Orchard Hill Church Blog
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Weeping in the Garden
A garden can’t grow on sunshine and rain alone. It needs a gardener—someone to pull weeds, chase pests, and water roots in dry spells. In the same way, our souls need the attentive care of the Good Gardener. In her reflective blog, Emily DeAngelo draws us through the biblical gardens of Eden, Gethsemane, and the garden tomb to show how God meets us in our weeping and tends to our weary hearts. Whether you're wrestling with sorrow or simply battling weeds, this piece is a reminder that Jesus is always at work—restoring, pruning, and preparing us for the day we walk with Him in the garden where every tear will be wiped away.
Encountering the Risen Christ #4 - Doubt
Russ Brasher and Emily DeAngelo explore John 20:24-31, revealing how Jesus compassionately meets Thomas in his doubts, demonstrating that our questions aren't obstacles but opportunities for deeper faith. Their message offers profound hope that Jesus isn't intimidated by our uncertainties but instead uses them to strengthen our belief, encouraging us to bring our doubts directly to Him rather than hiding them.
Encountering the Risen Christ #3 - Mission
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues the Encountering the Risen Christ series looking at John 20:19-23. Experience how encountering the risen Christ brings genuine peace and a transformative mission to share this peace with others—not through self-righteous moral demands but as "one beggar showing another beggar where they found bread," offering hope to all who know they're insufficient on their own.
Encountering the Risen Christ #2 - Hope
Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, continues the Encountering the Risen Christ series looking at Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Christ. He emphasizing how Jesus brings hope and restoration in our suffering by reminding us that our current struggles are temporary compared to the eternal restoration God promises.
Encountering the Risen Christ #1 - Belief
Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, kicks off a new series starting with Easter called Encountering the Risen Christ. He examines how the disciples' discovery of Jesus's empty tomb led to belief in the resurrection, highlighting the historical evidence and prophetic fulfillment that demands our attention and response to this transformative event.
The Meaning of Saturday
In a moment, everything went dark. With a cry, the world fell silent. The curtain was torn. The Son of God was dead. For Christians, this is one of history's darkest days. For those who followed Jesus during His ministry, there could only be one question on their minds: "Is all hope lost?" Then, it was Saturday.
Our News Isn’t News to God
There have been many times in the past months when I have heard negative news and, in my mind, have momentarily panicked, thinking today’s news is also news to God. During this Lenten season, my hope is that you find God is closer than you think!
Imagined Jesus #5 - Obscure Jesus (Easter 2020)
On this Resurrection Sunday, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund shows how the resurrection of Jesus Christ doesn't make Him obscure, but helps to be completely clear about who He is and our future and be able to face face death without the fear that goes with it.
The Significance of Biblical Hope
We all need hope. Life can be challenging, and we all feel anxious, depressed and defeated at one time or another. It’s in those moments that hope - rightly directed - can affect our minds and bodies, and even contribute to our healing.