Orchard Hill Church Blog
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Hidden Hurts #5 - Shame and Regret
Senior Pastor Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues the message series "Hidden Hurts" teaching from the life of the Old Testament character David. God walked David through guilt, regret, and shame so that David could experience God's mercy and grace.
Be a Skillful Worshiper (Psalm 47 Devotional)
Whatever we do as our vocation, we are called to do it with excellence. We are to do all things as unto the Lord, regardless of whether we like our company or the work, whether our boss is kind, unkind, competent, or incompetent.
Hidden Hurts #4 - Loss of a Friendship
Senior Pastor Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues the message series "Hidden Hurts" teaching from the life of the Old Testament character David. Lament, an emotion felt after a loss of friendship, is sometimes seen as out of place in today's society. The biblical account of the loss of friendship between Jonathan and David grants us a picture of lament and the role our relationship with God can play in the midst of that loss.
Hidden Hurts #3 - Unhappy Marriage
Senior Pastor Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues the message series "Hidden Hurts" teaching from the life of the Old Testament character David. Sacrificial love for one's spouse can mirror Christ's love for the church.
Tips for Daily Devotionals in 2023
My own personal time with God has ebbed and flowed over the years as I’ve experienced everything from deep intimacy with God to dryness and boredom. Rather than adding one more thing to your “to-do” list, I want to share some helpful tips for getting the most out of your daily time with God.
Hidden Hurts #2 - Loneliness
Senior Pastor Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues the message series "Hidden Hurts" teaching from the life of the Old Testament character David. God's word provided David with comfort in the midst of loneliness as it can to us today.
Jesus Loves Yinz
One of the things most endearing to me about Pittsburgh is its unique language of Pittsburghese. By merely hearing it, you are part of Pittsburgh’s family of shared secrets, and a bond is formed. The love of God isn’t bound by the language you speak, even Pittsburghese!
Hidden Hurts #1 - Broken Dreams
Senior Pastor Dr. Kurt Bjorklund begins the new message series "Hidden Hurts" teaching from the life of the Old Testament character David. Like people today, David experienced having a few of his dreams for his life broken. God used David's broken dreams for good, and we today can trust God to use our broken dreams for good towards the advancement of God's Kingdom.
Cease Your Striving (Psalm 46 Devotional)
Sometimes we forget what Christ really did for us on Calvary. We often, once we are saved and God begins the process of sanctification in us, confuse our works with Christ’s finished work. We begin to think that our right standing before God is based on our works.
A New Hope for 2023
Strip District Pastor Dan Irvin teaches from the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament book of Matthew. Christ is our rock.
Considerations and Encouragement for 2023
A new year can bring a mixed bag of emotions. Some view it as an opportunity to make some needed changes. Others may not feel as optimistic. Whichever of these categories you find yourself in, I want to provide you with some encouragement and a few things to consider as we come into a new year.
From Gloom to Glory
Are you ready for Christmas? I don’t just mean do you have all your gifts bought, wrapped, and sent. I don’t mean do you have all your Christmas cookies baked and iced. I don’t mean do you have your Christmas cards sent. Rather, are you spiritually and emotionally ready for Christmas?
Great Christmas #3 - The Great Inclusion
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, Emily DeAngelo, Katie Thomas, and Jenna Bajuszik each teach on the startling history of some women God chose to include in the ancestry of Jesus the Messiah.
3 Things to Remember at Christmastime
While we decorated and prepared our home for Christmas, I pondered. What traditions do we want to start this year? How will we help our son prioritize the real meaning of Christmas? Although our family doesn’t quite have this solidified yet, here are three things we want to remember at Christmastime.
Great Christmas #2 - The Great Illusion
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund talks about three illusions we can have about ourselves during the Christmas season as he teaches from a passage in Matthew 7 where Jesus surprisingly tells those who think they have done works in His name, "I never knew you."
A Tunnel, a Waterfall, and a Bug Bring Clarity
There are times in life when we go through darkness and fear, losing our vision and bearings. We suffer pain, sometimes feeling like we are getting nowhere, even feeling like we will never get out of it. During these times, where do you turn to find direction and clarity?
Great Christmas #1 - The Great Gift
Senior Pastor Dr. Kurt Bjorklund teaches on John 3:16-18 explaining how great it is to both receive and give the hope of the world.
Be Engaged in the Divine Dance (Psalm 43 Devotional)
Jesus, when He was here on Earth, was engaged in a kind of ‘divine dance’ with His Heavenly Father and the Spirit. As Christ followers, we are also engaged in that divine dance. We are to hear our Bridegroom’s voice and respond to Him.
Rest for the Weary
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund looks at Matthew 11:28-30 where Jesus indicates three imperatives for people who are weary and heavy laden in their souls.
How our Theology Informs our Doxology
Broadly speaking, a doxology is any song sung within a corporate worship setting since what we are doing as we stand, and sing is ascribing praise to God! As we sing, our hearts and our minds should be fully engaged with the words we are singing.