sanctification No Comments

What would you like for your life to be like one year from now? What about five years from today? Or ten? How about twenty years from now? What are the goals and ambitions that drive your life? With a New Year unfolding, what are the dreams that have you putting pen to paper in the form of resolutions and objectives?

Admittedly, not all our aspirations are pleasing to the Lord. Without a renewed mind, many of our daydreams quickly morph into selfish pursuits that dishonor God. So, if I could narrow the focus just a bit, how do you hope to become more like your Savior in the next twelve months? In what ways will you seek to grow His kingdom and serve His people? How do you hope the world will be a bit different because you are in it?

Certainly, we are in no position to presume tomorrow because, for some, it will not come (Luke 12:16-21). Nor should we seek to predict tomorrow because, despite our most informed calculations, not one of us knows what the future holds (James 4:14). Yet, wisdom still requires that we prepare for tomorrow in order to position ourselves for the Lord’s work and plan (James 4:15).

As 2026 unfolds, the Apostle Paul offers the practical guidance we need to ready ourselves for whatever lies ahead. Desiring to know Christ, both in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship His sufferings, God’s servant opens his heart of resolve for us to see and emulate (Phil. 3:10). By doing so, Paul demonstrates the balance of living in the moment while also anticipating what comes next. Continued growth as a Christian without haughty presumption requires three core commitments.

First, realize that the present can be deceiving. With uncanny humility and raw transparency, Paul acknowledges that he is neither perfect nor entirely mature in his faith (Phil. 3:12a). Remarkably, one of history’s greatest Christians was under no illusion that he had the right to boast of his present growth or condition. Though Paul had developed tremendously since his conversion, he laments, “I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet (Phil. 3:13a).” In other words, our commitment to Christ is ever evolving and, this side of heaven, always has room to deepen and expand.

Such an honest assessment is important because of our tendency to exaggerate our accomplishments and minimize our failures. Our descriptions of the “good old days” paint them much brighter than they really were. Likewise, our appraisal of the present often lacks accuracy due to our stubborn pride. Thus, Scripture repeatedly warns us of the danger of thinking too highly of ourselves (Rom. 12:3).

When is the last time you sat alone with an open Bible and prayerfully asked God how you are doing spiritually? Can you identify your shortcomings? Do you allow compromised commitments to remain? Is your heart cold toward God? Are you guilty of simply going through the religious motions of Christianity?

With schedules that move at the speed of light, we seldom notice when our intimacy with God begins to wane. Our faith can easily devolve into performance mode because we tend to prize what people think of us more than what the Lord knows about us. If God’s missionary to the Gentiles had not arrived in his faith, it is safe to say that neither have we!

Second, refuse to let the past distract you. “One thing I do,” wrote Paul, “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead (Phil. 3:13b).” With singular focus, he strategically released what came before in order to take hold of the future that was coming. Doing so is easier said than done. Unfortunately, the past often functions as an anchor to which we cling rather than a platform from which we launch. Both positive and negative experiences can keep us bound by what has already occurred.

Sometimes our past sin intimidates us. Before his declaration for the future, Paul admitted his great regret over his previous transgressions. As a persecutor of the church, he murdered others and blasphemed God due to the blindness of his heart (Phil. 3:6). Perhaps you can relate. Is there a past sin that haunts you so much you cannot let it go? Maybe a previous act of adultery causes you shame? Maybe an exposed lie has left you embarrassed to show your face?  Maybe an abortion long ago still haunts your soul? Maybe a failedcommitment continues to overcome you with guilt?

Or could it be that past suffering scars you? Paul was all too familiar with the hardships of faithfully walking with the Lord, including beatings, crimes, poverty, and the general burdens of life (2 Cor. 11:23-27). If anyone was vulnerable to bitterness or resentment toward others, it was God’s apostle! Undoubtedly, there is pain in your rearview mirror that letting go of is difficult, too. If friends betray us, it stings. If a spouse deserts you, it is lifechanging. If death rears its ugly head unexpectedly, it breaks our hearts. Traumas like these can be tough to shake.

On the other extreme, our past successes can often disillusion us. Some carry the burden of their inability to measure up in the present to the glory of years gone by. Paul’s recollection of his previous accomplishments reminds us that former blessings can weigh us down just as much as preceding trials (Phil. 3:4-6). Was your past so fulfilling that everything you do now leaves you frustrated and lacking? Do you find it impossible to live up to your prior accolades?

In all these instances, the key to our continued sanctification and growth is our refusal to dwell on the past. For some, turning the page to a new chapter of living will be the greatest victory in 2026. Learn from the past but refuse to live in it. Whatever you formerly counted as gain, consider it loss for the sake of Christ (Phil. 3:7).

Finally, let your progress in the Lord motivate you. “I press on,” Paul continued, “so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:12b).” The goal was to seize whatever God had seized him for! Understanding that the Lord has a particular intention for your life is a necessary step toward living according to His design. With eyes fixed on finishing well, we should labor with vigor and concentration for the upward call of God (Phil. 3:14). Living without regrets requires a holy ambition to realize God’s unique purpose for our lives.

