City Church Houston

Is there a key that unlocks the meaning of the Bible and helps us to find deep enjoyment in it?

The end of Mark's Gospel is an enigma. But in this mysterious cliffhanger of a conclusion we find crucial lessons for life. What can we learn from this puzzling Easter story?

As modern people in a secular age, whipsawed by the instability, sting, and sorrow of life, what can worship actually do for us?

Why do so many of us value generosity and find it so difficult to be sacrificially generous? What can help us overcome that disconnect? The answer lies in an unlikely place: reimagining philanthropy as part of liturgy.

Learning to love moral principles is not the path Jesus teaches for those seeking peace and purpose. Instead, he tells us of a law of love, which transforms us into a people uniquely committed to justice and mercy for our neighbors. 

If actions speak louder than words, then God is always speaking. Prayer teaches us to listen. We sit with God in our present, and we trust him with our future, because of his faithfulness in the past.

When our days get dark and faith feels flat what are we supposed to do? God's given us two ancient, mysterious gifts to steady us and strengthen us.

We all have habits that are big parts of our life, some healthier than others. What if there were a keystone habit, that if adopted, would help us grow in all areas of life? God invites us to adopt fresh habits of worship--let's call this 'liturgy'--that will help us become more fully human and discover uncommon pleasure in all of life. 

Jesus prays for his disciples' protection; that they be in the world, but not of it. The purpose of this protection? To ensure that we experience true, deep joy in our identity in Christ, which no one can touch.

What was Jesus doing in the last moments before his arrest? He was praying for us. He wasn't consumed with what was happening to him. He was sincerely interested in us and the quality of life we would live.

In his final words, Jesus prays for a glory that will last forever. True glory, the kind that doesn't fade or falter, is born from suffering but built to share, transforming our lives into a meaningful mission for the good of others. 

How can we as modern people trust that the Bible, written by humans, is true? How can we believe all that it says about us and God? How do we find real peace, comfort, and courage in a world often punctuated with pain? The answer to these and many other questions lie in what Jesus taught his followers about the Holy Spirit. 

What makes for a truly great, fruitful life, not only one with lasting meaning, but one that contributes to the common good, and fills us with deep happiness? Jesus here casts a vision for this kind of life, shares the secret to discovering it, and shows us how we can grow in it.

As Jesus' life neared its end, his disciples worried about what would come next. Jesus' answer that he alone is "the way" is not some theoretical truth, but rather a deeply loving and practical response to the doubts of our hearts. 

The night before he died, Jesus shared with his closest friends and followers powerful words from an upper room in Jerusalem. They offer "upper room" perspective, purpose, and peace for us, when we feel limited to the constraints of life in this "lower room" world.

We can renew our hope by fixing our eyes on a God who would face the shame of his own death and embrace glory of his own resurrection so that we can be brought back into a living relationship with himself.

Simeon's Song celebrates a God who draws near to us in order to draw us out from a place of fear and weakness, just as he models in the life and faith of Mary.

Why would Luke record the actual birth of Jesus in such a straight-forward, even dispassionate way, given that has so often invited us into the emotional experience of Mary?

When life feels out of control, what are we to do? In Mary's song, The Magnificat, we discover not only what can stabilize us, but what can fill us with soul-satisfying joy.

The story of Jesus' birth begins with Mary, who was chosen for the utterly unique role of mother of God. Her response to the angel's shocking news prompts us to reflect: What is God asking of us? And will we do it?