Last Sunday, we kicked off our new sermon series, “Parental Guidance Required.” As I mentioned in the opening sermon, the primary responsibility for faith development of children lies with parents, but the entire faith family (church) must do all they can to partner with parents to plant the gospel in the heart of every child and teen.
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This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending a college and young adult retreat at Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp with several of our own young people. Not all grew up in the church or have chosen to attend a Christian college, but all were motivated by their desire to know God better. As I met with new people, there was no shortage of ...

As I headed out the door for work, I was struck by a very recognizable change in my disposition. It wasn’t that I had been in a bad mood, but I clearly felt a lift in my spirit. At first I chalked it up to a good nights rest, but after a few steps into the bright sunshine, I recognized that the joy I felt was attributable
to something far more...

To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you.
To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you.
To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you.
To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or ...

The Naperville Church of Christ has taught me so much during the past 17 years. Not only did it teach me to be the best person I can be, but it has also taught me that it is okay to make mistakes. NCOC has been not only a great church, but a great family of people as well.
 
As I graduate, I advise the people in the youth group to stay involved....

In a recent article on the Verge website, Tim Chester shared simple ways to live a missional life. What does it mean to live missionally? A simple definition is, “Practically living out God’s Mission in the world today.” Let me encourage you to try to incorporate one or two of Tim’s suggestions into your daily routine:
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Christianity is a faith of tensions being lived out in a world of paradox. The tragedy in Boston makes this reality inescapable. The immediate reaction for many Christians is to declare, “This world is not my home”,  lock the doors, and hug our loved ones.
 
On the one hand, this is true. Our citizenship is in heaven, and as we ...

Jesus made it very clear from the start of his ministry that part of his mission was to “set the captive” free. If setting the captive free was part of his life purpose, shouldn’t it be a part of ours as well? Yes, of course; we are disciples of Jesus who are seeking to imitate his life. So, who are the captives?
 
Captive is a...

We are blessed to live in a community that has numerous organizations whose primary purpose is to bless the lives of those in need. The West Suburban Food Pantry (WSFP), which is located just a few miles from our building, is one of those organizations. Each month, roughly 4,000 people receive food from the pantry to feed their family. For the past...

Joining the Church, the body of believers, is an exciting event! Baptism relates each of us to the death and resurrection of Jesus; in a way it is our own, personal Easter experience. Our sins are washed away, and we become a part of the Body.
 
Below are the thoughts of Yvon Streacker, explaining how his upbringing and camp experiences led him ...

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) Matthew 27:45-46
 
These were some of Jesus’ final words spoken from the cross as recorded ...

For a few months, your commitment to read through the Bible in a year was solid, but then you ran into a brick wall named Leviticus/Numbers. The blow was so traumatic that you have not found the desire to pick up the Bible since.
 
First, let me say I understand. No question, those books can feel mind-numbing, but they do contain some wonderful ...

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:35 NIV)
 
The world defines freedom as a life without any restraint: “I can do anything I want to do and say anything I want to say without anybody telling me what to do.” Everybody else may get burned by you, but you get to do it your own way. The world says you can have ...

Younger folks may not remember this, but there was a time when people sent letters to each other. Paper ones. Written by hand and placed in mailboxes. They would be delivered within a week or so, then you would wait a couple weeks for a response to come.
 
As a young man, I lived in California but attended church camp in central Oregon. Each...

No question God deserves honor, but what is the best way we can honor Him? Is it through living a holy life? Do we honor Him best by offering heartfelt worship? Perhaps, the best way to honor God is by living a sacrificial life that blesses others. Obviously, each of those actions honor God, but consider what the English mystic Julian of Norwich ...