We should channel every passion, skill, and opportunity for the glory of God. What natural abilities or impulses fulfill you? Is it encouraging the hurting? Crunching numbers? Building a business? Creating a peaceful home? Understanding and teaching difficult concepts? The possibilities are endless, but every skill set is a tool to point others to Christ while also becoming more like Him. Use your personality and gifts as a means of spiritual growth and development. Socially, financially, professionally, recreationally, and vocationally, the goal is the same—to look for and submit to God’s will for our lives.

In addition, disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, sharing your faith, serving others and intentional generosity will surely transform your walk with the Lord. The small, seemingly mundane parts of life—details like how we use our time, how we treat other people, and what food we put into our bodies—will have an impact as well.

Foundational to all these commitments is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the doorway to trusting God, the way to acknowledge God, and the first step down the narrow road of walking with God. My prayer for you, and all in our community, is that you will experience God’s best in the coming year.

How will you reach for God in 2026? How will your life be different one year from now? In what ways will you be more like Christ? Here’s to taking hold of the future that God has for each of us!

Adam B. Dooley
December 30, 2025

Dec 24
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A Christmas Prayer for Jackson, Tennessee

By Christmas, Prayer No Comments

Heavenly Father, as we gather in our homes with the people we love this Christmas, fill our hearts with the true meaning of the season. Thank You for sending Your only begotten Son into a dark, sinful world as the way, the truth, and the life. We acknowledge that Jesus is the only name under heaven by which we might be saved and that there is salvation in no other. We marvel over His miraculous virgin birth, His humble arrival in Bethlehem, His sinless life and miracles, His sacrificial death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection from the dead.

Realizing that Jesus’ birth fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies, we renew our confidence in and commitment to Your Holy Word, the Bible. We acknowledge its divine inspiration and inerrancy. Use Your Scripture, God, as a light to our path and a lamp to our feet in the coming year. Forgive us when we lean on our own understanding rather than acknowledging Your ways. Transform our minds so that we do not conform to the misguided ways of this world.

Grant us the wisdom to turn from our sins, the humility to confess our transgressions, and the faith to look to Christ alone for the forgiveness we need. Cover us, we pray, with Your mercy and cleansing. Forgive us for expecting Your continual blessings while we simultaneously ignore Your commands. Forgive us for suppressing truth in the name of tolerance. Forgive us for embracing moral confusion in the name of freedom. Forgive us for celebrating perversion in the name of entertainment.

In our churches Lord, we pray for renewal. Forgive our Laodicean arrogance, which leads us to boast in our strength while denying our wretchedness. Forgive us for offering worldly solutions to spiritual problems, for turning the gospel into therapeutic deism, for justifying materialism in the name of personal comfort, and for jettisoning the truth of Scripture for the convenience of political correctness. Bring us back to the foot of the cross and the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

As our pride and arrogance fade, we pray that the peace promised at Jesus’ birth would become a reality here in Jackson. Pour Your Spirit out on us, heavenly Father, bringing spiritual renewal and revival to our city. Awaken those who do not know You, bringing them to repentance. Raise up men and women of faith who will stand firm on Your Word, unashamed of the Gospel, and courageous in the face of opposition. Transform our city into a beacon of light and hub of truth for surrounding areas.

Lord, break the chains of addiction, heal broken lives, and restore what the enemy has stolen from us. Set men and women free from alcohol and drug abuse. End the horrific crime of human trafficking. Restore marriages on the verge of divorce. Provide every child in our city a safe home where they are loved and cared for. Help us to value the unborn, celebrate the elderly, and encourage every age in between. Protect the most vulnerable among us, we pray.

We lift our civic leaders and those in authority. Grant them wisdom, integrity, and courage to govern according to Your righteousness. Help them to pursue justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You. Protect our first responders, law enforcement officers, and healthcare workers as they serve among us. Strengthen those who seek the best for our community and expose those who seek to do it harm.

For our families, we ask for Your divine provision and guidance. Preserve every marriage, restore broken relationships, and equip every parent to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Guard our homes from harmful influences that lead us away from truth. Help us to model obedience and faith to the next generation, to honor Christ together, and to forgive one another quickly. For those families that are hurting or suffering loss this Christmas, we ask for Your comfort.

Lord, realizing that every good and perfect gift comes from You, we pray Your greatest blessings will rest on our city. May the joy of Your presence and the comfort of Your peace abide on every street, in every neighborhood, and across our community. We dedicate our city to You, O Lord. May Your will be done here as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Adam B. Dooley
December 24, 2025

Dec 17
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The Tensions of Christmas

By Christmas, Comfort, Doubt, Murder, Obedience, Salvation, Second Coming, Waiting No Comments

For many, images of glowing lights, nostalgic carols, bountiful tables, and family gatherings are synonymous with Christmas. Jubilant declarations of peace on earth and good will toward men warm our hearts with the hope of Jesus Christ. Yet, amidst our celebrations is a dark underbelly that, though suppressed, competes for our attention every December. The tension between the nativity story’s promises and the world’s fallen realities can be jarring.

