Orchard Hill Church Blog
Explore. Grow. Engage.
From Distance to Intimacy: Acknowledging God Daily
Bryce Vaught tackles one of faith's biggest challenges: how do we grow closer to someone we can't see? Discover three practical ways to acknowledge God in your daily life and develop the intimate relationship with Christ you were designed for.
Broken Heroes #2 - David: The Trap of Sensuality
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores David's devastating failure with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11, revealing how even those "after God's own heart" can fall into the sensuality trap that trades temporary pleasure for lasting consequences. This powerful message shows how God redeems our broken stories and offers practical steps to recognize and overcome the destructive patterns that ensnare us all.
How Discipleship Can Energize Your Spiritual Life (Part 1)
Jonathan Thiede tackles the spiritual boredom that comes from knowing about faith without truly living it, like a tennis fan who's never picked up a racket. Discover how discipleship can transform your spiritual life from passive observation to active growth through relational, goal-oriented, and transformative connections with others.
Broken Heroes #1 - Saul: The Trap of Comparison
In this message from 1 Samuel 18:5-12, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund exposes how comparison traps us in jealousy and envy—sins that Scripture warns can separate us from God's kingdom. Discover how embracing what Christ has done for us frees us from the toxic thoughts "they have it better" and "I deserve better," enabling us to receive life with joy and trust in God's provision.
True Fantasy Stories are Inherently Christian Stories
Ever wonder why fantasy stories like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings resonate so deeply with readers across all cultures and beliefs? Tyler Thomas explores how true fantasy inherently reflects Christian themes of sacrifice, redemption, and hope, revealing that our favorite fictional worlds point us toward the greatest true story ever told.
In Jesus, There is Freedom for All
In this message from John 4:1-45, Mike Chilcoat reveals how Jesus offers the ultimate freedom through "living water" to people from all backgrounds—whether you're respected like Nicodemus or broken like the Samaritan woman. Discover how God's unearned gift of salvation is available to you right now, regardless of your past or present circumstances.
Dual Roads to Darkness: Two Ways to Death and the Single Path to Life
Jake Williams explores why the popular "two ways to live" framework might miss a crucial third path that leads people away from God—religious performance that masquerades as righteousness. Discover how the gospel offers a transformative alternative that transcends both moral rebellion and legalistic religion.
Made to Flourish #5 - Spirituality
In this message from Genesis 1:26-28, Pastor Bryce Vaught reveals how we can truly flourish spiritually in three essential ways: by grounding our lives in God's truth, growing in unwavering trust, and cultivating authentic community with others. Discover how to break free from the lies that hold you back and step into the abundant spiritual life God designed you to live.
The Ted Cruz-Tucker Carlson Debate: What Does the Bible Really Say About Supporting Israel?
Pastor Brady Randall tackles the complex question of whether Christians are biblically mandated to support modern-day Israel, examining what Scripture really says about God's chosen people today. Discover how biblical passages like Genesis 12 and Romans 9-11 should shape Christian perspectives on Israel, salvation, and Middle East policy.
Made to Flourish #4 - Money
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-24 about money's spiritual power, revealing how our treasure leads our heart rather than the reverse. Discover how to avoid the seven spiritual dangers of money and unlock God's blessing through faithful stewardship that creates opportunity rather than bondage.
Made to Flourish #3 - Family
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund examines Ephesians 6:1-4 to reveal God's design for family, emphasizing that parents are called primarily to nurture their children's spiritual well-being rather than merely pursuing worldly success. This message reminds us that while we should balance encouragement with admonishment in raising children, God offers abundant mercy and peace even when—like the perfect Father whose children sometimes rebel—we don't get everything right.
Seven Ancient Worship Disciplines from Richard Foster's Timeless Wisdom
Dan Shields explores Richard Foster's wisdom on worship, showing how we need more than knowing about God—we must experience His presence. Discover seven ancient disciplines that transform worship from routine religious activity into life-giving encounters with the living God in both corporate gatherings and daily life.
Made to Flourish #2 - Marriage
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores Genesis 1-2 and Jesus' teaching in Mark 10 to reveal how God designed marriage as a picture of Christ's relationship with the church, showing that even imperfect relationships can flourish when we understand this profound mystery. Whether you're single, married, or struggling in your relationship, discover how God's perfect love through Jesus transforms our ability to love others and gives us hope that transcends our earthly circumstances.
Made to Flourish #1 - Work
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund begins a new message series called Made to Flourish. He explores Genesis 1-2 to reveal God's original design for work as a pre-fall mandate, showing that our value comes from being created in God's image rather than from our productivity. This powerful message challenges our culture's tendency to define ourselves by our careers, inviting us to embrace both meaningful work and sacred rest as God intended, finding true flourishing in the balance He established from creation.
Messages in Malachi: Minutes, Marriage, and Mindset
In her insightful exploration of Malachi, Emily DeAngelo unpacks three transformative themes—minutes, marriage, and mindset—challenging us to examine how we worship, honor our covenant relationships, and fix our thoughts on Christ's redemptive promise for our everyday lives.
Encountering the Risen Christ #6 - Sacrifice
Jonathan Thiede concludes the Encountering the Risen Christ series exploring John 21:18-23. He reveals how Jesus calls each believer to a uniquely personal path of sacrifice rather than comparing our journeys with others. He invites us to find freedom and contentment by fixing our eyes on Jesus and surrendering to God's will, even when our sacrifices seem disproportionate or unfair.
From Captive to Bride: How Deuteronomy 21 Foreshadows Christ's Grace
Considering a challenging passage in Deuteronomy 21, Matt Wicks reveals how this passage beautifully foreshadows the Gospel Message and highlights how foreign and undeserved God’s grace is to us. Just as captive women were conquered, cleansed, and elevated to the status of bride, so too are believers—once captives of sin—conquered by Christ, born again, and made the bride of Christ.
Encountering the Risen Christ #5 - Insecurity
Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, explores John 21:1-19, revealing how Jesus meets us exactly where we are—even in our insecurity and failure—while inviting us to something greater than worldly comfort and priorities. Through Peter's restoration after denying Christ, we learn that God's grace empowers us to follow Him despite our shortcomings, challenging us to invest our lives in what truly matters beyond this world.
Encountering the Risen Christ #4 - Doubt
Russ Brasher and Emily DeAngelo explore John 20:24-31, revealing how Jesus compassionately meets Thomas in his doubts, demonstrating that our questions aren't obstacles but opportunities for deeper faith. Their message offers profound hope that Jesus isn't intimidated by our uncertainties but instead uses them to strengthen our belief, encouraging us to bring our doubts directly to Him rather than hiding them.
Contrasting Saul and David: How to Be a Man After God’s Heart
Bryce Vaught explores three key differences between these biblical kings that reveal what it means to reflect God's heart. David's faithful shepherding, spiritual sensitivity, and humble repentance stand in stark contrast to Saul's negligence, spiritual dullness, and pride. Ultimately, David points us to Jesus—the perfect embodiment of God's heart whom we're called to emulate.