Cary Schmidt
Skip to content
  • Home
  • Health Updates
  • About/Contact
  • Archives
  • Books
  • Music CDs
  • Sheet Music
  • Ministry Links
  • Photos
  • The Best News!
« Older posts

Old Soldiers, Young Soldiers…

By caryschmidt | May 10, 2012

I apologize in advance that this is a long post—but I pray it will stir you. The topic has surely stirred me. I pray you will pass it along to a young soldier, and an old soldier!

A couple of weeks ago, during our son’s Senior trip, God allowed me to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery. I’ve been to Arlington before, but this trip was special for a number of reasons. Being there with our Pastor and teens was special. Sharing the moment with my son and wife was special. But something else put this visit over the top.

As we approached the Tomb area, we saw a sea of white ball-caps on the gray heads of dozens of senior citizens—many of them seated in wheel chairs. I knew immediately what this was. It was an honor flight.

Read More »

Posted in christian life, ministry & outreach | 6 Comments

Making it Easy to Make it Right…

By caryschmidt | May 3, 2012

Not long ago, God gave us the privilege of helping some young people and their families through difficult trial. Satan had laid a cleverly disguised trap, sin had occurred, and as a result everyone involved was hurting. To make a long story short, God gave a wonderful victory over the period of many weeks. Hearts were softened, Christians responded with grace toward one another, kids and parents were reconciled, and hearts were realigned with God’s direction and purpose. Things broken were healed. Lives out of fellowship were restored. God was good through a very tough situation.

The whole experience was a powerful and immersive experience in the reconciling grace of God. It was a joy to see His truth bring hearts to repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing.

Some days after, I received a note from one of the parents involved in the situation. And one line of that note simply jumped off the page, and has resonated in my heart ever since. It simply said:

“Thank you for giving our kids a way to be right again…”

Read More »

Posted in christian life, counseling, student ministry | Tagged biblical living, counseling, ministry, student ministry | Leave a comment

Why Prayer is Amazing to Me

By caryschmidt | May 1, 2012

Have you stopped to think recently about how amazing it is that God invites us to talk to Him? Here are some reasons I find myself in a constant, jaw-dropped state of wonder at the idea of prayer:

God already knows what I’m going to say, but wants to hear it any way.

God already knows what I need, but enjoys my asking any way.

God even enjoys hearing my voice utter the same request over and over again.

Read More »

Posted in christian life | 3 Comments

Repost: A Word to Weary College Students

By caryschmidt | April 30, 2012

I’ve had five conversations that went almost exactly the same this week. A battle-worn college student says, “I’m not even sure what I’m doing here. I feel like I’m doing nothing and headed nowhere. I’m not where I want to be, and I’m really thinking about what I should do…” The conversations were so similar, I could almost believe that someone is handing you guys a script! And so, I want to briefly share my heart with you, if you are a weary college student. First a few questions—but hang with me until the end.

Read More »

Posted in christian life, counseling, student ministry | 2 Comments

Repost: How to Help a Wounded Person

By caryschmidt | April 21, 2012

forkinroad

One of the most difficult circumstances of life and ministry is to try to help someone who has been deeply hurt. These are hard moments. More than anything, you want to take away the hurt, undo the pain, and fix the problem. But it’s just not that easy. Woundedness—regardless of how it occurred—requires time and God’s grace in order to heal.

Here are a few thoughts (not exhaustive by any means) that you might be able to place in your tool box to encourage and help those who are wounded.

First—Teach through Hebrews 12. Much of life’s pain is not disciplinary in nature—but all of it is allowed of God and is intended to be used by Him to produce good in our lives (Romans 8:28). Hebrews 12 deals powerfully with how Christians should respond to wounds and chastening—by claiming God’s grace and turning away from bitterness. As I study this passage it seems that chastening is both disciplinary and nurturing. In other words, it’s not always about discipline, but it is always difficult and painful to the purpose of producing growth and fruit.

