Orchard Hill Church Blog
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An Optional Illusion
Sometimes in life I question whether I am being real or if I am living in the illusion of saying I am a follower of Jesus Christ at those times when I don’t participate in His Kingdom by being His hands and feet on earth.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 68 - Gender Roles and Submission
This episode Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, talks with three women on staff at Orchard Hill Church, Emily DeAngelo, Emily Roberts and Kay Warheit, about genders roles in today's society, the concept of submission and what the Bible has to say about it.
Following Jesus #10 - In the Way of Clarity
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund walks through the first part of John 16 and 3 ways we see the methods that clarity often works from the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Secularism and the 21st Century Church (Psalm 12 Devotional)
We are living in a strange time in the 21st-century church of the west where America will likely go from being a self-proclaiming Christian nation, into the abyss of secularism. What does that mean for us?
Ask a Pastor Ep. 67 - Prayer to Mary, Jesus Going to Hell, God Allowing Suffering and Abuse
This episode Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, talks with Director of Young Adult Ministry, Josiah Leuenberger, about if praying to Mary or anyone else is biblical, Christian creeds that talk about Jesus going to Hell, and why God allows suffering and abuse.
Following Jesus #9 - In the Way of Perseverance
Josiah Leuenberger shares Christ's message from the fifteenth chapter of the Gospel of John of encouragement to persevere through trials Christians encounter.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 66 - Creation of the Bible, Gospel Variations, Sacredness of Places and Times
This episode Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, talks with Butler County Campus Pastor, Brady Randall, about how the Bible canon was created, dealing with variations in the Gospels and if they prove inaccuracy, and the sacredness of places and times.
Following Jesus #8 - In the Way of Mission
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund looks at John 15:11-17 and how we need to have both the demeanor and the priorities of Jesus to live with the kind of a mission Jesus speaks of here to have a positive impact in the world.
We are Made for Community
Being in a community of believers helped me to receive healing and the liberating truths of the gospel in ways that allowed those truths to soak deep into the core of my being. My ongoing work of transformation was taking place in community.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 65 - Politics & Wealth Redistribution
This episode Director of Worship Arts, Dan Shields, talks with Teaching Pastor and Geneva College Professor, Dr. Terry Thomas, about the church speaking on political issues, the idea of wealth redistribution and what the Bible has to say about these topics.
Following Jesus #7 - In the Way of Abiding
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund looks at the passage of "The Vine and the Branches" from John 15 and what it means to be fruitful in different ways in our world and how abiding or remaining in the ways of God can help us encounter him.
Sweater or Sweating for What is Worthy
Back in the nineties, if you were serious about celebrating Christmas, you owned and proudly wore a Christmas sweater. I thought it would make me look like I knew what I was doing but I was wasting time focused on something I thought would make me happy.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 64 - Perfect Creations Going Against God, Heaven, Grace
This episode our Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, talks with Middle School Ministry Leader, Evan Brem, about how perfect creation could reject God, why we should look forward to Heaven, and how to get, keep, or lose God's grace.
Following Jesus #6: In the Way of Peace
Teaching Pastor Dr. Terry Thomas unpacks John 14:25-31 in effort to reveal the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the early church disciples and in our lives today.
Our True Foundation (Psalm 11 Devotional)
There are many things that are foundational in our lives. Issues of faith and the church, relational and personal issues. But all foundations, if not built on THE ROCK can destroy the house built upon them. Even if those things are good things.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 63 - Being a Good Influence on Non-Christian Kids, Discernment in Media
This episode our Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, talks with Co-director of Women's Ministry, Emily DeAngelo, about how to be a good influence on kids in your community and being discerning in the media that you consume.
Following Jesus #5 - In the Way of Obedience
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues in the section of John known as "the upper room discourse" and looks at four ways the Holy Spirit comes alongside as we live in obedience to God.
A Gift of Grace Through Serving
This opportunity to serve…. To be a part of something bigger than myself, led me down a road towards a faith I had lost, a family I craved, and a grace that only God could provide.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 62 - Bible Translations, Modern Perspective on the Bible, New Christians
This episode our Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, talks with Strip District Campus Pastor, Joel Haldeman, about the differences in Bible translations, if we are missing anything by having a modern perspective on the bible, and how new Christians should start learning about the Bible.