Updated 1April 2013 2013 Life Plan as of 30Mar2013  on file: 2013April_My Life Plan_Iles.docx Curt Iles     What Matters Most: PIN 1. My Jesus-Walk   I want to chase hard after Jesus.  Haraka haraka!            2013 Key Verse: “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and how they were uneducated common men, they took note that …

  I seek to live by six defining words.  It helps keep me focused and purposeful.  Here are my current words as of August 2012. I’d love to hear about the words you’ve selected.  

Here are notes, quotes, and drawing from my current notebook.  It’s the 58th journal I’ve kept.           Every leader must be a reader. I’m a “LLL.”  Life Long Learner.  It means I must constantly be reading and listening.                                     …

    This chapter is from our upcoming short story collection,  Christmas Jelly.  It contains two of the most powerful stories on forgiveness I’ve ever heard. May Ruth and Biggie’s stories touch you as they have me.   On Forgiveness   Forgiveness: the greatest gift to give. You can receive it. You can give it. It’s the gift that keeps …

Thursday, July 26 Today is a Lake Charles day.  I’m speaking to the Power Ladies Lunch at Glad Tidings Assembly of God. It will be fun!   Hope.  It’s such a big word. It’s when our candle is flickering And the tender reed of our heart bent and bruised That hope is most needed. It’s when Jesus always shows up.  …

 This is day one of a three-part travelogue on my recent train trip to California.  Enjoy! “All Aboard!” The conductor called out. I hefted my backpack and stepped aboard the Amtrak train. “Where are you headed?” “San Francisco.” “That’s a long way’s from here in Lake Charles.” “Yes, it is.”   I didn’t reveal the reason for my trip.  He’d probably …

  “All Aboard!” The conductor called out. I hefted my backpack and stepped aboard the Amtrak train. “Where are you headed?” “San Francisco.” “That’s a long way’s from here in Lake Charles.” “Yes, it is.”   I didn’t reveal the reason for my trip.  He’d probably think I was crazy. The idea for my Louisiana to California train trip began at …

A story was related to me this week by my friend Jeff James :  a local Mennonite farmer talked about the art of plowing a straight row.  “You’ve got to have the ‘long-look.'” The long-look is always the best look in making good decisions. That’s why I believe so passionately in having a written life plan.  It forces a person …

On The Journey Sunday, July 1 Mrs. Audry Tyler, age 90, shuffles past me on her walker.  Another church member says,  “Curt, I heard you’re going to be overseas on missions.” “Yes, we’ll be gone two to three years.” Mrs. Audry, who served me hundreds of lunches during my school days, says,  “Well, Curt, you won’t be seeing me again.” …

Thursday, June 28 It’s a mockingbird morning. The mockingbird that rules our front yard is a providing a free concert in the (slightly) cooler Louisiana morning. I sit, cup of coffee and Bible, for my quiet time.  In spite of the racket of his 5 note-7 song repertoire, I enjoy my time “alone”:  God, me, and a mockingbird. I’ve always …

When Greg gets to Heaven   Greg Johnson is one of my friends. He’s also a hero and mentor.  I’ve learned way more from Greg than I could ever teach him. Greg lives in Union Hill and serves as a volunteer at Dry Creek Camp.  Greg was born with brain damage and is limited in many ways. But he hasn’t …

Thursday, June 21, 2012 Curt and DeDe Iles        Gondor, Ethiopia   circa 2007   Compelled:  to be driven along by a strong force or object. “It’s O.K. to be out on the limb.  That’s where the best fruit is found.” DeDe and I are taking the first steps on a new journey. We’ve applied with our missions organization,  the International Mission …

I’m blogging this week from G.A. Girls Camp at Dry Creek. Cade Gibbs leads the song,  “Christ be the center of our lives.                                                        Be the place we fix our eyes.” Young girls singing fills the Tabernacle. I think of Patti and her story.  She’s an adult who grew up at Dry …