Author Archives: caryschmidt

Before You Criticize Your Pastor…

By caryschmidt | March 15, 2010

Ever noticed that some people relish the criticism of pastors? Like kids and candy—they addict themselves even though it’s rotting something in them. While choosing voluntarily to stay under his leadership, they commit themselves to finding and exploiting every possible imperfection. I’ve never understood this thinking. Selecting a pastor, only to proceed to condemn the [...]

Posted in christian life | Tagged biblical living, church staff, danger, leadership, local church, ministry, satanic, team | 3 Comments

Lucky Bus Drivers!

By caryschmidt | March 12, 2010

Sign found at a Burger King in Central California. Sort of like a frequent flier club for bus drivers—aren’t they lucky!
I sat in this section—even though I’m not a bus driver.
It was AWESOME!

Posted in humor | Tagged humor | Leave a comment

Andrew Murray on Trials

By caryschmidt | March 6, 2010

This quote about trials from Andrew Murray found its way to me through Dr. Mark Rasmussen. Perhaps it will encourage you!
“First, He brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place: in that fact I will rest.”
“Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace to [...]

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

10 Things Your Teen Won’t Tell You (Part 3)

By caryschmidt | March 4, 2010

This is the third and final part in this series of articles. Click here to read part one or part two.
7. I’m as confused as you are about my problems. The truth—when you, in frustration, ask—“What wrong with you!?” They honestly don’t know the answer. If you feel like you are confused about what’s going [...]

Posted in family | Tagged adolescence, family, parenting, student ministry, teen life | 1 Comment

10 Things Your Teen Won’t Tell You (Part 2)

By caryschmidt | March 2, 2010

This is part two of a three part series. Click here to read the first part of this article.
4. My deepest need is a sincere relationship with you. (I need time with parents.) Not only will they not say this—they won’t even admit to it or understand it. This one resides so deep in our God-given [...]

Posted in family | Tagged adolescence, family, parenting, student ministry, teen life | 1 Comment

Great News about Striving Together!

By caryschmidt | February 25, 2010

Great news—Striving Together Publications is growing! Today, we launched several new specials and features:
1. A Beautiful New Home Page—this new home page has been in the works for a couple of months and we’re excited to finally launch it. You’ll find three primary rotating graphics featuring newest resources or specials. Then further down the page [...]

Posted in books and resources | Leave a comment

Before You Discipline Your Child…

By caryschmidt | February 23, 2010

Discipline is a sacred thing. Too often we parents take discipline too lightly or treat it too flippantly. In the big picture, all discipline is about bringing our children into a right relationship with their Heavenly Father, that He might bless their lives. It’s not about controlling behavior, modifying behavior, or minimizing embarrassment. Pure and [...]

Posted in family | Tagged adolescence, family, parenting, student ministry, teen life | 4 Comments

Thankful for Christian Education

By caryschmidt | February 19, 2010

This past Saturday we had some family time and decided to drive over to the coast for the afternoon. It was one of the most beautiful coastal days I’ve ever seen—the sun was warm, the waves were huge, and it seemed that we had several miles of beach to ourselves. One of the highlights was [...]

Posted in family | Tagged family, parenting | 4 Comments

Problems with Fun-Focused Youth Ministry

By caryschmidt | February 15, 2010

Is your youth ministry Bible-focused or fun-focused? It’s easy to focus more on making the youth group fun than on making it biblical. I’m all for having a good time with students in the right context, but we have a much higher calling. How easy it is to fall into the trap of spending more [...]

Posted in student ministry | Tagged biblical living, local church, ministry, student ministry, sunday school, teen life | 8 Comments

10 Things Teens Won’t Tell You (Part 1)

By caryschmidt | February 8, 2010

Have you noticed that teens are tight lipped? For a myriad of reasons—usually intimidation being the biggest—they really find it difficult to talk to adults at times. This is especially true with parents. In every home, there is a spiritual battle against authentic communication. Let’s face it—the devil doesn’t want parents and teens to truly [...]

Posted in family, student ministry | Tagged adolescence, family, parenting, student ministry, teen life | 1 Comment

New SL Podcast—Striving Together

By caryschmidt | February 1, 2010

The February edition of the Spiritual Leadership Podcast has just posted! And Pastor Paul Chappell shares an insightful “in-studio” interview regarding the lesson.
Originally taught at the Spiritual Leadership Conference 2009, it is entitled “Striving Together.” This lesson focuses on how we should encourage one another in ministry.
The Spiritual Leadership podcast is a free resource from [...]

Posted in books and resources | Tagged leadership, ministry, podcast, striving together | 1 Comment

New Curriculum—Salt and Light!

By caryschmidt | January 28, 2010

Striving Together Publications is excited to announce the soon availability (Feb. 12) of this new adult curriculum from Dr. Mark Rasmussen! This 13 lesson series was over two years in development, and I’m extremely happy with the finished product. Dr. Rasmussen is one of the greatest Christian educators alive today, and you will find this [...]

Posted in books and resources | Tagged biblical living, book review, local church, striving together, sunday school, teaching | Leave a comment

A New Report on Spanking

By caryschmidt | January 26, 2010

Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported on a recent study that validated (not that it needed to be) the biblical model of child-rearing—spankings combined with balanced love, forgiveness, and nurture. The study showed that kids who were spanked actually did better in many areas of life, including academically, than those who were not spanked.
The [...]

Posted in family | Tagged family, parenting | 1 Comment

New Data about Kids and Media

By caryschmidt | January 24, 2010

Several days ago the LA Times reported on a Kaiser Family Foundation study that showed kids are now averaging 53 hours per week in digital media, including TV, video games, cell phone, computer, etc. This does not include when kids are multitasking—perhaps using their phone and watching TV at the same time. When factoring those [...]

Posted in family | Tagged adolescence, danger, family, media & tech, parenting, social networking, technology | Leave a comment

Making Marriage a Priority

By caryschmidt | January 23, 2010

A month ago, Dana and I crossed our 20-year anniversary together. With the busyness of the Christmas season, we waited until this past week to get some time away. The Lord allowed us to spend five days on the central California coast (an area we haven’t visited much in the last decade). I had forgotten [...]

Posted in family | Tagged family, marriage | 3 Comments