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Oct 28
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Biblical Convictions in the Voting Booth

By America, Faith, Politics, Truth No Comments

With this year’s midterm elections just days away, appeals from both the left and the right compete for the support of voters who have not yet cast an early ballot. As a Christian pastor, I simply cannot separate my vote from my biblically informed convictions, nor can I encourage others to do so.

Yet, even mentioning the interconnectedness of faith and politics invites the scorn of many who insist that doing so is an unwelcome violation of the separation of church and state. “Stop being political!” some demand. “Stick to preaching!” others suggest. “You cannot legislate morality!” is the central theme, and “Keep faith out of politics!” is the common refrain. But is any of that legitimate?

Statements like these ignore the political overreach of recent years. The problem is not that the church has become too political, but that politics has become far too morally aggressive. If you want Christians to stop equating their politics with matters of faith, keep the government out of our spiritual conversations. When the state moves beyond providing national security and infrastructure necessities like bridges and highways into the realm of defining marriage and gender, it leaves its intended lane and exceeds its proper authority (Rom. 13:1-7). Issues do not lose their inherent morality simply because politicians choose to hijack them.

Consider, for example, the Democratic Party’s official 2024 platform, which calls for restoring nationwide abortion protections, repealing federal abortion-funding restrictions, affirming same-sex marriage, and expanding protections based on gender identity. Each of these agendas is explicitly unChristian. By saying so, I am not suggesting that any party has a monopoly on biblical truth, or that the Republican Party is somehow equivalent to the kingdom of God. For followers of Jesus, Scripture should settle questions of right and wrong, not political parties.

Abortion is not healthcare; it is the murder of an unborn child. Scripture clearly teaches that life begins at conception as God begins to weave us together with great care and dignity in the womb (Psa. 139:13-16; Jer. 1:5; Luke 1:41-44). Same-sex marriage undermines the foundational principle that the husband-wife relationship is a one-flesh union between a man and a woman, laid down in the first book of the Bible and affirmed by Jesus (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6). Fabricated distinctions between biological sex and gender create unnecessary confusion, and reassignment surgeries cause irreparable damage to God’s male and female image bearers (Gen. 1:26-28).

I highlight these issues not to be controversial, but because they reflect the stated platform of one of our major political parties. Why should I remain silent about these moral subjects while secularists speak freely about their ungodly agenda? Ironically, many of the same people who decry faith in politics are quick to applaud the spiritual compass behind progressive ideas.

For example, discussions about poverty, immigration, climate change, social justice, or discrimination frequently appeal to our moral obligations as a society. I have no problem with such reasoning, even when I disagree with the conclusions. Yet, the same liberal talking heads simultaneously frame debates about abortion, marriage, or sexuality as attempts to impose religion on society. Remember Diane Feinstein’s lament that “the dogma lives loudly” within Amy Coney Barrett? Why should we welcome the moral convictions of some while rejecting others?

Think about the enthusiastic reception of Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, whose progressive political positions frequently draw upon his novel, reinvented version of Christianity. Liberal pundits celebrate his willingness to invoke Scripture when advocating for economic justice and immigration reform, even as he promotes LGBTQ rights that contradict clear biblical teachings. Yet some of the same political voices object when Christians appeal to the Bible concerning the sanctity of life, marriage, and sexuality.

Certainly, Talarico has every right to allow his faith to inform his politics, but so do conservative Christians. The public should evaluate the substance of competing biblical interpretations rather than selectively dismissing religious arguments we disagree with as inappropriate.

Furthermore, a robust biblical ethic also requires our acknowledgment that not all moral obligations are equally important. Protecting human life, for instance, should be nonnegotiable for Christians while debates surrounding tax rates or environmental concerns can sometimes leave thoughtful believers in disagreement with one another. All these issues have moral implications, but they do not carry the same weight. Biblical commands and political strategies are not morally equivalent despite attempts to blur the lines.

Followers of Jesus should never allow their political loyalties to overshadow their Christian identity, but neither should they accept the mistaken notion that faithfulness requires political silence. Though our ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20), we should seek the welfare of the world in which we live (Jer. 29:7). Jesus commanded His people to be salt and light amidst a dark, broken creation (Matt. 5:13-16). Certainly, this command requires more than a consistent political ethic, but not less.

Soon, Americans will once again decide who represents them in Congress and in many state and local offices. These representatives will influence legislation, spending, and public policy, all of which bear moral implications. Not only should all Christians vote, but we should also do so with great wisdom and care so as to preserve our spiritual convictions. Distinguishing between unchanging biblical principle and debatable strategies requires attention and diligence.

When moral questions become political controversies, our responsibility is not to surrender our convictions or lower our voices. Instead, we should engage every election cycle with truth, wisdom, humility, and love. Even though the ballot box may be political, the decisions made there often carry profound moral consequences. So, be sure to vote on November 3, and don’t leave your faith at home.

Adam B. Dooley
October 28, 2026

Oct 21
Love0

Hard Providence and Dark Grace

By Faith, Providence, Suffering, Trials No Comments

Few things are more difficult for a pastor than watching people hurt. The number of times I have stood by when a loved one takes his last breath are too numerous to count. Bad diagnoses, broken marriages, rebellious children, abusive relationships, and significant losses are but a small sampling of the heartaches that seem increasingly common in our broken world. Hardships like these can leave us reeling.

