Show Notes
Did you know there are 120 species of animals mentioned by name in the Bible? In this fascinating episode, Adam Hamilton explores what our four-legged friends can teach us about one of humanity's most universal experiences: fear. Drawing from neuroscience, personal stories, and ancient wisdom, Adam reveals how dogs offer surprising insights into overcoming the anxieties that paralyze us. This isn't your typical self-help approach to fear management. Instead, it's a thoughtful exploration of how understanding our hardwired responses can lead us toward genuine peace.All Vertebrates Are Wired for Fear—Including You: Adam explains how the amygdala, those almond-shaped structures in our brains, bypass our rational thinking the moment we sense danger. Whether you're human, dog, or zebra, this ancient survival mechanism kicks in instantly, preparing us to fight, flee, or freeze. The problem? We often flinch at things that aren't actually threats. The Turtle Incident: When Fear Creates Unnecessary Chaos: Through a humorous story about his dogs Mabel and Rocky encountering a harmless turtle, Adam illustrates how fear can create chaos when there's no real danger. The dogs barked frantically while the turtle retreated into its shell—a perfect metaphor for how our anxieties often spiral out of control over situations that pose no actual threat. Rocky's Thunderstorm Wisdom: The Power of Proximity to Your Master: When a thunderstorm struck at 5 AM, Adam's dog Rocky didn't just hide. He crawled close to his sleeping owner's face. The moment Rocky could see Adam, he calmed down completely, even though the storm continued raging outside. This simple act reveals a profound truth about finding peace in the midst of life's storms. King David's Fear Confession: "Whenever I'm Afraid": Adam unpacks Psalm 56, where David—captured by enemy Philistines—writes honestly about his fear. Notice David doesn't claim to never be afraid; instead, he says "whenever I'm afraid, I put my trust in you." This psalm became a song, something David could sing repeatedly until the truth settled into his heart and mind. Singing Through Devastation: Real Stories of Faith in Crisis: From schoolgirls singing hymns while evacuating flood devastation at Camp Mystic to Haitian parents singing to God while standing outside a collapsed school building, Adam shares powerful examples of people finding peace through worship even in their darkest moments. These aren't stories of denial, but of choosing trust over terror.Fear is part of being human… and that's actually okay. The question isn't whether you'll experience fear, but what you'll do when those inevitable storms hit. Will you let anxiety control your life, or will you learn from Rocky and King David about the transformative power of staying close to your Master? This episode offers both scientific insight and spiritual wisdom for anyone ready to move from panic to peace. Whether you're skeptical about faith or simply curious about practical approaches to fear, Adam's blend of humor, honesty, and hope provides a fresh perspective that doesn't require checking your brain at the door.
More from Making Sense of Faith with Adam Hamilton
What really happened between Good Friday and Easter Sunday — and what did Jesus say when it was all over?In this episode, Adam Hamilton opens up the cutting room floor from his Easter sermon, sharing the details that didn't make it into the pulpit but are too important to miss. Drawing from Matthew's gospel, Adam walks through the remarkable events surrounding the first Easter with the curiosity and depth the story deserves.The curtain that changed everythingWhen Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. But what did that actually mean? Adam unpacks two powerful interpretations — one pointing to God's grief, the other to a barrier between humanity and God being removed forever — and why it matters for how we understand the cross today.The courage of Joseph of ArimatheaA wealthy member of the Jewish ruling council who had been a secret follower of Jesus, Joseph dared to ask Pontius Pilate for Jesus' body. Adam explores what all four gospels tell us about this remarkable man — and what his story says about faith, courage, and the cost of speaking up.What happened on Holy SaturdayIt's the day nobody talks about. Jesus is in the tomb. The disciples are in hiding. But the religious leaders are doing everything they can to keep Jesus there — sealing the tomb, posting guards, trying to contain the uncontainable. Adam reflects on the powerful irony of that day and what it means for us when we feel like hope is sealed away.The cover-up nobody could pull offWhen the resurrection happened, the guards fled. The religious leaders bribed them to spread a different story. Adam traces how Matthew, writing 50 years later, addresses the rumors that were still circulating — and why the evidence for the resurrection is more compelling than the alternatives.Therefore, goAfter everything — the crucifixion, the burial, the resurrection — Jesus appears to his disciples and speaks two words that changed the direction of history. Adam unpacks the Great Commission and what it means to live as people who are not just Easter people, but sent people.This episode also weaves in a timely reflection on how the Easter story speaks to our complicated world — drawing a surprising line from the ancient Magi to the people of modern-day Iran — and what it means to apply Jesus' teachings when the news feels heavy and the answers aren't simple.Whether you're a lifelong Christian, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode invites you into the full Easter story and challenges you to consider what those two words mean for your life today.