Read More »

Posted in counseling, ministry & outreach | 4 Comments

Five Lies That Will Wreck Your Marriage

By caryschmidt | April 16, 2012

“Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it…” (Song of Solomon 8:6-7)

This passage compares marital love to a fire that cannot be quenched—it has a “most vehement flame” and not even floods can drown it.

Building this kind of love is the dream of every young couple and the call of every committed couple—and the effort is well worth it! But to build this kind of marriage, you’re going to have to resist some lies—to get rid of some faulty and cynical thinking. You’re going to have to swim upstream and insist on not accepting anything less than a fiery, highly flammable marriage.

In short, here are some lies that will most certainly try to douse your flames…

Read More »

Posted in family | Tagged family, marriage | 2 Comments

Please Pray for Youth Conference 2012!

By caryschmidt | April 10, 2012

Tomorrow evening we launch into a three day event with approximately 2,300 teenagers from all over the country. Dozens of churches are gathering on our campus for the West Coast Baptist Youth Conference, 2012. The teens will be engaged in six services filled with Bible teaching and preaching. And more than anything—we need you to pray.

Months of planning and work will culminate with three focused days of spiritual challenge for teens and youth leaders. We are praying that God will use this time to radically change the direction of many lives. We are praying that this conference will make a difference in the future of thousands of young people. We are praying that God’s preached Word will bring about repentance, surrender, commitment, and spiritual depth—that the decisions made will be life-time decisions.

Pray with us that God will work in the lives of young people, and that they would individually yield to Him. And be sure to join us online for the live stream of the services—Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday at 8pm, and Friday morning between 9am and 12:00 noon. www.lbclive.tv

Thank you for praying!

Posted in student ministry | 1 Comment

Resurrection Hope

By caryschmidt | April 6, 2012

Before the resurrection, there is a cross. Dark. Death. Hopeless.

Before the rainbow, there is a storm. Howling. Desolate. Destructive.

Before the sunrise, there is night. Lonely. Black. Cold.

Before Spring, there is Winter. Frigid. Barren. Bitter.

Read More »

Posted in christian life | 1 Comment

Pit-Bulls and Passionate Parents

By caryschmidt | April 1, 2012

Why the Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Kids is a Strong Marriage!

“Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:6)

One beautiful Spring evening when our kids were still in elementary school, we decided to take a family walk together. The boys mounted their bikes, we placed Haylee into a wagon, and we all began our relaxing trek to the nearby Walmart where we intended to enjoy some ice cream.

A few moments into the trip, the boys were riding well ahead of us, and Dana and I began to discuss our upcoming family vacation options. Bad idea. I had one set of expectations and she had another. And just a few moments into our talk, it became a “discussion”—you know one of those very “un-fun” ones. I wasn’t seeing things her way, and she wasn’t seeing them my way, and so our friendly, family adventure became rather tense and frustrating. Haylee was too young to understand it, and the boys were oblivious to it.

Read More »

Posted in family | 7 Comments

The March Spiritual Leadership Podcast

By caryschmidt | March 27, 2012

Podcast: Download

Don’t miss this month’s Spiritual Leadership Podcast from Pastor Paul Chappell. The topic is “Strengthening the Things that Remain”—a lesson taught this past year at the Spiritual Leadership Conference.

This lesson will challenge you to have a spirit of encouragement, friendship, and edification toward other like-minded leaders. Don’t forget, you can always subscribe to receive the free companion outline if you visit paulchappell.com and click on the Spiritual Leadership Podcast link. This podcast, and it’s previous editions are available on iTunes.

Enjoy this month’s lesson!

Posted in books and resources | Tagged church staff, leadership, podcast, student ministry | Leave a comment

We’re Coming to Memphis, TN

By caryschmidt | March 26, 2012

Just a reminder that Bryan Samms and I are privileged to be in Memphis, TN this Friday and Saturday, preaching to youth groups and encouraging youth leaders and parents! We sure hope you will join us there for the Higher Call Student Summit!