Thus, in what is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, our grief feels sharper. Our burdens seem heavier. Our conflicts appear more irreparable. Our brokenness becomes impossible to mask. Loneliness chases us mercilessly at Christmas. The deafening silence of an empty chair at the family table exposes our hidden sorrow. Our anguish, doubt, and anxiety compound while the world around us makes merry. The burdens of life can easily steal our festive joy.

These tensions should not surprise us.

We quickly forget that imperial injustice forced Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem on the first Christmas, making their already impoverished lives more difficult (Luke 2:1-7). Once they arrived, there was no room nor compassion for them at the local inn. All the while, in the background, were harsh, gossipy believers who reeked of superiority as they whispered about a pregnancy mistakenly assumed to be illegitimate. Circumstances like these were hardly joyful or triumphant.

In the months following our Savior’s birth, Herod plotted Jesus’ demise even as magi from the east were anxious to celebrate His arrival (Matt. 2). Matthew’s account of Bethlehem’s welcome reception for Jesus is nothing like a sentimental postcard, but abounds with jealousy, injustice, sin, and suffering instead. The contrasting hatred of King Herod with the hopeful presence of the wisemen exposes the same tension we often feel at Christmas even today (Matt. 2:1-12).

The good guys and villains in this familiar story are easy to identify. Perceiving the Christ child as a threat to his fragile kingdom, Herod plots to kill the toddler (Matt. 2:8). Equally offensive in the narrative are the religious leaders who knew exactly where the Messiah would be born but refused to worship Him due to their own insecurities (Matt. 2:4-6). The ordeal is not without hope, though. The presence of the magi is proof that Jesus would be a Savior for Jew and Gentile alike. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were fitting for the newborn King (Matt. 2:9-11).

The point is not, however, that we should celebrate some while loathing others. Matthew wants us to stop and consider who we are more like. Do we put our hope in Jesus, or do we express hate for Jesus? Before answering, we should acknowledge that the answer may not be as simple as it seems.

Far too often we are much more like Herod than we care to admit. Without scriptural diligence, we may very well worship a god made in our own image rather than the biblical Jesus. One who exists to make us happy. One who requires nothing of us and gives everything to us. One who is anxious to build our kingdom rather than his own. Could this be why we love the festivities of the season, but scoff at the notion of God’s holiness? Or that we are willing to bellow out Christmas hymns while simultaneously enjoying our blatant disobedience to God’s Word?

We might sing O Little Town of Bethlehem without having any interest in worshipping Jesus in every place, every day. We might sing O Holy Night without the slightest intention of living a life of holiness and obedience. We might sing Away in a Manger without being anxious for God to have His way in our lives. We might even ask Mary Did You Know? while never considering what we know and how it impacts our daily lives. Like Herod, we can easily be guilty of craving our own kingdom and doing anything to get it. Like the chief priests and scribes, we might choose to ignore what we know from Scripture simply because it interferes with our lust for power or influence.

And this is precisely the problem.

Tipping our hat toward Christ is not equal to bowing to Him as our King. Our Savior requires more than our leftovers. Mere acknowledgment of Jesus for the sake of the season is not salvation. He desires to be more than a good luck charm that justifies any means we choose in pursuit of our goals and aspirations. Christ refuses to be remade in our image. Part of the tension we feel is due to our chasing dreams that are outside of His will. Herod may very well be staring back at us in the mirror.

But, even when our lives resemble the worshipful hope of the wisemen, we remain in a broken world where many of God’s promises have yet to be realized. Sinful consequences obnoxiously obscure the comforting future reserved for the saints. Thus, we find ourselves waiting for what will be even though it currently is not. The tension is real, but Christmas is an invitation to keep going when you do not understand God’s ways, do not agree with His timing, and do not feel His presence.

Adam B. Dooley
December 17, 2025

Dec 10
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The Forgotten Gifts of Christmas

By Christmas, Hope, Surrender, Uncategorized, Worship No Comments

Most have heard the ancient proverb, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Some trace the pithy premise back to Aesop’s fable of a fox that lived in such proximity to a lion that he was terribly afraid. Over time, though, the interaction between the animals became more casual. Soon, the fox strolled up to the lion, only to be devoured as a result.

No matter the origin, the principle is painfully clear. Constant exposure to anything can dull our sense of awe, gratitude, and reverence. Certainly, the lesson applies to the holy realities of our faith. Much to our chagrin, our commitment sometimes grows cold and our enthusiasm tends to wane. Regarding Christmas specifically, genuine Christians would never show open contempt for the nativity, but our familiarity can rob us of its joy.

Think I am overstating our pattern? When the is the last time you pondered the details surrounding Jesus’ birth? Do you still find the gift of God’s Son touching? Or, has the most remarkable story in history become mere wallpaper amidst a busy holiday schedule? Is it possible for us to understand what Christmas is about without being moved by it anymore?  Sadly, we are quite capable of singing carols, attending services, and hanging decorations while our hearts barely flicker.

A quick survey of the first Christmas, however, paints a dramatically different picture. The wonder and astonishment of Mary uncovers what I refer to as the Forgotten Gifts of Christmas (Luke 1:46-56). Her perspective is the spiritual antidote to our seasonal boredom.

