Doug Bailey

Although I grew up in a Christian household that regularly attended church, I really didn’t fully grasp or appreciate the importance of having a faith until much later in life. As a teenager and a young adult, I used to say I am too busy trying to be a good person to be a good Christian. During this time (I now realize), I was living for myself and my priority was me. I justified my actions through my own personal desires. I had a casual relationship with God, but never got very close to Him; church became a thing of the past. I was aware of His attempts to steer me into a closer relationship, but I ignored those prompts. Over time, I realized something was missing. Self-satisfaction really wasn’t all that satisfying. I wanted more meaning in my life. Finally, I recognized that I had to change or else I’d continue to pursue my selfish desires (that never seemed to bring the pleasure that their allure suggested), and I would never be able to fill the void within me that kept growing each day. I needed help from God, as I knew I couldn’t fix this on my own. After all, I had already given self-reliance a good go and it was unsuccessful; time to try another route. Many people can recall an exact time and place associated with their receiving Christ into their lives. I cannot. Once I became aware of my need for something more, I began to pray for forgiveness and for the will to change. Church became a component of my life once again, and this time, church had significance. As I accepted Christ and turned my life over to Him, I began to sense fulfillment (joy) and meaning in my life. Values changed; people and relationships started to receive the attention they deserved. Selfish desires declined in importance. I realized a shift in my priorities, and it felt right. That internal void was starting to disappear. As my faith in Christ grew, I appreciated my personal relationship with God more and more. However, I still felt something was missing in my life; it wasn’t complete. During this time, I attended a spiritual renewal weekend, and I came to the realization that I had been taking in and storing up the blessings given to me by God (that felt good). However, I also realized that to be a better / more complete Christian, I needed to learn how to pass those gifts and blessings along. I needed to share the love God had shown me with my family, my friends, and with others. Since this revelation, I have been working on expressing my faith to others living it rather than hoarding it (this feels even better!). As I continue to expand my faith to all aspects of my life, the internal void continues to shrink. The sense of life, purpose and fulfillment increases. There is a plan and God has a role for each of us in that plan. I am thankful to be plugged into His plan.

My Life

Favorite Quote

"History is more than a section in the library." Goldwin Smith "O man! Learn by precepts what you ought to do; learn by rebuke that it is by your own fault that you have it not; learn by prayer whence you may receive what you desire to have." Augustine "If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee." Abraham Lincoln "I have come to realize that I understand God less but trust Him more." Leighton Ford "Men may acclaim something that stirs their imagination, but they can be saved only by something that touches the heart." James Stuart Stewart

Friends describe me

Humorous, honest, dependable.

My hobbies

Passions include cooking; trout fishing on a crisp morning; and reading for spiritual and intellectual growth.

Fantasy dinner guests

John Calvin and Walt Disney

Best advice I ever received

Listening is more important than speaking.

My undergrad alma mater

University of Georgia

My worst subject in school

English grammar

In college I drove

A Ford Maverick

If I weren't a professor, I would

Be a chef

Favorite books

Really favorite authors: John Buchan, Randall Garrett, C.S. Lewis, J.D. Robb, E. Phillips Oppenheim

Favorite movies

Willow, Star Wars (the original), Shenandoah

Favorite city

Edinburgh, Scotland

Favorite coffee

Donkey Blend Decaf