In this enlightening episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton and guest Melissa Gepford explore the deep meaning of Advent and its relevance in today's world. The conversation weaves together historical context, personal reflection, and profound theological insights about waiting, hope, and the revolutionary concept of God becoming human. For those wrestling with faith questions or feeling disconnected from traditional religious practice, this discussion offers fresh perspectives on how ancient traditions speak to our modern experiences of longing and anticipation.
The True Meaning of Advent Goes Beyond Shopping Lists: While our culture starts celebrating Christmas right after Halloween, Advent originally began as a four-week period of spiritual preparation. Adam explains how this season of waiting helps us prepare not just for celebrating Christ's birth, but for understanding what it means to be ready for divine encounters in our own lives.

From Royal Palace to Refugee Cave: The episode unpacks the surprising way God chose to enter the world - not in King Herod's mountaintop palace with a swimming pool, but in a cave used for sheltering animals. This stark contrast reveals something profound about God's character and solidarity with the vulnerable, including modern-day refugees.

Wrestling with Doubt is Part of Faith: Through an exploration of Jesus's humanity, Adam addresses a listener's thoughtful question about whether Jesus experienced human flaws. The conversation offers comfort to those who struggle with doubt, revealing how even Jesus himself experienced moments of questioning.

Hope in a Post-Election World: The timing of Advent, coming after presidential elections, offers a powerful reminder about where we place our ultimate trust. Adam discusses how this season helps put our political divisions in perspective and points to a deeper source of hope.

Light Conquering Darkness: The episode concludes with a fascinating explanation of why Christmas is celebrated near the winter solstice, revealing how even the rhythms of nature tell the story of light overcoming darkness. This natural phenomenon becomes a powerful metaphor for spiritual transformation.

Whether you're a skeptic curious about Christianity or someone seeking to deepen their faith, this episode offers a thought-provoking look at how ancient traditions speak to our modern experiences. Adam’s authentic, intellectually honest approach creates space for both questions and wonder. The conversation concludes with a warm invitation to experience the power of Christmas Eve services, either in person or online, where the simple act of passing candlelight becomes a profound reminder of hope in our divided world. Don't miss this episode that bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary life.

Ever wonder how some people maintain a thankful heart even when life gets messy? In this heartwarming Thanksgiving episode, Adam Hamilton invites us into an intimate conversation about the life-changing power of gratitude. Adam explores how thankfulness isn't just for turkey day - it's a transformative practice that can reshape our daily lives, deepen our faith, and even change our relationships. Through personal stories and practical wisdom, this conversation shows us that gratitude isn't about ignoring life's challenges; it's about finding light even in our darkest moments.

Soul-Stirring Stories:- From Adam's early morning walks with enthusiastic dogs interrupting his prayers, to touching moments with families facing loss, these real-life examples show how gratitude can turn ordinary moments into extraordinary gifts 
- A powerful story closes the episode about Sam Haggerty, who found joy in autumn leaves while battling terminal cancer - a testament to gratitude's ability to lift our spirits even in life's toughest seasons

Practical Ways to Transform Your Life:- Discover the simple 3-thing gratitude practice that studies show can make you 25% happier in just 10 weeks 
- Learn how expressing daily appreciation can revolutionize your relationships and marriage 
- Find out why those pre-meal "thank yous" might be more powerful than you think

Hope for Hard Times:- Uncover how Holocaust survivors used gratitude as a lifeline to maintain their humanity 
- See how thankfulness can help quiet those 3 AM anxiety thoughts 
- Learn why feeling grateful doesn't mean ignoring your pain - and how it can actually help you heal

Whether you're going through a tough season or simply want to cultivate more joy in your life, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how gratitude can transform your world.

In this candid continuation of Making Sense of Faith's inaugural episode, Pastor Adam Hamilton finally answers the question many have wondered: How did he vote in the 2024 election? But more importantly, he and Executive Pastor Scott Cros explore what it means to be defined by faith rather than political identity.

Through personal stories about conversations with his granddaughter and lessons learned from nine presidential elections, Adam wrestles with critical questions:

How can Christians shock the world with radical kindness?
Is practicing kindness enough to create real change?
What does it mean to be "prisoners of hope" in divided times?
How do we face our fears with faith?

Whether you're celebrating or grieving the election results, this episode offers wisdom for moving forward with purpose and courage. Join us for an honest conversation about maintaining hope and building bridges in politically turbulent times.

Making Sense of Faith is for anyone who knows that life's hardest questions deserve more than simple answers. Join us as we explore how ancient wisdom speaks to modern challenges.

Visit makingsenseoffaith.com for show notes and resources.

In this inaugural episode of Making Sense of Faith, Pastor Adam Hamilton tackles faith and politics head-on in the wake of Donald Trump's 2024 presidential victory. Join Adam for an honest, thought-provoking conversation about finding hope and building bridges in politically divided times.

Rather than offering easy answers, this episode wrestles with tough questions:

How do we process disappointment and fear after an election?
Where is God when prayers seem to go unanswered?
What does it mean to put faith in Jesus over politics?
How can we build bridges instead of walls between different viewpoints?

Whether you're celebrating or grieving the election results, this episode offers wisdom for moving forward with hope, grace and purpose. Adam shares personal insights from his experience leading one of America's largest United Methodist congregations and practical guidance for being part of the solution rather than adding to the division.

Making Sense of Faith is a podcast for anyone who knows life's hardest questions deserve more than simple answers. Join us as we explore how ancient wisdom speaks to modern challenges.
Subscribe for new episodes exploring life's biggest questions through the lens of Christian faith.

Visit makingsenseoffaith.com for show notes and resources.

Do you ever find yourself asking big questions about life—questions that keep you up at night. 

Questions like: 
- How do we find faith in uncertain times? 
- Are science and faith even compatible? 
- And why do the innocent suffer?
This podcast isn’t about easy answers or blind faith. It’s about diving into the tough questions—exploring faith with both your head and your heart. I want to invite you on a journey where we wrestle with doubt, embrace curiosity, and discover how a 2,000-year-old faith still speaks to the deepest parts of our lives today.
In each episode, we’ll explore what it means to have faith in a world full of diverse beliefs, differing opinions, and real challenges. Whether you’re skeptical, curious, or a believer, Making Sense of Faith is here for anyone who’s looking for hope—without having to check their brain or values at the door.
So, if you’re ready to explore a faith that builds bridges and offers hope, this podcast is for you. Let’s make sense of faith together.