Admittedly, some have erroneously exalted the mother of our Lord to the place of God. Nowhere does Scripture instruct us to worship Mary or offer her our prayers. She did not live in perpetual virginity nor was she free from original sin. Yet, we ignore this godly woman to our peril. Her example is both inspirational and instructive.

Mary reminds us that worship is a gift. After the annunciation of Gabriel (Luke 1:28-37), Jesus’ mother marveled with worship, exalting the Lord for His grace (Luke 1:46). At this moment, God was bigger to Mary than ever before. His greatness loomed large as she contemplated that her Son would save God’s people from their sins (Luke 1:31). As God in human flesh, Jesus stepped out of eternity into time so that one day He could take us out of time into eternity. Even more, these realities were the messianic fulfillment of promises made to King David long ago (Luke 1:32-33; 2 Sam. 7:12-13).

Additionally, Mary understood that she, too, needed a Savior (Luke 1:47). Realizing her humble state, the teenager from Nazareth knew she had nothing to offer the Lord (Luke 1:48). She could no more save herself by good works than she could have chosen to have a child as a virgin. Thus, Mary became a disciple of Jesus even before she held Him as a mother. We, too, come to Christ empty handed. The only recourse is to admit our need, plead our guilt, and revere the Lord with our worship and praise (Luke 1:50).

Mary reminds us that surrender is a gift. By identifying herself as the Lord’s bondslave, Mary highlights her complete submission to the will of God. With the same posture that Jesus would later carry into Gethsemane (Luke 22:39–46), she yields to God’s desire and plan (Luke 1:38). The profundity of her commitment is often lost on us because we remember Mary as a heroine of the faith. Our modern accolades quickly gloss over the upheaval caused by her holy visitation.

At just 12-14 years old, Mary was busy planning her life with Joseph. She was probably giddy over how handsome he was. Likely, her mind was full of dreams about their first home together and how many children they might have. Then, in a dramatic moment marked by the stress of potential misunderstanding, Mary realized that hers was a story that few would believe. How would she explain it to Joseph? What would her family say? What would her friends think? Would the wedding still happen? Would anyone ever believe that she was still a woman of integrity?

Yet, with resolute determination, Mary insisted, “May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38).” Soon, God settled her heart in the home of Elizabeth where John the Baptist leapt in the womb due to the presence of God (Luke 1:39-45). By saying yes to the Lord, Mary experienced her Savior in a personal way.

The same is true for us. For some, surrender means receiving Christ as your Lord and Savior. For others, it will require formalizing membership in the church home of your choice. Yielding to God may result in baptism, service, giving, or sharing with others. But nothing unleashes the presence of God in our lives like surrendering ourselves fully to Him.

Finally, Mary reminds us that hope is a gift. Often forgotten this time of year is that God promises to make the world right and new. Luke emphasizes these themes by listing a series of role reversals where God scatters the proud, exalts the humble, and fills the hungry (Luke 1:51-53). In an age where the ruthless get ahead, the elite lord themselves over others, and the wealthy ignore the needs of the poor, Christmas encourages us that God will have the final say. Tis the season for Him with whom nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37)!

The hope of the nativity is not merely for Mary and Joseph, or even for Israel, but all spiritual descendants of Abraham as well (Luke 1:54-55). Because God took care of Abraham and Mary, He will take care of you and me, too, along with all of those who are in Christ Jesus.

Adam B. Dooley
December 10, 2025

Dec 03
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The Best Christmas Article Ever

By Christmas, Grace, Salvation No Comments

If I were to ask you to name the best Christmas movies of all time, I am confident several titles would make the list: It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street,  A Christmas Carol,  A Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas,  Home Alone, and Elf (no, Die Hard is NOT a Christmas movie).

No matter how many times you’ve watched these holiday films, chances are you will do it again this year, and every year, when Christmas rolls around. Box office hits like these become as much a part of our seasonal tradition as the music we listen to, the decorations we hang, or the food we enjoy.

Rarely, however, does a new movie come along that you instantly expect to enjoy from now on. Last Christmas, however, with the theatrical release of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, I knew immediately we would share it as a family every December. Based on the children’s book written by Barbara Robinson in 1972, the play tells the story of the Herdman children, the meanest kids in town, who took over the local Christmas pageant even though they had never heard the Nativity story.

Seeing the events surrounding Jesus’ birth through their inquisitive eyes offers a powerful reminder of what our favorite holiday is all about. Frankly, their fresh perspective is a needed experience for all Christians. Surprisingly, “the worst kids in the history of the world” have much to teach us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Their mere presence in the storyline reinforces the biblical truth that Christmas is a season for outcasts.

Don’t believe me? Even a cursory reading of Jesus’ genealogy reveals our categorical bias often identified as THOSE PEOPLE. I may fall short, we reason, but not like THOSE PEOPLE. I need salvation, but not as badly as THOSE PEOPLE. Church is for everybody, but THOSE PEOPLE would not be comfortable here. Yet, despite our internal prejudices, the family tree of our Lord is full of every kind of reject imaginable.