This meeting is a two-day event hosted by Eastside Baptist Church of Memphis, TN in conjunction with West Coast Baptist College. The two days will feature Bible preaching and teaching for students, as well as practical training and encouragement for leaders and parents.

These events are free for your youth groups, and take place on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. You can find out more specific details about dates, locations, schedule, etc. if you visit www.wcbc.edu/highercall.

Read More »

Posted in books and resources, student ministry | 2 Comments

Repost: 10 Ways to Renew Your Spirit

By caryschmidt | March 21, 2012

sunburst

Ever get depleted?

Ever reach the bottom of the barrel when it comes to spiritual energy or passion?

Don’t overreact! It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing all the wrong things with your life. You’re faith is probably still alive and well. There’s no need to go AWOL.  Don’t start doubting every good decision or direction in your life.

You probably just need to restore—to let God revive your spirit. God’s Word is filled with ways to find new strength and to renew your spirit. Here is a quick glimpse at ten of them:

Read More »

Posted in christian life | Leave a comment

The Most Powerful Parenting Practice

By caryschmidt | March 13, 2012

What wise parents do when they don’t know what to do.

“Something’s going wrong in the heart of my child, and I’m not sure what to do!” Ever been there, parent? Have you ever seen the fruit of attitudes, behaviors, and decisions growing from the young branches of your child’s life, and been terrified by what’s producing that fruit—what sinful root might be fueling a destructive direction? What do you do in these situations?

Read More »

Posted in family, student ministry | 4 Comments

If—A Powerful Poem by Rudyard Kipling

By caryschmidt | March 1, 2012

I must be literarily challenged! Every now and then I come across something that everybody else knows of, but somehow I missed. Does that ever happen to you? This may be one of those cases.

Yesterday, while reading, I came across a powerful poem written by Rudyard Kipling in 1895. It’s simply called “IF”—I’m sure I’ve heard it, but had long forgotten about it, and I found it challenging and useful. I hope you will be encouraged by it and pass it along or use it in some way…

Read More »

Posted in leadership | Tagged devotional thoughts | 8 Comments

Four Focuses of Effective Parents

By caryschmidt | February 27, 2012

Warning: This post is longer than usual…

I love being a parent! If you have children, I hope you do too! We live in a culture that divides the home—if not physically, then relationally. A casual look at many American families would lead you to conclude that parents don’t like their children, and children don’t like their parents. From parents who neglect family time for work or personal interests, to kids who hole up in their bedrooms to “hang out” on Facebook—it appears that some families do everything possible to avoid each other. I challenge you to resist—to reverse this trend. Like a fish swimming upstream, choose to develop your family differently.

Read More »

Posted in family, student ministry | 2 Comments
  • shortfooter2
« Older posts
  • Email Subscription


  • Twitter
  • Subscribe
  • Popular Posts

    • Top 15 Questions Christian Teens Ask
    • Old Soldiers, Young Soldiers...
    • Repost: How to Help a Wounded Person
    • Making it Easy to Make it Right...
    • Five Lies That Will Wreck Your Marriage
    • Why Prayer is Amazing to Me
    • Repost: A Word to Weary College Students
    • Saddest Letter I've Ever Read
    • How We Keep Our Marriage Fresh
    • 20 Reasons to Avoid Premarital Sex
  • Categories

  • From StrivingTogether.com

  • Topics

    • family(91)
    • student ministry(87)
    • biblical living(85)
    • ministry(73)
    • parenting(73)
    • teen life(57)
    • leadership(52)
    • local church(51)
    • adolescence(39)
    • counseling(36)
    • technology(30)
    • church staff(29)
    • productivity(25)
    • striving together(25)
    • sunday school(24)
    • books(22)
    • college and career(22)
    • teaching(21)
    • time management(21)
    • podcast(19)
    • book review(17)
    • communication(17)
    • danger(16)
    • organization(15)
    • devotional thoughts(13)
    • media & tech(12)
    • team(10)
    • humor(8)
    • soulwinning(8)
    • twitter(8)
    • blog(6)
    • music(6)
    • marriage(5)
    • social networking(5)
    • dating(3)
    • satanic(3)
    • education(2)
    • separation(2)
  • Twitter Updates