Providence is a word describing God’s interaction with and supervision over the events of the world generally and people specifically. Simply put, God guides and directs every step we take according to His purposes and design. Understanding this reality raises questions about suffering, but it also provides great comfort when we discover the eternal benefits of our hardships.

Admittedly, none can understand the mind of God (Rom 11:33-36), and most of us have some level of frustration with the Lord when life begins to unravel. Often, our questions remain unanswered and personal despondency looms on the horizon as a weapon against our faith in God. Like a plague of unwanted confusion, the question “why?” haunts us.

Why did my spouse die? Why did I lose my job? Why is my family in disarray? Why is my health declining? Why? Why? Why? Trusting God’s providence, however, can liberate us from the burdens of doubt and anxiety over what we do not understand. Realizing that God is working, even when we cannot fully comprehend how, enables us to face trials with the certainty of winning regardless of the outcome.

Doing so requires confidence that God is trustworthy to give us what we need even when what we want may be different. You can live knowing that, though God’s providence is sometimes hard, it is always good.

Consider the strange encouragement of Philippians 1:29: “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake . . .” Really? God “grants” us the opportunity to suffer for His sake? The idea is that sometimes we suffer not because we deserve it (though sometimes we do) but because God graces us with the privilege. How can this be?

Perhaps we could live with the fact that God requires, plans, or even forces difficulties upon us. But who celebrates the notion that God grants us the improbable blessing of suffering? Why should we receive this as a gracious invitation?  After observing the burdens that so many people carry, it seems insensitive and crude to hint that trials of any kind could be an honorable, even blessed reality.

Contextually, these words remind us that God allows Christians to represent Him to others through the witness that adversity provides (See Phil. 1:12-14). Even greater, however, is the indication that earthly burdens are a unique means to know God better than we could otherwise. The Apostle Paul spoke of his difficulties as a unique invitation to a deeper relationship with the Lord in Philippians 3:10:  “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”

While the power of Christ’s resurrection is something all people desire in their lives, few are eager to embrace the fellowship of His sufferings to know Him better. Yet, unleashing the power of Jesus’ resurrection begins on the road of heartache. Don’t forget that our Savior had to experience the agony of Golgotha before He reveled in the glory of an empty tomb. Likewise, the prerequisite to walking in the power of His resurrection is the willingness to fellowship with Christ through our greatest trials.

Thus, when hardship comes . . . Everything gained should be counted as loss for Christ (Phil 3:7). Likewise, everything should be considered loss compared to knowing Jesus personally (Phil 3:8). The ultimate goal is “that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Phil 3:11). Far from casting doubt on our confidence for future resurrection, these words highlight the resurrected reality that those who suffer for Christ can enjoy right now.

When we die to sin, selfishness, pettiness, dreams, aspirations, and goals, then we are free to know Christ and live the resurrected life with Him today. Paul’s progression teaches us that all of life’s difficulties are: for the sake of Christ . . . (Phil 3:7); that I may gain Christ . . . (Phil 3:8); that I may be found in Him . . . (Phil 3:9); that I may know Him. . . (Phil 3:10).

Furthermore, the old apostle offers numerous concessions. 1) He hasn’t already obtained this level of fellowship with Christ (Phil 3:12). 2) He willingly forgets anything in the past that would hinder him (Phil 3:13). 3) He reaches forward to what lies ahead in order to know Christ better (Phil 3:13-14).

The implications here are profound. God providentially allows hardships in our lives that are the opposite of what we desire because He knows they will meet our greatest need of knowing Him more intimately. Ironically, when God seems most distant due to what we face, He is often most active in our lives. When we least understand what God is doing, we are better positioned to know Him at a more personal level because of the faith it requires.  God’s goal is not our comprehending Him more completely, but our trusting Him more deeply.

So, the next time the wound is deep, try to lean in. When you want to run from God, run to Him instead. And if nothing seems to make sense and your heart is full of doubt, be open to experiencing God like you never have before. His hard providence is working for your good and His dark grace will soon yield to the light of eternity.

Adam B. Dooley
October 21, 2026

Sep 23
Love0

The God Who Is

By Attributes of God, Eternity, Faith No Comments

Nothing remains the same.

Many of life’s changes can be exciting, while others are heartbreaking. Though we are not caught off guard intellectually, our progressing existence often creates personal strain. Children grow up and move away. Parents grow old and eventually say goodbye. Friendships grow cold and give way to new relationships. Careers grow stagnant and mundane despite our best efforts. Our bodies grow weak as time steals our youth and vitality.

Merely looking at an old photo of yourself from twenty years ago illustrates the sheer force of the changes we cannot avoid. If we ever dare to make the statement, “I am _____,” it would not be true for long. Despite our best intentions, who we are evolves, making who we become unpredictable. Our world is not constant, and neither are we.

And yet, God remains the same (Mal. 3:6).

So much so that through a burning bush the Lord identified Himself to Moses as I AM WHO I AM (Ex. 3:14). The verb here means to exist or to be. Simply put, God is. He always was, He always is, and He always will be. This powerful description reveals the self-sufficiency, eternality, and immutability of Yahweh.

As the self-sufficient I AM, God exists entirely within Himself without need of anyone or anything. We say, “By the grace of God, I am what I am,” but God declares, “By myself, I am what I am.” He has no needs, deficiencies, or co-dependencies.