Consider the five women listed in our Savior’s lineage. For a society dominated by men, where the testimony of females was inadmissible in court, including these names was taboo. Amidst 39 recorded fathers, these five women stick out like thorns in a rose. Just as strange, though, are the female names omitted. Matriarchs like Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah are absent in exchange for Tamar (Matt. 1:3), Rahab (Matt. 1:5), Ruth (Matt. 1:5), Bathsheba (Matt. 1:6), and Mary (Matt. 1:16).

Four of these five women were Gentiles of the worst kind. Tamar and Rahab belonged to the forbidden Canaanites, a people known for their wickedness (Deut. 9:4-5). Ruth was a Moabite, a people descended from incestuous Lot (Gen. 19:30-38). Bathsheba was a Hittite by marriage to Uriah (2 Sam. 11:3). Jews viewed each of these groups as unclean by birth.

Even more remarkable is that three of these women were moral outcasts as well. Each experienced sexual liaisons that would have made Hollywood blush. Matthew hints at one such sordid affair by saying, “Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar (Matt. 1:3).” The statement hearkens back to the book of Genesis, where Tamar dressed as a prostitute in order to deceive Judah into fathering her child (Gen. 38).

Next, the record reveals that “Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab (Matt. 1:5).” We tend to be more familiar with Rahab because the New Testament heralds her as a hero of the faith (Heb. 11:31; James 2:25). In light of her later praise, it is easy to forget that what Tamar pretended to be, Rahab actually was—a prostitute.

Finally, the Bible’s curious way of referring to Bathsheba should not be lost on us. Matthew says bluntly, “David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah (Matt. 1:6).” With no effort to hide the uncomfortable truth, Scripture reminds us that Bathsheba was an adulterer.

But what is the point of all this dirty laundry? Simply, the invite list for the biblical Christmas party had a lot of unexpected guests. These were not people who felt comfortable in church. They were not family members you would be eager to tell others about. They were outcasts.

By the way, the more recognizable, respectable names on Matthew’s list were not all that impressive either. They, too, were outcasts. Two times he mentions King David (Matt. 1:1, 6). Yet, in addition to being an adulterer with Bathsheba, Israel’s most famous king was also a murderer who plotted to have the husband of his mistress killed (2 Sam. 11:1-27).

When Abraham’s name appears (Matt. 1:1-2) it conjures up images of Israel’s greatest patriarch. Nonetheless, a closer examination of Old Testament history exposes his devastating flaws. Twice Abraham denied his wife, Sarah, allowing Pharaoh to violate her (Gen. 12:10-20, 20:1-18). Worse still, he repeatedly doubted God’s promises throughout his life (Gen. 12-21).

Each name surveyed bears similar outcomes. Judah, the father of the messianic tribe, sold his brother Joseph into slavery (Matt. 1:3). Solomon, the wisest king who ever lived, surrounded himself with hundreds of wives (Matt. 1:7). Despite his reforms, Hezekiah felt morally superior (Matt. 1:9). Wicked kings like Abijah, Joram, Ahaz, Manasseh, Amon, and Jeconiah presided over the decline and demise of the nation.

Some lived as social outcasts because their sins were open and bare, while others functioned as secret outcasts because their transgressions were hidden beneath the surface. And the same is true for us.

We are all outcasts by nature. Christmas is a reminder that none are so bad that they cannot be saved, but none are so good that they need not be saved either. Jesus was born through sinners, for sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Jesus’ family tree proves that God will accept those whom the world rejects if you abandon your sin and come to the Father through the Son. The Lord is willing to meet us in our failures, because that is where we need Him most.

Adam B. Dooley
December 3, 2025

Nov 27
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To Whom Are You Thankful?

By America, Christian Living, Gratitude, Thanksgiving No Comments

Without diminishing the various religious festivals that preceded it across the ocean, most recognize the holiday called Thanksgiving as a uniquely American tradition. Before appreciating the role of US presidents who helped to normalize the observance of the holiday, however, we would do well to commemorate the noble intentions of Separatist Puritans who, due to their inability to reform the Church of England, sailed across the Atlantic in search of the freedom to establish an English-speaking society that was robustly committed Scripture. Despite efforts of modern revisionists to downplay the distinctly Christian motivations of the pilgrims, their stated mission in the Mayflower Compact was “for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith.”

When the Puritans arrived in the New World in November of 1620, the harsh New England winter coupled with starvation and disease nearly did them in. Before the cold months subsided, only 53 of the 102 pilgrims on the Mayflower survived. Thankful to be alive, they, according to the first governor of Plymouth Colony, “fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over this vast and furious ocean.” From the very beginning of the American experiment, gratitude to Almighty God, even in the midst of tremendous hardship was at the forefront of colonial life.

Realizing the continued theme of God’s faithful provisions, our first president, George Washington, declared a National Day of Thanksgiving in order to offer prayers to the “Lord and Ruler of Nations.” In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln, after extolling the divine blessings upon our country, offered a Thanksgiving Proclamation wherein he encouraged the last Thursday of November as a day of praise to our “beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” Following the same pattern during World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt sought national gratitude in the midst of a difficult season even as he formalized the federal calendar to include the Thanksgiving holiday. He pleaded with Americans to “bear more earnest witness to our gratitude to Almighty God.”

