Orchard Hill Church Blog
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Jesus as the Light of the World: A Biblical Guide to Walking in His Light
Emily DeAngelo explores the biblical concept of Jesus as the Light of the World, examining how He dispels spiritual darkness and transforms lives through salvation. She weaves together personal insights, biblical references, and practical applications to show how believers can both experience Christ's light and reflect it to others in a dark world.
Church Words 101: Immanuel
It is a magnificent, mysterious, hard-to-grasp, and imagination-stretching reality. But when you get it, when you come to fully understand the purpose and implications of this reality, you will stand in awe. What is this reality? Immanuel: God with us!
Why Does God Test Us?
Why does God test us? We cannot give an answer to this particular question without each of us personally answering a few other questions first. So, let's explore this commonly asked question together by looking at some Biblical examples.
How to Share the Light of God in a Dark World
It is said that it is easier to light a candle than to curse the darkness. That is true. And we know where light comes from. The Gospel of John calls Jesus the light of all lights. We are to let our light shine before others so that our good deeds may be seen and glorify our Father in heaven.
Why is Jesus’ Birth so Important to Christians?
The reality of Christmas is astonishing if you think about it. The God of the universe became a human being. If you’ve been a follower of Jesus for a while, the reality of Christmas and the Incarnation may not hit you all that hard. But it is an essential part of God’s plan for the world.
What is Christology and Why is it Important?
Christology is the area of Christian belief concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our Christology matters because what we believe about Jesus forms the foundation for our Soteriology which is what we believe about how a person can receive forgiveness and new spiritual life.
I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Christmas, according to scripture, is not just a story about snow, mistletoe, or presents under a tree as Bing Crosby describes it in his #10 most performed holiday song. John 1:14 describes Christmas as “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The Word is Jesus and John 1:4 tells us, that in Jesus is life and that life was the light of all mankind.
Goodbye Religion, Hello Relationship
A Dear John – Love Letter to a Religious System. It’s been a long while since I broke up with you. Actually, I guess the feeling was mutual. I was staying true to my conviction and I guess you were too. Still, it was painful to hear your words of rejection.
Who is Jesus Anyway?
I want to pose a simple question today. Who was and is Jesus Christ? It is a controversial question because most people have an opinion on who Jesus was. In fact, this was one of the questions he posed to his disciples. “Who do YOU say that I am?”
Preparing for Easter: Are Grace and Truth Incongruent?
Oreos topped with Cheese Wiz. What an incongruent pairing! Many people feel the same way about grace and truth, yet John reminds us here in the opening words of his gospel that Jesus brought these two elements together in unity.
Unexpected Jesus #5 - Is Faith Private?
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund looks at John 1:35-51 and what it means for us to share our faith with those around us.
Unexpected Jesus #4 - What Does Jesus Do?
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund looks at the next portion of the Gospel of John to examine John's choice of words in explaining who Jesus was and his role in our lives.
Unexpected Jesus #3 - What Does God Expect?
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund looks at the end of the prologue section of John 1 and what is revealed of God's expectations of us and how we try to go about meeting them.
Unexpected Jesus #2 - Who are God's Children?
Dr. Terry Thomas, professor of Biblical Studies at Geneva College & part-time Teaching Pastor at Orchard Hill, looks at our relationship with light and dark and how we enter into a relationship of adoption with a Father God.
Unexpected Jesus #1 - Is God Silent?
Kicking off a new series diving into the Gospel account of John, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund looks at the meaning of "the Word of God" and how God speaks into our lives.
What I Saw When the Light Went Out
Advent: a time of waiting for the arrival of the Christ Child, the Light of the world. We decorate our world with lights that brighten the darkest time of year...
Wellness for God's Glory
True confession: sometimes when I leave my spin class, I feel like a hero. I like to imagine myself as Wonder Woman, strong and resilient. It is amazing what spin has taught me about the Christian life.