Everything we know and experience depends upon something or someone else. A phone needs a battery. A lamp needs electricity. Our bodies need oxygen. Our lives depended upon parents before we ever took our first breath.

But God needs nothing.

No one creates Him, sustains Him, or replenishes His strength. Human hands cannot serve the One who gives life and breath to all people because He has no shortage of anything (Acts 17:24-25). God does not need our money, our talents, or our worship. He is not fortunate to have us on His team. Contrary to popular belief, if He had a refrigerator, your picture would not be on it! If He was lacking in any way (and He is not), He would not ask us for help because He owns everything (Psalm 50:10-12).

Because of these truths, we can trust God completely. Your enemies do not diminish Him; your trials do not intimidate Him; your demands do not bankrupt Him. Whatever exhausts you does not faze Him. Whatever overwhelms you does not burden Him. You don’t have to be enough when you serve the God who is. Remarkably, He chooses to love us though He needs nothing from us (1 John 4:8).

As the eternal I AM, there has never been a time when God was not, nor will there ever be a moment when He will not be. He is God from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2), the One who is and who was and who is to come (Rev. 1:8). So much so that over 400 years after the deaths of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Yahweh insists that HE IS still their God (Ex. 3:6; Matt. 22:32).

We witness history like a movie, experiencing it one frame at a time. We remember yesterday, experience today, and wonder about tomorrow. Our infinite God has no such limitations. He captures your entire life in a single glance. He sees your birth and your burial simultaneously. He knows your beginning and your end because He has neither.  Because He is eternally present, you can rest knowing that God will never cease to be.

As the immutable I AM, the Lord is not only infinitely present, He is also entirely unchangeable. The Creator who fashioned the heavens and the earth, both of which will one day wear out like a garment, will remain the same (Psalm 102:25-27). Circumstances change. Families change. Friendships change. Finances change. Emotions change. Health comes and goes. People we think will always be there eventually aren’t. But every change occurs in the presence of the unchanging God. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).

I AM WHO I AM. The Lord chose to reveal Himself to Moses this way because of the enormity of the task He put before His leader. After seeing their suffering and hearing their cries, God determined to come down in order to deliver the nation of Israel out of Egypt (Ex. 3:7-8). Yet, a plot much bigger than the Exodus was also unfolding. God was working to save His people, but not just the people of Israel.

Simply broadening the lens of redemptive history reveals that God was establishing a nation through whom a Savior would come into the world. Centuries later, the same I AM deliberately came down again. This time, however, He did not reveal His glory through a burning bush, but within a baby lying in a manger instead. Lest we miss the connection to the past, Jesus would later explicitly declare, “before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58).

Jesus Christ is God in the flesh and His sacrificial death on the cross was the plan all along. From the Exodus through the Law, sacrifices, and prophets, Jesus was and is the Great I AM. While everything around us will continue to change, God will not.

Dr. Adam B. Dooley
September 23, 2026

Sep 02
Love0

The Prayer Partner We Need

By Doubt, Faith, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Trust, Truth No Comments

Pray for me, pastor.

As you would expect, I hear those words quite often. People find tremendous comfort in knowing that someone will carry their burden before the Lord. When life becomes overwhelming, we want a prayer partner who cares about us, knows the Scripture, and takes prayer seriously.

Over the years, I have had numerous people who faithfully interceded on my behalf. A wife who loves me unconditionally. Parents who always stand by me. Mentors who poured into my life. Each one has been a blessing, but there is one prayer partner that rises above all the rest.

What if I told you that God Himself prays for you? Would you believe it? Does that seem too good to be true? Remarkably, the Apostle Paul reveals that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Rom. 8:26b). The born-again Christian never prays alone because the Spirit of God who indwells us stands ready to help as we talk to the Father (Rom. 8:15-17).

But why do we need the Holy Spirit as a prayer partner?

The Bible explains that the Spirit prays with us and for us because of our “weakness” (Rom. 8:26a). We are vulnerable, frail creatures who do not know what to pray for and often find it difficult to express our needs or feelings. The will of God often escapes us, and the work of God sometimes confuses us. Consequently, we do not know where to start when we pray.

How should we pray when someone we love becomes seriously ill? What should we ask God to do for our children? How should we respond to an unexpected opportunity? What should we request when trouble turns our world upside down? Naturally, we want healing, provision, relief, comfort, and quick resolution. Nothing makes those desires wrong. But our preferences do not always match God’s purposes. In our weakness, we can be woefully ignorant of God’s will.

Sometimes our problem is more visceral as we approach God. In our pain, we can be left speechless, unable to voice our deepest hurts and struggles. Maybe a diagnosis rocks us to the core. Perhaps someone we trust betrays us. Undoubtedly, unexpected hardships arise that test our faith. These are the groanings that are too deep for words (Rom. 8:26). The Holy Spirit sees beyond our confusion, carries our deepest wounds, and expresses the heart we struggle to communicate to the Father. He prays for us what we would pray for ourselves if we knew better and felt better.

Even more remarkable, though, is that no prayer offered by the Spirit ever contradicts the will of God (Rom. 8:27). He takes our confusion and dismay, our heartache and lament, our stubbornness and rebellion, even our shortcomings and sin, then filters them through the Lord’s perfect design for them all. When we cry, “God, change this!” the Spirit intercedes, “Father, accomplish Your will.” Sometimes both petitions point in the same direction, but often they do not. Even the greatest saints struggle at times.

