Orchard Hill Church Blog
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Upside Down Living #8 - Impact in a Time of Self-Focus
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues in the Sermon the Mount with the first passage after beatitudes where Jesus uses two metaphors, being salt of the earth and the light of the world, to show how his followers are to interact with culture.
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?”
Upside Down Living #7 - Endurance in a Time of Persecution
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund looks at Matthew 5:10-12 about how the persecuted are blessed, what Christian persecution has looked like historically and today, and how we can face persecution with an attitude of joy.
Boasting in the Name of the Lord (Psalm 20 Devotional)
How often do we boast in the name of the Lord? Obviously in church we do. It’s the place for it. But in the rest of the week, are we boasting in the Lord? If we are honest, most of us would say, not very often.
Upside Down Living #6 - Peacemaking in a Time of Division
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues in the Beatitudes with Matthew 5:9 looking at peacemaking when the current climate is filled with division and how Christians can still be peacemakers while not being at peace with the world by making two choices.
The Golden Thread: A Biblical Perspective on Mental Health
Mental health is the ‘golden thread’ that intertwines each facet of our lives. The repercussions of poor mental health can have negative implications on a person’s family, job, marriage, parenting decisions, school, and daily responsibilities. So, what does the Bible have to say about it?
Ask a Pastor Ep. 106 - White Questions for a Black Man
This episode, Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, sits down with John Fuller to have a conversation about the history of race relations in America from someone who grew up in the Jim Crow south, what has changed for the better, things that the country and individuals still need to work on, and more!
Upside Down Living #5 - Mercy in a Time of Score Keeping
Butler County Campus Pastor, Brady Randall looks at Matthew 5:7 and the idea of mercy, what being merciful means in the bible, how God has shown mercy to people throughout the bible, and how we can share the Gospel with others through mercy.
Empowered Manhood (Part 2)
Hiding in the dark, whether it was by myself or with someone else, gave me permission to do things I would never consider doing in the light which caused me to live my life out of the fear of being found out, handicapping my faith. But men living empowered by the light have three characteristics in their relationship with God.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 105 - Why Orchard Hill Uses the NIV Bible Translation
This episode, Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, sits down with Butler County Campus Pastor, Brady Randall, to have a conversation around Bible translations, what the differences are between the many translations, why Orchard Hill Church has decided to use the NIV, and more!
Upside Down Living #4 - Clarity in a Time of Indifference
Director of Young Adult Ministry, Josiah Leuenberger, looks at what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness, the struggle between hunger for things of the world and God, and how the Gospel orients our hearts correctly.
S.T.O.P - The Importance of Having Gospel Conversations
The primary thing on my heart during this time was praying and asking God to heal this individual so that I could stop and have one more conversation, that they could hear the Gospel and be asked the same question, “Do you believe this?”
Ask a Pastor Ep. 104 - Objections and the Abortion Debate
This episode, Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, sits down with Life Stage Pastors, Emily DeAngelo and Josiah Leuenberger, to have a conversation about the abortion debate in our country, personal stories in relation to abortion, how to answer specific objections to choosing life over abortion, and more!
Upside Down Living #3 - Meekness in a Time of Harshness
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues in the Beatitudes with Matthew 5:5 looking at the idea of meekness, what meekness means, why someone would want to be meek, and how to cultivate meekness in our life.
Put God First in Your Life (Psalm 19 Devotional)
God cares not just about outward appearance, but about the heart. ‘For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance. The Lord looks for the heart.’ He sees the core of who we are. He knows us more deeply than we can ever know ourselves. God wants your hearts - all of it.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 103 - Current Events and End Time Prophecy
This episode, Life Stage Pastor, Mike Hatch, sits down with Life Stage Pastor, George Palombo, and Middle School Ministry Leader, Jenette Cline, sit down to have a conversation about the end times, how current events are setting the stage biblical prophecy to be fulfilled, how we as Christians can remain unafraid in the midst of these events, and more!
Upside Down Living #2 - Mourning in a Time of Brokenness
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues in the Beatitudes with Matthew 5:4 looking at 2 responses we can have to brokenness and mourning that happens throughout life and the hope we have in Jesus.
Tips for Personal Bible Study
When we open God’s word, we give Him the opportunity to speak to us in a life-changing way as the Holy Spirit communicates God’s truth to our hearts and minds. In this blog, I’d like to share a general framework and a few tips that I have found helpful personally in my own times of Bible study.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 102 - Evangelism vs. Discipleship
This episode, Life Stage Pastor, Mike Hatch, sits down with Director of Student Ministry, Russ Brasher, and Director of Young Adult Ministry, Josiah Leuenberger, to have a conversation about the difference between evangelism and discipleship, how to balance pursing both as a christian in your personal life and as a church community, and more!
Upside Down Living #1 - Humility in a Time of Arrogance
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund begins a new series on the Sermon on the Mount and this week looks at Matthew 5:1-3 and the idea of humility when the world around us is filled with arrogance.