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 the camp and observing the happy but tired faces of...

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....

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 did, he did, and the Celtics won. What a fine story. What a good lesson for those of...

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 desert sits under a broom (juniper tee) and asks God to...

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 to set up our video equipment and screen to show The Jesus Film. Upon arrival a few hours before...