If nothing else, these historical realities remind us that Thanksgiving is more about WHOM we give thanks to than WHAT we give thanks for. Each year I always chuckle when I read about atheist and humanist groups attempting to express appreciation to no one in particular when the fourth Thursday of November rolls around. Some will merely voice gratitude to family and friends (we can learn much about the value of esteeming the people in our lives). The notion of secular grace, however, leaves many worshipping the universe or luck in general. Not only is this logically and theologically inadequate, but it is also a colossal waste of time. Giving thanks, by its very nature, requires that someone be there to receive it.

Even with a cursory reading of God’s Word, the theme of thankfulness emerges. King David instructed, appointed, and admonished leaders in Israel to offer thanks to God after settling the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16). He tells the people to make God’s deeds known (16:8), to speak of God’s wonders (16:9), to glory in God’s name (16:10), to remember God’s work (16:12), to proclaim the good tidings of God’s salvation (16:23), and to ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name (16:28-29).  Then, at a high point of praise, David admonishes: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting (1 Chronicles 16:34).”

Neither time nor space will permit me to cite all the verses extolling the virtue of thankfulness. My personal favorite simply reads, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:18).” Thanklessness is a form of independence from God, which is nothing more than practical atheism in disguise. Giving thanks not only reminds us that God is real, but also that He is both active and benevolent in our lives.

So, join me this week, and every week, in giving thanks to the Lord for the magnificent work of His hands. Count your blessings and voice your love and appreciation to the Father above (Psalm 105:1). On your good days and on your bad days, remember the will of God and give Him thanks through everything season of life. (Eph. 5:20).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Adam B. Dooley
November 27, 2025

Nov 24
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Why Should We Trust God?

By Christian Living, Doubt, Faith, God, Trust No Comments

Do you trust me? That was the question I heard from one of my sons as he, through a sly grin, begged me to sit down. Because he was unaware that I saw him slip the Whoopee Cushion beneath me, his efforts to persuade his dad were even more entertaining to me than what was about to happen would be to him.

Perhaps you’ve heard a similar insistence from someone you love. Whether it is lighter moments or more serious matters, we frequently reassure the people that we love in both word and deed that we are trustworthy. The counsel parents offer their children, for example, roots itself in trust.

When the right decision is painful, a father reminds his son—trust me.

When the high road is costly, a mother might plead—trust me.

When future outcomes seem uncertain, parents reassure with the words—trust us.

Ultimately, who we choose to trust will determine both the course and quality of our lives. These instances, though, reveal an important lesson about trustworthiness. Who we trust depends largely upon a person’s character and their perceived motive. With that in mind, let me ask the most important question of all; do you trust God? Do you trust Him with your future? Do you trust Him with your fortune? Do you trust Him with your loved ones? Do you trust Him to forgive you when you stray? Do you trust Him with your life? And your soul? Do you trust Him enough to follow Him into tomorrow even if today is a disappointment? If so, why? And if not, what would convince you to do so?

Thankfully, tucked away in the Old Testament book of Isaiah are at least four significant reasons why we should trust God with our whole heart. First, we learn that ours is a God who satisfies fully. Immediately after describing the future suffering of the coming Messiah (Isa. 53:1-12), the prophet offered three profound images of how greatly we should rejoice over God’s grace in our lives. Because blessings are a miracle, we should celebrate them like a barren woman who conceives a child (Isa. 54:1-3). When the shame of our sin disappears, we enjoy relief like an adulterous woman who receives forgiveness and comfort from her husband (Isa. 54:4-10). After the provisions of God flow abundantly into our lives, we praise Him like citizens of a previously poor city now covered in jewels (Isa. 54:11-12).

Following these powerful metaphors is an invitation to all who will hear it—Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters (Isa. 55:1). In other words, God’s grace is about more than surviving; it is about thriving! Come and drink deeply from the rivers of mercy and find out how wonderfully satisfying Christ is for yourself. Don’t just think about it—COME! Don’t make excuses—COME! Don’t look for loopholes—COME! Don’t delay responding—COME (Rev. 22:17)!

Second, the prophet teaches us that we serve a God who loves deeply. Though Isaiah was primarily the Lord’s messenger to Israel’s southern kingdom, next he reveals that God’s intentions are much bigger than any one nation (Isa. 55:4-5). The promised Son born of a virgin in Bethlehem (Isa. 7:14; 9:6) came to suffer for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16). God’s love is bigger than just one group of people. His love is bigger than one nation. His love is bigger than one generation. God loves all people at all times in every place.

Currently, the world boasts of 195 countries and God loves them all. There are 650 ethnic groups across the globe and God loves them all. There are 24 time zones on planet earth and God loves them all. There just under 8 billion people alive right now and God loves each one of them. That means that God loves YOU and all of His instructions are for your good.

Third, we learn that we have a God who forgives completely. I suspect the reason that we sometimes doubt God’s love for us is because our sins are greater than we care to admit. Yet, the Lord desires that we seek and find Him (Isa. 55:6) knowing that if we forsake our sins, He will have compassion on us by abundantly pardoning every sinner (Isa. 55:7). While total cleansing is available to all because of God’s love, only those who thoroughly repent will know its joy. If this promise seems too good to be true, remember that God is not like us and His ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8-9).

