The Orchard Blog

Here's a link to the "simple' video from last weekend.  The shoot was done on location at The Farnsworth House in Plano, IL. 

If you missed last Sunday (5/21) check it out!  Great house! 

Check out the video here. (Quicktime 30MB)

In the book, Beyond Belief to Convictions, Josh McDowell says, "The Primary responsiblity of training up a child to believe in Christ and his Word belongs to parents. And if there was ever a time when parents desperately needed empowering tools to help them in the task of leading their children to deepened convictions, it is today."

If you were at The Orchard on Sunday we put an "empowering tool" in your hand.

We gave out Family Wise Virtue Packs that are designed to be a reinforcement to what your children are learning in Wahabu Land.

The FamilyTimes™ tools do not involve preparation nor do they have to be pulled off a book shelf.

Included in the pack are:

• Bed time stories
• Meal Time Discussion cards
• Morningtime Notecards
• CD (contains music and a story for children, as well as helpful parenting tips for parents)

The plan is based on the Hebrew method of teaching children (from Deuteronomy 6:7). It helps parents reprioritize four significant times that are routine within every home.

If you weren't at The Orchard on Sunday and would like one. Go to http://www.familytimes.org and check out their resources.

We hope that this will be an effective tool in helping your children develop faith and character.

Posted by Kathryn Egly

Hey everyone!

I am really excited about this upcoming weekend! We are wrapping up our "simple" series and I have the privilege of talking about something that excites me almost more than anything else in this world – THE CHURCH! I can't wait…!

Don't forget, June 4th will be the launch of a new series entitled, "The DaVinci Code: Fact or Fiction?" I'm looking forward to this short series as we address and dive into some of the claims that have emerged from Dan Brown's popular book, The DaVinci Code.

As you probably know, the book is obviously a "fictional" book. However, if you have read it you will probably agree that it becomes a bit tricky wading through all of the stated facts in the book and figuring out which parts are fictional and which parts are true. For that reason alone, I think it's worth taking the time to discuss some of these issues. PLUS, it's a huge opporunity to discuss some of the spiritual curiosities that I hope will be sparked in people's minds as a result of the book and recently released movie. I hope you will plan on bringing someone with you to this series…

See you Sunday!

Posted by Scott Hodge

The following quote perfectly sums up who my mom is:

"A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four peices of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." (Tennara Jordan)

Thank you, Mom, for the sacrifices you've made to make sure your five daughters were well fed and beautifully clothed. I am so grateful to you for raising us to be women who love Christ and love others.

And to all those moms with whom I have the privilege of serving…I have so much respect for you! You work hard all week–serving everyone around you–then you come to church and serve once again! THANK YOU!! I admire you!

You all deserve the HAPPIEST Mother's Day Ever. May it be filled with the unsurpassing LOVE and JOY that comes from our Father God.

Happy Mother's Day, Moms!

Posted by Kathryn Egly

Hey guys – here's a link to the book that I recommended this morning in my talks. It's called Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity and it's by author, David Allen.

Amazon.com's link to the book.

Author, David Allen's site.

Pick it up! You won't regret it. This stuff will help you simplify and organize your mind in a big way.

Have a great week!

Posted by Scott Hodge

It's 7:30am and I'm sitting in a hotel room getting ready to head out with Amanda to catch a flight back home to Chicago. It's been a great week as we have been celebrating 10 years of marriage in New York City before catching a church conference here in DC.

It's been a great week, but we're ready to be home… We miss our girls so much! We also miss being around The Orchard!

Speaking of The Orchard…. We are going to be continuing our series entitled, "simple" this weekend. In fact, we are hitting a HUGE topic that you will not want to miss. Heck, I'll go ahead and tell you… We're going to be talking about THE MIND in a talk entitled, "simple.mind." I'm REALLY looking forward to it! In fact, if you haven't already, would you consider inviting someone with you to experience The Orchard this weekend?

Have a great weekend ahead, I'll see you Sunday!

Posted by Scott Hodge

"Your profession is not what brings home your paycheck. Your profession is what you were put on earth to do. With such passion and such intensity that is becomes spiritual in calling." (Quote from Vincent Van Gogh)

I am fortunate to have my passion and my paycheck coincide! My passion is for children to discover how much Christ loves them–and to choose to follow Him in response to that love.

What is your profession? What drives you? Is it being a mom or dad? Being a friend in need?

My hope is that each of you find what you were put on earth to do!

Posted by Kathryn Egly

Does less arguing and more peace at bedtime sound good to you?

Then check out the interesting article by USA Today that explains the positive impact that a bedtime routine can have on you (the parent) as well as your kids.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-04-24-children-and-sleep_x.htm

Posted by Kathryn Egly