Leaning on the Everlasting Arms   “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” –Deuteronomy 33:27   I know it is still there—page 276 in the old Broadman hymnal—that old classic hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” I can still hear Nell Christopher playing the opening lines as we sang: What a fellowship, what a joy …

Wow! Wow!  What a good word. ‘Wow’ infers that something caught our attention and amazed us. It is a companion to my three note song of life: 1. Stay curious. 2. Be amazed. 3. Tell a story The “Wow Story” presently moving my heart is the miracle of Kelly and Shane Longoria. God is healing Kelly from what should’ve been …

combine with Joseph’s brothers and their 20 year lie Some are saying it cost him $10 million dollars in endorsements. The lower estimate is that Ryan Lochte’s string of lies cost him at least $5 million in future earnings and endorsements. $5 million or $10 million lost.  That’s a pile of regret. And it all goes back to a drunken …

We continue in prayer for our Louisiana neighbors and friends affected by the flood.  In the midst of this devastation, the good people of my state have shown again why Louisiana is a great place.  We take care of each other when the chips are down.  With the recent floods in Louisiana, readers have mentioned stories from Katrina and Rita. …

  I believe so deeply in Trampled Grass that we’re making it super easy to order your copy.  Simply complete the form below and submit.  We’ll send your autographed copy with an invoice. Curt Iles      Test

  These are the memoirs of my grandmother, Pearl Stockwell Iles. Overview of the life of Pearl Iles   Preface by Bill Iles     Page 1 Page 2   Page  3 Page 4   Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9   Page  10 Page 11 Page  12   Page 13 Page  14   Page 15 …

A word from Curt Remembrance. It’s a good word. Today, I’m remembering my precious grandmother, Pearl Stockwell Iles. Today would be her 101st birthday. She was MaMa Pearl to me, and she filled my life with love. I speak for all of her wide family.  MaMa filled our lives with her love.     I thought of MaMa Pearl often …

Scroll down for photos and notes from a week to remember. Holding the Rope: We depend on our friends to pray for us.  We call it holding the rope.  Here are the priorities for the coming week: We’re teaching a Bible study to college students at our church, The Gathering Place Wardville. Pray for Jesus to be the true teacher …

Louisiana Rain A word from Curt:  Prayer. It’s a powerful word because it links us to a powerful God. The following story occurred this week during my chaplain work at Roy O. Martin’s two mills. Enjoy. Stay curious. Be amazed. Tell a story   While making my rounds at the Chopin mill, an employee named Harley* stopped me. “Chaplain, do …

Dry Creek’s finest and biggest pine knot pile in the yard of my friends, Mark and Kari Miller. The following is a short sad story on how I lost my own pile. Earthly treasures, pine knot piles, and 401 (K) accountsx All of a sudden, the February wind picked up and turned out of the south. Instantly what had been …

Today’s blog post comes from our new book,  Trampled Grass. Learn how you can download a free copy or buy your autographed copy at www.creekbank.net This story,  “Misplaced” has been on my mind all week. These words are so pertinent during this time of crisis in Louisiana. I am a refugee torn from my land, Cast off to travel this …

  From Stories from the Creekbank by Curt Iles   Keep on Paddling Our canoe drifted into the swift cold waters of the White River. All of a sudden we’d left the calm waters of the narrow Buffalo River and now were paddling furiously upstream in a raging, much-wider river. Frank Bogard and I were at the end of a …

From the book,  Stories from the Creekbank, by Curt Iles   A Loving Hand The Time is Now  If you are ever going to love, love me now, while I can know The sweet and tender feelings from which true affection flow. Love me now, while I am living. Do not wait until I’m gone. And then have it chiseled …

Today is DeDe and my 37th wedding anniversary. Wow. This story, from Deep Roots, expresses how I feel after all of these years.   Running through the Lobby: 8 short minutes; 30 years ago It’s nearly midnight– Mountain Daylight Time on the last night of a great Writers’ Conference. I’m sitting on the floor in the Marriott Denver lobby. (I’m …