Finally, we discover the guarantee that the Bible reveals a God who succeeds eternally. Stated differently, He always accomplishes exactly what He desires and precisely what He says. Just as rain and snow water the earth before evaporating, so God’s Word will always accomplish His work (Isa. 55:10-11). And what does Scripture promise God’s people? Joy, peace, celebration, and renewal (Isa. 55:12-13). Granted, these poetic realities felt true after God rescued Israel from Babylonian captivity, but Isaiah is also forecasting a future reality yet to occur.

One day, Christ will return and our broken world will be made right. He will wipe the tears from our eyes, swallow up death in victory, end our mourning, and remove our pain (Rev. 21:4-5). Every page of the Bible echoes this message and, because God always succeeds in His plans, you can trust that it is completely and remarkably true. So, if you’re already walking with God, keep trusting Him. And if you are considering following Jesus, I hope you will. You won’t regret giving Him your confidence.

Adam B. Dooley
November 24, 2025

Nov 19
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A Thankful Heart is a Generous Heart

By Christian Living, Generosity, Gratitude, Thanksgiving No Comments

As Thanksgiving approaches most of us will have an opportunity to unplug, evaluate, and offer thanks to God for the numerous blessings in our lives without the typical interruptions which accompany our normal routines. Yet, this familiar season of gratitude also exposes the nagging, internal struggle that wreaks havoc in the typical American heart. Though we want to grow in thankfulness, enticements toward greed often overcome us.

Last year, a record 183.4 million Americans lamented shopping between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday, not out of need, but due to deals that were simply too good to pass up. The entire month of November now seemingly functions as a rolling Black Friday sale, creating faux urgency and false demand. Long lines outside of Wal-Mart and lightening deals online turn shopping into a competitive sport with winners and losers. Even with more consumers choosing to take their business online, nefarious brawls in big box stores over merchandise evoke little more than a yawn these days.

Lost in all the mayhem is the genuine gratitude we ought to have for our numerous blessings. Greed and appreciation always move in opposite directions. The former insists, “I deserve more than have,” while the latter recognizes, “I have more than I deserve.” Any form of materialism or covetousness is the antithesis of celebrating God’s many provisions. You simply cannot rehearse a list of disappointments and appreciate an abundance of gifts at the same time.

Focusing upon ourselves may increase the scope of our possessions, but it most certainly diminishes the health of our souls as well. Greed leads to ingratitude, which results in a lack of contentment, birthing envy of others and resentment toward God. Always wanting more will quench any effort to worship meaningfully. What, then, is the remedy?

Not surprisingly, Jesus had much to say about using our wealth correctly. The foundational principle that undergirds each of His instructions is straightforward: your heart will always follow your treasure (Matt. 6:21). Many argue just the opposite, insisting that we will give to what we are most passionate about. Yet, Christ corrects our modern misgivings which covertly protect our insatiable greed. Whatever you give to will become important to you.

Want a heart for God’s kingdom? Use your resources accordingly. Are you seeking to be more loving toward others? Be generous with those in need. Do you long to love your church more? Invest in it financially. Looking to grow your compassion for the lost who are outside of Christ? Give sacrificially toward that end. Wanting to count your blessings this Thanksgiving? Stop looking for what you can gain and start asking what you can give.

Generosity is the key which sets us free from the prison of greed and selfishness. Scripture is unflinching in its commands about wealth. Christians should live with a continual awareness that all our possessions belong to the Lord, who supplies us with every treasure we enjoy (1 Tim. 6:17). Ultimately, our security must be in our God, not the gold or goods we possess. Wealth can produce a blind, arrogant confidence if we fail to acknowledge the divine source behind our valuables. Giving thanks not only reminds us that God is real, but also that He is both active and benevolent in our lives.

Once we see ourselves as stewards of that which belongs to the Lord, we should seek to be rich in good works by being generous and ready to share with others (1 Tim. 6:18). Statistics indicate that Christians are by far the most charitable of all demographics, donating more money and volunteering more time, and yet, I suspect that our generosity is still lacking by God’s standards. Again, Jesus is direct when confronting our shortsightedness, by challenging us to store up secured treasure in heaven rather than vulnerable wealth upon this earth (Matt. 6:19-20). Greed says live for today; God says live for eternity (1 Tim. 6:19).

So, how can we grow in our generosity?

First, giving should be personal for every Christian. When writing to the church at Corinth, Paul encouraged their participation in a collection for Jerusalem Christians who were living in poverty (1 Cor. 16:1, 2 Cor. 8:1-7). Just as other churches had participated, the loving apostle expected Corinthian believers to do so as well. Likewise, today, supporting God’s work financially should be a joyful obligation instead of a begrudged option for those who know the Lord.

Second, giving should be prioritized by every Christian. The early church not only met on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), but also received offerings as well (1 Cor. 16:2a). Weekly giving greatly increases our capacity to support God’s kingdom initiatives. Whatever amount you think you are capable of sharing, I am confident that number can grow if you set aside a portion of your weekly income.