    • Brunch date with Dana! Best part of every week!!! about 7 hours ago from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
    • RT @PaulChappell: Indulgences Return. Really? http://t.co/MqWvr8nC about 11 hours ago from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
    • RT @PaulChappell: Grateful tonight to honor youth workers who have been faithful for decades http://t.co/wkLXPpPS 04:36:53 AM May 15, 2012 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
    • Spring Banquet 2012! Special memory!!! http://t.co/CwfcnEuT 01:55:39 AM May 15, 2012 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
    • Looking forward to honoring our graduates at tonight's Spring Banquet! Grateful for God's goodness!! 04:20:47 PM May 14, 2012 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
    @caryschmidt
  • Recent Posts

    • Old Soldiers, Young Soldiers…
    • Making it Easy to Make it Right…
    • Why Prayer is Amazing to Me
    • Repost: A Word to Weary College Students
    • Repost: How to Help a Wounded Person
    • Five Lies That Will Wreck Your Marriage
    • Please Pray for Youth Conference 2012!
    • Resurrection Hope
    • Pit-Bulls and Passionate Parents
    • The March Spiritual Leadership Podcast
  • Recent Photos

    Santa Monica Pier at Sunset Morrow Bay Sunset At the Hearst Castle Tour A Coastal Walk Family Day at the Coast The Whole Tribe
    View more photos >
  • Ministry Links

    • Daily in the Word Radio
    • Dr. Paul Chappell's Blog
    • John Goetsch Blog
    • Lancaster Baptist Church
    • LBC in Spanish
    • Striving Together Publications
    • The Baptist Voice
    • West Coast Baptist College
  • Archives

    • May 2012 (3)
    • April 2012 (6)
    • March 2012 (5)
    • February 2012 (8)
    • January 2012 (6)
    • December 2011 (5)
    • November 2011 (6)
    • October 2011 (7)
    • September 2011 (6)
    • August 2011 (6)
    • July 2011 (4)
    • June 2011 (5)
    • May 2011 (6)
    • April 2011 (6)
    • March 2011 (6)
    • February 2011 (6)
    • January 2011 (6)
    • December 2010 (5)
    • November 2010 (12)
    • October 2010 (8)
    • September 2010 (6)
    • August 2010 (5)
    • July 2010 (6)
    • June 2010 (6)
    • May 2010 (7)
    • April 2010 (8)
    • March 2010 (11)
    • February 2010 (7)
    • January 2010 (9)
    • December 2009 (12)
    • November 2009 (6)
    • October 2009 (9)
    • September 2009 (10)
    • August 2009 (11)
    • July 2009 (7)
    • June 2009 (14)
    • May 2009 (5)
    • April 2009 (4)
    • March 2009 (4)
    • February 2009 (2)
    • January 2009 (4)
    • December 2008 (8)
    • November 2008 (3)
    • September 2008 (1)
    • August 2008 (1)
    • May 2008 (2)
    • April 2008 (2)
    • December 2007 (2)
    • July 2007 (4)
    • April 2007 (2)
    • January 2007 (2)
    • November 2006 (4)
    • October 2006 (6)
  • Popular Posts

    • Top 15 Questions Christian Teens Ask
    • Old Soldiers, Young Soldiers...
    • Repost: How to Help a Wounded Person
    • Making it Easy to Make it Right...
    • Five Lies That Will Wreck Your Marriage
    • Why Prayer is Amazing to Me
    • Repost: A Word to Weary College Students
    • Saddest Letter I've Ever Read
    • How We Keep Our Marriage Fresh
    • 20 Reasons to Avoid Premarital Sex
  • Header Links

    • Health Updates
    • Home
    • About/Contact
    • Archives
    • Books
    • Music CDs
    • Sheet Music
    • Ministry Links
    • Photos
    • The Best News!
Powered by WordPress. Built on the Thematic Theme Framework.