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Christmas Faith in Action As a pastor, what does Christmas mean to me? Put simply, yet astoundedly, a Savior was born unto us and our lives have never been the same. I just get so overwhelmed with emotion this time of year thinking about this: Our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord’s only begotten son, was born and lived 33 years so that our sins would be forgiven. God’s love is so powerful! As this special day approaches, let’s contemplate the meaning of Christmas faith, or rather active faith — the idea that as Christians, we are called to take action in our faith today. Not in secret, not tomorrow, but today.  Every day is Christmas. Christmas happens every day, and I’m not referring to sparkling lights and eggnog. I’m referring to the Biblical idea that Christ is always in us; that the incarnation, the infleshment of the Spirit of God

By Bobby Schuller I love the fall. After a few warm months, it’s exciting when the days get shorter and the air gets cooler. Despite being in the midst of Southern California’s Indian summer, I see evidence of a change in season, and my heart is happy. In fact, one of the main reasons I love this time of year is because it begins the long lead-in to Christmas. Though still a ways off, anticipating the holidays gets me excited, and while I’m tempted to rush their arrival, I’m reminded to savor each expectant moment.  Despite being difficult, waiting is a gift.  For example, if I take Haven & Cohen to Target and buy them each a toy that they begin playing with as soon as they get in the car, their experience is different than if they were to receive the same items for Christmas. When the presents have

By Bobby Schuller I love being at home with my family, and it’s an honor to be entrusted by God to provide, care for, and lead them into more of His goodness. Since I’m a Schuller, positivity is in my blood, and being intentional about the tone I set in our household is a top priority. Though the world outside can be harsh and unkind, it excites me to know that I play a part in helping my wife and children feel safe whenever they walk through our door.  World-shaking calls take root in a Christ-centered home.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that tempt me to be distracted as I try to love my family well. I’m intense, and when I’m focused on what’s in front of me, I don’t always take kindly to distractions. I have to make a consistent effort to unplug so I can bring

By Bobby Schuller KINDNESS. It’s a gift that seems to be getting rarer in the course of daily life. In fact, if we’re honest, it’s difficult to be tender in a society that’s full of division, disappointment, and strife. When people continually let us down, it’s easy to grow weary and calloused. Fragile souls become hardened without divine help. Thankfully, as Christians, we have a built-in antidote to the often cold and uncaring ways of the world. When we received Jesus as our Lord, we were given a brand new nature — one that’s grounded in unconditional love! This means we don’t have to work hard to be kind — we can yield to His power and let His care and compassion flow from us naturally.  Kindness is the fruit of love’s root, and it becomes us when we live and move in HIM.  As believers, we’re conduits of God’s

By Bobby Schuller When I was younger, I believed there would come a time when I had “arrived.” Once I was married, had a family, a home, and a calling that was on course, I was certain I would settle in, kick back, and enjoy the ride. However, as the years have gone by, I’ve learned that life is a journey, not a destination! In fact, as a disciple of Jesus, understanding this has been critical to my growth. Since God’s Kingdom is “upside-down” and the treasures of this world mean little in the spiritual realm, success now has a different meaning. Though I love the idea of getting to a place of nirvana on earth, I’ve come to understand that… Embracing change is the hallmark of Christian happiness.  For as long as I’m journeying on this sphere, I’ll be learning, growing, and surrendering myself to the Lord’s artistry. Just

By Bobby Schuller Theologian J.I. Packer once said, “The way to be truly happy is to be truly human, and the way to be truly human is to be truly godly.” Though this statement sounds contradictory at first, the truth is that we were made to walk and talk with Jesus, and becoming like Him ensures that we live our most blessed and fulfilled life. However, inherent in the call to Godliness is a process of divine unfolding, which, though painful, sets our hearts free to embrace love fully.  Like flowers that burst open in the presence of the sun or like a blanket that loses its symmetry when unfolded for use, as we allow the Holy Spirit to unfurl our hearts and submit our tidy, controlled, and well-contained lives to His undoing, He takes our mess and turns it into something blessed. But just what does it mean to

By Bobby Schuller Life offers us many things to taste. Pizza, steak, popcorn and cookies all have unique textures and flavors, and each evokes a distinct kind of pleasure. Some are salty, some are sweet, and some remind us of especially good times. However, no worldly food can begin to compare to the soul-deep satisfaction that comes from tasting the goodness of God. And while feasting on the fruits of His Spirit is not quite as natural as consuming our next meal, it becomes a habit when we give Him top priority. Here are a few Scriptural insights that I hope can help us savor the Lord’s essence in new ways.  How do we taste God’s goodness? “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:16 “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of