Pay Your Blessings Forward

Our culture has a term—“Pay it forward! ” The idea is that we don’t expect people we help to pay us back. Instead, we hope they will remember our kindness and help someone else. 
It’s not a new idea. In fact, our heavenly Father has always encouraged his people to “pay it forward.” We don’t pay [...]

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A Grateful Heart

As we approach that one special day of the year we’ve intentionally set aside to reflect on our blessings, I am reminding myself to take some time to count all of mine. This is not always an easy thing to do.
It’s so easy to look around at other people and envy the things that they have: I [...]

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Happy Thanksgiving Day?

Happy Thanksgiving Day!
But wait! What about the month? What about a Happy Thanksgiving month?! 
I’ve always enjoyed sharing Thanksgiving Day at church and with my family. But this year, I’ve decided to observe a personal thanksgiving month. I want to take some time and effort to say thanks to people who have been a such blessing [...]

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Not Sure What to Say to a Grieving Friend? Here’s Help!

Have you ever felt awkward about talking with a friend who has lost a loved one? We all probably have. The good news for us as Christians is that Jesus is the master when it comes to directing our steps. He encourages us to get ourselves out of the way and reach out to the [...]

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Give Thanks! A Devotion for Thanksgiving

How empty life would feel if we could not remember! 

The happy lick of a puppy’s tongue.
That week we spent in bed with chicken pox at age seven.
The tottering gait of our child’s first step.
The splendor of a path cut through a yellow, orange, green, brown forest.
The agony of sacrifice that backlights, as it were, our [...]

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Take Courage!

Yes, we need courage. We face many struggles—in the economy, in raising children, in creating a spiritual home environment, in relating to others as good husbands or wives, brothers or sisters, daughters or sons, friends, employee, or employers. Many days, it takes a good deal of courage just to get out of bed in the [...]

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Knee Work

Today’s devotion is the fourth in a series adapted slightly from Serving in His Steps: Focused Scriptures and Prayers for the Fast-Paced Life. It’s one of CTA’s newest products—an accordion-fold booklet with brief daily devotions and a pedometer to use while you walk. It makes a great thank-you gift for church professionals and volunteers who [...]

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Breathing Deeply

Today’s devotion is the third in a series adapted slightly from Serving in His Steps: Focused Scriptures and Prayers for the Fast-Paced Life. It’s one of CTA’s newest products—an accordion-fold booklet with daily devotions and a pedometer to use while you walk. It makes a great thank-you gift for church professionals and volunteers who want [...]

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Just Do It!

Today’s devotion is the second in a series adapted slightly from Serving in His Steps: Focused Scriptures and Prayers for the Fast-Paced Life. It’s one of CTA’s newest products—an accordion-fold booklet with daily devotions and a pedometer to use while you walk. It makes a great thank-you gift for church professionals and volunteers who want [...]

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2009 Servant Heart Pastor of the Year Winner!

arlier this morning, Christian Tools of Affirmation (CTA) announced that this year’s Servant Heart Pastor of the Year is Rev. Donald Ruth of St. John’s Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA. Pastor Ruth was chosen from among more than 2000 nominations representing approximately 1400 pastors from around the United States.
“Our pastor is a humble-spirited kingdom [...]

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