A word from Curt Teacher.  There’s no higher calling.  There’s few professions that can influence as well as a dedicated teacher. The best teacher I ever met was Charles Cavanaugh. This is his story.   Professor Cavanaugh’s Best Lecture Nervously I stood in the hallway outside the Louisiana College biology department’s second floor office, waiting to see Professor Cavanaugh. …

Today would be the birthday of one of my heroes, Logan Skiles. This is a story about him from Stories from the Creekbank.  Enjoy! If you have a Logan Skiles memory, please comment at the end of this story. He hit it right down the line… I nervously stood in right field as a skinny thirteen-year-old softball player. At the …

Each Sunday, we share prayer needs, events of the coming week, and share a story, photo, and more. 3 Prayer Requests for this week: I speak Wednesday night at Palestine Baptist Church in Grant.  This is the church DeDe and I attended after our marriage in 1979. Pray that I’ll clearly share about how we are all called to be …

A word from Curt This story, from The Mockingbird’s Song, features one of the most touching stories from the terrible events of September 11, 2001   A Tight Rope . . . Held by a Tight Friend   World Trade Center North Tower New York City September 11, 2001   Stairway 27C of the North Tower of the World Trade …

This story, from Wind in the Pines, celebrates two intertwined lives:  My father, Clayton Iles, and my dear friend Ricky Gallien. Today marks fourteen years since Ricky left us. I share this story as a simple way of remembering his rich life as well as mourning his loss. I still miss both of them. My Dad and my friend Ricky. …

  A word from Curt Relationships. The longer I live, the more I believe it: everything rises and falls on relationships. This story, from The Old House, reflects that with several memorable stories.   A Bridge Built on Catfish   Driving over the small bridge across Mill Bayou, I’m filled with disgust at the trash strewn in the ditch. Scattered …

If you missed last week’s Story Letter, you can read it here.    When you pray, you hold the rope. Thank you for covering our writing, speaking, and ministry with prayer. Here are current prayer needs for DeDe and me: I consider it a privilege to speak to groups of all types and backgrounds.  Please pray for these upcoming events: …

If you missed yesterday’s story letter,  click here to read. Erik and Yvonne Pederson had been on my mind all week. Yvonne was buried yesterday in her beloved Dry Creek.  I had the privilege of delivering her eulogy. I had spoken at her husband’s funeral about ten years ago. I described her as “A woman with a dazzling smile who …

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 …