Monthly Archives: October 2009

Forgiveness: Build A Bridge And Get Over It

Forgiveness: what a word!!! I stood before the thirty summer staffers in the camp dining hall. We had all just returned from a great weekend in Houston. It was now time to return to the world of camp and get ready for 400 campers arriving the next morning. During our Houston weekend I’d shared mini-devotions on Joseph. After returning to …

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What Causes Depression?

I’m often asked, “What causes a person to become depressed?” My answer is often, “No one knows.” One of my wise doctors, a psychiatrist, once said, “Curt, we don’t understand as much as we’d like about exactly how the brain, and its chemicals, work.” That being said, I think there are Biblical examples of depression that give us a peek. …

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A Good Game Plan

A good game plan Once, in the heat of the last minutes of a close NBA playoff game, Boston Celtics coach K.C. Jones looked into the faces of his team during a timeout. According to those in the huddle, he looked at no. 33, Larry Bird, nodded and said, “Give him the ball and get out of the way.” They …

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Under The Broom Tree With Elijah

Tonight in revival, I’m speaking from I Kings 19:1-18, specifically verse 4, “He (Elijah) came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die.” Elijah, after the greatest victory in his life (the BBQ on Mt. Carmel where God “showed up and showed out) is running in fear for his life. He goes to the …

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Whatever It Takes

La Esperanza, Honduras From the book by Curt Iles, The Old House copyright 2002 I stood in muddy water in the middle of what was now a raging stream. Only an hour ago this spot was the middle of a dirt road on the side of a hill in northwestern Honduras. We’d arrived here at the home of a family …

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Across The Pea Patch: A Story On My Hero, Don Hunt

Across the Pea Patch: A story on my hero, Don Hunt I often write about traveling to far off places to share the good news of Jesus. Whether it’s Africa or Honduras, I always feel privileged to “go and tell.” Acts 1:8 tells us to “go to the ends of the earth.” However, the greatest mission and ministry opportunities are …

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A Day In The Life Of A Writer

Curt in one of his “offices” Thur. Oct. 22 Lake Charles, LA I am so privileged to write for a living. It is my calling, but I try to never forget what a joy and honor it is to write. You see, I’m “writing for a reason.” My reason to write is to honor God and connect to the hearts …

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A Tale Of Two Caps

A Tale of Two Caps… a story on racial understanding. I cringed when the national news last Friday led on a story, “From Louisiana, a justice of the peace has enraged… ” I knew it was going to be something that put my beloved home state in a bad light… and it did. I’m not going to even dignify that …

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"Six Foot Deep" In Trouble

As promised, here is a light-hearted cemetery story about the fear we all have: someone being buried in the wrong grave. One of my ministries is to work with people in selecting their grave sites at Dry Creek Cemetery. I’ve found that this is a time when we can really help people. I call it the “open window of opportunity.” …

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The Evergreen Cedar Tree

This story, from my second book, The Old House, tells about a sacred place in our community: Dry Creek Cemetery. Later in the story, I share the touching and heroic tale of my friend and neighbor, Arlean Crow Courmier. Yesterday, we buried her father, Arthur Crow, beside Arlean’s grave. As we stood by his grave, several folks pointed out the …

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A Spent Bullet Synopsis

A Spent Bullet Readers: This blog contains a three-page synopsis (0verview) of my current work in progress. I’ve looked at it until my eyes are crossing. I’d appreciate any and all reader feedback for improvements before it begins its journey to publishers.A Spent Bullet I’m looking for grammatical as well as plot ideas, weaknesses, or confusion. WARNING: If reading the …

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Kojak The Fireman

  The last two nights I’ve had dreams from my years as a school principal. I always wonder why I still dream of events of nearly twenty years ago. (In one dream I had an office full of students in trouble as well as angry parents waiting outside; Last night’s dream had something to do with driving a school bus …

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Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season is winding down. Hooray. Hallelujah. I know it’s not officially over until November 30, but it’s safe to say this will be a below normal season, especially for our battered Gulf Coast. Shown are two of my favorite hurricane items. One is my can of Baptist Beer. I write the name of every hurricane that affects our area …

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More On Planning and Planting

More on planning and planting for the future. Beth Koop is one of my Dry Creek Camp friends. Her parents are a classic example of a lifelong good marriage. Beth shared this concerning the future and tree planting. “My daddy was talking about planting a tree a few weeks ago. My mama asked why he wanted to plant a tree …

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