Paul asked three times for the removal of his thorn in the flesh, but God had other plans (2 Cor. 12:7-9). Mary and Martha wanted Jesus to prevent Lazarus from dying, but Christ’s intentions were greater (John 11:1-46). The disciples certainly wanted a different outcome as they watched Jesus die on the cross, yet the divine agenda called for the Savior’s crucifixion (Mark 15:22-38). Surely, we can relate. Many of our prayers miss the mark, too. We regularly don’t know what to ask for, how to feel, or what God is doing. Yet, in every circumstance, struggle, and concern, the Spirit of Christ is there to pray according to what we do not yet know or understand.

If this approach to prayer seems a bit risky, the Bible reassures us that God is actively working all events, whether they be burdensome or delightful, for our ultimate good (Rom. 8:28). Because the Holy Spirit intercedes according to the will of God, every prayer we offer reassures us that God consistently pursues our well-being. No matter what happens, you can trust the Lord to turn it into something beautiful.

Imagine looking at the backside of a tapestry while an artist works. Threads run everywhere. Knots hang loosely. Colors collide without any apparent pattern. From that perspective, everything looks chaotic and unrelated. Walk around to the other side, however, and a beautiful picture emerges. That is Romans 8:28. When we see a tangled mess in front of us, God sees the finished masterpiece that’s ahead.

Certainly, everything that happens to us is not good. A broken marriage is not good. Burying someone you love is not good. Losing a job is not good. Disease that ravages your body is not good. Broken promises, angry words, bitter tears, and shattered dreams hurt us deeply. Yet, God sovereignly uses our worst moments and our deepest trials to bring about good. Sometimes we can see it in this life. In other instances, only the light of eternity will reveal His wonderful result. But in all matters, God hears our prayers and responds in ways that transform us into the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29).

So, keep praying, even when you do not know what to say. Bring God your weakness. Bring Him your confusion. Bring Him your heartache. Bring Him your desires. Bring Him the groanings you cannot put into words. The Spirit is interceding. The Father is working. And God promises to make you more like Jesus.

Adam B. Dooley
September 2, 2026

Aug 27
Love0

Right Faith, Wrong Object?

By Doubt, Faith, Prayer No Comments

This week, I learned the magnitude of the word anything.

Like so many parents before us, my wife and I dropped our oldest son off at college—ten hours away from home. Nothing really prepares you for that experience. It feels a little like having open-heart surgery without anesthesia. Or maybe like someone rips your heart out and plays pickleball with it.

Other than that, it was great!

Seriously, as we finished decorating his room, one thought kept running through my mind: Does he have everything he needs? So, I repeatedly asked, “Do you need anything?”

And I meant it.
Need my credit card? Take it.
Need a kidney? It’s yours.
Want us to move the whole family to Virginia? No problem.

Turns out all he needed was an extension cord, a few extra hangers, and a new blazer for work. My wife and I took off shopping and started throwing merchandise into the cart like Cousin Eddie Christmas shopping with Clark Griswold. He’ll need a new phone mount for his car so that he isn’t distracted. Better grab some of his favorite protein shakes. Of course he needs some swag with his school logo on it.

You see, when I said anything, I meant more than my son realized.

Before we drove away, we hugged and prayed together. I told him how much I love him and how proud I am that he is my son. Then I reminded him, “Please call me if you need anything.” On our trip home I could not help but think that Jesus must have felt something similar when He left His disciples. Knowing He would soon die, rise again, and ascend back to heaven, our Savior said, “If you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you” (John 16:23).

There it is again. Anything.

Numerous passages of Scripture make similar promises. Ask and believe, and you will receive (Matt. 21:22). Ask anything in my name and I will do it (John 14:13). Unfortunately, some are quick to rip these verses from their context and insist that God must give us whatever we request if we believe fervently enough. Such thinking dangerously shifts our faith away from God and toward our own ability to trust.

When we misapply our faith, the object of our belief is ourselves. Instead of resting in God, we recklessly depend upon our ability to know His perfect will, to resist all doubts, and to believe without wavering. Simply put, our faith is in our faith. Biblical belief is different.

The Apostle John clarified the distinction lest we be led astray. “If we ask anything according to His will,” he wrote, “He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Those four words—according to His will—protect us from misunderstanding everything God promises about prayer. Calling out to God in faith does not mean believing God will give me what I want. Rather, it means trusting the Lord to answer me according to what is best.

The relational context is key. Prayer is a family privilege for those who “believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). Through Christ the Son, we approach our heavenly Father with assurance of His love and concern. My children have never made an appointment with my secretary to see me. They freely walk into my office unannounced. They interrupt conversations. They repeat themselves until they know I heard them. Why? Because our relationship gives them uninhibited access.

Likewise, Christians can approach God with similar “confidence” (1 John 5:14). Effective prayer begins with a relationship, not a technique. Though we do not know how God will respond when we pray, we talk to Him knowing that we are welcome to do so. The freedom to ask anything of our heavenly Father does not, however, give us unlimited wisdom to know what to ask for. In fact, we are often at a loss over how or what we should pray (Rom. 8:26).

Thus, every prayer should seek God’s will even as we express our requests and preferences. Doing so is not a lack of faith, as some suppose, but a confident acknowledgment that God Himself is the object of our belief. Even Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Because no one ever prayed with greater faith than Jesus, surrendering to God’s will cannot indicate weak faith. The goal of prayer is not to get our will done in heaven, but to see God’s will done on earth.

