This episode tackles a difficult but timely question:

We explore:

Humor and sharp imagery in Jesus’ teaching

The testing of faith in Job and James

The Flood account in Genesis 6–9

“The springs of the deep” and Peleg’s divided earth

Apocalyptic environmental shifts in Revelation

We examine whether Scripture presents environmental upheaval as metaphor, judgment, cyclical pattern, or historical reality—and how believers should think about suffering and global instability today.

This episode is for listeners who want clarity, not slogans.

In this episode, Rowan Miller and Pastor Don Patterson examine one central tension: how Christians are meant to hold truth and grace together in the face of real suffering and difficult Scripture.

They discuss:

• Whether it’s biblically acceptable to be angry at God

Rather than avoiding hard passages or softening biblical standards, this conversation models how clarity, humility, and theological precision can coexist with compassion.

The goal is not inspiration—but understanding.

Why does God work through weakness instead of strength—and why does the world feel hostile if God created it good?

In this episode of Relish, Roan Miller and Pastor Don Patterson explore two biblical tensions many believers quietly struggle with. First, they walk through Judges 6–7 and God’s decision to reduce Gideon’s army to just 300 men, examining why God removes human advantage and what genuine faith looks like when outcomes aren’t guaranteed.

Next, they turn to Genesis 2–3 and the question of dangerous and frustrating aspects of creation. From thorns to wasps, the hosts explain how the Fall disrupted the created order—and why hardship is not evidence that God abandoned His world.

Along the way, they also discuss Genesis 9, God’s covenant with Noah, and what the post-Flood world reveals about God’s continued care and authority.

This episode offers biblical clarity for listeners wrestling with weakness, suffering, and the goodness of God in a broken world.

09:33-Gideon’s Army and God’s Plan

15:58-The Critters of Creation

This episode was recorded live in front of students at Hillcrest Academy in Kalona, Iowa, using questions submitted directly by students.

Pastor Don addresses foundational issues many Christians struggle to explain clearly: why prayer matters if God already knows the outcome, how free will works alongside divine foreknowledge, why suffering is unevenly distributed, what Revelation is actually describing, and how baptism functions as identity and authority rather than mere ritual.

Rather than avoiding tension, this conversation leans into it—offering biblical reasoning, scriptural grounding, and practical clarity for listeners who want to think carefully about what they believe and why.

In this episode, we explore God’s unique calling for each believer. What does it mean to walk worthy of that calling? How do our skills, passions, and spiritual gifts reveal God’s purpose for us? Rowan, Noah, and Don discuss Scripture, practical examples, and the vital role of community in recognizing and stewarding the gifts God has given you.

Do you have questions for Pastor Don?  send them to [email protected]

00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview

01:20 – Dreaming Big: Your “Once-in-a-Lifetime” Goals

05:05 – When God Calls: Biblical Questions Begin

06:59 – Talking Animals in Scripture

11:59 – Understanding God’s Calling

17:25 – Skills & Talents in God’s Plan

19:15 – The Value of Every Role

21:47 – Community & Discovering Your Calling

23:27 – Closing Remarks & Takeaways

Reformed theology has become increasingly influential among younger Christians—but many still struggle to understand what it actually teaches and whether it reflects Scripture faithfully.

In this episode, Rowan Miller and Pastor Don Patterson are joined by college senior Noah Miller to examine the Calvinist and Arminian perspectives on salvation. The conversation unpacks the TULIP framework, discusses preaching influences like Tim Keller and John Piper, and explores difficult questions surrounding election, atonement, assurance, and human responsibility.

Along the way, the group reflects on mentorship, accountability, and how theological convictions shape real-world faith—especially during major life transitions like college and early adulthood.

This episode is designed for listeners who want clarity, not slogans—and who are willing to think carefully about what they believe and why.

Do you have questions for Pastor Don?  send them to [email protected]

Did anyone actually recognize the Messiah when He came?

In this Christmas episode of Relish, Rowan Miller and Don Patterson explore prophecy, Scripture access, and the tension between God’s plan and human freedom. From first-century scrolls and scribes to the printing press, Dead Sea Scrolls, and modern translations, the conversation traces how people encountered the Word of God—and how that shaped belief.

The episode also dives into predestination, free will, judgment, and what it means to live responsively to God’s purposes without reducing Him to a micromanager.

Honest, curious, and pastoral—this is a conversation for listeners who want depth without dogmatism.

What if self-control isn’t about willpower—but about freedom?

In the final episode of Relish’s Fruits of the Spirit series, Pastor Don Patterson and Rowan Miller explore the biblical meaning of self-control (temperance), showing how Scripture connects restraint with inner strength, healing, and grace.

From anger and temptation to addiction and desire, this conversation offers honest insight and practical steps toward lasting change—without shame or spiritual shortcuts. Rooted in Proverbs and Titus, this episode reframes self-control as a gift meant to protect and restore us.

What does “goodness” actually mean in the Christian life—and why does it feel so unclear today?

In this episode of Relish, Pastor Don Patterson and Rowan Miller explore the fruit of the Spirit known as goodness, unpacking the Greek word agathosune and Jesus’ teachings to show why biblical goodness is outward-facing, costly, and meant to tangibly benefit others.

Rather than a private virtue or moral label, goodness is revealed as a Spirit-given way of living that brings real value to people, communities, and even those who disagree with us. This conversation challenges shallow definitions of goodness and calls believers to a faith that visibly impacts the world.

Why do setbacks reveal more about our faith than success?

Rowan Miller and Pastor Don Patterson reflect on spiritual formation, idolatry, and the armor of God in this thoughtful episode of Relish. Blending Scripture, church history, and pastoral counsel, they examine why modern Christians often feel spiritually unprepared—and how grace-filled discipline forms resilient faith.

From Ephesians to Hebrews, this conversation navigates the tension between grace and obedience, offering practical wisdom for cultivating patience, peace, and perseverance in everyday life.

A warm, honest dialogue for believers who want faith that endures.