Quote for your day:  Either you run the day or the day runs you. -Jim Rohn I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone. -Bill Cosby It’s a wonderful truth I’ve discovered: in my writing, I cannot (and will not) please everyone.  Not every reader will take a shine to …

It’s difficult to finish a book.  Here, hot off the press, is the postscript for my short story collection, Deep Roots. Since it’s fresh, I’d appreciate your editorial input on grammar, clarity, etc. (i.e. “everything can be improved.”) Book Title:  Deep Roots:  Stories that Matter Epilogue:  Why I Write: “If you’re able to quit writing, you probably should.”   _-Cec Murphey …

The Landmark Pine[CI1]   It’s the lone pine tree on the front/back cover of this book. It’s a landmark tree. Deep roots Rita The Louisiana Landmark Tree The Louisiana Landmark Tree was given to these 28 Live Oaks, forming the entrance way to Oak Alley Plantation. These trees took root before the 1718 founding of New Orleans, and have lived …

Quote for your day: You will treat people and relationships differently when you know you are going to reap the harvest in a later season.  -Priscilla Shirer I’m reminded of the words of “Sparky” Anderson, longtime manager of the Cincinnati Reds during the “Big Red Machine” days: “It don’t even cost a nickel to be nice to somebody.” Scripture for …

“Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”   -Mother Teresa I’m completing a short story collection for release.  I have room for five (5) more stories.  I’m asking readers and friends to help me choose. Below are three (3) of the stories I’m “auditioning.” Please read them and rank …

Read more at www.davidhankins.net Be Slow to Blog  by Dr. David Hankins   Exec. Director La. Baptist Convention. I have a blog. It seems like only recently that I got my first e-mail account but it was 14 years ago! The address was a random series of numbers and letters that defied logic and memorization. My blog site is simply my …

Today’s Proverb:  Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses the way.  Proverbs 19:2 ESV A Prayer for the day:  Lord, keep me from two places:  Lagging behind your will for my life and being ahead of your will.  You know me well, I’m prone to both, especially the latter. Teach me to walk …

Jared Cooley is an East Beauregard High student who has just finished his first CD.  It is extremely well done and professionally produced.  You will be impressed. Click the link below to learn more about the CD, his release party, and Jared Cooley. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1580323110#!/event.php?eid=121805981209874

On the Road Why I write:  I pass a soldier in the DFW Airport. His nametag reads Cross and his patch shows a cross. He’s a Christian Chaplain named Cross. I hand him a copy of “Wayfaring.” He’s on his way back to Afghanistan and promises to share it with his “men.” I know he will. I imagine I’ll hear …

Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities will always be one of my favorite novels.  It’s a historical masterpiece exploring two cultures and the destruction during the French Revolution. My favorite character is the unlikable Sydney Carton, who ends the book as the true hero of the story.  A good book always features characters who overcome great odds and become …

I had one of the signal honors of my life yesterday. My Alma Mater, Louisiana College in Pineville, La, recognized me as a distinguished alumnus. I was able to share with the chapel audience for five minutes. I kiddingly said I had four points in five minutes. I believe I made it. If not, I was close. Most of all …

Plethora |ˈpleθərə| noun ( a plethora of) an excess of (something) : a plethora of committees and subcommittees. • Medicine an excess of a bodily fluid, particularly blood. Being a writer, I naturally love words.  I learned a new word this weekend from the best redneck duck hunter I know, Todd Burnaman.    Todd is the manager of our beloved Dry …

Stewardship: “The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.” Proverbs 12:27 NIV Stewardship is about the wise use of the resources God has placed in our hands and heart.  Stewardship is the result of humility and gratitude. Traveling to the Third (Developing) World has taught me so much about stewardship.  It is an …

“Don’t give up on anything that you cannot go a day without thinking about.” Keep your Dream “I put it on you because you can take it; somebody else might not could have.” -Barbara Bowles on God’s comfort on her “Cancer Journey”