When I told my son to call me for anything, there were obviously limitations to what I would do for him. I would not give him a privilege that contradicts how he was raised, nor would I gift him a possession that might distract from why he’s away in the first place. My promise was about realities much deeper than one request. I was really saying . . .

I’m your father.
You can always call me.
I’ll always listen to you.
I love you more than you know.
You can trust me to do what is best for you.

If that is true about an imperfect dad like me, how much more true is it about our heavenly Father when we pray. He possesses perfect love, perfect wisdom, and unlimited power. The object of our faith should always be the loving Father who knows what we cannot know and sees what we cannot see.

Adam B. Dooley
August 27, 2026

Jul 29
Love0

Going Against the Flow

By Christian Living, Evil, Faith, Holiness, Life No Comments

For most of us, the pressure to go with the flow is much stronger than we care to admit. The societal compulsion to think and live like everyone else can be intimidating, and the misguided values of our fallen world are often enticing. Following Jesus, though, requires the courage to move in the opposite direction by going against the currents of compromise.

Learning from one of Israel’s greatest failures at a pivotal moment offers us some practical guidance. After the Lord delivered His people out of Egypt through ten miraculous plagues, He led them safely through the Red Sea before feeding them manna from heaven and water from a rock in the middle of the desert. After years of journeying together, the Jews were finally on the verge of the Promised Land (Num. 13-14).

After Moses sent out twelve spies to survey the Canaanite territory over the span of forty days, the people heard reports of a land flowing with milk, honey, and abundant fruit (Num. 13:27). While Joshua and Caleb challenged the people to pursue God’s best for them, the ten other spies magnified the obstacles out of fear. In the end, the nation disobeyed God and refused to enter the land (Num. 14:1-3). Their contrasting responses teach us three important lessons as we seek the Lord’s will despite the pressures of our culture.

First, we should celebrate that God’s plans for our lives are always attainable. Despite the Lord’s clear direction, the presence of strong inhabitants in the land paralyzed the fearful spies (Num. 13:28). In other words, to them obedience seemed impossible.

We hear similar misleading voices today. You cannot maintain sexual purity in this culture, they say. You cannot guard your mind with so much wickedness around you, we are told. You cannot build your life around Scripture without becoming irrelevant, many insist. You cannot remain committed to church when others walk away, people speculate. You cannot speak openly about Christ without alienating people, others predict.

Do not believe those lies.

Though God never promises an easy road, He always equips us to walk the path He chooses. Every Christian is the “workmanship” of the Father, created in Christ Jesus for good works that the Lord prepared for us to walk in before we were born (Eph. 2:10).

Personal holiness can sometimes isolate us. Obedience will leave you standing alone. Biblical convictions will put you at odds with the mainstream. Godliness will always be antithetical to popular opinion. Salvation’s narrow road may put us out of step with the world around us, but our Savior does not demand what is impossible, nor does He require anything that is not for our good (Matt. 7:13-14).

Second, we can rest knowing that God’s power is always available. Joshua and Caleb never denied the presence of giant warriors in the land. Instead, they pleaded with their peers, reminding them that the Lord was present with them and for them (Num. 14:9). That realization changes everything.

Christians often look at our deteriorating culture and surrender to despair. We lament declining morality, fractured families, biblical illiteracy, sexual confusion, and increasing hostility toward Christian convictions. These concerns are real and deserve our attention, but fear should never define our response to darkness. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God promises to enable our greater devotion (Rom. 8:5). Whatever He calls us to, He empowers us for. His plans are never out of reach, nor are His desires unattainable.

Because Christ lives within us (Gal. 2:20), we never face temptation alone (1 Cor. 10:13). The Holy Spirit cultivates a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5:6), enabling us to repent of sin, share the gospel, and serve others as salt and light in our communities (Matt. 5:13-16). Few feel strong enough to live the Christian life and, in reality, none of us are. Yet, the Lord has not left us powerless against the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:11-17).

Finally, we must never forget that God’s people are always accountable. Unbelief, not intimidation, was the root cause of Israel’s failure. Despite everything God had shown them, they refused to trust His Word. Consequently, an entire generation forfeited the privilege of entering Canaan (Num. 14:20-23). Their story reminds us that our choices have consequences.

Clearly, disobeying God is sinful. But knowing to do good, and refusing it, is just as egregious (James 4:17). The Lord holds us responsible for both. Our actions, or the lack thereof, have lasting implications.

Perhaps you keep postponing obedience. Maybe God is calling you to fuller surrender. Do you need to forgive someone? To abandon a sinful habit? To repent before God? Perhaps passivity plagues your walk with God? Do you spend enough time reading God’s Word? Are you active in a local church? Have you been putting off obedience of some kind?

Do not assume tomorrow will offer the same opportunity as today. Israel learned the hard way that our inaction is often rebellious. By the time they realized their error, it was too late (Num. 14:40-45). Going with the flow will rob us of God’s best for our lives. You can squander years chasing pleasure, possessions, approval, comfort, or success. By the time you recognize what those pursuits have cost you, the burden created may be irreversible.

So don’t be afraid to stand against the tide of cultural lies. The crowd may offer an easier road, but faith will choose another direction. Go against the flow. Trust God’s plan. Depend on His power. Remember your accountability. You won’t regret doing so.

