Orchard Hill Church Blog
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Goodbye Religion, Hello Relationship
A Dear John – Love Letter to a Religious System. It’s been a long while since I broke up with you. Actually, I guess the feeling was mutual. I was staying true to my conviction and I guess you were too. Still, it was painful to hear your words of rejection.
Perspectives Podcast - Is Christianity more Socialist or Capitalist?
In this episode Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund has a conversation with Joel Haldeman and Todd Harris about if Christianity is more socialist or capitalist, what the difference is between socialism and capitalism, what the Bible says is good and bad about these ideas, where the church fits in compared to the state, and more!
Upside Down Living #12 - Truthfulness in a Time of Convenience
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund looks at Matthew 5:33-37 on the topic of oaths, 4 aspects of integrity in the commitments we make to others, and the importance of keeping our word when the culture considers truth relative.
Don’t Forget the Beginners in Faith
Last year I took a painting class for beginners. As it turned out, I was the only “beginner” in the class of fifteen students. That experience was a reminder of those who attend church for the first time.
Perspectives Podcast - When Christian Leaders Fall
In this episode Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund has a conversation with Joel Haldeman & Kay Warheit about when Christian leaders fall, how Christians and non-Christians should think about leadership failures, what the role of grace, restoration, and forgiveness is for leaders, and more!
Upside Down Living #11 - Purity in a Time of Indulgence
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund goes through the passages on lust and divorce in Matthew 5:27-32, the three views of sexuality that are prevalent in culture, ways we indulge the temptations in our life, and what the Bible says about what is best for our sexual relationships.
Culture Care (Makoto Fujimura) | Book Review
In his book, Culture Care, Makoto Fujimura presents a solution to our dissatisfaction with today's culture, which is to nourish culture’s soul by raising up those who by their Christ-given creativity introduce both beauty and healing through art.
Distinct from the World? – Finding Our Identity in Christ
“Sure, he’s a Christian, but did you hear what he said?” These words were spoken about me several months ago. I don’t remember exactly what I said that merited this critique, but when I heard my coworker’s remark, I recognized a sobering reality: I forgot my true identity in Christ.
Perspectives Podcast - Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement
In this episode Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, has a conversation with Josiah Leuenberger, Dr. Terry Thomas, Brad Frey, and Doug Bradbury to have a conversation about the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in America, the difference between the movement and the organization, how Christians can affirm the phrase "black lives matter" while rejecting the worldview of the organization, and more.
Upside Down Living #10 - Cool Headedness in a Time of Hot Headedness
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund looks at Matthew 5:21-26, Jesus' words about murder and anger, presenting three instances of runaway anger that we see in our lives and how Jesus' words seem upside down 2000 years ago and today.
Power in Light of Eternity (Psalm 21 Devotional)
Since the dawn of civilization, societies have admired those who have strength and power. But considering eternity, how important is this? What does it really mean to win the Super Bowl, or get to the top of the ladder in business? The perspective of time often helps.
Perspectives Podcast - Christians in Politics
In this episode, Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, Butler County Campus Pastor, Brady Randall, and Life Stage Pastor, George Palombo, have a discussion about politics with the coming election in November, what it looks like to engage in politics as a Christian, and how our Biblical worldview should inform how we vote.
Upside Down Living #9 - Substitution in a Time of Self Effort
Director of Young Adult Ministry, Josiah Leuenberger, looks at Matthew 5:17-20 with the idea of personal righteousness and how our salvation isn't earned through religious rule-keeping but that we should strive to live in obedience because of what Jesus did on the cross.
Dealing with Doubt in Your Faith
I was recently asked the question, “When your Christian faith is threatened by serious and painful doubts, what do you do about it?” At first, I wanted to simply give some Christian cliché answer that I knew would properly answer the question, but this question forced me to pause and think.
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?