Third, giving should be proportional for every Christian. We offer resources as the Lord prospers us (1 Cor. 16:2b). The beauty of tithing, for example, is that a tenth of a small amount is just as much a tithe as a tenth of a larger portion. Regarding offerings, God does not expect us to bring gifts that we do not have (2 Cor. 8:12). The goal is equal sacrifice, not equal sums.

Finally, giving should be protected after it is received. Churches, for example, have a sacred responsibility to secure gifts through stringent accountability measures. The Bible calls for common sense precautions so that only what is right and honorable in the eyes of the Lord and people is acceptable (1 Cor. 16:3-4, 2 Cor. 8:20-21).

How thankful are you this year? Perhaps a better question is how generous are you with others? Who will you bless this Thanksgiving?

Adam B. Dooley
November 19, 2025

Nov 12
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Is it Really Possible to Live Forever?

By Aging, Eternity, Resurrection No Comments

“Can Science Cure Death? It Sure Looks Like It.”

“Can Google Solve Death?”

“With Brain Preservation, Nobody Has To Die.”

These are just a few of the headlines that caught my attention recently while preparing for a message on the future resurrection of saints. One author claimed that microscopic robots repairing our bodies on the cellular level will be the key to overcoming the Grim Reaper. Another proposed cryopreservation as the means of conserving our brain identity and structure, making it possible to create a new, digital existence simply by uploading the content of our gray matter. The common denominator of each article, though, is that giving science a bit more time is the key to our achieving biological immortality.

While reading, my mind continually returned to the book of Hebrews, which plainly states every person has an appointment with death, followed by the judgment (Heb. 9:27). Scripture unapologetically and indiscriminately insists human mortality is a reality for all due to our inherited sin nature (Rom. 5:12). Avoiding our end is impossible despite the marvels of modern medicine or the advancements of contemporary technology.

I understand the ambition to dodge death, but our only real hope is to defeat it entirely. Therein lies the pastoral heart of the Apostle Paul as he writes to the Corinthian church seeking to explain the various reasons we should anticipate our future resurrection, why we need it, and how we should respond in the meantime.

Because Christ’s bodily resurrection from the dead serves as the foundational cornerstone of Christianity (1 Cor. 15:3-4), its inextricable link to our coming victory over death is no surprise. Simply put, if we are not raised from the dead there is no reason to believe that Jesus ever was (1 Cor. 15:13, 16). Inversely, if Jesus indeed rose on the third day, we should never doubt our ultimate victory over the grave (1 Cor. 15:20).

But how is it possible for a corpse to live again (1 Cor. 15:35)? To answer, Scripture points us to the principles of cultivation and the process of creation. Just as a seed sown in the ground is fundamentally different from beautiful plant that emerges, so, too, these bodies of ours will lay down in destruction only to rise demonstrably better than what we buried (1 Cor. 15:36-38). In both instances, death gives way to life anew.

Furthermore, because our God clothed human beings, beasts, birds, and fish with a physical dwelling from the very beginning, giving us a new body in the resurrection poses no particular problem. If the sun, moon, and stars, along with all other heavenly bodies, were covered with glory, why do we worry about what is ahead for us (1 Cor. 15:40-41)? The sovereign Creator of heaven and earth has unlimited creativity and unparalleled beauty in His heart, which means only His divine imagination can limit our immortal state.

But why is the resurrection essential? Why not avoid death altogether? Since the Garden of Eden, sin’s curse hangs over all of humanity, ultimately ending in our demise apart from God’s intervention (Rom. 5:18-19). Thus, these bodies of ours are perishable, dishonorable, and weak (1 Cor. 15:42-44). Simply put, our biological clocks will wind down one day. The wrinkles around our eyes, the thinning of our hair, the soreness in our joints, and dimness of our vision betrays us. So, through a monumental act of grace, God promises to raise us in immortality, glory, and power.

Our glorified bodies will be recognizable, just as Jesus was after the cross (John 20:24-29; 21:1-14). Life that was previously impossible will soon be available as we live free from temptation, sickness, and sadness (Rev. 21:4). Finally, with death swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15:53-54), we will bear God’s image perfectly, living according to His original intent as stewards of His new heaven and earth (Gen. 1:26-28).

So how should we respond to these glorious truths? Three simple concepts capture the practical urgency of our forthcoming immortality (1 Cor. 15:58). Be steadfast. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep living by faith. Immovable. Stand firmly upon the gospel. Resist the wisdom of men. Do not bend to the winds of relativism. Abound in the work of the Lord. Keep serving faithfully. Keep giving sacrificially. Keep loving relentlessly. Keep suffering joyfully. Keep enduring until the very end! Remember, you will reap if you do not grow weary (Gal. 6:9).

The hope of resurrection was never meant to be put on a shelf, only to come down for theological discourse or debate. Instead, every day we live while perishing should anchor our hearts to the imperishable life that awaits. When death finally knocks on your door, only what you have done for Jesus will last. When you open your eyes in eternity, all that will matter is who you are in Jesus. When your loved ones gather around your grave, all that will remain is the hope you have in Jesus.

Adam B. Dooley
November 12, 2025

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