Adam B. Dooley
July 29, 2026

Jul 15
Love0

The Weight You Were Never Meant to Carry

By Anxiety, Brokenness, Comfort, Faith, God, Grief, Hope, Trials, Worry No Comments

Anxiety has become so commonplace that many people accept it as a normal part of life. We make jokes about being chronic worriers, but fear quietly steals our joy, clouds our judgment, and distracts us from the goodness of God. Like a cancer that contaminates our spiritual blessings, hidden anguish is not a minor problem to ignore.

Every generation finds new reasons to fret. Parents fear for their children. Students stress over grades. Workers wonder whether they will keep their jobs. Retirees question whether their savings will last. Even good news often gives way to fresh concerns. Mark Twain reportedly remarked that he had lived through many terrible experiences, most of which never happened. His observation exposes the deceptive nature of anxiety. Our minds often create disasters long before reality ever arrives (Prov. 12:25).

Jesus addressed our common struggle in the Sermon on the Mount. He cautioned us against obsessing over food, clothing, tomorrow’s uncertainties, and even the length of our lives (Matt. 6:25-34). Worry never solves a problem. Anxiety will not add one hour to our lives, remove any of our future hardships, or strengthen us for whatever today’s responsibilities might be. Instead, fear shifts our focus away from the Father’s providential care and concern.

Combatting our internal dismay begins with an honest confession. The Apostle Paul commanded believers to “be anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6a). Though we may understand the temptation to worry, we dare not justify it as anything other unbelief. Faith insists that God reigns over every circumstance, no matter how frightening or painful. Despite our rebellious instinct to live as if reality depends upon us, we do well to admit that our prideful delusion only leads to uncertainty and panic. A sincere acknowledgement of our weakness invites God’s strength into our struggle (Psa. 55:22).

The circumstances behind Paul’s words mark his command as even more compelling. Roman authorities held him in prison while he wrote the book of Philippians. False teachers troubled the churches he dearly loved, and execution remained a looming possibility. Even so, the faithful apostle refused to surrender his heart to fear because he trusted the character of God more than the uncertainty of his future (Phil. 1:20-21).

Calling out to God functions as the next step toward lasting peace. Through the means of prayer and supplication, we are to let our requests be made known to God (Phil. 4:6b). God never asks us to ignore our fears. He welcomes every burden, every question, and every concern we bring before Him. Our Savior even admonished His followers to ask, seek, and knock because our heavenly Father delights in giving good gifts to His children (Matt. 7:7-11).

Thanksgiving also transforms the way we talk to God. Gratitude reminds us of the Lord’s past faithfulness while giving us renewed strength to face whatever is ahead (Lam. 3:22-23).  Likewise, prayerful worship deepens our resolve to embrace God’s direction and will before we know the outcome of our petitions. Making specific requests sharpens our dependence upon our heavenly Father because his specific answers serve as practical expressions which reinforce the realness of our faith. All the while, our confidence grows even as our anxiety subsides.

Regardless of what the outcomes might be, God breathes life into our prayers, making them the means of supernatural peace which guards our hearts and minds (Phil. 4:7). Though this holy serenity does not always remove our painful circumstances, the Lord strengthens His people in the middle of every trial (John 14:27).

Because he also understood the powerful connection between our thoughts and our emotions, Paul instructs us to dwell on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8). Healthy thinking cultivates strategic prayer, resulting in confident living. Fear grows wherever lies dominate our minds, but joy flourishes wherever God’s truth takes root (Rom. 12:2).

Seem too good to be true? Just look around. Birds never store food in barns, yet our heavenly Father feeds them every day. Wildflowers never toil or spin, yet God dresses the fields with their breathtaking colors every spring (Matt. 6:26-30). Each sunrise silently proclaims the Father’s loving care. Every blooming flower reminds us that our Creator never overlooks our needs. Human beings bear God’s image, making us infinitely more valuable than any bird or flower (Gen. 1:26-28).

Every morning presents us with the same choice. We can rehearse our fears or remember God’s steadfastness. We can carry burdens that belong to the Lord or place them into His capable hands. Worry has never changed tomorrow, but trusting God changes us today (Isa. 26:3).

Adam B. Dooley
July 15, 2026

Jun 24
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Celebrating America’s Christian Heritage

By America, Christian Living, Faith, Freedom No Comments

As America celebrates her 250th birthday, citizens across our nation will gather beneath fireworks, wave flags, and remember the extraordinary events that gave birth to the United States. Two and a half centuries after the signing of our Declaration of Independence, we still enjoy freedoms that millions of people around the world only dream about. This national milestone deserves more than a casual acknowledgement. Gratitude, reflection, and an honest appraisal of the principles that made America exceptional are in order.

Celebrating America’s Christian heritage does not require blind assertions that all the Founders and our earliest citizens were orthodox Christians. History does not support such claims, though the modern insistence that the majority were deists is demonstrably false. Fifty-two of the fifty-five signers of the Declaration of Independence were Protestants, along with roughly 75% of the population.

Despite their rejection of a state church, the Founders possessed a deep conviction that Christianity was the necessary garden from which freedom would flourish. The men who established our nation overwhelmingly believed that a Christian foundation would protect broad religious liberty for minority groups.

