Posts by ChrisMadaySchmidt
A day late, still delicious: guilt-free fudge worth celebrating
National Fudge Day might’ve passed, but that doesn’t mean we missed out. Just like grace, there’s always enough sweetness to go around—even if it comes a bit late. This healthier fudge recipe is a reminder to enjoy life’s little indulgences without guilt, pressure, or perfection. Ingredients 1 1/2 cups 60% dark or higher chocolate 3/4…
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Adjusting our pace: walking in step with our Shepherd
Last year, I switched from a paper planner to the digital variety—a big transition since I adopted the use of Franklin planners in the late 80s. For me, however, there’s still something about flipping the page on a physical calendar to reveal a brand-new month. Recently, I purchased a large desk-top version to help me…
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From the foundation: character-building 101
Over the past few weeks, I’ve come to realize this season of waiting my husband and I are navigating isn’t so much about what’s not happening—it’s about what is happening. When Bob and I took a leap of faith three years prior and relocated our household from a suburban life of relative ease to a…
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Medicine for the spirit: determining your state of heart
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” ~ Proverbs 17:22 I believe the key to a cheerful heart described in Proverbs requires shifting from a mindset focused on past losses to present blessings. Since stress affects our physical well-being, then it stands to reason that negativity can do…
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When God seems silent: quieting the noise
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. ~ Psalm 41:11 The other afternoon, my husband shared an observation: “God’s been silent…” Though I was quick to remind him of the Lord’s divine interruption several years…
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When all else fails: hitting the trails
Change your mind, change your life isn’t just a trite phrase because the mind is one area in our lives we can control. A few weeks ago, I coined an expression that ranks right up there with how my husband Bob, and I initiate change: When all else fails, hit the trails. This statement, though…
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Finding a happy medium: 4 tips for a nontraditional Mother’s Day
Before our daughter, Bailey moved out of state—and after her dad and I relocated to Northern Arizona—she commuted three hours that first Mother’s Day and we hung out at our cabin for the weekend. Once she was living in Colorado, however, the second year we celebrated over FaceTime. Unfortunately, this year logistics forced us to…
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Beyond the storm clouds: searching for glimmers of silver lining
Thanks to a couple of unplanned surprises during a recent overnight trip for medical appointments in the Phoenix Valley, I’ve gotten to practice resting in the Lord’s finished work on the cross (see Claiming victory). During our last day in town, a simple oil change resulted in a new starter several hours later. In addition,…
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Claiming victory: resting in His finished work on the cross
During Easter weekend, my husband and I watched An Easter Bloom, a sweet Hallmark movie about love and forgiveness. The hero, Pastor Derrick, had been unable to forgive himself for a mistake and to share his authentic self with his congregation. I realized how often I, too, hide behind my laptop screen, hesitant to be…
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Consistency counts: making a commitment to yourself
I believe one of the key factors in generating and sustaining movement—the energy that propels us forward and introduces us to a world of possibilities—is consistency; i.e., to be dedicated and focused on a goal, and to remain committed to a task or habit. For me, this means spending time in the Word each morning…
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