What does it look like to age without fear? In this deeply personal conversation, Adam Hamilton sits down with Alan and Kay Kimes—married for 64 years and still radiating joy at 86 years old. They share the honest truth about navigating every decade from their 50s to their 80s, from empty nesting to discovering deeper faith, from launching second careers to serving others in meaningful ways.If you've ever worried about getting older, losing your memory, or facing death, this conversation will shift your perspective. Alan and Kay reveal how they've transformed fear into purpose, worry into prayer, and aging into what they call "aging out well." Their secret? Taking life one day at a time, keeping romance alive, and never stopping their service to others.Whether you're in your 30s wondering what's ahead, navigating midlife transitions, or already in your golden years, you'll find practical wisdom and infectious hope in this episode. Discover why the 60s might be the best decade for spiritual growth, how serving others becomes the antidote to fear, and what it means to wake up every morning thrilled to have another day.This isn't just another conversation about aging—it's a masterclass in living fully, loving deeply, and facing the future without fear.
Should your faith shape your politics? In this candid episode, Adam Hamilton challenges the myth that religion and politics don't mix—and explains why staying silent on justice issues might actually contradict the teachings of Jesus.Drawing from a controversial sermon on immigration enforcement and political division, Adam shares powerful stories of fear in immigrant communities, explores the concept of "just laws" versus "just enforcement," and offers a framework for how Christians can engage politically without losing their humanity or dividing their communities.You'll discover why empathy is both the most important and most difficult practice in polarized times, how to protest in ways that reflect your values, and what it means to live out the prayer "thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth" in concrete, everyday ways.Whether you're deeply involved in politics or trying to stay above the fray, this episode offers a thoughtful path forward for people of faith navigating America's deepest divisions.
Ever wondered what goes into a message that reaches the largest audience of the year? Adam Hamilton pulls back the curtain on his 36th Christmas Eve at Church of the Resurrection, revealing nine drafts, 30+ hours of research, and a stunning historical discovery at 2:20 in the morning that changed everything.The beloved Christmas carol "O Holy Night" wasn't just a pretty song. In 1855 Boston, it became an anthem of the abolitionist movement, inspiring Christians to give up everything and travel to Kansas to claim it as a free state. The line "chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother" moved people to action, and Adam discovered these faithful abolitionists passed directly across the land where his church now sits.In this special behind-the-scenes episode, Adam walks through his creative process: why he rewrote the sermon after preaching it the first time, how he adapted it for 2,000 kids on Christmas morning, and what it takes to keep a 2,000-year-old story compelling after nearly four decades of Christmas Eves. From "Home Alone" clips to trail maps to his own family's Super 8 films from 1967, see how one pastor weaves history, personal story, and a simple call to "love one another" into a message that moved people to give $2.3 million to families in poverty.Whether you're curious about the craft of communication, fascinated by hidden history, or simply wondering what happens behind the scenes of the biggest night in the church year, this episode offers rare insight into how faith and creativity collide.In this episode:- Why Christmas Eve is the most challenging message of the year- The abolitionist history hidden in "O Holy Night"- How Adam discovered his church sits on an Underground Railroad route- What it takes to preach the same story fresh for 36 years- The moment at 2 AM when everything came togetherThe episode includes the full 7:00 PM Christmas Eve service, featuring Dr. Cameron Smith's stunning performance of "O Holy Night."
What if a simple Google ad could lead you to save a stranger's life? In this powerful episode, Adam Hamilton sits down with Jeff Reisinger, a Church of the Resurrection member who became a living liver donor, and Dr. Sean Kumer, Chief Medical Officer at the University of Kansas Health System, to explore the remarkable journey of organ donation—from that first unexpected popup ad to the moment two families were forever changed.Jeff's story begins with an unusual series of "coincidences": a persistent advertisement, a Christmas Eve phone call, and a match with another Jeff whose son shares his own son's name. But as you'll hear, these weren't coincidences at all—they were part of something much bigger.In this episode, you'll discover:- How living liver donation works and why your liver regenerates after donation- The difference between kidney and liver donation, and what recovery looks like- Why there are over 100,000 people waiting for organ transplants in the US- How faith can lead to radical acts of selfless love- Practical steps you can take to become a living donorThis isn't just a medical story. It's a profound exploration of what it means to love your neighbor in the most tangible way possible. Whether you're considering becoming a donor, curious about the medical process, or simply looking for an inspiring story of faith in action, this episode will move you.Resources mentioned:- University of Kansas Health System Transplant Center: (913) 588-6183- HRSA (Health Resources & Services Administration): hrsa.gov- Gift of Life donation awarenessThis episode could save lives. If you know someone who might be interested in organ donation—or anyone who needs hope that extraordinary goodness still exists in this world—please share this with them.