The Declaration of Independence itself reflects sincere spiritual conviction. America’s founders grounded human rights not in government, public opinion, or political power, but in God. Because Scripture so clearly teaches that every human being bears the image of his Maker (Gen. 1:26-27), they insisted that all people are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” Those words changed the world.

For the first time in history, a nation unashamedly asserted that government does not grant rights; it merely recognizes the rights God has already given. The Founders submitted to governmental structures that exist under God’s authority to restrain evil and promote good (Rom. 13:1–4; 1 Pet. 2:13–17). Their goal was not to create truth, define morality, or to determine ultimate worth. At its best, government recognizes what God has already revealed.

Our forefathers feared what would happen if Americans abandoned the moral principles that Christianity supplied. George Washington famously observed in his Farewell Address that religion and morality serve as “indispensable supports” for political prosperity. John Adams wrote that the Constitution was made only for a “moral and religious people” and proved wholly inadequate for any other. Their concern aligns with Scripture’s repeated warning that righteousness strengthens a nation while sin destroys it (Prov. 14:34). To them, freedom could not endure among a people who lacked virtue, self-restraint, and moral conviction.

These concerns were not unfounded. Free societies demand something unique from their citizens. Tyrannies control behavior through force. Dictatorships rely on fear. Constitutional republics require citizens to govern themselves. When people refuse to exercise self-control, government eventually steps in to impose external control. As virtue declines, freedom dissipates with it. Lasting liberty requires moral restraint.

The Founders recognized that Christianity supplied the moral framework necessary for self-government. Scripture commands honesty (Eph. 4:25), personal responsibility (2 Thess. 3:10–12), humility (Phil. 2:3–4), justice (Mic. 6:8), compassion for the poor (Prov. 19:17), and love for neighbor (Mark 12:31). These virtues do more than shape private character; they strengthen public life.

Alexis de Tocqueville, the famous French observer who traveled America in the 1830s, noticed this spiritual connection immediately. “Americans,” he stated, “combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive one without the other.” The success of American culture, according to Tocqueville, was their willingness to exercise their freedoms within a moral framework shaped by biblical principles.

Today, many voices insist that faith and public life should remain entirely separate. Thankfully, our history tells a different story. America did not emerge from an ethical vacuum. Biblical ideas influenced our national understanding of right and wrong. Churches helped shape communities, Christian convictions informed public virtue, and religious faith strengthened the cultural foundations upon which constitutional republic rested.

Even Thomas Jefferson, who admittedly wanted more separation between church and state than his contemporaries, envisioned nothing remotely like the aspirations of the ACLU or the Americans United for Separation of Church and State. While governor of Virginia, Jefferson issued a prayer proclamation for the purpose of solemn thanksgiving and petitions to “Almighty God.” Additionally, he drafted bills outlining the governor’s prerogative to call for days of fasting and humiliation, as well his ability to punish Sabbath breakers and religious malcontents. Jefferson’s proposal for a national seal was depiction of the Red Sea crossing from the book of Exodus under the motto “Rebellion for tyrants is obedience to God.” Freedom from religion was the farthest thing from our third president’s mind.

Of course, Christians should not view America as the kingdom of God or confuse patriotism with discipleship. God’s family transcends every nation, including our own. Our highest allegiance belongs to Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20). No nation can replace the church, and no flag should receive the devotion that belongs to the cross. Yet believers can still thank God for the remarkable blessings He has given this country while recognizing the profound influence Christianity exerted on its development.

As we mark 250 years of American independence, we should celebrate both the freedoms we enjoy and the foundations that sustain them. Liberty remains a precious gift, but it requires moral responsibility. Freedom flourishes when citizens, even nonbelievers, embrace virtue, honor truth, strengthen families, and love their neighbors. A Christian worldview remains the secret ingredient for protecting the pluralistic realities of the American melting pot.

America’s founders understood these realities. They believed our experiment in self-government depended upon a people shaped by moral conviction. All these years later, their warning remains as relevant as ever. If we hope to preserve the blessings of liberty for future generations, we must recover the virtues that made liberty possible in the first place.

Adam B. Dooley
June 24, 2026

May 06
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It Was Never About Us

By Brokenness, Faith, Hope, Hope When Life Unravels, Peace, Trials No Comments

There is an appointed time for everything . . .

A time to weep and a time to laugh . . .

A Time to mourn and a time to dance . . . (Ecc. 3:1, 4)

More than a decade after our family’s fight against childhood cancer, we are in the midst of a joyful season of celebration and gratitude. Watching my son beat leukemia was one of God’s greatest gifts in my life. To see him graduating from high school and thriving as a young man is a profound blessing that has me carrying around a box of Kleenex.

A few years back, I wrote a book called Hope When Life Unravels (still available wherever books are sold) in order to capture many of the lessons God taught us during those more difficult years. This week, two particular reminders from the past weigh heavily on my mind as we rest in the beauty of the present.

Fatherhood Matters

Why did God make me sick, Daddy? The question took my breath away. His big blue eyes peered over his medical mask as the plane engine hummed beneath us. My son was searching for answers, trying to make sense of the God who loved him and the trial that shattered his childhood innocence. That was just one of many moments when my son looked to me for reassurance and stability.

