December 31, 2010 Quote for the day:  “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each year find you a better man.”  -Benjamin Franklin The end of another year.  They pass by faster and faster.  I’m also so much more thankful for each one of them and the blessings of God.  Thank you, Lord. …

“Facing it–always facing it–that’s the way to get through it. Face it!”  -Joseph Conrad. Prayer for a new year:  “Lord, help me to remember that nothing I will face in 2011 is too tough for you and I to handle together. Amen.” Deep Roots is now available in E-book format. Sample or purchase it here. We are thrilled with the …

Quote for the day:  “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.”  -Martin Luther Louisiana Life magazine recently featured my beloved uncle Bill Iles and his art.  You can read it by clicking here. I’m reviewing my journals from 2010 as I plan for the coming year.  Here are tidbits that struck me as I read and …

“Simplicity is an exact medium between too little and too much.” -Sir Joshua Reynolds Proverbs 30:7-9 (New International Version, ©2010) 7 “Two things I ask of you, LORD; do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have …

Dec. 24 Dry Creek, La I have a heart-warming article, “Stolen Christmas Trees” on today’s Baptist Press. Read it at http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34320

Proverb for the day:  Buy truth, and do not sell it, get wisdom and instruction and understanding. Proverbs 23:23  There’s always a bull market on buying truth and wisdom. It’s a good investment. SIMPLICITY  My word for beginning 2011 is simplicity.  I want to learn to live more simply. Here’s what Emerson said:  “to be simple is to be great.” …

Merry Christmas to all of our friends and readers.  We wish the very best to all of you and your families. ************************** Proverbs for the day: “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9 Each day of the year is an opportunity to be generous.  Christmas is a time to reflect …

Proverbs for the Day: “He who guards his mouth and tongue, guards his soul from trouble.” Proverbs 21:23 “Christmas Jelly”   from Deep Roots copyright 2010 Creekbank Stories Of all my holiday gifts, Christmas jelly is always my favorite. Each year I receive this special gift from a very special lady in my life. Before I share what Christmas jelly …

It’s Christmas and we’ll be blogging Christmas stories this week. Here is one of my favorites. It is a fictional story about Christmas 1944 in Belgium.  It was featured in the short story collection entitled The Write Before Christmas. “The Medic’s Long Walk” “Medic. Help.” Nazi sniper Unerfeldewebel Franz Schmidt didn’t know any English, but in the case of the …

Oswald Chambers: “God’s grace produces men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, not pampered, spoiled weaklings.” Jesus is not interested in wimpy followers. “Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much great hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.”  -Mother Teresa. Let’s look for …

Proverb for your Day:  “A just balance and scales belong to the Lord…” Proverbs 16:11  A reminder on integrity in our business. How to get in the Christmas mood: take a group of precious Dry Creek girls caroling.  We went last night to three homes.  The singing was spirited; the spirit was inspiring.

“A soft answer turns away wrath.” Prov.15:1 It’s also called a “gentle answer.” A reminder: “how we say it is as important as what we say.”

Proverbs for the day: A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.   Prov. 13:12 “Lord, help me have influence and impact in the lives of my five grandchildren. Help me to leave an inheritance of love, family, laughter, fun, memories, and faith in You. Amen.”

Today I’ll be at the Grant Christmas Tree Farm. If you’re in the area, drop by.  It is the ultimate family place.  Learn more at http://www.grantchristmastreefarm.com That photo shows why I look writing books. It has been a wonderful way to make so many new friends of all ages and backgrounds.  My favorite quote right now is from cellist Yo …