Bret Hammond

Chaos doesn't make appointments. It comes into your life unannounced and uninvited and turns everything upside down. Whatever you hold onto in those moments better be solid enough to get you through.

This is why Peter starts off with the words, "Prepare your minds for action."

My baccalaureate sermon for the Kansas High School class of 2015

"I'm trying to thrive." What if it's not about us trying, though?

Genelle passed away at 100 years old. She was an amazing lady and it was an honor to speak on her behalf.

Peter's call is for a faith that allows us to not merely survive in this world but to thrive!

We know gossip is wrong but we wink, giggle and tell it anyway. Reading through the Bible, though, God never winks or giggles when he talks about gossip. He takes it seriously. Why? Why does God not tolerate gossip and why shouldn't we?

In Jesus' final words we find the answer to our greatest need.

Jesus took on our most basic need so he could meet our greatest need.

"Into your hands I commit my spirit." This was more than just Jesus' last words on the cross. It was the bedtime prayer of the Jewish people. For centuries it was the last words on their lips before they fell asleep. For centuries they hoped it would be the last words on their lips before they died.

These words were lovingly and carefully sown into Jesus' heart. It makes me wonder, what are we sowing into our hearts? What words do we use to prepare ourselves for those most horrible moments?

What would it take? That's the question I've been asking myself this week. From time to time our kids disappoint us. We are at times upset about their choices. But as disappointed as we can be we would never abandon our children . . . would we?

And yet God the Father did exactly that. Jesus cried out those words, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" because for the first time in all eternity he was truly alone.