Quote for the day: “A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.” -Ayn Rand Pay no attention to what the critics say; there has never been set up a statue in honor of a critic. -Jean Sibelius Today’s Proverb: When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches …

The Story of the Big Rocker. It was 2005. We had just constructed the porch on the Tabernacle at Dry Creek Camp.  Karan Robinson showed me a photo of a huge rocker made by an Arkansas craftsman.  She said,  “Don’t you think it’d look great on this porch.” I agreed, then asked the question:  “How much would it cost?” “$1500.” …

Proverb for the day: A person’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.  Proverbs 19:11 A real man (or woman) is big enough to let offenses pass by.  We can waste lots of energy carrying grudges and miffs. One of my favorite singers, Jerry Jeff Walker, sang about his friend Hondo Crouch, “He was the …

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” This is a mock up masthead for http://www.creekbank.net. Julian Quebedeaux of Ninja Studios has crafted it. …

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.” …