Christmas

By Bobby Schuller Much has changed since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic a year ago. We’ve shifted and shuffled our habits and routines in an effort to slow the spread of the virus, but the unexpected benefit is that these changes have slowed us down too. I read that during the shutdown last spring, sales of bird feeders, birdhouses, and birdseed skyrocketed, and some products saw as much as a 50 percent jump in sales! While many would attribute this to boredom, I believe there’s more to it. Something about observing the carefree manner of birds soothes the human soul, and while the world outside is full of problems, our feathered friends go about their business unhindered by the chaos of society.  When troubles surround us, it comforts our hearts to consider the birds.  Jesus knew this, so He invited us to ponder the ways of the sparrows and

Soaring in the Midst of Uncertainty By Bobby Schuller Here we are — one month into a new year. While things are “looking up” in some ways, I never imagined that the world’s current winter season would be so long. In fact, I can’t think of a more trying stretch in my lifetime, and before we move any further, I just want to speak grace over you. I know this has been a rough road, and I’m proud of how you’ve navigated it with strength, faith, and love.  Renewed strength is grounded in present reality.  As humans, we often adapt to constantly-changing circumstances by “lowering the bar,” going into survival mode, and simply coasting along. But this isn’t the best way. While it requires that we fight against the emotional status quo, the best thing we can do in tough times is to FLY HIGHER. Because our spirits are anchored

New is a Process By Bobby Schuller If you’re anything like me, I feel different than I did at this time last year. Living through an unexpected global pandemic, watching the suffering and financial devastation that has ensued, and adapting to life in a post-COVID world has changed my perspective and reminded me of the many things of which I am not in control. Thankfully, I have a relationship with the One who holds the earth — and all that’s in it — firmly in His grip, and He is securely, steadfastly, and steadily making everything NEW.  NEW is a process, and it happens gradually.  Though it’s not as easy to leave the starting gate running this year, as Christians, we can embrace 2021 with the confident assurance that NEW THINGS always spring up from the most parched and barren places. In fact, everything we’ve gone through in the past

Building Forward By Bobby Schuller As we enter this Christmas season, we can do so with the knowledge that as Christians, we have dual citizenship. What I mean is that while we are human beings inhabiting planet earth, our souls reside in the Kingdom of Heaven, which is invisible to our eyes but alive in our spirits. In fact, everything we see around us in the material realm is actually a reflection of something that preceded it spiritually. Even better, all that is created teaches us something about our Savior’s eternal nature (Romans 1:20).  Every physical manifestation mirrors a spiritual truth.  Though it’s not something we often think about, this twofold residency is good news for us in years like 2020. While we’ve all endured difficulties and setbacks over the past ten months, because God has been with us, our spirit — the “inner-person” deep inside — have had opportunities