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May 06
Love0

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

Dec 10
Love0

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

Jul 15
Love0

The Generosity God Seeks

By Generosity, Hope, Trials No Comments

Her words stopped me in my tracks.

“I need to verify your insurance information, Mr. Dooley, but you will never receive a bill from the hospital,” she stated casually. I should have known; after all, I see the same commercials that you see from time to time. Yet, I am embarrassed to admit that previously I failed to pay attention. At this point, I knew little about childhood cancer and even less about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. What was second nature to the woman in registration was news to me.

“How is that possible?” I asked.

“Because of generous donors around the world,” she explained, “our patients never receive a bill from the hospital. There will be no charge for whatever your insurance fails to pay.”

No charge?

“No charge. You take care of your son and let us take care of the rest.”

And take care of it they did. Every flight we took to Memphis (over 100). Every mile we drove. Every meal we ate while there. Every room we stayed in overnight. Every vial of chemo my son received. Every MRI, CT scan, and clinic visit. No expense was spared, and no expense was laid at our feet.

No charge. No strings attached.

When it was all over, we estimated that St. Jude spent nearly 2 million dollars to help our son get well. Words cannot describe the deep gratitude our family feels for the abundant, unrestricted generosity of the world’s premier research hospital leading the fight against childhood cancer. To this day, it takes my breath away.

Frankly, the whole experience gave me a completely new outlook on living a generous life even as it convicted me. No secular organization, no matter how wonderful, should model the sacrificial giving God seeks more than the church of the Lord Jesus. As a pastor, I not only want to model biblical generosity for my people, but I also want to teach them to prioritize the Lord’s work.

Discussions on money and giving are sometimes taboo even though significant portions of Scripture are devoted to these subjects. While the lies of the prosperity gospel leave many wishing to avoid the subject altogether, faithful pastors seeking to preach the whole counsel of God recognize the undeniable connection between our view of wealth and our spiritual maturity. Simply put, wherever we put our treasure, our heart will necessarily follow (Matt. 6:21). Despite our best efforts to ignore it, most Christians instinctively understand that either God or money will rise to prominence in our lives, leaving no room for the other to capture our hearts (Matt. 6:24).  The biblical antidote for worshipping at the altar of the almighty dollar is generous giving to God’s kingdom work (Matt. 6:19-20).

So, instead of focusing on whether we should give, allow me to make some observations about how we should give.  Five patterns emerge as we consider the generosity God seeks.

Our giving should be sacrificial. While describing the giving of the Macedonians to the ministry of the church, Paul says they gave despite their great affliction and poverty (2 Cor. 8:2) in a way that was according to their ability and beyond their ability (2 Cor. 8:3). Sharing resources that we will never miss falls short of the sacrifice God is seeking in our giving.

Our giving should be intentional. Not only does Paul challenge the Corinthian believers to participate in the offering for the Jerusalem church, but he also tells them to plan ahead and set aside their gift well before its collection (2 Cor. 9:5). Allotting funds each week is the best strategy because it increases our capacity to give more than in single moments (1 Cor. 16:1).  Being intentional pushes the kingdom’s agenda to the forefront of our budget by protecting us from reactionary giving out of our leftovers.

Our giving should be cheerful. Lest anyone think that generosity is defined by certain dollar amounts, Paul also highlights the heart and attitude that should accompany our offerings.  Giving only when coerced or forced creates a religious hypocrisy that resembles a whitewashed tomb rather than a transformed heart. God desires cheerful anticipation as we give out of devoted resolve to build eternal treasure (2 Cor. 9:7).

Our giving should be proportional. Much like a swinging pendulum, the proportional nature of giving is obvious in two distinct ways. First, what we give away should be proportional to what God has given us. Second, what God gives us is often proportional to what we are willing to give away. Do you want to be generous? Give as God as given to you. Do you want to be more generous? God can (and will) give you everything you need to be as generous as He wants you to be (2 Cor. 9:8-11).

Our giving should be worshipful. Not only does supporting God’s kingdom work lead those who benefit to worship God, but it also points the giver back to the One who gave more than any material possession we might part with. Giving reminds us of the “indescribable gift” of God’s Son (2 Cor. 9:15). Though Jesus was rich, He became poor so that we might become wealthy because of His poverty (2 Cor. 8:9). Sustained generosity not only makes us more like Jesus, it also helps us to appreciate the depth and breadth of His great sacrifice for us.

Adam B. Dooley
July 15, 2025

**This article first appeared with the release of Hope When Life Unravels. Order your copy today wherever books are sold.

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