Children need an active, spiritual father to guide them through life. Motherhood is equally important, to be sure, but fathers play a unique role in the spiritual development and nurture of their kids. Because God expects husbands and fathers to lead their families, refusing to do so creates a damaging vacuum in the home. Teaching my children to love and trust God at all times was, and is, my responsibility. I must connect with them. They need my example. I should encourage them while also holding them accountable. I cannot delegate this sacred duty (Deut. 6:5-7).

Though I would like to tell you this always came naturally for me, I cannot. Despite believing that my son should be a better kid because of his dad, in reality, I am a much better father because of him. Battling leukemia left no room for my laziness, and I’m grateful. The testing of our faith produced an endurance that still strengthens us today (James 1:3).

Life Is Not About Me—or Even the People I Love

 The most surprising realization that came during my son’s ordeal was that, despite God’s willingness to mold and teach our family through it all, the trial was not primarily about the Dooley family. Over the course of three years, I continually reminded my son that God had a plan for his sickness even if we didn’t know what it was and even if it did not relate directly to us. With childlike faith, he accepted my assurance as true. Amazingly, I do not remember one instance when he complained about his illness. Instinctively, he seemed to know that more was at stake than the outcome of his suffering.

The same is true for you.

How can I be so sure? The story of Job is often a source of strength for those facing hardship, but tucked behind the drama of the opening chapters is a powerful truth to help us face tragedy with a different perspective. After Satan mocked the notion that people worship God for who He is rather than what He does for them, the Lord presented Job as a test case (Job 1:9-12). The real focus of the scene, however, is the glory of God rather than the faithfulness of His servant.

Despite our tendency to look insatiably for the cause and effect behind every burden we face, sometimes we are mere background characters in a much bigger story. Yes, we can learn important life lessons during seasons of pain, but even then, the promotion of divine glory is often the main agenda. Our stories are to be living testimonies of the beauty and worthiness of our great God.

If you find yourself in a season of hurting, I’d love to pray for you. Feel free to email me, and I will gladly lift your name and situation before the Lord.

Adam B. Dooley
May 6, 2026

Mar 18
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The Enemy of Faith

By Faith, Providence, Trust, Worry No Comments

As the fourth week of strikes on Iran approaches, Americans are bracing for soaring gas prices and sustained inflation. With an April 15 deadline looming, many taxpayers dread their final bill from the IRS. Here in West Tennessee, tornado season is now underway, often leading to numerous sleepless and watchful nights. As the completion of another school year hangs on the horizon, students are anxious about final exams and GPAs.

On and on it goes, but no matter the problem or issue, all of us deal with the nagging, intrusive burden of WORRY. The uneducated worry because they don’t know enough. The educated worry because they know too much. The poor worry because of what they do not have. The wealthy worry because they fear losing what they do have. The young worrybecause they don’t want to get older. The elderly worry because they are afraid of not getting older.

All of us, in varying degrees and frequency, will have to face the enemy of worry along the way. Believe it or not, Jesus had a great deal to say about this subject. His Sermon on the Mount offers practical guidelines for overcoming our common nemesis. With piercing clarity and pastoral concern, our Savior is eager to free us from the anxieties that plague us.

First, we should realize that worry is sinful. Three prohibitions against worry underscore its offense to God. Do not worry about your life (Matt. 6:25); do not worry about what you will eat or wear (Matt. 6:31); and do not worry about tomorrow (Matt. 6:34). For Jesus, worry is more than a bad habit; it is practical atheism. Restlessness communicates that we do not trust God to handle our problems. Faith and distress are always in dichotomy. Without mincing words, Jesus insists that Christians who worry behave more like unbelievers than children of God (Matt. 6:32).

Second, we should recognize worry as illogical. To illustrate the foolishness of worry, Jesus points to nature, specifically the birds of the air and the lilies of the field (Matt. 6:26-30). Have you ever heard of a bird being treated for high blood pressure? Or stress? Though they do not know where their next meal will come from, God feeds them, and they thrive.

Think about the beauty of wildflowers growing in a field. While these plants do nothing to grow, they still clothe the countryside with their beauty. Such natural wonders are here today and gone tomorrow, yet God still covers His creation with them. If the Lord will feed the animals and dress nature with such elegance, how much more will He take care of human beings who bear his image (Gen. 1:26-28)? Furthermore, if the Lord is faithful to meet our daily needs, we can certainly trust Him with our tomorrows. Worry is not only unbiblical, but also nonsensical!

Finally, we should resist worry with spiritual priorities. In order to prevent worry before it starts, we must learn to reorder our goals and ambitions. Much of what causes us stress and unease reveals our desire for pursuits that are unholy or selfish. Thus, Jesus instructs us to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first, believing that He will supply all our needs (Matt. 6:33). Simply put, our greatest passion in life ought to be the pursuit of God’s will. Jesus does not want a place in your life; He does not want prominence in your life; He wants preeminence in your life, and nothing else.

Ironically, the pursuit of personal happiness will ultimately lead to our demise. When we seek God’s perfect reality for our lives, though, there is joy in addition to freedom from anxiety. Our thought lives, spending habits, recreational hobbies, personal goals, relationships, and work ethic must come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ if we want to enjoy the peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:6-7). At the risk of oversimplifying, much of what we worry about is the result of ambitions that contradict the kingdom of God rather than build it. Thus, absolute surrender to the will of God is the first step toward tranquility. Happiness is often a wonderful by-product of the holiness the Lord desires to build into our lives.

Adam B. Dooley
March 18, 2026

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