Aurora Pastorealis

Are you a Christian man with long hair, or a Christian woman with short hair?  Doesn't matter now if that is true, but Paul addresses what has become an issue in Corinth - hair-length and head-coverings. Though this is not a contemporary issue, there are some timeless truths that apply to our modern day lives.  

We have a certain obligation toward others, to love them more than our own freedom in some things. We don't want to cause someone to stumble or judge others unnecessarily. To challenge all people, Paul simplifies it to this; which is simple, but it is also profound: "Whatever you do...do it all for the glory of God."

On today's episode, we are reflecting on Easter. God's eternally extravagant gift to us in His Son Jesus. Our lives should be a reflection of the reality of God's love, grace, and mercy. We should seek to respond in love to our marvelous wonderful Savior!

In today's episode we are in the second half of 1 Corinthians 10. When we read of idols, we often think of something made of wood or metal that is worshiped, but idols can come in many forms. We are called to keep God first, flee from idols, and find our satisfaction in Him!

In today's episode Nate and Travis are joined by John, the worship pastor that works with Jared.  We sit down and work through 1 Corinthians 10. Sin is always competing with our love for God and to the extent we do not find ourself content with God, we will seek contentment in sin, from grumbling or idols or sexual immorality or many other sins. But Jesus Himself is the answer to every discontentment we have, we need only seek Him and find as the hymn says, "that the things of earth with grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

Today we take a letter that we received and answer some of the questions that were asked. Mainly, we worked to answer the difference between OT Israel vs. the NT church and how Jesus makes all the difference. 

We continue our journey through 1 Corinthians and this week we continue in chapter 9. The gospel is brought to different people and different cultures. There are things we can take from culture and things we must reject. What can we learn about how to distinguish between clarifying the gospel and compromising it. 

Welcome to 2026, it's a new year!  This episode marks a year of us being together and we are thankful for each of you for listening! We are back in the book of 1 Corinthians and looking at chapter 9.  Paul is discussing his 'rights.' There are things that Paul could say he is owed, it is his right to do so. Yet Paul doesn't claim his rights, because he is a servant to Christ and a servant to all, he must make his decisions based not on his rights, but what he believes is right for the church, is best for the church, and most glorifying to God. 

On today's episode we discuss Christmas traditions, our favorite movie around this time, and what we are thinking about/preaching on during the Christmas season. 

On today's episode we are discussing 1 Corinthians 8. As Christians we have freedom in Christ and as Christians we also should not flaunt our freedoms to a 'weaker brother or sister.' Be considerate of others, be loving, think of what builds up and not what causes tension. 

On today's episode, we discuss 1 Corinthians 7, we discuss how our decisions in life are to be guided by Holy decisions and Holy ambitions.  We need to ask the question "What does God desire of me, as a Christian in my life and as a member in the body of Christ?"  

In today's episode, Travis, Nate, and Jared discuss 1 Corinthians 7, Paul is addressing questions that people are asking about being a believer and marriage. What if you are married and one of you becomes of believer?  What do you do? Should you divorce or not?  For the Corinithians, this whole Christian thing is so new they just struggle to figure out what to do, thankfully the Holy Spirit guided Paul to speak to these issues. So sit down, take a listen, pray this is an encouragement and a hope!

Sex is a gift from God, therefore it is a good gift. But the gift is only good in the boundaries in which God has designed it. In today's episode, Holy Hanky Panky, we are reminded that God designed sex for our enjoyment and His Glory, within the boundaries of marriage between a husband and a wife. 

Today we have a special guest with us who is sharing about his work as a missionary!  Steven Johnson is a missionary, a trainer of missionaries, and...he is also the Nate's father!  We are so thankful for his wisdom and passion for missions and for people who need to hear the Word of God!  What a blessing this episode was to us and we hope for you as well!

In Episode 17, Travis, Nate, and Jared return to 1 Corinthians to examine the warning about being deceived by sin, about accepting sin in our lives that perhaps the culture around us has accepted, but that God does not. We are called to repent and turn to the wonder of the Grace of God and walk in a relationship with God. 

In episode 16, Travis, Nate, and Jared discuss questions from Church in the Park. Discipline in Hebrews is an act of love, so what does that mean for loving discipline within our churches and our families? 

Nate, Travis, and Jared pastor 3 separate churches, but once a summer our congregations come together for a Corporate Worship Service at our local city park. This year, we are discussing Hebrews 12.1-17 as our text. Take a listen and get an idea how our podcast started!  

The Corinthians are fighting and bickering over 'trivial matters' and going after each other with lawsuits and Paul discusses how we are to approach wrongdoing and restoration. We are to seek justice, but also be willing to be wrong for the sake of Christ and the gospel. 

Ministry is not easy, in fact, at times it can be very difficult.  God's grace through the Holy Spirit is given so that we might minister in grace to others. Speaking the truth in love is important, and you can't do one without the other. 

We recorded this episode back in May and with the posting of this one, we are back on our normal schedule!  Sin separates us from God, all of it. From a white lie to the most heinous sin, God is opposed to it all. Sexual sin in modern America is nearly a taboo topic, but it shouldn't be. We must speak the truth in love, desiring what is best for people, and knowing and trusting that obedience to God will bring long-term joy. We are always so very thankful for the wonder of God's grace. 

We've haven't released a new episode in a while, but we are back! This week we introduce John, our newest colleague who is working with Jared at Roseau Community Church! 

The Word of God is our final authority, we build on lives on what is says, not what we would like it to say. His Word has been given to us and we are to be stewards of the message and the mysteries that are set forth in it. 

This is a special release of Easter reflections. Easter is a such an important part of the Christian life. In today's episode, we look at various parts of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

On today's episode we discuss the impact certain books or authors have had on our lives, spiritually, or just in general. There are plenty of great books and authors that we have enjoyed and that have opened our minds to new ideas in our walk with God. So sit down, take a listen, and then perhaps reflect on the books that have shaped your life!

In today's episode, we discuss living our lives, with 'the Day' in mind. Paul challenges the Corinthians to be mindful that in our lives we are building on the foundation of Jesus Christ. But whatever we do in life, one day we will stand before the Lord and give an account of our life and what we have done 'will be revealed by fire.' 

We've all probably heard of pastors who have fallen or failed and these things are tragic and heartbreaking for so many people. Our hope is built on the secure foundation of Jesus Christ, men and women will always fail, God never does. 

There are many things worth knowing and there are many things that are not worth our time. Pursuing the Wisdom of God is a worthy task. 

The gospel message is foolishness to the world, but the power of God to those who are saved.  The gospel can certainly seem or appear foolish or weak, the central message is Jesus the Son of God crucified...how is that power or wisdom?  But Paul reminds the Corinthians that what many may see as foolish, God has chosen to make the gospel the power of God. 

Early in 1 Corinthians, Paul begins dealing with division within the church. There are reasons to be divided and there are reasons to be united.  The three of us do not agree on every theological tittle, but we are united in the essentials of Christianity. 

Today we begin our walk through 1 Corinthians.  Christians are imperfect people, perfected through Christ. The Corinthians were a mess, so is the church today. But just as Paul was thankful for them, we are thankful for the work of God in working through our struggles and victories as Sinners and Saints. 

This is our first episode of Aurora Pastorealis!  We are 3 pastors in Northwestern MN who hope you find our podcast encouraging and inspiring to everyday life as a Christian. Today's episode covers a bit of who we are and some New Year's related material.