Awkward Conversations

Thirty years of sermon prep wisdom, how to stop treating biblical figures as moral examples, and crafting theological connections. Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity: Prov. 8:11–22, Phil. 3:17–21, Matt. 22:15–22

Saintly NBA player names, remembering saints, and establishing daily Bible reading habits. All Saints’ Day: Matt. 5:1–12

Brainstorming NBA and seminarian baby names, Luther's return to Scripture, and John 8's view of spiritual freedom. Reformation Day: John 8:31–36

Ranking famous Lukes, Isaiah 35's healing prophecies, eyewitness accounts, and Luke's gospel legacy.   St. Luke: Isaiah 35:5–8, 2 Tim. 4:5–18, Luke 10:1–9

Passing time, God's holiness in the temple, Jacob's ladder, and bad paninis.   Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity: Gen. 28:10–17, Eph. 4:22–28, Matt. 9:1–8

Bollhagen's Top 12 Uncomfortable Conversation Starters at a Pastor's Conference, God's love in Deuteronomy, why the law isn't a trap, and grace for messy churches. Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity: Deut. 10:12–21, 1 Cor. 1:1–9, Matt. 22:34–46

Why pastors must model repentance, empathy in Christian apologetics, and who was the Sabbath really made for? Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity: Prov. 25:6–14, Eph. 4:1–6, Luke 14:1–11

Jacked clergy, Elijah and Jesus' miracles, the value of the physical body, and the Shroud of Turin.   Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity: 1 Kings 17:17–24, Eph. 3:13–21, Luke 7:11–17

Seminary Halloween costumes, trusting for daily bread, baptismal resets, and Amish electricity ethics. Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity: 1 Kings 17:8–16, Gal. 5:25–6:10, Matt. 6:24–34

Big forearms, College Football, Solomon calls younger people to trust his words, and Jesus healing ten lepers. Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity: Prov. 4:10–23, Gal. 5:16–24, Luke 17:11–19