Orchard Hill Church Blog
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Following Jesus #13 - In the Way of Unity
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund finishes the section on the Upper Room Discourse and discusses unity between God's followers-and misconceptions about "insiders" and "outsiders" in our world and church community.
The Value of Our True Identity
I have two quarters that I keep in my pocket to remind me of a significant truth about our identity in Christ as Christians. The face value of these quarters is the same, but their essence is completely different. They differ dramatically in true value.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 70 - Kanye West and Christianity
This episode Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, Joel Haldeman and Dan Shields sit down to have a conversation about Kanye West's conversion to Christianity, his new album "Jesus is King", and his influence in our culture.
Following Jesus #12 - In the Way of Distinction
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund unpacks John 17:1-19 to share how Jesus' sacrifice allows his followers not only to be sanctified, but to then be moved into action for a purpose.
Thanksgiving
I love Thanksgiving. I love it for the traditions and for the opportunity it presents us to stop, enjoy time with people who mean so much to us, and reflect with gratitude on the good things in our lives.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 69 - Women and Church Leadership
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 women in church leadership roles and what the bible says about the differences between men and women.
Following Jesus #11 - In the Way of Joy
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund looks at the second half of John 16 and how Jesus shares with his disciples how joy should be a characteristic in the life of a Christian, but that because of times of trouble, that won't always be the case.
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.