Orchard Hill Church Blog
Explore. Grow. Engage.
Mentoring Moments
Mentoring is all about investing in the lives of others. It is intentional discipleship. It was the way of Jesus. As I have spent time studying the life of Jesus in His gospels this summer, I am inspired to share with people what I have learned.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 101 - Christian Apostasy in Worship Music
This episode, Life Stage Pastor, Mike Hatch, sits down with Orchard Hill Church Worship Leaders, David Bowens and Chris Jamison to have a conversation about Christian worship leaders walking away from the faith, why it happens, how they have struggled with similar questions about God, and more!
Separation of Church and State
West Point Graduate and Vietnam War Veteran, Ken Carlson, gives a fourth of July message on the mythical wall of the separation of church and state, where it came from, and what it's impact is on religious freedom in America.
Meeting Life with Peace, Loving Kindness, and Compassion
Where can we find a peace that is powerful enough to quiet our hearts when life throws significant challenges our way? Let us start at the source - God. Peace, loving kindness, and compassion are all attributes of God.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 100 - Should Statues or Monuments Ever be Removed?
This episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund sits down with JoAnn Adams and Dr. Steve Jones to have a conversation about if statues or monuments should ever be removed, how we should approach making the decision, the difference between celebrating and remembering history, and more!
Unburdened #5 - Living Without Fear
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund concludes the Unburdened series on Romans 8 looking at the culmination of Paul's arguments on how we should respond as Christians and how we can live without fear as part of our daily life.
Empowered Manhood (Part 1)
I lived most of my life lost in the dark until I was eventually forced into the light. It was through this painful process of being exposed to the light, and learning to walk in it, that I discovered God's grace, gained freedom from the dark, and was empowered by the light.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 99 - Career Transitions After COVID-19
This episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund sits down with Valerie Johnson and Leslie Braksick to have a conversation about navigating life and career transitions specifically after the crisis of 2020, some of the trends occurring as a result, tips for people looking for jobs, and more!
Unburdened #4 - Living Without Pride
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues in Romans 8 looking at the seriousness of pride in our life and 3 assertions we can make to help us move towards humbleness.
Live a Life of Discipline (Psalm 18 Devotional)
Many of the things that God calls us to requires more than just faith and more than just prayer. Though our salvation is bought by Christ alone through the shedding of His blood, the life we are called to live as Christians requires sweat, toil, and discipline.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 98 - Balancing Life vs. the Economy
This episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund sits down with Mike Hatch and Jenette Cline to have a conversation about how balance the idea of being safe from potential harm and keeping the economy of the country moving, how to assess levels of risk in our own lives, how we should think about these things as Christians, and more!
Unburdened #3 - Living Without Despair
Continuing to verses 18-27 of Romans chapter 8, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund takes note of the word "groaning" that repeats itself. What is it that we groan about and what do we do with our pains and problems?
Delighting in God During the Coronavirus
Do you find yourself looking at the world around you and asking, “Is this how things are supposed to be?” God gives us two helpful responses in times like these in Psalm 37: Wait on Him and find your delight in Him.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 97 - Race: In Our Time (Explicit)
This episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund sits down with George Palombo and Gene Boyer to have a conversation about racial tensions in the United States, the death of George Floyd, the concept of racial bias, how we as individuals and a church community can move towards change, and more!
Unburdened #2 - Living Without Bondage
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues in Romans 8 looking at 3 different kinds of relationships we can have with the Holy Spirit in our journey through faith.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry | Book Review
I received John Mark Comer’s book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, from my grown daughter as a Christmas gift last year. Ironically, I laughed aloud and declared, “I’ll read this when the busyness of life slows down…whenever that will be!?!”
Approaching the Bible as a Whole
When it comes to reading the Bible, many people may feel as if there is a perfect plan they have to follow and when that plan is messed up, or one day is missed, they stop reading altogether. If we are faithful to come before God daily, He finds us just as we are.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 96 - Should I Feel God During Religious Experiences?
This episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund sits down with Joel Haldeman and David Bowens to have a conversation about if we should "feel God" during worship and religious experiences, what is different about the Christian experience compared to other religions, and more!
Unburdened #1 - Living Without Condemnation
Kicking off a new series, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund looks at Romans 8 and how we can make the journey of our life less burdened by coming to Christ.
The Hidden Treasure of Jesus
In 2012, Michael Rorrer, was cleaning out his great aunt’s basement after she had passed away. Tucked away in a closet was a box of 345 comics that his great uncle had been collecting since he was a little boy. Rorrer had no idea what he had found - just like many people do not recognize the value of Jesus.